TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Coordinating Council for Student Organizations (CCSO) is proud to announce the Indian Association of Tuscaloosa (IAT) as the UA Student Organization of the Month for October.

Based on the activities and achievements of the IAT, CCSO has chosen the IAT as an organization exemplary to the University community.

The IAT is a special interest organization comprised of 200 members.  The main objectives of the organization are to share the cultures and traditions of India with their American friends and teachers; to guide future Indians arriving; to ensure that Indian students do not get culturally lost; and, to preserve a sense of being “at-home” and share a feeling of kinship.

DIWALI 2003 was held on campus this fall semester by the IAT. It is an annual event, also known as the festival of lights. More than 470 people attended the cultural extravaganza. DIWALI gave an opportunity to promote cultural diversity among all groups on campus. A highlight of the event was an arts and crafts display; Tuscaloosa Mayor Al DuPont, UA President Robert E. Witt and other faculty members attended.

The CCSO serves as the coordinating body for all student organizations.  Its purpose is to provide support to the more than 250 student organizations on the UA campus. The purpose is accomplished by providing organizations a means of membership recruitment, publicity opportunities and acknowledgement through events such as Get On Board Day, the Student Organization Banquet and the Officer Transition Workshop.

For more information about the IAT, contact Sangram Vajre, IAT public relations coordinator, at 205/344-4580. For more information on the CCSO, contact Candice Adkinson or Jeanna Crocker at 205/348-2276, ccso@bama.ua.edu.