Skip to main content
Indiana University Bloomington
Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design College of Arts and Sciences

Student Groups

AMID’s extracurricular student groups, including the Retail Studies Student Organization, Design Studies Student Organization and Students in Free Enterprise, are among the campus’ most popular student organizations and are deeply involved in supporting local, national and global communities with their activities and programs. AMID faculty serve as advisors to these groups, and provide guidance and connections for students to industry sponsors.

Retail Studies Organization

The Indiana University Retail Studies Organization is dedicated to providing education and leadership opportunities for students interested in careers in retailing, manufacturing and related industries. Sponsored by AMID, the Retail Studies Organization is among the Bloomington campus’ largest student organizations with more than 400 members. Any IU student interested in the retail industry can be involved in the group, whose membership includes students majoring in apparel merchandising, business, SPEA, and many arts and sciences disciplines. With faculty guidance from Janis Shaffer and Eloise Paul of AMID’s Retail Design and Merchandising Group, the Retail Studies Organization implements events that emphasize education, career development, networking and community philanthropy.

Design Studies Student Organization

The Design Studies Student Organization offers opportunities for all levels of interior design students to broaden and apply their classroom knowledge and studio skills, and pursue professional development and networking opportunities with design industry firms. Among other programs and initiatives, the group organizes special studio projects, participates in design competitions, supports the Bloomington chapter of Habitat for Community, and works with such local institutions as the Monroe County Historical Society to provide design support and expertise. Design Studies Group professor Barb Young provide faculty guidance to the organization.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)

SIFE at Indiana University Bloomington is an award-winning student group advocating service-based learning in the principles of free enterprise. SIFE brings together a diverse network of university students, academic professionals and industry leaders around the shared mission of creating a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business. By contributing their talents to projects that improve the lives of people worldwide, SIFE participants are demonstrating that individuals with a knowledge and passion for business can be a powerful force for change.

SIFE students compete each spring at SIFE Regional Competition and the SIFE National Exposition, where they present the impact of their economic development projects to industry leaders. SIFE IUB has consistently achieved national recognition:

  • SIFE Regional Champions: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
  • SIFE IUB National Opening Round 2nd Runner-up:  2007, 2011
  • 2009, 2010 National Finalist, Entrepreneurship Criteria.
  • 4.0 Club, a recognition of long-term sustainability and project impact