The IUS Staff Council had its sixth annual silent auction with this year’s event having a Halloween theme, titled Goblins, Gobblers and Goodies, on Oct. 25 in the Hoosier Room.

Open bidding started at 10 a.m., and attendees had until 3 p.m. to view and declare their price for items on display while coffee and refreshments were served.

Alice Watson, vice president of the IUS Staff Council, said all items up for bid were donated either from staff members or local businesses, and all the proceeds were going to the IUS Staff Council.

“The money raised goes to assist staff members who may possibly be going through some kind of financial situation or toward a book honorarium, which helps pay for staff member’s books who are attending school,” Watson said.

Jerry Wayne, vice chancellor of Alumni and Community Relations, said the people who donate the items are excited to do so for such a great cause.

“Those who come in and bid on the items are equally excited,” Wayne said. “You can hear how much fun people are having — laughing and trying to out-bid each other for their favorite item — it’s just a great camaraderie among the staff and faculty members.”

There were nearly 100 items to bid on.

Some of the items up for auction include paintings, Christmas and Halloween décor, candy, cigars, a picnic set complete with two bottles of wine, a wood splitter and an Indiana University sweatshirt and blanket.

Channell Barbour, associate director of Campus Life, said she had to be very conservative on her bidding.

”There are so many things in here to bid on,” Barbour said. “I could go down the row and bid on every single thing, but I would just go broke.”

However, not everyone agreed. Many came to the auction and could not find anything they wanted to bid on.

Caitlin Stonecipher, biology sophomore, came to the auction and left empty-handed.

“It was fun, but not enough things for younger people,” Stonecipher said. “I didn’t bid on anything, and, with the items that are here, I don’t think that I would have anyway.”

Barbour stuck to her wisdom and bid on only one item, but also left empty-handed.

“Of all the auctions, this year was the most competitive,” Barbour said.
Every year the event successfully raises more money than the last, but this year’s event came up short. Last year, the event raised $2,650 while this year raised $1,857.

By STEVE NICHOLS

Staff

stevnich@ius.edu