BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University is asking students from all eight IU campuses to share their university spirit with the world through a student video contest on the popular video sharing Web site YouTube.

The contest, now in its second year, is part of the university’s “Celebrate IU” festivities, a month of special events beginning Oct. 1 that this year will include IU President Michael McRobbie’s first State of the University address, world-class performances, art exhibits and building dedications.

IU is part of a leading edge of college campuses using alternative forms of media to communicate with the public and potential students. In 2007, IU posted a series of YouTube videos — with the tagline “Hello, my name is Indiana University” — featuring a range of IU students, from a film student in the individualized major program to an early childhood education student who was also in a rock band.

IU students are asked to submit a 60-seconds-or-less video that expresses why they love IU. Entries are due by 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 17. A panel of students and faculty from several IU campuses will choose three top winners, to be announced on Oct. 22. Cash prizes are $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.

“There are a lot of events planned, but this contest is really an opportunity for the students to add their voices to the whole Celebrate IU month,” said Keith Roach, project manager of the contest and a writer-editor at the IU Office of Creative Services, adding that the contest is open to students at any level, from undergraduates to doctoral students.

Roach said that videos will be judged more for their fun spirit and creativity than for their professional quality.

“It will also be a chance for the hundreds of thousands of IU alumni who can’t make it to the events to join in the celebration,” he said.

To participate, students must create a YouTube account (http://www.youtube.com/signup?next=/my_account), then log in to the account and join the Celebrate IU 2008 group on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/group/celebrate2008), then upload their video to the group.

For more information about Indiana University’s Celebrate IU month, see http://celebrate.iu.edu/index.php.