Simon to meet with ASMSU about state budget, tuition

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ASMSU members will get the chance to voice their concerns about possible tuition increases and other issues to MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon tonight when she meets with the organization’s two assemblies.

ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

Student Assembly Chairperson Michael Webber said a visit by Simon presents the perfect opportunity for the two assemblies to meet.

“It’s a good time to get together and collaborate with different issues the assemblies have,” he said.

Simon will talk to the assemblies about tuition and the state budget, among other topics, Webber said.

“It’s given us a direct line to the top to speak about student issues,” Webber said. “It’s good for her to give us feedback on our initiatives.”

This will be the second joint meeting ASMSU has held this year. The first joint meeting was Sept. 10.

ASMSU’s Academic Assembly deals with issues regarding academic issues, such as tuition and book costs. Student Assembly deals with nonacademic issues and represents ASMSU to administration and government bodies.

“This hasn’t usually been practiced in the past, but it’s in our policy that we can do it,” said Brad McDonald, Academic Assembly interim chairperson. “In the past, the two assemblies often weren’t aware of what each other were doing.”

Simon usually meets with ASMSU’s assemblies once per year, but beginning this year, each assembly chairperson has met with Simon once per month, McDonald said.

“We can bring up any questions that we or the assembly have,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for ASMSU.”

Kyle Dysarz, Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs, said it’s important for the students communicate with university administration.

“That’s what we’re about — we’re the voice of the students to the administration and the board,” he said. “It’s crucial to have assembly members engage in dialogue with the administration.”

Because McDonald became the interim chairperson two weeks ago, he only has had one meeting with Simon but said it went very well.

“It’s nice to hear her opinions on things we talk about,” McDonald said.

This meeting is a way for student representatives to discuss issues with MSU administration, he said.

MSU Trustee Faylene Owen also was scheduled to present to the assemblies, but Webber said he has yet to receive her confirmation. Members of the East Lansing City Council also will discuss city plans with the assemblies.

Dysarz said this meeting is important to ASMSU as well as students.

“It sends a strong symbolic message to students,” he said. “It’s also a great opportunity to get people to come who would otherwise not be able to, like the president.”

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