In a response, a petition has surfaced on change.org calling for the resignation of Snyder. As of Monday night the petition had almost 500 supporters. 

Political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore Ronald Owens III is from the Flint area and said he finds himself without sleep at night because of the thought of the situation unfolding there.

“The governor of this state has put balancing the budget before the lives of children, mothers, elderly and many more,” Owens said. “He took an oath to both represent and protect the citizens of this great state when he took office, and he has failed to do just that.”

The implications of this accused negligence is why many MSU students find themselves calling for Gov. Snyder’s resignation.

“I am calling for the governor’s resignation because too many children in our community have suffered,” Owens said.

Other students share in the discontent in regard to how this issue came about and place full blame on Snyder and those he appointed in the Flint area.

Social relations junior Ben Schroff agreed with Owens and even feels current investigations by the U.S. attorney’s office are not enough.

“There is evidence showing that his administration had knowledge of the problem but still went ahead with their plan,” Schroff said.

Therefore, he said, a formal criminal investigation must be opened against those accountable.

Other students do not feel the governor should be forced to resign, including the MSU College Republicans, which issued a statement that said they are highly sympathetic to those suffering in Flint.

They also paid mention to Gov. Snyder’s recent executive order creating the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee, an organization dedicated to providing clean water to the citizens of Flint.

“Finger pointing will get us nowhere,” the statement read.

Press Secretary to the Office of the Executive Dave Murray said he completely understands the frustration of Michiganders and Americans alike and the state is doing everything in its power to alleviate the current situation.

“We are following through on a comprehensive, collaborative plan to address all health and safety issues affecting Flint residents now, and long into the future,” Murray said.

Murray also drew attention to the governor’s recent visit with the mayor of Flint to help with the solution process for the city.

“We are working very closely with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver to bring the maximum amount of resources to Flint, to make sure all Flint residents have access to safe, clean water,” Murray said.