For 90 minutes, Matt Clayson was in a pressure cooker.
The pressure cooker was the ASMSU representative office, where Clayson remained with fellow ASMSU Academic Assembly chairperson candidate Steve Lovelace on Tuesday, awaiting the assembly’s final decision on its new leader. The assembly selected Clayson.
“It was probably one of the most nerve-racking experiences of my life,” the newly elected chairperson said. “It was awkward to say the least.”
But Clayson isn’t feeling nervous anymore.
“At first, it was replaced with a feeling of accomplishment, then with a sense of responsibility,” he said. “But, I am still trying to comprehend the vastness of this job.”
Clayson said his goal for the assembly is to build on what was established by his predecessor, Charles McHugh.
“I believe the foundation has been set for ASMSU to reach that next level: A level of respect from students and the administration,” Clayson said. “I really, really want to have ASMSU to gain the popular respect of the student body.”
“This can be done through promoting issues that benefit a majority of students at Michigan State.”
And some representatives have faith in Clayson’s leadership ability.
“I thought Matt was definitely the best candidate for the job,” said Bonnie Abercrombie, a College of Veterinary Medicine representative. “I could just envision him being the leader of this assembly.”
McHugh also displayed confidence in Clayson’s role as a chairperson.
“Matt is going to take the assembly in a very different direction than I did,” the former Academic Assembly chairperson said. “I think he is what the assembly needs; he is going to bring it back to business.”
Meanwhile, McHugh is making his departure after two years as the figurehead of the Academic Assembly. He served a total of four years with the assembly.
Under McHugh’s leadership, Academic Assembly worked to make Student Instructional Ratings System forms available online, and the assembly walked out of an Academic Council meeting, leading to the loss of quorum.
“I have taken away from this organization more than I dreamed possible,” said McHugh, who initially didn’t plan on returning but decided to return as a Student Assembly representative.
“I don’t know if it will be permanent or not, but I certainly have a mission,” McHugh said.
Whether he remains with the university’s undergraduate student government, McHugh seems to have the approval of his peers.
“He brought so many different avenues to the assembly,” said Marcia Short, former Academic Assembly vice chairperson for internal affairs. “He has done a phenomenal job as chair.
“He has been a definite head person for ASMSU.”
