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ASMSU officials optimistic after closing of 37th session

April 2, 2001

When ASMSU officials and representatives compare the Student Assembly’s 37th session to the 36th session, it appears to be the calm after the storm.

“Last year, things got personal,” said Shane Waller, Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs. “Factions formed and every meeting was heated.”

“There has been very few personal attacks this year; that has made meetings more pleasant.”

ASMSU officials said the assembly’s 37th session, which ended Thursday, was less chaotic than the last one. The 36th session included the recall of a Student Assembly chairperson because of sexual harassment charges and the resignation of several representatives and officials.

“There wasn’t as much inside bickering this year,” said Kendall Sykes, Student Assembly chairperson. “But, of course, we had our own arguments, too.

“I hope people remember this one more than past years.”

However, the avoidance of drama was not the assembly’s most significant achievement, Sykes said.

“Last year, we patted ourselves on the back too much,” he said. “This session, we took a more proactive stance on student issues.

“We did a lot more to reach out to students.”

This year, the assembly has debated on bills to eliminate the Michigan textbook tax, to gain editorial control of MSU’s yearbook, the Red Cedar Log, and to require Olin Health Center to offer the abortion drug RU-486.

But some officials felt the organization’s constituents are apathetic to the assembly’s bills.

“To be honest, we haven’t had that much of an impact on student issues this session,” said Andrea Faes, Student Assembly vice chairperson for internal affairs.

Both ASMSU representatives and officials said other problems are apparent, including troubles with participation in student government elections.

“It’s still kind of a crisis period for ASMSU,” said Mike Ehlers, a College of Social Science representative for the assembly. “ASMSU is in the middle of a difficult time in getting people to fill positions and still needs to prove its legitimacy.”

Still, the 37th session was also the Student Assembly’s most productive - in terms of bill writing and approval. More than 150 bills were adopted by the assembly in the session, exceeding the previous high of 120 in the last session.

And officials and representatives seem to remain somewhat optimistic about ASMSU’s future.

“I anticipate some leadership coming in and getting ASMSU on track with student issues and student life concerns,” Faes said. “The session will get more on track with what the Student Assembly is meant to be.”

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