Many students may feel intimidated when entering their first year at a school as large as MSU. But several student groups aim to make the university a smaller, more welcoming environment for students of marginalized groups.
The Council of Progressive Students and the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students play a vital role, said Brent Bilodeau, MSU’s assistant for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered concerns.
“(CORES) and (COPS) provide critical resources for students,” he said. “As I’ve watched and participated in the work of these organizations, it’s clear that they empower students to be voices for change at MSU.”
Five student organizations make up the Council of Progressive Students, including the Arab Student Organization, the Council of Students with Disabilities, the Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay and Transgendered Students, Women’s Council and the International Associations Council, which serves international students.
The Council of Racial and Ethnic Students is made up of the four major minority groups on campus, including the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, Black Student Alliance, Culturas de las Razas Unidas and the North American Indian Student Organization.
All the groups are allotted one voting seat within ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government.
Quinn Wright, ASMSU Student Assembly chairman, said it’s essential to have the groups’ presence in discussing campus issues.
“By giving CORES and COPS seats on the assembly, ASMSU is assuring that the minority voice does not fall on deaf ears,” the communication junior said. “Having CORES and COPS seats makes ASMSU do its job, and that is represent all students, not just a simple majority.”
APASO Co-President Romeo Salvani agrees the groups provide a vital function in representing their constituencies.
“The CORES and COPS organizations need representation because they represent such a large population of students on campus with a diverse amount of needs,” the telecommunication junior said.
Salvani also said the groups are a great way for students to get involved at the university.
For contact information, call the Department of Student Life at 355-8286, or visit the Web site at www.msu.edu/~stulife.
