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ASMSU uses business cards to teach students their rights

October 23, 2001

Students do have rights, believe it or not.

ASMSU/COGS Student Legal Services, Academic Assembly and Student Assembly are working on letting students know what rights they have anytime they want to know.

These groups within MSU’s undergraduate student government are working to make business cards that list some of their basic rights.

Aaron Kelly, director of legal services, said he got the idea at an Associated Big Ten Schools conference meeting last summer. Kelly’s hope is to hand them out around campus.

The economics junior said students don’t know what an unreasonable search and seizure is or that they can refuse a breathalyzer, and these cards could help them out. Kelly added the most important part is to be courteous to the police in any situation.

Kelly has been going around campus with lawyers from ASMSU/COGS Student Legal Services, allowing students to ask questions about their rights and any other legal issues.

Earlier this semester, lawyers met in Case Hall with about 45-60 students and more forums are being planned Kelly said.

“I was surprised by the turnout and I feel they got so much out of it,” he said. “A lot of students stuck around afterwards and I talked to a lot of them. They were really surprised to find out what police can and can’t do.”

Jim Newton, a lawyer for ASMSU/COGS Student Legal Services, and his associate Brian Jeffries, provide their services to students free of charge.

Newton has participated in one of the forums and said it’s always useful for people to understand their rights.

“It never hurts to educate students about their rights,” he said. “Everybody will benefit from knowing more.”

He said the turnout at the forums has been great and it gives students a chance to be informed about anything from the practice of laws to how law school is. He added the cards are also a good idea.

“Students get a chance to ask questions that not only affect them now, but will also help them with their lives down the line,” Newton said.

Newton said it’s important to remember that every legal situation a student faces is different. He added if students have questions on whether their rights have been infringed upon, they should contact a lawyer.

ASMSU’s Academic Assembly and Student Assembly are working with legal services to help fund the student rights cards.

Academic Assembly Chairperson Matt Clayson said the bill will have to be brought forth by representatives from the assemblies, and he expects that to happen within the next couple of weeks.

“We’ve already had a lot of support,” he said. “This is an issue that helps a lot of students and there shouldn’t be any problems passing it.’

For information and answers to legal questions, call (517)353-3716 or stop by the office at 329 Student Services.

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