ASMSU’s Student Assembly meeting with the East Lansing City Council on Thursday was the first time in a year the undergraduate student government had met with city officials. Such a meeting is a positive step for student-city relations and, we hope, only the beginning of greater cooperation between students and city officials.
Based on reactions from those involved in the meeting, Thursday was not just for show. East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows openly admitted he was not fully aware of all issues important to MSU students.
Holding joint meetings is one of the best ways for ASMSU to bring issues to the council.
But students shouldn’t stop there.
It’s important ASMSU lead the drive to elect a student to the city council. Putting a student into East Lansing’s governing body would give MSU students a greater say in what happens in a community where many live for most of the year.
The task won’t be easy, however. During this month’s election, only 1.4 percent of students living on campus voted. The August primary was also plagued with a low voter turnout.
Students are traditionally apathetic unless there are issues that directly affect them. ASMSU needs to do more to frame issues in an election for students, and make sure they get out to vote. It’s important, too, for the student government to push for a September primary, which encourages students and full-time residents to make it to the polls.
Thursday’s meeting was a positive first step toward addressing those issues. We hope city and student government officials now take it to the next level.
