For the first time in the history of East Lansing, ASMSU’s Academic Assembly and city council are collaborating to gain a better understanding of student and city issues.
Mayor Mark Meadows and Academic Assembly Chairperson Matt Clayson, decided this meeting would be a valuable opportunity for the entire community.
ASMSU is the undergraduate student government.
Clayson, who worked with city council officials to organize tonight’s agenda, said he is looking forward to the joint meeting.
“It will be a learning experience for me to see how a small city government operates rather than just an academic government,” Clayson said.
But more than focusing on the operating strategies each body possesses, Clayson said he would like to build an academic relationship with the city.
“I hope to create a new dialogue between the city that’s not based on noise and housing issues, but more about academic and scholarly issues which are the guiding principles of Michigan State University,” Clayson said.
An academic issue to be discussed is a bill introduced by Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus that encourages the state to take swift and responsible action against tuition increases at public universities.
“I hope that it will make higher education an important issue in the upcoming gubernatorial election,” Clayson said.
Another outcome Clayson said he hopes to see the meeting generate is increased student attendance at all Academic Assembly meetings.
“That way there will be more people at the meetings other than those sitting around the table and making the decisions,” Clayson said.
The city council holds its first meeting each semester at the Union, said East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton. Staton said a joint meeting with Academic Assembly was proposed after ASMSU’s Student Assembly had a successful meeting with the city council in November.
Staton said by meeting with Academic Assembly, the city can present issues that directly affect academic issues not presented with the Student Assembly.
“During the open forum, various issues like research projects and internships the city of East Lansing would provide to students may be discussed,” Staton said. “More than anything, I hope it results in a strong dialogue between the student government and East Lansing’s government.
“I’m hopeful this meeting will build important relationships so more joint meetings will be held in the future.”
Councilmember Bill Sharp said he is confident the meeting will lead to an annual event and improve student relations.
“It has been in the plans for at least six months,” Sharp said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
