A combination of Sparty and Uncle Sam is pictured on ASMSU’s office door, sporting a black top hat embroidered with an “S.”
It points at people walking by, declaring, “We want you.”
The undergraduate student government applications for its mid-March elections are due Monday.
Candidates are approved to run as representatives for their colleges on ASMSU’s Academic or Student assemblies after applications are turned into 307 Student Services by 5 p.m. Fifteen signatures from students who attend the candidate’s college must be included.
“Applications are coming in, but we would like to see many more applications come in,” said Melanie Olmsted, who is chairperson of the All University Elections Committee. “We need anyone to apply because there can never be too many applicants.”
Candidates can campaign for their elected position up until the March 12-16 elections. All student votes can be cast online at www.asmsu.org.
The undergraduate student government committee is working to fill about 50 seats on Student Assembly and 26 seats on Academic Assembly.
Last year, 32 people ran for 63 available spots. About 9,000 candidate petitions were handed out in residence halls, but few were returned.
Jeanette Lantzy, Academic Assembly external vice chairperson, said she would like students to get involved with the organization, which is the voice for about 33,000 MSU undergraduate students.
“Hey - it’s not a scary place,” Lantzy said as she taped an entire wall with pictures of ASMSU members at holiday parties, the Homecoming parade and ASMSU retreats. “Look at my picture board. It’s getting so full - I love it.”
The office displays a poster of Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz at work that says, “A productive workplace, is a happy workplace.”
“We have a good time,” said Matt Clayson, Academic Assembly chairperson, as he was pointing at pictures.
Heather Johnson, ASMSU’s executive secretary, started a two-week organization assessment survey Wednesday. Seven hundred on-campus and off-campus undergraduate students are being randomly called to answer 11 questions pertaining to ASMSU’s student activism.
Johnson has got 13 responses out of about 75 phone calls. She said most people know about the organization because of ASMSU’s Student Legal Services - not because they have turned in an application to run.
“I think the focus is to let students know we are here, and give them knowledge about ASMSU,” she said.
MSU Trustee Dee Cook, who meets with ASMSU members every other month, said being a part of the organization enriches the student experience.
“It teaches you how to see another person’s point of view,” Cook said. “And it makes you an advocate for a position that you feel strongly and passionate about.
“It’s kind of like being a trustee. There’s nothing better than sitting at a table because that’s where the power is. If the average person would sit at a table with these people, they would get a renewed sense of confidence.”
