Students from around the Midwest including some from MSU will be networking to improve the university experience at a three-day conference this weekend, .
The Association of Big Ten Students meets three times a year to recognize how other Big Ten undergraduate student governments approach local, state, national and international issues.
ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, will send 10 representatives from academic and student assemblies to the conference at the University of Michigan.
“It’s a really good way to exchange information, and get on the same page as other schools,” said Matt Weingarden, ASMSU Student Assembly vice chairperson of internal affairs. “We get feedback about what’s working and what’s not working at other schools.”
One large issue will be brought to the conference by each school. About 12 large issues are going to be discussed.
This year, ASMSU members are traveling to Ann Arbor to promote undergraduate student government activism by discussing rape education and student relations with police.
Laura Sorensen, ASMSU Women’s Council representative, is attending the conference as an official delegate to discuss a university sexual assault bill.
Last semester she attended the event and gained insight on the University of Illinois’ rape education program. Since then, ASMSU’s Women’s Council has investigated how to implement a similar program at MSU.
“Hopefully other schools will get involved,” Sorensen said. “All universities have the same problem, and we all need to get on the same page.”
Missy Kushlak, ASMSU Student Assembly representative from the College of Veterinary Medicine, said she also wants to expand on other campus safety issues that were brought up at the last conference.
“I’m enthusiastic to be going,” Kushlak said. “I learn a lot and hope to learn about how to get people involved with elections to get more voter turn out.”
Other issues expected to be discussed include university communications and media relations, decreases in state funding appropriations, motivating volunteers and local government relations.
U-M’s student government President Matt Nolan said he is excited U-M is hosting the event.
“There hasn’t been a conference that I haven’t walked away with fresh, new ideas for our campus,” Nolan said.
One of U-M’s main issues focuses on what constitutes student government accountability.
“It seems to be a fairly consistent problem,” said Nolan, who will be attending the conference for the fourth time. “Trying to take what campus wants to see done and turning it into what student government works on doesn’t always correlate.”
In addition to the student government events, there will be a formal dinner and hockey tickets for those who attend the conference.
“I have been looking forward to this conference since the last one,” Nolan said. “It gives you a huge slate of fresh ideas. Student government also will be inclined to work harder because they’ve spent an entire weekend thinking about student government.”
