MSU’s undergraduate student government hopes to solve the noise problem in East Lansing.
ASMSU passed a bill at its weekly meeting Thursday, creating a program to address the pressing issues and possible solutions to the high-decibel noise attributed to MSU students in East Lansing.
The program will outline and develop a set of guidelines for students living off campus.
The guidelines were likened to “community standards” of residence halls but are different because there is no penalty to for those who choose not to follow them.
“This is not enforcement,” said Kevin Glandon, ASMSU’s director of community affairs. “We’re not here to say, ‘This is the way you’re supposed to act.’”
The program, which is expected to cost $3,750, aims to let off-campus students understand the benefits of registering their parties with East Lansing police, Glandon said.
ASMSU members, in collaboration with university officials and the Community Relations Coalition, hope to organize seminars and educational programs for first-year students to prepare them for life on and off campus. Some of the seminars, Glandon said, will be part of MSU’s Academic Orientation Program.
Glandon, who is heading the program, said he wants to “avoid giving useless information” as much as possible, so much of the outreach will be directed toward off-campus students.
“We just don’t think that a student living in the dorms has the same concerns,” he said.
James Cinglie, ASMSU’s vice-chairperson for student funding, agreed with the bill.
“At least this shows that students are trying to do something about it,” he said. “Even if it doesn’t work.”
Glandon said the program should be under way by spring, and they’ll be ready for the new students to come to the university.
Brent Lee, ASMSU’s vice-chairperson for student programming, said the program is the group’s opportunity to make an impact for years to come.
“This is the one to change the university how it is now,” he said.
Andrew Schepers, College of Engineering representative for the ASMSU Student Assembly, said it is a giant step forward for ASMSU to take the initiative to build the program.
“It shows the city of East Lansing that we’re finally trying to do something,” he said. “We’re actually going to make an impact, I think, with the university and the city. It shows the city council that we’re not just a bunch of undergrads who meet every Thursday night.”
