Name and political party: Joanne Emmons, Republican

Age: 68

Political background: state senator, 1991-present; state Senate majority leader since 2000

Hometown: Big Rapids

Occupation: state senator

Family: married to John, two children

Education: MSU bachelor’s degree in home economics

Web site: no personal Web site, but more information can be found at www.senate.state.mi.us

Overcoming the university’s budget difficulties: Says she will use her connections with state legislators to bring more state funding to MSU

Tuition increases: Wants to fight tuition increases by requesting funding from alumni

Faculty salaries: Says MSU must compete with other Big Ten universities, but higher salaries will be difficult to achieve in coming years with budget woes

Affirmative action: Agrees with current policy

Gay rights: Supports equal rights but does not believe in medical benefits for gays because they are not married

Presidential searches: Agrees with closed-door meetings

Off-campus student conduct: Supports a conduct code, because safety is essential