It all came down to a question of money.
An ASMSU bill requesting up to $50,000 to refurbish the MSU undergraduate student government's conference room and offices was heavily debated at the March 27 meeting, mainly because some representatives did not feel all the components of the bill were necessary.
The original bill called for installing a television and computer system, similar to those used in classrooms, along with re-carpeting and painting, creating a plaque and scholarship for former association director Charles Beachnau, installing a new phone system and upgrading computer systems.
"I can't see why a projector and a computer that prints transparencies and a budget for Sharpies couldn't do the trick," said Derek Wallbank, Student Assembly representative for the Residence Halls Association. "We're talking about phones and a big fancy media thing-a-ma-bob with buttons people don't know how to use."
Other members acknowledged upgrades were needed, but not at such a high cost.
"It would be nicer to sit in this building," said Shauna Matlen, Student Assembly representative for the College of Natural Science. "(But) this is not a good bill.
"This is way too much."
Some members also expressed concern because no insurance would be purchased to cover the expensive equipment. The cost of the insurance would be too high, Student Assembly Chairperson Matt Weingarden said.
But Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly representative for the College of Natural Science and co-author of the bill, said it was needed to increase the efficiency of the organization, as well as continue to work on ideas Beachnau proposed before his death in June.
ASMSU would be cutting down on paper and allowing its representatives to be better informed with visual images during meetings, he said.
But not all members were buying his argument.
"You're not going to convince me we use $20,000 worth of paper in this room," said Benjamin Kaeb, Student Assembly representative for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
After debate became exhausted, the group decided to cut out some of the upgrades, leaving up to $10,000 for a new phone system and memorial for Beachnau intact.
The money will be coming from the Student Assembly Special Projects Budget.
