MSU President M. Peter McPherson spoke informally with a handful of students in an open question-and-answer forum Thursday night.

Organized by the Residence Halls Association, the discussion, which McPherson called "mutually beneficial," took place in Case Hall's James Madison Library

"It's as much for my education as it is for giving answers," the president said. "They have good questions every time."

McPherson arrived and addressed the group of about 25 students for a few minutes before opening the floor to questions. The first topic he addressed was Provost Lou Anna Simon's plan for restructuring liberal arts colleges within the university.

"It's a very interesting plan. MSU has always been a groundbreaker in the academic community," McPherson said.

Students asked questions of McPherson on a variety of topics, ranging from the Rare Isotope Accelerator to McPherson's job aiding Iraq's fledgling economy.

One student questioned the validity of the war and McPherson's actions under international treaty law.

"It's a great debate. International law is much less codified than domestic law," McPherson said. "I was pleased to be there and make a contribution."

Students for Economic Justice members also asked McPherson a number of questions about the university's policy on sweatshops.

"I know quite a lot about the problem. People think that if I don't agree with tactic X, I'm not for this outcome," McPherson said in response to criticism that MSU hasn't aligned with the Worker Rights Consortium. According to the student group, nine of 11 Big Ten universities are aligned with the consortium.

RHA External Vice President Kristen Daddow said although she was expecting more students to attend, the forum went well.

"Holding an event like this, you worry about the questions, the tone of the questions," she said. "I was impressed with the students' level of respect."

Special education freshman Val Erwin is the Council for Students with Disabilities representative to RHA. She asked a question of McPherson regarding the accessibility issues that came about after last month's heavy snowfalls.

"As a campus goes, we're very good, but that doesn't mean that issues don't arise," McPherson said of campus accessibility.

Erwin said she felt McPherson's response was adequate.

"I was happy that he didn't use offensive language for the first time I've heard him speak on the subject," she said.

Daddow attributed the low turnout to a lack of notice, as she only finalized the details of McPherson's visit to Case Hall about two weeks ago. She said she will begin planning for his next visit to a residence hall, expected to be in the fourth week of March, as early as next week.

Political theory and constitutional democracy senior Adam Pavlik, a resident of Case Hall, jumped at the chance to attend the forum.

"He's the chief executive officer of the university," he said. "When you get the opportunity to see him speak his mind, you take it."

Joseph Clark can be reached at clarkjo6@msu.edu.