Three new chairs for ASMSU's Academic Assembly took office Tuesday night, each pledging to fill the assembly's seats, address the provost's plan for liberal arts restructuring and go into the streets to connect with MSU students.
Dan Weber defeated College of Natural Science representative Andy McCoy for assembly chairperson.
Weber, a physiology senior who was external vice chair this session, said chairs need to encourage representatives to be excited about the power they have in academic governance.
"In other years, it was like we were up in a tower," Weber said. "That can't be how it's going to be if we want to help others."
Leaving his podium and addressing the assembly, Weber said, "Community outreach can't just mean to sponsor a party or event and hope people pick up our name. We need to get out into our colleges; ask 'What do you want? Are we wasting your time?'"
Physiology junior Vinyak Prasad defeated College of Agriculture and Natural Resources representative Bruce Serven to become external vice chair.
In a rapid-fire speech, Prasad outlined his work with academic issues as a College of Natural Science representative during the past two years.
"I want to increase the quality of education at MSU," he said. "I have a deep and significant commitment to the nature of this organization."
Prasad said he wanted to continue working with the sort of bills he introduced last session, particularly one looking at old tests being circulated among students.
As external vice chair, Prasad will deal with faculty members on Academic Governance, the universitywide government. He said he gained experience this year when he debated a bill requiring professors to collect old exams or post them online.
"Here's an example where we discussed academic integrity and they said 'Eh, it's too much work,'" Prasad said. "I can fight for this next year."
Internal Vice Chair Jessica Hancock didn't have to fight for her seat. The James Madison College representative ran unopposed.
Hancock said her summer plans will include reading the 700-page "Robert's Rules of Order," the procedure public meetings generally follow. She said she also will start the process of appointing members.
Many seats on the assembly were left open after elections in March - the appointments committee will pick people to fill the assembly.
"We want a complete voice of MSU," the international relations and secondary education junior said.
Former chairperson Jared English said he was pleased with the assembly's selection.
"We've got some fine leadership," he said. "It's a very diverse crowd, and very energetic."
