Two weeks ago, the ASMSU Candy Initiative passed through Student Assembly, but until today, the offices of MSU's undergraduate student government were sweet-free.
The bill, which passed with one dissension, allocates $150 to buy candy for the business office on the third floor of Student Services. Three large bags full of candy were bought early Tuesday.
"The people have obviously spoken," said Comptroller Mike Trudeau, who spearheaded the initiative. "No one can say they're against candy. If they do, I'd call them a liar."
Trudeau said the candy would draw people into the business office, and ASMSU would put stickers announcing campus events or upcoming elections on the candy wrappers. Trudeau added that he researched the benefits of candy, particularly chocolate, and made a presentation to members of the group Respecting and Understanding Body Image, or RUBI.
"He's kind of taking off the concept of what we do for Eating Disorder Awareness Week," RUBI Adviser Ronda Bokram said. The group passes out candy with messages on the back during the week, which happened in late February.
"It also sends a positive message that candy's OK; it's not really a big deal," said Bokram, who is a nutritionist at Olin Health Center.
A bowl full of Hershey's Miniatures and Skittles sat next to a stack of agendas at the Student Assembly General Assembly meeting March 25, which Trudeau called his "pièce de résistance."
"Everybody seemed to love the Mr. Goodbar and the Krackel," he said, adding that it cost about $9 to fill up the glass bowl with candy from CVS Pharmacy.
Trudeau said he distributed a survey to about 40 students that asked them what kind of candy they preferred.
"We had everything from Swedish Fish to Whoppers," Trudeau said. "It came up as a concern that candy was wrapped; we'll try to keep one chocolate candy and one fruity."
On Tuesday, a bowl of Nestlé Crunch bars and Jolly Ranchers was added to the office on a counter next to employee applications.
"It's the best thing ASMSU has done this year," said Tom Morse, Academic Assembly internal vice chairperson.
