A year after an ASMSU representative proposed breaking ties completely with the Association of Michigan Universities, MSU will host the association's quarterly conference this September.

Last September, Academic Assembly representative Adam Raezler argued against ASMSU's alliance with AMU. He contended the lobbying group's interests were too overreaching to be effective for all 15 Michigan public universities.

Although no longer a representative, Raezler still says AMU and its conferences are a waste of MSU students' tax dollars.

"Everything AMU does, ASMSU does on their own," the political theory and constitutional democracy senior said.

"MSU has an effective lobbying group by themselves - we should look to our interests first.

"They don't think out consequences, and they don't look at the long-term effects."

AMU is an alliance of student governmental bodies from each of the state's public universities that meets four times a year to discuss methods and improvements in student governance.

Student Assembly Vice Chairperson Andrew Bell said MSU's undergraduate student government has no interest in withdrawing from AMU, and it now holds a stronger voice with the association.

"In the past, the legislature has put us on the back burner," he said. "Our best efforts are ones when we stand together."

John Leech, Chair for AMU, said the statements against AMU last year "were from an extended individual" and do not hinder MSU's representation in the association.

Former Academic Assembly Chairperson Jared English's refuting of the statements shortly after was accepted by AMU.

MSU's undergraduate student government decided Thursday to spend $6,000 of its special projects account to host the AMU Conference on Sept. 24-26.

Looking forward to the conference, Student Assembly members recognized that MSU's proximity to Lansing makes the university a focal point for the November election, a major topic of discussion at the conference.

Members stressed the importance of the student vote in the upcoming election.

"It would be a huge impact if every student voted," said Paul Harmon, association director of the Student Assembly.

Harmon said the conference will look to address students who are able to vote, but simply don't.

"We are reaching out to the non-active student," he said.

The conference last May devoted discussion topics to voter registration, but September's focus will likely be getting students the polls for the November election.

"They probably won't talk about registration, but how to get these people to vote," Academic Assembly Chairperson Dan Weber said.

Weber said the conference also will talk about budget cuts that directly affect higher education costs throughout the state.

"We will work to make ourselves a stronger lobbying effort," he said.

Hosting duties for the conference are shared by all the universities.

MSU last hosted in September 2002.