As ASMSU opens up 34 seats on MSU's Academic Governance system to all undergraduate students, it is opening the doors to the fresh ideas that will come with the new representatives.

Previously, the 34 spots were open only to ASMSU representatives. Accordingly, prior commitments led to empty chairs for Academic Governance. As Vinayak Prasad, external vice chairperson of the Academic Assembly said, "Part of the problem was that ASMSU representatives are busy. They don't get a chance to give these meetings their best attention."

As our undergraduate student government, ASMSU needs to give all students a chance to voice their views. Opening these seats lessens the potential for needlessly muddled, inclusive groups and provides the opportunity for a more diverse representation of students. We hope it will bring in students who have a passion for issues relating to their school and government as well as alleviate the problem of low meeting turnout.

The undergraduate students who will commit to these positions - no prior experience necessary - will likely be ones who are interested in the student government and policies and will work this responsibility into their schedule instead of avoiding it. The higher meeting turnout also will help the image of ASMSU as a concerned organization that cares about its meetings and issues.

Inexperienced undergraduates will have to take time to learn the processes and issues associated with their positions. On the whole, ASMSU needs to work toward a tighter, more efficient structure, one that will assure these new student representatives receive an actual voice.

The actual consequences of this move will be only as positive as its execution is swift.