The American Red Cross Mid-Michigan Chapter is seeking a more defined relationship with the Residence Halls Association after years of hosting blood drives on MSU's campus.
On Wednesday a long-debated bill that would create the union did not pass during a RHA general assembly meeting.
The bill sought the association's support with on-campus advertising for blood drives and other services offered by the American Red Cross. The services the Red Cross is seeking would amount to less than $1,500.
Scott Henman, Landon Hall representative and Mid-Michigan American Red Cross intern, introduced the bill and said it was not passed in part because the budget has not been set.
McDonel Hall representative William Greenway questioned why RHA needs to give to the Red Cross if other campus groups already donate money.
Henman said MSU's undergraduate student government, ASMSU and alumni - two groups that donate to the Red Cross - give their resources in lump sums. He said RHA can provide advertising that isn't measured in straight dollars.
"It's not imperative to get money now," he said. "We are just asking to get some."
American Red Cross donor recruitment representative Justin Looyenga said hard to reach advertising spots like Wells Hall and cafeteria table tops would be made accessible to the Red Cross with the bill.
"We were looking to actually have a symbiotic relationship where we could provide services to (RHA) and get their name out with Red Cross," Looyenga said. "We capped it off at $1,500 because it was more in helping with advertising than anything else."
Typically the Red Cross is most involved with blood drives on campus. Individual residence hall governments sponsor blood drives, providing space and volunteers. Every hall has about two or three drives per year, Looyenga said.
The bill would not change how individual residence halls sponsor blood drives. It would provide more advertising for the event.
People Respecting the Individuality of Students at MSU or PRISM representative Caitlin Hansen raised concerns about the American Red Cross' treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Hansen contended that the survey given prior to donating blood is discriminatory because it does not ask heterosexual donors the same questions on sexual history.
"This is to create a safe blood product," Henman said. "Asking questions like, 'Have you had sex with a man' gives us credibility with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to continue our services."
Wonders Hall Representative Amy Guttenberger asked if on-campus services like CPR recertification would be available for students if RHA joined with the Red Cross.
Henman said the Red Cross would be able to help students with these services with funds from RHA.
"The biggest problem is getting a program's name out," he said. "With the RHA, we are looking for an actual relationship to do this."
