Anti-discrimination

Ben Morlock, an ASMSU representative and president of MSU College Republicans, introduced a bill that encourages the MSU Board of Trustees to amend Article II of the university’s anti-discrimination policy to prevent the restriction of free speech at MSU.

The bill asks the board to consider strengthening the language in university anti-discrimination policy to prevent
university officials from restricting speakers that come to MSU, Morlock said.

“It’s already explicitly stated (in the policy), but despite that fact, the Office for Inclusion (and Intercultural Initiatives) considered using that policy as justification to sanction MSU’s College Republicans,” Morlock said. “By passing this bill, we’re essentially speaking for the
student body and making it clear to the board that we value our constitutional rights.”

Renters rights

Michael Leahy, Student Assembly chairperson, said although the assembly approved a bill for a housing bill of rights, it wouldn’t solve every concern for students renting property off-campus.

“It’s not going to alleviate all of the problems, but it will get rid of some of the more aggrevious ones,” Leahy said.

The bill lists several requirements for landlords, including fixing any safety or health related problem within one day or within one week for non-critical problems, to provide student renters with rights when renting property.

Leahy said the bill is a first draft for the bill of rights for renters, and ASMSU officials will meet with members of the East Lansing City Council to discuss renting rights.

Other matters

Student Assembly also approved allocating $1,000 from its special projects fund to the MSU Student Food Bank, approved a bill encouraging university officials to improve visibility in Cherry Lane Apartments by placing mirrors in blind corners and approved a bill asking university administrators to not ticket vehicles parked at
malfunctioning meters.