Van Fossen said that the group’s mission today was to get the word out to Democratic students to vote today and to inform them on issues at stake. But to his dismay, their efforts have been hindered by university officials, whom say the group did not have permission to canvass in the residence halls.

“We’re knocking on doors of students … to say that today is election day,” Van Fossen said. “(But) we have been approached by ‘university officials’ (who said) there (are restrictions) on what we are doing (and) we do not have access to the dorm — (when) we believe we do.”

Van Fossen said the College Democrats requested an activity planning form, or APF, which allowed the group to canvass door to door in the residence halls.

According to the APF, which was filed in August, the students had permission from the Department of Student Life to canvass 5-7 p.m. in all residence halls from Sept. 12 until the November election.

Initially, this request was approved by the university, stamped with the word “APPROVED,” Van Fossen said. But he said his volunteers were asked to leave certain residence halls.

MSU police Sgt. Dan Munford said the students needed to get the university’s approved permission to go into the residence halls that have access control areas.

“They applied that permission and were denied that permission … it was not a validated APF (and) that was communicated to them,” Munford said. “I do know that they were advised this was not an (approved) APF form.”

Munford said the police received a few calls regarding the students’ canvassing, but the officers did not come into contact with any group members when investigating.

After “triple checking” emails, Van Fossen said he still has not been able to find any notification the APF was denied.

In affirmation to the approved APF, Ashley Chaney, the Residence Education and Housing Services assistant director of communications, said the students were initially approved to canvass, but because of a recently-instated door policy, the group’s access to the living wings of the residence halls now is restricted.

Chaney said the students were notified in Sept. about this change. Although it limits the areas to which the students can canvass, groups still are able to talk to students in the public spaces of the dorms.

“This is an institution of higher education and we always want out students to be involved in the political process,” Chaney said. “Their messages are important, (but) we (do) have to put the safety and security or our residents first.”

Chaney said the university is trying to work with groups to make sure they follow the approved procedures when canvassing and speaking to students in residence halls.

Van Fossen said ultimately he is very frustrated with the situation.

“Our effort here is to help these students. … who have said they support the president and democrats alike and this is definitely hampering our ability to do that,” he said.