Students sound off on how much they know about ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government.
For criminal justice sophomore Jake Range, ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, simply is known as the group of people who will bring Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to MSU.
“I know that they put together those activities and what not and I think they are the people who are bringing concerts here, but other then that, not really much,” Range said.
Similar to Range, psychology senior Ian Shaw doesn’t know much about what the undergraduate student government has to offer to students.
“I know a little bit about the voting and I’ve had a couple of friends get involved with that, but myself personally, I don’t know too much about it,” Shaw said.
Since ASMSU announced Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will come to Breslin Center this spring, the organization has received extra attention, but like Range and Shaw, many students don’t know what else the organization does.
Outside of providing entertainment events for students, ASMSU receives an $18 student tax per student per semester to provide services and programs to students.
ASMSU President Evan Martinak said although students likely have heard of ASMSU, they probably just associate it with events.
“Most importantly, we are the voice of the students,” ASMSU President Evan Martinak said. “We exist for the students to have a centralized voice.”
Services and Programs Offered
Student Loans: ASMSU provides eight-week, interest-free student loans of up to $300 for undergraduate students. Generally the loans are open to students during the first six weeks of the semester, and students have eight weeks after they take out the loan to pay it back, ASMSU Director of Public Relations Haley Dunnigan said.
Free Blue Books and iClicker rentals: Students are able to pick up either free blue books or rent iClickers each semester from the ASMSU office on the third floor of Student Services. The iClicker rental started with 600 iClickers available this semester at a first-come, first-serve basis. Blue books are offered all semester.
Free Legal Services: Any undergraduate student who pays the ASMSU student tax is allowed to seek legal assistance if they find themselves in a tricky situation. The lawyers are paid for with the group’s funds. ASMSU’s three full-time attorneys can help with anything from landlord issues to a minor in possession ticket, Martinak said, adding the service is popular.
Entertainment: ASMSU is most notably known for its efforts in providing popular entertainment to the student body. Aside from bringing Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to campus, the group has mentioned working out a contract to bring a multiple Grammy Award-winning artist on April 11, although the name of the artist is yet to be announced.
Readership: ASMSU offers a free readership service around campus where students are able to get The New York Times with just a swipe of their MSU ID.
“The readership program is massive across campus,” Martinak said.
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