History and jazz studies sophomore Duncan Tarr said their group protested during the address because they wanted to create contrast between President Simon’s “picture perfect view of the university.”

“She’s going to paint a picture of MSU that is a beautiful utopia,” Tarr said. “It’s not.”

Saperstein said students don’t have a large voice on campus because of their increasingly busy lives.

“You’ve got students working three jobs just to attend school,” Saperstein said. “Today we see students who have a lot more on their plate than in the past.”

Many students have internships to gain experience and put themselves ahead in their line of work. Other students also join many clubs and take part in other extracurricular activities.

Tarr said “people think the change won’t come.” He said the most frustrating thing about the group’s efforts to try to be heard is the administration. “They definitely have a non-receptive attitude toward that,” he said.

MSU Students United believes students should be most concerned about the rising price of tuition. The group is petitioning for a tuition freeze, and they’ve received about 3,000 signatures, Tarr said.

“It would be the first step,” he said. “After that, we’re asking for (tuition rates) to be lowered.”

The higher tuition is due in part to cuts to state education appropriations. Tarr said the rate has been “raised every year for decades” and he feels there’s been no push back from students.