Public policy senior Domonique Clemons, president of the associated students, addresses the policy committee at the ASMSU meeting on Sept. 24, 2015 in the Student Affairs and Services building. He said that he hopes to use the skills gained during his time at ASMSU to work in local or state government in Michigan.
The announcement of the appearance of a 2016 presidential candidate at MSU sponsored by the Associated Students at Michigan State University, or ASMSU, might come soon, ASMSU president Domonique Clemons said.
A bill was passed by ASMSU on Jan. 21 to allocate $35,000 to potentially have one or more presidential candidates speak at MSU.
Clemons said an agreement with one candidate has been reached and a contract has been drawn up that is waiting for university approval, after which it will go back to the candidate.
After all parties approve the contract, an announcement can be made, Clemons said.
“We are continuing to work with any candidates that are interested in coming to campus,” Clemons said. “We haven’t spent any money on any of the candidates and we won’t be spending any money on the candidates themselves. ... Our only cost is promoting the event and getting the word out.”
Clemons and vice president for governmental affairs Bryn Williams, who introduced the resolution, cited engaging students to vote and become politically active as the main reason for the measure.
“It’s going to be great for students to be able to see these candidates not on a stage for a debate, not for an interview on CNN, but to be able to see them in person and see that they're trying to connect with students as a very large voting (demographic) that doesn’t necessarily always vote,” Williams said after the bill passed.
ASMSU hopes to have the candidate speak at Breslin Center on March 2 or 3. Michigan holds its presidential primary on March 8. Clemons said he hopes the candidate’s presence, no matter their political leanings, will inspire students to mark their ballots.
“Students who are in support of this candidate, maybe after hearing them, will fire them up to vote, and students who are against the candidate, it might fire them up to vote for one of the opponents,” Clemons said.
Ohio Governor John Kasich also visited MSU earlier this month, but ASMSU was not involved with the appearance.
“I feel confident that, even though we won’t be able to bring every candidate, it will still help us as students make an informed decision of who we want to vote for in this important election," Clemons said.
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