College of Social Science Reps. Selena Salinas and Deonte Sparks introduced bills 61-64 and 61-65. The former would call upon ASMSU to release a statement in support of immigrant students, staff and faculty affected by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mass deportation orders, signed by President Donald Trump.

According to MSU’s fall 2024 enrollment report, 8.5% of all students enrolled at the university are international students. 

The bill also references another passed by ASMSU nearly two years earlier, bill 59-49, which advocated to establish MSU as a sanctuary campus for undocumented students.

Sparks, when speaking about the bill, said it is imperative for the GA to reaffirm support for immigrant students, faculty and staff.

The latter bill concerns an executive order to shut down federal DEI efforts, and if passed would order ASMSU to release a statement declaring continuous support for all DEI initiatives at the university.

The statement would also "call upon Michigan State University to advocate and provide safety and support for the marginalized individuals on campus that might be targeted by this new executive order to ensure they are safe and advocated for," according to the bill. 

"With the recent executive orders issued by the current administration, all DEI efforts at the federal level have practically been stripped away, and since we are a federally funded university that most likely will trickle down to us," Sparks said. "We should definitely stand in support of DEI because of how effective it is with helping students across the board."

Both bills passed with a voice majority. 

Ensuring protections of MSU students in event of financial aid disruptions

Bill 61-70, introduced by College of Education Rep. Max Seidel, calls upon the university to ensure proactive actions in light of federal aid being frozen on Jan. 27. Though that was later rescinded by the White House budget office, Seidel stressed the importance of passing a bill in case it occurs again. 

"Michigan State University has a significant number of students who depend on federal aid," he said. "Beyond financial aid, many of our students also rely on federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and housing assistance. Any disruptions in these programs could cause financial instability and food insecurity and other challenges that could directly impact student success."

In an email to affected faculty Jan. 28, however, President Kevin Guskiewicz said federal student loans, financial aid and Pell Grants would not be affected by Trump's freeze on federal funds, since they are considered exceptions. Guskiewicz did say that "caution should be exercised" by researchers making new commitments or starting new experiments.

The bill also urges MSU to plan for short-term emergency financial assistance for those impacted by potential future federal aid suspensions, expansion of financial counseling services for students and a standing emergency tuition deferment policy. 

According to the bill, this policy would allow, "students affected by abrupt federal financial aid changes to maintain enrollment while they secure alternative funding."

In response to concerns of federal aid disruptions, Guskiewicz announced in several emails to the student body the creation of rapid response teams as a reaction to the myriad of executive orders by the federal government.

Seidel said this bill would essentially call upon these teams and the university to implement the framework laid out in the bill.

"So if something like this happens again we will be prepared," he said. "It creates a path for long-term security for all of our peers who we represent."

The bill passed with a voice majority.

Conversation with MSU Vice President of Governmental Affairs

VPGA Rebecca Devooght addressed the GA, speaking about the recent executive orders and how they may affect the university.

She explained the university's thought process while navigating disruptions in the federal government that affect the university.

"Is today rhetoric?" she said. "Is today an actual law change? Does it impact us?"

Understanding how these executive orders and administrative changes directly affect university life is essential to her work, Devooght said.

Sparks asked Devooght about the university’s stance on DEI programs in light of the Trump administration.

She said their response began in November, days after Trump was elected. Guskiewicz allowed Devooght to create four rapid response teams to address different aspects of MSU, including DEI. 

She explained that DEI is ingrained in the university.

"It is not only ingrained in this institution, it's ingrained in all 14 other public universities (in Michigan)," Devooght said.

She said the administration wants to step away from the rhetoric and think about how everything is going to play out.

"And I think it's all going to play out in the courts," Devooght said.

Seidel, after hearing this response from Devooght, then asked her why the College of Communication Arts and Sciences would cancel its annual Lunar New Year celebration following executive orders, if the university values DEI.

She explained that it was a decision made by the individual college, rather than the university as a whole. 

"This is the other thing that the rapid response team and us as a leadership team need to coalesce around and make sure that we have a strong message around, so that people don't feel this need (to cancel the Lunar New Year celebration)," she said. "They put their own statement out that would not have been the statement I would have recommended, period."

Bettering communication between colleges and making sure people understand the issues they are dealing with can help prevent problems like this in the future, she said.