Bill 62-24 was tabled for further discussion with the finance committee; this bill advocates for suicide prevention signage in public parking garages in East Lansing. 

Prior to introducing the new bills, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laura Lee McIntyre and Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Hintz gave their respective presentations to the General Assembly. Both presenters are new members of the MSU Administration this year.

The provost addressed key student concerns that have been discussed at past ASMSU meetings. 

CAPS remains fully functional and accessible to students despite its originally planned transition, which has been paused for further review with no changes to student care. McIntyre discussed with General Assembly Representatives that the decision to pause the transition of CAPS was made by President Kevin Guskiewicz, with the goal to continue providing psychiatric support to students at the start of the school year. 

McIntyre also mentioned the discourse surrounding Bill 62-18, which called for the cancellation of an event with a former IDF filmmaker in attendance. Freedom of speech and civil discourse are a priority for the university to encourage viewpoint diversity, she said. However, she recognizes the discomfort that the event may cause and will continue to hold conversations with members of the ASMSU Office of the President to reach an agreement. 

“As an institution of higher learning, it’s our responsibility to support civil discourse around a diversity of perspectives, while maintaining a respectful environment focused on education,” McIntyre said. 

The College of Arts and Letters and The Residential College of Arts and Humanities merger, McIntyre described, was decided by trustees with committees of faculty and staff before the arrival of the provost. To guarantee the merger process is as smooth as possible, committees are working to ensure core elements of both colleges are preserved. These changes are projected to be effective July 1, 2026. 

Continuing her presentation, McIntyre gave the General Assembly an overview of the portfolio of the provost. With this being her first year in this position, McIntyre explained her experience in special education and other relevant experiences to her work. She emphasized the importance of community and promoting youth in her presentation.

McIntyre also discussed the importance of sustaining ‘welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environments’ at MSU. Themes like excellence in scholarship and research, student persistence and success, innovative and effective teaching, outreach and engagement, inclusive environment and equitable environments shone through in her presentation.

In his presentation, Hintz covered information on the recent changes made to CORES/CAMS groups. He explained that the university submitted a recommendation for ASMSU to change their governing documents in accordance with the ‘Civil Rights Compliance’ from the University and Federal Government. 

"Currently, 20% of our budget [for RSOs] that is activity department funding through SAB is frozen until we create coding that defines the activities department and how groups can become one," ASMSU President Kathryn Harding said. 

President of Student Allocation Tanvi Rayapeddi established that the Student Allocations Board stands with CORES/CAMS groups. Furthermore, the ASMSU Office of the President asked the General Assembly to come together with strength as they head into the unknown with these new changes for Student Organizations. 

"This is really confusing for myself and the rest of the office of the president as well, and we are really doing our best to gather and share information– but this is going to take all of us," Harding said.