Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) had a session record total of eighteen bills passed on Thursday, making it the most in recent history, according to Vice President of Internal Affairs Maddie Hanes.
“I think the longer the meeting, it means that more people are putting in work to ASMSU, and I love that,” Hanes said. Hanes, a junior, added that this is the most bills ASMSU has had during her career.
Out of the 18 bills, three were dedicated to appointing Asian Pacific American Student Organization (APASO), Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Jewish Spartans of Chabad as official parts of the ASMSU Activity Department.
The 15 other bills included Bill 62-59 and 62-50, which advocated for the establishment of a substance-free space for Spartans in Recovery in the Mason-Abbott Courtyard, in addition to a permanent substance-free zone on campus in the Mason-Abbott region through a Board of Trustees Exception and an Ordinance 21 Amendment.
Bill 62-61 amends the General Assembly (GA) Code of Operations to provide an interview option for candidates who do not meet the minimum vote threshold. In order to run for ASMSU's General Assembly, candidates must gain approximately 1 percent of their college/organization's signatures. Through this bill, there will be an alternative route to qualify for candidacy.
ASMSU also passed financial allocation bills — Bill 62-62, which allocates $10,000 to purchase winter gear to donate to homeless shelters, and Bill 62-69, which allocates $2,300 to purchase more Blue Books for ASMSU Programming.
In terms of university advocacy, Bill 62-63 advocates for increased student parking, and Bill 62-62 calls on MSU to reassess the two-year on-campus housing requirement amid changes in the size of the student body and societal changes. There is also advocacy for the establishment of statewide criteria for weather-related closures and remote learning at Michigan public universities through Bill 62-70.
Other bills included (62-65) Release a statement in support of the Jewish Community at Michigan State University and increase awareness of antisemitic acts on campus; (62-66) Release a statement of support toward the protests in Iran and Iranian Students at Michigan State University; (62-67) Allocate up To $4,000 from the General Fund for the 2026 ABTS Big Ten On The Hill Conference, (62-68) Release a statement of support and solidarity for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities amidst violence From the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); (62-71) Amend the ASMSU Elections Code; (62-75) Authorize ASMSU to send a formal letter opposing the Proposed Public Camping Ban to the East Lansing City Council; and (62-76) Issue a public statement condemning the discriminatory statements written on the Rock and urging MSU Administration to release an official statement.
The Representatives of The College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Representatives Mason and Taylor serve as high-frequency contributors to the bills passed during General Assembly meetings. Rep. Mason contributed eight bills to the lineup, while Rep. Taylor contributed to three bills Thursday night.
“I’ve just found joy in helping people and advocating for people that may not want or have the ability to advocate for themselves,” Rep. Taylor said, “ I know [Rep. Mason] as well takes great pride in Communication Arts and Sciences and we have such an incredible college – figuring out how we as student representatives can uplift their voices in ideas is such a rewarding experience.”
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