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Printer-Friendly ModeInvolvement in politics up despite ‘Rights’ panel turnout
STUDENT ASSOCIATION
October 26, 2009 —
The Student Association sparked a political flame on campus last week, with a flurry of free T-shirts and letters penned outside Zahnow Library.
But that zeal didn’t seem to burn through Thursday night’s “Know Your Rights” panel: in all, about 20 people attended.
The night was to culminate a weeklong campaign for increased awareness of legislative proposals. Major issues included state funding in higher education, concealed weapons on Michigan campuses and medical amnesty — a pardoning of illegal drug and alcohol use for students who seek help in medical emergencies.
“Throughout the week we got a lot of good response and student participation,” said Ryan Kanine, president of SA. “But that just didn’t convert at the panel discussion.”
The event, held in the Student Activities Room, featured five panelists to field questions. They analyzed several topics, including proposals to change the drinking age and students’ right to refuse certain police searches.
The panelists were Chief Ron Trepkowski and Sgt. Chris Rupp of University Police; Burk Foster, criminal justice professor and university ombudsman; Marie Rabideau, coordinator of Student Conduct Programs; and James Wright, a communication and creative writing junior.
Julie Boon, parliamentarian for the association and spearhead of the campaign, said the week proved a success, regardless of the panel’s attendance.
The association collected more than 300 personalized student letters to send to about a dozen Michigan lawmakers. The number of students in favor of medical amnesty prompted Boon to write a resolution declaring SA’s support for the bill. The resolution will receive a vote at the association’s meeting today.
Boon and Kanine agreed that the panel’s low attendance had less to do with the issues or students’ caring, and more to do with timing.
“Thursday, for a lot of people, is the beginning of the weekend,” Boon said, adding that she was pleased students had the chance to learn more and ask questions.
Kanine said he thought the panelists’ insight was very helpful. “But we have to figure out a different way to get it to the students.”
The government body will soon have a second chance. According to Boon, the Student Association plans to next month host another awareness campaign, which will carry similar themes but revolve around different issues: education bills in the U.S. Congress and students’ rights when facing legal action.
Boon said two bills propose large changes in American education: the Student Aid and Responsibility Act of 2009 and the DREAM Act.
The first seeks to spend $90 billion to increase student grants and reform the federal financial aid system.
The second, the DREAM Act — short for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — seeks to offer qualifying undocumented students in the U.S. a clearer path to American citizenship. In exchange, applicants would need to spend two years in higher education or military service.
In addition, the next SA campaign will raise awareness on the rights and options of students who have been caught with alcohol underage, Boon said.
During that time, the association will offer students the opportunity to register to vote.
For more information, contact an SA representative by visiting The SA Web site.