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November 16, 2009 —
• SVSU’s Student Association hosted a Student Association of Michigan conference Saturday to plan a proposal to take to a student rally in Lansing tentatively planned for late March or early April.
The proposal will detail Michigan college students’ priorities for next years higher education budget.
A 25 percent cut for appropriations across the board is what many expect for Michigan in upcoming year’s, said Julie Boon, SVSU’s Student Association Parliamentarian.
“We want to make sure higher education doesn’t see that cut,” she said.
Conference participants included representatives from Grand Valley State University, Oakland, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and U of M Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn among others.
The rally is dubbed the “Lansing Blitz.”
“We’re thinking of different ways to hold legislators accountable, create a 5-year plan with SAM and get our voice solidified in Lansing to make sure they take what we say seriously,” Boon said.
The representatives also identified campaign issues to tackle collectively.
SA got the ball rolling this semester through its “Know Your Rights” campaign that educated and gauged students’ interest on issues including the Medical Amnesty bill, which SA passed a resolution in support of.
The bill, if passed through the state Senate to become a law, would wave minor in posession charges for those who call 911 in emergencies involving the overconsumption of alcohol.
SA also has its sights on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) — a national campaign with a goal of making college more affordable and accessible.
Boon said her committee is thinking of more ways to reach out to students.
“[Setting up tables] works, but it’s hard because lots of students are running to class and we can’t have a conversation with them,” she said.
SAM representatives plan to reconvene in January before classes begin again to track their progress.
• Scholarship Committee Education Talk Series Presents:
A Call to Teaching: What does Arne Duncan’s Speech mean for the Future of Teaching and Teacher Education Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Regional Education Center (ES 202) 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
•Saginaw Valley State University will hold an information session for the College of Education on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at its Regional Education Center-Macomb, located at 30330 Hickey Road in Chesterfield Township.
•OBU Study Hall, 6-9 p.m., Wedge Lounge 1
•Living Proud meeetings, 8 p.m., Science East 126
•Biology Club meetings, 4 p.m., Pioneer 243