2008 Woodie Awards
MSSA back in session
by Dannielle Higginbotham
Issue date: 8/28/08
Section: Senate News and Notes
Alcohol issues, student communication and student parents were among the main topics discussed at the Minnesota State Student Associations first meeting of the school year, with senators agreeing that these issues would be important ones for the 2008-09 school year.
Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Swatfager-Haney and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Mary Dowd highlighted the meeting with a presentation on the off-campus drinking issue among students at MSU.
"During the first few weeks of school and through homecoming, we'll be receiving weekly data from the Mankato police on arrests for people between the ages of 18 and 24," Dowd said. "We'll be comparing that to a student list and, if we find students, calling them in for a hearing with Student Affairs."
Swatfager-Haney said that MSU had not changed its policy but was simply cracking down more during what have traditionally been the university's heaviest drinking times.
"We're all struggling with this issue and we don't have all the answers, so it will be another year of dialogue for us," Swatfager-Haney said.
MSSA's communication with students was another important issue, with senators agreeing students needed a way to better express their opinions and concerns with their senators. Legislative Affairs Coordinator John Busch recommended a comment box for questions and concerns, and the senate passed an initiative requiring senators to visit three classrooms or student organizations to answer questions about the student government.
Another issue brought up was one from last year concerning student parents and their opportunities and treatment at the school. The Student Affairs Committee agreed to research and discuss recommendations.
"After seeing the presentation by student parents last year, I feel like we're doing a great disservice to them," senator Andy Wilke said.
Other issues discussed included the idea of bringing Halal meat to campus, improving alumni and current student relations and the upcoming Sept. 16 MSSA election, which will fill 10 vacant seats in the senate.
Dannielle Higginbotham is a Reporter staff writer
Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Swatfager-Haney and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Mary Dowd highlighted the meeting with a presentation on the off-campus drinking issue among students at MSU.
"During the first few weeks of school and through homecoming, we'll be receiving weekly data from the Mankato police on arrests for people between the ages of 18 and 24," Dowd said. "We'll be comparing that to a student list and, if we find students, calling them in for a hearing with Student Affairs."
Swatfager-Haney said that MSU had not changed its policy but was simply cracking down more during what have traditionally been the university's heaviest drinking times.
"We're all struggling with this issue and we don't have all the answers, so it will be another year of dialogue for us," Swatfager-Haney said.
MSSA's communication with students was another important issue, with senators agreeing students needed a way to better express their opinions and concerns with their senators. Legislative Affairs Coordinator John Busch recommended a comment box for questions and concerns, and the senate passed an initiative requiring senators to visit three classrooms or student organizations to answer questions about the student government.
Another issue brought up was one from last year concerning student parents and their opportunities and treatment at the school. The Student Affairs Committee agreed to research and discuss recommendations.
"After seeing the presentation by student parents last year, I feel like we're doing a great disservice to them," senator Andy Wilke said.
Other issues discussed included the idea of bringing Halal meat to campus, improving alumni and current student relations and the upcoming Sept. 16 MSSA election, which will fill 10 vacant seats in the senate.
Dannielle Higginbotham is a Reporter staff writer
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Casey Carmody
posted 8/28/08 @ 6:21 PM CST
Students are going to be called in for a hearing if they have some run-ins with the law OFF-CAMPUS? This sounds like a troubling situation. I understand that students are representatives of MSU at all times, but where does the university draw the line for stepping into the lives of students? I wonder if students will be called in if they get speeding tickets or they receive a ticket for having a couch on their lawn? They might as well. (Continued…)
Mike Norton
posted 9/01/08 @ 3:36 AM CST
I couldn't agree more, Casey. If the university spent as much time on improving academic quality as it did worrying about the extra-curricular activities of its students than perhaps we wouldn't be looking up at the U. (Continued…)
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