September 21, 2021

EAST LANSING, Mich. –– On the evening of Sunday, September 19, 2021, the University Elections
Committee (UEC) approved the following candidates for ASMSU’s special Fall election.

College of Communication Arts and Sciences: Subah Bhatia, Daniel Zivian
College of Nursing: Avery Benner, Eleanor Hoss
College of Education: Ella Woehlke
College of Music: Jayar Benner
Lyman Briggs College: Kirthika Krishnan, Zaaki Mandwee
Broad College of Business: Andrew Ky
College of Engineering: Ian Barber

Good luck to all those running and do not forget to vote starting October 4, 2021.

EAST LANSING, Mich. –– On February 4th, 2020, the 57th Session of ASMSU’s General Assembly passed Bill 57-62, introduced by Representative Jordan Kovach (James Madison College) and seconded by Representative Blake Lajiness (College of Agriculture and Natural Resources), to advocate for pushing back the time landlords can start to ask tenants to sign their lease. Currently, landlords in the Greater East Lansing area can ask tenants to renew
their lease just weeks into their current leasing period for the following academic year. “Every year thousands of students are pushed to sign or renew their leases on or around October 1st,” says Matt Apostle, ASMSU’s Vice President for Governmental Affairs, “And considering most of these leases start in August, this October renewal timeframe pressures students to agree to live in a place for two whole years after only living there for about two
months. In the life of a college student, I think we all can agree that circumstances can change drastically over the course of a year, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic really showcases that.”

Expanding this time frame allows students to finish their first semester before landlords can pressure them into renewing or signing early.
“I am proud to be working with ASMSU on this important issue with our partners in Meridian Township.” says East Lansing Mayor Aaron Stephens, “Protecting leasee consumer protection is vital for the East Lansing region. My commitment to making this region a fair and livable place for all is strong, and this will further protect students from having to make quick, sometimes uninformed decisions and landlords from having to scramble to push leases far too
early in the year. ” In 2006, the City of Ann Arbor passed a similar ordinance with a 70 days protection and is currently looking to expand this ordinance to further protect students in the housing market.

“We need consumer rental protections so everyone has the opportunity to live in their home or apartment before being compelled to sign another lease for the following year,” said Dan Opsommer, Meridian Township Trustee and Supervisor Pro Tem. “We’re in this vicious cycle because the rental market is so competitive near campus that people can’t even experience their living situation before signing on for the following year. We also want to ensure students
can focus on their education when the school year begins, not their lease agreements. This is a great collaboration with ASMSU and the City of East Lansing that I’m excited about.” The conversation of creating an ordinance to control some aspects of the rental process has come up a number of times over the last few decades in East Lansing. “When I started at DTN 20 years ago,” Colin Cronin, Principal at DTN Management said. “Our leasing started in February for the coming Fall, and nearly every year that start date would move ahead weeks based on competition with other landlords, and pressure from
students in the dorms that wanted to secure off campus housing in the best locations for Fall. DTN Management’s commitment to our customers, both current and future residents, is always foremost in our decision making, and we are very supportive of finding ways to create a better living experience for our residents, and the East Lansing community. We are very supportive of advancing the conversation on how to slow down the leasing process around
MSU, through various methods.” The Associated Students of Michigan State University supports the City of East Lansing and Meridian Township as they work to introduce changes to their respected leasing ordinances.

Contact with any questions:

Dan Opsommer
Cell: 517-281-6034, Email: opsommer@meridian.mi.us

Aaron Stephens
Cell: 517-282-7548, Email: astephens@cityofeastlansing.com

Ellie Bennett
Cell: 810-853-0165, Email: commliaison@asmsu.msu.edu

Matt Apostle
Cell: 313-980-6288, Email: vpga@asmsu.msu.edu

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FROST ELECTED PRESIDENT, BEGINS TERM ON MAY 17

EAST LANSING, Mich. –– The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) announced Georgia Frost as the 2021/2022 ASMSU President, along with five vice presidents.

Office of the President Results

President: Georgia Frost
VP for Finance and Operations (VPFO): Alan Salah
VP for Academic Affairs (VPAA): Aaron Iturralde

VP for Governmental Affairs (VPGA): Matthew Apostle (Voice majority)
VP for Internal Administration (VPIA): Jordan Kovach
VP for Student Allocations (VPSA): Harshna Chahal

April 5, 2021

EAST LANSING, Mich. –– The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU)
announced 24 students from 12 colleges as newly elected General Assembly representatives.

Results for the General Assembly election: (winners appear in bold)

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources:

• Blake Lajiness (97)
• Lauren Sawyer (29)

College of Arts and Letters:

• Case deKoning (77)
• Austin Grondin (68)

Broad College of Business:

• Alan Salah (123)
• Maria Kakos (96)
• Kevin Kraef (76)

College of Communication Arts and Sciences:

• Jack Harrison (85)
• Maxim Jenkins (67)
• David Moruzzi (1)

College of Engineering:

• Daniyal Dar (131)
• Ishwari Kapale (131)

James Madison College:

• Jordan Kovach (163)
• Sophia Strach (151)
• Shaurya Pandya (35)

Lyman Briggs College:

• Harsna Chahal (136)
• Ishaan Modi (126)
• Rana Omar (106)

College of Music:

• Gabriel Schroeder (11)

College of Natural Science:

• Hady Omar (167)
• Cynthia Sridhar (109)
• Olivia Triltsch (83)
• Noel Sheffer (62)

Residential College in the Arts
and Humanities

• Casey Christy (4)

College of Social Science:

• Julia Diskin (162)
• Devin Woodruff (133)
• Julian Trevino (127)
• Anthony Barash (93)

College of Veterinary Medicine:

• Travis Boling (4)

Newly elected representatives take office on April 7, 2021, when they attend the first General
Assembly meeting of the 58 th session. Their items of business will be listening to the first
annual State of the Student Body. Following the first meeting, representatives will prepare to
approve the 2021/2022 ASMSU budget, and elect new Office of the President officials which
takes place April 13-15, 2021.

March 15, 2021

24 STUDENTS FROM 11 COLLEGES RUNNING FOR 2021/2022 ACADEMIC YEAR

EAST LANSING, Mich. ¬¬¬¬¬¬–– The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) announced 24 students from 11 colleges as candidates for the General Assembly election this spring.

Candidates for the General Assembly election:

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources:
• Blake Lajiness
College of Arts and Letters:
• Austin Grondin
• Case deKoning
Broad College of Business:
• Maria Kakos
• Kevin Kraef
• Alan Salah

College of Communication Arts and Sciences:
• Jack Harrison
• Maxim Jenkins
College of Engineering:
• Daniyal Dar
• Ishwari Kapale
James Madison College:
• Jordan Kovach

Lyman Briggs College:
• Harsna Chahal
• Ishaan Modi
• Rana Omar
College of Natural Science:
• Hady Omar
• Noel Sheffer
• Cynthia Sridhar
• Olivia Triltsch

College of Music:
• Gabriel Schroeder

College of Social Science:
• Anthony Barash
• Julia Diskin
• Julian Trevino
• Devin Woodruff

College of Veterinary Medicine:
• Travis Boling

Vacancies remain in the Residential College of Arts and Humanities, College of Education, College of Nursing, and No Preference Majors. Students who are still interested in being a candidate are encouraged to fill out the write-in candidate form on our website. Write-in forms will be accepted from all colleges until 5 p.m. EDT on March 22, 2021.

Candidates have two weeks to campaign. Elections for the General Assembly take place during the week of March 29, 2021. For more information, visit asmsu.msu.edu/elections.
– ### –

November 30, 2020
Dear Spartans,

When I first arrived at Michigan State University in 2017, I saw the ugly form
that blatant discrimination and microagressions could take our campus. Several
years down the road, I have watched members of several communities call out
for action against perpetrators of discrimination. Students have risen in solidarity
during protests, sit-ins, committees and forums.

Last year, I was a General Assembly representative for James Madison
College. In this position I had the privilege of writing and passing ASMSU bill
56-31 – a bill to advocate for mandatory annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
education and development for all faculty, staff and students of MSU.

Today, I write to you with a sense of gratitude as the intent of this bill is coming
to fulfillment. Earlier this month, the university began making this mandatory DEI
education and development available to students, faculty and staff. It is called
DEI Foundations at MSU. Students should have received an email from
train@ora.msu.edu with a link to the training. If you have not received an email,
visit ora.msu.edu/train and login with your NetID.
I hope that through this education and development we, as Spartans, can
provide a campus that is safe, respectful, welcoming and supportive for all. It
will allow Spartans to consider how we treat one another, discuss issues
confronting our society, and make a statement of MSU’s institutional values and
workplace expectations surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion.

Multiple campus departments and organizations were consulted while
developing this curriculum, including ASMSU. Student body leaders were
involved in this process advocating on behalf of all undergraduate students.
Student educational modules will focus on understanding the benefits of living in
a diverse community and explore their role in creating an inclusive campus
community. Modules will also provide an overview of identities and challenge
you to reflect on your own identities, as well as provide a basic understanding of
the concepts of allyship, power, privilege, respect and inclusion.

We must remember that this work is not a sprint, but a marathon. Change will
not happen overnight, but this is a step in the right direction. I look forward to
the progress we will make as a campus community following this education and
development, and know that our future at MSU is bright and inclusive.

In Green and White,
Abii-Tah Chungong Bih, ASMSU President.

Dear Spartans,
As laid out in the Associated Students of Michigan State University constitution,
we are dedicated to recognizing “the individual liberties of our diverse
population and ASMSU at no time shall discriminate on the basis of sex,
religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, marital status,
gender identity, differential physical ability, veteran status, political persuasion,
or physical characteristics.” As such, when those liberties come under attack,
we must speak out.

The statements issued from U.S. Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito
threatens the liberties of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer
community by reiterating their dissent for Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the
landmark case legalizing same-sex marriage.

MSU is home to many LGBTQ+ identifying people. We understand the impact
of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) had on your community and the milestone
achievement it marked in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. It took the work of
many activists over many decades to get here. Furthermore, we understand the
fear and concerns that it could only take a few people in a few hours to take it all
away.

Everyone should be able to express who they truly are at MSU. A threat to
freedom for one community is a threat to all communities. We realize, in the
near future, these freedoms could be taken away for many students that are
part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Allyship is an important part of creating change. As an ally, we are continuing
our advocacy at the local, state and federal level. This includes advocating for
the amendment of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 and the repeal of
the Food and Drug Administration’s blood donor deferral policy. One of the most
impactful ways you can be an ally is to contact your local, state and federal
representatives to push for the protected rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
ASMSU is dedicated to improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on our
campus. As such, we fully support the decision Obergefell v Hodges and will
continue to work to ensure the freedom of expression is protected for all
Spartans. However, we understand that equality is not secured through one
action or granted by one case. It is instead all of us, as Spartans, working
together for a better future.

Sincerely,
ASMSU 57th General Assembly Representatives

Eight students from six colleges to join the General Assembly.

EAST LANSING, Mich. ­­­­­­––

The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) announced eight students from six colleges will join the General Assembly following last week’s special election.

Newly elected representatives:

College of Arts and Letters:

• Carl Grondin (45)

College of Communication Arts and Sciences:

• Caitlin Finerty (30)

College of Engineering:

• Daniyal Dar (45)

Lyman Briggs College:

• Harsna Chahal (81)
• Ishaan Modi (77)

College of Social Science:

• Devin Woodruff (55)
• Julian Trevino (41)

College of Veterinary Medicine:

• Lee Ackerson (32)

Newly elected General Assembly representatives will complete ASMSU orientation on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Their first committee meeting will be Thursday, October 15, 2020. For a complete list of election results, visit asmsu.msu.edu/elections.

EAST LANSING, MI – The Associated Students of Michigan State University and the International Student Association announced a virtual webinar with President Stanley to address new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations.

“This webinar is paramount because in moments of despair, the decentralization of information must be a priority,” said Abii-Tah Bih, ASMSU President. “Instead of serving as the megaphone for the student voice, this platform will permit international students to speak for themselves and to receive firsthand reassurance from the president of their university”

The webinar will take place on July 15, 2020 at 3 P.M. EDT using Zoom. A link will be posted to ASMSU social media channels Wednesday morning for students to sign-up for the webinar. Additionally, students are encouraged to submit questions for President Stanley using a Google Form. Please note, questions regarding immigration should be directed to the Office of International Students and Scholars.

“International students need to hear from administrators to see what Michigan State University is doing for international students,” said Chittawan Boonsitanon, ISA President. “I hope that this will provide President Stanley an opportunity to reach out to international students and share the work that has been done for our community.”

Earlier this month, I.C.E. released new regulations for international students. These regulations state students with F-1 and M-1 visas who are not taking any in-person courses in the United States must leave the country. As of July 13, 2020, MSU has joined 58 other institutions of higher education in filing an amicus brief in support of Harvard and MIT’s motion for a preliminary injunction on the new regulations.

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EAST LANSING, MI ­­­­­­–– The Associated Students of Michigan State University announced three General Assembly meetings to take place during the summer 2020 semester.

“The three meetings for this summer are special meetings. I called them in my rights as President because of the turbulent times we are facing,” said Abii-Tah Bih, ASMSU President. “It is vital that the student government is active and available when we are needed most.”

General Assembly meetings will take place on June 18, 2020, July 16, 2020, and Aug. 20, 2020. All summer General Assembly sessions will be virtual using Zoom and the student body is encouraged to attend.

“These summer General Assembly meetings are going to be a unique experience,” said Nikunj Agarwal, International Student Representative. “For the first time in recent years the General Assembly will meet during the summer to discuss concerns and collectively find solutions during this time of crisis.”

The General Assembly is the legislative body of ASMSU. It is comprised of college-elected representatives from the degree-granting colleges at MSU, as well as representatives from the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students, Council of Progressive Students, and major governing organizations. For more information about ASMSU, visit asmsu.msu.edu

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