The Minnesota Student Association Forum met Tuesday for the last meeting of the school year.
Association president Nikki Kubista told members they should treat the student government as a nonprofit organization. Kubista, Vice President Erin Ferguson and the newly elected committee chairpersons then outlined some issues they intend to address over the summer.
It is important for the student associations to stay active during the summer months and keep planning activities that increase involvement on campus, Kubista said.
In order to accomplish this goal, costs of operating the association’s office should come directly from its budget. However, generating funds through donor-based work will be more effective, Kubista said.
“It is a way of maximizing productivity without increasing student fees,” said Ferguson, who added that fund raising and applying for grants to fund events will provide the student government the opportunity to stay involved without using an abundance of student fees.
Brett Rowlett, co-chairman of the Student Life Committee, said his committee would like to create several programs that would make students’ lives more convenient and connected to campus.
For example, the committee wants to publish pamphlets informing students about renters’ rights. This effort will be in collaboration with the University Student Legal Service and Housing and Residential Life, Rowlett said.
The committee also plans to improve the association’s World Wide Web site by creating a page to address student questions and concerns.
“This takes away the stereotype of the large university feel,” Rowlett said.
Members of the committee are also passing out surveys until the end of finals addressing student services, such as the Recreation Center and the University Library System.
U Card availability is another issue both the Student Life Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee would like to address. Rowlett said he wants to look into using the U Card at parking ramps and lots around campus.
Academic Affairs Committee Chairwoman Shumaila Anwer said she would like to see the U Card used as a printing card.
Kubista told the forum to keep the goals and methods of grassroots organizing in mind. It is important, she said, to stay involved with other campus groups and make sure any student on campus feels they are able to get involved in the student government.