Posts
Click here to see our most recent Alumni Spotlight: Michael Redlinger!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
September Conference Recap from State Chair Andrew Spaeth
The September conference was full of great networking opportunities; higher education issues discussions, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) and lobby games trainings, updates, and an alumni social event.
2010 marks the beginning of the 43rd year for the Minnesota State University Student Association. We are excited to have recently expanded our leadership to include the campus committees. It is the work these teams are doing on the campuses that will continue to make a difference in the lives of our students. It was obvious at the conference this weekend MSUSA is full of students that want to push the limits, be innovative and creative, and work to ensure our collective voice is heard.
Last year was no exception to MSUSA’s accomplishments: our leadership successfully worked with the Office of the Chancellor to ensure textbook costs were being deferred for veteran students. We held the Penny reception at the Minnesota Zoo, which raised $4,000 more than the previous year for student scholarships. We created the first joint committee between MSUSA and the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) to explore a joint real-estate venture. Finally, we developed a strategic plan with specific set of goals to drive our organization forward in the coming years.
This year MSUSA is already moving forward with a number of projects: Our Vice Chair, Caitlin Stene, and Director of Campus Organizing, Matt Smriga are working diligently on our Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. Vice Chair Stene recently interviewed all three Gubernatorial candidates alongside the Chair of the MnSCU Board of Trustees about Higher Education Issues. We are very excited about this collaborative effort between MSUSA, MSCSA, and MnSCU! We hope to have the interviews posted soon. The search for a new MnSCU Chancellor has begun and our association is excited to have representation on that search committee and emphasize the importance of student input in the search for a new executive leader of the system.
This academic year will provide incredible challenges; from current cuts to campuses to preparing for the next biennial budget, but with challenges come opportunities. MSUSA represents the voices of nearly 70,000 students that collectively have the power to change the tone of the political discourse. With your support MSUSA will continue to be one of the strongest and most influential student organizations in the country and our voice will be heard.
A special thanks to the MSUSA staff for helping to prepare all of the materials and work sessions for the September conference- great job!
Andrew Spaeth
Alumni Spotlight: Brad Krasaway
Click here to read our newest Alumni Spotlight from Brad Krasaway. He was the MSUSA State Chair in 2004 and now works in Student Life at Rainy River Community College!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Alumni Association Update - September 2010
Penny Reception - Alumni Challenge
Join us for MSUSA's 23rd Annual Penny Program Fundraising Reception and Silent Auction on Friday, November 12th, 6-9 p.m. at the Saint Paul Union Depot. The alum who brings the most alumni to the reception will be rewarded with VIP seating at the Reception, acknowledgment during the program, and drinks purchased by Alumni Association Board members! Fill out the Alumni Challenge form at the Reception with the number of alumni guests you bring so that you are in the competition.
Participate now! Living With Student Debt Campaign
The Alumni Association is collecting information from MSUSA Alumni about how their student debt has affected them since they've graduated (for example: they can't buy houses or cars, have to take second jobs, can't pay bills, etc.). This information will be used during the next legislative session to show our legislatures how important it is to fund our state universities so that graduates can contribute to the economy after school. This information will also give our students insight into what to actually expect once they graduate. You can participate right now by clicking here and filling out the survey. Check out this video to learn more!
Alumni Board Member Vacancy - Metropolitan State University Graduate
The Alumni Association is seeking applicants for a vacant Alumni Board Member position for a graduate of Metropolitan State University. Contact Josh Martin, Board Chair, if you are interested. The position term will be until the annual meeting in spring 2011.
Position duties include:
- Attending board meetings which are typically held every other month and last 1-2 hours. Members are expected to inform the Chair if they are unable to attend a meeting.
- Attending networking events which are typically held every other month. During the school year, these often coincide with MSUSA conferences. These are not mandatory, but members are encouraged to attend because this is an opportunity to meet with alumni who are not on the board as well as with current students.
- Members are expected to serve on a committee focusing on one of the association's main priorities - networking, mentorship, or advocacy. Committee work is generally done via email.
Moorhead Social Event
The Alumni Association hosted a networking event on Friday, September 2
4th in Moorhead during a student conference. About eight alumni attended and were able to network with students attending that weekend's conference. Thank you to everyone who attended and hopefully we'll see you at future events!
Penny Program Seeks MSUSA Alumni Board Member
The Penny Program Advisory Board has one open seat for an MSUSA Alumni to serve in. This is a great opportunity to expand your professional contacts, learn new skills, and support a great cause. The application can be downloaded here.
Register to Vote
Don't forget to pre-register to vote in Minnesota by October 12th! The mid-term election will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd! Watch this video to learn why it's important to vote!
Join us for MSUSA's 23rd Annual Penny Program Fundraising Reception and Silent Auction on Friday, November 12th, 6-9 p.m. at the Saint Paul Union Depot. The alum who brings the most alumni to the reception will be rewarded with VIP seating at the Reception, acknowledgment during the program, and drinks purchased by Alumni Association Board members! Fill out the Alumni Challenge form at the Reception with the number of alumni guests you bring so that you are in the competition.
Participate now! Living With Student Debt Campaign
The Alumni Association is collecting information from MSUSA Alumni about how their student debt has affected them since they've graduated (for example: they can't buy houses or cars, have to take second jobs, can't pay bills, etc.). This information will be used during the next legislative session to show our legislatures how important it is to fund our state universities so that graduates can contribute to the economy after school. This information will also give our students insight into what to actually expect once they graduate. You can participate right now by clicking here and filling out the survey. Check out this video to learn more!
Alumni Board Member Vacancy - Metropolitan State University Graduate
The Alumni Association is seeking applicants for a vacant Alumni Board Member position for a graduate of Metropolitan State University. Contact Josh Martin, Board Chair, if you are interested. The position term will be until the annual meeting in spring 2011.
Position duties include:
- Attending board meetings which are typically held every other month and last 1-2 hours. Members are expected to inform the Chair if they are unable to attend a meeting.
- Attending networking events which are typically held every other month. During the school year, these often coincide with MSUSA conferences. These are not mandatory, but members are encouraged to attend because this is an opportunity to meet with alumni who are not on the board as well as with current students.
- Members are expected to serve on a committee focusing on one of the association's main priorities - networking, mentorship, or advocacy. Committee work is generally done via email.
Moorhead Social Event
The Alumni Association hosted a networking event on Friday, September 2
4th in Moorhead during a student conference. About eight alumni attended and were able to network with students attending that weekend's conference. Thank you to everyone who attended and hopefully we'll see you at future events!Penny Program Seeks MSUSA Alumni Board Member
The Penny Program Advisory Board has one open seat for an MSUSA Alumni to serve in. This is a great opportunity to expand your professional contacts, learn new skills, and support a great cause. The application can be downloaded here.
Register to Vote
Don't forget to pre-register to vote in Minnesota by October 12th! The mid-term election will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd! Watch this video to learn why it's important to vote!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sexual Violence Survey
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Sexual Violence Policy will be reviewed in Spring 2011 and the Minnesota State University Student Association would like to take an active approach researching how the policy affects students so that best practices can be shared and changes can be made if necessary.
Students are encouraged to help improve the sexual violence policies that affect their campuses by filling out this survey.
All information will be collected anonymously. Information will be collected until October 29th, 2010.
Students are encouraged to help improve the sexual violence policies that affect their campuses by filling out this survey.
All information will be collected anonymously. Information will be collected until October 29th, 2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)