Tuesday, March 20, 2012 twitter.com/@msureporter
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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MSSA grill session suffers in attendance
Senate encourages students to ask questions at Wednesday’s event
• courtesy of the mssa website College of Arts and Humanities Senator discusses how MSSA can improve their image in the future. ALLISON MATTHEWS
staff writer Minnesota State Student Association hosted a senator panel to answer students’ most hard-hitting questions about student government in Ostrander Auditorium
Wednesday. MSSA senators and executive leadership gathered to share their experiences on student senate and how they can improve communication with students. When asked about some
of the favorite parts of being a senator, Off Campus Sen. Mike Ramirez Jr. said lobbying at the Capitol is his favorite way to bring student issues to the forefront of decision-making and having that face time with Minnesota Legislators. College of Allied Health and Nursing Sen. David Schieler said that one of his favorite parts of being a senator is advocating for students. “I really feel like no matter what I’ve done, what I’ve done for the students really matters,” Schieler said. “We actually fought for what we wanted. Advocating for those students really makes my day.” Academic Affairs Coordinator Sarah Koenen said, “You get to see an idea spark from the students around and actually see re-
sults and get to see student input.” To better meet the needs of Minnesota State University, Mankato students at the 7700 France location in Edina, senators said that they were interested in communicating with those students more. McElroy Residence Hall Sen. Amanda Blomgren said MSSA is visiting the 7700 France location throughout the academic year to get feedback on their campus. Senators were also asked how they could meet the needs of nontraditional students. Schieler said that most senators and executives in MSSA have talked with the Dean of Extended Learning Becky CopperGlenz to learn more about the needs of non-traditional students. Schieler said that main-
taining a dialogue between administrators and students is one of the ways to better meet student needs. In addition to sharing their favorite parts, MSSA also explained some of their biggest challenges being on student government. President Matthew Lexcen said that it is daunting for students to make decisions and recommendations in meetings with professionals who have degrees and experience in higher education. “We’re put into meetings with administration, faculty and professional staff, and now we’re charged with coming up with recommendations,” Lexcen said. “We recommend a little over $9 million. For students to do that without a degree is nuts.” Lexcen also said that one
MSSA Panel / page 6
Big Ideas, Big Money
President Davenport awards $4 million to MSU proposals MEGAN KADLEC
news editor
Fall 2011 marked the semester Minnesota State University, Mankato would launch a multi-million dollar marketing campaign in order to improve the university and draw new students to the area. The Big Ideas campaign, as it is commonly referred to, is a comprehensive campaign that proposes ideas that, “if achieved would skyrocket [MSU] forward in a way that will transform our institution for years to come,” according to President Richard Davenport. The campaign seeks to transform many aspects of MSU by focusing on fundraising in five areas: scholarships, technology, study abroad opportunities, environmentally friendly campus and research.
inside: Voices.........................................4 A&E.................................................7 Sports.............................................9 Classifieds...................................11
Davenport said the campaign is about MSU students and how their big ideas will impact the community as well as the world. “Their big ideas are what this campaign is really about,” Davenport said. In an attempt to achieve big ideas and real world thinking, Davenport set aside $4 million in onetime funds that would be used to advance the University. He invited students, faculty and staff members to submit proposals for projects they believe would contribute to MSU’s mission, vision, strategic plan and educational goals. What resulted were more than 130 proposals totaling more than $25 million. “[The proposals] all were a testament to the innova-
Big Ideas / page 6
archive • msu reporter President Richard Davenport during the Big Ideas Campaign kick-off ceremony in October 2011. Recently, 31 proposals were awarded funding as a part of the campaign.
MAVERICKS GO 1-1 TO KICK OFF NSIC PLAY
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