Last night's meeting saw the Michigan Student Assembly re-examining the past so it can move ahead into the future.
Interim President Homer Neal dropped by to reflect on his presidency and answer questions from assembly members - then the assembly moved to reaffirm its commitment to the students and their concerns.
"I began my interim with the primary goal that the University continue to move forward," Neal told the assembly in a short address before the floor was opened up to members' questions. "I feel I have been very successful in doing that."
Neal said his short presidency has seen its share of important and sometimes controversial events. "It has been an interesting period since July 1, when I came on board," Neal said. "We've certainly had a number of important issues arise and I think we have dealt with many of those issues very well."
During the question-and-answer period, members questioned hospital budget cuts, curriculum requirements and racial inequalities in the classroom.
Neal said that after his visit assembly members were extremely well informed on campus issues.
"I expected in one form or another that those questions would come up and I would need to address them," Neal said. "It really gave me an indication that these students are certainly keeping abreast of some poignant issues."
After Neal's visit the assembly passed a resolution reaffirming MSA would support all ballot questions endorsed by the student body.
The measure passed by the assembly was an amended version of the original resolution, which authorized the Budget Priorities Committee chair to represent the assembly and the student body before the University Board of Regents in student fee and budgetary concerns.
"We are re-affirming principles all the assembly supports and by passing the amended version we are showing we stand behind (MSA President) Fiona (Rose)," said MSA Vice President Probir Mehta.
LSA Rep. Andy Schor who drafted the original resolution said that even passing the amended version was a step MSA needed to take.
"This needed to be done," Schor said. "The constitution was passed a long time ago by people who don't sit on this assembly any longer - we need to reaffirm what's in that constitution or we have no business being here."
Schor said the resolution was written in response to comments Rose made in Friday's Michigan Daily. Rose said she was unwilling to present three separate fee increases before the regents right away if the increases were approved by students.
"This was aimed partially at Fiona, but was meant to ensure that both the assembly and the president shouldn't be going against the students."
During debate on the measure, assembly members said they supported their president.
"The MSA president doesn't have an enormous amount of power already and we should not take any more power away from her," said LSA Rep Jonathan Winick.
"I believe this whole thing was a miscommunication," said SNRE Rep. Karie Morgan. "But I think it is still important to let students know we care about what they are saying."
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
Interim President Homer Neal listens to Michigan Student Assembly members speak last night, as Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford looks on.