Board of regents says no to MSA student regent campaign fee

After a negative response from University administrators, the Michigan Student Assembly's quest for a student regent took a new and unexpected blow. But MSA said the decision merely marks a turning point in its fight.

At the University Board of Regents monthly meeting this past June, the board failed to approve the proposed increase in MSA fees that would go toward changing the state constitution to allow a student regent seat at the University. This proposal, which MSA promoted through the Yes! Yes! Yes! campaign, was approved by students during the March election.

MSA proposed the regents add a $4 fee for three `semesters to help place a question on Michigan's state ballot asking citizens to vote to change the state constitution to allow for a student regent.

In a draft letter submitted in July, the Secretary of State found that the assembly's strategy of trying to collect funds via the University would violate the Michigan Campaign Finance Act if sanctioned by the regents. The MCFA prohibits public bodies - including the University - from using funds for a ballot question committee.

File Photo The University Board of Regents oppose MSA's attempt to create a student seat on the board.

"What we are looking at here is an interpretation. What was earlier suggested by the students could not be done," said Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State.

University spokesperson Julie Peterson said the fees were not recommended by Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford because of the question of legality over using student fees in this manner.

In the proposal, MSA also urged the regents to "be open to and to consider" a student regent who would be elected by the student body.

MSA President Trent Thompson said the assembly will continue to push for full representation on the board, but added that the Secretary of State's decision puts a damper on the campaign.

"It cuts down our options," Thompson said. "We can't use money from students through the University anymore. We have not yet decided which strategy to use in the future."

One option is to compose a compromise proposal which would avoid changing the constitution.

"This new proposal will allow for a student regent without costing students money," Elias said.

Another possible strategy is an ongoing attempt by MSA to convince the state legislature to pass a bill amending the state constitution and creating a student seat on the board. The assembly's efforts in the legislature had been pushed aside by the more promising prospect of the statewide ballot, Thompson said.

MSA is also considering raising funds independently, rather than through the University, to pay for the signature gathering. Another option is to have students gather signatures for the statewide ballot.

MSA Rep. Jessica Foster said the Student Regent Task Force will meet later this week to discuss a more concrete plan.

"We spent the summer getting more contacts.," Foster said. "We still need to see what direction we'll more in."

Regent S. Martin Taylor (D-Grosse Pointe Farms) said he is pleased with the decision to not incorporate a student regent at this time.

"This is a classic case of Pandora's Box," Taylor said. "There would just be a lot of mischief" if the constitution were to be changed.

Taylor said that although the fees were not approved, it does not mean the administration is against having open and improved communication with the student body.

"There are ways to improve the process," Taylor said. "Obviously, it is important to know what student requests and problems are."

Taylor said having a student regent would not necessarily accomplish this.

"Think how diverse the student body is," Taylor said. "Who would that one student regent be? Students are not a homogenous group of one mind or one priority."

Taylor added that student organizations on campus could offer better communication with administration.

"Requests and concerns that come from student organizations would be seriously considered by the regents and (University President Lee Bollinger). All the regents are ready to help."

Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek) cited another reason for not approving the fee.

"This is all coming forth far too rapidly," McFee said. "Students may think it's a snail's pace, but in reality, it's ... far too sweeping, too soon."

But Elias said MSA has been working for five years to establish a student seat on the board.

Currently, any student of voting age can run for a seat on the board. The process entails a statewide election and an eight-term commitment, and is different from the proposed student regent seat.

"Students, I think expected (the student regent proposal) would be more positively received than it was," McFee said. "The regents on the board at the present time have emphasized that a constitutional change should not be done."

McFee and Taylor said the lack of clarity as to exactly what a student regent would involve was subpar.

"I have yet to see a full-fledge discussion of expectations, term length or responsibilities," McFee said.

"If they are not willing to do this on a voluntary basis, they shouldn't be forced to pay," McFee said.

Elias said the decision was based on misinformation.

- Daily Staff Reporter Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud contributed to this report.

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