The Minnesota State University Student Association

Represent. Inform. Organize.2013-2014

Basics• Established in 1967

• Funded and Operated by Students• $.43/semester credit• Annual budget ~ $760,000

• Represent 70,000+ State University Students

• One of the most powerful and stable student associations in the country

Why does MSUSA exist?• To bring the thoughts, opinions and personal stories of

students to the men and women making decisions that impact the lives of students. • State Legislature • MnSCU• Federal Legislature

• Decision-makers have difficulty creating laws and policies that serve the needs of students when they don’t have a clear understanding of those needs.

• MSUSA exists to make sure the true needs of students are considered when laws and policies are being made.

Structure• 3 Elected Student Officers

• State Chair• Vice Chair• Treasurer

• 7 Members of the Board Directors• 41 Delegate Assembly Members• 28 Campus Committee Members

• 4 on each campus (Campus Coordinator, Legislative/MnSCU Specialist, PR Specialist, Diversity Specialist)

• 6 Full Time Staff Members• Administration and Management

• Executive Director• Office Manager

• Engaging and Informing Students• Director of Campus Organizing• Director of Development and Programs• Director of Communications

• Policy• Director of Government and System Relations

• Interns and office volunteers

Higher Education in Minnesota

• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system includes all public schools except the University of Minnesota

• State and tuition funded, more than half of funding comes from tuition

• Shared governance: includes Legislature, Board of Trustees, Chancellor, Presidents, Students, Faculty and Staff

• 2013-2014 Tuition and Fees• Bemidji: $9,757• MSU Mankato: $7,558• Metropolitan: $6,642• MSU Moorhead: $7,819• St. Cloud: $7,514• SMSU: $8.062• Winona: $8,736

MSUSA Successes: Saving you $

• 2-year tuition freeze for all state university students. (2013-2015)• $102 Million Dollars of New Investment in State Universities

• S75.4 million in new funds for the State Grant Program (2013-2015)• Increase in Living Miscellaneous Expense from $7,000 to $7,900

• State Grant Pilot Program that will make State Grant Program more equitable for working students

• Open Education Resource Study and Cost Reduction Plan• MnSCU must formulate a plan to reduce students costs related to

instructional materials by at least 1 percent.

MSUSA Successes: Increasing Opportunity

• Worked with coalition to pass the MN Dream Act• Will enable undocumented students to receive state financial aid

• Worked with Coalition of Greater MN Cities to pass the Greater MN Internship Tax Credit• Creates paid internships for students at Greater Minnesota state

universities

MSUSA Successes: 2012 Election

• Registered over 7,000 students to vote• Received $10,000 grant from Bremer Foundation• Innovative “Jered Votes” Campaign

• Worked with coalition to defeat the Voter ID amendment • Received $2,000 grant from Inter Faculty Organization (IFO)

MSUSA Successes: Increasing the Student Voice

• Invited by U.S. PIRG for student loan interest White House bill signing (2012)

• Former State Chair Moriah Miles testified before U.S. House Education and the Workforce subcommittee (2013)

• Student testimony at Minnesota higher education legislative committees

• Testified at Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Hearing• HEAPR tours on some campuses with legislators,

administration and students.• Past two MnSCU state university student trustees were

MSUSA recommendations.

MSUSA Successes: Increasing the Student Voice

• Students and/or staff served on each MnSCU Council: Academic and Student Affairs Coordinating Commission. Policy Council, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Academic and Student Support Technology Council• Survey was conducted about Advising to guide the work

of the Student Affairs committee• Monthly meetings with MnSCU Chancellor Rosenstone to

address student issues

MSUSA Successes: Scholarships

• Penny Program awarded over $17,000 in fellowships and scholarships during 2012-2013. • Major Penny Program fundraisers in 2012-2013 raised

over 100 % more money that previous year • Jared P. Stene Student Leadership Scholarship has

increased individual donations by 80 %

How YOU can get involved

• Before each new academic year, students can run and/or apply for a leadership position• Become a Board Member• Become a Student Officer • Become a Campus Committee Member

• Throughout the academic year, any student can…• Participate in MSUSA organizing work on campus• Attend Delegate Assemblies• Join the Lobby Corps • Stay informed by following MSUSA on social media• Sign up for MSUSA updates

Stay Informed

Website: www.msusa.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/msusa1967

YouTube: www.youtube.com/msusa1967

Twitter: www.twitter.com/msusa1967