| Dear WMU Community Member,
As winter break quickly approaches and we enter the final three weeks of the fall semester, I would like to share and reflect on the current state of the WSA. In collaboration with the Graduate Student Advisory Committee, the WSA hosted another successful open forum with President John Dunn. This unique opportunity is another piece of evidence that illustrates Dr. Dunn's commitment to making WMU a student-centered university. A similar event, 'Pizza with the Provost', will take place with Provost Timothy Greene this Wednesday as well. Additionally, WMU was paid a visit by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm during her state-wide university tour to rally support for the recently eliminated Michigan Promise Scholarship Program. In closing, the WSA Senate is expected to take movement on its stance of the "Medical Amnesty" bill (HB 4876), which has recently passed the MI House and currently sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If you have not yet had the chance, please join us each Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. in room 157 of the Bernhard Center!
Bronco Pride,
Nate Knappen
WSA President |
| Have Questions? Have Pizza with the Provost! |
 The WSA is hosting the bi-annual "Pizza with the Provst" this Wednesday December 2nd at 6:30 in room 157 of the Bernhard Center. Dr. Tim Greene, WMU Provost, will sit down and hold a discussion with students who have questions regarding Academia.
In the past, Dr. Greene has sat with students in a circle, keeping the Q&A very informal. The event will follow the same format this year.
Students who attended the Open Forum with President Dunn at the beginning of November were asked to save their questions regarding Academia for this event with Provost Greene. Topics can range from graduation, major, and minor requirements to the grading scale.
All WMU students are encouraged to attend the event. Pizza and pop will be provided. |
| Governor Granholm Visits WMU |
 Governor Jennifer Granholm stopped by WMU on Thursday, November 19th to rally students' support for the discontinued Michigan Promise Scholarship. Her message was simple: students need to fight for their scholarship and urge their Senators to support it. "[The senators] need to understand that if we are going to transform Michigan's economy, it is through education that we must do that," Granholm said.
Around 5,000 WMU students were expected to recieve the $1,000
scholarship and now have to find other means to finance their education.
WSA Senator, junior Aaron Booth, spoke at the event of his disappointment with the Senate. "I was very upset and kind of offended," he said. "We were promised this money."
Sophomore WSA Senator Lauren Hearit spoke of how she needs to take out a second loan to pay for books and housing now that the Promise will not be reinstated. " This was a scholarship promised to me," she said. "And the state broke that promise."
WMU was one of the stops on the Governor's statewide convention to show her support for the Promise. Over 300 WMU community members were present for the event, the largest out of all the statewide rallies.
Students should contact their State Senator and urge them to bring back the Michigan Promise! Call (517) 373-2400, or visit http://senate.michigan.gov to find your Senator. |
| Collaboration Success |
 Article contributed by WSA Senator Aaron Booth
The Western Student Association and Drive Safe Kalamazoo recently collaborated to provide free safe-rides home following the Ball State vs. WMU football game on Tuesday, November 24. WSA funded the project as it was outside of Drive Safe Kalamazoo's typical nights of operation. Banners were made, Facebook ads were displayed, flyers were handed out and beach balls were tossed around at the game. Overall, the collaboration provided 80 rides home and saved countless lives between 9 pm - 1am.
The collaboration was extremely successful. Twenty-two volunteers worked diligently to provide these rides home to fellow Broncos, eliminating the potential of dangerous situations occurring in the community.
I highly suggest other Registered Student Organizations collaborate with the WSA. The process of submitting the request is easy and expectations are more than reasonable. Once approved, the cabinet of the WSA works tirelessly to make sure that the event is successful. I was extremely happy with the simplicity, devotion, and success that DSK and the WSA provided to keep our Bronco students and community safe.
We may not have won the game, but we sure do know how to take care of our students!
Way to Go Broncos!
Aaron Booth
Chairperson
Drive Safe Kalamazoo
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| WSA Packs the Room for President's Forum |
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Around 100 students, adminstrators, faculty, and community members packed the room for the bi-annual Open Forum with President Dunn, sponsored by the WSA and GSAC, on Wednesday November 11th. This forum was the final of three forums the President held during that week, ending with a great turnout.
Guests enjoyed free pizza and pop as Dr. Dunn began by addressing the three most talked about topics at WMU: The possible expansion of the BTR park to the Orchard Lake Property, East Campus and the new medical school, and the proposed downtown Kalamazoo arena.
The first audience question of the night was on the lighter side, asking Dr. Dunn what the most important thing for him in college. He responded "broadening my horizons and expanding my thinking."
Questions from there ranged from Sangren renovations and licensed and concealed weapons on campus to the President's thoughts on Greek life and Homecoming.
The questions ended on the same note as the began, asking the President what he does in his free time. Along with running and a Saturday morning crossword, Dr. Dunn said "I enjoy this job, its my life, and its what I enjoy doing." |
| Better Transportation for Aviation Students |
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On Wednesday November 18th, the WSA voted to give students in the College of Aviation better transportation options to the Battle Creek campus. Originally, all Aviation students were required to pay a $75 yearly fee for a bus system that only makes stops every three hours.
The topic was debated heavily, including arguments as to why students from other colleges should pay for Aviation off-campus transportation students transportation. That argument was quickly responded to with the fact that students are already paying for busing to other campuses, such as Oakland and Parkview.
The affirmative vote calls for the University to wholly fund transportation and for the administration to work closley with College of Aviation students to finalize an effective, useful method of transportation to the Battle Creek campus.
The vote was proposed by WSA Senators Isaac B. Adler (College of Aviation), Jonathon T. Freye (Croquet @ WMU), Roger J. Dixon (Aviation Student Council), Chris M. Vogtmann (Alpha Eta Rho). |
| WSA Around WMU |
Flag Raising Ceremony- The WSA helped President John Dunn and other administrators raise the largest flag in WMU history on Tuesday November 24th. The flag is 20 by 25 feet and was designed by WMU Engineering student Torri Garland.
The flag is another way that WMU is really starting to show its Bronco Pride. "I want it as my bedspread!" WSA University Pride Chair Erin Kaplan said at the event.
The flagpole is doubling as a cell phone tower for MetroPCS and sits on the corner of Howard and Valley Drive.
Get to the Game- The WSA worked closely with WMU Athletics and others to maxmize student attendance at the last home football game of the year. The game vs. Ball State was broadcast live on ESPN2 Tuesday November 24th at 7pm.
Incentives were offered to students as part of the promotions, including free food prior to the game, cash prizes at every Bronco first down, and two round trip Direct Airline tickets. WSA Senator, freshman Zach Putnam, came away with the grand prize of a $2,500 tuition stipend.
Although the Broncos were unable to come away with a win, the night was still a success as the stands were packed with fans the entire game. |
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Media Contact:
Justine Horton
Public Relations Chair
Western Student Association
(269) 387-2125 |
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| Upcoming Events |
| Senate Meetings Every Wednesday at 4:15 in room 157 of the Bernhard Center
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Pizza with the Provost Wednesday December
2nd at 6:30 in room 157 of the Bernhard Center
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Final Exam Week December14th-December 18th
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Winter Break December 19th - January 10. Classes resume January 11th, 2010. |
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