Michigan State University College Democrats

Voter Registration with Michigan’s Next Governor!

vicepresident — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:32:15 +0000

On Monday, August 30th we set up outside the Michigan State University Student Union for UFest as part of our campus voter registration drive. We were surprised and excited when we learned that we would be receiving a visit from the next governor of Michigan – Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero! Mayor Bernero spent about an hour meeting and talking with students and volunteers. We thank Mayor Bernero for his sincere commitment to students and the challenges they face – when he talks about the importance of education for Michigan’s future, we know he means it! With his help, we registered 300 new voters – a great start to our Victory 2010 Campaign!

Onward to Victory!

vicepresident — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:47:07 +0000

Join us this weekend as we head to Detroit to officially nominate future Governor Virg Bernero and our next Secretary of State and Attorney General Jocelyn Benson and David Leyton!

The convention will kick-off with check-in beginning on Saturday, August 28th at 8:00 AM in Detroit’s Cobo Conference Center and conclude the next day at approximately 6:00 PM. Make sure to check out the convention agenda so you remember to visit all of your favorite caucuses!

This year’s election is critical to the future of Michigan and the contrast between the candidates couldn’t be clearer. So come out to Detroit as we fight for a Main Street Agenda to protect our environment and our citizens instead of the special interests and to grow jobs here in Michigan instead of shipping them to China. We’re in the fight of our lives and with your help we can ensure a Democratic victory in November!

Dian Slavens for State Representative Canvass

vicepresident — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:58:19 +0000

Join the MSU College Democrats as we canvass for State Representative Dian Slavens in the 21st House District this Sunday, June 27. We will carpool and depart from East Lansing at 1:00 p.m. and travel to Canton. We will return no later than 7:00 p.m.

In her first term, Representative Slavens has been working hard for all citizens of Michigan – bringing high tech jobs to our state and improving our quality of life of our residents.

We’re going to be hitting the doors for Dian on Sunday to help make sure that Democrats keep the 21st District.

For more information or to RSVP, click here. To learn more about Dian and how what she has done for Michigan, visit her website at www.dianslavens.com.

The MSU College Democrats are committed to helping Democrats up and down the ballot win in November 2010 through our “Victory 2010″ campaign. Our organization will continue to seek and help candidates who are a champion for students rights and a progressive agenda. If your campaign would like to be a part of our Victory 2010 campaign, please contact Kaiti Aprill at president@msudems.org.

Pam Drake for State Representative Canvass!

mrivard — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:02:32 +0000

Posted by MSU College Democrats | May 22, 2010

Even though it’s summer, we have Democrats to elect!

Join the MSU College Democrats as we canvass and go door-to-door for Pam Drake, candidate for the 85th State House district.

We want to knock on 500 doors for Pam – can you help us meet this goal?

We will carpool and depart Lansing at 5:30 p.m. and travel to Clinton County (about 10 minutes away) into Dewitt. We will return to Lansing no later than 8:30 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, please click here. To learn more about Pam and her vision for Michigan, please visit her website, www.drakeforrep.com.

The MSU College Democrats are committed to helping Democrats up and down the ballot win in November 2010 through our “Victory 2010″ campaign. Our organization will continue to seek and help candidates who are a champion for students rights and a progressive agenda. If your campaign would like to be a part of our Victory 2010 campaign, please contact Mitchell Rivard at president@msudems.org.

Smoking Ban Becomes Law in Michigan

vicepresident — Sat, 01 May 2010 11:30:17 +0000

Posted by Kaiti Aprill | May 1, 2010

Thanks to progressive leadership in the Michigan House of Representatives, a smoking ban went into effect today!

After numerous attempts, a comprehensive smoking ban was signed into law by Governor Granholm for all Michigan workplaces – with cigar bars and casino floors exempt – on December 18, 2009. The smoking ban will protect Michigan workers from dangerous second hand smoke on the job, something that causes numerous deadly diseases that are 100 percent preventable.

The smoking ban bill (House Bill 4377) that was adopted was introduced by Representative Lee Gonzales and now stands as Public Act 188 of 2009. Similar bills had been introduced earlier in 2009 by Representatives Mike Huckleberry, Joan Bauer, Dian Slavens, and Paul Scott . Additionally, Senators Tupac Hunter, Ray Basham, and Tom George introduced similar measures in the State Senate.

MSU College Democrats Endorse Trustee Colleen McNamara and Sam Singh for MSU Board of Trustees

mrivard — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:54:14 +0000

Posted by MSU College Democrats | April 16, 2010

Today, upon the recommendation of the Executive Board, the voting members of the Michigan State University College Democrats voted unanimously to endorse both Colleen McNamara and Sam Singh for MSU Board of Trustees.

Colleen McNamara, executive director of the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association, was elected to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees for a term beginning January 1, 1995. In November 2002, she was reelected for second eight-year term beginning January 1, 2003.

“Through our conversations with Trustee McNamara, we are confident that that she has the best interests of MSU students in mind despite the difficult budget dilemma we find our state in,” said Mitchell Rivard, President of the MSU College Democrats. “Additionally, her eagerness to work with students in the future on top of her honest and practical way of thinking leads us to believe that she deserves to be re-elected to represent our great University.”

Sam Singh has been committed to public service throughout his career. He has served on over twenty boards of civic and nonprofit organizations both on a local and a national level. Sam Singh is the former Mayor of the City of East Lansing and is currently serving as the Senior Consultant for the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI). NEI is a $100 million philanthropic initiative aimed to help transition the Southeast Michigan region to a knowledge based economy.

“Sam Singh is equally a great candidate who is personable, approachable and will bring a laundry list of successful accomplishments to the Board of Trustees. He has continuously stood up for the rights of students while serving previously on the East Lansing City Council, the mayor of East Lansing or in his work in the non-profit sector. He is knowledgeable about the difficulties facing students and will be a voice of reason on the board.”

With the endorsement, the MSU College Democrats pledge to support both candidates in their bids for MSU Board of Trustees. In the coming months, the plan to assist candidates and their campaigns in reaching out to voters and Michigan Democratic Party members who will decide the nominees at the MDP Nominating Convention in August.

MSU College Democrats Endorse Mayor Virg Bernero for Governor

mrivard — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:43:34 +0000

Posted by MSU College Democrats | April 16, 2010

By a unanimous vote, the voting members of the Michigan State University College Democrats today endorsed Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero for Governor.

“Mayor Virg Bernero has proven results that will put Michigan back on track after the tough economic times we have experienced,” said Mitchell Rivard, President of the MSU College Democrats. “He has a track record of being able to make tough decisions while at the same time having innovative ideas to drive Michigan forward. Concerning higher education, he is a strong advocate on behalf of students across the state and knows the difficulties students face regarding the rising costs of tuition.”

Under Bernero’s leadership, Lansing has leveraged more than a half-billion dollars in new investment that will retain and create more than 6,000 full-time jobs. Even in the face of serious revenue losses and rising costs, Bernero erased more than $30 million in city budget deficits without raising taxes by making government more efficient and more accountable.

You can learn more about Mayor Bernero’s campaign and plan to put Michigan back on track by visiting www.votevirg.com.

New Executive Board Elected!

mrivard — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:45:57 +0000

Posted by MSU College Democrats | April 11, 2010

The new Executive Board for the MSU College Democrats 2010 – 2011 year were elected at our last mass meeting of the year today! The new Executive Board members are as follows:

President - Mitchell Rivard

Vice President - Kaiti Aprill

Secretary – Joe Duffy

Treasurer – Ashley Hall

Additionally, three Directors at Large were immediately appointed to the Executive Board, including Stephen Wooden, Paris Wilson, and Amy Longabaugh. Biographies and contact information of the new Executive Board members can be viewed here.

Congratulations to our new Executive Board members!

Q & A with Secretary Arnie Duncan

mrivard — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:06:47 +0000

Posted by Mitchell Rivard | April 11, 2010

Listen to Education Secretary Arnie Duncan discuss higher education and take questions submitted by college students from acrcoss the United States!

Making Higher Education More Affordable

mrivard — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:54:41 +0000

Posted by Mitchell Rivard | April 11, 2010

When President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, it meant the beginning of real reforms and critical investments to our higher education system. By strengthening the Pell Grant program, investing in community colleges, extending support for Historically Black Colleges and other Minority Serving Institutions, and helping student borrowers manage their student loan debt, we will make college more affordable and enable more Americans to earn a college degree.

What this new legislation means for students:

+ $40 billion more in the Pell Grant program to ensure that eligible students receive an award, and that awards increase to keep pace with rising tuition.

+ A $2 billion investment over four years for community colleges to develop, improve, and provide education and career training programs.

+ Students will be able to choose to limit their student loan payments to 10% of their income, with any remaining balance forgiven after 20 years. And public service workers can have their loans forgiven after 10 years.