On October 20th, the Academic Senate will vote on a new Masters of Business Administration program being proposed by NMU’s Walter Cisler College of Business. The program would be offered beginning Fall 2010, and is expected to be very popular with local residents and continuing business students looking for a new edge in a competitive job market. Similar programs have been among the top masters degree programs in the country.
A couple of useful websites to stay up to date on Higher Education Funding and other legislative issues affecting students:
President’s Council, State Universities of Michigan - Legislative Action Alerts
We have a limited number of bikes available for checkout right now — You can check them out today from the Library Circulation Desk. Just show your student ID and you’re all set.
ASNMU would like to thank the staff and administrators who have helped so much on this initiative, especially NMU Public Safety and Police Services, library staff, and facilities/operations. We’d also like to thank Sports Rack bike shop for their generous assistance purchasing bike locks, bells and lights.
We will always be working to improve and expand the program. If you’d be willing to help with bike maintenance, moving them into storage at the end of the season or any other activities, please email Jason Morgan at asnmu@nmu.edu.
ASNMU joined with students at universities across Michigan this past Thursday to contact our legislators and demand that they save the Michigan Promise Scholarship.
To those students who joined us in the Academic Mall and made calls from home: Thank you for standing up for the 96,000 State of Michigan students that receive this vital scholarship money!
As students, we need to continue to contact the legislators who want to cut the Michigan Promise Scholarship keep up the pressure! This is our last chance to do everything possible to save our funding. We cannot let ourselves be the brunt of Michigan’s budget mess.
To continue in the battle for our funding, please visit: www.michiganpromisegrant.com.
ASNMU interviewed with TV 6 to discuss the Promise Scholarship last week: Article & Video.
You may see the bright orange marked bicycles in the Academic Mall next to the Library. These bikes are for the ASNMU Bike Share program which is nearly ready to be launched.
The program will provide free bicycle rental for NMU students.
Bike Share program in the news: The Mining Journal
Bike Share frequently asked questions/General Description of Program:
The basic principle of the proposed bike-share program is to make bikes available for student or faculty use on NMU’s campus.
While individual accountability is the feature which makes a community bike program sustainable, there are several reasons to actually implement one in a community:
How many bikes?
25 (to start out with)
Source of Bikes?
The bikes will come from those left over by students at the end of the year, which are cut off the bike racks by public safety. These bikes are normally given to Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
Who will own bikes?
Public Safety will technically own the bikes.
Are the bikes checked out from a single location or are they left around campus for anyone to use?
Bikes will be checked out from the Library and the PEIF similar to a library book or skis. (Starting out at the Library)
How are the bikes tracked and identified as program bikes? Are they numbered, painted a specific color, etc?
The bikes will be marked by bright orange tape wrapped around parts of the bicycle.
How will program be financed?
The current plan is to receive $500.00 from a mini-grant, and finance $300 through ASNMU funds. Additional funds would come from ASNMU. ASNMU is also currently seeking larger grants from various sources to expand the program in the future.
Any rental fee?
There will be no rental fee. A late fee, and damage fee similar to library fines will be assessed.
Storage: Where will bikes be stored on & off season? How will they be secured from theft, vandalism, etc?
Bikes will be stored in a warehouse location on campus during the off season.
Bikes will be secured with bike locks. Students will check out a key to a lock from the library desk and the PEIF desk with their student ID.
Use: Any restrictions on use? Can they be taken off campus?
There will be no restrictions to use as far as where they are allowed to be taken. There will be a three day check-out. They will be allowed to go anywhere as long as they are returned within three days. A late fee of $3.00 per day will be assessed for late returns.
Maintenance
Who will maintain bikes?
The bikes will be maintained by a coordination between public safety’s Motor Assist Employees, ASNMU and Volunteers. The responsibility will ultimately be on ASNMU to ensure that the bikes are maintained.
How will the bikes be maintained? (Brake & tire repair, wheel truing, etc.) Are there any special maintenance equipment items or tools required? Who will purchase/own this?
There are no special tools required. Public Safety has a supply of general tools which should be sufficient. ASNMU also has a tool set which should be sufficient.
Where will bikes be maintained or repaired?
Maintenance location is currently the industrial piping location. A different location may be determined later.
Will safety inspections of bikes be done? By whom & how often?
Safety inspections will coincide with maintenance and will be done on a constant basis. An email and phone number will also be attached to each bike requesting that riders report any problems with the bike.
Safety Equipment: Will helmets be provided, required, encouraged?
Helmets will be provided and encouraged, but not required. Bike lights and horns will also be attached to bikes, as required by state law if bikes are used at night.
Insurance: Who will provide liability insurance for this program?
Liability for the Bike-Share program will be covered under Public Safety and Police Services contract.
Supervision: What part will the University have in supervision or oversight of this program?
Public Safety will essentially have oversight of the program. However, the responsibility will rest with ASNMU to ensure effectiveness and maintenance of the program.
For more frequent ASNMU Updates, sign up for our Newsletter: ASNMU Newsletter.
Please stop by, email, or call our office with any questions that you may have now, or throughout the school year.
News from
THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, NMU COLLEGE DEMOCRATS, & NMU COLLEGE REPUBLICANS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2009
Marquette, MI, 29 July, 2009: The Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU) and Representative Steve Lindberg, in conjunction with NMU College Democrats and College Republicans rallied together today, to stand up for students across the State of Michigan. Students held a rally this morning on Northern Michigan University’s campus to express the importance of the Michigan Promise Scholarship and additional forms of financial aid. The scholarship provides up to $4,000 to high school graduates who have successfully completed two years of postsecondary education. Currently there are 1,200 students at NMU alone who depend on this scholarship.
“Students understand that Michigan is facing unprecedented budget challenges, but we cannot afford to shelve our state’s burden on students and their families anymore.” said Jason Morgan, President of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, “Cutting the scholarships and higher education funding would be devastating to students and further harm Michigan’s economy.
“Over the past ten years, higher education appropriations across the country have increased by 56.3% with Michigan being the lowest increase in the nation with an 11.8% increase in appropriations since 1998.” Morgan added, “While other states are increasing Higher Education Appropriations, Michigan is cutting back. Michigan has the worst economy in the nation, along with one of the lowest higher education appropriations in the country. I don’t think this is a coincidence.”
“I understand that students are depending on this scholarship and other state aid.” said Justin Brugman, President of NMU College Democrats and recipient of the scholarship, “There are students who will not be coming back to school this fall if they do not receive their full state aid, and I may be one of them.”
“The state legislators who are not standing with the students and their families must understand that we will not forget this come re-election.” said Brugman, “These legislators made a promise to students, and now they must keep their promise.”
“Today your integrity is in question Lansing.” said Brian Hummel, Secretary of NMU College Republicans, “A commitment was made to thousands of Michigan’s prospective college students. The decision to retract this scholarship has the potential to jeopardize postsecondary education for thousands of students. For this reason Northern Michigan Republicans and Democrats alike are calling on you to reverse your decision.”
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1) Find your State Senator and State Representative here.
2) Mail/email this letter (personalize it a bit first), or write one yourself, to your Michigan State Legislators. (Preferably the legislators who represent you at home rather than at NMU)
3) If you are in Marquette, attend the NMU Save the Promise Scholarship Rally with ASNMU and Representative Steve Lindberg.
Thank you!
—-
Dear Representative/Senator,
I am a student at Northern Michigan University and resident of your district. Recently, the Michigan State Senate passed the Higher Education budget for Fiscal Year 2010, HB 4441, eliminating the Michigan Promise Scholarship and substantially cutting additional financial aid services. Today, I write you with utmost respect and gratitude for your service to the State of Michigan, but also with grave concern for myself and fellow Michigan students. I am concerned for the 1200 students at Northern Michigan University, and the 96,000 students across Michigan who rely on the Michigan Promise Scholarship.
As students, we understand the economic situation that Michigan is facing better than anyone else. We understand the hardship because we are feeling it as our parents lose their jobs, their pensions, their retirement, and their healthcare when they need it most. As students, we feel the hardship as we face increased difficulty finding a part-time job necessary to afford the thousands of dollars per year for college. We feel the hardship as we look at the job market and can only hope and pray that, when graduation time comes, we can find a light at the end of this already very expensive tunnel.
So please, Representative/Senator, understand that we, as students know the financial hardship that our state is facing. I ask that you understand that now, more than ever, is the time to support Higher Education. I understand that our state is facing declining revenues and cuts must be made, however, cutting Education is not the answer. I call upon you to stand up for me, as your constituent, and the 96,000 students across the state, to support the Michigan Promise Scholarship and maintain current education funding levels for all state aid and scholarships.
Sincerely,
NMU Student
The Associated Students of Northern Michigan and State Representative Steve Lindberg, in conjunction with the NMU College Democrats and Republicans invite students, parents, faculty, staff and community members to join us in rallying together to tell our legislators that students cannot afford more cuts to Scholarships and Higher Education.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Northern Michigan University, Academic Mall near Jamrich Hall
Rain Location: Lower level of the LRC near Starbucks
Please email Jason Morgan at Jamorgan@nmu.edu with any questions.
