New Presentation by NAVIGATE and other stakeholders on undocumented students

NAVIGATE has partnered with MMEP and the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network to present:

“Access to Higher Education and Latino Undocumented Immigrant Youth in Minnesota: Removing Barriers to Develop Untapped Talent for Minnesota’s Economic Prosperity”

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC)
1501 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Science Building (Building S on campus map)
Room S2400

Registration at:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/104/mtglistproc.asp?formid=calendar&caleventid=7315

Please join the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Inc. (MMEP) and partners, NAVIGATE and the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network (MIFN) as they present information and findings from the policy brief entitled, “Access to Higher Education and Latino Undocumented Immigrant Youth in Minnesota: Removing Barriers to Develop Untapped Talent for Minnesota’s Economic Prosperity.”

This presentation will be an overview of key statistics related to the immigrant youth population in Minnesota and the movement for greater access to higher education for undocumented immigrant youth in this state. The presenters have a collective knowledge base of education issues as they relate to immigrant youth, social movement building in immigrant communities, and the latest education policy solutions to accelerate increased college attendance rates for more immigrant youth in Minnesota.

Due to limited space, you are encouraged to register early for this event.

Parking is available in the ramp. Exit ramp on first floor, cross Hennepin Ave, then cross Spruce St.
Campus map:
http://www.minneapolis.edu/campusmaps/index.cfm
Driving directions:
http://www.minneapolis.edu/directions.cfm
Parking:
http://www.minneapolis.edu/parking.cfm

Day Student Government Spring 2011 Election Results

These are the unofficial results. They become official once students accept/decline position or, in the case of a position result being contested, until a contest is resolved. In case the President/VP results are contested, Shukry Diriye and I remain VP/President until it is resolved by the Judicial Council per the process outlined in the bylaws.

(Unofficial) Results:

Day Student Body President and Vice-President

Houa Lor and Alom Martinez

Sophomore President: Aklilu Dimore
Sophomore Senators (in order of votes): Imani Kabetha, Davin Johnson, vacancy

Junior President: Billy Mzenga
Junior Senators (in order of votes): Hien Nguyen, Ryan Bachman, vacancy

Senior President: Erik Grindal
Senior Senators (in order of votes): Kathy DeKrey, vacancy #1, vacancy #2

Constitution amendment referendum PASSED: 273 voted YES (92%) and 23 voted NO (8%), meeting the threshold of three-fourths (75%) of those voting

Murphy Square referendum failed: 106 voted to uphold decision of student government (37%) and 183 voted to overturn decision of student government (63%), not meeting the threshold of two-thirds ( (1303 people or 66.7%) of the entire day student body.

Surplus Referendum results: 1--Additional grant money to student organizations (103 votes); 2--Campus beautification (65 votes); 3--Environmental and greening projects on campus (59 votes); 4--Improving alternative means of transportation on campus (50 votes)

**NOTE** Elections were held during April 14^th to April 17^th 2011. Candidates may choose to decline or accept the position and to contest results until noon on Wednesday April 20, 2011.

Elections!

It is time again for elections.

Petitions are due in the Senate Office by Thursday, March 31^st at 5:00 pm. A 15 minute required campaign policy info session will be held at 5:10 pm March 31, 2011 in the Auggie’s Nest. Campaigning can commence only after petition has been turned in and it will begin Thursday, March 31 6pm. Elections will be held from Thursday, April 14^th 7am through the 17 at 11:59pm online--each student will receive an email. If you have any questions about elections, email hernan10@augsburg.edu or mezarodr@augsburg.edu.

Getting involved with Augsburg Day Student Government

I am always surprised when a student comes to tell me that they have no idea how to get involved with our student government. While we are always welcoming new people, there are many who only become engaged when something they don't like get involved. And we get accused of all kinds of things.

The truth remains the same: we are open and welcoming to everyone. You just need to approach us.

Here are a couple of things you can get involved in:

You are welcome to join every senate meeting of the school year. We meet every Wednesday at 7pm in the Century Room in Christensen Center.

Soapbox at the beginning of our senate meeting every Wednesday at 7pm. Email dirie@augsburg.edu to let her know when and the subject you will speak about. You get 7 mnts to do that.

Become a senator - email martinez1@augsburg.edu - we might have special elections in the next couple of weeks, so you might be able to run. You will need 30 signatures from students in your class (senior, sophomore, etc).

Concerns Committee - join this committee to help us solve things on campus. Email negron@augsburg.edu

Of course, all student organizations have something to do with student government. Join a student organization too!

One of the Greats Leaves Augsburg

Carrie Carroll is one of those people who make you feel comfortable to be you the first time you meet her. At least that's how I felt when I met Carrie at a college fair years ago.

Carrie first helped me navigate the system to enter Augsburg and excel once there. Carrie has also been my confident, a great friend. Carrie has been there whenever I needed someone to talk to and always with a smile (and often times with a pretty good joke).
Carrie has been at Augsburg probably since the College was founded in 1869 and has seen the many changes the school has gone through. I believe Augsburg is moving towards breaking ground because of its mission and its commitment to all students. Now, President Pribbenow has been key to making this place even better. However, like with every other big change (and how we purposefully and thoughtfully respond to it), a vision of a place like Augsburg cannot be moved forward with out the commitment of other key players.

While the President really is the one who envisions (and he has done it with the rest of the college), Carrie is one of those people whose work and commitment have moved the college to where it is today. The student body has changed because Carrie has been adamant in attracting a whole spectrum of students. Carrie has been challenging racist notions coming from staff and faculty (yes, faculty too) about our new student body. Carrie has greatly helped debunk stereotypes about all students and has been proactive in ensuring that the college is ready to serve well all of its students. Carrie has in many senses made Augsburg what it is today.

It is sad to know she is leaving Augsburg. I am sad she is leaving. I know that I am going to cry to see her leave. My last months of my undergrad are going to be different. But I so wish Carrie the best at her new job at Luther College in St. Paul. I know I have a friend in her and certainly see each other. And I don't think I can get rid of her if I wanted anyways (at least that's the b-day card message I got this year).

Carrie, there is nothing else I can say, but thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Undesired Bo Burnham

Alright people, I am just the student body president. I am not student a dictator that is. I do not and will not act as one even if it would make some things a lot more simpler. It was not and never was up to me to decide whether or not Bo Burnham could come to Augsburg and get paid with the students', our money.

As many here, I put my trust in the organizations that made this event possible. They surveyed the campus and it seems that these were the results. I am not going to speculate in how good or how flawed the system really is. I am sure there could be improvements though.

I have had many people now come up to me to tell me they did not like the event this past Friday where Bo Burnham participated. I am trying to be unbiased here, but I have yet to hear that it was a good event. I chose not to attend the event after I heard a couple songs from the artist. I also thought it was a poor decision, but again, bringing him was not up to me. [I did participate in the survey]

Now, for those who want to do something, actually, there are somethings that can be done (and people have to take ownership for what they say as I have told those who have come up to me (and be civil too)). People can talk to the leaders of the student organizations and let them know how you feel. Make sure to express what would make the process of choosing artists and events overall better. People can come to our senate meetings and express their opinion as well and ask us to do something if desired. Of course, the ECHO is always a good place to express what we think as well.

As always, student government is open to everyone. Attend our meetings every Wednesday at 7pm. Email stugov@augsburg.edu if you would like more details on our meetings, have concerns, or comments.

Servin' in the 612

Alright, the time is right. We shall begin doing some work along with others.

Student Government has been working with LINK in the past months to plan some cool things. Here are some details on that:

*February 4-6*

Friday: CAMPUS KITCHEN SHIFT - 5-8pm
- Meet at Campus Kitchens door at 5 to help prepare food, leave at 5:30 to deliver food, eat with the residents, return by 8.
Transport: Campus kitchens van seats 7, anyone else wanna drive?
Who: We can take as many people as we can drive!! Ideally like 15. (2 additional cars?)
Contact: Brian Coy and Erika Coe, campuskitchen@augsburg.edu


Saturday: URBAN HOMEWORKS - Two shifts of home improvement projects - 7:30-12:30 and 11-4:30
- Group #1: 7:30 to 12:30 – Meet and take bus to location. Have lunch and return to campus by 12:30.
- Group #2: 11:00 to 4:30 – meet and take bus to location. Have lunch with other auggies, work and return by 4:30.
House Location: 3351 Park Ave., a block from my house! :)
Who: - Max of 15 for each shift, 30 total spots.
Contact: John Lundberg, 612-703-9093 jon@urbanhomeworks.com

Sunday: HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET THEATER - 2:10-6:30pm
- 2:10 - Depart for the bus. Watch a show and help strike the set/do some cleaning! Back at school by 6:30pm, possibly before.
Who: - Roughly 10 people would be good.
Contact: Margery Otto, 612-721-2535 x14, motto @hobt.org

BRIAN COYLE GIRLS BASKETBALL - 5:40-8:15
- Meet at 5:40 – walk to Brian Coyle and play basket ball with some girls. Return by 8:15
Who: -Only females please :) As many as we can get to come would be great!
Contact: Shukri (Lucky) Dirie, dirie@augsburg.edu

EVERYONE:
-We need more drivers for Campus Kitchen! Anyone able to drive some folks?
- Tabling times next week: Monday, Wednesday, THursday, Friday from 10-1. PLEASE EMAIL svanoe@augsburg.edu times that you can do! It would be great if everyone could do at least an hour :)
- Sunday at 3:30 we'll be painting the skyway! Please come if you can so we can do it really quickly!
- Would someone like to lead the other Urban Homework shift or the HOTB adventure? Let me know!

Hope you can participate or let others know about this great opportunities!