MSUSA 2013-2014

HIGHLIGHTS

STATE LEGISLATIVE WORK Successful Lobby Corps visits by each university

Online voter registration passed/implemented

LME increased in State Grant funding

HEAPR/Bonding funding for state universities passed

Two Twitter chats held in support of 2014 HEAPR funding

LTEs written by board members/published

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE WORK Successful trip to Washington, DC

Senator Franken mentioned Kari Cooper in floor speech on Affordable Textbook Act

Worked with SAC to support SELF Loan exemption and textbook bill

MNSCU ADVOCACY Internal process in place for Charting the

Future work/students appointed to committees

Increased student participation overall in MnSCU committee work

Testified regularly to MnSCU Board of Trustees

MNSCU ADVOCACY Governor selected student trustee

recommended by MSUSA

Student trustee regularly attended MSUSA conferences

Tim Comes participated on MnSCU panel

ORGANIZING/STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Nearly 30 visits across all seven campuses,

with multiple visits to each campus

Conferences were well-attended and productive (Delegates Assembly conferences & Lobby Corps training)

Brainstorming sessions at conferences enabled student discussion/collaboration

ORGANIZING/STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Created new organizing model/pilot

program proposed and funded for new on-campus organizers

Increased activity/engagement in Diversity Advisory Committee

Increased interest in student officer positions

COMMUNICATIONS 15+ media mentions, including articles

featuring State Chair Griffin

Social media presence expanded (Facebook, now 2,000+; Twitter, now 850+)

Expanded MSUSA update list

Increased Lobby Corps engagement in communications through videos/blogs

COMMUNICATIONS 100+ posts to MSUSA blog

Published annual report

Surveyed students regarding awareness of MSUSA for assessment/future tracking

Name change/logo/re-branding in process

ALUMNI WORK Alumni attended conferences and presented

sessions

Second annual Outstanding Alumni award presented

Alumni participated in Twitter HEAPR chats

Alumni attended scholarship fundraising events

Re-established and grew Alumni/Friends Facebook group

ALUMNI WORK Alumni spotlights regularly posted

Engaged alumni in re-branding process

Former State Chair Miles interviewed on MPR (SELF Loan)

Working to solicit applications for Alumni/Friends Board

Holding Alumni/Friends reception tonight!

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WORK Planned Scholarship Week to promote

programs

Provided fall Penny awards (spring awards TBD)

Anticipate another successful Penny Golf Scramble

Working on changes to build/grow Penny Program

Held successful JPS Mini Golf Fundraiser (150% of fundraising target)

SPECIAL PROJECTS Obtained grants to support financial literacy

work

Created and carried out successful “Walking Debt” financial literacy campaign

2,000+ interactive questionnaires taken by students on debt/credit cards/budgeting

Writing grant application for GOTV work this fall

OFFICE MANAGEMENT Staff/officers moved to more efficient/user-

friendly timesheet

Established long-term venue for Twin Cities Delegates Assembly conferences

Maintained and improved office organization/human resources

Enhanced student conference materials

Updated MSUSA conference room infrastructure

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS Contracted with professional

parliamentarian for meetings

All governing documents updated/approved

Quarterly meetings established with MSCSA

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS Working to change structure of Chancellor

meetings

Increased number of interns at MSUSA

Chose new database to better meet organization needs and re-organized data