On Monday, Aug. 23, ASNMU General Assembly held its first official meeting of the semester in the Charcoal Room of the University Center.

Professor Larry Pagel gave a presentation to ASNMU members on the importance of parliamentary procedure.

“The purpose … is to expedite conducting business,” Pagel said.

Pagel also discussed the necessity  of representing constituents without bringing personal views into the equation.

“You all represent (your constituency). It’s not about you, it’s about the students,” he said.

The general assembly next opened discussion on the possibility of a special referendum taking place in a non-referendum year.

In last year’s referendum, initiative four was a non-binding question that would increase tuition for all students by $50, thereby allowing students to have access to the PEIF facilities without having to pay an extra fee. The initiative passed by a vote of 2,048 for and 251 against, but in order for it to take effect it requires approval by the NMU Board of Trustees.

According to ASNMU president Lucia Lopez, the referendum initiative was left off the board agenda  this past summer because the wording may have been misleading.

“All referendum initiatives are non-binding. Because this referendum proposal actually stated that it was non-binding, it was possibly unclear to students,” she said.

In order for the referendum proposal to be considered by the Board of Trustees, the students would have to vote again on a revised referendum proposal with more clear wording.

Treasurer Andrew Foster made a motion to vote on allowing a special referendum to take place.

The motion was approved by the General Assembly. A date for the special referendum has not been set, but it will take place before the Sept. 23 board meeting, according to Lopez.