Off-campus representative Dani Thoune opened a discussion about the Lansing Blitz, a rally for higher education held by the Student Association of Michigan, at the Monday, March 7 meeting. Last week, ASNMU discussed possibly sending an NMU bus full of students to Lansing to represent Northern Michigan University on March 24, which would cost around $3,000. President Courtney Russell said that, though she supports the cause, it is implausible that ASNMU will spend this much of its funds to send 55 students to rally. ASNMU is looking into sending some university vans to the rally instead. Thoune said university vans cost $.63 per mile.

Jessie Price, a senior international studies and political science major, suggested that ASNMU host a workshop to teach students how to write to representatives and develop a skill set, which would allow students to be represented and support higher education causes without physically attending the rally.

Off-campus representative Benjamin Stanley opened a discussion about ASNMU starting a “Best Seats in the House” ticketing program for sporting events. Students interested in participating could go to ASNMU’s office to fill out a form, Dani Thoune said, which would increase traffic through the office and perhaps boost attendance at sporting events. Students who enter would be included in a drawing to sit on a couch, which would either be purchased by ASNMU or donated, and may be placed on the presidential platform in the Dome or by the ice rink below the pep band. Treasurer Andrew Foster said businesses might be interested in donating a couch if it were named after the business for advertising purposes, and Thoune said it might be possible to find a couch at Goodwill or the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. Russell said another option would be to allow the donator to sit on the couch first.

Coffee Talks with President Les Wong are scheduled for March 30 from 8-10 p.m. and April 20 from 7-9 p.m. in undecided locations.