Over the summer ASNMU worked across campus to help better Northern’s campus and student body. ASNMU Vice President Abby Roche, public relations major, said the summer was the basis for several continuing and future projects.“We told people this summer would be our base, and this summer definitely was our base,” Roche said. “We got a lot of things done, we got organized, and I think that because of that we are off to a running start. We have a lot of great programs and we have a lot of representatives that will be able to hit the ground running.”
ASNMU President Amber Lopota, public relations major, focused on creating connectivity across campus during the summer months.

“We worked very diligently on rebuilding network and reconnecting with departments on campus that we lost touch with,” Lopota said. “We had one-on-one time with President Haynes, board of trustees, we presented at their meetings when they came to campus and we met with the provost.”Lopota also traveled to Lansing, Michigan to attend The Student Association of Michigan’s Presidential Summit.

SAM gives student body presidents the opportunity to network and discuss future plans for their home universities and ways to better their campuses across Michigan.
Another project ASNMU worked on this summer focused on Northern’s campus grounds.
“There was a campus beautification project we worked on,” Lopota said. “We planted four flower gardens, which are looking awesome; they’re beautiful.”

Lopota said despite a rough start with some of the individual plots the beautification project came out better than expected. “We planted [plants] and when they gave us the plots I was a little disheartened because it appeared to be sand with cigarette butts and golf tees in there and I didn’t know how anything was ever going to grow,” Lopota said. The flower gardens are located across campus. Two of the gardens are on the Seventh Street entrance of the Hedgcock building, while one is located at the bookstore entrance of the University Center, and one at the Third Street NMU sign entrance of the PEIF.

“I am so proud of them and we’ve been working very hard on them,” Lopota said.
The materials for the beautification project were provided by NMU’s grounds dsepartment and along with the help of Grounds Supervisor Terry Eilders.
Lopota and Roche both said getting student involvement is key this year and to get people on board with whatever peaks their interest.

“We want people to question us, we want people to ask us questions,” Roche said.
Students can attend ASNMU meetings at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Charcoal Room of the University Center.