North Dakota Student Association

BISMARCK, N.D.—On the Bismarck State College campus this past weekend, 74 students from 10 of the 11 North Dakota University System colleges and universities rallied together. The main purpose of their meeting was to focus on legislation that will affect higher education, as well as each of their institutions’ campuses. The North Dakota Student Association, which is a conglomerate body of the student governments with the NDUS, produced a resolution in support and opposition of various bills that are before the North Dakota Legislature. Significantly, NDSA’s new approach is for students to be more proactive and visible during the legislative years.

House Bill 1273, which is one of many bills NDSA supports, would, if passed, expand the dual credit-enrollment option for college courses to 10th grade high-school students. Along with HB1273, the association supports House Bills 1065 and 1566, as well as Senate Bills 2087, 2226, 2076, 2278 and 2003. SB2003 is the NDUS Appropriation Bill.

NDSA opposes House Bills 1447, 1516 and 1576. Additionally, the association voted 46-7 to oppose HB1348, unless, NDUS campuses are excluded from the bill. HB1348 would permit concealed-weapon licensees the ability to carry their weapons at public events with the only exception being K-12 property; NDSA is seeking to prohibit their campuses as well.

“It is an amazing experience to see students from all around the state filled with passion and dedication,” said NDSA President Frank Michael, in regards to the participation and positive discussion generated from all schools. “They are learning about the issues that will affect the quality of education that they will receive at their respective institutions.”

On March 6-7, NDSA will meet again on BSC’s campus to discuss various other House and Senate bills that are currently in legislative committees and awaiting amendments.

The North Dakota Student Association met on October 10th and 11th in Valley City. We had a very productive meeting. The most important decision made was to pass a resolution stating that NDSA opposes both North Dakota Ballot Measure 1 and 2. You can look at that resolution in our document center. NDSA has also started to look into what our legislative goals will be this year.

The decision to oppose ND Ballot Measure 1 and 2 came after heated debate both Friday evening and Saturday morning. After much discussion though the vote showed NDSA opposed both measures 40 to 5. With this NDSA also decided to join the Partner’s to Protect North Dakota’s Future and will be working alongside AARP of North Dakota, the North Dakota Education Association, and many others to ensure North Dakota’s future.

Our next NDSA meeting will be in Grand Forks on the 21st and 22nd of November. This should be another great meeting and we hope to see you all there!

Cameron Battagler
NDSA Vice President

The NDSA meeting on October 10th and 11th has been moved to Valley City State University. The meeting will start at 6 pm and will be in the Student Center.

We have a block of rooms at the AmericInn in Valley City. For reservations call 1 800 634 3444 the block of rooms is under North Dakota Student Association.

I hope to see you all there and excited to see everyone from the last meeting!

If you have any questions email me at cameron.battagler@vcsu.edu.

Thanks!

Cameron Battagler
NDSA Vice President

We had a great NDSA meeting on the 19th and 20th this month at NDSU! Being this was the first meeting we introduced everyone to what NDSA is and what we will be working on for students this year. This year is a North Dakota Legislative year which means we really have to get to work lobbying for North Dakota college students.

This year we will be implementing a new tool of communication (at least for us). That is our NDSA Community Forum where you can voice your opinion and see what NDSA and other students around the state have been up to. You also will be able to check out all the documents coming out of NDSA.

This meeting we discussed ND Measure 1 and ND Measure 2 in some depth. ND Measure 1 would constitutionally protect the North Dakota Oil Trust Fund. This Measure would take a large amount of money and lock it up not allowing it to be used in Higher Education or anywhere else that may need funding. ND Measure 2 will reduce corporate income taxes by 15% and the adjusted state income taxes by 50%.

We also discussed textbook costs and options at NDSA. Many schools are now implementing a textbook rental program. Some schools are attempting to spur competition to drive textbook prices down. For more information about textbooks and what was discussed check out this thread on the NDSA Community Forum.

I hope you all had a great time at NDSA and I hope to see you at Dickinson State University on the 10th and 11th! And if you were not at NDSU I hope to see you too! If you have any questions at all contact us through the forum or email us. We would love to hear from you!

Cameron Battagler
NDSA Vice President

Greetings fellow ND students. I hope you have all had a safe and relaxing summer, and I bet you are all ready to jump back into a new year at school.

Our first meeting this year will be held at North Dakota State University in Fargo on the 19-20 of September. The Executive meeting will be at 4PM and our regular meeting will start at 6PM in the Great Room on the 2nd floor of the the NDSU Memorial Union.

We have 25 Rooms available at the Holiday Inn under the reservation name "North Dakota Student Association" and we have to have our final counts in by the 29th of August. If your school needs financial assistance to attend the meeting in Fargo please send me an email as soon as possible so we can help out.

If you have any questions at all about our next meeting and about NDSA in general feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Frank Michael
NDSA President