Inauguration of New Student Government is April 18

By BRETT MARSHALL, CSU Public Relations Intern

Minnesota State University had one of its highest voter turnouts ever in the recent Student Government election that seated Mavericks United’s MeMe Cronin as the new President with 54 percent of the 1,762 votes.

Cronin and her Vice President, Katelynn Ogunfolami, campaigned to understand and address student needs if elected.

“We were tabling in different locations, meeting with RSOs, taking to students in classes, promoting through social media and poster, making buttons and even baking cookies,” Cronin said. “It was a lot of work, but luckily Katelynn and I were able to keep each other accountable.”

As a Student Senator, Cronin said she decided to run for President after seeing things that could be improved.

“I see a lot of issues on campus that I want to address. When Katelynn and I came together, both of us formed a vision of what we wanted to accomplish next year and I knew the two of us could be the people to actually create that change,” she said.

Though Cronin expects new experiences as President, it won’t change who she is.

“I don’t think I will necessarily have to change the way I act or carry myself. There will definitely be new pressures I’ll face, like having to aid the senators and being a main point of contact for student government,” she said. “But I will definitely hold every senator responsible to the same standards I do for myself. Each of us that were elected were motivated to be the voice for their constituency, so we need to do our students that justice.”

Cronin said her primary goal as Student Government President will continue to listen to student concerns and seek ways to address them. She wants her senators to do the same.

“I want all the students of MNSU to know that Katelynn and I, as well as all of the newly elected senators are motivated to aid our students ,” she said. “Katelynn and I are always open and willing to hear any concern from any student on campus.”

Inauguration of the 2018-19 Student Government will be Wednesday, April 18, at 5 p.m. in the CSU Hearth Lounge. Student Government meets Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Nickerson Conference Room in the Centennial Student Union. For more information about Student Government, visit www.mnsu.edu/mssa