JMC Student Senate

Part of making the best as a student in Madison is being involved outside of class. It helps to build friendships as well as an out of classroom learning experience. For me, being involved means being in a student organization. As a sophomore I was elected to the James Madison College Student Senate. JMCSS is a student led body which works to better the Madison community and to foster relationships between students, professors, and alumnus.

Since I joined, I have been part of putting on academic events through student senate which include the Alumni pizza night in which students meet graduated Madison students and discuss life after college in a non-formal setting. I have also helped with the Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy field party. Each major has a field party, which allows professors to interact in a social setting with current students, as well as students who have not yet chosen a major. The event is my favorite because many good discussions have happened between my peers, professors, and I about subjects otherwise completely mundane to our studies.

Our largest annual event is the James Madison Charity Ball. Each year a candidate is nominated and honored by the college and students, while proceeds go to the honoree’s charity of choice. This is a great opportunity to socialize with students across all the Madison majors as well as professors and faculty, many of whom give heartfelt speeches about things dear to them about Madison (namely that year’s honoree). The music, food, and happy atmosphere make the event an unforgettable evening of fun. It really makes being involved in James Madison worthwhile.

Being a college student can be difficult. Constant vigilance is required to maintain good study habits. Having a good work ethic is only part of the equation though. Relaxation and being social are also key. Getting involved in any way in James Madison or at MSU in general is a great way to meet new people and take a break from school. For me, that outlet is James Madison Student Senate, but there are countless options to choose from at Michigan State.   

Jeremy

Junior 

PTCD

Too many extracurriculars to choose!

       Since starting my Spartan journey I have been involved with many things including MSU Model United Nations, MSU Association of Future Alumni, and Associated Students of MSU which is our campus-wide student government organization. The extracurricular activities I’ve been consistently involved with this year are MSU Cru, JMC Ambassadors, and more recently my sorority Pi Beta Phi. 

      MSU Cru is a student-led Christian organization on campus that can also be found at universities across the nation. I attend one of their events at least once a week and I am able to meet a variety of people who have similar values and beliefs so it is enjoyable.

        I would also call James Madison College Ambassadors an extracurricular activity. Being a JMC ambassador is a reminder where I came from and how admirable the JMC program is. Being able to share my enthusiasm for JMC is an honor of mine. I think being an ambassador will be one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences I will have while being at MSU because of the friendships I made and the things I learned from the faculty and peers. 

        

         Last year, I wasn’t as involved with my sorority because of school work and then studying abroad, but the second I stepped foot into my sorority house this year I have been challenged, supported, and loved in ways I did not expect. It has been evident to myself that I am developing as a person while living in the house with such a variety of colleagues, or as we call them ‘sisters’.  What attracted me the most about Greek life is the philanthropy and the professional/personal development aspect. Something my sorority does annually that you and your friends can look out for is the spaghetti dinner which is a charity event where people can buy a meal and the proceeds go to our philanthropy, which is focused on literacy in children and there is an organization called Read>Lead> Achieve that is partnered with our sorority to promoting literacy and helping people realize illiteracy is problem.

       I've been involved with a lot of extracurricular activities here at MSU.  If you have any questions, feel free to comment below! 

Monica

Junior

IR & Media Information Technology

My Favorite Class: Politics and Markets

When asked what my favorite class I have taken in James Madison College over my four years I immediately am transported back to my spring semester of my sophomore year and MC 241- Politics and Markets with Professor Emmett.

I was interested in the Political Economy minor and was told that MC 241 would be the perfect for me to test whether I liked the program of study as well as get a requirement out of the way for my Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy major.

I enrolled in the class and was at first nervous about the amount of books that we would be reading over the semester. The book list had approximately 7 books on it, on the higher end for a Madison class, and they were all on economic theory. I was nervous about it, but I went into the class with an open mind.

I have not learned more from one class than I did in MC 241.

Professor Emmett leads the class through discussion. We make the seating in a complete circle and he starts the class with a question. It was intimidating at first but soon I came to love the way the class was structured as the class was completely discussion based as opposed to lecture based. I felt that I learned a great deal from this class because of the discussion based. What was more, is I gained a really deep understanding of economic policy because that was what the class focused on.

The aspect that I most liked about the class was not only the discussion based learning but also the material covered. The course focused on the debate between John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek. Having the modern economic policy debate contextualized in that manner allowed me to better understand the debate as well as formulate my own opinions.

I ended up choosing the Political Economy minor because of MC 241 and the nature of the class. Having mostly discussion based classes that really encouraged my learning and understanding of the subject matter was incredibly rewarding and fun.

Stephen
Senior
Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Political Economy Minor

Easing the Transition: Freshman Seminars Abroad

                In the August before I started my freshman year at Michigan State University, I decided to apply to go on a Freshman Study Abroad to Salvador, Brazil. I wanted to the chance to meet professors, especially because the two professors going on the trip taught for James Madison College, where I would be attending. I also thought it'd be helpful to get to know other new students who shared similar interests, like traveling, as me. The application process for the FSA wasn't very difficult, but I had developed convincing arguments about the benefits of study abroad to persuade my parents into supporting my trip. I was accepted into the program, and convinced my parents studying abroad would be largely advantageous for me. I quickly grasped that my dream of traveling outside the country (further than Canada, that is) would soon become a reality. I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to my departure; I didn't know anyone else who I would be traveling and spending two weeks with. However, I realized that this mirrored what my transition to MSU would be like.

                My time in Brazil was filled with the befriending of my fellow students, many who were also entering James Madison, exploring the city and culture of Salvador, and building up a relationship with my professor. The schoolwork was not overwhelming, but it gave me a fair idea of the level of writing that was expected of students in James Madison. It definitely helped to prepare me for the work in college.  I loved the opportunity to meet and talk with students who were in the same place in their lives as I was. We were able to discuss what we were excited about for MSU and our fears about roommates and classes. This helped to dilute my own worries about the future, since I knew that other people were also nervous. When I returned back home, and had to wait two weeks before entering college, I could hardly wait. Traveling independently abroad gave me a taste for freedom that made me even more eager to come to MSU. Now being a freshman at MSU, I realize more than ever how beneficial my study abroad to Brazil truly was. It gave me the confidence to explore an entirely new place on my own, which smoothed my transition into college and also made me more open to trying new experiences.

Ellery

Freshman 

Student Government at Michigan State

A little about me - I was elected to represent my class all four years of high school and I took it quite seriously. I was honored to represent my class and achieved leadership positions because I love getting involved. Even though I graduated with a class of about 400 students, the student governments at MSU seemed overwhelming because I would be representing thousands of people in my colleges, not hundreds. As a sophomore, I currently hold seats on the James Madison Student Senate and on ASMSU. 

During the end of the Spring semester of my freshman year I had the privilege of running for an elected position in James Madison Student Senate and earned a seat in the International Relations Caucus. Although I felt compelled to change my major to Comparative Cultures and Politics, I represent my Madison colleagues by exercising basic responsibilities like running the office for an hour or more every two weeks, attending the General Assembly meetings and reporting on ASMSU (Which I will explain later). James Madison Student Senate is just like Student Council in high school, but there is a caucus for each major in Madison. One person from each caucus and more contribute to committees such as social programming, academic programming, university community alumni relations, and community service network. JMC Student Senate organizes events for Madison students and communicates with groups in Case Hall and faculty to bridge the gap. 

ASMSU, which stands for Associated Students of Michigan State University, is a much bigger version of JMC Student Senate. It is similar to my high school student council in the set up where we have a faculty supervisor and then there is an elected executive board and committees. Depending on the number of admitted students in each college at MSU there is at least two or more representatives for each college. I was appointed to represent the College of Communication Arts and Sciences because I am a double major inside that college. I am supposed to represent the college of Communication Arts and Sciences and also serve in the Academic Affairs committee where we start resolutions or bills on anything related to Academics. As a member of the Academic Affairs committee it is required of us to attend University Council meetings once a month which include the presence of the President of MSU, the Provost and deans of the colleges across campus. The President, Lou Anna K. Simon, usually speaks about her visions and things going on at MSU through her perspective. Attendees are welcome to speak their opinions about new ideas and goals.

As an ASMSU representative it is my responsibility to make my constituents aware of the resources available to them as well as vote on bills or resolutions on various topics. We have passed a few bills to advocate for more gender neutral bathrooms across campus, post bills online so students can read them and share their opinions, and advocate for freezing tuition rates. Even though it may seem intimidating, ASMSU has many resources to help representatives and students are never alone. 

In college I think it's hard to sit back and let everything figure itself out. Although sometimes I felt like I was thrown into these positions, I asked many questions and learned that students do have a voice in academic governance at this university. Unfortunately I will be leaving my seats this spring semester because I will be studying abroad and missing re-elections. However, I will never regret trying it out in the first place. I have gotten to know some amazing peers from my college to the outside of JMC and these student government opportunities are rewarding experiences within themselves. I have gotten to meet more faculty, and learn about a lot of the things that go on behind-the-scenes, and I'm proud to be Spartan leader and stick with my Spartans to the end.

Monica
Sophomore
Comparative Cultures & Politics and Media & Information Technology

Graduate School

Applying to graduate school is something few think of when they begin their career at Michigan State University. Most students are overwhelmed with their new environment, new roommate, and the rigor of the classes. I was no different in my first year at Michigan State. Yet, now, as a senior, I am in the midst of applying to graduate programs and the once far off possibility of going to graduate school is now very much real.

About 40% of Madison alumni go directly into a graduate or post graduate degree program. The number is even higher when you look two years after graduation. Why is this? As I sit, looking over my application materials, I immediately realize why I am seeking another degree and why so many of my peers will do so as well. The rigor, support, and desire to learn that Madison students gain in their time here, is something few students are able to say they gained. James Madison College has prepared me greatly for graduate school.

From my first day in James Madison College, much was expected of me. My professors held me to a standard that seemed incredibly high. I was expected to write at a level that most university seniors will be at the time they graduation. As a freshman, I was incredibly nervous as writing at that level seemed incredibly difficult and something only professors were capable of achieving. Yet, now as I begin writing my graduate school essays, writing is something that is second nature and easy. Because of the expectations that Madison placed on me, I know going into my graduate applications that I am a step ahead of others applying because of my own skills at writing and that my professors are looking them over.

The relationships that I have with my professors are also a great asset to have when applying to graduate schools. Not only do they read over my application materials, but they are more than willing, rather they are excited, to write me letters of recommendation that truly speak to my academic abilities and how I was prepared for a graduate degree.

Coming to Madison was one of the best decisions I have made. I have been taught how to write well and have relationships with professors that are enhancing my application materials and truly speak to my academic abilities. Few undergraduate students have relationships with their professors like Madison students.

Stephen H.

Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, 2014