Minnesota State University Student Association: What You Need To Know

The Minnesota State University Student Association, also known as Students United, is one of two statewide student associations within the Minnesota State system. Students United is an inclusive voice for all future, current, and former Minnesota state university students. The organization is governed by a board of directors composed of the elected student body presidents of each of the seven state universities and three non-voting statewide officers. Students United advocates at the system, local, state, and federal levels for higher education policies that positively impact students and communities.

Students United: The inclusive voice for all Minnesota state university students, advocating for positive change

Students United is the inclusive voice for all Minnesota state university students, past, present, and future. The organisation advocates for positive change and is led by students from seven state universities. It is one of two statewide student associations within the Minnesota State system, which consists of 33 public colleges and universities with 54 campuses across the state.

Students United is governed by a board of directors, made up of the elected student body presidents from each of the seven universities, along with three non-voting statewide officers: a State Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer. The State Chair is the spokesperson for the organisation and is responsible for representing the Board of Directors. They also chair the Board's meetings and represent the organisation at the Student Advisory Council (SAC) of the Office of Higher Education (OHE). The State Chair or their designee also attends monthly meetings with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minn State) Board of Trustees. The Vice Chair performs the duties of the State Chair in their absence and is the chair of the Delegate Assembly Committee and the co-chair of the Scholarship and Alumni Board. The Treasurer oversees the organisation's financial updates and works with the staff and organisation accountant to produce monthly statements and an annual audit. Officers are elected for one-year terms, beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.

Students United actively works to represent and support Minnesota state university students and advocate at the system, local, state, and federal levels for higher education policies that positively impact students and communities. The organisation sets its own fees, which are collected by each college and university and submitted to Students United pursuant to the Statewide Student Association Fee Collection Agreement. These fees are reported and reconciled as fall, spring, and summer semesters, with summer as a trailer.

Minnesota State University, Mankato, is home to over 200 Recognized Student Organisations (RSOs), including Students United. These RSOs cover a variety of categories, including academic, fraternity and sorority, honorary and professional, multicultural, religious and faith-based, special interest, and sports and activities.

LeadMN: The recognised association for Minnesota's community and technical college students

LeadMN, formerly known as the Minnesota State College Student Association, is the recognised association for Minnesota's community and technical college students. It is one of two statewide student associations within the Minnesota State system, the other being Students United. Together, these associations represent the students of Minnesota's 33 public colleges and universities, spread across 54 campuses.

LeadMN sets its own fees, which are collected by each college and university and credited to the association's account to be spent as determined by the association. Fees are collected for each enrolled credit, and colleges and universities must forward these fees to LeadMN, regardless of whether they have received payment for them. At the end of each fiscal year, a reconciliation of the enrollment report is produced and posted.

Like Students United, LeadMN is governed by a board of directors. The association's leadership is responsible for representing the board at meetings and acting as its spokesperson. They are also in charge of appointing students to Minnesota State system-level committees and task forces.

The association provides a platform for students to connect with each other and the wider community, offering opportunities for personal growth and development. Students can join one of the many Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus, which cover various categories, including academic, fraternity and sorority, multicultural, and special interest groups. These organizations foster a sense of community, help students develop leadership skills, and encourage interaction and understanding across diverse groups.

Student governance: Elected student body presidents and officers govern the association and set its vision

Minnesota State University has two statewide student associations: Students United and LeadMN. Students United is the association for state university students, while LeadMN is for state community and technical college students. Each of these associations is recognised as the one statewide student association for their respective student associations and students.

Students United is governed by a board of directors composed of the elected student body presidents at each of the seven state universities and three non-voting statewide officers: a State Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer. These board members govern and set the vision for the organisation. The State Chair is elected by the Board of Directors each spring and is responsible for representing the Board of Directors and chairing their meetings. The State Chair also represents the organisation at the Student Advisory Council (SAC) of the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and testifies at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minn State) Board of Trustees meetings. The Vice Chair performs the duties of the State Chair in their absence and serves as the chair of the Delegate Assembly Committee and co-chair of the Scholarship and Alumni Board. The Treasurer oversees the financial updates of the organisation and works with the staff to produce monthly statements and an annual audit. Officers' terms are for one year, beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.

Students United also has a team of full-time, professional staff members who are supervised and managed by the Executive Director, who acts as the liaison between the staff and the Board of Directors. The organisation is dedicated to representing and supporting Minnesota state university students and advocating at the system, local, state, and federal levels for higher education policies that positively impact students and communities.

Student activities: A department dedicated to fostering co-curricular experiences and community engagement

Minnesota State University has a dedicated department for Student Activities, which is part of the Centennial Student Union. The department aims to be the centre for the co-curricular experience at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It seeks to foster community engagement and provide students with a range of opportunities to get involved in campus life and the wider community.

The Community Engagement Office (CEO) plays a vital role in connecting students with the greater Mankato community. It acts as a bridge between the university and various community agencies and organisations seeking volunteers. The CEO offers service-learning and volunteer opportunities, allowing students to contribute to society and make a positive impact.

The university also has a student-run organisation called the Student Events Team, which organises a variety of events for students, faculty, and staff. These events include concerts, speaker sessions, and weekly film screenings, creating a vibrant campus culture. Additionally, with over 200 Recognised Student Organisations (RSOs), Minnesota State University offers a diverse range of groups for students to join. These organisations cover various categories, including academic, fraternity and sorority, multicultural, religious, special interest, and sports.

One notable RSO is the International Student Association (ISA), which connects international student organisations and promotes interaction and understanding across diverse groups. ISA sponsors events and activities that foster cross-cultural exchange, creating an inclusive environment regardless of race, religion, status, or other distinctions. ISA is led by a president and vice president elected by the international student body, who work together to execute events and programs that enrich the campus community.

Minnesota State University also has statewide student associations, including Students United and LeadMN. These associations represent the interests of state university students and community and technical college students, respectively. They advocate for higher education policies and set their fees, which are then reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Overall, the Student Activities department at Minnesota State University is committed to creating a welcoming and engaging environment, offering a well-rounded educational experience beyond the classroom.

Recognised Student Organisations (RSOs): Over 200 groups cater to diverse interests, from academics to fraternities and multicultural clubs

Minnesota State University, Mankato has over 200 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) that cater to diverse interests. RSOs are student groups united by a common purpose, with a minimum of five members, at least two-thirds of whom must be enrolled at the university. They must have a stated purpose and a written constitution, adhering to federal, state, and local laws, as well as the policies and regulations of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

The diverse categories of RSOs include academic, fraternity and sorority, honorary and professional, multicultural, religious and faith-based, special interest, and sports and activities groups. One notable RSO is the International Student Association (ISA), which connects other international student organizations to serve the Minnesota State Mankato campus and community. ISA fosters interaction and understanding across international, cultural, and domestic groups, regardless of race, religion, status, gender, nationality, or disability, as outlined by anti-discrimination laws. ISA has its own office space, providing a welcoming environment for students to socialize, study, or relax.

The benefits of joining an RSO are significant. Students can meet people from diverse backgrounds, develop valuable leadership skills, explore new hobbies, and discover more about themselves. These organizations hold regular meetings and events throughout the year, including during new student orientation, providing ample opportunities for engagement.

Starting and joining an RSO is a straightforward process at Minnesota State Mankato. Once recognized, these student groups gain access to various resources, including university facilities, equipment rental, and publicity outlets. They also have the responsibility to abide by the policies and regulations of the university and the wider Minnesota State System, including those related to drug and alcohol use.

Overall, the wide range of RSOs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, offers something for everyone, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive campus community.

Frequently asked questions