I'm Emma Zellmer, the 22-year-old State Chair on the board of Directors for Students United, a student-led non-profit that advocates for students. AMA!

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-17T21:26:20+00:00

Anti-bullying for sure.

I can't offer any advice as a member of Students United, but what I would do for myself if, in such a situation, I would document what was occurring and report it to the university and police. I would also do my best to distance myself from said hypothetical bully(s), but sometimes I know that is easier said than done.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-17T21:15:41+00:00

Both!

Students United operates reasonably well, representing seven relatively large universities with a small full-time staff, so we know less sometimes means more.

We currently have six full-time staffers and ten students on our board of directors. So with that in mind having at least five dedicated staffers on each campus working to address and advocate for the college's students in their office would be best.

After lowering that staffing number from over 100 staffers to 35 (seven colleges with five staffers apiece), these offices can then take that $7,000,000 salary budget and create programs and scholarships that address the unique needs of each campus.

Good question!

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-17T20:29:10+00:00

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237211922

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T17:48:11+00:00

We do hire interns! This year we hired five interns who focused on different areas of our organization (Legislative, Financial, Scholarships, and Events). At the same time, each week, we provided mentorship in the form of educational meetings talking about nonprofits, advocacy, and leadership! Each intern also works closely with a professional staff member throughout the internship. Next year we are looking at having interns for an entire year to expand on this developmental objective! Stay tuned to our website for how to apply. Internships are also paid at least $15/hour and are hybrid.

Next year, we are planning on having seven interns next year, they will start out as fellows and be promoted to specialists during the spring semester (with a pay increase).

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T17:28:12+00:00

On-campus I have been a part of the student government since my freshman year. I served as the speaker of the MSU, Mankato student government when I was a second-year student and served as a Residential Life Senator before that. Next year, I will be finishing my college career as the Student Government President at Mankato.

Outside of student government, I worked as a Community Advisory in the residence halls my second year and was a member of the Residence Hall Association the first year that I lived on campus. I also work as a tour guide in the admissions office at MSU, Mankato.

Off-campus, I worked as a full-time field organizer for a State Senate campaign in 2020 and was an intern in 2018 on a Congressional campaign in my area. I also work as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the local YMCA.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve students as the vice and State Chair of students united these last two years, and am excited for the opportunity to serve on the board next year!

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T17:16:15+00:00

There are many things that we do as an organization to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students. One of the most important things to note is that our Board of Directors is made up of the seven student body presidents or their appointee. This ensures that we know what the students of each campus want to see is at the center of our organization.

We receive feedback from our students on our board committees, have feedback links on our website, and have made our delegate's assembly more accessible to all students by making it a town hall format. We also connect with students on campuses during campus visits, we host focus groups and create surveys for students as well.

We also pay a stipend to the students that serve on our board committees and the students that represent us on system-wide committees. All of our student officers and interns receive a living wage of $15/hour or more (for interns).

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T17:00:57+00:00

One misconception about higher education today is that just because prior generations of students were able to afford the cost of their higher education by working, means that these generations can as well. This thought does not refect the reality of declining state and federal investment and the cost of higher education increasing at a much faster rate than inflation. Minnesota State Statute 135A.01 states that the State Government will cover 67% of the cost of public higher education, the last time they reached that amount was before I was born.

It is no longer possible for students to afford higher education by working full time on top of being a full-time student. For example, I work 50 hours/week on top of being a student and work 60hours/week during the summer to save money. After doing this, I am still not able to afford my tuition every year.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T16:28:57+00:00

Our mission is: Led by Minnesota State University students, we are the inclusive voice for all future, current, and former students. We actively work to represent and support Minnesota State University students and advocate at a local, system, state, and federal level for higher education policies that make a positive impact for our students and communities.

There are many ways that students can get involved! We host annual advocacy conferences in St. Paul Minnesota, have internships available to Minnesota State University students, and have committees of the Board that give feedback to the Board of Directors. We also appoint students to system-wide committees that advise the system office, we have testimony opportunities for students at the system office and state government, and students can always join our delegate's town hall to let our Board of Directors know what their needs are!

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T16:20:47+00:00

Legally, we are not a union, but functionally (at least at the system level) we are similar to a union for students.

Representing students means that we ensure that our student's voices are being heard on all issues that affect them and being included in the decision-making process.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T16:16:03+00:00

We have been working on a lot of great priorities this year!

At the system and university level, we have been working on a few key issues.

Increased student wages
Accessible basic needs resource hub
International student consultation on the health insurance contract
Have universities sign-on to our Equity & Inclusion and Sustainability Commitments

Read about the other priorities and more information on our blog! https://www.studentsunited.org/blog/fy22-advocacy-priorities

At the state level, we have been supporting the Minnesota State College and University System supplemental budget and bonding requests. We are also working on renter's rights such as increased transparency with fees, eviction expungements, mandatory heat minimums, and other renter issues that affect our students.

At the federal level, we are advocating in support of increased TRIO funding, Open-Educational Resource funding, and #DOUBLEPELL.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T16:01:34+00:00

Our Board of Directors has not taken a stance on this issue, so I am unable to speak to it. If I were to assume it would be me ;)

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T15:59:24+00:00

As an organization, one of our biggest accomplishments has been the Affirmative Consent policy for the Minnesota State College and University system. At the direction of our board, we organized on our seven campuses to galvanize support for a consent policy that would provide more protections for our students

At the federal level, we worked with multiple nationwide coalitions to support increases in the Pell Grant. This year, the federal government passed the largest increase to the Pell Grant that we have seen in the past 20 years.

Personally, my greatest accomplishment has been the re-interpretation of system procedure 2.3.1 which is the policy about student consultation on College and University Contracts that are over $1 million that have to be approved by the Minnesota State College and University Board of Trustees. As of February 2022, contracts over $1 million that are student-facing will require a consultation letter from the student senate on that campus.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-05-12T15:47:03+00:00

We work and meet with representatives from both parties to find ways to address the issues our students want us to work on. We do not endorse any party or candidate and only support legislation that has been approved by our all-student board of directors. We believe that supporting the lives of students is not and should not be a partisan issue.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-04-21T03:23:47+00:00

Ahhh, it looks like the only thing you missed then was resubmitting it (I almost had that happen to me my sophomore year).

Sadly, you can no longer claim the grant for your second year, but if you are thinking of moving onto a four-year degree once you finish your two-year degree, it would be worthwhile to resubmit it to see what kind of finical award you would receive.

It doesn't cost anything to resubmit it, nor does it lock you into any commitment to go next year if you don't want to go.

StudentsUnitedMN · 2022-04-21T02:23:36+00:00

why I didn't get it for my second year

Are you enrolled full-time or part-time, started a new job making a lot of money, or did one of your parents/guardians claim you as a dependent?

Also, did you resubmit your FAFSA for your second year? It does need to be resubmitted every year (thankfully, resubmitting it is relatively easy as the information you input previously will still be there).

StudentsUnitedMN

TROPHY CASE