The Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) is an independent, non-profit organization funded and operated by students. MSUSA serves nearly 70,000 students attending Minnesota's seven state universities: Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University is a public state university in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA, located on the shores of Lake Bemidji. It is a part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities .-History:BSU was founded in 1919 as Bemidji State Normal School...

, Minnesota State University Mankato, Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a four-year public university located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, United States. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.-History:...

 (St. Paul/Minneapolis), Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system...

, St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher...

, Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, four-year university that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It is located in Marshall, Minnesota, United States, a city of 13,000 people. The school has a full-time enrollment of approximately 3,500 students and...

 (Marshall) and Winona State University

Winona State University

Winona State University is a comprehensive public university in Winona, Minnesota, United States, a college and river town located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, with around 8,900 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students...

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MSUSA is recognized by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees as the sole representative of state university students in Minnesota, and works on a variety of issues at the different levels of government.

Board of Directors

MSUSA is governed by a board of directors composed of the democratically elected student body presidents at each of the seven state universities and three non-voting statewide officers. These board members set policy and administer how funds are spent by MSUSA.

Officers

The State Chair is elected by the Board of Directors each spring during the MSUSA Delegate Assembly. The State Chair is the chief spokesperson for MSUSA. He or she is responsible for the coordination of MSUSA programs and chairs all Board of Directors meetings as a non-voting member. The State Chair represents MSUSA at the Student Advisory Council (SAC) of the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees meetings. The State Chair also appoints state university students to system level committees and task forces.

The Vice Chair performs the duties of the State Chair in his or her absence or at the State Chair's request. The Vice Chair serves as the chair of MSUSA's Delegate Assembly and the Penny Fellowship Board. Additionally, the Vice Chair supervises MSUSA's Campus Representatives.

The Treasurer oversees the finances of the organization and works with the staff and the MSUSA accountant to produce monthly statements and an annual audit.

The Vice Chair and Treasurer are elected each year by the Delegate Assembly at its spring meeting. Officers' terms are for one year, beginning July 1st and ending June 30th.

Delegate Assembly

The MSUSA Delegate Assembly consists of 40 representatives selected by the seven state university student governing bodies. The size of each university's delegation is predetermined according to the size of the school. Delegate Assembly is responsible for adopting the MSUSA Policy Platform and Mission Statement, setting the budget for the coming fiscal year, offering proposed changes to the MSUSA Bylaws, and electing the Vice Chair and Treasurer.

Scholarship programs

In addition to the student advocacy work, MSUSA also runs two scholarship programs to assist student leaders in achieving and paying for their education.

Penny Program

The Penny Program consists of two scholarship opportunities for MnSCU students. The first is the Timothy J. Penny State & Federal Public Service Fellowship, award to students participating in state and local government internships. The second program is the Barbara J. Penny Community Service Scholarship which recognizes MnSCU students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service, and to promote their growth as a community leader.

For more information please visit the Penny Program Website.

Jared P. Stene Student Leadership Scholarship

The Jared P. Stene Student Leadership Scholarship was created to honor the accomplishments of a former board member of MSUSA. The scholarship provides financial support to students who share Jared's leadership and passion for student advocacy.

For more information please visit The Jared P. Stene Student Leadership Website.