By Megan Higdon
Western Herald
Jeff Dufon, Attorney at Law, offers free legal assistance to all Western Michigan University senators at Wednesday’s Western Student Association meeting. Sarah Randall/Western Herald
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Western Student Association hosted three informative speakers and approved 11 new senators.
Speakers Craig Smith and Amy Seth, representatives from Kalamazoo’s United Way spoke on ways in which United Way contributes to society, and how it is important for all students to help out in the community and become involved on campus. Both speakers have a connection to Western Michigan University.
Smith, a 1994 WMU graduate, has been involved with the United Way in Kalamazoo for eight years, and Seth is the Director at Western’s recreation center.
“I’m glad that the United Way campaign is reaching out to students this year as they take up the majority of WMU and are a huge part of the Kalamazoo community,” Justine Horton, public relations chair, said.
The WSA then welcomed another speaker, attorney Jeff Dufon, who works in Member of Redmond, Redmond & Yokom, which provides free legal aid to WMU students who are dealing with criminal charges.
He informed the meeting of different criminal charges and how it is especially important for students to know their rights. Dufon’s advice for dealing with police officers: “Always keep your mouth shut, and don’t admit to anything.”
Dufon gives free legal aid to students every Wednesday in the Faunce Student Services Building, room 1113 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
It was announced that on Oct. 22 WSA will be hosting a blood drive from 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center, and will host the “Devour the Chips” bake sell held at the flag poles, for which all proceeds will go to United Way.
On more internal news, each month President Nate Knappen gave away a “Presidential Award” to Chris Rettich, for being an outstanding member of WSA, which includes good attendance, a positive attitude, and frequent participation.
The WSA also voted in 11 senators to represent the individual academic colleges.
Each one stood in front of the rest of the association and talked about themselves and answered questions such as if they were to be appointed to the WSA, what would they improve on, issues in their college, and if they felt the colleges could be improved in any way.
“I feel that WSA is a great way to immerse yourself in student government, and let your voice be heard,” said newly elected College of Education and Human Development senator Jessica Humphries.
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