Paul, Noce attend Big 12 student government conference
The conference allowed universities to compare ideas and programs.
Published Nov. 10, 2009
Missouri Students Association President Jordan Paul and Director of Student Communication Tim Noce drove 15 hours to attend the Big 12 Student Government Conference in Lubbock, Texas, this weekend.
"The Big 12 Student Government Conference has all of the student governments from the Big 12 schools get together once a year to discuss what we're doing, bounce ideas off each other, and get new ideas," said Noce, who is running unopposed for MSA president.
The conference was held at Texas Tech University and is hosted by a different university every year. The conference invites the schools specifically from the Big 12 because they share common features such as size, population and Midwest location.
The conference provides a few days for speakers, round table discussions, presentations and an exchange of ideas, Paul said.
"It's much better for us to talk with peer institutions," Paul said. "It's a lot easier for us to relate to Nebraska rather than a school such as Southeast Missouri State University or the University of Southern California because we are more similar in size and structure to Nebraska."
According to the conference Web site, the conference focused partly on effective lobbying and developing a relationship with local governments.
"Once a year, in the spring, we all go out to Washington, D.C., to lobby for higher education," Paul said. "We are also beginning to talk about what issues we are going to lobby about for the coming spring."
Noce said it's important to work with local businesses and city councils because towns and universities must work together to succeed.
"There were lots of community relations ideas, like the student government at Iowa State has a city council liaison serving as a council member," Noce said.
A factor of the conference is comparing what works and what does not between the different schools and their programs, legislation and experiences.
"One of the areas Mizzou does really well in is finances," Paul said. "But an area we are doing less well in is student senators talking with constituents. We are improving ourselves in that area."
An appealing idea used in other universities was setting up tables with surveys, which brings the student government members closer with the rest of the student body, Paul said.
The University of Colorado showed a very beneficial model for sustainability on a college campus, Noce said.
Tailgating, a controversy this semester at MU, was another issue discussed between the student leaders.
"We're getting a tailgating solution in the works and Texas Tech has their tailgating event through their student government, and I got a lot of ideas for that," Noce said.
Noce has been heading the Rally for Reactor cause and he and Paul have both met with members of the administration over the course of the semester in attempt to find a solution to MU tailgating.
This year, only Paul and Noce attended in representation of MU. Many of the other student governments sent anywhere from eight to 10 members of their organizations. According to the conference Web page, the cost to attend the event is $50 per person. This fee provides all meals for the weekend Paul said.
"I thought it was a good experience, and hopefully we can bring some more people next year," Noce said.
