Freshman stirs up Student Fed
Betsy Woodruff
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
Jacob Nieuwsma, a freshman Student Federation representative, has only been to one Federation meeting. As an alternate, he didn't get his position until late January.
But in that one night, he made a splash.
Athletes in Action came before Student Fed at that meeting to request $500 to help around 15 students pay to attend a retreat.
The pingpong club requested $50 to spend on paddles and balls.
Nieuwsma spoke out against both proposals.
"I just want to raise the standard a little bit," he said.
He told The Collegian he believes students should expect the same level of fiscal responsibility from the Student Federation as from the federal government. He does not want to give money to events that involve fewer than 100 people or are not open to all of campus. Ultimately, he said, he would like to cut student fees.
"I'm the new guy. It's my first meeting, and I shook things up right away," Nieuwsma said.
After rigorous debate, the members of Student Federation voted to give both groups the money they requested.
Student Federation President and senior Will Clayton, Collegian photo editor, said he appreciated that Nieuwsma spurred debate about the proposals.
Sophomore James Manion, the treasurer, agreed that Nieuwsma initiated conversation at the Student Fed meeting. See his Opinions piece on A6 in defense of Student Federation's spending.
Elliot Gaiser, one of his good friends and the secretary of Student Fed, said, "[Jacob's] instinct is to just go for the jugular and make things better."
Nieuwsma immediately assumed several leadership roles when he came to campus in the fall.
In September, he chaired the College Republicans committee that rewrote the organization's constitution and is currently a trustee of the group. He is a project manager for the Students In Free Enterprise environmental resources team, working to increase recycling on campus. And of course, he is also a Student Fed representative.
But in that one night, he made a splash.
Athletes in Action came before Student Fed at that meeting to request $500 to help around 15 students pay to attend a retreat.
The pingpong club requested $50 to spend on paddles and balls.
Nieuwsma spoke out against both proposals.
"I just want to raise the standard a little bit," he said.
He told The Collegian he believes students should expect the same level of fiscal responsibility from the Student Federation as from the federal government. He does not want to give money to events that involve fewer than 100 people or are not open to all of campus. Ultimately, he said, he would like to cut student fees.
"I'm the new guy. It's my first meeting, and I shook things up right away," Nieuwsma said.
After rigorous debate, the members of Student Federation voted to give both groups the money they requested.
Student Federation President and senior Will Clayton, Collegian photo editor, said he appreciated that Nieuwsma spurred debate about the proposals.
Sophomore James Manion, the treasurer, agreed that Nieuwsma initiated conversation at the Student Fed meeting. See his Opinions piece on A6 in defense of Student Federation's spending.
Elliot Gaiser, one of his good friends and the secretary of Student Fed, said, "[Jacob's] instinct is to just go for the jugular and make things better."
Nieuwsma immediately assumed several leadership roles when he came to campus in the fall.
In September, he chaired the College Republicans committee that rewrote the organization's constitution and is currently a trustee of the group. He is a project manager for the Students In Free Enterprise environmental resources team, working to increase recycling on campus. And of course, he is also a Student Fed representative.
Be the first to comment on this story