The North Dakota Student Association advocates on behalf of the student bodies from North Dakota’s 11 public institutions of higher education. To ensure that higher-education student perspectives are considered during the policymaking process, the NDSA lobbies during legislative assemblies and nominates three candidates to serve as student representation on North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education, a board that governs over the North Dakota University System. 

Every student enrolled in one of North Dakota’s public colleges or universities funds the NDSA by paying a required fee that assists in continuing the functions of the NDSA, which allows the NDSA to operate in the singular interest of students. 

Throughout the year, many of North Dakota’s higher-education institutes host an assembly for the members of the NDSA to conduct their affairs. 

“My roommate, Helaina, said, ‘hey Madeleine, do you want to go somewhere this weekend with me? We can go to the NDSA,” Madeleine Phillips, UND’s Head Delegate for the NDSA, said. Phillips responded, “What is that? Tell me a little bit more,’ and then we went to our first ever NDSA meeting; it was great.” 

The assemblies commence with dinner and a speech from a guest speaker before students depart into breakout sessions divided into three groups: two-year, four-year regional, and four-year research schools. Then, the committees for the NDSA’s state-legislative, student, and internal affairs meet. 

“After that, it is a fun time, we get to do a little activity. So, that is Friday,” Phillips said. “On Saturday, we meet again and get down to business.” 

On Saturday, the committee meetings are summarized and the delegates, participants who elect to vote, vote on the committees’ proposals if quorum, the minimum number of members required to make the decisions of that assembly valid, is met. 

“Basically, you just need enough people there. There is a set number that you need to reach, which includes both actual students and the institutes,” Phillips said. “The big issue is always meeting quorum.” 

During the last academic year, the NDSA voted in support of a resolution that students from any of North Dakota’s public higher-education institutions should be able to take humanities courses offered by any of North Dakota’s public colleges or universities, regardless of what institution a student is enrolled in. 

“You really learn what is going on in other schools around the state, and it can put in perspective the things that are happening at your institution,” Phillips said. “It teaches you how to advocate not just on your behalf, but for a collective.” 

To become a delegate of the NDSA, contact the head delegates listed on the NDSA’s website and express interest.  

“I think that if you want to get the NDSA, you cannot just go to one meeting,” Phillips said. “You have got to keep going back, and you will get more comfortable and get a greater understanding of what the NDSA does.” 

Dylan Campbell is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].