Independent Redistricting Commission visits campuses

September 28, 2021 (Volume 45, Number 3)

student in face mask speaks from his seat in a room and gestures with hands

person in sports jacket and red shirt stands and gestures at front of room, holding paperwork

Student Jacob Ruemenapp asks a question during the MICRC visit to Wendy Reffeor’s engineering class on September 16.

Photo Credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills

During a September 16 campus visit, the State of MI Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission gave Grand Valley students the opportunity to be involved in politics beyond voting.

Commissioners visited both the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses. Grand Valley was one of only five campuses to be visited by commissioners on their fall college tour.

This commission serves to give Michigan citizens authority to redraw district boundaries every 10 years. Voters amended the state's Constitution by passing the “Voters Not Politicians” proposal in November 2018.

“We are honored to host the MICRC here at GVSU,” said Melissa Baker-Boosamra, associate director of Student Life. “It’s a great opportunity for our campus community to be involved in making decisions that will impact all of us.”

Commissions visited the class of Wendy Reffeor, professor of mechanical engineering. Reffeor said students got the opportunity to learn the roles citizens can play in the redistricting process.

“Civic engagement is a part of professionalism,” said Reffeor. “Students learned of an opportunity for them to engage in government as well as the importance of doing so.”

The commission is composed of 13 registered voters who were randomly selected through an application process. Of the 13 commissioners, four are affiliated with the Democratic Party, four with the Republican Party, and five are not affiliated with either major party.