In the past year, MSA Senate has struggled with low membership and [uncompetitive elections](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/7/21/all-eligible-candidates-elected-spring-msa-senate-/), as well as [attendance and retention](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/4/4/msa-senate-possibly-implement-formal-attendance-po/).
The Missouri Students Association endured multiple setbacks last year, including the [resignation](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/28/how-msa-senate-toppled-their-president-elect/) of President-elect Haden Gomez, [attempted impeachments](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/18/senator-petitions-bec-chairwomans-impeachment-emer/) and [Senate election errors](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/18/msa-lacks-answers-elected-senators-who-didnt-run-s/).
“The problem with retention is that people don’t find value in MSA,” Senate Speaker Mark McDaniel said. “And if students don’t find value in MSA, that’s a problem.”
In response to these problems, Senate has been working to create more events and programs ensuring the continued participation of new and old members. The programs include helping students access free resources such as textbooks, attempts to bring food trucks on campus and the Senate mentorship program.
“We’re trying to give students on campus more options for books and food,” McDaniel said.
Work on the food truck project will be starting in the next few weeks.
The Senate mentorship program builds relationships between current and previous senators. This allows the members to gain experience and learn from one another.
McDaniel also hopes to bring back a program called the Senator Caucus. The caucus was active two years ago and allowed new and returning senators, professors and administrators to meet. Participants would discuss key skills and strategies needed in Senate.
The first MSA full Senate meeting will be Wednesday at 6 pm. in Leadership Auditorium.
“Once students find value in Senate, people will get more involved,” McDaniel said. “Senate is where freshmen are able to become student leaders.”
_Edited by Emily Gallion | egallion@themaneater.com_