NEIU students face adversity in Model Illinois Government simulation

A group of 17 NEIU students, predominantly from the Student Government Association (SGA), traveled to Springfield for the 32nd annual Model Illinois Government (MIG) Simulation from Feb. 25-28, but what started out as a fun experience of participating in state politics turned into problems for some.

Delegates from 19 different colleges arrived on Thursday at the Hilton Hotel and were split into meetings concerning the area they had chosen to represent in the Senate, House of Representatives, Office of Management and Business, Moot Court and Media. The Governor of MIG and his Executive Board later greeted students and staff at the opening ceremony in the State Capitol Complex, in which participants were asked to recognize the honor of using the building and respect its grandeur.

The NEIU delegation overall was excited to participate in the simulation, since most of them were new to it.

"I thought I'd learn something about the way the government works and the processes of the legislation and Supreme Court," said junior Erik Robles, a first year delegate in the Moot Court competition. "Other members of SGA told me last year that it was a great experience, so I was expecting to have a good time and gain a lot of knowledge," said junior Yair Cardenas, another first year delegate participating in the Senate.

Up until Saturday, things seemed to be going well with the students and their given roles.

"Feeling pressure from real justices is something you can't experience without putting forth the effort of preparing for it and coming down [to Springfield]," said John Cronin, a participant in Moot Court.   "I was excited to see so many people take leadership positions as first year delegates, and to see how much they were participating and interested in the competition," said senior Stephan McCollom, Vice President of SGA and President of NEIU's MIG Club.

Six out of 11 NEIU students who ran for leadership positions won.These roles were higher ranking positions in each area of the competition, and the delegation celebrated their seemingly successful time just after the first day.

"As a woman from Chicago and first year delegate, it was an honor to win the role of the Senate's Minority Leader after the first day of elections," said junior Denise Byers. "I knew some men were upset that I won, but I didn't know to what extent."

But the good vibes quickly dissolved after the rumors that Byers heard turned out to be true.

"Before floor sessions on Saturday, someone from the Democratic side told me that certain members of my Republican senate were going to kick me out," said Byers. "I kind of dismissed it at first as just a rumor, but I didn't know that everyone was saying it until that night." "I spoke to someone who was a page for President of the Senate, Eric Marvin, and she told me Denise was taken out with a vote of no confidence," said McCollom. "But when I saw Denise at floor sessions she looked fine-they were calling her Madam Minority Leader, so I guessed she didn't know yet."

Later in the day, McCollom also found out about other delegates' issues. Angel Velez was upset that as the spokesperson of his committee in the Senate, he should have been able to debate over bills more than the time allotted.

However, Velez was hardly allowed to speak, and he speculated there was foul play going on.

"When three schools take advantage of the other schools, it really becomes futile in even participating," said Velez.

Michelle Gruebmeyer, also elected Committee Spokesperson, was approached by a member of her committee to write an opening speech for a debate over a particular bill. Gruebmeyer obliged, but was shocked when the same person later acted as if he never asked her to. "I walk up to the microphone and the Whip says, 'Oh, you want to speak?'," she said. "I was so surprised he reacted like that-I didn't beg to do the opening, they asked me."

Gruebmeyer said the Whip claimed the schedule that said who was going to speak was mysteriously lost, but she was more bothered by the principle of the matter. "I have nothing against any of my fellow members, I respect them all," said Gruebmeyer on her walk to the hotel from the State Capitol. "But it was upsetting having to spend an hour of my time writing the opening for them when they were just going to do that to me."

A third Senate member experienced something similar to Velez and Gruebmeyer's issues.

"Going up to the microphone, ready to go, and then being pushed out of the way like you're not wanted really leaves a bad taste," said Burundi Sledge.

Although Byers was devastated, she was infinitely comforted by friends from NEIU. "My delegation backed me up 100 percent," said Byers. "They were my support system and lifted my spirits when I was going to give up, and I thank them for it."

Some members in the delegation met up in McCollom's hotel room to deliberate on what to do about the discrepancies, while others met in Byers' room to let their advisor, Roberto Sanabria,know what was happening before joining the rest of the group.

"It was a heated two hour deliberation because there were a lot of opinions-I felt like Frank Sinatra in "12 Angry Men said McCollom. "People in the Senate wanted to boycott and just walk out, but in my mind I thought, 'This is not the spirit of a competition'."

The students came to a consensus to speak to President of the Senate Marvin together with McCollom to introduce everyone's grievances.

"The solidarity of the whole delegation really made the point that we were not going away until we had the results we desired," said Robles. "Marvin gave the best politically correct answers he could have, [but] his sincerity was lacking and it seemed as though he was willing to say anything to get us off his back."  Marvin said there was going to be complaints towards the people he determined would be held responsible, but like Robles, other students doubted his honesty.

"I knew nothing would get done because Eric [Marvin] knew what was going on before we talked to him-he's friends with the people who caused the issues," said Byers.

"I think the problem was solved externally, but not internally," said Velez. "He was just a fast-talking politician."

Some students felt personally targeted because many high ranking MIG members lived in Springfield and had advantages.

"I thought they had something against our delegation because we were the only school representing Chicago," said Velez. "Maybe they were scared we'd take first place, so they just put us out of the loop."

"Everyone in Northeastern is friendly, but people down in Springfield are different than the people in Chicago," said Cardenas.

Despite coming home without any awards except an Honorable Mention to Brian Dix of the Moot Court competition, the majority of students agreed the trip proved to be worthwhile. "I think the simulation is a great experience to show college students how government and politics is in real life," said junior Derick Anderson.

"I would suggest participating in [MIG's] Moot Court to Political Science majors who are focusing in American Government because it really gives you a feel of what law school is going to be like," said Cronin.

"I learned that MIG has to be about both the social and political aspects of government because if you focus only on the social aspect of the weekend you can't learn about government," said Robles, "and if you only focus on the political end, you'll never want to go back again." Although both Velez and Byers did not surmise how their participation would turn out, both are prepared to attend the next simulation.

"Northeastern was probably one of the best schools that competed," said Velez. "But we're preparing to bring two new advisors next year, Al Cordero and Paul Harris, who are fulltime staff members."

"I'm definitely going back next year," said Byers. "I won't let anyone hold me down."