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Senate hosting MAP Grant summit next weekend

In order to organize a student-led campaign to fund MAP Grants, Student Senate is hosting a summit to join universities from across the state as a united front.
It will take place on campus during Fall Break. 
Last week, the administration approached Student Body President Kyle Malinowski with concerns as to what to do about the problems the MAP Grant cuts may cause. Senate has organized a petition and is asking students to sign in support. But a petition isn’t all Malinowski has in mind.
“In January we could have 1,400 less students here at Bradley,” said Patrick Campbell, student body treasurer. “That would cripple the university.” 
The Senate MAP Grant committee, chaired by Campbell, sent out a mass e-mail to universities, both private and public, across the state urging an assembly to reinstate the grant and to invite them to the Oct. 11 meeting.
One hundred and thirty-six schools across Illinois were contacted, and so far six of those schools have confirmed that they will attend the summit. But Malinowski would like twice that many on campus.
“I would like to see as many schools as possible here next week, at least 18 to 20 schools,” he said. “It is definitely possible.” 
On Tuesday, Malinowski was invited by Brad McMillan the executive director of the principle leadership program, to attend a town hall meeting at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and to speak about the consequences regarding the possible MAP grant cut.
There, Malinowski spoke for Gov. Pat Quinn along with university presidents and student body representatives.
 “I felt like a fly on the wall, it was so cool,” Malinowski said. “To stand next to the governor, to meet him and to talk with student representatives was really, really powerful.” 
After shaking hands and having a private conversation with Gov. Pat Quinn, Malinowski said he felt the governor was genuinely interested and excited for the summit, mentioning it even after he left the stage.
All senate has to do is prepare Bradley, which means organizing the summit and most importantly finding a spot on campus to host the event. Senate is now mobilizing the community to spread the word about the proclamation and summit plans.
Malinowski said students should be proud Bradley has become the leader of a statewide organization of a hopefully successful endeavor. 
“I am a little overwhelmed, and I understand the risk that it involves,” he said. “But I am excited to see what it can do to help students, I am excited for Bradley.”
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