Nearly a packed hearing room on the fourth floor of the state house (rooms 402 and 403) and three speakers opposed to SB 971 as well as three in favor. I spoke as University of Michigan graduate student body president on a neutral platform. Many people submitted comment cards to the committee voicing their opinions on this issue for the record. Democrat members in opposition and Republicans seemingly in favor of codifying rules that have been in place since the 1981 MERC ruling. [See also: "UM Regents Oppose GSRA Senate Bill"]
SB 971 was amended and recommended for passage by the full senate.