News

Vogel resigns from ASM, SSFC

Brad Vogel, a longtime representative of the Associated Students of Madison, announced his resignation from the organization at a Student Services Finance Committee meeting Monday, citing a desire to hang out with friends, do homework and enjoy the university.

A UW senior and four-year veteran of ASM, Vogel said he first got involved in University of Wisconsin student government "literally" on his first day on campus, entrenching himself in campus politics ever since.

"Basically, I just thought it was time for me to seek some greener pastures," he said. "I've been talking about getting out of ASM for quite some time and I figured I'd do it while I still had some time to enjoy the university."

As time and ASM has progressed, Vogel has remained a highly influential aspect of the organization and its finance branch, SSFC.

Vogel said the direction SSFC and ASM have headed recently reinforced his decision.

"Additionally, I feel a bit more confident of … the composition of the committee," he said. "I think there are several members who are willing to stand up on a fiscally responsible position for students."

In a prepared farewell address to the committee, Vogel said SSFC's concept of viewpoint neutrality is a "sham."

"Intended on paper to protect the free speech of student organizations, the system, in reality, stifles the free speech of every UW-Madison student," Vogel said. "Elected representatives are prevented from speaking freely on behalf of constituents to make fiscal decisions."

Vogel followed with more critical remarks.

"The current [segregated] fee system is little more than an elaborate dance around the core issues," he said. "It's also a poor lesson in government for future leaders."

During its meeting Monday night, SSFC denied eligibility of student funding to the Asian Pacific American Council.

Because the committee found the organization's services overlap those of the MultiCultural Student Coalition — which SSFC ruled eligible Sunday — it will not receive student segregated fee funding for the 2006-07 school year.

The committee granted eligibility to Wunk Sheek, the American Indian student organization.

When put to debate, SSFC representative Zach Frey disagreed over the duplication of the APAC's programs compared to the MultiCultural Student Coalition.

"I don't see anything that is already duplicated by another student organization," Frey said.

After the decision was made, APAC representative Amy Eng expressed her disappointment.

"Multiculturalism is a huge part of campus … but I think in order to have true multiculturalism, we really need to have a foundation of different ethnicities before we can come together," she said.

APAC plans to appeal the decision as soon as possible.

The SSFC also heard eligibility proposals from the Greater University Tutoring Service, the Jewish Cultural Collective and the University of Wisconsin Roman Catholic Foundation.

The eligibility of those three groups will be debated Thursday.