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Council ups medical group funds

The Associated Students of Madison Student Council granted a University of Wisconsin medical student organization additional funding at meeting Wednesday night.

The debate centered on whether to increase the funding for Medic, a student organization through the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

The funding increase was approved 10-to-1 with three abstentions. Medic's grant was increased from $700 to $1,300, according to Medic President Joseph Hansen.

Medic provides health care to underserved Madison-area residents, according to Hansen, and offers first- and second-year medical school students the unique opportunity of hands-on medical experience early in their schooling.

According to Hansen, the additional funds will help Medic serve both the community and students.

"It helps us serve our mission, which is educating medical students while serving the community," Hansen said.

Debate arose as Medic representatives attended the meeting to appeal their earlier approved budget and request additional funding for publishing.

ASM representative Steve Lawrence said he felt Medic should receive the additional funding, as the opportunity offered a unique option for UW Medical School students.

"This provides a very valuable experience to UW students," Lawrence said. "The medical students are getting valuable, hands-on experience."

Lawrence added that the idea behind the organization "goes to the heart of the Wisconsin Idea."

"The university borders are the borders of the state," Lawrence said. "The university's actions should benefit the community."

Lawrence told student council members "there's no reason why anyone should vote not to approve this funding."

ASM Finance Chair Sree Atluru agreed with Lawrence, adding many organizations have bloated budget requests, knowing money will be cut, and that originally, the ASM Finance Committee erred on the "side of fiscal conservatism."

"They're going to spend out all the money, and that never happens with most organizations," Atluru said. "If you break it down, it's pennies per student. I really think the organization justified to my committee to receive all their money."

But ASM Student Council member Zach Frey did not believe that Medic should receive additional funding, saying it is unfair to other organizations.

"To assume that all groups were happy with the money they got would make us ignorant and naive," Frey said. "I don't think it's fair to put the services this organization provides up on a pedestal."

Frey also questioned whether Medic specifically benefits UW students, adding "student fees are paid for by students for student activities."

Lawrence responded, saying all groups were given the opportunity to appeal their budgets to the Student Council.

"If an organization decides to not go through the established system, it's not our job to track them down and ask if they are happy," Lawrence said.