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Campus groups criticize constitution proposal
Several students not convinced attempt to restructure will work
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A growing number of student organizations are taking a stance against the new constitution proposed by the Associated Students of Madison.
“We feel that the problem with student government isn’t that the structure is broken, it’s that the wrong types of people are in student government,” said Adam Porton, a member of Student Progressive Dane.
Porton said the new constitution would put too much power in the hands of one individual.
“ASM is overly focused on the process of student government rather than actually working on issues,” Porton added. “It’s more interested in working on symbolic resolutions than real problems that students face.”
According to Porton, ASM should focus on mobilizing students, encouraging their involvement and raising awareness of important student issues.
Porton also said members of SPD have spearheaded the effort to recruit student organizations to officially endorse the anti-constitution campaign.
As of Wednesday, eight organizations had officially endorsed the campaign, including the Campus Women’s Center, Working Class Student Union, Student Progressive Dane, Student Tenant Union, Student Labor Action Coalition, Campus Antiwar Network, International Socialist Organization and Action for Environmental Justice.
Chynna Haas, president of the Working Class Student Union, also said the new constitution gives too much power to an elite group of ASM members.
“It’s such a small committee, and student voices weren’t being heard there,” Haas said.
Haas added the committee lacked diversity, and members did not have a lot of experience working with General Student Services Fund organizations.
According to Haas, the organizations are concerned about how funding will be handled in the new constitution and the language in which it is written.
Haas said the new constitution leaves out important financial laws that impact the amount of time allotted to GSSF organizations to address or change funding and budget concerns.
“Anytime you try and propose a new system of government, there will always be a vocal minority opposed to change,” said Jeff Wright, chair of the ASM Constitutional Committee.
According to Wright, the benefits of the new constitution far outweigh any negatives.
“In many ways, the new constitution will provide more security to student groups,” Wright said. “A more powerful executive isn’t such a bad thing — it’s the ability to issue executive orders and allows him or her to drive the message of the organization.”
ASM has also put a series of checks and balances into place to make sure the president never gains too much power or begins to take on an agenda of their own, according to Wright.
The new system allows an emergency Senate meeting to be held and the majority will determine the right course of action should the president abuse his or her power, ASM Chair Brittany Wiegand said.
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buncha meanie heads!
Jeff Wright=ASM hack
Vote no!
“ASM is overly focused on the process of student government rather than actually working on issues,” Porton added. “It’s more interested in working on symbolic resolutions than real problems that students face.”
Yes, yes yes. Example:
The new system allows an emergency Senate meeting to be held and the majority will determine the right course of action should the president abuse his or her power, ASM Chair Brittany Wiegand said.
SRSLY, Brittany? Or, for a different kind of example:
http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/01/22/asmsupportsstem_ce.php
As the comment at 2:52p, says:
…Obama doesnt need ASM’s endorsement, and neither does the UW in pursuing stem cell research. Go back to your crusade to prove your worth, ASM — nice grab for a headline, but we’re not fooled.
It’s fun to hate on ASM, we know that. But this is a needed change in structure. I believe the Pres. would have to be elected by the students, so what better way is there to hear their voices? Plus, students can identify with an exec. system.
What’s wrong with an Exec branch? Many many student governments have one with no power issues.
Having an AS president allows for the students to have a recognized representative of their interests. It gives students more power.
-UC Davis student
NOBODY CARES about ASM. Porton is right - people who actually care about change join other, more effective groups. ASM is just the resume-padders. Nothing short of a COMPLETE turnover will fix it.
@2:46: Except there are signs that a hostile takeover of ASM is in the works even now. All the student president needs to take over is ~8-10 loyal cronies to block an impeachment vote.
Jeff Wright is not an ASM hack - he is trying to do what he thinks is right. He’s a good guy.
That said, the new constitution would result in a dangerous concentration of power and a slower and more bureaucratic organization. It’s a very bad idea, and needs to be voted down and real, constructive reform (arrived at via democratic processes) enacted in its place.