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The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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SSFC approves eligibility for MEChA and Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics

The Associated Students of Madison committee approved funding for two different student organizations, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán and Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics, at their Monday meeting.

SSFC voted 10-1-4 to grant eligibility for MEChA, whose mission is promoting social justice on campus, especially toward marginalized demographics.

The representatives discussed whether or not they believed MEChA met the requirements for a core program, which means programming must be available to University of Wisconsin students, provide educational benefits and can’t produce credits.

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At last week’s eligibility hearing, MEChA presented two core programs, Raza Outreach and CulturArte.

https://badgerherald.com/news/2014/09/25/ssfc-unanimously-approves-eligibility-for-pave

Through CulturArte, students are exposed to art, history and stories from different cultures, Sergio Rodriguez, CulturArte coordinator, said at last week’s SSFC meeting. Raza Outreach focuses on engaging students in discussions and workshops centered on current social issues, Karina Ovalle, coordinator for Raza Outreach, said last week.

SSFC Secretary Brett Ducharme asked how Raza Outreach affects students outside of MEChA.

In response, MEChA spokesperson Amanda Villanueva said these trainings are meant to prepare UW students for interactions with people from marginalized communities.

Ducharme, who voted against funding, said Raza Outreach does not meet the experiential learning criterion because it’s primarily discussion, not hands-on learning.

Rep. Jessica Franco-Morales said she supported the core programming of MEChA because it met all of the requirements.

“I am counting it as core because it meets all three program requirements,” Franco-Morales said. “It’s requestable, it provides experiential learning and leadership and development.”

SSFC also approved eligibility funding for AHA, which passed on a 11-0-4 vote.

Members of AHA did not attend Monday’s meeting, but presented at their eligibility hearing last Thursday. AHA is a group that addresses questions of religious identity and supports a discussion of faith and secular issues on campus.

Last week, Sam Erickson, AHA president, said the group provides two main programs, Secular Peer Support and Secular Issue Awareness. The Secular Peer Support uses peer mentoring and personal development as tools to help students address their thoughts on faith. 

Erickson said the group is also planning a Free Thought Festival, which will host keynote speakers, debates, panel discussions and workshops.

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