Opinion
Student organizations shaken, stirred
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- The Invisible Man Award: Wyndham Manning (May 7, 2009)
- The People's Choice Award: Jacqueline Hitchon et. al (May 7, 2009)
- The Lifetime Achievement Award: ASM (May 7, 2009)
- Honest representation (May 5, 2009)
- Junger for ASM Chair (May 5, 2009)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
Earlier this week, students learned of a new proposal by the University of Wisconsin administrators that would set limitations on the amount of drinking done by student groups. The proposal — which incited so much fury that some student leaders felt compelled to drink in protest Monday night — is in its early stages, but administrators are hoping the new policy could lead to safer partying at student organization-sponsored events. Another goal of the proposal is to prevent the risk of an alcohol-related incident turning into a costly liability for student leaders, their respective organizations or the university. We think this plan is a reasonable measure to mitigate liability and ensure better accountability for the use of student-segregated fees.
The policy is not aimed to prevent drinking by student groups altogether; it simply seeks to provide guidelines as to how student groups should handle alcohol consumption at sanctioned events. Some provisions of the policy include prohibiting underage drinking, disallowing the use of student funds to purchase alcoholic beverages, and banning parties at unlicensed facilities.
What's more, according to a list of talking points provided by UW Communications, UW is the only college in the Big Ten that doesn't have any policy in place regarding student organizations and drinking — which is clearly an oversight.
While some student groups are vocally opposed to this proposal — alleging the terms of the policy are "vague" and would be a hindrance to crucial organization events — the proposal is in its early stages, and the language of the plan is not yet set in stone.
The purpose of student organizations on campus is to encourage student involvement and offer leadership opportunities. Though having special events to promote the social aspect of these groups is an advantage, it should not give students carte blanche to do whatever they want at organization gatherings.
It would behoove student organization members to work with administrators in the drafting of the policy; the Student Organization Office says it is willing to work with students and welcomes their input on the issue.
12 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Muckrakers
President’s Visit Marked a Speech to One of the Last Groups Not Critical of Him
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
The key thing to remember is that the power from such groups as the Committee of Student Organizations is that they can control if a group is registered. If a group is not registered they are not bound to any university group policies. This only real punishment of not being registered is that a group cannot use central reservations for rooms, though public rooms will always be available. Therefore, it is in the CSO favor to make groups be registered under policies which they will agree to abide by and thus will be able to be prosecuted by the UW. - Germain E. Stemme
“and banning parties at unlicensed facilities”
Many student groups rely on parties to fundraise (more like fun-raise) given the lack of funding coming out of ASM. Really, $200 a year isn’t that much. Besides, the BH should be supportive of any initiative by students to raise money themselves rather than relying on seg fees.
in it’s early stages????? They’ve been working on this for 6 months and it’s in it’s 7th draft.
I guess the Badger Herald doesn’t care about Shared Governance.
ASM’s lack of funding? please. every year they exhaust their grant funds by giving to countless student orgs. that’s tens of thousands of dollars going directly to student functions.
plus, there are several other organizations that give grant money and sponsor events as well.
I believe them when they say it’s in its early stages, heck, 7th draft and 6 months is like one draft and two days in the real world. - Germain E. Stemme
why doesn’t wud focus on issues of more gravity, like say, increasing police presence around campus at night in light of rapes and roberies this year. aren’t they funded through money from food and drink sales, including beer? though important that this policy not pass as written, it seems less an issue of shared governance and more an issue of money.
I agree with this editorial and I think some students are willing to work with administrators to change the draft instead of simply complain.
I agree with this article too.
-Chancellor Wiley
“The key thing to remember is that the power from such groups as the Committee of Student Organizations…”
the funny thing is that this is the group at also approves student org policy, so this group needs to sign off on any of these proposals before they can become policy. Since the committee is made of students and faculty/staff, that sounds like shared governance to me…
Renee Alfano presented the document to ASM Student Council two weeks ago. Many ASM reps. had positive feedback for the plan, but will have continued discussions about possible changes to the plan. Concerned students should attend the next ASM meeting on Wednesday, 2/28 at 6:30pm, TITU.
“ASM’s lack of funding? please. every year they exhaust their grant funds by giving to countless student orgs. that’s tens of thousands of dollars going directly to student functions.”
Most of that money goes to BIG groups like WISPIRG that have their own financial staffs. Many smaller groups rely on the open fund to plan events and go elsewhere for meetings. Not to mention the travel and event grants dry up pretty quick.
Once again it might make more sense for students who are truly concerned about the new policy to contact the student members of the Committee of Student Organizations, who will play a major role of amending the policy. - Germain E. Stemme