Opinion: Letter
Vote in ASM election today
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With talk of reform and change being prominently featured in the presidential race, a chance for major reform begins today for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This week, students are voting in the last election before next semester’s Associated Students of Madison constitutional special election.
“So what?” you may be asking yourself, “ASM: reform, change … please.” While your cynicism is understandable, apathy is unacceptable.
Like city, state and federal government, ASM is given an incredible responsibility and influence over students’ daily lives. By setting priorities and budgets, the Student Council represents the entire student body. In addition, the Student Services Finance Committee allocates and oversees millions of student dollars. At a time when students hunger for change on a national level and Americans fear economic collapse, the chance to make your voice heard on the local level with such influential institutions offers an unprecedented opportunity.
Yet, this fall’s student elections are about more than what’s happening here and now. As we speak, the student government is finalizing a rewritten constitution that could drastically alter life on campus and the way student voices are heard throughout the university and state. The winners of this week’s election will need to exercise solid judgment in this reform process, as it has the potential to influence hundreds of thousands of UW students over the succeeding years.
As a student and proud Badger, you have the right and the responsibility to use your vote to weigh in on the first of what will be a series of important decisions made on campus this academic year. The fact is UW is changing. Whether you support or oppose ASM, are an incoming freshman or outgoing senior, intensely involved or barely interested, simply placing your vote this week could be the deciding factor in the direction our great university follows.
Todd Brogan and Brad Silber
Student Election Commission members
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the two student papers have done little or nothing to publicize the candidates or say much other than there is an election.
Lame
When I worked with ASM, we made sure that there was notice in both student papers on all days the elections were held…I read this article at 1:19 AM…several hours too late to vote. I am a pretty easy audience to reach, and ASM failed to grab my attention. As a former SEC Chair, I was more than excited to cast my vote, but between the several days I spend on campus, the countless hours I spend on-line, and my constant checking of my e-mail throughout the day…I heard NOTHING of when this election was held and thus missed my opportunity to vote. Too bad for me. - Tim Leonard