Campus Women's Center
From Badger Herald Wiki
 |
This article may need to be updated. |
 |
This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. |
The Campus Women's Center is a University of Wisconsin registered student organization that provides education and resources concerning issues that involve women. The group was denied funding for 2010-11 by the Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance Committee in the fall of 2009, leading to a long and controversial appeal process within ASM.
Contents |
Structure and services
Founded in 1983, CWC is based out of Memorial Union and available to all students as a resource. According to their website, the center offers support groups covering topics such as depression and anxiety, body image and relationships. CWC also provides condoms and help in seeking other resources
CWC is headed by nine student leaders and supported by volunteer efforts.
Resources such as Condom Crawl, Speaker's Bureau and Kids Night Out have been highlighted as direct services CWC performs for UW students.
Funding denial and appeals
RSOs wishing to draw their budget from the university are required to request funding through SSFC each year. In order to be eligible, a group must provide direct services to students. SSFC eligibility applications must show a group spends 51 percent of their time producing and conducting these services.
CWC appeared before SSFC Sept 17, 2009, listing major direct services such as Kids Night Out, Condom Crawl, Speaker's Bureau, support groups and resource advising. After some initial confusion over vague numbers and a clarification from CWC, SSFC decided two services were not direct services to students. After a recalculation by SSFC, it was decided only 40 to 45 percent of CWC's services could be counted. In an 0-4-4 vote, SSFC denied CWC funding Sept. 21, 2009.
Members of CWC came before SSFC Sept. 24 with new numbers and asked for a motion to reconsider to be raised. The request was denied by SSFC. The day also marked CWC's deadline to submit an appeal.
CWC then brought forward a procedural appeal Oct. 2, saying proper procedures had been violated because the motion to reconsider was improperly rejected and there was a lack of understanding and clarity on the services offered by CWC.
CWC then took their appeal to Student Judiciary Oct. 22. The group argued their recalculated numbers, not SSFC's, were the correct ones and therefore they should have qualified for funding. They also argued an inadequate appeals process was followed. While SJ denied the appeal, they ordered the group back to SSFC for another chance at an appeals hearing.
CWC again went before SSFC Nov. 12, but no specific procedural error was found by SSFC and CWC was again denied a re-decision.
CWC then filed another complaint with SJ, who denied them another appeal hearing Dec. 13. In the complaint, CWC alleged viewpoint neutrality was violated, those who abstained from voting should be allowed a motion to reconsider and they were unaware of rules governing motions to reconsider.
On January 26, 2010, SJ granted CWC another appeal before SJ based on viewpoint neutrality concerns. The group appealed to SJ Feb. 10, with much of the focus centered on comments made by SSFC Secretary Matthew Manes, who CWC perceived as retaliatory.
In the fall of 2010, the Campus Women's Center reapplied for GSSF funding and eligibility. This time, they were approved by an unanimous vote of SSFC committee members. According to SSFC members, a retooling of the organization made it possible for them to receive funds in 2010.[1]
External links
Notable articles
- CWC denied funding
- SSFC declines re-vote
- Save the Campus Women's Center comes together
- News Explainer on why denied funding
- CWC appeals to SSFC
- CWC appeals to SJ for rehearing
- SSFC in-depth
- SJ orders another SSFC hearing
- CWC appeals to SSFC for re-decision
- CWC makes second appeal to SJ
- SJ denies second appeal
- CWC granted fifth appeal
- SJ hears fifth appeal
- SSFC grants CWC money for 2 years
