Don’t worry freshmen — you are not alone.
The vast majority of students at the University of Wisconsin have no idea what the Associated Students of Madison is and even less so what it does. This is made evident by the dismal 11 percent voter turnout in the 2016 student council election.
Student election voter turn out increased 53 percent in 2016 election
Whether you are a freshman or otherwise, I am here to tell you in less than 600 words what ASM is, what it does and most importantly why you should care.
ASM is the official student governing body of UW, responsible for allocating nearly $50 million a year of your own tuition money.
With your money, ASM funds a number of organizations and programs, including the Wisconsin Union, student organizations, the student bus pass and University Health Services. In addition to allocating money, ASM coordinates student-led campaigns to better our university, state and community. These campaigns are coordinated through ASM’s grassroots committees, including the Equity and Inclusion Committee, Sustainability Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee, Vote Coalition and the Shared Governance Committees. These committees are open to all students — anyone can get involved.
A number of these campaigns are led by ASM interns. These interns, typically freshmen or sophomores, coordinate a campaign of their choice and receive three credits for doing so.
It should be noted that these internships are more than just a learning experience, but an effective way to actually enact change on our campus. Katrina Morrison, an ASM intern, successfully coordinated a campaign last spring to implement a diversity training program for incoming freshmen and transfer students at UW. Her work resulted in the creation of the Our Wisconsin program, which is piloting this fall.
Finally, ASM serves as the representative body for all students at the university. Students elect a council composed of 33 students who represent each college within UW. These students are responsible for passing legislation on behalf of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.
Student council’s power is derived from Wisconsin state law, specifically Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5) which reads, “The students … shall have primary responsibility for advising the chancellor regarding the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services, and interests.” Student council meets every other Wednesday in the SAC at 6:30 p.m. and all meetings are open to the public.
I could ramble for hours or write a dissertation on why you should care about ASM, noting that ASM offers more than 50 paid positions available to students, governs and runs the Student Activity Center and has won a case at the Supreme Court (seriously), but I won’t take any more of your time.
In short, ASM should mean a great deal to you and your fellow Badgers. But, I recognize that some people could not care less about the politics of our university, and that is totally fine, because there will always be people who do and who are ready to put in the necessary work to make life better for students of the present and future.
But, seriously, only 11 percent voter turnout? Come on people, you can do better.
If you want to improve student life at UW, ASM is the place for you. To learn more about how to get involved in ASM, attend the ASM Fall Kick-Off, Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Symphony Room at Gordon Dining Hall starting at 7 p.m.
Matt Wulf ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in economics and communication.
