The University of Wisconsin Associated Students of Madison grappled with the issue of shared governance at Wednesday's meeting, despite the absence of the Shared Governance Committee chair.

In an effort to better represent students, many committees on campus, such as the Athletic Board and Academic Misconduct Board, require a certain number of student members. The ASM Shared Governance Committee is in charge of giving students a voice by appointing student representatives to the various committees on campus.

In previous years, in accordance with ASM bylaws, representatives have been appointed through an interview process within each committee and through the subsequent approval of the ASM Student Council.

Shared Governance Committee Chair Patrick McLeod's attempt to change the appointment process by making it more open and "democratic" caused confusion and controversy among members of ASM Wednesday.

Earlier this month, McLeod defended the new process, which allows students to nominate themselves for positions on campus committees, rather than going through an interview process.

"The state statue says that it is our right and responsibility to do shared governance," McLeod said. "But it doesn't say what form shared governance should take. … The statute gives us a legal basis in a very broad way."

But students shared concerns that the process is unorganized and ineffective. Student Services Finance Committee Chair Zach Frey said disregarding the interview component of the appointment process clearly violates ASM bylaws.

"I don't think anybody is really happy with this system," Frey said. "We shouldn't be happy with a system that violates our bylaws."

UW freshman and Shared Governance Committee intern Kurt Gosselin spoke on behalf of the committee in light of McLeod's absence. Gosselin said adhering to the ASM bylaws requiring student interviews would minimize the student voice in shared governance.

"I don't think that the system or an evaluation of the system should necessarily derail what we're trying to accomplish on campus, which is getting the student voice heard," Gosselin said.

But Frey outlined the need for a clear appointment process for the Shared Governance Committee. Frey specifically cited likely upcoming hearings on student probation as a result of drinking tickets and other Halloween related run-ins with the law that may occur this weekend.

"You're going to be sitting there with some faculty member, and no student to listen to your case." Frey said, "Why even appeal? We're not doing our job if we allow this process to continue the way it is. Let's think of the 44,000 students we represent."

The meeting ended with a nearly unanimous vote to think of a more lawful process for appointing Shared Governance Committee members.