Associated Students of Madison leaders who worked closely on Legislative Affairs Committee issues this year announced their plans for leadership roles for the 2010-11 academic year.
LAC Chair Adam Johnson said he will run for vice chair of ASM for next session. He said one of his goals is to increase the transparency of ASM through social media.
Johnson is currently campaigning by posting short video blogs of himself on YouTube where he talks about issues he wants to work on next session and encourages student interaction.
He said this was a more personal way to get his message across and show people there is a person behind his arguments — not just a block of text or an e-mail address.
“I want to actually continue these video blogs next year as ASM’s fireside chat where the chair and the vice chair sit down once a week and do a short four-minute spiel on what we’re doing this week,” Johnson said. “This is a way where the campus at large can get to know us personally.”
LAC Vice Chair Sam Polstein announced he is running for chair of LAC for next semester. He said he thought LAC did a good job this year, but it could add even more next year.
“Hopefully next year we can hit the ground running right away. That’s just so important — and I know this past year, and nothing against Chair Johnson, he had to start from scratch basically,” Polstein said. “I’m really excited, and hopefully I will be elected.”
In its last meeting for the semester, LAC pledged to work over the summer on the planned gubernatorial debate on campus next fall and reflected on its accomplishments this year.
LAC plans on partnering with Channel 3000 in co-sponsoring a debate between the gubernatorial primary winners in early October and is considering using the Kohl Center as its venue.
The debate would be streamed online, and LAC is hoping to use social media to encourage students to submit questions to the candidates.
Polstein said it is important the committee members continue to be active in organizing the debate over the summer because it will happen so early next semester.
LAC also discussed potential locations for holding the debate. Student Council Vice Chair Tom Templeton, who sat in at the meeting, said the format of the debate and how many students would be attending would determine the best location to use.
He added for a large audience, the Kohl Center would be a good location because it already has broadcasting equipment on site. However, he added it would be expensive and hard to find an open time.
Also at the meeting, Polstein said he met with Joel Plant, assistant to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, and discussed plans to create an informal group of students to advise the city on music choices for Freakfest and the Mifflin Street Block Party.
“I think this would be a great opportunity for students to get involved and make sure the music is something they want to listen to, as students are a big portion of the visitors of Freakfest,” Polstein said.
