The semester is more than halfway over, and students already have finals and Christmas break on their minds. After the surge of civic participation surrounding the presidential election, it seems students are ready to re-enter a dormant state of political engagement. Instead of shutting off, I recommend you spend a little time trying to better your campus — outside of your respective student organization, if you are a part of one. Your student government, ASM, has been working on several internal changes but several bigger issues as well. Here’s a mid-semester evaluation.
Internally, we’re rewriting our constitution. The second round of feedback sessions should be coming shortly, and with an election in February, hopefully students will then have a new and improved student government. However, we’re not waiting until the constitution is passed to internally reform the organization. We’re evaluating everything this semester — staff job descriptions, accountability mechanisms for stipended and non-stipended positions, and the role of Student Council.
Outreach is a constant concern, and we’ve created a press office in order to help get out our news. We’re also in the process of rebranding the organization. So, along with internal changes, you will see a new logo, new building and new projects your student government is working on. We’ll be sending out a survey at the end of the semester asking you for your feedback too, coupled with town hall meetings in the spring to offer a chance to hear your concerns.
We recognize the state of the economy and are examining the internal budget critically. In addition to completely redoing the budgeting process in order to make it more legitimate for a government of our size and scope, there has been some discussion regarding a promise to not increase allocable student segregated fees.
Students should be aware that there is discussion surrounding a mandated voter turnout percentage whenever capital building projects are being voted on. We are continuously trying to improve our own voter turnout, but we’re discussing a threshold that must be reached before capital building projects are approved.
The safety of our campus is always a pressing issue, but it has been particularly problematic this semester with the number of assaults we’ve seen in the campus area. In response, ASM has appointed a Campus Safety Coordinator to address campus safety and coordinate efforts across campus, as well as work with the Dean of Students’ Office to ensure concrete action is taken to address safety issues. Another goal is to recommence ASM’s Neighborhood Watch program. Neighborhood watch programs are empirically proven to deter crime, and ASM is determined to have a role in this effort.
Faculty recruitment and retention has proven to be one of the most pressing issues for our university’s future continuation and preeminence. In addition to ASM’s Quality and Accessible Education campaign, which seeks to evaluate the value of our education here at Madison and actively works to improve all aspects of it, ASM is initiating lobbying efforts at the state Capitol. A few introductory visits this fall will lead to a greater presence in the spring where students will be targeting legislators to lobby the UW System Budget.
We’re not solely a reactive body. Last winter, Madison saw a record snowfall of 101.4 inches. ASM Vice Chair Hannah Karns did a significant amount of research in the summer to prepare for this upcoming winter. She gathered information about what kind of equipment the university had in an effort to understand the situation so that we can work to improve it and advocate for the students’ interests this year. She has filled out numerous applications for additional equipment to ensure the safety of students as they travel to and from class. ASM has taken an active role on this issue and is trying to address it before the winter season begins.
The state of Wisconsin recently had a 70.89 percent voter turnout. Our campus has proven to be engaged and caring citizens of the 21st-century economy. Although state and national politics are undoubtedly important, now is the time to get engaged and make change on your campus. Volunteer one hour a week to work on an issue with one of our committees. Even if you don’t have the time to become actively involved in your student government, give us input about what you care about. Contact your representative on Student Council, and you will see action.
Brittany Wiegand ([email protected]) is chair of the Associated Students of Madison.
