Anyone walking up Bascom Hill Wednesday probably noticed 45 black cutouts shaped like people.

The cutouts were part of the Associated Students of Madison’s Plan 2008 campaign and signified students of color who left UW-Madison after their freshman year in 1998, the year the university’s ten-year plan for diversity was established.

This campaign, along with ASM’s other priorities, were highlighted Wednesday as part of the group’s semester message, “Working Today; Changing Tomorrow.”

By distributing “How is this campus working for you?” surveys, the council hopes to determine why some students of color do not complete their education at UW and why some do.

“Why did they leave?” Jessica Miller, chair of ASM asked at Wednesday’s conference. “The university has no idea and thus no valid way of improving the campus to retain the students of color who do choose to attend UW-Madison.”

The council also drew attention to its Campus Safety Campaign. Coordinator Erica Tietz spoke on the efforts members are taking to make the campus safer, including a presentation on burglaries and how students can protect themselves.

“I especially urge students who will be leaving their apartments unattended during spring break to come and learn some helpful prevention tips,” Tietz said.

“Many students are burglarized throughout the year, but [through] having students talk about their experiences and an officer talk about prevention we believe students will have the tools to create safer living spaces.”

Chris Tatarowicz, co-coordinator of the Tenants’ Rights Campaign, said his committee is working with the Tenant Resource Center to create an online survey in hopes of gaining knowledge about the current housing situation in Madison.

“This website will be a great chance for students to see not only who bad landlords are, but also which landlords are working hard and following city laws in providing a positive living environment for student tenants,” Tatarowicz said.

But before concrete effects of either Plan 2008 or the Tenants’ Rights Campaign are seen, Miller acknowledged a lot of work still needs to be done. She said ASM is willing to take the necessary initiative.
“It is important for us to remember that many students have come before us and many will walk these streets after we are gone,” Miller said. “As students, as activists and as members of the Madison community we are committed to working today in order to change tomorrow.”