[media-credit name=’Ben Smidt’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The Associated Students of Madison unveiled its plans for the upcoming semester during a press conference on Library Mall Wednesday. The conference highlighted a long list of goals the group placed on an eight-foot tall checklist, covering topics ranging from Academic Affairs to Halloween.

“These goals are what students need to know about what ASM is doing for them,” ASM Chair Emily McWilliams said. “In the face of crushing state budget cuts to the university, tuition hikes and course cuts, their voices are being heard and their interests are being represented.”

With Halloween just three weeks away, ASM’s Halloween 2004 Committee is already hard at work. The committee was formed in reaction to the growing number of disturbances on State Street during the past two years. In previous years, there was no student involvement in the party’s planning process or efforts to curb the riots.

“The committee now serves as a communication bridge between the city of Madison, Madison community members, the University and the students,” Halloween Committee Chair Kristina Mueller said.

The group has pushed for downtown restaurants to stay open later during the party in an effort to reduce growing crowds on State Street, according to Mueller. The group also has pushed to provide on-campus and off-campus activities for adults and children ranging from hayrides to costume contests.

“We are confident that we are taking steps in the right direction and ensuring that Halloween will always remain a part of this community,” Mueller said.

Eyal Halamish, chair of the Shared Governance Committee, said one of his biggest qualms with Madison is an increasingly cynical student body.

“We have forgotten the many freedoms and powers we hold at this fine liberal institution,” Halamish said. He said the state constitution says ASM should, “Stand up for students’ rights and set our administration straight.”

During the week of November 8th, Halamish’s committee will host the Shared Governance Week of Action. The week features meetings covering five different issues over the course of five days.

The group will place a different administrator on the hot seat and students can hold the administrator accountable for their actions, Halamish said.

“For five days, the student body on campus will be exercising a right that our administration has tried to hide from us — our right to decide, our right to know,” he said.

ASM’s Diversity Committee is also spearheading a number of projects this semester, researching the possibility of LGBT safe floors and unisex bathrooms in both of the unions.

“Our goal is to find ways to make this campus more inclusive for every student,” said Diversity Committee Intern Bradley Schmock.

The committee is planning a campus D.J. Battle and Step Show for charity, scheduled for Dec. 3rd.

Wednesday’s conference provided a first look at what ASM members hope will be a productive and successful semester.

“We are here to tell students that we are working to make a difference on their behalf in every realm in which they are affected,” McWilliams said.