Associated Students of Madison representatives wrapped up a semester of campaigns Thursday by discussing how well they accomplished the goals they laid out in January.
The meeting, held on Library Mall, featured speakers from three different subcommittees.
ASM Diversity Committee intern Jennifer Le highlighted the main goal of her committee this semester, which was creating more awareness regarding diversity on campus.
“This semester, the Diversity Committee focused on educating the student body by supplying them with the information they’ll need in order to be more aware of the many different diversity issues surrounding this campus,” Le said.
In order to implement this goal, Le said several events were planned, mostly focusing on the rights of the LGBT community and increasing publicity regarding Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Other projects of the semester revolved around finances, which Legislative Affairs Committee intern Loreen Targos said included the “Worst House in Madison” contest and a focus on the budget.
The resurrection of the contest was successful, Targos said, adding it was a goal for the committee to recognize the poor housing many students live in.
“‘[The contest’s] goal is to hold landlords to what is required by law and raise awareness on tenants’ rights,” she said.
Targos also spoke of the Mifflin Street Block Party, an issue that has recently been at the center of much controversy and debate for the City of Madison and students.
“The Legislative Affairs Committee has been working with the mayor’s office to find a solution to the Mifflin Street Block Party scheduling conflict,” Targos said.
Other student issues achieved by ASM was the Plan 2008 Campaign, according to Vivian Intermonte. Working with organizations such as the LGBT Campus Center and the Multicultural Student Coalition, Plan 2008 introduced a proposal which will require a student diversity awareness session implemented at SOAR.
“The SOAR Executive Board has made explicit their support for our cause; but their concerns over the proposal and its potential implications are overshadowing the importance of this program,” Intermonte said.
Intermonte added it is important for students to have a committee such as the Plan 2008 Campaign.
“By relaying the themes and concepts diversity through educational programming and resources throughout the entire academic year, SOAR and the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs hope to better the campus climate and create a more inclusive environment for all students,” Intermonte said.
Despite a number of successful goals, two of the seven subcommittees, the Academic Affairs and Diversity Committees, were unable to meet their goals. The Diversity Committee already has plans to focus on increasing awareness on campus next year.
“We are very proud of all our accomplishments this year and are looking forward to continuing this steady momentum next year,” Le said.
