Seeking to escape from University of Wisconsin oversight, the Associated Students of Madison is incorporating a faction of their organization as a non-profit company, according to student governance officials.

While ASM traditionally exists as an independent, segregated-fee-funded organization, two "organizational" members are considered employees of the Office of Dean of Students (OSOS).
Because certain student council activities can conflict with various ODOS job criteria, ASM plans to employ the two members through the company, gaining complete autonomy from the university.

"The biggest thing with the employees is there is a conflict of interest," ASM Chair Eric Varney said. "If we're planning to fight the chancellor on something, [ODOS will] help us, but they also have to report that to Bascom."

University officials, including Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam, refused to comment on the potential plan.

The company would be separate from ASM — a registered student organization funded by student-segregated fees and unable to receive other financial support — so it would be able to acquire funds separately, Varney added.

"Part of our organization will be allowed to fundraise," he said. "And if we ever need legal assistance outside of the university, we can hire private attorneys."

The incorporation would function at no extra expense to students, nor inhibit ASM services, Varney said.

"This incorporation won't cut back any student services and it will be no additional cost to students," he said, adding the company may be called "Friends of ASM Inc."

Varney said the council will probably search for a more suitable name.

Third-year UW law student and principal author of the new company Nate Romano concurred that the incorporation would have little affect on ASM aside from separating it from ODOS.

"Most of ASM is not going to be affected by any restructuring that we do," he said. "The plan we're looking at right now is still in the very, very early stages."

Following state statute 36.09 (5), Romano said the university has no jurisdiction over students' self-governing or the composition of ASM.

"What that states is that the students have the absolute right to choose the form of governance for themselves," he said. "We're not changing the fundamental structure of ASM … it will stay the same."
Through the company, Romano said ASM will contract the same services once provided by the two organizers under ODOS.

Once Romano drafts a finalized business charter, he said ASM will set up the non-profit with the state, seek support — "not approval" — from UW and contract to the new company under student council approval.

Romano added the contract would have to be re-approved by the council annually.

"[For now] we're looking at what the company would look like, how it would be structured and what it would do and all the nuts and bolts of how the company would run," he said.

Some members still have no knowledge of the plan for incorporation, ASM Chair of Campus Relations, Sam Viesemer said, adding it will be formally announced at a meeting Oct. 12.

"Our plan as of now is informing council members," she said. "Not all council members know about it … it started as a brainstorm."