[media-credit name=’JAKE NAUGHTON/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The University of Wisconsin College Democrats kicked off the school year Monday with a series of guest speakers who talked to students about the state budget, campus safety and upcoming elections.

Speakers included state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, who urged students to get involved on campus and take part in the state's political process.

"In the state Assembly, we are three seats away from taking the majority,” Pocan said. “If we do that, we will have a Democratic governor, a Democratic Senate and a Democratic state Assembly."

As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, Pocan said the state budget still remains undecided because the committee is "split by party lines."

"We are the only state in the country to not have a budget yet," he added.

Pocan characterized the budget as a "close to dire situation." He discussed the effect the budget has on UW students, pointing out the differences between the proposed Democratic and Republican budgets.

He said that although Gov. Jim Doyle proposed a $225 million increase in the UW System, Republicans cut that amount by $150 million, including the $40 million of that set aside for financial aid.

"Right now there are at least 4,500 [students], and it could be on upwards of 6,500 in the entire UW System who are waiting to see if they are going to get financial aid," Pocan said.

When asked how the students should get involved, Pocan urged students to contact their representatives and get involved in groups like College Democrats.

Judge, whose district covers much of the UW campus, encouraged students to become involved with campus safety through the Neighborhood Watch Program.

The student-run program "acts as a visible deterrent to crime," Judge said.

Supporters of the Democratic presidential campaign, including organizations supporting Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama, encouraged students to get involved and support the Democratic candidates by joining their groups.

Although College Democrats does not endorse an individual candidate, Chair Oliver Kiefer recommended students find a candidate they most identify with and become involved in the process.

Other notable speakers at the meeting included Shelle Mihalak, public affairs organizer of the Planned Parenthood Activists of Wisconsin, Jason Stephany, political director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and Richard Dovere of Roosevelt Energy.

College Democrats advertised upcoming opportunities for students to get involved, including a tribute to American soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, cosponsored by College Republicans, on Wednesday, Sept. 19.