Following a rocky spring semester after which representatives promised to regain its “legitimacy” in front of the student bodyas a student government, the Associated Students of Madison kicks off a new semester tonight.,.
“We want to lay out how [students] can become members of student government in a real and direct way,” Constitutional Committee Chair Jeff Wright said.
According to Wright, ASM hopes the new constitutional bylaws, a new figurehead and feedback listening sessions this fall will create excitement to increase student involvement from last year.
Wright expects nearly 150 to 250 students will attend the kickoff this year. Also, ASM will also recruit new members throughout the year, depending if positions open on Student Council.
ASM has made a major advertising push for the kickoff using posters, mass e-mails and displays around Library Mall and Bascom Hill.
Lindsay Bembenek, a UW sophomore and ASM Student Council representative, said although ASM is a large time commitment, it allows students to connect with individuals in the wider community and interact with administrators and various hierarchies within the university.
“The first meeting was a tough transition … with ASM you go out and find it all out yourself,” Bembenek said. “The first meeting felt like I was missing out on so much, not a lot of people explained it to me. It took me a few weeks to even meet the chair.”
But Bembenk Bembenek went on to say the experience helped her acclimate to college life and grow in communication skills.
“It opened a lot of doors and made me aware of other activities on campus,” fellow ASM Student Council Representative and UW sophomore Julie Chou added, “I got to meet a lot of really interesting people and learn more about the student government.”
ASM will aim to widen their reach of involved students and will also attempt to make it easier for new participants to adjust to the time commitment and procedures of the organization this year.