The lengthy process of redistricting that has been at the forefront of City Council’s agenda has some alders concerned about preserving strong representation for the student body.

Alder-elect Scott Resnick, District 8, said at least two of the proposed preliminary redistricting maps are unacceptable because they would severely fracture the student voice by grouping students into two large districts and splintering smaller pockets into non-student districts.

Resnick sent an email to the city’s Redistricting and Reapportionment Ad Hoc Committee Sunday requesting a closer look be taken at the implications the proposed changes could have.

“It’s about preserving the student voice for the next 10 years,” Resnick said. “It really doesn’t exactly have to do with the alders in place on the committee but it’s making sure that we have quality student representation in the next 10 years.”

In his email to the city commission, Resnick said the redrawn boundaries for student districts should conform to the University of Wisconsin’s Campus Master Plan.

Resnick proposed keeping the Spring Street neighborhood in District 8 and adding The Regent underclassmen housing complex to the district. He said if the changes are not made, students would be placed into districts with populations that do not match with student needs.

The email also addressed concerns about breaking up the State-Landgon Neighborhood Association into separate districts because of the heavily-populated Greek community in the area. 

“There are particular issues that solely impact the Greek community and should remain together, regardless of the district,” Resnick said in the email. 

Ad Hoc member Brian Grady said the redistricting process is still pretty early-on and the committee has been working together to try to incorporate suggestions and make modifications based on any concerns the members or the public may have.

Grady said students who have concerns similar to Resnick’s are invited to voice their concerns to the committee because the proposals are all in their preliminary stages. 

“This process will result in deciding what district they’re in and who their alder is and who will represent them,” Grady said. “The other thing [to consider] is trying to keep the students together in some areas so there is less confusion when it comes to voting.”

Currently, the majority of students reside in Districts 2, 4 and 8.