An Associated Students of Madison committee unanimously approved funding Thursday for the Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment group that helps prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Student Services Finance Committee also heard from two other groups on why they should be eligible for segregated student funds.
SSFC voted 11-0 in favor of eligibility for PAVE, which focuses on primary prevention and education through workshops.
Rep. Cheyenne Langkamp said PAVE speaks of civic knowledge and engagement, while Secretary Brett Ducharme said the program focused on the students.
“They want to do more about promoting awareness [and] differ from UHS, where they are providing counseling,” SSFC Vice Chair Thuy Pham said. “PAVE is going out there and educating students on sexual protections.”
SSFC also heard eligibility presentations for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán and Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics. The committee will decide on eligibility for the programs on Monday.
MEChA promotes self-determination of the Chicano people and the presence of culture through education, politics and art, according to Sergio Rodriguez, CulturArte coordinator.
MEChA’s core programs are Raza Outreach and CulturArte. CulturArte is an arts initiative that facilitates experiential learning for students, Rodriguez said. They have workshops that are designed to explore culture in forms of art, history and stories.
Raza Outreach is a program that leads discussions and workshops in the Madison community, said Karina Ovalle, coordinator for Raza Outreach. Students are educated on social issues in groups, discussing themes such as the educational system and the workforce, Ovalle said.
AHA looks to promote the discussion of faith and religion on the UW campus. AHA President Sam Erickson said the group was combining previous programs into larger programs, Secular Peer Support and Secular Issue Awareness.
Erickson said Secular Peer Support provides an educational benefit through peer mentoring and personal development, with officers being able to help students discuss their thoughts on faith.
Secular Issue Awareness looks to promote thought and discussion on campus, Erickson said. AHA is preparing a Free Thought Festival, where there are keynote speakers, debates, panel discussions, workshops and more, he added.
