Resolutions from the University of Wisconsin student government’s diversity committee claim other chairs and members of the student government failed to remain neutral in their decisions regarding a multicultural campus organization, prompting calls for an internal investigation.
According to the resolutions, Student Services Finance Committee Chair Sarah Neibart violated an Associated Students of Madison bylaw by failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure the full committee was compliant with viewpoint neutrality requirements.
The resolutions also state the Student Judiciary failed to take necessary action in voiding the committee’s proceedings with MCSC’s eligibility process and denied ruling SSFC committed any viewpoint neutrality violations.
The Diversity Committee called on ASM Student Judiciary Chief Justice Kathryn Fifield and Vice Chief Justice Nicholas Checker to be removed from their positions for intentionally neglecting their duties.
In an email to The Badger Herald, Checker said he believes there is no doubt the resolutions will be defeated by the student government. However, he said he also believes the process is hurting ASM’s standing in the eyes of the administration.
“(Diversity Chair) Niko [Magallon] plans to throw these petty and inane resolutions at the chancellor during the coordinating council meeting and, consequently, waste everyone’s time, instill an image of student incompetence, undermine everyone else’s work, and tarnish ASM’s reputation,” Checker said.
Checker added MCSC has exhausted the ASM appeal process and can formally appeal its viewpoint neutral complaint to Interim Chancellor David Ward, but instead are using ASM’s Diversity Committee to advance their grievance “in a disturbing manner.”
In a coordinating council meeting Wednesday night, Fifield said she is unaware of the means the Diversity Committee could use to investigate the matter, adding she believes the committee’s attempts to remove her from being chair would be illegal.
While she said she believes SSFC was “lazy” in terms of their error on budget waivers, Fifield said the mistake does not mean the finance committee is unable to make future decisions. She added SSFC and SJ are the prescribed student government committees to make their respective decisions.
In a letter to Coordinating Council members, finance committee member Justin Bloesch said he supported the Diversity Committee’s resolution to grant MCSC another eligibility hearing.
Bloesch said the finance committee committed a viewpoint neutrality violation by dismissing MCSC’s assertion that a $250,000 spending cap and waiver would endanger its effectiveness as a student organization.
Neibart said in the meeting Wednesday she has remained viewpoint neutral. She also urged members to speak with her about the resolutions.
“If MCSC wants to appeal their decision it’s their prerogative,” Neibart said. “But we have to follow our processes or we’re nothing.”
