At a meeting Monday evening, the Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance Committee unanimously approved funding for the Working Class Student Union and heard an eligibility presentation from Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment.
According to the WCSU website, the organization provides support for first generation, non-traditional, transfer and working class students. It provides counseling and other services to ensure a safe community exists on campus for those students.
SSFC Rep. James Ng said he believes WCSU promotes creating a safe place for working class students on campus, but he was not entirely sure members of the organization argued that point well. However, he said that doesn’t matter as much since they still meet the eligibility criteria.
SSFC Secretary Brett Ducharme said he considers the WCSU movie night to be a core program as there is exponential learning going on.
“Along with the activity goes the dialogue,” Ducharme said.
The committee ultimately voted 11-0 in favor of WCSU’s eligibility.
SSFC also heard an eligibility presentation from PAVE in its meeting. PAVE helps to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking through education and activism, according to its website.
Hannah Serwe, the chair of PAVE said it is the only peer-to-peer resource that comprehensively covers these issues and is also the only organization trained in prevention techniques.
“Our workshops encourage community learning,” Serwe said before the committee. “Students are also actively reflecting and participating in various activities.”
She said the educational benefit from PAVE’s workshops is providing intercultural and cross-cultural knowledge and competence.
The organization also puts on three awareness months: Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Stalking Awareness Month; and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Serwe said. These help to advance students’ knowledge regarding violence prevention, she said.
“The events we have during these months are very informative and empowering,” Serwe said.
SSFC Rep. Hoyon Mephokee asked about how they decide on the keynote speakers at events.
Serwe said PAVE brings in nationally-recognized people in the violence prevention society.
Vice Chair Thuy Pham asked whether the three awareness months are part of a bigger movement and if the organization prepares its own materials or if they use those executed at a national level. Serwe said they use original materials for all their events after looking at what is going on nationally.
SSFC will vote on PAVE’s eligibility in its next meeting this Thursday.
