The Associated Students of Madison Student Council voted Wednesday to pursue legal counsel to determine if the University of Wisconsin violated any laws by taking segregated fees from the student government last year.
ASM simultaneously discussed negotiating tactics with the university in a closed session during the meeting.
The university took $180,000 in ASM’s segregated fees in June 2009 to cover state bills. Rep. Max Love introduced legislation last Wednesday to have ASM consult legal counsel to see if UW acted lawfully when it took the funds.
The amendment’s language was changed to not accuse UW of illegal activity, but to read that ASM was seeking legal advice to see what options are available to them.
Vice Chair Tom Templeton said ASM is looking into finding free legal counsel, possibly from a former ASM member.
They do not have any funds to pay for a legal counsel and cannot use any reserve funds, according to Templeton.
Love said he agreed with the changes in the language of the amendment and said the first amendment he proposed March 10 was too strong.
Student Council Chair Tyler Junger said it is a great idea to explore all their options.
The council also discussed negotiating with the university through a memorandum of understanding in the closed session.
If the negotiation with the memorandum of understanding were to be reached, it would stop the university from taking segregated fees in the future.
The contents of the memorandum of understanding will be announced by the middle of April, according to Legislative Affairs Chair Adam Johnson.
ASM also voted to approve the four names recommended by the Union Council for the new union: Union South, Discovery Union, Varsity Union and Randall Union. Students will vote on the name in the April elections.
Voted down at the meeting was an amendment to remove Union South from the list of choices. The Union Council wanted to remove the name from the list.
Junger said that he did not like the name, and it would not work for the new union.
“Frankly, it’s not very marketable for them having the connotation of the old union on the new building,” Junger said. “It makes it very hard for them to call it a new space.”
Law School Rep. Eric Heywood disagreed with Junger, saying the name should not be taken off the ballot just because it is not marketable.
He added a few members of Union Council should not take it off the ballot without letting the students vote on it.
“If it’s that bad, put it on there — it won’t pass. That’s the principle of democracy and free speech,” Heywood said.
Carl Fergus wanted to add another name to the ballot. The new name would be the Wisconsin Alumni Student Teacher Experience, or the WASTE.
“A vote for this name would be a protest vote because the chancellor would obviously not allow the name to be chosen,” Fergus said. “However, allowing the campus the chance to vote for the WASTE will give students one final legitimate decision about the dramatic increase in segregated fees.”
