229 days, baby!

Hey everyone!

So I promised a new blog full of my ramblings and I have delivered nothing! Wow--what a few weeks it has been though! Know the metaphor: "When it rains, it pours"? Literally my life these past few weeks--like LITERALLY!

I woke up last Tuesday to my ceiling leaking all on my arm. I think the Universe has a weird since of humor because it was approximately 7:37 Tuesday morning when my ceiling started dripping water on me, just in time to wake me up for my 8:50 AM discussion. Though I am still entirely confused and pissed that the ceiling of my fifth floor room in my sixth floor, two-year old building leaked on my arm, I do have to acknowledge the strange ways the Universe works.

Besides the leaking, I have been dealing with random family issues, an intense academic schedule, and working to find a balance between my 18 credits and 3 jobs. I am still working diligently towards the latter, but just give me a little time and I will get it together! :) Additionally, October is Working Class Celebration Month, which is a huge month for the Working Class Student Union [WCSU] (the org I founded two years ago) and this year is the first time we actually have funding to do fabulous programs for the campus! I am pumped, but also super stressed.

On a happier note, I did meet with my Gender & Women's Studies adviser and she informed that I will in fact be able to graduate in May with a GWS degree! HECK YEAH! Now I just have to verify with my Communication Arts adviser and American Indian Studies adviser. Hopefully those meetings go well.... Regardless, I have 229 days until graduation, baby! Who woulda thunk that I would graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison! Let alone do it on-time in four years! It sincerely amazes ME!

Oh and I also forgot to share another fabulous event--I went to my FIRST UW football game EVER! I had the privilege of going to the Madison v. Wofford last Saturday and it was AMAZING! Dean Berquam and Chancellor Martin invited a handful of students to share the event with them in the Chancellor's Box, which is on the ninth level. How cool to enjoy your first game from the ninth level, on the 50 yardl line? Pretty amazing! Here are a few pics:

This one is Chris and I in the box.Chancellor Martin took us down to the sideline in the middle of third quarter! This is what the student section looks like from the sideline!

The left pic is of Dean Berquam tweeting about the game from the sideline. The right pic is of Chancellor Martin talking to one of the assistant coaches (I think) from the sideline.

As you can see, it was an absolutely amazing day! I was so privileged to have the opportunity to attend the game PERIOD, let alone with such company and with so many perks (the buffetS were awesome!)! Thank you to everyone who was there!

With only 229 days left in my fourth and final year of college, I am determined to make every moment count! There are many things I have left to do and experience on this campus before I leave, so be looking for more updates!

Thank you all for reading and have an absolutely beautiful and amazing week!

Chynna :)

Blog Revamp! Welcome to a New Year!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to another lovely academic year! I am happy to report that this is my fourth and final year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison! YAY! With that being said, I am pumped that fall is just around the corner! Autumn in Wisconsin is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to spend time enjoying it!

So as you have probably gathered, I am taking this blog in a new direction. I originally launched my blog to share information about UW-Madison's student government and the work of the various organizations with which I was involved. I think my blog was helpful and showed many campus leaders the necessity of providing timely updates on their work (just look at how many ASM leaders have Twitters!), but I have decided that I no longer want to write solely on these issues. Of course, I may occassionally still post about campus issues or UW happenings, but it won't be the sole objective of the blog anymore.

So what am I going to write about now? Just about anything! Though most people will only find this new format moderately interesting, those of you who know me or appreciate healthy doses of sarcasm will find it pretty amusing.

After spending the past several months reflecting on my life and the world around me, I am struck by the amount of negativity that exists. As I have said time and time again, I am a certainly a realist who often sees the glass as half empty versus half full, but even I am exhausted by the negativity that we all have come to accept as normal. I think this new direction will allow this blog to include more positive thoughts. Just like life, my blog won't be all gumdrops and sunshine, but it will be real. So do expect humor, sarcasm, reality checks, and awkward moment recaps, just like my real life.

Happy reading!
Chynna

If I could Tweet during work....

Hey everyone!

This post is a deviation from our normal discussions, but it is summer, so what the heck. I am doing an internship this summer involving social networking and new media. It is a really great job and I love it, but it doesn't allow for me to tweet during the day. So today I just jotted a few notes when important or humorous events occurred as if I were really tweeting. A former boss of mine called this "Twitter 1.0."

Below are my insights from the day:
8:27 AM: It’s true that GenY is overdosing on technology, as demonstrated by me now using my desktop computer and my laptop simultaneously…

11:42 AM: 3 minute dance session in my cubicle with no music--a sign that I either need more work or someone to talk to.

11:56 AM: Just took a drink out of my huge water bottle and spilled water down my face, chest, and onto my pants…I am classy!

12:01 PM: Weight Watchers’ Smart Ones Fettucini Alfredo is in the microwave! Woo-hoo, its lunch time!

12:35 PM: Got complimented for my delicate handling of opening the garbage can (the kind with the foot pedal). Had to admit that it is because I tip over.

1:45 PM: My cube looks like my purse exploded in it, no wonder many coworkers avoid my space…Two computers, iPod, pictures, PAPERS, books, food

2:13 PM: Discovered Yammer.com and love it! I shared it with the other youngins here…Wonder how long until IT blocks it…

2:45 PM: Still think about my latest epic moment—used Yammer.com to tip fellow intern off to free food for the taking. :)

3:05 PM: Getting very sleepy…wishing I could take a nap for the next hour or so. I think its probably a bad idea, so I’ll get free food instead.

4:12 PM: Almost time to go home! Lots of errands to run this evening and a City Council meeting to get too…18 more minutes and counting…

With all that said, thank you for humoring me. Also, head over to my other blog to see me *hopefully* live-blog Beloit's City Council meeting tonight. You can find that at Only in Beloit (http://onlyinbeloit.blogspot.com/). Have a great night!

Thanks,
Chynna

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Agenda for 6/12/09 Student Council Meeting

I was asked to kindly post this agenda for tonight's ASM meeting. Though this agenda says 6:30, my understanding is that the meeting actually begins at 6:00 PM!

Associated Students of Madison

Student Council, 16^th Session

6:30 PM; 8 May, 2009

Hearing Room, Student Activity Center, 333 E. Campus Mall

1. Roll Call
2. Swearing in of New Representatives
3. Open Forum
4. Removal or Impeachment of Representatives, Filling of Vacancies in the Student Council and Swearing In of New Representatives
5. Adoption of the Agenda
6. Reading and Approval of the Minutes
7. Special Orders
1. Committee and Board Appointments
1. Diversity Committee
2. Adoption of Fall Semester Campaigns
8. Old Business
9. New Business
1. Approval of Nominations Board Recommendations
2. Student Savings Club
10. Reports of Special Committees
1. Safety Campaign
2. UHS/SAC Standing Board
3. Bus Pass Advisory Committee
11. Reports of Standing Committees and Boards
1. Academic Affairs Committee
2. Diversity Committee
3. Finance Committee
4. Foundation Hiring Committee
5. Legislative Affairs Committee
6. Nominations Board
7. Shared Governance Committee
8. StudentPrint Board
9. SAC Governing Board
12. General Reports
1. Chair
2. Vice-Chair
3. Student Judiciary
4. Student Services Finance Committee
13. Reports of Liaisons
14. Viewpoint Neutrality Appeals
15. Announcements
16. Roll Call

In solidarity,
Chynna

Support the Working Class Student Union!

Dear friends and family,

In October 2007 I founded an organization committed to providing support and advocacy for working class students and first generation college students, as well as raising awareness about the issues impacting these students. This organization is known as the Working Class Student Union (WCSU) and is the first of its kind on the nation. For more information about this organization, you can visit our website at http://uwwcsu.org/.

We are currently selling cookbooks called "This is what home tastes like!" as a fundraiser. The cookbooks contain 75 delicious recipes and cost $11. About half of the proceeds cover the cost of printing, while the other half will be put towards the cost of food at our cultural events. I think we can all agree on the importance of food in one's life and how central it is to our culture, which is why we strive to supply working-class food (casseroles, brownies, chili, etc.) at our events. Currently, our funding source does not pay for this food, so we must run fundraisers or give personal donations to cover this cost.

Please help the Working Class Student Union by purchasing one of our cookbooks! It is simple: Just e-mail wcsu.president@gmail.com with the number of cookbooks you want, how you will be paying (cash or check), and when you are able to pick it up or have me drop it off.

Regarding pick-up/delivery: I will be returning to Beloit on Monday, May 18, so I can deliver cookbooks after that point. Madison pick-ups/drop-offs, just let me know your schedule and we can set something up. We can also ship cookbooks via USPS for $4.00.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Thanks,
Chynna

ASM 16th Session Leadership Endorsements

Below are my endorsements for ASM's 16th Session Leadership.

Chair: Undecided due to concerns regarding both candidates. (I may make a final decision by this evening)
Vice Chair: Tom Templeton
Nominations Board Chair: Theo Sharpe
SSFC Chair: Tyler Junger (if he does not win the Chair position)

For more information about my endorsements, please read the end of this article.

Job Openings, Cookbooks, Regents Meeting, Alcohol Committee Opening

Dear friends, allies, and constituents,

I have a handful of updates and announcements to share with you.

First off, the Working Class Student Union (WCSU) has extended its hiring deadline to Monday, April 27 at 5 PM. WCSU is hiring for a Communication Secretary and Finance Secretary. These positions begin on July 1, 2009 and pay $9.19/hour. Applications and job descriptions are available at http://uwwcsu.org/page_attachments/0000/0005/WCSUapplication.pdf.

Secondly, WCSU is selling cookbooks for $11. The cookbooks are called "This is what home tastes like!" and contain 75 delicious recipes. To purchase a cookbook, please e-mail wcsu.president@gmail.com. We are also able to ship cookbooks to you for an additional cost of $3-$5.

Our third announcement is that there will be a bus going to the May 7 Board of Regents (BoR) meeting at UW-Milwaukee. At this meeting, the BoR will vote on the Madison Initiative. The bus will be departing at 10 AM and leaving Milwaukee at approximately 3 PM. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail me at chaas2@wisc.edu by Wednesday, April 29 so I can pass that on to those who are planning the trip.

The fourth announcement is that the Associated Students of Madison, your student government, is looking for one student to serve as a non-voting member of the Alcohol License Review Committee, a committee of the City of Madison. This committee is charged with reviewing license applications, establishing and maintaining standards, addressing violations, developing city alcohol-related policies, and making recommendations to the city Common Council. More information on the committee can be found at http://www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/myCommit/roster/100300.cfm. To apply for this position, please send a letter of interest, detailing your motivations for applying for the position, as well as any relevant experience, to Brittany Wiegand at asmchair@gmail.com. The appointment will last until May 1, 2010, at which time it may be renewable. Any applicants must be enrolled at UW-Madison through May 2010. Please indicate your age in your application, as well as your availability for Wednesday evenings. Applications for this position MUST be received by Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me.

Thanks,
Chynna

Final Poll Results: Should ASM endorse the Madison Initiative?

Should ASM endorse the Madison Initiative?

Yes	30 (68%)
No	13 (29%)
I don't care	1 (2%)

Votes so far: 44
Poll closed


Thank you to everyone who voted and left comments!

LIVE BLOGGING! 4/22/09 Student Council Meeting

Associated Students of Madison

Student Council, 15^th session

22 April 2009

Hearing Room, Student Activity Center

6:30 p.m.

1. Roll Call @ 6:32 PM (I am here!)
   
2. Announcements
1. State of the ASM address: Monday, April 27^th
2. Board of Regents meeting May 7 & 8, 2009
3. Swearing in of New Representatives
4. Open Forum

Psych. Major here--She wants us to not endorse the Undergraduate Initiative--she believes that families making over $80,000 but are impacted by the recession. Valid points about parents' jobs, two kids in school.

Sol G: Echoes previous speaker, saying we rushed in.

5. Removal or Impeachment of Representatives, Filling of Vacancies in the Student Council and Swearing In of New Representatives
6. Adoption of the Agenda APPROVED
7. Reading and Approval of the Minutes APPROVED
   
8. Special Orders
9. Old Business
   
1. SACGB Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009) APPROVED by acclamation
2. SSFC Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009)

Gosselin moves to remove all new amendments to Student Judiciary section, believes SC's deliberative sessions being recorded politicizes the body. APPROVED (I abstained)

Main motion to approve SSFC Amended by-laws APPROVED (I voted in favor)

1. External Affairs Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009) APPROVED (I voted in favor)
5. New Business
1. Dissolution of the Constitutional Committee Brought to the floor by Rep. Wright. If next session wants to restructure, they can set their own course versus having committee. Committee members will be taking down the blog and codify the information there, then forward materials to archives. APPROVED (I voted in favor)
   
2. Shared Governance 2009-2010 Appointments APPROVED (I voted in favor)
   
3. Resolution 15-0422-01, “ASM Endorsement of the Madison Initiative”
   

TIME FOR THE SHOW!

Now going over the results from a student survey. Lots of numbers and questions.

Q7. In general, how supportive are you of the Madison Initiative?

Count	Percent
94	4.50%	Very supportive
305	14.61%	Moderately supportive
828	39.67%	Neither supportive nor opposed
473	22.66%	Moderately opposed
387	18.54%	Strongly opposed
2087	Respondents

We just viewed the language of the draft proposal to the Chancellor.

Rep. Tackett is encouraging each member to share how they reached out to students. He suggests that if we don't know what our constituents want, we delay the vote and have a special meeting. (note, we were suppose to spend the past two weeks talking to constituents) He has spoken to his reps--2-3 e-mails to Med. School folks. Dean of his school has talked about it to students. Feedback from students is extremely positive because it improves overall institution.

Bemis (Engineering): POLYGON (sp? Engineering Student Council) voted in support of the Initiative!!!! Support because of the financial aid, against it because they are already paying a differential tuition for just engineering. He believes that as folks get more info, the number of those in support will grow.

Chair Olikara: participated in and organized a few discussion groups. Generally been support for Initiative, but concerns about how it will impact out of state and international students.

Templeton: Outreach to Fraternity and Center for First-Year Experience. Both groups supported it in theory, but wanted to see the advisory committee to be there and review the Initiative a year or two down the road.

Chair Sheka: Looking at survey results online. If you look at them date specific, going from start to end, the support grows. Still not overwhelming, but support goes. For this reason he is nervous using survey data that is two weeks old. Has been speaking to a lot of folks. People who are informed about the Initiative are in support of it, those who are not informed are against it.

Coordinator Grosskopf: He can't vote on it. We have to be careful in how we are going to get the benefits of the Initiative--we are having some students who are paying out of their own pocket for it. Wonders about the role of alumni giving.

Rep. Wright: Taking a lot of time to build infrastructure to get funds from alum. The alumni giving part is not enough in the short-term to sustain this.

Kaiser: Held a townhall for transfer students living in University Housing. Large group of folks in his class wrote policy briefs against the Initiative--can't see measurable outcomes, hiring more profs is means to an end not measurable end. Wants us to force people to go back to the drawing board.

Rep. Tobelmann: Sent e-mail to grad students in his program. Questioned if grad students will have to pay increase, no. Overall were supportive. Heard lots of stories about losing lots of faculty in the past 5-6 years. Concludes that the Grad School is in support of it--Dean of Grad school sent letter in support of it. Had conversation with interim provost about if we could fundraise the money from the alum. She said the easiest thing for the university to raise funds for is scholarships, but the current form says you have to give large sum of money to give funds for scholarships. With the Initiatiave she said that it is easier for smaller donors to donate, so more fundraising.

Chair Fergus: (no voting rights) Reiterate that we all must speak on this before we go to a vote about how we outreached and how our constituents feel. He has been outreaching. Agrees with Sheka that the more folks know, the more they are in support of it. Those only looking at tuition increase are against it. Won't make things perfect, but will improve things.

Sommer: Freshmen living in Statesider. Talked to many out of state students and many seemed unconcerned about increase, even though they are paying the bulk of it. State schools are losing a lot of funding (NY Times) and cutting back. Negative press, so they would be willing to pay for quality.

Bemis (again): Personal opinion--Is there a need for this money? Yes. Is the magnitude justified? New info about who needs faculty makes sense. Allocation areas? High demand courses is the way to go. Way its been carried out? Way money is being allocated and oversight--not fully answered and appreciates Chancellor wanting to involve students, but no guarantee. Still has a few concerns: 1) only given to us six weeks ago, despite being in works since december, doesn't seem to line up with BOR requirements. Didn't go to student body before chancellor signs off on it. 2) College of Engineering differential tuition "paying double" on increased faculty. Concerned about redundancy if faculty not hired for L&S courses.

Vice Chair Karns: International Studies in support. Spoke to several Greeks. First thought that it unfairly targeted out-of-state students. Then asked by they came to Madison. 1) Came for excellent education and 2) get an experience that they couldn't get anywhere else. Initial reaction very negative, but after speaking to them about the Initiative and the holistic approach, then supported it.

Sec. Minor: Disappointed not more student involvement in crafting process. Spoke to constituents (school of education) in classes and attended their forum. Mixed results at first, lots of opposition at first. As time went on, opposition went on. be more explicit for shared gov. committee.

MORE DATA I WANT TO SHARE FROM SURVEY: (re: Tina in comments)

Count	Percent
202	8.84%	Very familiar
653	28.57%	Moderately familiar
733	32.06%	Slightly familiar
698	30.53%	Not at all familiar
2286	Respondents

Rep. Newman: Outreach in dorms to freshmen. They will be paying the most out of current students (here the longest). They are watching people graduate without job offers, so increasing the value of their degree matters to them. 90% of students plan on attending summer school or attending additional semesters here to fill requirements because they can't get in core classes and advising is not cohesive.

Olikara: Responding to the woman in Open Forum about making over $80,000. Chancellor defers to Finanicial Aid. Wants council to consider it.

Templeton: Only 19% of our budget comes from the state, even though we are a state university. In addition to that, ties into faculty retention and recruiting faculty. 33% of our faculty is retiring in the next 10 years.

Sheka: Brought this up at Shared Governance meeting. People said that 1) looking @ fundamental disagreement versus nit-picking (overall bad idea or people don't like something small?), 2) UW needs reform or will lose prestige, 3) we have programs (acadmic advising) that are broken or don't work, we need to address that. Regarding students not being consulted until six weeks ago--unfair, Chancellor was holding forums at the end of last semester asking students about what needs to change at UW. It goes beyond the money, it is a vehicle for reform. Understand that Financial Aid sucks and parents are making over $80,000. Personally in this boat, but he doesn't want his degree to not be worth as much at graduation as what he paid for it.

Rep. Tobelmann: There will be a certain pool of money being raised that will go to financial aid. Part going to offset increase for those making under $80,000, the rest is going to make up the $20 million deficit in financial aid.

Rep. Gosselin: Misconception about who is going to effected positively. People think if you make $81,000 you will be hurt by this, see what Tobelmann said. In theory realm: Policy maker makes decision to impact the most people postively as possible. This will maintain quality of our education and provide financial aid for those who need it.

Ewers: Her constituents (grad students) also wanted to know if they would be paying for it. Then conversation shifted to how grad students could benefit from it--could result in more grad student funding opportunities. Form that perspective she supports it, but she doesn't feel she has the right to support it because she is not an undergrad here.

Chair Tiernan: Last time spoke as chair of Academic Affairs, but now he will talk about interaction with constituents. Most interaction in class or in social situations. Most students didn't read beyond the tuition increase, so his role has been a lot of educating.

Rep. Haas: I have outreached through poll on my blog, facebook event, and commments on my blog. Read quote from Luke:

Increasingly, students who belong at UW are unable to afford the rising cost; world-class faculty are lured away to other institutions that can afford to pay them and provide them with better benefits; and the staff who often put in alot of work but go under appreciated are forced to take on more and more responsibility with fewer and fewer people as positions are cut and/or not replaced. This initiative represents a way to stop this disturbing trend and once again set UW on an upward bending course. As a Badger Herald Collumnist astutely pointed out, "Perfect should not be the enemy of good." In a perfect world, we don't need this initiative, but in the world we live in, this is a good and strong proposal. It is for these reasons, among others, that I personally support the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates.

Next, I'll address as a representative of CALS Students. I have spent some time talking to students in CALS and am currently trying to visit as many student groups as possible to get feedback. Generally, CALS students have been supportive of the Initiative. There have been some good and vibrant questions, but most have been about the nuts and bolts of the proposal and not philosophical opposition. From the students I have talked to thus far, I believe CALS students support this proposal. However, there was a very intersting point that was raised that I need to express. One student (who supported the proposal) asked if there was an underlying, systemic issue, particularly in L&S that was causing all of these faculty to be lost that isn't as common across campus. His concern was that this Intiative could act as a blanket to cover up a deeper issue. I don't know if Chancellor Martin will be at the ASM meeting tonight, but if you would express the desire to not only move forward with this Intiative to but evaluate closely what got us to the point of needing it so that we can take steps to avoid the same mistakes again I would appreciate it.

Additionally addressed student who spoke at begininng--financial aid will look at this case by case. The Initiative will raise money through fundraising to fill the $20 million of unmet need. I will post more later.

Coordinator Grosskopf: We have a skewed representation of campus. When a survey comes out with nearly 40% opposed of the program.

Rep. Wright: Echoed Coordinator Grosskopf. Spoke to students in classes and various orgs. We need to make sure that there is active student partiicpation on the student oversight board. Worries about the survey going out over the next couple days--we could do something counter to what students think. There could be a learning curve to the Initiative. This would make the university more accessible to a great number of people.

Rep. Ewers: Referring to e-mails of support from Chair Wiegand that were letters of support from students and faculty.

Rep. Tackett: Compares this vote to the vote on the Union project while he was an undergrad senior. This will increase diversity in the broad sense--diversity of ideas. It will take a long time to get the funding from alumni to be able to assist with instruction, we need to the tuition support for that.

CALL TO QUESTION: (i voted against it because someone opposed it, so someone wants to speak)

Rep. Stark arrived! Hi Jamie!

Chair Fergus: Objected calling to question because some people haven't spoken, so they should go on record and be accountable to their constituents.

Rep. Stark: Strongly in support of the Madison Initiative. Talked to a of the freshmen constituents and they are very much in favor of this. We understand that we need more professors and to protect the value of our degree.

Rep. Wallach: In support of the Initiative. We need to add sections, programs, and increase diversity.

Chair Vollrath: Spoken to alot of people on campus, include Schools of Engineering and Business who are paying their own differential for those schools. She is in school of Business and is paying differential. They understand that their tuition is going up, but they see the benefit of having increased faculty and courses. She is in economics and sees the need for improved quality and number of faculty there. Most students will understand, once it is explained to them, the benefit of this.

Chair Wiegand: Can't force anyone to talk. If people aren't comfortable, they don't have to.

Rep. Smith: Communicated to students in Engineering and they are hesitant. The way we are talking makes it seem like everyone we are talking to is in support of this. Even after talking to them, they still don't like the increase. Brings up survey data again.

Rep. Yang: Minimal outreach done, but invited UW friends to join Madison Initiative facebook group and fan the Chancellor (as she requested at forum). Spoke to members in RSOs he is a part of. They are supportive and he will be voting in favor of it.

Rep. Tackett: Move to add. "Be it further resolved that I have run out of speaking rights."---Non-sense motion to gain speaking rights. We are now debating the ridiculous motion... Basically we should agree to this so people who have almost exhausted their speaking rights can now speak. People tried to object to the second...not parliamentary procedure correct... Now he is speaking to the motion--------> Concerned that if we vote in favor of the Initiative, but then have students vote against it tomorrow, we are just like the last session of ASM and we have made no progress.

CALLED TO QUESTION: Voted against it because it was non-sense.

Chair Wiegand stepped down, Vice Chair Karns now chairing meeting.

Chair Wiegand: First survey sent out to 19,000 people, only 2,200 people responded. She sent reminders and results would spike. The original plan for the second survey was to put it out at the end of last week, but Chancellor Martin moved her final proposal out to after our meeting instead of the end of last week. She then moved the survey release until tomorrow. If having ASM on there is an issue, she will put her own name on it. There is no way that Chancellor Martin will put her own survey out, it is not in her best interest. She is trusting us as elected representatives of the students to vote on it. People are generally supportive, but they are not passionate about it. A lot of people are like, no we don't an increase in tuition, so survey would not necessarily be accurate. Last point--at last Council meeting people were almost ready to vote to support it and since then considerable amount of outreach has been done. If students vote against in a survey, would we all really change our minds? At last meeting we all thought it was a great policy.

Olikara: Why put Chair Wiegand's name on it?

Wiegand: To address Rep. Tackett's concern that having ASM's name on it would make us look bad if students voted against it. She would be willing to put her name on it.

Rep. Gosselin: What we are discussing tonight is if we as elected reps support the initiative or not. Based on what people have indicated with constituent contacts and we as an informed representative body it seems clear that our opinion is there. People can abstain if they really need the survey results. He will vote yes. CALL TO QUESTION, SECONDED BY WALLACH

VOTE ON THE INITIATIVE (roll call vote see below)
Bemis: yes
Ewers: abstain
Fung yes
Gosselin: yes
Haas: yes
Kaiser: no
Marnell:abstain
Minor: yes
Newman : yes
Sheka: yes
Smith: yes
Sommer: yes
Stark; yes
Tackett: yes
Templeton: yes
Tiernan: yes
Tobelman: yes
Wallach: yes
Wiegand: yes
Wright: yes (sorry for missing you Jeff!)
Yang: yes

XI. Reports of Special Committees and Campaigns

4. Bus Pass Advisory Board Seeking student input on how safe cab and bus programs have been run
   
5. Constitutional Committee No longer exists.
   

11. Reports of Standing Committees and Boards

1. Academic Affairs Committee Students can drop books off before they leave for the summer. Working with students in the Spanish Department to look at enrollment with program majors and those with retro credits. Just had Domestic Partner Benefits Town Hall meeting--highly attended by faculty and staff, with some students. Discussed issue and how to move forward.
   
2. Diversity Committee Had event with MCSC on Monday as part of Hip Hop Conference. Great event. Able to transition issue from one rooted in social justice movements to one concerned about education. Diversity is pat of 21st century world-class education. Involved in the MSC mission review process with ODOS, successful process. First focus group the other day, continue to help through next semester. Involved with SOAR and First Year Experience becuase they wanted feedback from Diversity Committee. L&S Diversity & Equity Committee had Steven work as a consultant about their fall retreats for student input. Now meeting with administrators to advance vision of diversity into future years.
   
3. Finance Committee They are done with all grant hearings for the year. Now they will be reviewing policy and procedures at the next meeting. Then Rep. Fung gave a kind of strange speech.
   
4. Legislative Affairs Committee No chair, so no update.
   
5. Nominations Board Chair Collins is absent. Tiernan steps in. Search and Screen for two ASM advisor positions. Candidates coming in for interviews tomorrow.
   
6. Shared Governance Committee Finished appointments and gave a shout out to his awesome, committed committee!
   
7. External Affairs Committee Last United Council event will send 22 Madison students to Building Unity! (YAY!)
   
8. Student Activity Center Governing Board All 63 office spaces are now full. We will start allocations again. Updated SACGB website, so minutes are online. Survey is going out to the tenants. Then general survey gauging interest for cafe space.
   

12. General Reports

1. Chair Press Conference on Monday will be where to hear general overview. May or may not be called the State of ASM Address...
   

B. Vice-Chair Disc[us]sion 2009 had positive feedback from students who went. Working on Move Out Night Initiative. Campus Area Housing has agreed to help supply food and staff for the event. Campus Safety and UWPD will work to provide safety. SAC is working with it. Other folks interested.

2. Student Judiciary Talked about sacred deliberations... Thanked for patience last week during the election. No election complaints filed and deadline has expired. Results are finalized.
   
3. Student Services Finance CommitteeWants SSFC and Student Council to maintain close relationship. Thinks new office will facilitate that. Wants those returning to 16th session to consider joining SSFC. You will get at $40 a week stipend to be on SSFC.
   

13. Reports of Liaisons

14. Viewpoint Neutrality Appeals
15. Roll Calls MOTION TO ADJOURN, WE DID IT, WE CLAPPED!
    

Share your thoughts on the Madison Undergraduate Initiative!

Dear friends, allies, and constituents,

So I just posted the language of the proposed resolution for ASM to endorse the Madison Undergraduate Initiative after it was requested. I decided that it warrants its own post, however. So below is the language of a resolution that will be debated and voted on at this Wednesday's meeting. Please read the language, vote in the poll on the upper right-hand side of this page, and share your thoughts in the comment section. I want to share your thoughts and feedback at Council.

Thanks!
Chynna

LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE MADISON INITIATIVE

Associated Students of Madison

Student Council, 15th Session

15-0422-01

Title: ASM endorsement of the Madison Initiative

Sponsored by: ASM Chair Wiegand

Whereas, the ASM has gained feedback from thousands of students on campus in the form of online surveys, meetings with constituents, and meetings with student organizations,

Whereas, ASM leadership has met regularly with the Chancellor to discuss the Initiative,

Whereas, ASM believes the Madison Initiative is essential to ensure the accessibility and prestige of a Madison education,

Whereas, ASM strongly encourages the Chancellor to continue to pressure legislators, alumni, and other donors to make alternative funding sources more robust;

Therefore, the Associated Students of Madison acting in Student Council do enact as follows:

Be it resolved, that the ASM officially endorses the Madison Initiative;


Date: 22 April 2009

Domestic Partner Benefits Town Hall Meeting TODAY @ 4 PM

Hey everyone,

This is a reminder that there will be a Domestic Partner Health Insurance Town Hall Meeting today at 4pm in the Red Gym. The facebook event is listed below with more details so please add the event!

Co-hosts: Office of the Provost/Vice Provost for Faculty & Staff, ASM, the Domestic Partner Health Insurance Task Force, and the WI Coalition for DP Benefits.

Come hear people speak on this issue and have a chance to ask questions and voice your opinions.

Don't miss out on a great event.

Check out the event on Facebook

Food will be provided!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Brought to you by the Associated Students of Madison.

Work for the Working Class Student Union!

WCSU is Hiring for Finance & Communication

The Working Class Student Union is hiring for two paid officers. These positions will begin on July 1, 2009 and will each will be paid $9.19/hour. The application is available here . Please e-mail it back or drop it off to our mailbox or office by Wednesday, April 22 at 5 PM. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

For more information visit:
http://jobcenter.wisc.edu/jobdetail.asp?JobID=44600 (Communication Secretary)
http://jobcenter.wisc.edu/jobdetail.asp?JobID=44598 (Finance Secretary)

Communication Secretary:

Job Description

* Coordinates with the Working Class Student Union Assembly Officers about publicity.

* Coordinates history of past work for institutional memory.

* Maintains the WCSUA publicity materials, including the website, news publications and campus outreach.

* Writes and contacts all media outlets when needed during campaigns.

* Shall work with the WCSUA Officers to assemble the agendas, minutes and other items as needed by the WCSUA.

* Will receive agenda item requests and meet with the Chair to distinguish what will go on the agenda.

* As appropriate, serves as the primary contact person for WCSU to the media, for campus events/committees, and as otherwise requested.

* Required to hold weekly office hours at the WCSU office or other agreed upon and posted location.

* Attends weekly officer meeting(s) to ensure communication and collaboration.

* Prepares all necessary press releases for WCSU campaigns.

* Chairs the Communication Taskforce.

* Attends all Committee meetings as necessary, particularly those of the Activism Committee.

* Coordinates all media contacts, campaigns, and releases.

Finance Secretary:

Job Description

* Prepares and presents SSFC Budget Requests, End of Year Reports, and Eligibility Applications to SSFC, with input from all staff.

* Educates staff about financial procedures (so that everyone understands how our budget operates, how we pay for expenses, etc.).

* Works with coordinators to stay within budget while efficiently and effectively using funds while expending all funds responsibly.

* Works with the SSFC Financial Specialist to pay all bills in a timely and efficient manner, through use of blanket orders and specific requisitions.

* Oversees and reviews all WCSU operational policies, documents, and outreach efforts to ensure compliance with SSFC, UW-Madison, Wisconsin, and Federal laws.

* Prepares all eligibility and budget applications, documents, and spreadsheets as required from the funding source.

* Works to solicit in-kind donations from community organizations and unions.

* Is a trained and authorized signer for financial matters.

* Required to hold weekly office hours at the WCSU office or other agreed upon and posted location.

* Attends weekly officer meeting(s) to ensure communication and collaboration.

* Represents WCSU at all required funding meetings and hearings.

* Works with WCSU officers, advisors, committee chairs, and members to prepare the budget and distribute funds appropriately.

* Maintains in house accounting system.

* Gathers statistics necessary for fiscal accountability: calls for referrals, advocacy meetings, attendance numbers of all WCSU events, number of volunteers, etc.

* Manages the payroll system and the bank account at the UW Credit Union.

* Collects, processes, and submits coordinators’ timesheets on a biweekly basis.

* Orders and purchases office supplies as necessary.

Agenda for 4/22 ASM Student Council Meeting

Dear friends, allies, and constituents,

This Wednesday will be the LAST Student Council meeting of the Associated Students of Madison's 15th Session. Below is the agenda for the meeting. Please comment if you have any questions, concerns, ideas, or opinions that would like me to know prior to the meeting. Additionally, I will more than likely be live-blogging at this meeting like I did at the 4/8 meeting.

Associated Students of Madison

Student Council, 15^th session

22 April 2009

Hearing Room, Student Activity Center

6:30 p.m.

1. Roll Call
2. Announcements
1. State of the ASM address: Monday, April 27^th
2. Board of Regents meeting May 7 & 8, 2009
3. Swearing in of New Representatives
4. Open Forum

Any member of the ASM shall have the right to speak at the Open Forum, subject to the time limits specified here. Members of the Asm who are not officers of the ASM shall take precedence over officers and appointees. Non-members of the ASM may be granted the opportunity to speak by a majority vote of the Student Council. Each speaker may speak once for up to three minutes. The Open Forum is limited to 45 minutes, unless the Student Council shall by two-thirds vote to extend it.

5. Removal or Impeachment of Representatives, Filling of Vacancies in the Student Council and Swearing In of New Representatives
6. Adoption of the Agenda
7. Reading and Approval of the Minutes
8. Special Orders
9. Old Business
1. SACGB Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009)
2. SSFC Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009)
3. External Affairs Bylaws (passed once 8 April 2009)
10. New Business
1. Dissolution of the Constitutional Committee (forthcoming)
2. Resolution 15-0422-01, “ASM Endorsement of the Madison Initiative”

XI. Reports of Special Committees and Campaigns

3. Bus Pass Advisory Board
4. Constitutional Committee

11. Reports of Standing Committees and Boards

1. Academic Affairs Committee
2. Diversity Committee
3. Finance Committee
4. Legislative Affairs Committee
5. Nominations Board
6. Shared Governance Committee
7. External Affairs Committee
8. Student Activity Center Governing Board

12. General Reports

1. Chair

B. Vice-Chair

2. Student Judiciary
3. Student Services Finance Committee

13. Reports of Liaisons

14. Viewpoint Neutrality Appeals
15. Roll Calls

Thanks,
Chynna

~~UPDATE~~
LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE MADISON INITIATIVE
(Thanks Luke L. for the request!)

Associated Students of Madison

Student Council, 15^th Session

15-0422-01

Title: ASM endorsement of the Madison Initiative

Sponsored by: ASM Chair Wiegand

Whereas, the ASM has gained feedback from thousands of students on campus in the form of online surveys, meetings with constituents, and meetings with student organizations,

Whereas, ASM leadership has met regularly with the Chancellor to discuss the Initiative,

Whereas, ASM believes the Madison Initiative is essential to ensure the accessibility and prestige of a Madison education,

Whereas, ASM strongly encourages the Chancellor to continue to pressure legislators, alumni, and other donors to make alternative funding sources more robust;

Therefore, the Associated Students of Madison acting in Student Council do enact as follows:

Be it resolved, that the ASM officially endorses the Madison Initiative;

Date: 22 April 2009

Cap Times Article about WCSU

Dear friends, allies, and constituents,

Todd Finkelmeyer, Higher Education Editor for The Cap Times, wrote an article for yesterday's print edition that focused on the Working Class Student Union. His article did a wonderful job of highlighting key aspects of this organization that I founded in October 2007, as well as using my personal story to highlight the struggles that working-class students and first-generation college students are facing.

"I'm kind of in this bubble where I don't qualify for a lot of money, but I don't have a lot of money -- so I'm basically on my own," said Haas.

To pay for school, Haas works 35 hours per week during the school year and about 60 a week over the summer. Even so, she figures she'll be about $23,000 in debt when she graduates next May.

It is these financial struggles -- as well as an awareness of what money can buy in terms of access to power and opportunities -- that prompted her in the fall of 2007 to found a student organization that gives a voice to working-class students at UW-Madison.

"I think it's important to ask why a working-class person should basically have to go bankrupt just to try and put themselves through college," said Frank Emspak, a professor emeritus with UW-Extension's School for Workers. "A working-class person in 1961, like myself, could put themselves through school without much trouble. So why should that have to be so different today? I think anytime someone can raise these topics -- because they go to issues of equity and fairness in society -- it's a plus."

The Working Class Student Union might well be the first of its kind in the nation. And while the organization is now run by a core of about 10 members, Haas hopes it can become more of a force on campus during the 2009-10 school year, when it will receive $63,000 in student fees from UW-Madison's student government for its operating budget.

Haas has no single definition for the term "working-class," but notes the tag often relates to what kind of work a person does, how much one earns and where a person is from.

I encourage you all to read the full article, as well as learn more about the Working Class Student Union.

Thanks,
Chynna

ASM Disc[US]sion 2009 TONIGHT @ 6 PM

Please attend this event tonight!  This is your opportunity to share your ideas and feedback with ASM!  See the following blurb from Vice Chair Hannah Karns:

The Associated Students of Madison is having a campus-wide forum entitled "Disc(us)sion 2009."  Reform has been a hot button issue throughout the year, and ASM would like to solicit student opinion regarding potential changes for the student government.  The forum will be held Wednesday, April 15 6:00-8:00 pm in the Student Activity Center.  The objective of this town hall meeting is not to press any agenda: we are viewing this as an opportunity to gather student opinions.

There are three components of the forum. First, we will ask students what they perceive ASM does on campus.  Next, we will split into small groups, utilizing the same format as the budget forums the chancellor organized in the fall.  Questions will include those that touch on the issues students face on campus, what ASM can do to improve outreach to students, etc. 

Again, we are inviting the campus to help us, ASM, serve the student population better by shedding light on issues, outreach ideas, etc.  The feedback will be recorded, categorized, and presented to the new 16th Session.  It is crucial that students attend so that their voices can be heard, issues can be identified, and we can strengthen our student government together. 

I promise that this event will be an open line of communication between you (ASM members!) and your student government!  The information gathered and ideas generated will be broken down into categories, then passed onto the next session of ASM to incorporate into their strategic plan for the year.  Let's get as many students at this event as possible and tell ASM what it is that we want!

See you there!

Chynna

Three Awesome Events this Week! (Sponsored by the Campus Women's Center)

Healthy Relationships Panel (TONIGHT!)

April 14th, 6:00pm-7:30pm, 1111 Humanities

Find out what it looks and feels like to be in a healthy relationship with friends, roommates and significant others! Learn more about where you can receive help from on campus resources such as: Carmen Hotvedt (UHS Violence Prevention), Yolanda Garza (Assistant Dean of Students) and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services.

**Jennifer Baumgardner Lecture**

Thursday, April 16th, 6:30pm in the Ebling Symposium, Microbial Sciences Building (1550 Linden Drive)

-"In her role as author and activist, [Jennifer has] permanently changed the way people think about feminism...and will shape the next 10 years of politics and culture." - Commonwealth Club of California

- Founder of the Rape Awareness Project and producer of "I Was Raped," a documentary designed to highlight the prevalence of rape in our culture and interrupt the silence and shame that surrounds it

- Acclaimed author of Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future; Grassroots: A Field Guide for Feminist Activism; Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics; and Abortion and Life

- Investigative journalist for Harpers, The Nation, Glamour, RedBook, Elle, and NPR's All Things Considered, exploring stories such as why younger women appear to be less pro-choice and the fact that "rape kits" medical exams are routinely lost or rendered inadmissible in sexual assault cases

Watch Baumgardner's documentary, "I was Raped" on Monday, April 20th at 7:30pm in Memorial Union Play Circle

**Take Back the Night March and Rally**

Take Back the Night is a broad-based community event that will focus on violence in traditionally marginalized communities. It will include a March to the State Capitol, speakers, the Clothesline Project, a candlelight vigil, and a speak out. For more info, check out: www.madisontbtn.blogspot.com

Agenda:

4:30-5:30pm: Tabling in Library Mall

5:30-5:45pm: Rally in Library Mall

5:45-6:10: March to the Capitol

6:10-6:50: Keynote Speaker, Kabzuag Vaj

(speaking about violence in Hmong Communities, barriers to accessing services, inclusivity in our work)

6:50-7:10: March Back to Library Mall

7:10-7:50: Candlelight Vigil and Speak-Out