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
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
Posts
Thanks for posting this Chynna. I'll add my input from two different perspectives. First, personally I am in support of this initiative. Obviously in an ideal world this wouldn't be necessary, but it is unrealistic to think that we will suddenly get more funding from the state (especially now). Instead, I think this is a pro-active way of saying that we are taking some responsibility for the quality of our education as it is impractical to think that we can continue to lose faculty and staff and yet maintain the quality of a UW degree.
ReplyDeleteThe most powerful thing about UW (and what I hope always will be) is the people. We have exceptional faculty, staff, and students. However, we are at a crossroads and all three of these populations are in danger. 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.
Thanks!
Chynna, you should read this response or parts of it during debate.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea, Carl! Luke--I am going to read some parts of your remarks tonight so you better be reading my live-blog!
ReplyDelete