So this is life?

Don't get me wrong-- I am thrilled that I graduated college with two degrees and one certificate from UW-Madison. I can't even count the number of times I wanted to drop out and actually almost printed the withdrawal forms. College kicked my ass, but it is nothing like the real world (at least this is what I am slowly learning in the weeks following graduation).

My parents have prepared me far better for life post-graduation than college. Never once in college did anyone tell me about renter's insurance, applying for jobs for which I am over-qualified for, the necessity in learning to cook, or the month-long depression/hibernation that follows college graduation. Nope, none of it. Instead, I have spent the three weeks following my graduation trying to figure it all out by myself without losing my sanity.

There really should be a place that you can go and access the mess of information necessary to function as a new "adult." There also should be a place where you can go and vent, ponder, and cry about the craziness that has now become your life. Hence, the recreation of my blog! So please comment and share your own experiences!

So time for today's discussion: Packing without actually having somewhere to move.

My lease is up on June 30, so logically, I need to find a new place to move into in the new city I am moving to before June 30. Well, I have been apartment hunting and found an apartment that is within my budget, meets the minimum requirements I have for a place to live, and is in the city I am moving to. Issue? I don't have a job with a "verifiable" income. I do own my own business, but I am still growing it to a point where I am making enough income to live-on. So, now comes to story about getting jerked around...

As I neared graduation, I was working to grow my business, but had two (what I thought) back-up jobs in mind. The first would be returning to the company I temped/interned at for three summers and the second was getting placed through the temp agency I worked for three summers. Long-story short, I applied for a job I knew I was not really qualified for at the first company (after being urged to by three+ employees of the company), only to be told by their HR department that I was not qualified and that they wanted someone with experience. They said I could put in for an entry-level job that requires a high school diploma and involves doing work that I, at this time, do not understand. Fine, I applied. I then went to my back-up plan at the temp agency and was told by my contact that she would see where they could place me. Three days went by. I called back to talk to her and was told that she was on vacation for a week-- good thing she mentioned this before leaving... NOT! Anyway, the guy who answered checked the status of my file and said they had no clerical openings. Fabulous.

This double-blow of insanity led to me calling six more temp agencies in my area looking for placements. Five said they did not have any clerical openings and one (who I had a negative experience with several years ago), offered a slight glimmer of hope. They took my new resume and had me complete several assessment tests online and will be following up with me this week. FINGERS CROSSED! I plan on calling them on Monday to see if they received my assessments and see if they can meet with me on Monday to place me... PLEASE LET THIS WORK! If they are able to place me, I can go back to the apartment I want and submit my application! The lady who manages the property said they would have the apartment I want available by the end of this week, WHICH MEANS I may be able to start moving this week! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

Realizing there was nothing I could do this weekend to speed up this process, I began packing.  My logic?  If I am packed, I can begin moving IMMEDIATELY into my new apartment.  Minimum, I will be moving even more stuff to my already crowded room at my parents' house pending my move to my new apartment.  Creative procrastination?  Maybe.  Sanity protection?  Oh yeah!

Other noteworthy news: the twitch in my left eyebrow has come back this morning.  Welcome back my tell-tale sign of stress!

Road Work Ahead

John (my boyfriend) and I are driving to his hometown to move him back for the summer. The air conditioner in my car is out and it is about 90 degrees outside today. As part of the deal for me to help him move, he's driving so I get some time to hang out and play on my CrackBerry.

Let's be clear: I am not really that much of a tech geek, so the number of gadgets I have acquired these past couples weeks blows my mind! For graduation my parents got me a Flip camera and a TomTom GPS. Later that week I had to get my own phone plan, so I opted for a BlackBerry to aid me in developing my business. I can now take pics on my phone and email, text, or post them on Facebook. It is insane! My Flip camera inspired to make my own cooking show for the cooking challenged (like myself!). And my GPS helps me actually arrive on time to meetings and events. Amazing!

The down side of all of this is that I think I am getting addicted! Just like when I was 12 and started playing the Sims! I am trying to keep my addiction one that is helpful not harmful, but I'm sure my Facebook friends are growing tired of my Mobile Uploads album! (But that won't stop me from posting!)

Well I should stop staring this little screen and talk to John as he drives us 65 MPH with the windows down!

:) Chynna

Cleaning out the Closet

So after about two months in this apartment, I am getting ready to move again. Moving is one of my least favorite things and my most favorite things, simultaneously. I hate it for the obvious reasons: having to pack everything I own into boxes, then haul those boxes to my car, creatively stuff my car, then haul the boxes to a new apartment, and unpack everything I own.

I love moving because it gives me a chance to embrace my organizing dorkiness as I sort through everything. Though I am still finalizing where I am moving, the Moving Craze began today. I have done five loads of laundry and gone through all of my clothes.

This brings me to the point of this post: I have definitely gained weight over the four years I attended college. My pants span four sizes and my tops cover the range of women's, junior's, and even kid's clothes!

At some point, I think it was during my third year of school, I became very self-conscious of this weight gain, so I started trying to dress in order to disguise it. This would explain the variety of tops I own that could pass as maternity clothes! You know the type: gathers just under your breasts and has a free-flowing tummy portion that is very easily hiding a baby bump up until you're six months along. I had about 8 of these shirts. I wore maybe two of them and put the other five on in the morning, only to take them off for making me look pregnant. Hmm, go figure!

My "maternity" tops went in the giveaway bag, along with 11 pairs of blue jeans of various sizes. The best part of gaining weight pretty quickly and not being able to find clothes is that everything you give away is only gently used (if used at all)! :) Now my closet is less crowded and I have a couple bags of clothes to donate. Good day all around!

Now back to sorting through my belongings, then folding laundry (ick!) and doing dishes. I will be packed in no time! Just need to figure out where I am moving...

:) Chynna

Vote for Smile Empty Soul!

I love Smile Empty Soul and have been a huge fan of their's for years! Please vote for them and help them win artist of the year! Vote through this link because I am trying to win a trip to Vegas to meet them! lol :)

Welcome to the Rat Race...

So I officially graduated yesterday! You can see the pic below of me and my bestie! :)

It was pretty amazing! I am happy to be done with school and finally able to get on with my life!

As a graduation gift, my parents got me a Flip camera, so I will be posting plenty of videos in the coming weeks that document my new adventures.

But the most poignant moment yesterday came while my family and I were eating at Cracker Barrel. Toward the end of the meal, the waitress came up to me and said "Welcome to the Rat Race!" I let it roll off me at the time, but I have been thinking about it all day.

In the shower this morning it all finally sunk in. I am done with school. I have graduated college. I am an adult. I am on my own. I need money (lol). I drew many lines in the sand these past few months as I proclaimed, "I will not do that!" Today I suddenly felt prepared to let go of my silly boundaries (I will obviously keep the legit boundaries) and start living as an adult.

I am in charge of my own life and where I am heading, which is terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.

I am now officially a part of the rat race, but as the waitress concluded her comment, "There are some bad parts, but there is mostly good. You'll be fine!"

:) Chynna

I'm going to learn how to cook!

So, true confession: I can't cook...

I try to cook, but usually end up just reheating some frozen meal. My signature dish is meatball subs, but that really is reheating frozen meatballs and spaghetti sauce, then putting it all on a sub topped with mozzarella cheese. I try to make a couple casseroles, but they are never as good as my mom's.

Anyway, I am going to learn to cook. I bought Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution cookbook and am committed using it to teach myself how to cook.

I chose Jamie's book because I was impressed by his ABC television show about the Food Revolution and also by the book's description:

Cooking good food from scratch is a skill that can save you money, keep you healthy, and make you and your family and friends happy. What I've tried to do in this book is pick a whole load of meals that we all love to eat and break them down to make them as simple as possible. There are plenty of clear instructions and step-by-step pictures, so whether you're an accomplished cook or a complete beginner, you'll be able to enjoy cooking and achieve great results in the kitchen.

This book is inspired by all the people I've met who thought they could never and would never learn how to cook. I believe that good home cooking is one of the most essential, fundamental skills that every single person on this planet should have in order to look after themselves, their families, and their friends. This food revolution is all about people learning how to make a recipe, then teaching that recipe to their friends and family . . . if enough people do this, pretty soon everyone will be cooking. So cook something today, then PASS IT ON!

I went grocery shopping today to get the ball rolling and two hours later I returned home with *almost* all of my ingredients to make:
-Classic Tomato Spaghetti
-Broccoli and Pesto Tagliatelle
-Macaroni and Cauliflower Cheese Bake
-Crunchy Garlic Chicken

I still need to get a red chile and dried tagliatelle. Does anyone know where you get dried tagliatelle? I looked at Woodman's and couldn't find it.

I am very excited about this new adventure and appreciate of the brave souls (mostly my boyfriend) who will be testing my food. When possible, I will post pictures of the adventure. I will also post a review of each dish and maybe a review by anyone else who tried what I made.

Any recommendations for other recipes I should try?

:) Chynna

Let's Get this Show on the Road!

So, after four long, grueling, crazy years, I am graduating May 16! Thursday, May 6 is my last day of classes and I am hoping to have ALL my papers and finals turned in at that point. I will then be D-O-N-E with college (probably forever). I can't wait!

I had a few days where I freaked out about the future and what comes next, but I realized that I just need to embrace the craziness that is ahead and enjoy the journey through it all. I still don't have an apartment lined up to move into after my lease is up June 30. I have a conference I am speaking at in June that I haven't registered for or bought plane tickets for (nor am I really sure what I am saying yet). And there's a thousand other things going on that need my attention, my money, or my time. I refuse to feel overwhelmed because I know that, one way or another, it's all going to come together.

I am ready to start living my "real" life! But before that can happen, I have seven papers totaling about 46 pages to write by Thursday.

I will post more when it's all done!

:) Chynna

Working Class Kid Goes to College!

Hey everyone!

So today I want to attempt to tackle the HUGE topic that has been lingering in front of me for months! What does it mean to be working class and a college student? To put a finer point on it, what does it means to be working class and a college student at an ELITE, FOUR-YEAR university? I will by no means fully unpack this topic in this post, but its time that I start writing about it. With 59 days until I graduate with a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I feel ready to start talking about the past four years. This post will be my general thoughts on what it means to be working class at a college like mine, particularly discussing some of the challenges we face.

I first want to repost a portion of a post that is from my personal blog/journal. It was written in January 2009.

Life at UW-Madison is like living with a permanent suspension of disbelief--I know it is not this way for everyone, but it is for me and others like me. While around campus with my best friend, she will often look at me and say, "Are we in the Twilight Zone right now?" We laugh and share in our inside joke, one only working-class, small town, first-generation college students like us understand.

College is when people like me straddle two worlds, then life after graduation is where we live in limbo--dwelling between two worlds, never at home in either. While in college, we must choose whether to lose ourselves, to sell-out, to become like the elite students around us; or we must fight to remain true to our roots, to not lose our cultural identity, to leave with the same soul as when we entered. If we choose the latter, we must learn how to survive in an inhospitable land that actively works to destroy us. We are slowly mastering this process:

1. Master smiling. A smile is ambiguous, no one really knows what is going on behind. Learn to smile through your tears, your anger, your fear, and your shame. Learn to smile in the face of ignorance and hatred.
   
2. Bite your tongue. When you are the only person in your class who is poor class, working class, from a small town, a first generation college student, etc., you will not win a verbal exchange because no one, including your professors and TAs, will understand what you are saying. For this reason, you must learn to bite your tongue. Bite it even if it hurts. Bite it even if it bleeds. You can speak your mind, but you must do it with your peers, which is partially why I founded the Working Class Student Union.
3. Learn to pass. Study the rich elites--their words, their mannerisms, their clothing, their humor (or lack thereof), and their interests. After studying these people, pick parts of their behavior to mimic when appropriate. Mimicking clothing is one of the best and easiest things to do. For this, be sure to shop at second hand stores, especially Goodwill. Working class/poor class stores (i.e. Wal-Mart) are catching up to current styles, but at much more affordable prices. Another factor on our side is the fact that the rich elites, particularly those who are politically active, think its cool to dress like they are "poor" and usually they do an awful, stereotypical, offensive job of this. Their bizarre style and ridiculous way of doing it, often makes us appear to be of a higher class than them because we dress in the cheaper versions of current style. Manner of speaking is also huge, but it warrants its own blog post (which is forthcoming).
4. Make Connections! This is the key to our survival--if no one knows who you are, they will not notice when the UW squeezes you out! Connect with (IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE) with your professors, TAs, classmates, student organizations, administrators, ASM leadership, and anyone and everyone else you can find! Good ways to this are to join student organizations, get appointed through ASM to Shared Governance seats on UW committees, and seek internal UW jobs. Additionally, join the Working Class Student Union because if you get squeezed out, I guarantee I will notice and I will ask why!

This list could be longer, but I will spare you all the nuances now and will post them at a later time. I will wrap this long post up now, but more posts will follow.

Fourteen months later, I still stand by these words. The best way to summarize my behavior these for years is that I survived my college experience. In some regards, I thrived (regarding skill development through my student orgs) and failed (regarding some of my academic course work). All in all, I survived. I completed my degrees in four years and will get the prestigious piece of paper and a chance to take a 30-second stroll across the stage. I know it was worth it, but I still am concerned about what the cost was of doing so.

I know my mental and emotional health has been impacted, due partially to the high levels of stress that come from balancing multiple jobs and classes; and partially to spending four years in an economic minority as a cultural outsider at an institution that rarely acknowledged I existed.

I know that my relationship with my family has changed as I become the first person in my family receive a four-year degree immediately out of high school. I speak differently and have to consciously "turn-on" my college voice or my Beloit voice. I have to work constantly to behave in the manner in which my college education has taught me--taking the role as "researcher" versus participant, always analyzing those around me, and working to change the behavior of the "uninformed."

I honestly fear this change. Despite my best efforts, I know that I have changed. But how much? How will this change impact my relationships with my family and community? How will this change impact how I raise my children? Has Chynna really changed or just the way she thinks sometimes? I know that I will slowly realize the answers to this question, especially when I leave the Ivory Tower and return to my hometown in May. I will be a straddler in limbo between my working class roots and middle class education. I just hope that I can renegotiate my identity and role in my family and community. Living in limbo is unsettling and I hope that find a way to do it on my own terms.

Like I said, this is the first of many posts on this subject. Please comment with your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks!
Chynna

Money, Money, Money!

Hey everyone!

Not sure why I love repetition in my post titles, but I do! Today I wanted to share a few links to some fabulous financial resources! I think almost everyone in the world (at least my world) is at least a little stressed about money. I am working on my own financial freedom, so these have been great sources of information for me!

Check out this resources and let me know what you think!

• Dave Ramsey-- I love this guy's no nonsense approach to money! My parents are on his finance plan and are now debt-free except for their house. He can really help you better manage your money by getting on a spending plan and working on the debt snowball.
• DailyWorth-- This is a great resource for women trying to manage their finances! You can actually get on their email list and receive a daily email with a few tips about managing your money. They provide very simple and doable suggestions.
• Bundle-- I just discovered this site, but so far it seems pretty cool. You can actually use it to see how much other people spend on items (based on credit card expenditures). Plus, it has pretty funny (sorta) confessions of people's bad money habits.

Be sure to check this out and let me know what you think!

What am I doing today to work towards financial freedom? I packed my lunch and snacks from the day with food from my fridge versus buying food from the food court!

Thanks!
:) Chynna

Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day

Hey everyone!

Yep, once again I went a ridiculously long time without updating you (and by "you" I mean the maybe two people who read this! haha)! I had on my To Do List for months to write a blog post, but every time I sat down to write I was hit with writer's block. These past few weeks have been some of the most challenging weeks of my undergraduate career. Hell, who am I kidding? These past four years have been the most challenging of my undergraduate career! Isolating a few weeks is just silly! That being said, I have spent a lot of time trying to unpack what has been going on, how I feel, what the experience is really like, and what it all really means. I certainly do not have all the answers, but I am making progress.

I have a series of blog posts that will be coming over the next couple weeks that represent my small attempt at making sense of all of it. I have 66 days until graduation. These next 66 days will be my attempt to share the insight I am slowly gaining, as well as record the shenanigans as they actually go down. After that, I will keep writing about the world of limbo that faces working class students after they graduate, especially when they return to their working class communities, as this will be my experience. I will also write about the moments that took place during the 1,461 days I was a UW-Madison student--hopefully with more clarity and sense of purpose than I had while living them.

I feel like its going to be an 66 days until I graduate and an even more exciting several months that will follow. Please read. Please comment. And, if something I say speaks to you, please share it with your friends.

Thanks!
Chynna

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