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 :)

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

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

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.

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

Student Council 3/25/09 Meeting Recap

Dear friends, allies, and constituents,

Sorry that I had such a delay in providing information about our last Student Council meeting (3/25/09) and posting the upcoming meeting's agenda (4/8/09). Below you will find the agenda and recap from the 3/25/09 meeting.

During our 3/25 meeting, I also had an event for the Working Class Student Union. WCSU hosted its first cultural event called "Class Matters: A Working Class Celebration," which was a huge success. Due to being double-booked, I was only at part of the Student Council meeting, as reflected below.

1. Roll Call
2. Announcements
3. Open Forum (Left meeting at this point to attend WCSU's event)

5. Adoption of the Agenda (Absent)
   
6. Reading and Approval of the Minutes (Absent)
   
7. Special Orders (Absent)
   
1. Presentation from Chancellor Martin (presentation was on the Madison Undergraduate Initiative)
   
8. .Old Business (Absent)
   
1. Tenant Rating System, Resolution 15-0304-02, first passed 3 March 09
2. College Student Council Fund, Resolution 15-0304-05 (returned to meeting near the end of this
   
9. New Business
1. Motion to reconsider GSSF Budget at next meeting VOTED IN FAVOR
   
2. Student Judiciary Appointments VOTED IN FAVOR
   
3. Student Print FY10 Budget VOTED IN FAVOR
   
4. Bus Pass Budget (Moved to before "Old Business," so I was absent from discussion and vote)
   
5. Reconsideration of the FY10 ASM Internal Budget VOTED IN FAVOR (this will be reconsidered at 4/8 meeting)
   

XI. Reports of Special Committees and Campaigns

4. Bus Pass Advisory Board
5. Constitutional Committee (potentially dissolving at 4/9 meeting)
   

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. External Affairs Committee
10. Student Activity Center Governing Board (DoIT will be installing computer kiosks on the 3rd floor of the SAC and an SAC survey will be sent out)
    

12. General Reports

1. Chair
   

The Undergraduate Initiative is not set in stone, so students should participate in the listening sessions and provide feedback. There will be a Wisconsin Alumni Association Lobby Day in April.

B. Vice-Chair

ASM is working to address "homeless night" by working to get free parking for students that night. 86% of students expressed interest in having ASM work on this issue. ASM will have a presence at the SOAR Resource Fair. There will be a Campus Forum on April 6 (now moved to April 15) @ 6 PM and it is being planned by

2. Student Judiciary
3. Student Services Finance Committee
   

14. Roll Calls

Thanks,
Chynna

Welcome to "From the outside in..."!

Dear friends, allies, and constituents!

Welcome to my new blog! This blog is really for you--it is your chance to keep up-to-date with my work on Associated Students of Madison's (ASM) Student Council, at the Campus Women's Center (CWC), and with the Working Class Student Union (WCSU).

A few months back, a good friend shared with me a statement made by the 51st District's Rep. Steven Hilgenberg. Rep. Hilgenberg said, "It's better to be a representative who brings a message from the outside in, not the inside out." His words are a solid summary of what I think the role of leaders and government officials should be--we should make decisions based on our constituents' opinions and needs. Far too often our representatives make decisions without ever consulting us, then we are left to figure out how to make-do with the often faulty and detrimental legislation that is passed.

I whole-heartedly disagree with this typical method of representation, which is why I am committed to doing things differently. This blog is the first step towards ensuring a productive and transparent term in Student Council and expanding the services and advocacy of the Campus Women's Center and Working Class Student Union to you. I am committed to serving my constituency to the best of my ability and to bringing your voices to those in power.

Who are my constituents? As a Letters & Sciences Representative for Student Council, I represent all L&S Students, particularly those in my programs of Communication Arts, Gender & Women's Studies, and American Indian Studies. Additionally, through work with student organizations, I also consider woman-identified individuals, first generation college students, and working-class and poor-class students members of my constituency. To meet your needs, I have provided my e-mail addresses on the right-hand side of this blog. Please e-mail me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you have. I will be announcing my office hours shortly.

I want this blog to provide you with as much information as possible. Currently available on the right-hand side of the page is some background information about me, links to the organizations I work with, my contact information, links to new articles featuring information on work I am doing for my constituents, and a list of blogs you may like. As we move forward, I will be posting additional information, including information on upcoming Student Council meetings; rationale for my votes at Student Council; language of all Student Council legislation I propose; background information on key issues that ASM, CWC, and WCSU are dealing with; information for upcoming events that may be of interest; and much more.

I hope that you find this blog useful and that you continue reading! Feel free to comment with any feedback or ideas.

I look forward to meeting with you and continuing to serve you!

In solidarity,
Chynna Haas