Council meeting 4 February 2009

1. Resolution 15-0204-01: Adam Sheka is creating a shared governance committee in order to discuss the Wisconsin Experience. The committee will help facilitate the drafting for the process that will be followed to directly communicate the idea of the Wisconsin Idea to students. Right now, it’s primarily used as a tool for academic staff and faculty to talk about the integration of academics with co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences. The hopes are to encourage students to think about and strive to apply their in-classroom experiences to out of classroom experiences and 2) to provide vocabulary to students so that they are better able to articulate their experiences and talk about this with employers, graduate schools, etc.

2) Resolution 15-0204-02: The Rape Crisis Center and Bus Pass Program are switching to a different funding stream constructed to better deal with auxiliary functions such as these. This isn’t too controversial.

3) Resolution 15-0204-03: This resolution would create an official ASM stance on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. I’m not so naive to think that Congress will care about ASM’s position on this, but the United States Students Association and many PIRG chapters are asking their student governments to officially endorse the legislation. The resolution details many of the provisions which would be beneficial to higher education.

4: Resolution 15-0204-04: This one will be controversial, especially to many in the blog world that like to critique our Press Office. This resolution would add one more paid position to the press office, upping the number of staff from 3 to 4. Last semester the Office wasn’t as effective as it could be, for several reasons. First, there’s a huge learning curve to ASM. Second, we established the press office then didn’t communicate ideas to the press office to get out to the public. I take a lot of the blame for this. It was so easy for myself and other people to get wrapped up with other issues, and once we created the press office (for the second time, since the first time it was done shabbily and without job descriptions) we got all excited that we finally had a press office but didn’t communicate with them well enough. The press office is now fully functional, and has been doing much better this semester. Their efficiency and effectiveness is pretty good. However, after seeing how hours were allocated last semester it became clear that a slightly different set up would enable them to act faster and increase effectiveness. Not including the webmaster, there are two people charged with doing all of the press work for ASM. The assistant director is only budgeted for 8 hours a week, but had a hard time last semester at that level. We want an office that will work VERY quickly, but with students’ schedules and other commitments that people have, it’s not always possible for one out of two people to get something done in a matter of hours. An intern that worked with the press office last semester did a lot of work in order to help the office be the most effective, and this resolution would create a fourth position in the office. The amount of time needed for research and communicating with people is quite a bit, and both this position and the assistant director still work more hours than they are paid for (they only get paid for 8). Some of this money comes from the webmaster’s salary that wasn’t used in the fall, and some would come from staff salaries that are being unused.

5. Resolution 15-0204-05: This resolution approves a stipend for the current chair of the Student Activity Center Governing Board. She does as much (if not more) work as every other committee chair, but because her position was created somewhat recently it was unpaid. This board is one that will continue to exist in ASM, and it is appropriate that the Chair receive a stipend for the work that they do (which works out to be far less than minimum wage if they were to be paid hourly). This money is coming from other places in our budget; we have a full-time staff position that is currently vacant that would more than cover the $1000.00 needed for a stipend for the rest of the year.

6. Resolution 15-0204-06: ASM has been working with staff this entire year in an effort to re-shape the mentality that has driven the organization for the past few years. One such example is the way that students work with staff. In November, some members felt that they did not want the vacant position hired until we were able to review the job descriptions in an effort to ensure that the position was appropriate for the organization. As I’ve mentioned before, we currently are our one campus organizer, and our other organizer is leaving in early March. In order to have the best transition possible to a new government (or if the Constitution didn’t pass, for ASM to continue into the summer and fall) we need to fill our staff. This resolution would authorize the hiring of the campus organizer, and make the resolution passed in November null and void.

Please forgive my run-on sentences and poor grammar in this post! I wrote it quickly so I could finish up a letter to UW System Legal. If you have any comments before tomorrow night’s meeting, please send me an e-mail at brittany.wiegand@gmail.com.

 

Thank you, Erik P

I’m baaack. I’ve been meaning to post something for a while, but when things got extremely busy this went to the bottom of my list. I wasn’t sure if it was useful to anyone. Well, if no one else reads it… this one’s for you Erik! Thanks for your e-mail. 

The past semester working with ASM serves as a testament to the fact that we must switch to a Presidential system. The student government would be far more effective with a more delineated structure where people have specific tasks. Right now, we have a few people trying to do everything. Some years when we get particularly motivated people, things are ok, but not nearly as effective as they would be if people could spend their time focusing on certain things. 

For example, the Chair is supposed to sit on/preside over the following 8 committees: preside over Student Council, preside over Coordinating Council (all of the committee chairs), sit on the Student Activity Center Governing Board, sit on Nominations Board, sit on the Reserve Board, sit on the Student Print Board, serve as a member of Union Council, serve on the Constitutional Committee, in addition to other committees as they arise (Conference Committee if selected, and any ad-hoc committees… right now we have one that is reviewing staff job descriptions and re-drafting them, and I’m chairing it). This also doesn’t include any search and screens. 

Then, there are the regular meetings… weekly hour-long advising meeting with staff, meeting with interns (I had 2 last semester), meeting with the Dean/Associate Dean, monthly meetings with the Chancellor, other meetings with ASM staff and committee chairs, meetings with people interested in getting involved, and meetings with any people for HR/personnel reasons (i.e., DRAMA). 

This is in addition to running and overseeing the government. Then, there are often external events to attend (Student Reps meetings, consisting of all the Presidents/VPs of all UW System schools, various campus events, and sometimes United Council events). Add on top of this reading and responding to over 75 e-mails daily, taking phone calls, going to class, and trying to have a life (ha…right). 

Now, I’m not making a laundry list in order to commence a pity-party for myself. I truly enjoy a lot of it. I list everything to point to the fact that we NEED to give people more direction and focus. The new Constitution does just that. With the Senate and the Executive branch doing different things, people will have a specific area on which they can focus. For example, the Chair won’t have to draft legislation that attempts to address an issue occurring on campus (i.e., campus safety). Rather, they can spend their time working to get things done for the government. The Senators will be attentive to the students on campus and will draft policies to ensure that change occurs. The executive body will get things done. We currently have a few people who do everything, but in order to get more people invested in more meaningful ways, it would be extremely helpful to have delineated jobs for individuals. 

Why would Senators be any more invested than Student Council representatives currently are? One could certainly make the argument that it will still be a group of resume-padding individuals serving solely to make themselves look good. But, we’re putting in a lot of work this year to try to change the mentality of the way people conceptualize and approach Student Council (what will be the Senate). There’s so much behind the scenes that goes into creating change in an organization. Unwritten rules and certain mentalities that have existed for years (clown suits and glitter, if any ASM-ers read this) are extremely difficult to change. Hours go into conversations with staff and other students in order to get people to budge and challenge their old way of thinking. Even more time goes into adjusting and working with people in order to make things happen. Not everything about the “old” mentality is bad, so it’s a constant negotiation and development of ideas in order to try to come up with something that will be the most effective student government. I think we have made significant progress this year, even if it’s not measurable by concrete victories and changes (although we have had several). 

The ad-hoc committee I’m chairing will give Student Council members an advisor. The benefits of such a position cannot be mitigated. Instead of our staff focusing on solely elections, advising, and advocacy, we’re giving more responsibility to students in key areas (recruitment drive) and obtaining more of a focus from staff on Student Council/Senate member development. This part of ASM… the key decision-makers and elected representatives of the government… will not longer be disregarded as insignificant. We will have a staff member who will not only attend meetings, but work with individuals in order to ensure that they have the resources necessary to be the most effective that they can be. This is a huge mentality shift in ASM! Right now, Council gets disregarded by many (staff AND students alike) as frustrating and not worth their time. Isn’t it a bit contradictory as these people are ELECTED by students to make decisions for them? Student Council/Senate members NEED to have more attention and resources from the government in order to succeed. 

In addition to a staff person, I’m working to develop meaningful trainings for representatives. This will include information about the government, but will teach them how to work with press, how to write legislation, how to get things done. This is a drastic difference from the training that has occurred for the past (however many) years. Usually staff puts on a “training” that doesn’t adequately prepare people to be effective leaders. 

So many people are focusing on the new “dictator.” ha, right. I certainly acknowledge the risks associated with a Presidential system, but we are putting more (even if it’s more in terms of internal reform as opposed to explicit language in the new Constitution) into the Senate in order to empower individuals in a meaningful way. The transition team I will be leading this spring will ensure that elected representatives have a way to contribute to the government and not solely serve as resume padders. 

Ahh, well, I could keep going on forever once I get started on ASM. Nerdy, I know. Anyway, I’m back. I’ll post the agenda for next week’s meeting once I put it together today or tomorrow. I’m off to writing a few resolutions…. what a fun Saturday! haha.

 

22 Oct Student Council meeting

Although I posted the agenda, here’s more info about what will actually happen at tomorrow’s meeting: 

1. During open forum, the intern working with the press office will present at least five potential new logos to the Council (see our current logo here: http://www.asm.wisc.edu/ … upper left side). This is the beginning of our  ”redesign 09″ initiative. I put a resolution council through two meetings ago officially beginning a redesign of our logo as a part of an overall re-branding effort to continue throughout the year. The logo is only a small part of it. We’re working to re-brand our organization this year by creating a new logo, moving into a new office, and hopefully passing a new constitution. We’re doing a lot (the aforementioned things combined with many smaller efforts), but we need an image overhaul on campus in order to establish ourselves as a student government with which people can connect. 

2. Freshmen reps will be sworn in. SSFC has already been recruiting them as their numbers continue to dwindle. Hopefully they will step up to the challenge of a committee that has a very real impact on this campus. 

3. SACGB bylaws get passed a second time. 

4. A resolution from the Shared Governance Chair, Adam Sheka, is going through to change the bylaws and decrease the number of members that count for quorum at Coordinating Council (from 7 to 6). 

5. A resolution to appoint Hannah Karns, Stephanie Dar, and Paul Davidsaver to a Campus Safety Committee (run through ODOS) will be voted on. 

6. The Finance Committee’s budget priorities will be voted on. Campus press has loved to rail on us for the e-mail that was delayed, ignoring the fact that an ad was run in the BH for three days prior and an e-mail was sent to both papers days before the meeting. What the papers have failed to notice was the actual substance or outcome of the hearing. I presented a recommendation of what ASM’s budget priorities should be, and the finance committee then drafted a resolution of what they thought the priorities should be. The finance committee’s resolution will be presented to council. It’s somewhat controversial. I had human capital investments as priority 4, after direct services to students (event, travel, and operations grants) and the committee has moved it to the top of their list. Many on the coordinating council disagreed and feel that direct services should be our first priority. Council will hash it out tomorrow, then send the priorities back to the finance committee so finance can put in numbers. 

on a side note: Regardless of the outcome, the budget is being prepared MUCH better this year. Those at the meeting will see Finance Chair Tim Fung’s proposal… he completely re-wrote the budget. I would put it on here because I do love it that much, but I doubt others would want to read 30 pages of the ASM internal budget…. if you’d like it though, send me an e-mail. 

7. The Council will vote on the resolution to create a position, the Campus Safety Initiatives Coordinator. I’ll then be going to the Offices of the Dean of Students to request funding for this. Dean Berquam indicated to me in a meeting last week that they would likely be willing to pay for part of this initiative.

 

What does ASM do? Well, here’s one thing it has made possible…

PLEASE DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO:  StudentBusinessIncubator@gmail.com

STUDENT BUSINESS INCUBATOR WILL HELP FOSTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STUDENT BUSINESSES ON CAMPUS

The Student Business Incubator, opening January 2009, is designed to help current undergraduate and graduate students explore entrepreneurship and launch a potential business idea.  The incubator will be located in the new Student Activity Center in U-Square and will provide multiple services to help student-created ventures gain success.  Some of the services include: equipment and technical support, business development and marketing help, networking and training, financing and legal support.

Although only six businesses will receive office space inside the Incubator, any student with an entrepreneurial spirit will have access to resources and information about entrepreneurship campus-wide.  For the application and more information please visit: http://www.asm.wisc.edu/sac-governing-board.html or  uwsife.org/sbi  

Email questions to: StudentBusinessIncubator@gmail.com 

Applications due: Friday, November 14, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.

Question and Answer information session:
• Tuesday, October 21, 2008 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. 1185 Grainger

 

Union Advisory Board position open

The Wisconsin Union is looking for a student to serve on an advisory board to decide whether or not a financial institution (such as a bank or credit union) should be housed within the Union. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working on finance/banking issues as part of a collaborative team composed of students and staff. If you are looking for professional development relating to the banking industry, this is the perfect position for you!

The board will be soliciting competitive bids from corporations and evaluating offers to make a decision that is in the best interests of students, the Union, and the greater industry. Meetings times and dates are not currently set, but all of the work should take place in 3-4 meetings between November 1 and December 15. 

If you are interested in this position, please email a statement of interest (including your experience working on committees, knowledge of financial institutions or banking, and other relevant qualifications, along with your motivations for being involved) and a resume to Adam Sheka (sheka@wisc.edu) by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 27. The selection will be made by the ASM Shared Governance Committee by Wednesday, October 29.

Thank you for your applications!

 

Agenda for Wednesday’s Council meeting

Once our website is more interactive (we finally hired a webmaster, so hopefully this is soon) I won’t post agendas here. But until then, the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting is below

 

22 October 2008

Memorial Union, TITU

6:30 p.m.

 

I.                    Roll Call

II.                 Announcements

III.               Swearing in of New Representatives

IV.              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.

V.                Removal or Impeachment of Representatives, Filling of Vacancies in the Student Council and Swearing In of New Representatives

VI.              Adoption of the Agenda

VII.           Reading and Approval of the Minutes

VIII.         Special Orders

IX.              Old Business

            a. SACGB Bylaws Ratification (first passed on 8 October 2008)

X.                 New Business

a.    Resolution 15-1022-01, “Quorum at Coordinating Council Meetings”

b.   Finance Committee Budget Priorities

c.    ASM Campus Safety Initiatives Coordinator

XI. Reports of Special Committees and Campaigns

B.                 Bus Pass Advisory Board

C.                 ASM Vote 2008 Campaign

D.                Constitutional Committee

XII.            Reports of Standing Committees and Boards

a.      Academic Affairs Committee

b.      Finance Committee

c.       Legislative Affairs Committee

d.     Nominations Board

e.      Shared Governance Committee

f.        StudentPrint Board

g.      External Affairs Committee

h.      Student Activity Center Governing Board

XIII.         General Reports

a.      Chair

b.      Vice-Chair

c.       Student Judiciary

d.     Student Services Finance Committee

XIV.        Reports of Liaisons

XV.           Viewpoint Neutrality Appeals

XVI.        Roll Calls

 

Campus Safety… thoughts, anyone?

So, I haven’t posted much of anything since I started this blog. I’ve been busy, but also wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. I have just finished writing a job description after talking with the Coordinating Council last Wednesday, and I’d love any feedback. I’ll try to get more content up in the next few days. 

ASM’s Coordinating Council is looking to re-start our neighborhood watch program. We have also discussed the need to look into the SAFE program, because it seems that people don’t know the extent of the services or how to go about requesting them. We’d like to see an online requesting system. 

We are proposing to appoint someone to address these issues, and develop concrete plans to address campus safety. Following is the job description I’ve drafted. I just sent it to the CC, and will add their feedback for the final draft. This will be brought up at our student council meeting on Wednesday. 

_________________________________________________________________________

Position Title:    Campus Safety Coordinator
Organization Name:    Associated Students of Madison
Qualifications:    Must be a currently enrolled student at UW-Madison
Incumbent Status:    Serves until April 30, 2009
Selection Process:    Appointed by the Student Council.
Terms of Office:    November 2008- April 30, 2009
Total Payment:    $1550.20 ($3100.00/year from May 1 08-April 09, pro-rated to the appointment date)
Hours Per Week:    15+
Paid Hourly Elsewhere on Campus:            No
 
The following is a section of a policy paper approved under various sections of the ASM Bylaws, notably 3.02(A)(V), 3.02(B)(III), 3.02(C)(III), 3.02(D)(II) and 3.07(M).  This policy states what the job duties of officers and appointees are, and expands on those duties above and beyond what is listed in the ASM Constitution and Bylaw.
Background:  The Student Council has the appointment and jurisdiction over its leaders.  This policy helps facilitate the institutionalization of job duties within the leadership.
Policy:  The following job description for the Campus Safety Coordinator is policy of the ASM.  It is to be followed accordingly, and will be administered by the Chair of the Student Council.  Duties from the Bylaws are not exclusive; please reference the official copy for additional duties.
 
Job Duties:
• Constantly reports to the Student Council in order to provide an update of the progress they have made as well as educate Council representatives about campus safety issues
• Constantly reports to the Coordinating Council and is a voting member of the Coordinating Council
• Constantly reports to the Chair and Vice-Chair in accordance with the established stipend accountability guidelines
• Facilitates the research of matters and drafting of legislation pertinent to Campus Safety
• Sets, posts and maintains a minimum of five office hours per week and spends a minimum of ten
additional hours on the work of the ASM per week
• Shall collaborate with other entities on campus in order to formulate concrete plans to address Campus Safety issues.
• Shall manage the administration of such plans, or delegate the duties appropriate to ensure that the plans are acted upon in a timely manner.
• Shall evaluate ASM’s previous Neighborhood Watch program
• Shall reinitiate the Neighborhood Watch program
• Shall research the SAFE Program
• Shall work with SAFE to give input on how to improve their services
• Shall address campus safety issues as they arise
• Performs all duties and responsibilities and executes all rights within the jurisdiction of and in
accordance to the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules, Laws, Legislation or Orders
 
 
 
Educational components of the position:
•Provides leadership opportunity for UW-Madison students
•Primary responsibility for establishing and managing the neighborhood watch program of the Student Government
•Primary responsibility to remain aware and educated about safety issues on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus
•Represents the student government on campus safety issues

 

 

 

 

Candidate Matrix

Check this out and VOTE! 

https://asm.uwsc.wisc.edu/election/matrix/index.php?ballot=K

 

Hello world!

So, I am starting a blog. Although I am technically a blogger on the Wisconsin Lounge, I’m starting my own site devoted mainly to ASM issues (although I may discuss local or state issues as they arise). 

ASM has discussed creating a blog for some time, but until we get that site up and running I will be writing here. It is my hope to post information about student council meetings, discussions at coordinating council, what I do on a daily basis, and other goings-on.