The Associated Students of Madison's new, late-breaking slogan, \Working Today; Changing Tomorrow"" may sound like any other politician's catchphrase, but ASM's current projects show promise. If our student government is ultimately successful in following through with this year's reasonably lofty goals, members of the campus community will be the beneficiaries of more than just a free ride on the LN or a cab ride home from a night downtown.
ASM now aims to benefit all students on campus'exactly what our student government should have been doing all along.
Through its proposed campus safety campaign, communication will hopefully increase between the reluctant UW Police and students, thus increasing the effectiveness of the police and the safety of all students, male and female.
Students' housing rights will again come to the forefront this year with the Worst House campaign, as well as through the online survey ASM plans to make available. As thousands of students continue to be subjected to substandard living conditions, this effort is always necessary and welcome.
Most important, however, is the action ASM plans to take to address campus climate issues at UW-Madison. While increasing awareness through their silhouettes display on Bascom Hill is important (though many students missed its purpose), more concrete goals such as implementing exit surveys to give students leaving UW-Madison and working to increase the reporting of harassment incidents are absolutely essential. If students of color feel uncomfortable in their matriculation here at UW-Madison, it is essential to know why, so that we can immediately rectify this glaring problem.
Unfortunately, all of ASM's goals as stated Wednesday are too vague. For the average student to appreciate and understand ASM's objectives, tangible steps must be presented and followed.
Last year's campaign outlined specific goals and checked off those met at the end of the year. While this approach may not be feasible this year, to gain the support needed from the student body and to turn around student apathy, ASM needs to revive that spirit of accountability.
We hope ASM can follow through with their new and innovative plans, but for the organization's future success, it needs to have concrete examples of its accomplishments.
