Last Thursday evening, the ASM Student Council reviewed budgets earlier approved by the Student Services Finance Committee. Working into the wee hours of Friday decisions were made--some groups were approved some were not. Many of those there commented that the meeting went well. No one walked out, people were civil and decisions were made with reasons behind them. The saddest thing about this meeting has to be that basic things like having quorum and considering facts are such tremendous triumphs.
From day one on campus it is made clear that, unlike at many universities, the students here have the right to their own government and the rare ability to distribute such a significant amount of funds funds ($4.5 million as proposed).
ASM often points to Wisconsin State Statute 36.09 (5), which gives students a say in any committee or decision that affects student life. While this statute gives students the ability, which ASM has taken on, it does not therefore follow that students respect ASM's legitimacy nor authority. The main reason this simple equation becomes a non sequitur is the games that have been played by all parties this last semester.
Armed with an extensive set of powers, ASM has done a poor job this semester demonstrating their ability reach out to students, represent students and reach consensus on issues that matter to students.
When terms like \party lines,"" ""walk out"" and ""boycott"" need to be used in a synopsis of any organizational meeting, warning flags about the institution's health should be flying up.
ASM has done too much good this semester--from its work with the Vote 2002 Coalition to its efforts at getting another student regent--for them to be viewed in this light. Yet it remains for many students, that the good they have done is overshadowed not only by the in-fighting and dirty pool, but by the hulking shadow of all that could have been achieved but was not.
Student concerns do not go on hold when quorum is not reached, nor do issues that matter to them disappear when the organizations that address them are denied funding.
The potential to do great things for students exists not only in ASM's authority but also its institutions. The individuals on ASM likewise have the ability to utilize these tools to make the changes students so desperately need. However, both sides of this issue need to step over their pride and party allegiances and make the commitment to do what students elected them to do--represent students, overcome differences, make the changes promised students--this will not happen.
On Jan. 1, many of us will make resolutions for the coming year. When it comes to ASM, their resolution should be clear. Their resolution must be to move on, move past the games. There must be a resolution to do what was promised to students in elections and use the differences to expand, not divide, efforts.
