Tuesday night the Associated Students of Madison Student Judiciary convened to determine the next sequence of action against students accused of illegally collecting signatures for a petition supporting their plan for an opt-out segregated fee system.
The Student Judiciary confirmed at the meeting that the issue will be heard by three justices at a date yet to be announced.
With the opt-out segregated fee system, students would be able to lower their tuition bill by choosing groups they wish not to fund for any reason. Certain services including the ASM Bus Pass, University Health Services and others would be exempt from the opt-out system.
A meeting of the Student Election Commission Tuesday found the signatures collected in favor of the opt-out system are acceptable, meaning it will be on next week's ASM ballot unless the challenge is successful.
The Student Judiciary decided to accept the case challenging the signatures last week, but had to reconsider the matter because they had not been given 24 hours notice of the case before meeting.
Joe Laskowski, a UW-Madison senior, was one of the first to speak at the meeting. He is one of the two students who brought forth the accusations.
\We have good evidence on these people,"" Laskowski said.
Those accused of improperly obtaining the signatures were on hand to defend themselves of any wrongdoing.
""There were no rules broken. To put me on as a defendant in this case is ... a waste of your time,"" said UW-Madison freshman Brad Vogel.
Those that collected signatures are also accused of seeking signatures in a manner so aggressive that some students were nearly harrassed in the process.
""There is absolutely zero harrassment involved,"" said UW-Madison graduate student Ryan Nichols. ""We never broke any rules.""
Laskowski also said that students studying in the university's libraries were approached to sign the petition.
""I never even collected signatures ... at the 24-hour library [which is] where I work,"" said UW-Madison senior Matt Modell. ""All of the signatures were in my own apartment [building].""
Various tables will be set up on Library Mall by students who oppose any changes to UW-Madison's segregated fee system today. Each table will feature an activity, service or organization that would be in danger if the proposed changes are realized.
