The Associated Students of Madison Student Council passed an amendment to its bylaws Wednesday to clarify the definition of Viewpoint Neutrality, which is used in all of the organization’s funding decisions.
The ASM bylaws state all funding decisions must be made in a viewpoint neutral manner, meaning student representatives may not take the mission of the group under consideration for funding into account when voting on budgets or grants.
Previously, the bylaw included a clause that states a violation of procedure is considered a viewpoint neutrality violation. However, this was not part of the original definition as set in University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents v. Southworth, a 2000 court case over the use of student segregated fees to fund political or ideological campus organizations.
According to SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor David Ward mandated the bylaw change in an April statement regarding the alleged viewpoint neutrality violation by SSFC last year.
“I’m happy that the change puts us in compliance with legal precedent, and I think that’s where we should always be,” Bruecker said.
Representatives of the Event Alcohol Sales and Service Task Force also spoke in front of council Wednesday concerning recommended changes to alcohol-related policies at campus events.
The task force was formed in response to the sexual assault controversy during the 2012 Rose Bowl, when John Chadima, former associate athletic director, allegedly put his hands down a male student employee’s pants against the student’s will, according to the victim.
The task force consists of faculty, staff and students, including Dean of Students Lori Berquam, Director of University Health Services Sarah Van Orman and ASM Vice Chair Maria Giannopolous, who reported the committee’s proposed recommendations to council.
The recommendations included setting a threshold of two-thirds of attendees at an event being 21 or older in order for alcohol to be permitted, as well as the strengthening of the alcohol beverage service permit process. The committee also made recommendations to ensure more strict enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age at events.
The task force will give its recommendations to university administration in the coming months for approval and implementation.
