With new initiatives encouraging students to wear masks, and bottles of hand sanitizer seemingly as prevalent as Badger fans in Madison, UW-Madison. Has already implemented new social distancing and health safety initiatives in order to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its effects on student life.
Similar to UW-Madison’s Smart Restart plan, student organizations, like the Associated Students of Madison, the university’s student governance body, also have worked to implement changes to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
“The pandemic has impacted ASM's involvement in student governance by making student voices invaluable. Due to the pandemic, the 27th Session of ASM was stalled, as have a number of other student committees and groups that have not been able to convene virtually. In my personal opinion and as a student myself, I believe that university used this to its advantage,” Student Council Representative and former ASM Press Office Director for the College of Letters and Science Matthew Mitnick said.
A Madison summer gave way to a multitude of Black Lives Matter Protests, realling with student activism. The recent attention to youth activism points a finger at the university for not taking into account student voices when concucting a Smart Restart plan.
“Student voices were not taken into consideration when it comes to the ‘Smart Restart.’ If they were actively including our input, it would look much different,” said Mitnick. “Another area of concern is UWPD, as there are reports they supplied Madison Police with chemical ammunition. Advocacy is needed on these fronts.”
The Student Services Finance Committee, a branch of ASM is responsible for allocating approximately $50 million in segregated university fees (which usually are distributed to fund Registered Student Organizations) to maintain recreational facilities and unions and to provide student events and programming.
Thus far, it has been determined that ASM Open Committee and Student Council meetings will be virtual. Mitnick notes how virtual meetings may make it easier for students not involved in student government to attend meetings.
“The virtual meeting format does expand accessibility in some sense,” Mitnick said. “By allowing students to participate in discussion without having to visit far away locations across the City, and with a busy schedule, calling in when you have a 10 minute break, for example, can be much more time efficient.”
More specifics on ASM’s response to the pandemic will not be available until after ASM’s 27th Session leadership elections, which were stalled until Wednesday, September 2.
“As a Student Council Representative, I really believe that all this will only work if we actively ensure that any student has the ability to get involved,” Mitnick said. “It may be harder to build connections with people online, but I am optimistic in my belief that it can potentially foster higher levels of engagement.”
“With student orgs, I hope the Grant Allocation Committee can be creative in how it allocated its funding to ensure that events and programming can still occur,” Mitnick said. “Perhaps a higher level of speakers could be booked if travel fees are no longer needed. Rather, a call or connection over Zoom could bring in more people.”
Mitnick urges students to continue to advocate for change on campus, no matter the circumstances.
"It's important students continue to make their voices heard," Mitnick said. "That is why it is encouraged to also speak in open forums and attend meetings with decision making administrators."
ASM also manages the Student Activity Center, which will be open with reduced hours this semester. More details will be available on or after the Wednesday Sept. 2, following the 27th Session elections.
Gina Musso is a Senior Staff Writer at The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as College News Editor and Features Editor, focusing coverage around student government, campus COVID updates and in-depth reporting. Follow her on Twitter @gina__musso.
