Last week's weather had Library Mall crawling with sunbathers, musicians and even student organizations. When I graduate this May, I will miss the daily exposure to various views, issues and events that these student groups bring to my attention.
This exposure is precisely what should be expected of institutions of higher education. Student organizations provide services that facilitate learning inside and outside the classroom, giving us a more complete worldview so we can make well-informed choices. UW-Madison has long recognized this; that is why we have things like student fees'to create a campus environment where all ideas can develop and circulate.
As someone who lives a good 40-minute walk from campus, I can thoroughly appreciate the Student Bus Pass program. More importantly, I appreciate the power students have to make decisions about things directly affecting us. We, as students, are in the best position to identify our needs, as with SAFEride/SAFEwalk, the Distinguished Lecture Series, etc. These organizations enhance our education, whether it's studying late and getting home safely or meeting with amazing figures like Elie Wiesel.
Students constitute the campus community and, therefore, should have a hand in creating it. Student fees enable us to do this. It is imperative that we preserve a student-controlled fee system.
