The Associated Students of Madison held its 2004 Town Hall meeting Wednesday at Gordon Commons. Students in attendance discussed issues under current debate within the organization, including potential tuition hikes and controversy involving the selection of a new School of Education dean.
\The meeting ... gave students an idea of everything going on in ASM right now,"" UW-Madison junior and ASM intern Samantha Ziesemer said.
A recent concern of ASM, particularly the Shared Governance Committee, has been the announcement of UW-Madison School of Education Dean Charles Read's retirement. Following usual procedure, UW-Madison will be conducting a search and screen.
This process involves a committee, including two interviewed and ASM-approved students, to select the most appropriate person for the position.
""The chancellor and the provosts handed all the responsibility to David Musolf to find students,"" UW-sophomore and ASM Shared Governance Committee Chair Eyal Halamish said. ""They went to the School of Education's undergraduate and graduate boards and handed the committee two names of students from the School of Education.""
The problem the shared governance committee has with this decision is that it is unlawful.
""Our Wisconsin state constitution, item 36.09(5), calls for students to have representation in shared governance on student issues,"" Halamish said.
Even after members of ASM were excluded from the search and screen process, the provost still intends to proceed with the students who have been appointed, according to Halamish.
""It doesn't matter to me if these two students [from the School of Education] are sitting on the committee,"" he said. ""It's about making sure that the organization has its legitimacy and that the administration is held accountable.""
Halamish said ASM still plans to hold interviews in order to appoint their lawful student committee chairs. Once chosen, the representatives will be presented to the search and screen committee. If denied, Halamish said the shared governance committee will take any legal actions necessary to ensure the state constitution and courts are followed. UW-Madison Provost Peter Spear offered no comment on the issue.
In addition to the concerns with the search and screen committee, members of ASM discussed other pressing campus issues, particularly the potential 4.3 percent tuition hike that may go into effect, and stressed the importance of student involvement in such issues.
""We need students to be less apathetic,"" said UW-Madison junior and ASM member Vanessa Ferniza. ""Unless we mobilize as a student body, we won't be heard.""
