Associated Students of Madison bemoaned the lack of student input in the Halloween decision-making process in a press conference held Wednesday in the Union.
Along with the emphasis on Halloween were other important committee goals and objectives. \Our committees and campaigns have been formulating strategic plans to organize around student issues, and their goals are now set in place,"" said Dylan Rath, vice-chair of ASM, during his introductory speech.
The Shared Governance Committee, which focused on Halloween, outlined their plan for their Halloween Forum, which will be held tonight at 7:00 p.m. in 1121 Humanities. Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam will attend, and students are strongly encouraged to come as well.
""Our goal isn't necessarily to change anything, but the point is basic shared governance principles were ignored when these decisions were made, and we have to stand up for our rights now or else they'll do it again,"" said Hannah Longrie, Shared Governance intern, regarding the basic plan for the forum.
Aside from the Halloween issue, a representative from the Academic Affairs Committee made a speech regarding their future and potential plans for textbooks. What the committee is hoping to implement is the ability to have textbooks for rent for two to three intro-level classes holding 200 to 300 students.
""Something else we find particularly important is the program's consideration of lower-income students. The financial burden of college is stressful enough for this particular group of people and the cost of buying textbooks is constantly increasing,"" said Allison Solso, an Academic Affairs Committee intern.
Ami Elshareif, a Student Activity Center intern, spoke about the plans to demolish the current University Square and building designs for a Student Activity Center. The center will ""work to bring all types of organizations together into a warm, welcoming and useful space that will foster student involvement and promote more effective student organizations,"" Elshareif said.
Finishing up the afternoon speeches before the floor was open for questions was Brandon Sivret, campaign coordinator of ROTC Appreciation.
""As our beloved Badger football team fights in the trenches each Saturday to bring us a victory here, our beloved citizen soldiers fight even harder in the trenches every day to bring us victory as well,"" Sivret said.
During his speech, Sivret expounded on a Support the Troops drive, which would give student organizations the opportunity to sponsor a student soldier, as well as a campaign to create a statewide Remembrance Day.
""The campaign exists to provide support to the ROTC presence on campus as well. Currently, this support is culminating on one front within this state Senate and Assembly with a bill to create a statewide ROTC Day,"" said Sivret.
