Members of the Daily Cardinal Editorial Board were well informed in their March 19 piece, “Don’t blame UW for rising tuition.” UW-Madison is under a funding squeeze from all quarters. This places our educational quality, and even our future quality of life at risk. With state funding diminishing, it is only natural for UW-Madison to look towards raising tuition as a means of filling the gap. However, students do not have to stand idle while economic and political forces threaten the quality of our education, while burdening students with insurmountable debt. The Associated Students of Madison as concerned UW students are empowered with an all-of-the above strategy to help alleviate tuition pressures and protect our education at UW-Madison. United, we are making our voices heard at the Capitol, assisting in campus restructuring efforts, and working to increase student awareness and access to financial aid.
On March 6, as part of a statewide “Lobby Day,” UW students from UW-Madison and around the state visited legislators at the state Capitol in order to advocate for public higher education funding and student aid. Legislators would do well to note the benefits of UW funding, not just to students, but to the state’s economy as a whole. While students were generally received warmly, there is still much work to be done as a part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that the effects of education cuts and rising student debt are clearly articulated to lawmakers.
Most importantly, students are listening and engaging in UW System restructuring discussions on campus and at the state capitol. Students are present at each meeting of the special state legislative task force which will greatly influence the future organization of the UW System. Thanks to the effective lobbying efforts of many members of ASM, students will have a speaking and question and answer periods at the UW Restructuring Task Force meeting on May 9, 2012.
In addition to advocacy, ASM students on University Shared Governance Committees, which are often out of the media spotlight, have been working hard representing students in Chancellor Ward’s restructuring efforts. This includes student proposals for Educational Innovation ideas as well as student participation in Administrative Excellence and HR Redesign workgroups. In short, students are assisting in ideas to make campus run efficiently, save financial resources and transform the educational experience, while preserving our most treasured pieces of UW-Madison. All of these restructuring efforts will not only create a better campus, but also save financial resources now and into the future.
While longer term efforts take time to alleviate our creeping tuition situation, in the meantime, students are helping students by increasing awareness and access to financial aid. This year, ASM held the first Financial Opportunities Fair in order to bring these resources directly to students. This is an event that will continue to grow for years to come.
While our university may be facing a stormy financial future with decreased state funding and increased tuition pressures on students, we do not have to stand idle and let the winds take their course. Though the problems may at times seem structurally rigid and daunting, ASM students are empowered to make a difference, preserving our educational quality and future quality of life. There is hope for a solution, and it begins with each student right here at UW-Madison.
Jeffrey is a member of the ASM Legislative Affairs Committee. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
