Madison summer months have not deterred members of the Associated Students of Madison from meeting to continue their student activism efforts.
At its first summer meeting of the 21st session Saturday, ASM representatives unanimously approved legislation asserting the group among fellow University of Wisconsin shared governance bodies.
The Shared Governance Principles detail the purpose of ASM and provide the association’s interpretation of Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5), which defines students’ governance rights, according to ASM Vice Chair Derek Field.
Nominations Board Chair Megan Phillips said while the legislation was already approved in ASM’s last session, it is important to reiterate the body’s stance on its representation rights, something that has been overlooked in years past.
“We too are committed to this and just because people have graduated doesn’t mean the fight is over,” Phillips said.
ASM also discussed recent controversy surrounding recreational facility availability during implementation of the Recreational Sports Master Plan, which spurred from negations to turn the Camp Randall Sports Center over to UW Athletics in 2017.
Giving UW Athletics control of the CRSC, or “The Shell”, would allow the potential for the facility to undergo reconstruction at the same time as the Southeast Recreational Facility, leaving only the Natatorium available for students to workout.
With workout space already limited during construction, students not having access to “The Shell” would only cause more frustration for students, said ASM Chair Genevieve Carter.
After conversations between ASM, UW Athletics, Recreational Sports and university officials, Carter said the issue has been resolved and “The Shell” will remain open to students until construction on the SERF is completed in 2019.
“It allows students to have access to as much space as possible while the renovation is being done,” Carter said. “Although it’s not ideal and we’d like to have more–its limited space already–I think this will be a good thing and will allow for the maximum space possible.”
The student governing association will meet again Sept. 10 for its first fall meeting of the session.
