Creating widespread awareness of policy issues on campus is vital for UW-Madison’s 40,000 students, Associated Students of Madison members said on Tuesday’s episode of “The State of the University.”
“As Badgers, we are submerging ourselves in political culture here in Madison without even realizing it, so it’s so imperative that students have an idea of how to get involved in what causes they care about,” ASM Press Office Director Courtney Morrison said.
The Press Office, which serves as the formal voice of ASM, handles social media correspondence, university communications and it facilitates press communication on campus.
A sophomore this year, Morrison began her involvement in ASM as a freshman when she shadowed former Press Office Director Jason Klein. This opportunity early in her college experience prepared Morrison for her current job, she said.
“As a freshman in a leadership position in ASM I quickly learned more about campus, and Madison than I ever thought I would,” Morrison said.
Though she heads up all press activity through ASM, Morrison said she has trouble keeping track of all the stances taken by the eleven other ASM committees.
Before issuing a release, Morrison checks in with ASM committee chairs to ensure she approaches the topic with “viewpoint neutrality,” meaning the statements of the ASM are in the best interests of the students, not individual beliefs of certain members.
“I don’t want my personal opinions to interfere with how the press sees ASM,” Morrison said.
