Student Victories Press Release

The following is an official SA press release, which I'm posting here to assist my readers.


University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee sees many Student Victories

MIWAUKEE, WI; October 18th, 2010: The students of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have won many recent victories over mismanagement, poor planning, and policies deemed unfriendly to students. The Student Association is proud to proclaim its new initiatives, dedicated to advancing student empowerment, and opening the door to further progress and development for every student.
On September 26th, the Student Association Senate unanimously passed legislation advocating changes in library policy. The “Equal Borrowing Privileges Act,” called for the immediate equalization of circulation privileges amongst UWM students, specifically calling for undergraduates to be allowed to loan periodicals, magazines, and journals. In response to the legislation, the University’s Library Policy Committee will meet next month, and several members of the committee are expecting it to pass without complications. If it does, it can be implemented as soon as next semester.
After an initial delay, the Student Association Senate, during a meeting on October 10th, passed the “Campus Life Commitment Act,” which grants an extension to the Student Activity Office’s controversial new student org renewal process. With knowledge that student organizations are the lifeblood of our campus, the Student Association will continue to seek ways to best address and alleviate the concerns of the student body. The Senate also passed a resolution supporting advocacy for more state funding to the University, and the UW system.
During its Vote Work initiative, which ended last Wednesday, the Student Association, along with members of the United Council of UW Students registered a total of 909 new voters on campus. “I’m pleased at the number of voters we registered. We generated lots of knowledge about the election, as well as the issues that are important to us as students.” said Angela Lang, Vice President of the Student Association. “We look forward to November, and expect to see many students going to the polls confident and informed about their decision.”
After almost six months, and much confusion, a total of $1300 will be heading to the Haiti Relief fund within days. The Senate Oversight and Rules Committee will deliver a report during the next Senate meeting, outlying a new procedure for collecting donations, and handling money. With careful planning, the Student Association will ensure similar confusion does not occur again.
Within weeks, the Senate Finance Committee will begin meeting to assess funding procedures for next year. The committee is dedicated to ensuring that every student funded enterprise is both financially responsible, as well as financially viable.
On Tuesday, October 19th, Student Association President Travis Romero-Boeck will be holding a “fireside chat” in the Union Fireside Lounge at 4:00 pm. This will be an open forum for students to ask questions and give input on campus issues, including the beginning of the Search and Screen Committee to pick a new Chancellor, of which Romero-Boeck is a member.
The UWM Student Association is the student’s voice that seeks out new and innovative ways to prompt positive change on campus and in the community. The Student Association creates a trustworthy and transparent relationship with all of the student body. For more information on the Student Association please visit www.sa.uwm.edu or contact Alex Kostal at 414.229.4366.
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