Berquam: Vote in spring ASM elections

All University of Wisconsin–Madison students are encouraged to vote in this week’s Associated Students of Madison (ASM) spring elections.

At stake are seats on the ASM student council and two referenda, one of which addresses the future of Memorial Union and Union South.

Elections begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, and run through 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30. Students can vote online using their NetID. All currently enrolled graduate, undergraduate and special students may vote.

“UW-Madison has a rich history of student involvement in governance, but shared governance only works if a critical mass of students get involved,” says interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam. “Voting is a concrete way that every student can help shape campus.”

In addition to ASM council positions, students will be voting on the Wisconsin Union Facilities Improvement Plan, a student-led effort to upgrade facilities, improve ADA accessibility and create better working conditions in Memorial Union.

The plan would also build a new “green,” energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable south campus union. The plan would increase segregated fees by $96 per semester.

Students will also have the opportunity to vote on a “living wage” referendum, which would prevent ASM from allocating segregated fees to auxiliary units that pay limited term employees a wage below $10.23 per hour.