Berquam: Participate in ASM spring elections

University of Wisconsin–Madison Dean of Students Lori Berquam is urging all students to play an active role in shared governance by voting in next week’s online Associated Students of Madison (ASM) spring elections.

Online polling will take place starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20, and lasting until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 22.

“UW-Madison has a proud history of student involvement in governance, but shared governance only works if a critical mass of students get involved,” Berquam says. “Voting is a way that every student can help shape campus. I would encourage every student to take a few minutes to vote.”

All currently enrolled graduate, undergraduate and special students may vote.

Seats on the ASM Student Council for the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences/School of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Medicine and Public Health, the Law School, the School of Human Ecology/School of Pharmacy, School of Education, School of Business, special student and graduate student will be up for election, in addition to three two-year terms for the Student Services Finance Committee.

Students will also be asked whether to spend $2 per semester to help fund the United Council of UW Students, a UW Systemwide student government initiative.

Steps have been taken to safeguard the validity of the election after past online voting problems, says Leah Moe, ASM election chair.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout and a problem-free election,” she says. “We’ve tried to make the online process as accurate and secure as possible.”

For more information, e-mail Moe at lmoe@wisc.edu.