Hong: Vote online in ASM elections

UW–Madison Dean of Students Luoluo Hong is encouraging students to get involved in shared governance by voting in this week’s Associated Students of Madison (ASM) spring elections.

“UW-Madison has rich and strong history of student involvement in governance, but shared governance only works if a critical mass of students get involved,” Hong says, noting that fall 2003 elections reached a record level of participation. “Voting is a concrete way that every student can help shape campus.”

Elections began Tuesday and run through 8 p.m. Thursday. Students can vote online at http://www.vote.asm.wisc.edu using their NetID.

Students will be voting for candidates running for 33 open seats in the Student Government. Approximately 50 students are running to fill the positions, four of which include senior class president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

The remaining 29 spots are for positions in ASM’s Student Council and Student Services Finance Committee. A write-in option is available on all ballots, including those in districts with no candidates listed on the ballot.

Students will also vote on four referenda, dealing with procedures related to segregated fees.

All candidate profiles are posted on ASM’s Web site.

Voters are encouraged to follow online directions. For many seats, voters have more than one vote. In those cases, voters can allocate the votes however they choose, including giving them all to one person.

Students, faculty and academic staff share the responsibility of governing UW–Madison through the shared governance system. ASM is UW–Madison’s student government. Student Council, its main governing body, meets twice a month to discuss campus issues and plan for future action.

For more information on elections, call (608) 265-4276 or email asmsec2004@yahoo.com.