2008 Woodie Awards
United Council membership under scrutiny
Evelyn Weibel
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
Last Wednesday the Student Senate voted against UW-L's continued membership in United Council. On Thursday, Residence Hall Association Council also voted against remaining part of the United Council.
The referendum on April 15, however, will make the ultimate decision. "It ultimately ends up in the hands of the students and how they decide on April 15," said Becca Senderhauf, Public Relations Coordinator for RHAC.
The United Council consists of representatives from 21 UW colleges and universities. It lobbies for student interests, providing a "united voice to our representatives in Madison ," said Steven Trimborn, student senator. It also holds general assemblies (GAs) which bring together students from all the schools they represent, and help spread the word on issues it believes the UW system needs to unite on.
UW-L has also lobbied in Madison , independent of United Council. "We have excellent leaders on this campus and this year we've shown that we can do our own lobbying," said Trimborn. "What they've achieved has been good for UW-La Crosse than the United Council has up to now."
Being in United Council has damaged UW credibility, Trimborn said. For example, the United Council lobbied to lower tuition 6 -10% in six years. However, considering the current budget crisis, it was bad timing, he said.
"There are far greater things we could be working towards," said Trimborn. "We're not getting our bang for our buck out of this."
The interests of two-year colleges have come to dominate the United Council in recent years. Two-year colleges have interests different than those of four-year universities, so some feel that four-year colleges are not being represented.
Several other four-year universities are looking to end their association with the United Council. UW-Oshkosh has already made to decision to withdrawl. UW-Milwaukee has been considering a referendum similar to that of UW-L.
If UW-L left the United Council, it could lobby contrary to the interests of United Council if those interests went against the interests of UW-L students.
UW-L students are charged $2 per semester for United Council dues. If UW-L left, this fee would no longer apply.
Another referendum will take place in two years, so any decision the students' decision can be revisited.
The referendum on April 15, however, will make the ultimate decision. "It ultimately ends up in the hands of the students and how they decide on April 15," said Becca Senderhauf, Public Relations Coordinator for RHAC.
The United Council consists of representatives from 21 UW colleges and universities. It lobbies for student interests, providing a "united voice to our representatives in Madison ," said Steven Trimborn, student senator. It also holds general assemblies (GAs) which bring together students from all the schools they represent, and help spread the word on issues it believes the UW system needs to unite on.
UW-L has also lobbied in Madison , independent of United Council. "We have excellent leaders on this campus and this year we've shown that we can do our own lobbying," said Trimborn. "What they've achieved has been good for UW-La Crosse than the United Council has up to now."
Being in United Council has damaged UW credibility, Trimborn said. For example, the United Council lobbied to lower tuition 6 -10% in six years. However, considering the current budget crisis, it was bad timing, he said.
"There are far greater things we could be working towards," said Trimborn. "We're not getting our bang for our buck out of this."
The interests of two-year colleges have come to dominate the United Council in recent years. Two-year colleges have interests different than those of four-year universities, so some feel that four-year colleges are not being represented.
Several other four-year universities are looking to end their association with the United Council. UW-Oshkosh has already made to decision to withdrawl. UW-Milwaukee has been considering a referendum similar to that of UW-L.
If UW-L left the United Council, it could lobby contrary to the interests of United Council if those interests went against the interests of UW-L students.
UW-L students are charged $2 per semester for United Council dues. If UW-L left, this fee would no longer apply.
Another referendum will take place in two years, so any decision the students' decision can be revisited.
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