“Next semester the page will again seek out the opinions of many, but will likely be left with the opinions of the dedicated few. Our efforts of inviting guest editorial board members will continue, as will our acceptance of letters to the editor and guest columns from those who have something to say but do not have the time to write on a regular basis. The page will renew its efforts to seek out opinions from student organizations. But to make the page a reflection of the opinions of campus as a whole, we really need your help.” This section came from a Badger Herald Editorial published Dec. 12 by Allegra Dimperio.

As students of such a large and diverse community of people and opinions, it can be difficult to find the right way to express ourselves. The editor who authored the above article spoke to the importance of ensuring student opinions find their way into general campus forums of communication, and I encourage students to go a step further.

As Chief of Staff of the Associated Students of Madison, I am inspired daily by students who are taking the next step in turning opinion into action. For me the most obvious indicator of this is in ASM’s campaigns and committees.

I started my involvement by attending ASM’s University Affairs Committee, one of several committees that meets weekly in the Student Activity Center, and saw this process take place firsthand. We turned the overwhelming sense of frustration with the confusion of financial independence into ASM’s first Financial Opportunities Fair, a primarily student-run event that will take place late this February in Union South. 

Through the work of our students’ University Affairs Committee and Shared Governance Committee, we were able to take student concerns regarding University of Wisconsin healthcare and ensure student involvement and presence on the Healthcare Advisory Board. This ensured students are as much a part of this process as possible. Most of all, we have opened ourselves to students with ideas and opinions, so Badgers can find a place where their opinions turn into actions. 

Students run these committees, and they would not function without outreach to the student body and ongoing recruitment of new committee members. It is our utmost priority that these students’ opinions be treated with respect, and be given the resources necessary to make improvements to student life on campus.

I invite students who respect the Herald’s call for opinions to take the next step, and be a part of ASM committees that have the capacity to impact the current and future student body at UW.

We will continue to work to reach students and turn opinions into actions. This semester, I am taking on the role of ASM Chief of Staff, and I feel it is my personal responsibility to ensure we are as connected to our students as possible. Our Constitution proudly states that: “All students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison are members of the ASM.” This means it is our duty to actively work to inform and engage the members of ASM, all 42,000 of you. 

I will be working on several efforts to reach students, and work to maintain a transparent ASM organization. Chair reports, which outline the immense amount of work done in committees each week, will now be easily accessible, and available on the ASM website. They will be posted weekly in our office, so students are just seconds away from detailed accounts of each committee’s weekly accomplishments. We will be increasing accountability for office hours, and possibly implementing “outreach hours,” designated by Representative Mia Akers as a way to reach out to students in the dorms and student organizations.

The diversity of experiences and backgrounds inspires my love for this university, and I hope many of you are inspired to have your opinions heard, and to turn those opinions into action. ASM’s campaigns and committees will always be open to new students, opinions and ideas. I encourage you to be a part of impacting our university. With every new student, we grow stronger, and my resolution is that we don’t stop until we have reached all 42,000 members of ASM.

I wish you all a great start to a new semester, and new beginnings and involvement with this new year.