United Council
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United Council of UW Students is a statewide coalition of students that represents 20 University of Wisconsin System schools in issues of higher education. Each UW student pays $2 per semester for the university to be a represented.
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History
According to their website, a "united council" of Wisconsin students has been present in some form since 1960 when the student rights movement had taken some shape in the state. After the UW System was formed in 1971, UC aided in lobbying for the statute granting students a share in governing state universities.
In 1980, the Board of Regents approved a "mandatory refundable fee" for System students to fund UC's activities. It also became optional in the 1980s for campuses to be represented by UC.
Today, UC operates out of Madison and holds meetings all over the state while still pursuing issues of higher education at locations such as the Capitol.
Structure
UC is governed by students from each of the institutions it represents and a Board of Directors. It employs eight full-time staff members, two of whom are registered lobbyists. Campuses are divided into three caucuses meant to split votes fairly between differently-sized System schools:
- Research caucus: UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee
- Comprehensive caucus: four-year institutions
- College Caucuses: UW-Colleges Campuses
Conventions are held at least four times per academic year and are open free-of-charge to any students who pay the $2.00 fee. The meetings cover areas such as campaign work, brainstorming and networking. Meetings include open forums held by the Board of Directors and Coalition Action Council and meetings by all the caucuses.
Additionally, United Council organizes an annual conference called "Building Unity: Student Empowerment Conference" where students around the state attend. It is open free-of-charge to any students who pay the $2.00 fee. United Council also holds numerous trainings on member campuses ranging from campus-based issue briefings; lobby trainings; shared governance history, case studies, and implementation; campus climate issues; parliamentary procedure; student fee autonomy; and skills to establish and enhance grassroots campaigns.
Any due paying student can submit action ideas to the Board of Directors for consideration.
Responsibilities
UC representes two- and four-year UW System campuses across the state of Wisconsin, encompassing more than 140,000 students. Of these members, 25 percent hail from UW.
Generally, UC works on improving education rights for students in the UW System. This includes lobbying at the Capitol, on campuses and at the Board of Regents. Recently, initiatives have included overturning changes made to the Chapter 17 and 18 conduct codes and lobbying for lowered tuition at the Capitol.
UC also represents the UW System at national student conferences.
Controversy
Over the years, many students have questioned the value of being represented by UC. The organization is mostly unknown on the UW campus.
Many students do not know they are able to request their $2.00 be refunded by writing to United Council 14 W Mifflin Street Suite 212 Madison, WI within the first 45 days of class requesting a refund and providing proof of payment of the UC fee. Both $2.00 and the postage will be returned.
While UC is undergoing transformative changes to its structure and function, it was once suspected that campuses have chosen to withdraw citing reasons such as they feel they are better able to represent themselves. However, over the course of the past year, post-restructuring, five UW campuses have joined United Council, and none have left. There is also a sixth non-member in the past calendar year that will be voting to become members for the first time in four years in April 2011.
External links
Notable articles
- United Council News Explainer
- United Council, student governments consider merger
- Merger News Explainer
Other resources
References
- Nicole Juan, Executive Director of United Council of UW Students; Mar 29, 2011 via email.
