The News Writing and Reporting class led by Natasha Kassulke prepared profiles of the Student Senate candidates and current officers based on the questions below.

1. What do you think the role of the student senate is at Madison College?

2. What are your top two issues as it relates to the role of the senate?

3. Why do you want to be a student senator?

Ashley Gee

I think the role of Student Senate is to discover what the students want, look into solutions to problems, and implement whatever action will be most beneficial to everyone.

I think the upcoming transportation referendum is the most pressing issue since it affects everyone here, whether directly or indirectly. The costs of college, especially controllable costs like those of textbooks, are a very close second.

I’ve learned that if you don’t take control of your life, someone will take control of it for you. I want to get involved, fight for what I care about, do what’s right for everyone, and encourage everyone around me to do the same.

I love this college and the people who make it such an amazing, fun place. I hope everyone here has the opportunity to discover this side of the school, too.

Nou Yang

I think as a role of student senate at Madison College is to make sure there is enough sources out there to help students with their needs.

Also to make the community a better and safe place to be. And as a student senate, you have to make sure you attend all meetings and be on time and ready to take down agendas.

One of my top issue is child care providing for single parents out there. I am a single mother myself. Theses extra needs can help out not only me but others too. Like; (More child care openings/getting volunteers to help each other out)  Also having extra sources for them other than resources for child care. Basically anything that can help them to stay in school.

The reason why I want to be a student senator is because I believe I am a kind and caring heart person. I love the fact that I can try to do anything to help another people around me.

I love the fact that I can make a differences. Making a difference is a great feeling.  I am a person who is organize and stay on task. Comes up with great ideas and get at solving them. And is always on time.

Ousmane Kabre

The role of the student senate at Madison College is really important because the main task is to attend the concerns and desires of the students and solve them in the best possible way. The Student Senate also maintains a fund to carry out their functions. Usually, the student senates operate for the smooth running of different activities of the organization.

First, students want to be able to use their One-Card ID as a state ID, and I believe that relates to the role of the senate. Also, the class dropping policy need to be change, and the student senate should do something about that. Indeed, students do not want to be charge for dropping a class the first day of school. We think that the charge fees should charge a least after the first week of school.

As I said before, there are some issues that relates to the role of the senate, and I want to be a student senate to bring changes, contribute to improve the student life, and make some facilities more accessible to students.

Running for Vice President of Administration and Finance – Rose Clearmont

The experience I hope to bring to the senate is many years of reconciling a cash drawer and customer issues. I realize how important it is to get the most value for a dollar.

What you need to know about me to make in informed decision about your vote! It is a very interesting role and I am looking forward to learning a great deal about the college system and how this experience will help land a dream job. I will bite my tongue when necessary, but i will also speak my mind when needed. I was raised to be honest and open people.

The main issues I am concerned about are transportation for all participants at Madison College, no matter which campus you are on and make sure that all of the clubs stay on target as far their budgets go.

CURRENT OFFICERS

Jennifer Johnson – President

The role of the Senate is to advocate for students at all levels, from working one-on-one with students on campus, to representing student interests when dealing with the college administration. It also involves keeping an eye on local, state and national issues that affect technical college students.

My top two concerns this semester are to build support among students for the Commuter Services Referendum, and to work with the State of Wisconsin to ensure that technical college students are afforded equal voting rights as those of students at other Wisconsin colleges.

Being a member of the Senate has been, and continues to be, an enriching experience for me. The Senate provides valuable services and support to students including the current transportation program and the textbook rental program. On a personal level, being a member of the Senate has helped me become a more responsible person and an active member of our college community.

Sarah Blaskey – Vice President of Learner’s Success

The role of a senator is to provide a voice for the students, to fight for student’s interests, and to make sure that students’ money is spent responsibly, and with their input.

As a bottom line, I believe in quality education that is accessible to all. This means addressing issues like affordable transportation, textbooks and tuition, as well as broader attacks like that of Gov. Walker’s recent state budget.

I am a student senator because I believe that everyone deserves an education and a decent standard of living. More importantly, I believe that getting involved and organized is the only way to fight for these basic rights.
 Do you have anything else to add? 

Our right to education has come under attack.  Funding is being cut. Teachers are being laid-off. Tuition is going up.  It is only through organization and solidarity that students can hope to resist this attack and maintain affordable, quality education.  I encourage everyone to get involved in the struggle.

Preston Boggs – Vice President of Communication

The role of Senate is to act as a voice and create positive change for the student body of Madison College.

My two top issues are the Commuter Services Referendum and equality for Wisconsin student ID’s.

I wanted to become a student senator because I thought it would be a good idea to become active in school activities.

Do you have anything else to add? 

The only thing I have to add is that it was one of the best decisions of my life to join the senate, because I am learning things that will soar my success to new heights.

Jon Mack – Vice President of State and Local Government

The Student Senate is a voice for all students at Madison College. The Senate is whatever the student body wants to make of it.  The world is run by those who show up and participate.  As the saying goes, “democracy is not a spectator sport.”We would like students and the senate to be informed and active at the college as well as in local and state government.
The Student Senate also plays a very important role in the oversight and use of student money.  State Law empowers the Student Senate to be a major player in many decisions made at our school.  Past Senates have made many contributions to our college.  Among the past accomplishments are the shuttle and bus pass programs.

Two major issues are very relevant right now.  Our commuter services referendum vote will be taking place along with the Senate elections starting September 29th.  It is so vital that students vote YES on the referendum in order to preserve our Metro bus pass system.  We only have enough money to fund student bus passes until the end of the year and after that we have no funding.  We must pass the referendum with as many votes as possible in order to keep our bus passes.  This referendum bundles parking, the shuttle, and our Metro bus passes together and will cost $46 each semester.  Currently, we all pay $25 towards the bus pass system.  Those who park also pay $25 for parking.  This makes for a $50 price now that will be only $46 if the referendum passes.

Right now the new State Voter ID law is a major issue.  As it stands right now the Government Accountability Board has interpereted the new Voter ID law as saying that Technical college students can not use their student ID’s to vote.  At the same time they are saying that all the University of Wisconsin students CAN use their ID’s to vote. This is a huge mistake that needs to be corrected.  Tech. college students should have the same rights as UW students!  Apparently, the GAB and the Republican Legislature consider technical college students as second class citizens!  Students should contact the GAB by phone and email as well as their state legislators.
I am a senator because I want to represent students and help make the school better for them if I can.  I hope to help get students more involved in the decisionmaking at the school.  I also would like to see a more politically active studentbody.  Our cities, counties, states and our country need new leaders.  Everyone has a voice and they need to use it.  We are all more powerful than we realize!

Do you have anything else to add? 

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”   Alice Walker