Student Council passes legislation calling for institutional support for The Open Seat, hears about possible UW–Madison budget model changes

MADISON, Wis. — Student Council met Wednesday night at the Student Activity Center to discuss legislation calling for greater institutional support for The Open Seat food pantry amid greater demand. Additionally, Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen presented regarding possible budget model changes.

The Open Seat food pantry, which has been primarily funded by the Associated Students of Madison, has seen a 450% increase in demand compared to last year, Open Seat Internal Director Grace Van Voorst said.

“In the past couple of weeks, our staff has been working 20 to 30+ hours per week on top of coursework and second jobs,” she said. “We are sacrificing our own education and wellbeing, and we continue to show up because our peers deserve to eat.”

The legislation calls for university administration to implement tuition remission for the Graduate Student Advisor and calls for secured funding for a dedicated, full-time Open Seat staff member. It also requests the Office of Student Assistance and Support to coordinate responses to basic needs emergencies with ASM students, The Open Seat and other relevant campus partners.

“Since its founding, The Open Seat has grown far beyond what we can sustain alone,” Diverse Engagement Chair Clara Sainz Prats said. “[The Open Seat] requires meaningful institutional support.”

The legislation was passed by Student Council with 19 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absentions.

Additionally on the agenda, Student Council heard from Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen on an alternative budget approach that UW–Madison could be adopting.

UW–Madison has, in the past, followed an “incremental” budget approach. All revenue flows to central campus and divisions receive base budgets. Only minor adjustments are made each year, according to Finance and Administration.

However, the university is moving toward activity based funding. In this model, funding would be based on the amount of research and teaching taking place in different colleges.

Student Council asked a variety of questions to Zumbrunnen. At the end of his presentation, he encouraged representatives to continue to share questions in the future.

“We need to think both about what the impact of this is going to be and we also need to see how it’s landing and how people are understanding it,” Zumbrunnen said.

Additional legislation, which was passed, formally approved bylaw changes to the Student Activity Center Governing Board. The bylaw changes were first read at the meeting on Oct. 29, and required two vote sessions for it to be passed.

The meeting concluded with reports and shared governance appointments.