Student Council Meeting Recap: February 26
Posted: 2020-02-26 22:02:29 Expiration: 2040-03-04 21:02:29
Associated Students of Madison
333 East Campus Mall, 4301 Student Activity Center, Madison, WI
Website: asm.wisc.edu Phone: 608/265-4ASM
E-mail: press@asm.wisc.edu
STUDENT COUNCIL HEARS ABOUT THE HEALTHY MINDS SURVEY
The Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Student Council met on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center Hearing Room.
There was a special order from the Healthy Minds Survey Data Team and University Health Services (UHS) Healthy Campus.
The Healthy Minds Study is a web-based survey administered by the University of Michigan that offers an account of mental health and issues in student populations. The survey’s data is gathered every three years. Tonight, the discussion was focused on the data collected from spring 2019.
According to the survey, the percentage of students flourishing is 40%. This is a notable decrease from the mark of 47% flourishing in 2016.
Since 2016, rates of depression increased by 48% and students with lower grades were more likely to have depression. Further, anxiety increased by 69%, suicidal ideation increased by 22%, eating disorders increased by 22% and therapy in the last year increased by 17%.
From the data, significant disparities exist for students from marginalized populations and disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the stigma toward mental health treatment is decreasing and students are more likely to talk to a mental health professional than in years past.
According to the data, students that felt they had a high sense of belonging on campus were primarily from groups in the majority. It indicated that the more marginalized identities a student holds, the lower their sense of belonging is.
Student Council was encouraged to view the Healthy Minds Data regarding undergraduates and health academics at https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/healthy-academics/.
In response to questions, the Healthy Minds Survey Data Team emphasized how UHS hired 10 new mental health providers and is looking to make staff available throughout campus. Additionally, they recognized nonresponse bias and shared how they will pursue efforts to survey the greatest sample of people in the future.
By unanimous consent, Representative Reilly was appointed to the Shared Governance Committee.
Chair Malloy made an announcement that Voterpalooza is next Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. She encouraged members of the Student Council to volunteer and encourage their friends to do so as well.
Shared Governance appointees were approved by unanimous consent.
Chair Downer introduced the Amnesty Through Responsible Action legislation. The legislation moves that ASM endorses the Amnesty Through Responsible Action Memo. Additionally, ASM calls for the implementation of an Amnesty Through Responsible Action program starting with Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) in Summer 2020. Additionally, ASM commits to continue to work with the Dean of Students Office, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, University of Wisconsin Police Department, University Housing, and other campus stakeholders to develop and distribute educational materials on Amnesty Through Responsible Action to the student body. Finally, ASM calls on the City of Madison, City of Madison Police Department, and other city stakeholders to implement similar guidelines for off-campus areas. Finally, ASM calls on the State of Wisconsin to pass a statewide amnesty through responsible action law.
The legislation will be debated and voted upon at the next meeting.
Director Lammers introduced a bylaw amendment that revises the leadership structure of the Campus Relations Committee. It states that the Outreach Director and Press Office Director be elevated from co-vice chairs to co-chairs of the Campus Relations Committee.
With a vote of 14-0-2, the bylaw revision passes and it will be on the agenda next week for approval.
The Student Council will meet next on March 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center Hearing Room.
-- Associated Students of Madison: Matthew Mitnick