ASM Passes a Vote of No Confidence in UWPD
Posted: 2020-09-30 08:36:38 Expiration: 2050-10-07 14:36:38
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
ASM Passes a Vote of No Confidence in UWPD
MADISON, WI — Last night, the ASM Student Council passed a Vote of No Confidence in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD). This vote signifies a lack of confidence and trust in the UWPD due to their presence at the protests off campus, failure to comply with the #8cantwaitstandards, and unwillingness to meet all or most of the reforms requested by ASM leaders and students.
“I am so proud to see my colleagues on the Student Council stand up for justice with the outcome of this vote. No longer will student voices be silenced. This would also not have been possible without the support and efforts of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Coalition, Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA), United Faculty and Academic Staff (UFAS), and University Labor Council. ASM will continue to work with these organizations in such efforts,” said ASM Chair Matthew Mitnick.
ASM Grant Allocation Chair Samuel Jorudd was the leader who originally brought forth the Vote of No Confidence in UWPD. “I am ecstatic to see that the Student Council understands the importance of this vote. We have given a voice to those who have fought too long to be heard, and I’m looking forward to working with UWPD on how to renew trust between them and students,” he added.
In addition to the Vote of No Confidence, the Student Council unanimously passed legislation that calls for academic support for students during COVID-19. ASM Nominations Board Chair Lennox Owino brought forward the legislation. “I’m happy to have this legislation passed and that other Student Council members are in support of having more academic support for students affected by the pandemic. I hope that this legislation will act as a guidance and referral in terms of shared governance by the school’s administration in designing and curating academic experiences during this current pandemic environment,” he shared.
Finally, the Student Council unanimously passed legislation that calls for support of the BIPOC Coalition. ASM Equity and Inclusion Chair Brandon Springer commented, “I’m happy that we were able to pass this legislation and look forward to working with the BIPOC coalition further.”
The next Student Council meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. via a Zoom meeting.
-- Associated Students of Madison: Jacob Broehm