They issued their first press release about 2 hours ago. This hopefully represents what will be the first step towards improving ASM press relations. I’m also glad to see that the press office is reaching out to bloggers as well as the student papers.
ASM APPOINTS DIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR
‘Reshaped Mindset of Diversity’ Tops Chair’s Priority List
ASM appointed a new Diversity Committee Chair at the Student Council meeting late Wednesday, voting in first-year marketing major Steven Olikara. The decision came after a debate and question and answer section about how the candidates would improve diversity on campus.
Olikara said that although his official appointment took effect Wednesday, he has spent the last two months preparing to make an impact on the campus.
“I decided to meet with as many people in as many corners of the university as possible in order to broaden my perspective of diversity on the UW campus,” Olikara wrote in his proposal.
A common theme Olikara reverted to throughout the question and answer section was changing the perception of diversity on campus.
“My vision is a reshaped mindset of diversity at Madison so it is a natural (not separate) part of campus life, as well as a changed perception outside of Madison so we can attract larger applicant pools and a more diverse faculty,” Olikara’s proposal stated.
Olikara said he will work to establish a Diversity Committee Board that would consist of “outreach, communications, Senior Advisors, etc.”
When questioned about what he thought an ideal diverse campus would like, Olikara said that the idea of diversity extends beyond just race and ethnicity.
“Students who are constantly challenging each other’s ideas and views [create a diverse campus]” Olikara said.
As far as the content goes, the choice of a first-year student makes me a little bit uncomfortable. I’m skeptical that someone so new to campus is ready to lead such a committee or has the campus experience neccessary. I do however, really like his attitude on diversity. I for one think that race and ethnicity are some of the least important parts of diversity. The different experiences and worldviews that can be caused by differing racial makeups are what really contribute to diversity, not race itself.
Another perspective on this appointment is that despite beginning the 15th session of ASM in May, this committee is just now getting a chair. Literally halfway through the year. In a way through suceeding, ASM has just managed to highlight one of its failures. Maybe not the best choice of topic for a first press release.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Nov 20, 2008 at 4:47 pm
The new ASM press office has been up an running now for a little over a month. It didn’t just open
2 Saul Hafenbredl // Nov 20, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It actually wasn’t the first press release produced by the press office. We’ve put them out in the past and are continuing to expand our distribution list. You’ll be seeing more and more of our releases.
As far as saying this highlights one of ASM’s failures, I have to respectfully disagree. Yes, the Chair was a long time in coming, but we’re not looking backwards. This is a transitional year for ASM, and people shouldn’t automatically revert to criticizing student gov’t for slow progress of the past.
Bottom line: UW needs a new direction on diversity, and ASM will lead the way.
3 Kurt M Gosselin // Nov 21, 2008 at 4:07 am
I have to agree with Saul’s bottom line. A new approach to diversity from ASM is necessary. Through the General Student Services Fund (GSSF), SSFC provides nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to student organizations that heavily deal with issues of diversity from racial, ethnic, gender and class perspectives. Steven Olikara’s appointment represents a positive shift in ASM’s efforts to help improve diversity and climate on campus.
Furthermore, the choice of a first-year student increases the prospect that this individual will be invested for the long-term and bring forth a long-term vision - something that has been lacking from the ASM Diversity committee in recent years.
-SSFC Chair Kurt Gosselin
4 Jeff Wright // Nov 23, 2008 at 1:26 am
I put my full support behind Olikara and was the person who encouraged him to run for the chairship. He’s young, yes, but years ahead other student leaders on this campus in terms of foresight and a fundamental understanding of diversity and climate issues.
5 The Critical Badger // Nov 27, 2008 at 10:23 pm
You guys realize having a non-ASM member celebrate something you do will give it a lot more credibility, right?
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