Final Post

Dear SGers,

This is my final post as chair of ASM Shared Governance. First, thank you to everyone who attended the transition mixer we had on Tuesday night. It was nice to see old and new faces alike, and I'm very excited to know we have an outstanding crop of new appointees for next year.

As we've been discussing throughout this year, Shared Governance is in transition, and this work will continue into the fall. With new bylaws and a moved appointment process, we have paved the way for a more functional and efficient system. The great work of Travis Weller (Shared Governance Appointment Coordinator), whose position was created only 1.5 yrs ago, has allowed us to be more robust in our representation - Shared Governance is providing more active and effective input on key university committees than ever before, expanding is reach in helping to create new committees, and is streamlining its internal operations.

Starting this fall, the committee will hold for the first time a comprehensive orientation for all new appointees - complete with parliamentary procedure trainings and discussions with other shared governance stakeholders (i.e., faculty, staff, and administration). Also, I hope the next chair will utilize the shared governance board, especially those positions that aim to: a) foster the expansion of student representation, where and when appropriate; and b) educate the student body on what shared governance is and how it affects them as members of the university community.

Shared governance has a rich history at the University of Wisconsin, making this institution one of the most robust when it comes to student representation. Indeed, no other student government in the country partakes in the governance process of its university to the extent that we do. Please keep this in mind when serving next year, and know that students entrust you with a high degree of responsibility to serve in the interests of students to the best of your ability. Good luck, and I'll see you in the fall.

Warm Regards,

Jeff Wright