A meeting held by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Student Association (SA) Sunday, April 13 was kept brief, highlighting various reports and passing a student parking committee act before adjournment.

A roll call was taken at 6:35 p.m., and was followed by approval of the agenda and minutes from the March 30 SA meeting. Comments and questions were next on the agenda.

SA President Robert Grover was first to take the podium. He wished candidates “the best of luck” for Thursday and Friday’s SA elections, hyped an upcoming SA block party, and spoke on preparing the organization for its next president.

“Hopefully it’ll be a much smoother transition for whomever takes over my job in the executive branch,” he said, citing what he said he felt was an ineffective changeover that occurred when he become the new SA President last year.

Speaker Tyler Draheim yielded his comment time to Independent Elections Commissioner Daniel Bahr, who addressed concerns of a less-than-democratic election process. Bahr said he created a commission to make sure that he follows all expected procedures.

“Everyone’s scrutinizing you as an individual, and it’s a tough spot to be in,” said Bahr. “You can feel comfortable that it’s (the SA election process) going to be fair.”

SA Chief of Staff Josh Dirkse recently had his appendix removed, and therefore was absent and had no report. Senator Joseph Ohler presented a report on student satisfaction at UWM.

“All in all, we’re doing very well,” said Ohler, specifically addressing satisfaction with advising and other student services on campus in comparison to other urban universities.

United Council presidential candidate Chad Johnson then spoke on an upcoming referendum that will decide whether or not the SA will continue to fiscally support the UC at UWM. He said that UC, the entire UW-System student governance body, is in need of “desperate” reform.

“I’m not here on behalf of the United Council, I’m here with my own opinions and my own thoughts,” said Johnson. “It [United Council] needs full participation. It’s possible if someone steps up and does something about it.”

The Senate appeared divided on the issue, with some expressing support to endorse Johnson as UC President and others showing concern for spending money and receiving no benefits. Senator Tyler Kristopeit said he believed UWM should stop supporting UC.

“I don’t know how reform is going to be possible,” said Kristopeit. He referred to organizational and leadership issues within UC as “a beast” that would be hard to stop.

The only item of new business on the agenda was a Parking and Transit Oversight Initiation Act. Senator Brandon Decker informed the Senate on the nature of the legislation.

Decker stressed “more student oversight on parking issues,” and the new committee proposed by the bill would be a student committee who would have equal say in the UWM parking budget. Simply put, a student committee would have the same veto power as a faculty group.

The parking committee legislation passed unanimously and with a round of applause. After various announcements, like plugging the upcoming SA block party on Saturday April 19 on Hartford Ave, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m., lasting roughly 40 minutes.

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