The President’s Council brought the Student Governance Structure Referendum 2012 to the attention of University of Wisconsin-Platteville students last semester.

The referendum consists of four proposals including moving the Student Center Advisory Committee under Student Senate as a subcommittee, giving SUFAC members the power to control the number of commissioners they have, removing the Student Activities Board from the Implementation Plan, and changing the Implementation Plan signature requirements for amendments.

Some proposals were from past semesters and are being brought back into the public eye.

For these proposals to be voted on, they need signatures from 2,000 students or 25 percent of the student body, and only students will be allowed to vote on this referendum.  There are 10 members on the President’s Council, so they are each responsible for gathering 220 votes from the student body.

“These proposals would be benefitting the students and the organizations they are involved in,” President’s Council member Michael Huttenhoff said.

The proposal would allow SUFAC more control of their commissioners.  This would enable SUFAC to hire additional people and help relieve their workload.  With SAB removed from Implementation Plan, they would no longer have governing responsibilities.  Moving SCAC to a subcommittee would direct money to student organizations that was formerly used for salaries, said Huttenhoff.

“Many students are not aware of what the referendum is, but after explaining it to them they are normally on board and sign,” Student Senate Vice President Jordan Miller said.

William Kuehni, Student Senate president, described students’ reactions to the bill and what Student Senate wants for the students.

“In gathering the signatures, we have had students ask why and some have opposed one or two of the changes but still sign, as we need the signatures to just get these proposals to a vote,” Kuehni said.  “That’s all that we really want–to be able to allow the students to have a voice and give them the opportunity to make changes on this campus which will affect not only themselves, but future students.”

The President’s Council needs to gather their votes and turn them in 30 days prior to the spring ballot.

“The voting process for these changes will be rather simple and you will be able to vote online at uwplatt.edu/vote on the specified dates,” Kuehni said.  “You will gain access to the ballot by logging in on the voting page. You will be allowed to vote yes or no on each proposal.”

Student Senate expects these proposals to be voted on.

“The President’s Council is in complete agreement on these proposals and that is a rare occasion, so I believe this referendum will be successful,” Miller said.