2008 Woodie Awards
United Student Voice
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Name: Samantha Prahl
Age: 20
Major: Political Science
School: College of Letters and Science
Year in school: Sophomore
Hometown: Elkhart Lake
Age: 19
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication
School: College of Letters and Science
Year in school: Freshman
Hometown: Sauk Prairie
Why do you believe you should be elected SA president/vp?
We want to be elected SA president and vice president because next year is going to be a very critical year for the students on this campus and the students need a team that has the experience and knowledge of the current issues on the table. There are many extremely important decisions to be made next year with regards to the division of Student Affairs, Parking & Transit (UPASS, U-PARK, the possibility of another alternative), and the general direction in which this research institution is going. We have been working all year on these issues and we want to continue to serve the students of this university. We possess the qualities necessary to serve the students in their best interest. We must press forward on these issues and have a team that has the knowledge and experience to get the job done.
In 2-3 sentences, please answer/respond to the following questions:
In February, the Student Association considered recalling Alderman Mike D'Amato. What do you think of this decision, and would you work to recall the alderman if elected?
We think that when the student's most local elected official loses touch with a large constituent group like the students at this university, the students have the right and responsibility to hold that official accountable. We believe that the Student Association's decision to explore the recall of the alderman was necessary in trying to alleviate issues in the neighborhood. If elected, we will work to serve the students on this campus. If they feel that Alderman D'Amato is not representing them, then we will push for a recall, and if the students feel that the alderman is working in their best interest, and then we will work with the alderman to tackle issues and create a better living environment for students in the district.
What, if any, departments funded by the Senate Finance Committee would you fund less, fund more or consider eliminating?
We will critically review each budget request so that students' money is being spent most effectively. We are fair and open to each department and will review them in a neutral manner. It is imperative that each department be evaluated to make sure that the money student's pay is being spent effectively.
Last year, candidates for SA office promised to deliver textbook rentals, but so far no significant efforts have materialized. What would you do to lower the cost of textbooks?
Textbook rentals are something that will not happen overnight, but something needs to happen in the meantime because students cannot afford to pay such high prices with the rising cost of tuition and inflated rent around the UWM area. If elected, we will push for the implementation of a textbook rental program for 100 level classes, but in order for any rental program to be successful and affordable, we need professors to adopt textbooks early and change editions less often.
Do you believe diversity on campus has improved since last year, and what would you do, if elected, to improve minority representation?
Diversity is a critically important issue on this campus and solutions will only come from collaborating and coalition building. We are committed to participating in this collaboration and working to expand coalitions on this campus.
It was revealed earlier this year that B.O.S.S. ran $225,000 in debt. What do you purpose to do in response to this problem?
As students, we must review the B.O.S.S. budget to ensure that it meets our needs and that it provides a safe and reliable transportation solution for all of us. Together, we must all work to be good stewards of student's money, and deficit spending is of great concern. There are many options being discussed on how to make B.O.S.S. more affordable, we will stand behind any decision that we believe serves the students in the best way.
Do you believe differential tuition should be eliminated, expanded or kept the same, and why?
The students in each school should review differential tuition to determine if it's effective. We, as students, need to be the ones that oversee the whole process and make sure that our money is being spent in the proper way. We are paying the money for differential tuition, so we should have the most say in where it goes.
What do you feel has been the biggest failure of the Student Association this year, and what would you have done differently?
The Student Association struggled to increase school spirit. We want to support athletics and drive up attendance at the games. We are all panthers; together we can do so much more!
What do you think has been the biggest success of the Student Association this year, and how would you continue to make that program successful?
The Student Association did an excellent job of student advocacy. The Student Association worked to transform UWM into a campus that values students, advocates for students and provides low-cost, high-quality services to our student population.
The Kenilworth Building will open in 2006, but housing is still slim. What would do to address the housing problems on campus?
We, as students, deserve quality, affordable housing. One possible solution is the acquisition of Colombia Hospital that will provide students with more research space, student organization space, expanded health facilities, increased financial aid resources, and quality, affordable housing. We, as students, must work together seek out creative solutions to the housing crisis.
Do you support having a 24-hour Union or library, and if so, how would you propose paying for the increased costs?
For too long, the state has saddled enormous costs on the backs of students-this has to stop! UWM is a cutting edge research institution and the state has an obligation to provide a phenomenal learning environment for its students. The state must provide a 24-hour Union or library for its students if it expects us to maintain our high quality research.
SA has failed to have a functioning student court for most of the year. How would you propose improving the court?
More students need to know about the court and ways that they can become involved. We will reach out and be more inclusive to encourage students to become involved in the student court.
The U-Park lots along the lakefront are in danger of being lost. What would you do to address the U-Park problems and parking on campus in general?
Students will work together to find creative solutions to the current parking problems. We need to identify new U-Park locations while working to keep the current lots. There will be many significant Parking & Transit decisions that need to be made next year, and the students deserve representation that has knowledge and experience in these areas to best advocate for their needs.
Neighborhood relations have been in the news recently with the state assembly and senate passage of RPP. What would you do, specifically, to help strengthen the relationship between students and the neighbors?
First of all, students are neighbors. We LIVE in this area, and it's our home too! We will try to strengthen the communication between the students and permanent residents by encouraging dialogue between the two.
In what ways, specifically, would you help increase school spirit?
Students should be able to afford to show their school spirit! We will help increase school spirit by working to lower the costs of the merchandise in the Bookstore. The Bookstore should not price students out of school spirit; affordability is the key to harboring school spirit.
Would you push for online voting for next year's election?
At UW-Madison this year, they switched to online voting, and in the middle of the election, the system crashed and disenfranchised at least 436 voters. An online voting system is not something we can rush into. But, if we can find a system that is well thought out, safe and effective and will not crash, then we are in favor of online voting.