Senate Saves Student Money

IN WHAT WAYS DOES THE MADISON COLLEGE STUDENT SENATE WORK TO HELP STUDENTS SAVE MONEY?

The Bus & Para-Transit Program is a big money-saver for many students each year.  In addition to that program, the Student Senate has saved money for students by:

1. Working with the college to provide a textbook “rental program.”                                          
2. Lobbying Wisconsin State legislators each year to increase funding to technical colleges.
3. Working with the Fitness Center to restructure funding so that students pay $1/credit to support the Centers, instead of $60/semester.
4. Working with MadCity Broadband to provide discounted wireless internet service to MadisonCollege students living downtown.                                                                                                 
5. Working with the Student Activities Board & the college to change refund policies to include parking & supplemental fees, in addition to tuition.
6. Working with the Financial Aid Office to include “course material fees & parking fees into the “request for financial aid.”
7. Working to create the Campus-to-Campus Shuttle Service for students between Downtown & Truax and between Downtown & West.  (Program began August 2010.  Enhancements have included the addition of card-readers & bike-racks on shuttles. Current work focused on development of a funding structure which would allow faculty & staff to utilize shuttle services.)                                                                                      

 For additional information about the Student Senate, please see: matcmadison.edu/senate

WHAT WOULD STUDENTS PAY TO RIDE BUSES, OR TO USE PARA-TRANSIT SERVICES, IF THERE WAS NO PROGRAM?

Students would need to purchase passes from Metro Transit at a current cost of $55 for an unlimited monthly ride pass.  At this rate, it would cost a student over $500/academic year (9 mo.) to ride Metro Transit buses.  Para-transit students would need to purchase convenience booklets at $600+/semester.

WHAT DOES THE STUDENT SENATE HAVE TO DO WITH THE BUS & PARA-TRANSIT PROGRAM?

The Student Senate was established in 1961 & is a group of 16 student leaders elected by students to work in the best interest of students.  They are the official voice of MadisonCollege students.  Student leaders from the Senate & the Student Activities Board worked cooperatively to gather facts & propose funding changes to support the future of the bus program. The Senate sponsored “public hearings” to gather input about transportation from students in 1999 & in 2008.   The Student Senate sponsored the Bus Referendums at MadisonCollege & annually monitor feedback about parking, safety & transportation.  Contact the Student Senate at: senate[at] matcmadison [dot] edu