Winter Campaign aims to increase ASG’s exposure, improve reputation
Shalini Singh expects a cynical response whenever she describes her involvement with ASG.
“People ask me, ‘Why are you wasting your time with ASG?’” the Weinberg freshman said. “Let’s be honest, ASG did not do what it was supposed to last year.”
As leader of ASG’s Winter Campaign, Singh hopes to help the organization become more accessible and accountable to students through firesides, forums and a new ASG Web site.
“Hopefully we are able to reach out to students, to let them know if you have an idea or concern, you can just bring it to us. After all, we are here to serve you, and we will do our best to address those problems,” Singh said.
Allison Hall hosted the first fireside last week, while Slivka held one on Tuesday and ISRC held a fireside on Wednesday. Topics included the availability of senators to students, shuttle service to South Campus and meal plans.
The Winter Campaign will also create forums between administrators and faculty, Facebook groups, pamphlets and a revamped, interactive ASG Web site.
The Web site will be available as early as March and will feature an online chat room where students can compliment, propose or tear apart ASG policy.
ASG Student Services Vice President Nate Perkins hopes bettering communication between ASG and students will improve ASG’s reputation on campus as well as its effectiveness.
He believes that the behind-the-scenes nature of ASG’s work has kept many students in the dark about what the organization does for them.
“Every year we accomplish a lot of great initiatives and get a lot done, but people don’t necessarily see that,” the McCormick junior said. “This year has been a big push within ASG to expose the campus more to what we’re doing.”
Medill sophomore Daniel Bristow said the new campaign sounds promising, but hopes ASG’s recent emphasis on transparency succeeds. “Quite frankly, I never know that they do,” Bristow said. “ASG does a lot of stuff that affects me, and I would like to know about it.”
Perkins said preconceived notions about ASG are common. “People make assumptions about ASG based on what they’ve read and what they’ve heard,” Perkins said. “People don’t interact with us on a face-to-face basis, and they have misnomers and assumptions about the type of work ASG does.”
The Winter Campaign is ASG’s chance to break down that perception. “This is a way for us to directly answer questions students have, and to tell students what we can do for them and how they can get involved. Face time itself is going to be invaluable,” Perkins said.
While the Winter Campaign may seem limited to the cold three months of Winter Quarter, Singh said the program is only the beginning: “The initial response is good. But there are a lot of changes to be made, and it can’t be done in one campaign.”
“ASG has a lot of potential, and we need people to step up and own up to responsibility,” Singh said. “Hopefully this will continue and help students find more confidence in ASG.”
| Print
Great article- very fairly written : )
But one thing, the Hinman fireside is actually Feb. 11th at 10pm, not 8pm!
kelsey
January 29, 2009 at 5:06 pm
DOWN WITH ASG. JOIN THE CAUSE, CAST YOUR NAME AND CEASE THE CACOPHONOUS CATASTROPHE THAT IS ASG!
IMPEACH ASG
January 29, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Is Impeach ASG Kanye West? This all caps thing is a little annoying…
Michael McGee
January 30, 2009 at 12:04 am
You know where to find me. Cast your name and I’m happy to find you.
Neal Sales-Griffin
January 30, 2009 at 12:06 am
Alright, here’s how to get students to acknowledge what you do. Do stuff. Let us know what you do by publicizing it and having it work. That’s it. A&O or Mayfest don’t launch publicity campaigns because they just put events, slap their name on it, and then call it a day. People appreciate them for that, and that’s seemingly enough for them. Do the same.
DO WORK
January 30, 2009 at 12:32 am
Do Work? Ok.
Northwestern Undergraduate Research Database – asg.northwestern.edu/nurd
Off-Campus Evaluation Website – https://asg.northwestern.edu/services/asgoche/
Off-Campus Housing Guide – http://nulink/resources.php
ASG Rideshare – https://asg.northwestern.edu/rideshare/
Here is more that will be coming down the ASG pipeline:
ASG Classifieds
ASG Peer Academic Link
ASG CTEC Ratings Website
Unofficial Student Guide to NU
E-books & electronic course packets
and a new ASG website.
My hands are hurting a little. They must rest.
Michael McGee
January 30, 2009 at 12:40 am
Do Work? Ok.
Northwestern Undergraduate Research Database – asg.northwestern.edu/nurd
Off-Campus Evaluation Website – asg.northwestern.edu/services/asgoche/
Off-Campus Housing Guide – nulink/resources.php
ASG Rideshare – asg.northwestern.edu/rideshare/
Here is more that will be coming down the ASG pipeline:
ASG Classifieds
ASG Peer Academic Link
ASG CTEC Ratings Website
Unofficial Student Guide to NU
E-books & electronic course packets
and a new ASG website.
My hands are hurting a little. They must rest.
Michael McGee
January 30, 2009 at 12:51 am
Haha, you can delete that last one. I got scared that my truthiness would not be shown.
Michael McGee
January 30, 2009 at 12:52 am
Mr Do Work,
First, sincere thanks for your help. You see, some people have been taught to be grateful to people who work for them/advise/suggest/help them in any way-like you advised ASG. The sad thing is,all students like “Do Work” here appreciate is entertainment,drinking, entertainment and drinking.So when ASG tries to and does stuff other than that,it does not get noticed,or worse,people find other ways to steal credit from it-what happened with Big Bite Nite and Chicago Express and Starbucks,Mike’s right-my fingers hurt already!
I bet all ASG has to do is ask SAFB to allot some funds to it (since according to some people,it eats away our money)so that it can have an entertainment thing,and then it will be all hail ASG, even if it does no work the rest of the year. Right?
iLOVEasg
January 30, 2009 at 11:30 pm