State-Langdon vs CNI: Win-Win

On Tuesday, March 25th, representatives from the State-Langdon district appointed by ASM presented their plan to secede from Capitol Neighborhoods. I was one of the students sitting in at the meeting in support for the plan. I suppose this gives me a biased view of the situation, but I want to express things I learned at the meeting about both sides of the argument. In the end, both groups will greatly benefit from this and Madison will receive input from the traditionally student population.

First, a little bit of background. Neighborhood organizations are given influence in city decisions here in Madison. This differs from the normal city neighborhood input structure that flows solely through alders. Only one neighborhood organization is recognized for any give area, defined within city blocks. The State-Langdon area his been a part of CNI for the past 3 years, which is less than the defined period of 5 years that it takes to be fully integrated into the organization. Before that period, a non-student resident tried very respectably to get active participants for the State-Langdon organization. Now, 2-3 students from ASM who live in the area are voting members of the executive board of CNI. This past year, CNI backed the city's Alcohol Density Plan, which limits liquor license density in the downtown area. Immediately, a bar that was in the process of moving was unable to open at its new location. Shortly thereafter, CNI's alcohol-related subcommittee released research that included proposals to triple alcohol tax and educate all incoming students at UW-Madison among other things. The report flew out in the press, and students' views of CNI have never been worse.

Here's the rundown: Capitol Neighborhoods reasonably would like the State-Langdon area to stay a part of CNI because of the collective power the area holds on the downtown area. It is undeniable that people in the State-Langdon area share many concerns with the rest of CNI, such as security while walking and livable areas. At one point, it was mentioned that even though we have our differences, we can be much more powerful together on the things that we agree upon. While this is true, the problem is that on the things we disagree on, one group will be left with little or no power. For example, while livable area are a big concern of both groups, homeowners can be more concerned with property value, while renters are more concerned with affordable areas to live.

The other problem with the State-Langdon area seceding from CNI is that representatives from the State-Langdon area are hard to come by, and are generally very transient - changing rentals year to year. Counterpoint - It will be increasingly difficult to get people to get involved in CNI when they already feel outcast and ignored by CNI. Eli Judge, alder of the 8th district, claimed - according to the Badger Herald's article- that "several dozen students in the State-Langdon neighborhood have expressed their anger with CNI’s recent alcohol crackdown strategies as the reason they feel detached from the association."

One thing that is thrown around is the idea of a "Student Neighborhood". This title has serious implications, which I felt were largely ignored in the meeting. For example, I'm going to be living in a different area of CNI next year; Nobody better believe that by loosing the State-Langdon area they will loose the "Student Voice". The converse is also true; the State-Langdon area cannot in any way be defined as solely students. However, such an area associated with the university and the Greek system could create a powerful system of volunteers. The university could, for example, ask that a couple of people from each included dorm be a part of the new organization. The Greek councils could also stipulate that one representative from each house be a part of the new organization as a measure to ensure the area keeps its Greek culture.

I want to eradicate the word "lose" from this whole ordeal. CNI is not "losing" input from our area, they are merely loosing the official ability to make decisions for us. They have every right and ability to ask for the State-Langdon's opinion. The State-Langdon area is also not "losing" the collective bargaining power that CNI holds; In the future, when State-Langdon and CNI have the same viewpoint, the city will pay just as much, if not more attention. Also, when they disagree, neither will "lose" their input at the city level.

One difficult obstacle to overcome is the retainment of a governing structure by such a transient population. Capitol Neighborhoods has a strong base of dedicated volunteers and a very good governing system in place. However, we must recognize that many of the student organizations on campus have impressive structure, such as ASM, College Democrats, College Republicans, etc. Add on the increased ability to recruit from Greek organizations and the dorms, something witch would not work for CNI with the viewpoints most students have of it.

In the end, I am very proud of this first step. It made clear the clashes students have had with CNI, and rallied a relatively large group within the exec board to take part in an ad-hoc committee looking at what's going to happen next. Note that the committee isn't working on the separation; It is looking at how to move forward now that the plan to secede has been presented. Nows the time to get involved. There's a neighborhood organization operating without your input; Problem is: only you can fix that.