State-Langdon, CNI; Neighborhoods, CIty; Longevity, Apathy

What are we fighting for by looking to secede from CNI? To stick it to the man? Short sighted answer, maybe. I could only imagine that many people think that. The general student is mad at CNI for research about solutions to alcohol problems downtown that was more just presented to CNI by their alcohol issues committee than actually accepted by CNI. So, the press reports it, and the campus reads about it. Oops. The truth about the whole deal, however, is that students who know what's going on want to make things better. Better doesn't mean that we get the chance to stick it to the man, it just means that the State-Langdon area gets it's proper voice in the city process. The problem with this is that the general student population has this plagued image of CNI. Just read one of the campus newspapers; They report their stories well, CNI just seems to hold the anti-student position on almost every topic. Once again, don't blame it on CNI, it's just a neighborhood organization that has to go off of the input that it receives, of which almost none is from the State-Langdon area.

Here's the deal: People want to see change. Americans as a whole love to perk up to make change. Just look at the presidential race so far. Obama and Hillary have been able to get more votes separately than all of the republican candidates put together just because people love the idea of this kind of change. If students realize that we are here making this change, they'll be out in numbers. This is a campus full of aspiring young leaders just looking for their big break. However, if we don't make a big enough change, it will get lost in the general campus roar. People will loose interest, and both CNI and State-Langdon will loose this brilliant opportunity.

So, back to the problem we want resolved: State-Langdon area involvement as a neighborhood in the city process. How do we solve this problem? Lets look at possible desired results: *More student involvement in CNI, *a voice with strength to match the area we cover, not the people that speak at meeting, or *the ability to form our own voice without others censoring it. Here's a little peak at what each option could entail in my point of view:

More student involvement in CNI-
Students decide that they don't want others making decisions for them, and they get involved. Off to the CNI meetings. Wait a second, they're talking about Mansion Hill, what's that? That isn't even on the city neighborhood maps. Ok then. What else is going on? A hotel is being built around the capitol. Great, I don't see any problem. What's going on the State-Langon area? Oh, Quintin's liquor license is getting reviewed. Wait a minute, I like Quintons. Why are they trying to take away my Quintons?
You get the idea. Students are going to get apathetic. Why should I care about the area east of the Capitol if I need to spend more time studying for math 222?
Pros of this solution: CNI gathers student voices in all areas, especially State-Langdon. State-Langdon is a part of an umbrella neighborhood that can hold down the fort during the dry spells of involvement.
Cons of this solution: State-Langdon's voice is merged into the voice of a larger voting body. Students loose interest due to being thrust into issues outside of their actual neigborhood and living space.

A voice with strength to match the area we cover, not the people that speak at meeting-
One problem that plagues politics is the power of the majority. Everyone sees it. It causes almost every social justice problem. Just because you're the minority doesn't mean you're wrong. CNI is fairly autonomous as it is, which would work great with well informed involvement. Get a few people from the State-Langdon area who really know their area and the problems it has, and there can be some great achievements made. However, what happens when the only volunteers available don't have the time to know this area that well? We are talking about volunteers after all, and taking that kind of voice requires a bit more work than the average undergrad is willing to take from their schooling.
Pros: State-Langdon influence at the same level as if it was its own neighborhood org. Still under the umbrella of CNI that can carry it through dry spells.
Cons: Once again, State-Langdon residents are thrust into issues that don't pertain to them. Students don't notice the change and don't care about CNI, therefore State-Langdon looses the voices that it could have had.

State-Langdon forms its own voice-
The State-Langdon neighborhood forms itself as a separate entity, students take notice. "What's this," they say, "a neighborhood org is starting this year and looking for people interested in the city around them?" First meeting: Issues that pertain to the State-Langdon area, how the city political machine works, and how to make your voice heard. "Well heck, Now that I know why all the construction on State Street is happening, I think I know of other things that can be made better around Madison." Students in CNI realize what's been going around them without them knowing, and checks in. "Oh boy, I'm not sure that right across the street from my place is the best location for a new, upper-class hotel."
Pros: New residents of State-Landon find a voice for themselves. Separation from CNI creates interest in the city among students. Smaller size of CNI and State-Landon spurs input by people who find each org more open to individual voices. State-Landon's recruitment helps spur Student involvement in CNI through people realizing that it exists and has the power it does.
Cons: Transient nature of the population creates radical changes every year. Involvement drops significantly over the summer.

Just look at how far we can take this: A coalition of neighborhood orgs centered around campus that all students - even if they live in CNI or on the west side - can look to for issues around that place they so love to spend more than half their waking hours around. Lets make the best of our time here in college not just by making our school better through ASM, let's make our city better through our neighborhood orgs too.