Wisconsin Union administration sent an e-mail to its student staff Tuesday, announcing plans to host listening sessions for employees in response to a letter written last week that voiced complaints about Union management.
In a letter sent Feb. 27 to the Offices of the Dean of Students, students complained about working conditions at Memorial Union and said some managers’ behavior was ruining the organization’s “student voice.”
Tuesday’s e-mail, sent by Wisconsin Union Director Mark Guthier, said the forums would allow students to voice any concerns directly to supervisors in “an environment where there is no fear of retaliation.”
“These forums are a way to discuss ideas freely and openly,” Guthier said.
“It’s what should have happened immediately after the letter was released,” Jesse Allhands, a UW-Madison senior and Union employee, said.
Allhands said he was skeptical about the forums because of previous experiences with Union administration in similar meetings.
“I think these forums are just a first step,” he said. “I think other things need to be done.”
Cullen Haselby, a UW-Madison sophomore and Union employee, said the forums’ worth depends on how the Union administration chooses to address the problems.
“I can tell you, working at the Union, the way information gets disseminated—it’s pretty horrible,” he said, adding most information is spread through rumors.
“If [supervisors are] coming to it trying to actually listen to what’s going on, some good could come of it.”
According to Marc Kennedy, Wisconsin Union communications director, Union leadership made the decision to hold the forums.
“It’s an important step that the student voice is being heard and that we’re trying to make sure that students feel comfortable working at the Union,” Kennedy said.
Guthier said student employees who attend will be paid for their time.
“I think [the forums will] go great strides in showing students that once again we’re there to work with them, we’re there to hear their desires, their wishes, their complaints, their feedback,” Wisconsin Union President John Barnhardt said.
The dates and times of the forums are yet to be determined.
