Many University of Wisconsin System campuses are struggling to enroll students amid a downward trend in the number of high school graduates.
With fewer high school grads to recruit, 21 of 26 UW campuses report enrollment drop
Wisconsin State Journal
October 18, 2019
Top Stories
Research
Can kindness be taught? New curriculum aims to prove so
WRDW
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds is testing out a curriculum aimed at teaching kindness to children.
DOTs across Midwest partner to develop automated vehicles
NBC-15
The collaboration includes the UW-Madison transportation operations and safety laboratory.
UW research collaboration discovers new virus infecting bald eagles
NBC-15
Scientists at UW-Madison, the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found the virus while searching for the cause of Wisconsin River Eagle Syndrome.
Wisconsin Science Festival is back with clean water theme
WISC-TV 3
The Wisconsin Science Festival started Thursday throughout multiple counties in Wisconsin, bringing in more than 1,000 volunteer scientists to share their research.
‘Who owns science?’ panel explores representation in STEM
Badger Herald
Panelists describe initiatives for diversity, inclusion in science.
Higher Education/System
New UW-Stevens Point rainbow crosswalk supporting LGBTQ+ community vandalized
Daily Cardinal
Someone intentionally spun their tires on the crosswalk, doing burnouts, leaving black streaks over the rainbow stripes, the Stevens Point Journal reported. There were two incidents of vandalism Wednesday, one at 6:30 p.m. and one at 11:30 p.m.
Campus life
Sign that says ‘UW 4 Whites Only’ appears on UW-Madison campus overnight
Wisconsin State Journal
The university wrote on its Twitter account Friday morning that the signs “appear to be part of a protest calling attention to experiences of underrepresented students.”
UW-Madison is 1 of 8 institutions named a platinum-level Bicycle Friendly University
NBC-15
The Bicycle Friendly University program includes 208 colleges and universities and is part of the league’s Bicycle Friendly America program. The program also awards communities and businesses.
UW says racist sign posted outside Science Hall part of protest
NBC-15
UW says the signs “appear to be part of a protest calling attention to experiences of underrepresented students.”
UW-Madison receives platinum-level bicycle-friendly status
WISC-TV 3
The University of Wisconsin–Madison was one of eight institutions named as a platinum-level Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists.
UW-Madison investigating after sign with racial statements found outside campus building
WISC-TV 3
A sign that read “UW 4 Whites Only” was placed on the building sign for Science Hall.
UPDATE: UW Says Apparent Racist Posters “Part of Protest”
Madison365
UW now says via Twitter that a series of posters were placed around campus and that they were do not appear to have been placed by racist white students, but rather as part of a protest by students of color.
UW appoints director of tribal relations
Badger Herald
Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in the release Bird Bear’s leadership experience and knowledge of indigenous issues made him the perfect match for the role.
SSFC denies Queen In You funding, cuts F.H. King Students for Sustainable Agriculture’s budget
Badger Herald
Member said group may not choose what is best for student body.
‘UW 4 Whites Only’ poster taped to Science Hall sign overnight
Badger Herald
In response, UW tweeted that they aware of the incident and are investigating the situation. They also added that the posters appear to be “part of a protest calling attention to experiences of underrepresented students.”
Love Your Body Day discussion emphasizes self care, body positivity
Daily Cardinal
Gender and Women’s Studies professor Katherine Phelps gathered Wednesday with the National Organization for Women’s UW-Madison chapter to cultivate an open discussion on body consciousness and self-love.
Educators, students discuss value of general education courses
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison students must take a variety of general education classes, including those in communications, quantitative reasoning, ethnic studies and “breadth.” Breadth requirements are 13-15 credits of coursework intended to provide students with experience in a variety of intellectual fields — natural science, social science, humanities and literature.
UW scores platinum status for bicycle friendliness
The Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison was upgraded to a platinum-level bicycle friendly university this week, placing it among just eight higher education institutions in the country to earn the honor.
Crime and safety
Wisconsin Lawmakers Consider Sexual Assault Victims Bill Of Rights
Wisconsin Public Radio
A Thursday morning public hearing on the measure at the Capitol came shortly after the Association of American Universities released a study finding roughly 26 percent of women and 7 percent of men at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have experienced sexual assault.
UW-Madison harnesses new technology to prevent threats at campus events
WKOW-TV 27
Imagine being at an event and having the level of security you would expect at an airport – only no waits, no belts or jackets to take off, and no awkward pat-downs. This could soon be a reality on the UW-Madison campus.
Police investigate racist poster seen on UW-Madison campus
WKOW-TV 27
The UW-Madison Police Department is investigating after posters were placed around campus with racial messages.
Shots fired on Langdon Street near UW-Madison campus
WISC-TV 3
Officers found property damage in the area, according to Madison police Sgt. Stuart Moeser.
Readers Write: Sexual assault on campus, President Trump, St. Paul trash, Medicare for All, electric scooters
Minneapolis Star Tribune
A report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison claims that 26.1% of its female students have been sexually assaulted, paralleling findings from an earlier survey study in 2015. Missing from some of the university’s summaries and from some of the news coverage is a key piece of information found in the detailed report: Only 20% of those surveyed responded.
UWPD to implement new scanning technology to identify weapons
Badger Herald
UWPD announced a partnership with Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd., a leading concealed weapons detection solutions company, to test a technology called HEXWAVE. HEXWAVE is a scanner that uses 3D radar imaging and artificial intelligence to detect and identify weapons.
UW-Madison to begin testing 3D weapons detection system on campus next year
The Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has signed an agreement with a security systems company to begin beta testing a technology that would detect concealed weapons and potential threats on campus.
Community
One City Schools gets $1 million grant for long-term study on student outcomes
The Capital Times
One City and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative and the Center for Research on Early Childhood Education will partner with a $1 million grant, announced Wednesday, for a five-year study of One City’s educational methods and student outcomes.
Health
UW research program partners with Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association
NBC-15
The “All of Us” Research Program is part of a nationwide effort to enroll one million or more people who will share information over time for use in health research studies.
UHS Implements online suicide prevention program
Daily Cardinal
Launched in the same week as World Mental Health day, UHS rolled out the program in partnership with DoIT via Canvas after spending the last year collaborating with different campus partners.
Athletics
Wisconsin marching band to play at Packers vs. Raiders game
NBC-15
They will play the national anthem and perform on the field during halftime.
Opinion
Despite efforts, UW needs to provide more apartment-style living for upperclassmen
Badger Herald
Move to open Eagle Heights to undergraduate students positive step, but not sufficient.
UW Experts in the News
Steroid injections may cause more long-term harm than thought
WISC-TV 3
Quoted: Richard Kijowski, a professor of radiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, wrote an editorial accompanying the recent study saying the objective of the journal’s special report was “to educate radiologists that the intra-articular corticosteroid injection they routinely perform with little, if any, thought about long-term safety may cause more harm than benefit.”
University Of Wisconsin Enrollment Drops
Wisconsin Public Radio
Enrollment at the University of Wisconsin dropped 2.6 percent compared to last year.
Building trust key to getting drivers to accept automated vehicles in Wisconsin, experts say
Wisconsin State Journal
“The demos are really less about exploring the technology,” said David Noyce, executive associate dean of UW-Madison’s College of Engineering. “They’re more about building trust in the technology.”
Black Madison school staffer appeals firing for repeating student’s racial slur
Wisconsin State Journal
Gloria Ladson-Billings, a UW-Madison education professor and advocate for black students, said policies that don’t consider context “will always be problematic.” “Such policies ignore common sense in favor of expediency,” she said. “Educators should know better.”
Obituaries
Scheub, Harold E.
Wisconsin State Journal
Harold Scheub joined the UW faculty in 1970 and served three times as chair of the Department of African Languages and Literature.