The late-starting Big Ten Conference football season will have an unprecedented scheduling model.
Big Ten football schedule to be ‘flexible,’ feature 9 games
Wisconsin State Journal
Author: gbump
Town-gown connections strained amid University of Wisconsin reopening in Madison
Inside Higher Education
At the end of August, nine days before students started class at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, more than two dozen local elected officials sent a letter to university administrators urging them to significantly alter their plan to bring students back to campus in the fall.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren ‘comfortable’ with resumption of football season after reversing field
Wisconsin State Journal
Not only did Kevin Warren have better news to deliver Wednesday morning, the Big Ten commissioner had a supporting cast to help him outline why the conference did a 180 and decided to play football this fall.
UW students finish one week of quarantine in much emptier Witte, Sellery residence halls
The Capital Times
Significant numbers of freshmen have temporarily left or are considering moving out of Witte and Sellery residence halls, while those who remain are now halfway through a mandatory two-week quarantine.
UW-Madison extends tuition refund to Friday as student hospitalized for COVID-19
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison on Wednesday extended its tuition refund deadline for students impacted by COVID-19 until Friday, as officials said at least one student has been hospitalized with coronavirus complications.
OVCRGE Releases Statement on Graduate Research
The Daily Cardinal
Even though UW-Madison’s in-person instruction will be suspended from Sept. 10-25, students will be allowed to report to their jobs in research labs under strict guidelines, Steven Ackerman, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, said in a press release Thursday.
Tom Oates: Big Ten finally gets football right after earlier wrong
Wisconsin State Journal
In the end, the Big Ten Conference got to the right place.
UW-Madison Wastewater Surveillance Program Begins Statewide Sampling
The Daily Cardinal
In March, Martin Shafer, a scientist at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and UW-Madison College of Engineering, noticed a trend in COVID-19 testing techniques.
Other than football, Big Ten fall sports appear to be on track for spring
Wisconsin State Journal
Football is back on the fall schedule at the University of Wisconsin but it doesn’t appear that competition will resume so quickly for other fall sports.
UW-Madison tuition refund deadline extended for students affected by COVID-19
Channel 3000
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is adjusting tuition refund deadlines to help students and families cope with challenges related to COVID-19.
Outside dining options
The Daily Cardinal
With the libraries here at UW-Madison closed and the only thing left to do is sit at our desks for hours on end, sometimes the perfect dinner night get-away with your friends is all you can ask for — while respecting the COVID-19 guidelines of course. Luckily, I have three restaurants with outdoor patios for your perfect evening.
Young nurse inspired by personal experience to care for others
NBC-15
For Hannah Dreischmeier there’s nowhere she’d rather be than at the bedside of patients at UW Carbone Cancer Center.
It’s official: Big Ten football is coming back next month
NBC-15
After days of rumors, the Big Ten Conference confirmed Wednesday that football will return starting next month.
Evers, DHS give COVID-19 updates, address outbreaks on college campuses
The Daily Cardinal
Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm addressed the increasing COVID-19 cases on college campuses in a media briefing Tuesday.
Big Ten Reverses Course and Will Bring Football Back in Late October
WSJ
As late as Tuesday morning, University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank said that uncertainty over cardiac complications had driven the August decision to nix fall football, and could still lead the Big Ten to sit out.
“Until we have answers to that, we’re going to keep our season postponed,” she testified before the U.S. Senate’s health committee.
Senator: Allowing college athletes NIL pay is ‘huge mistake’
The Washington Post
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank and Utah State athletic director John Hartwell were among those who testified along with Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player and advocate for college athlete rights, and Ohio State director of track and field Karen Dennis.
As Covid-19 Cases Rise, Europe Enters ‘Living-With-the-Virus Phase’
The New York Times
And in Wisconsin, nearly 20 percent of the new cases since last Monday have been in Dane County, home to the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus. On Monday, the university reported another 194 virus cases on campus, which includes 134 people living in student housing.
Amid national racial justice protests, UW students drive Madison’s own reckoning
Badger Herald
Sept. 12, around 100 University of Wisconsin students gathered in the rain to demonstrate, placing mock gravestones and a “RIP UW” sign in front of the Gordon Dining and Event Center.
Business school partnership with non-profit assists underrepresented students in finance world
Badger Herald
Access Distributed, a non-profit organization, formed a partnership with the University of Wisconsin and the School of Business to help students from underrepresented backgrounds get jobs in high-ranking positions in the finance industry.
Gov. Tony Evers Defends UW System’s Handling Of COVID-19 Pandemic
Wisconsin Public Radio
Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday the University of Wisconsin System has done a good job managing the COVID-19 pandemic so far this academic year. His comment comes as campuses across the state have recently announced clusters of virus cases, temporary shutdowns of in-person classes and dorm quarantines.
Daywatch: Pritzker warns of ‘nightmare scenario’ for budget, universities look to contain COVID-19 spread and the city’s best soft serve
Chicago Tribune
PHOTO: Freshmen Lauren Tamborini and Bailey Donahue move out of a dorm at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after the campus announced a two-week pause in in-person classes. (Mark Hoffmann/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
Evers ‘looking at every possible avenue’ to extend mask requirement
Wisconsin Examiner
While infections have surged in the youngest adult age group, Wisconsin has not yet seen any deaths in people under 20, Westergaard said. Hospitalization rates have been low as well: At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he said, with more than 1,500 positive COVID-19 tests, the number of people hospitalized has been in the low single digits.
Big Ten football, pandemic and politics collide as UW’s Blank testifies before Congress
Wisconsin Examiner
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank testified before a Senate committee Tuesday as speculation swirled all the way up to the Oval Office about the fate of the Big Ten’s football season. President Donald Trump has tried to pressure the conference — the home of several key Midwestern battleground states in the November election — to reschedule the football season this fall.
Evers: UW reopening was right call despite virus surge
Associated Press
University of Wisconsin-Madison officials made the right decision to reopen the campus even though there’s been a surge of COVID-19 cases among students and university employees, Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday.
UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank speaks to Senate about name, image, likeness law
Wisconsin State Journal
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank asked legislators Tuesday to provide the framework for athletes to earn money for their name, image and likeness.
Big Ten announces football returning Oct. 23-24
Wisconsin State Journal
The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday morning that football will return the weekend of Oct. 23-24.
PETA alleges more animal research violations at UW-Madison
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison research monkeys suffered this year from diarrhea, traumatic injuries and psychological stress, in numerous alleged violations of federal regulations, according to complaints filed this month by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
UW-Madison threatens ‘more drastic action’ as experts say COVID-19 outbreak impacting broader community
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison threatened “more drastic action” Tuesday if quarantines in two large dorms don’t greatly reduce COVID-19 infections, as health experts said a campus coronavirus outbreak is putting the general public at risk with flu season nearing.
UW-Madison put region in danger — Margo Redmond
Wisconsin State Journal
What was the UW-Madison administration thinking when they invited students from all over the country (and world) to come to Madison for a mix of in-class and online courses?
Woman sues UW-Madison over handling of Quintez Cephus sexual assault case
Wisconsin State Journal
One of the women who accused former Badgers football player Quintez Cephus of sexual assault in 2018 sued UW-Madison on Tuesday over its decision to reverse Cephus’ expulsion and allow him back onto the football team.
Expert: Voters may not lean Biden now that Green Party is off Wisconsin Ballot
WKOW-TV 27
Howard Schweber, UW-Madison Political Science Professor, believe’s Green Party votes could be overlooked in this election when comparing the influence the party played in Wisconsin during the 2016 election cycle.
UW considers later tuition refund deadline, sees minimal housing cancellations
The Capital Times
After moving all classes online for at least two weeks, the University of Wisconsin-Madison may push back its tuition refund deadline and continue to offer housing refunds to students who choose to leave their residence halls.
More wildfire smoke to move into Wisconsin
WKOW-TV 27
Ankur Desai, a climate science professor at UW-Madison, said well-meaning fire prevention efforts over the last century have also contributed to the worsening of west coast wildfires.
‘We’re Not Running Sports to Primarily Make Money’: NIL Hearing to Put Collegiate Revenues in Spotlight
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated obtained the 1,700-word testimony that Blank submitted ahead of a hearing Tuesday on name, image and likeness before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. While she agrees that NIL reform is needed, Blank plans to tell senators that an unchecked athlete-compensation model could adversely impact Olympic sports and that athletes are already given a “generous package” of benefits that includes thousands of dollars in education, unlimited meals, state-of-the-art medical care and other on-campus resources—many of which normal students do not receive, she notes in the testimony. According to her written testimony, a full scholarship package at Wisconsin is nearly $87,000 for out-of-state students and more than $59,000 for those in state.
Student debt is fueling the Black-white wealth gap — and pursuing a college degree has become ‘racialized,’ this professor says
MarketWatch
That’s thanks in part to Fenaba Addo, an associate professor of consumer science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies debt and its role in racial wealth inequality. Addo’s research has shown, among other things, that the gap in student debt held by Black and white borrowers grows by 6.8% each year. As a result, Black young adults hold 10.4% less wealth on average than their white counterparts due to student debt.
Florence Howe, Feminist Press founder and women’s studies champion, dies at 91
The Washington Post
At 16, she entered the college itself, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in English. A professor there told her that women writers were “not important enough to study,” Ms. Howe later recalled, but also urged her on to graduate school. She received a master’s degree from Smith College the next year and studied for a PhD at the University of Wisconsin before dropping out at the insistence of her second husband.
Florence Howe, ‘Mother of Women’s Studies,’ Dies at 91
The New York Times
Her activist spirit was also ignited as a Hunter undergraduate. She formed an interracial and interfaith sorority with friends and was elected student body president. She studied English with the intention of teaching in the public school system, but was encouraged by a professor and Hunter’s president to pursue a master’s degree, which she earned at Smith College. In 1951 she went on to study for a doctorate in English at the University of Wisconsin.
College Kids Are Freaking Out About Their Infected Campuses
The New York Times
At least eight schools have canceled in-person classes because of virus outbreaks, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Notre Dame. Others seem to be trying to power through the pandemic. The University of Alabama and the University of Georgia have continued to hold in-person classes despite more than a thousand positive cases of coronavirus at each school.
Wisconsin Doctoral Student Apologizes for Claiming to Be a Person of Color, Steps Down From Teaching Post
Newsweek
University of Wisconsin-Madison doctoral student recently issued an apology and stopped teaching after being accused of claiming to be a person of color.
UW Campuses Still Ramping Up COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Of Dorm Residents
Wisconsin Public Radio
University of Wisconsin System campuses are still working to ramp up COVID-19 surveillance testing of students living in residence halls nearly two weeks after classes started at most state universities.
DHS, UHS emphasize importance of flu shots
The Daily Cardinal
University Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services are stressing the importance of getting flu shots, especially this year. DHS announced a new community outreach program Tuesday to increase education on the importance of being vaccinated against the flu.
UW Chancellor defends Smart Restart, addresses community COVID-19 concerns
Badger Herald
Chancellor Rebecca Blank and other university administrators addressed their COVID-19 campus response concerns in a virtual meeting — Blank said the University of Wisconsin stands by their decision to reopen campus despite rising cases and community push back.
UW-Madison chancellor discusses Big Ten football
WKOW-TV 27
The Big Ten chancellors and presidents chatted Sunday about the status of the football season. University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank said some variables have changed since the initial 11-3 vote to postpone the season in August.
UW-Madison chancellor defends decision to bring students back
Channel 3000
University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank gave an update on the school’s response to COVID-19 concerns during a news conference Monday afternoon and defended the decision to bring students back to campus for the fall semester amid the pandemic.
UW to eliminate spring break, lengthen winter break to prevent COVID-19 spread
The Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Faculty Senate voted Monday to lengthen winter break and remove spring break next semester, in attempts to discourage travel that might facilitate the spread of COVID-19.
University of Wisconsin-Madison eliminates spring break
Associated Press
The University of Wisconsin-Madison decided Monday to eliminate spring break next semester in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Badgers’ Tony Granato selected for U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Wisconsin State Journal
Tony Granato, one of the Badgers’ all-time goal-scoring greats as a player and now the program’s fifth-year head coach, is part of the American hockey hall’s Class of 2020 announced Monday night.
UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank on football’s return: ‘We’re all going to move together in the Big Ten’
Wisconsin State Journal
Fans and players across the Big Ten Conference’s landscape await a vote on a potential start of the conference football season.
University eliminates UW-Madison spring break to prevent COVID-19 spread
Channel 3000
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is eliminating spring break next semester to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Dane County bars and restaurants could be fined for violations of health order
Wisconsin State Journal
After receiving repeated complaints about how restaurants and bars are operating during the pandemic, Dane County’s health department may start fining establishments up to $1,000 for each violation of the public health orders in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Young adults driving COVID-19 case spike; experts monitoring for spread, hospitalizations
WKOW-TV 27
On Monday, UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank answered questions about the spike on the campus of the state’s flagship university. Blank defended the decision to bring back students amid criticism that such outbreaks at colleges across the U.S. were inevitable.
UW-Madison chancellor on campus reopening: ‘I’d make same decision again’
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank on Monday defended reopening the university this fall, even as criticism mounted, the Faculty Senate scrapped spring break and the number of reported COVID-19 cases on campus exceeded 2,000 infections.
Officials clarify statements about visiting downtown Madison amid a surge in COVID-19 cases
NBC-15
NBC15 followed up after hearing concerns from several downtown business owners about the statements which were made in a recent tweet. Public health says the intent behind the message was not to discourage people from coming downtown, rather to raise awareness about self-monitoring for symptoms.
UW, Madison safety regulations demonstrate severe unpreparedness as new cases skyrocket
Badger Herald
To reopen or not to reopen — this was the question plaguing university administrators nationwide ahead of this fall semester amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
UW-Madison BIPOC Coalition leads protests against the ‘Smart Restart’, racial inequality on campus
The Daily Cardinal
Amidst rising tensions between the UW-Madison student body and administration, the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Coalition held a demonstration on the Gordon Dining and Event Center lawn Saturday to protest racial inequality and the UW’s “Smart Restart” plan.
‘It’s really stressful,’ UW-Madison students prepare for online classes Monday as quarantine continues
WKOW-TV 27
Four days into a shelter-in-place order for students at a pair of residence halls on the UW-Madison campus, new window messages like ‘Let Us Go’ and ‘Help Us’ emerge, while online delivery boxes filled a USPS van outside Sellery Hall Sunday evening.
To cope with covid anxiety try acceptance of uncertainty
The Washington Post
Uncertainty can provoke a vicious cycle of anxiety, says Jack Nitschke, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. “Our brains help us get good at what we’re doing,” he says
Black voters in Wisconsin face threat to their voting rights
Los Angeles Times
“It’s not a fair election system when one side has such a severe election advantage, and it was done intentionally,” said Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Trump ‘Red Mirage’ Election Night Victory Is Unlikely, Political Scientists Say
Newsweek
Prof. Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Newsweek that Mendelsohn’s prediction was unlikely.
Wisconsin Braces for a Critical Court Ruling on Its Election
The New York Times
“The backers of Jill Stein were young and disaffected from the political system,” said Barry C. Burden, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Typically, minor-party voters are looking for somebody that’s different from what the major parties are offering.” (The Libertarian candidate in 2016, Gary Johnson, received more than 106,000 votes in Wisconsin.)