How should Dane County tackle alcohol abuse?
County Executive Kathleen Falk wants as much public input as possible this week at three meetings of the new Dane County alcohol coalition.
Public input sought at meetings on alcohol abuse
Capital Times
Author: jnweaver
Private donations to fund salary of UW business school dean
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin’s business school dean will be paid entirely with private donations starting next year.
The arrangement is made possible with a donation from UW alum Albert “Ab” Nicholas and his wife. The school’s deans will now be known as the “Albert O. Nicholas Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business.”
Peterson pleads guilty in Marino killing: a timeline of events
Capital Times
Nearly 11 months after 31-year-old Joel Marino was found dying in an alley between his Madison home and a local hospital, the man responsible for his death has pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide.
Wisconsin Badgers football: UW to play Florida State in Champs Sports Bowl
Capital Times
The Wisconsin Badgers football team has accepted an invitation to play Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 27.
The game will be televised by ESPN, with kickoff slotted for 3:30 p.m. Central time.
Breakfast draws attention to group trying to start primate sanctuary
Capital Times
For the past four years, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a primate sanctuary for retired research monkeys has been trying to raise awareness and money for its cause.
On Sunday, Primates Incorporated held a pancake breakfast at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center on Jenifer Street. Complete with vegan pancakes and tofu scramblers, and with entertainment provided by the Trinity Irish Dancers, those in attendance were asked to donate to the cause. Amy Kerwin, the group’s board president, said events like Sunday’s breakfast are held more to keep the community engaged and aware of the group’s cause, not necessarily to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars necessary to build a primate sanctuary.
Eagles make initial statement
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
It didn’t take Buzz Williams long to notch his first signature victory as Marquette University’s coach.
Just eight games into his tenure as the school’s 16th head man, Williams led his Golden Eagles to a 61-58 triumph over the University of Wisconsin on Saturday night at the Bradley Center in the 115th meeting between the instate rivals.
UW will face Bowden, FSU
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, with a 28-10 record in three seasons, and Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, with a 381-123-4 record in 43 seasons, are at opposite ends of the coaching spectrum.
It’s no surprise they have different views of their upcoming meeting in the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl.
Falling gas prices puts extra cash in consumer pockets
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Cynthia Jasper, an expert on consumer behavior.
Wisconsin regents want universities to lower book costs
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Some University of Wisconsin System regents say they’re frustrated campuses have made little progress toward reducing textbook costs.
Regents complained Friday that some campuses have made little or no movement toward adopting book rental programs or other cost-saving strategies.
Doyle needs to get serious about shortfall
Capital Times
Everyone agrees that Gov. Jim Doyle faces a serious challenge when it comes to addressing Wisconsin’s budget shortfall of $5.4 billion.
But that challenge is being made more serious by the governor’s refusal to be realistic about what the state will have to do to balance its books.
Dave Zweifel’s Plain Talk: Fire Leckrone? Don’t be absurd.
Capital Times
Hopefully, everyone knows by now that the Wisconsin State Journal endorsed Barack Obama for president.
….But all the hullabaloo over Obama by this city’s morning newspaper pales in comparison to its recent audacious demand that the University of Wisconsin needs to fire its marching band director, Mike Leckrone, the next time any member of the band steps out of line.
Peterson to plead guilty in Marino murder
Capital Times
Accused killer Adam Peterson, 20, will plead guilty Monday to first-degree intentional homicide for the stabbing death of Joel Marino in his Madison home in January, according to veteran assistant public defender Dennis Burke.
(Peterson was enrolled at UW-Madison for a short time in the fall of 2007)
Badgers win seventh straight
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Lisa Stone’s team built an early double-digit lead with an impressive shooting display.
Then after the University of Wisconsin shooters turned as icy as the air outside the Kohl Center Thursday night, the Badgers re-established control with sound, suffocating defense.
The result was a 61-52 victory over Virginia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
UW survey yields mixed results regarding harassment
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Although many students, faculty and staff at University of Wisconsin schools say they are comfortable on campus, some say they have experienced harassment, often based on sexual orientation, gender, race or ethnicity, according to a new survey.
The UW System Board of Regents on Thursday discussed a Campus Climate Survey administered in spring to students, faculty and staff at UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-La Crosse, UW-Stevens Point and the UW Colleges.
Doyle: Wisconsin is Still America’s Dairyland!
Wisconsin Ag Connection
Mentions that the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association named Molly Jahn, Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sceinces as Communicator of the Year.
Universities toast to classier beer drinking (The Berekely Beacon, Emerson College)
Ten students at the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus will have the opportunity to embrace beer this spring, through the Department of Bacteriology’s course taught by Dr. Jon Roll.
Though the students will be permitted to taste their brewed batches, the complexities of the class itself are not only about the making and consuming of beer, but also about the fermentation and science behind it.
Nicholas gift funds UW business deanship (The Business Journal, Milwaukee)
An endowed deanship position at the University of Wisconsin-Madisonâ??s School of Business has been created with a donation from long-time university supporter Albert Nicholas and his wife, Nancy Johnson Nicholas. The donation creates the Albert O. Nicholas Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business, which will cover the costs of the schoolâ??s deanship, which previously were paid primarily by university funds.
Nicholas endows University of Wisconsin business school deanship
Capital Times
The dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin School of Business is now an endowed deanship, thanks to a gift from longtime school supporters Albert O. Nicholas and his wife Nancy Johnson Nicholas.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum Director dies
WKOW-TV 27
Madison (WKOW) — from WI Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs: Dr. Richard Zeitlin, longtime director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, passed away late Wednesday, December 3 in Madison, after a short battle with cancer.
(Zeitlin earned a Masters and a Ph.D. in U.S. history from UW-Madison)
Survey finds high rate of sex assault in UW System
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A survey of more than 13,000 University of Wisconsin System students and employees found a high rate of sexual assault on and off campuses.
More than 280 people who took the voluntary survey at four universities and 13 two-year colleges reported being sexually assaulted.
Tudor Dinner celebrates 75 years of First Noels and figgy pudding (77 Square)
Maybe it’s the flaming figgy pudding. Maybe it’s the carols, or the decorations, or the seemingly endless hors d’oeurves and bottomless wassail in the Great Hall.
Whatever its secret, the Tudor Dinner at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union has lasted for 75 years, through world wars, recessions and campus troubles of all kinds.
UW-led study says climate shift may have doomed ancient empires
Capital Times
A scientific team led by UW-Madison researchers says that the decline of the Roman and Byzantine empires in the Eastern Mediterranean more than 1,400 years ago may have been driven by extreme climate change.
Based on chemical information in calcite from a cave near Jerusalem, the American and Israeli geologists pieced together a detailed record of the area’s climate from about 200 B.C. to 1100 A.D.
Breaking News: Ex-player accused of threatening Alvarez ordered to get mental exam
Capital Times
Former University of Wisconsin football player Leonard Taylor, 32, was in court Thursday on charges of stalking and telephone harassment after allegedly threatening to kill UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and his family last week. As expected, Taylor was ordered to undergo a mental competency examination.
Method detects self-injury
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Lori Hilt, a clinical psychology intern at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studied the issue when she was at Yale University.
Dane County businesses pessimistic, economic survey finds
Capital Times
The economic slowdown has hit hard in Dane County, with the highest number of businesses ever saying they won’t be able to meet expectations in 2008.
The sixth annual First Business Economic Survey of Dane County, released Wednesday by First Business Bank, showed all business sectors reported declines in seven primary economic indicators, with the service industry suffering the most.
University of Wisconsin researchers think milk does a kidney transplant good
Capital Times
Wisconsin’s famous milk and cows now might provide a wonderful new health benefit. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers will be looking into whether milk produced by genetically engineered cows can prevent the rejection of transplanted kidneys.
Google unveils new Madison office
Capital Times
A number of state and local dignitaries stood in line Wednesday night to sing the praises of Google as the Internet giant held an official unveiling of its Madison office.
Gov. Jim Doyle, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin all spoke at the open house, held at Google’s Madison office at 301 S. Blount St., about a half-mile east of the Capitol.
Badgers survive big-time scare
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Looking flat on offense from the start against a determined UW-Milwaukee team, the Badgers women’s basketball team eventually built a 16-point lead in the second half but blew it all because they stopped playing effective defense.
They needed an NBA-range three-pointer from guard Alyssa Karel in the final seconds of the first overtime to say alive.
They finally prevailed, 71-69, in two overtimes Tuesday night at the Kohl Center when UWM’s Lindsay Laur failed to get off a potential winning three pointer before time expired.
State failing in college aid
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin provides less need-based financial aid to students at public colleges and universities than some neighboring states, according to a new report.
“Measuring Up 2008,” released today by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, also found that while Wisconsin does well compared with other states in preparing young people for college and awarding degrees, the gaps between white students and minorities are among the largest in the nation.
Charter eyes ways to air Wisconsin Badgers bowl game if it’s on NFL Network
Capital Times
Charter Communications will be breathing a big sigh of relief should the University of Wisconsin football team be invited to the Champs Sports Bowl rather than the Insight Bowl, as now appears to be likely.
How ‘activist judge’ became a dirty word
Capital Times
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson is an “activist judge” who wants to legislate from the bench. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Randy Koschnick is a “strict constructionist” who merely wants to “apply the law, not make it.” Like conservative candidates before him, this is how Koschnick intends to define his Supreme Court campaign as he tries to unseat Abrahamson, a 32-year veteran of the court.
Quoted: Charles Franklin, UW-Madison political science professor
Zimmermann 911 tapes could be made public sooner
Capital Times
In the wake of bits and pieces of the 911 call made by slain UW-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann being made public, lawyers for media interests on Tuesday asked a Dane County judge for an immediate hearing to make the tape of the call public, even if that hearing had to be held over the phone.
Dane County officials signaled Tuesday they did not oppose the hearing, but Madison police and the Dane County District Attorney’s Office gave a different answer.
UW Glass Lab to hold free open house this weekend
Capital Times
Art glass lovers will get a chance to see how it’s made and also buy affordable pieces during the UW-Madison Glass Lab open house Saturday and Sunday.
The lab, at 630 W. Mifflin St., is the oldest university glass program in the country, starting in 1962.
Wisconsin Badgers volleyball: Gabrielsen, Ohlander named to Big Ten All-Freshman team
Capital Times
Wisconsin’s Janelle Gabrielsen and Elle Ohlander were named Monday to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman volleyball team. It was the first time that two Badgers landed on the rookie team and brings the all-time UW all-freshman honorees to 10.
Official news of recession sends markets reeling
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Michael Knetter, dean of the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ald. Eli Judge won’t seek re-election
Capital Times
Ald. Eli Judge announced Monday that he would not seek a second term as the campus-area representative to the City Council.
Judge, 21, is a University of Wisconsin-Madison senior expecting to graduate in May and go on to law school. While UW-Madison is at the top of his list of schools, Judge cited the demands of law school as his reason for not running again.
University of Wisconsin chancellor wants fresh solutions to funding cuts
Capital Times
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin said she has asked deans to start considering contingency plans for how best to absorb potential cuts in funding due to the state’s financial crisis.
Martin, speaking at Bascom Hall Monday evening during this month’s UW Faculty Senate meeting, asked those in attendance to come up with “innovative ideas” that might help the university operate more efficiently and implored faculty and staff to “think outside the box” in an effort to find solutions to possible budget cuts.
Warrants give more details in Brittany Zimmermann’s death (AP)
Capital Times
Search warrants show that a college student slain in her off-campus Madison apartment was lifeless and cold when her roommate found her, but she had called 911 about 50 minutes earlier — only to have the call mishandled.
Schultz: Big Ten creates monumental Challenge for Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball
Capital Times
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Guess again if you think anybody connected with the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team is feeling sorry for themselves because the Badgers are on the road again for a Big Ten/ACC Challenge game.
The Badgers certainly got skewered by Big Ten Conference officials, who scheduled them to play talented Virginia Tech here Monday night for their sixth road contest in the 10-year history of the Challenge. No other Big Ten team has played more Challenge games on the road.
Man who made Alvarez death threats has track record of mental illness
Capital Times
Former University of Wisconsin football player Leonard J. Taylor, jailed after allegedly threatening to kill Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and his family, was diagnosed with mental illnesses several years ago and spent time in the Mendota Mental Health Institute, court records show.
Locally made Botox competitor showing success
Capital Times
Mentor Corp. announced Wednesday that a drug it is developing in Madison to compete with the well-known and hugely successful Botox has successfully completed the first of three Phase 3 clinical trials.
Phase 3 is the final level of trials before a drug is submitted for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval — assuming the trials produce successful results.
The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company’s “PurTox” drug, which is derived from purified botulinum Type A neurotoxin, is designed to reduce frown lines.
….The development of PurTox stems from Mentor’s 2003 deal for an exclusive license from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation for botulinum toxin technology developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Johnson & Johnson to buy Mentor; its Madison unit is making Botox competitor
Capital Times
Health care products company Johnson & Johnson said Monday it will buy cosmetic-product and breast-implant maker Mentor Corp. for $1.07 billion in a move to boost its presence in cosmetic and reconstructive medicine.
Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Mentor has a unit in University Research Park in Madison that is developing a drug to compete with the well-known and hugely successful Botox.
Student loans to test Treasury (The Washington Post)
Student advocacy groups are urging the Treasury Department to prevent a new $200 billion consumer lending program from benefiting private student lenders, which they say are largely unregulated and prey on students with risky, high-interest loans.
The program, announced this week and developed by the Treasury and Federal Reserve, is not aimed specifically at the student loan market. Its much broader goal is to encourage lending to consumers — including car loans, credit card debt and student loans — as well as help the financial system by increasing liquidity in the credit markets.
Bandwith could net UGA millions (Athens, Ga. Banner Herald)
Quoted: Barry Orton, a professor of telecommunications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin residents with ties to Mumbai shocked, worried
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Joe Elder, a UW-Madison professor of languages and cultures of Asia and an India expert.
UW-Madison students stumble on a new galaxy
Wisconsin State Journal
To most undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the word “research” conjures up images of a stack of books, a long night in the library and many cups of coffee.
But for five astronomy students this semester, a research project became a portal to worlds far removed from a campus library.
And now, instead of thinking up a title for their final paper, they’re trying to come up with a name â?? for the galaxy they found in a little known part of the universe.
Police bar former football player from sports facilties after threatening calls
Wisconsin State Journal
University of Wisconsin-Madison police are telling anyone who spots former UW-Madison football player Leonard J. Taylor to immediately alert authorities because of threatening phone calls he allegedly made to an athletic department employee.
Judge lets media attorney hear Zimmermann 911 call (AP)
Star Tribune
A Dane County judge has ruled a media attorney can listen to a 911 call made from a slain college student’s cell phone.However, the attorney can’t disclose the call’s contents to his clients or anyone else.
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard G. Niess said Wednesday he’ll rule later on whether the tape may be made public.
Bridging the Muslim-Jewish divide (The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle)
Jewish, Muslim and Christian families gathered together on the walls of the DeRicci Gallery at Edgewood College in Madison between October 19 and November 28.
Images of the families are part of a photo exhibit, â??Families of Abraham,â? which kicked off with a reception on October 22 that included a lecture from Eleanor Brawley, the curator and lead photographer.
The exhibit follows 11 Jewish, Muslim and Christian families in the Charolette, N.C., area throughout the course of a year.
The diverse group of families includes single mothers and families of eight and secular households and Muslims that pray five times a day. It shows weddings and funerals, and how religion guides the families through their daily lives.
Music has become essential for today’s athletes (77 Square)
The beat builds slowly after Spud Davis puts on the headphones. Eminem fills his ears, even though he’s not that much of a hip-hop fan.
The lyrics to “Till I Collapse” start to come in, first with the enigmatic rapper narrating about how you can feel tired and feel like you want to give up, but how you have to find inner strength and not be a quitter.
University of Wisconsin System looking at ways to save money
Capital Times
With the state facing an economic crisis, the University of Wisconsin System it taking steps to tighten its proverbial belt.
On Wednesday, UW System President Kevin Reilly asked academic leaders systemwide to examine ways to streamline and enhance educational offerings. He also announced that system institutions would start to scrutinize more closely out-of-state travel.
Value of vitamins hard to swallow
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Sherry Tanumihardjo, associate professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Susan Smith, a nutrition sciences professor at UW-Madison.
Badgers able to make progress by taking back-to-basics approach
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This was Wisconsin basketball.
Two days after the Badgers needed overtime to overcome dreadful shooting and sloppy play to beat Iona, they played better defense, took better care of the ball and improved their shooting to score a 64-49 victory over San Diego Sunday night at the Paradise Jam tournament
Badgers can thank lucky stars
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The football season’s results leave UW looking at playing in either the Champs Sports Bowl (Dec. 27, Orlando, Fla.) or the Insight Bowl (Dec. 31, Tempe, Ariz.).
What goes down must come up
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Michael Knetter, dean of the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Pumping life into septic tank
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Brian Holmes, a professor of biological systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Student lender makes payments
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Private student lender Edamerica has met its loan obligations to Milwaukee Area Technical College students after announcing earlier this year it did not have the cash to cut loan refund checks on time.
In late September, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Edamerica told MATC that it would not be able to make about $250,000 in payments for more than 100 students by the agreed-upon deadline. Like other lenders, Edamerica lacked liquidity because of the credit crisis.
MATC was among several colleges across the country to get the warning. Loan checks from Edamerica to students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout were several weeks late as well.
Dr. Ernie Pellegrino Jr.: It’s good to see more caution with athletes’ head injuries
Capital Times
Dear Editor:
As an orthopedic surgeon and former longtime team physician for Madison West and La Follette high schools, I am extremely pleased to see the cautious attitude of the physicians and trainers for the University of Wisconsin athletic programs now taken with their head-injured athletes.
Madison Gas & Electric and group team up with UW for environmental Web site
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Madison utility and environmental group have teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to develop a Web tool designed to help residents of the Madison area calculate and reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide.
UW dance program as cold as the night (77 Square)
It’s said that art imitates life.
On a cold November night, with papers bearing bad news and autumn hues gone gray, the UW Dance Program took a somber turn.