Skip to main content

Author: jnweaver

Group kicks off ASM constitution proposal

Posted on
Daily Cardinal

With hopes to restructure the current student government system at UW-Madison, the Students for a Constructive Associated Students of Madison hosted its kickoff meeting Monday. The group is looking to implement a new ASM constitution that would divide ASM into an executive branch consisting of a president and vice president, a legislative branch made up of a Senate, a judicial branch similar to the current Student Judiciary and an allocations branch that would appropriate student segregated fees. Currently, ASM consists of a student council, the Student Services Finance Committee and the Student Judiciary.

Insomnia a major health problem, UW researcher says

Posted on
The Captial Times

Can?t sleep? Other health problems might be looming, according to a UW-Madison sleep researcher. Ruth Benca, director of the Wisconsin Sleep laboratory and clinic, said insomnia, a condition where you have trouble falling or staying asleep, can increase risks for anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug abuse, even heart failure and diabetes.

Lectures explore blending rap, education

Posted on
Daily Cardinal

Spoken word poet Michael Cirelli kicked off an event series Monday that focuses on hip-hop as a means of engaging under served minority students with their educations. The lecture was the first in the 15-week Getting Real II: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Culture in the Classroom and Beyond series, which will explore the integration of spoken word and hip-hop culture in teaching and the development of students? critical thinking. Professor Gloria Ladson-Billings, a professor of Urban Education at UW?Madison, orchestrated Monday?s event, as well as the entire series.

First details of proposed school accountability system revealed

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The state could more aggressively intervene in the lowest-performing publicly funded schools under a proposed accountability system unveiled Monday. The system would rate schools on a scale of 0 to 100 based on student performance and growth on state tests, closing achievement gaps and preparing students for college and careers. Ratings also would be tied to dropout rates and third-grade literacy levels.

“This is light years ahead of where the state is now,” said Doug Harris, a UW-Madison education and public affairs professor who advised the state’s accountability reform task force.

Letter: Student involvement is key to taking Wisc. back

Posted on
Daily Cardinal

Last week, thousands gathered near the Capitol to celebrate as nearly two million signatures were delivered to the Government Accountability Board in the culmination of the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and three other state senators. Representing a stunning 46% of the 2010 electorate, the more than one million signatures submitted for the recall of Scott Walker announced loud and clear that Wisconsinites are ready to put their state back on track. Students at UW-Madison have been hurt badly by Walker?s policies, and they played an important part in the recall.

Chadima investigation complete, but no report yet

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

A panel has completed its investigation into a former UW-Madison athletic official accused of misconduct, but the university is not yet releasing the committee?s report in order to give John Chadima a legally mandated 10 days to respond. During that time, Chadima can ask a judge to block release of the records.

Campus Connection: Falk to give talk at UW-Madison

Posted on
Capital Times

Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk — who is among the Democrats seeking to unseat Gov. Scott Walker in a recall election later this year — will speak Tuesday for an hour on the UW-Madison campus about her 30-year career in public service. The event, titled “A Career of Politics, Service and Leadership: The View from the Executive?s Chair,” will run from noon to 1 p.m. in room 114 of UW-Madison?s Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Dr. The event was originally slated for the conference room of the La Follette School of Public Affairs but a decision was made to move the talk to a larger venue.

Executive Q&A: Google exec learns from entrepreneurs

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Q: Tell me about Google?s office in Madison. How many employees are there and what do they do?

A: The reason we have an office here is that this is the regional epicenter for really smart people from the UW-Madison. The office is growing. A couple of years ago, there were fewer than 10 employees. Now, there are a couple dozen, mainly engineers who are part of Google Platforms. They are focused on networking, storage software and advanced development projects. They?re the guys behind the scenes that make the lights go on. The second group here is working to get small businesses online. They are working with the chambers of commerce to get companies on Google Places and to set up Google+ pages. … We want to make as much information in the world as accessible as possible. If not, it?s a missed opportunity.

Voter IDs available Monday

Posted on
Daily Cardinal

In response to the new Wisconsin Voter ID law that requires voters to present valid state-issued photo identification at the polls, the Union South?s Wiscard office will distribute UW-Madison voter ID cards to those who present a valid Wiscard.

Catching Up: Work continues despite funding cut for Synchrotron Radiation Center

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The Synchrotron Radiation Center, a major UW-Madison science center, is still running despite losing its federal funding last year. But the center is down about one-third of its 35-member staff, through a combination of retirements and layoffs, said Joseph Bisognano, the center?s director. Wendy Crone, associate dean for graduate education, said it was particularly important that the roughly two dozen UW-Madison graduate students who rely on the center could continue working. Bisognano said the biggest cutbacks are in education, outreach and support for researchers who come to use the facility from other parts of the country and the world.

Madison360: On UW-Madison’s future, David Ward is the smartest guy in the room

Posted on
Capital Times

David Ward first came to Madison from England as a graduate student in 1960, before John Kennedy was president and before freshman Paul Soglin showed up from Chicago to embark on his adult destiny as our intermittent mayor. Today, at 73, the self-effacing interim chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison laces his vision for UW with repeated references to his advanced age. But make no mistake: Ward?s 2012 ideas to remake UW are distinctly anti-nostalgic.

Medical Examiner’s Office has healthy bottom line

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The details of death weighed on Dane County?s official forensic inquisitor in numbers that justified last year?s creation of the Medical Examiner?s Office. It also forced the hiring of a backup physician and plans for a possible deputy medical examiner. A year ago, the county hired its first chief medical examiner, forensic pathologist Dr. Vincent Tranchida, and predicted the hire would save money by keeping autopsy work in-house and generate revenue by bringing in autopsy work from surrounding counties. Preliminary numbers bear that out, said Barry Irmen, director of the office….The effect of the Medical Examiner’s Office expansion on UW-Madison’s forensic pathology service was inevitable, said Dr. Robert Corliss, a medical school faculty member and forensic pathologist. The autopsy numbers ? which included both forensic and medical autopsies for the university ? dropped from about 650 in 2010 to 450 last year.

New neonatal intensive care unit due next year at UW Hospital

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

UW Hospital plans to open a neonatal intensive care unit next year within American Family Children?s Hospital. The surgical NICU, to have up to 14 beds, will care for infants after they have “highly complex surgeries or other advanced procedures,” Lisa Brunette, a hospital spokeswoman, said in a prepared statement. The unit could open by January, said Dr. Julie Kessel, a UW Health neonatologist who is clinical director of Meriter Hospital?s NICU.

UW football: Sixth UW assistant departs from Bielema’s staff

Posted on
Madison.com

University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema?s one-year experiment with a special teams coordinator is over. DeMontie Cross, who spent one season as the Badgers? special teams coordinator and safeties coach, was named the linebackers coach at Kansas on Thursday. He?s the sixth assistant coach to leave Bielema?s staff since the end of last season, leaving only three holdover full-time assistants.

UW women’s hockey: Ammerman’s brilliant career has gone largely unnoticed

Posted on
Madison.com

Brooke Ammerman is one of the most accomplished players in the history of the University of Wisconsin women?s hockey program, but you?ve never seen the senior right winger on its marquee. She scored the winning goal in two NCAA championship games ? in 2009 vs. Mercyhurst and in ?11 vs. Boston University ? but has never been an All-American. She is closing in on 200 points for her career ? a plateau only three players in program history occupy ? but has never been a first-team All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

UW women’s basketball: Sports Illustrated takes shot at Badgers

Posted on
Madison.com

The University of Wisconsin women?s basketball team finally has received some national attention. Just not the kind of attention it would desire. The Badgers made the Scorecard section of this week?s Sports Illustrated, landing in the Hot/Not feature. Not surprisingly, they are among the “Nots.”

Chadima apologizes for ‘recent lapse of judgment’

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The senior UW athletic official who resigned abruptly earlier this month after an allegation of misconduct apologized on Thursday for his “recent lapse of judgment” but did not say what that lapse involved. A statement by John Chadima, former senior associate athletic director, is his first public comment since his resignation earlier this month.

Fireworks set off inside frat house

Posted on
Capital Times

Residents of a UW-Madison fraternity house escaped injury early Friday morning when fireworks were set off in the basement of the house. A lawn mower with gas in the tank was also in the basement. The fire call came in at 2:45 a.m. Friday at 627 N. Lake St., according to a news release from the Madison Fire Department. City assessor records show the building is the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

UPDATE: Chadima intoxicated at Rose Bowl party

Posted on
WKOW-TV 27

MADISON (WKOW) — A source close to UW Athletics told 27 News former Associate Athletic Director John Chadima was intoxicated at a party in connection with the Badger football team?s trip to southern California and the Rose Bowl and took part in “embarrassing” actions. In a statement Thursday, former administrator John Chadima apologized for unspecified actions. “I have resigned as associate athletic director from UW-Madison so as not to bring disrepute to the University of Wisconsin.”

Chadima Apologizes For Actions In Statement

Posted on
WISC-TV 3

MADISON, Wis. — Former University of Wisconsin athletic department official John Chadima released a statement on Thursday apologizing and accepting responsibility for his actions. The statement, which was released by Chadima?s attorney, makes no mention of the allegations that prompted Chadima to resign earlier this month.

Campus Connection: Sweatshop allegations against Adidas will test UW-Madison

Posted on
Capital Times

The pressure continues to mount on University of Wisconsin-Madison officials to cut ties with Adidas. On Thursday, the Worker Rights Consortium released its final report outlining alleged sweatshop abuses at a factory the apparel giant subcontracted with. Adidas supplies UW-Madison?s 23 sports teams with equipment, uniforms and footwear — and also sells apparel to Bucky backers — in a deal that?s worth about $2.5 million annually to the university.

Paul Soglin: Waxing America: WIAA Tournament in Madison in Jeopardy?

Posted on

The city of Madison and the University of Wisconsin are in a continuing partnership. UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez needs to balance the university?s interests and its need to generate revenue with the Wisconsin Idea – reaching to the boundaries of the state. The UW serves the entire state of Wisconsin and these high school basketball players work for years to be able to earn the chance to play at the Kohl Center. State high school basketball tournaments were meant to be played on the hardwood floor of the major state university basketball team. This is an instance where the city and the university partnership to serve the state must take precedence.

UW football notes: Bielema has linebackers coach, report says

Posted on
Madison.com

University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema appears to have found a linebackers coach in Nevada defensive coordinator Andy Buh. But Bielema said he will likely not name the new linebackers or tight ends coaches until after 2012 recruits can sign National Letters of Intent on Feb. 1.

UW football: New coaches eager to make impact

Posted on
Madison.com

When Matt Canada was in his first coaching stint at Northern Illinois, he recruited the state of Wisconsin. Canada got a close look at the kind of football players that fueled the University of Wisconsin football program?s resurgence under Barry Alvarez in the 1990s. So, nobody has to introduce UW?s new offensive coordinator to the team?s preferred style of offense, which has continued under current coach Bret Bielema. Canada and new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni were introduced to the media on Wednesday and the similarities were striking.
Both were exuberant about their opportunities, engaging in sharing their personal stories and quick to embrace the physical, power running offense that has become the Badgers? trademark.

Campus Connection: UW-Madison joins forces to bulk purchase e-textbooks

Posted on
Capital Times

The University of Wisconsin-Madison joined forces with five other large universities to bulk purchase electronic textbooks in an effort to find ways to curb skyrocketing textbook costs for students. According to the university?s most recent Data Digest, students at UW-Madison spent an average of $1,100 on books and supplies during the 2010-11 academic year ? up from $680 a decade ago.

UW-Madison to be part of e-textbook pilot program

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison and five other major universities announced plans this week to try buying electronic textbooks in bulk, an experiment that officials say could help rein in burdensome textbook costs and bring e-textbooks into the mainstream. The university will try it on a small scale at first, in five courses involving about 600 students when the spring semester begins Monday.

Proposal advances for St. Paul’s student center

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

St. Paul?s Catholic Center appears to be closer to moving forward with a new campus student center. A new proposal to build a six-story building at 723 State St. received initial approval from the Madison Urban Design Commission at Wednesday?s meeting.

Campus Connection: UW System’s eCampus hosting college fair via Twitter

Posted on
Capital Times

Do you ever wonder what it would take to earn a college degree online? The University of Wisconsin System?s eCampus is hosting a college fair via Twitter on Thursday to offer expert advice and information on this topic. Panelists will tweet information about how to choose an online degree, what programs are available and where to start the financial aid process.

UW football: Bielema working to keep recruiting class together

Posted on
Madison.com

University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema has been on the road, calming the fears of recruits, following the departure of five assistant coaches from the program. “The good thing is … because it?s a small recruiting class, it?s been easier to manage,” Bielema said in an interview this week. The Badgers have 12 known oral commitments. Two of them appear to be wavering.

Seen: Up in the air for MadFest Juggling Festival

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

We all juggle schedules, meal times, bills, etc. On top of that, try juggling long-handled clubs, small hoops or as many balls you can fit in your hand….The highlight of the MadFest Juggling Festival was the extravaganza Saturday night at the Wisconsin Union Theater in the UW-Madison Memorial Union. Juggling was just part of the show that also included music and comedy, two very important pieces in a juggler?s repertoire. What does the future hold for jugglers young and old? It?s all up in the air.

On Campus: State funding per-student at UW-Madison dropped by 9.3% in past decade, report found

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The state of Wisconsin reduced per-student funding at UW-Madison by 9.3 percent between 2002 and 2010, after adjusting for inflation, according to data released today by the National Science Board, the policy-making body of the National Science Foundation. State funding per student at UW-Madison dropped from $10,275 to $9,324, according to the report. Trends in state funding are even bleaker at other major public research universities, the science board found.

Campus Connection: ?ALERT ? Increased Security Measures at Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’

Posted on
Capital Times

The University of Wisconsin athletic department sent an email Tuesday to Badgers season ticket holders with a subject line that reads: “ALERT ? Increased Security Measures at Wisconsin Men?s Basketball.” Yikes. Not to worry, says Justin Doherty, UW-Madison’s associate athletic director for external relations.

“There’s no increased threat level or anything like that, it’s a periodic security measure the UWPD and our management staff are engaging in,” he says.

UW men’s basketball: Due to random security checks, arrive early

Posted on
Madison.com

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department is asking fans to arrive early for Wednesday?s men?s basketball game against Northwestern and be prepared for longer lines to enter the Kohl Center as UW-Madison Police and event staff will be conducting random security checks. The increased security also will be in place for Friday?s men?s hockey game against Alaska-Anchorage, though UW associate athletic director Justin Doherty says “there?s no increased security threat or anything like that.”

Ken and Janet Grosse: Repay scholarships if you turn pro

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

With the recent announcement by Badger running back Montee Ball that he has decided to remain at UW-Madison and finish out his senior year, rather than enter the NFL draft, we have nothing but respect for this outstanding young man. When Ball and others accepted scholarships to attend UW and play football, they took on serious obligations, which Ball has seen fit to honor and complete. He is indeed a role model for athletes who will attend the UW now and in the future.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained? New state-backed venture capital fund pushed

Posted on
Capital Times

The lack of investment dollars for new business ventures has long been an issue in Wisconsin. It has become even more pressing in a state that has lost jobs for the past five straight months while the nation as a whole has been adding them. Legislators from both sides of the political aisle are now pushing for some kind of taxpayer-backed venture capital fund that would invest in promising young companies in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or medical equipment. The hope is those investment dollars will help firms flourish, hire more employees, grow the tax base and improve the overall economic climate.

UW football: Bielema working to keep recruiting class together

Posted on
Madison.com

University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema has been on the road, calming the fears of recruits, following the departure of five assistant coaches from the program. “The good thing is … because it?s a small recruiting class, it?s been easier to manage,” Bielema said in an interview this week. The Badgers have 12 known oral commitments. Two of them appear to be wavering.

Clubs roundup: Local bands to support Project Lodge

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The Project Lodge, the all-purpose arts venue located at 817 E. Johnson St., is in full-on fundraising mode. The space recently launched a Kickstarter site (visit theprojectlodge.com for a donation link), and has already raised nearly a third of its $8,000 goal towards continuing operations. This Project Lodge benefit show, which takes place at the Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., on Saturday, Jan. 21, should push the venue that much closer to its target. Headliner and current UW-Madison Ph.D. student Julian Lynch flirts with ambient, jazz and post-rock on his hypnotic third album, ?Terra.?

Editorial: Process And Transparency

Posted on
WISC-TV 3

It has been our experience that very little good comes of efforts to keep the public from what is legitimately the public?s business. And what goes on at the state?s largest public university qualifies as the public?s business. But there are also important issues of process and fairness that often come into play and are indeed in play in the UW?s investigation into alleged misconduct by the recently resigned Senior Associate Athletic Director John Chadima.

UW football: New receivers coach Azzanni known for fundamentals, recruiting

Posted on
Madison.com

University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema?s outlook hasn?t changed during the ongoing process of hiring five new assistant coaches. “I really believe this; it?s how I?m wired,” Bielema said in a phone interview. “You can say it?s coachspeak. To me, transition is an opportunity to improve.” That?s the way Bielema views the hiring of Urban Meyer protege Zach Azzanni as UW?s new receivers coach.

Obituary: Judith L. Ladinsky

Posted on
Madison.com

MADISON – Judith L. Ladinsky, age 73, of Madison, passed away Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, from stroke-related complications. She was a professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences in the UW Medical School for more than 30 years and was director of the Office of International Health. She held an affiliation with the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Judy assisted numerous graduate and medical students secure International Health rotations where they learned firsthand about global health issues.

Doug Moe: Famous geneticist James Crow remained engaged until his death at 95

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The note came early last month, and I couldn?t have been happier. “Hi Doug,” the email began. “On the small chance that you missed it, today?s New York Times reports Awonder Liang just won the 8-year-old world chess championship. I remember your playing with him some time ago. “It was signed, “Jim.” I was happy because I was always happy to hear from Jim Crow. This in no way made me unique. James F. Crow was known around the world as a great scientist, tops in his field ? genetics. But his wide circle of friends knew him as a warm, generous, humorous man with many and varied interests. You couldn’t ask for better company.

Conservative think tank states case for tying teacher pay to success of a school

Posted on
Capital Times

A conservative-leaning think tank issued a report this past week that proposes a Wisconsin teacher compensation system designed to give principals who oversee high-performing schools additional resources to reward educators in the building. The study from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) — “A Modern Teacher Compensation System for Wisconsin” — is an interesting read, a timely topic and, of course, controversial. In fact, a UW-Madison researcher notes a similar system has already been tried in New York City and failed to produce positive results.

Adam Gamoran, a UW-Madison professor of sociology and educational policy studies, says that while research clearly shows some teachers are much more effective than others, what’s not so clear is which attributes these top educators share and whether or not it’s even possible to lead them to teaching more effectively with incentives. UW-Madison’s Allan Odden, a professor of educational leadership and policy analysis, is glad WPRI took the time to publish its report because he agrees the current structure is outdated.

Obituary: Rockwell I. Schulz

Posted on
Madison.com

MADISON – Rockwell I. Schulz, age 82, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. In 1972 he initiated and directed the programs in Health Service Administration within the U.W. Madison Medical School. Throughout his U.W. career he combined his teaching with international research in comparative health care management. He retired in 1996.

Most residents return to Porchlight facility after fire

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Nearly 100 residents of a transitional housing apartment building that caught fire Friday night have returned to the facility at 306 N. Brooks St. near the UW-Madison campus. However, 16 women whose rooms were too severely damaged will move around the corner to St. Francis House Episcopal Student Center, said Dave Black, a St. Francis House board member. Black said the church plans to deconstruct the residential part of its building soon to make way for a student housing project, but for now, the building has enough vacant living space ? including bedrooms, a kitchen and showers ? to accommodate the women.

Ask the Weather Guys: Do the tropics influence the weather in Madison?

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

A. It may seem implausible at first glance, but current research in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UW-Madison is exploring connections between tropical cyclones (hurricanes) near the Philippines and extreme weather events in southern Wisconsin.The connection appears to derive from unusual jet stream structures forced by the outflow from the hurricane at high levels in the atmosphere.

Keep March madness in Madison

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Everyone seems to be trying, so we?ll give some credit for that. But here?s our message to the WIAA and UW officials who are looking for options to keep the girls and boys state high school basketball tournaments in Madison: Try harder. Nothing against the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, touted as a likely alternative site to the over-scheduled Kohl Center in Madison. No doubt the Resch is a fine facility, and the Green Bay area knows a little about hosting big events. But the high school basketball state championships belong in Madison.

Campus Connection: USA Today highlights UW-Madison’s First Wave program

Posted on
Capital Times

UW-Madison?s First Wave program received national attention last week when it was featured in USA Today. Here is the lead to that article: “Imagine learning to beatbox and breakdance in a college class. Imagine watching lectures and performances by hip-hop artists like Chuck D and Janelle Monáe as program requirements. Students studying as a part of the University of Wisconsin?s First Wave program don?t have to imagine. It?s what they do.”

HotelRED celebrates grand opening, neighborhood support

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Of the 48 rooms in HotelRED, 30 are equipped with balconies offering views of the UW Field House and Camp Randall Stadium. Each room in the stylishly designed boutique hotel has a kitchenette, bathrooms with seven-head showers, natural light from large bay windows, and artwork with a distinct Madison flare. But perhaps most importantly, HotelRED, at 1501 Monroe St., now has overwhelming support from the Vilas Neighborhood Association.