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Category: Business/Technology

SLACâ??s love-hate affair with UW

Badger Herald

Two days after chastising Chancellor Biddy Martin for a change in policy regarding campus workers, the University of Wisconsin Student Labor Action Coalition presented her with a homemade cake in gratitude for her recent standoff with Nike over the compensation of workers; however, she was unable to share in the festivities.

‘Professor’ scams real estate agent

Capital Times

A “professor” looking to rent a residence in Madison duped a real estate agent out of thousands of dollars using an old, but apparently still workable, check scam.

Madison police said the unidentified real estate agent lost over $3,500 to the scammer before she smelled a rat.

Wis. Senate Democrats unveil job-creation plan

Democrats who control the Wisconsin state Senate have unveiled a proposal they say will help create and retain jobs and businesses and improve worker education and training. One part of the proposal announced Monday would spend $2 million to increase partnerships between businesses and the University of Wisconsin.

Madison-based JumperPhone offers plug-and-play system

A Madison company says it has developed a better way to keep in touch with friends and family in other countries. JumperTel Communications says its “plug and play” phone system is inexpensive and easy to use. JumperTel says. Of the seven company founders, all but one are UW-Madison graduates, and executives for the company’s investor, Optimo Investments, an investment firm in Abu Dhabi, are UW grads.

Dick Murphy: Student papers wrong to push boycott of Gritty

Capital Times

Dear Editor: It would seem to me the people at the two student newspapers responsible for the attempted boycott of the Nitty Gritty would be able to use their college education to evaluate a situation in its entirety.

In the 1960s and â??70s (before the boycott sponsors were a twinkle in their fathersâ?? eyes) the owner of the Nitty Gritty was the host of an extremely popular local childrenâ??s TV program, and later Madisonâ??s No. 1 rated TV sportscaster. He then purchased a run-down bar at Frances and West Johnson streets and built it into one of Madisonâ??s most respected eating establishments.

Doyle’s youth insurance request a healthy step

Daily Cardinal

Last Thursday, Gov. Jim Doyle sent out an executive order clarifying an existing statute on health insurance to young adults. This would allow citizens in their 20â??s to be covered under their parentsâ?? health-care plan starting January 1 next year. Any Wisconsin resident would be eligible if you are between 17 and 27 years of age, unmarried, and either not eligible for health coverage through your employer or your premium contribution is more than the amount your parents would pay to add you to their plan. Currently, only childless full-time students can stay in their parents plan till the age of 25. But with the passage of this new policy, potentially 100,000 young adults in Wisconsin could benefit.

Chat Transcript: Wisconsin Admissions

BusinessWeek

The Wisconsin School of Business (Wisconsin Full-Time MBA Profile), a second-tier MBA program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, takes a nontraditional approach to teaching management. Students sign up to study career tracks rather than majors or concentrations. Brand management, applied securities, marketing research, and entrepreneurship are among the most popular specializations, says Erin L. C. Nickelsburg (ELCNickelsburg), director of admissions and recruitment for Wisconsinâ??s full-time MBA program. Entrepreneurship recently got a boost because more students become interested in the area during an economic downturn, she adds.

Laptop City Hall: Fight over alcohol committee representative brewing among students

Capital Times

In one of the only examples Iâ??ve seen of collaboration between UW-Madisonâ??s Badger Herald and Daily Cardinal student newspapers, both papers put out an editorial today calling on students to boycott the Nitty Gritty. Yes, the Nitty Gritty — where you can get free soda/beer and a small sundae on your birthday, and thereby one of the most popular downtown bars.

What was the cause of this call to arms? Nitty Gritty owner Marsh Shapiro, the non-voting Tavern League of Wisconsin representative on the cityâ??s Alcohol License Review Committee, came out strongly against an initiative from Ald. Bryon Eagon to add a permanent, voting student member to the committee.

Biz Beat: Wisconsinmade.com earns raves in national magazine

Who says Wisconsin suffers from a shortage of go-getters with good ideas?

Not U.S. News and World report, which features Linda Remeschatis, in its October issue. Remeschatis is owner of wisconsinmade.com.

The University of Wisconsin is also recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an excellent resource for people starting businesses.

Bar sues UW Board of Regents

Badger Herald

The company that owns Brothers Bar & Grill filed a lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Tuesday, alleging unfair condemnation procedures over their location at 704 University Ave.

UW Officials Defend Decision To Condemn Madison Bar (AP)

WISC-TV 3

MADISON, Wis. — Officials with the University of Wisconsin System are defending its decision to condemn a Madison bar as part of a plan to build a $43 million music performance hall.

The owners of Brothers Bar & Grill on Tuesday sued the UW System Board of Regents, seeking to stop the condemnation and keep the bar theyâ??ve operated for 15 years.

UW cash 3rd in nation

Badger Herald

The University of Wisconsin announced another jump in research expenditures this year â?? as well as the earning of another top three national ranking for research institutions â??amid contentious talks about the proposal to significantly restructure the graduate program.

UW proves a life boat for construction industry

Capital Times

The UW-Madison has been named “Developer of the Year” by Wisconsin Builder magazine.

The university is in the middle of its biggest building boom since the 1960s, with the new Union South, Chazen Museum of Art expansion and the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, among other projects.

Much of the work was laid out in the 2005 Master Plan for upgrading campus buildings. Some historic structures are being renovated while 1960s-era buildings characterized by poor construction and excessive energy use are being replaced.

Wisconsin Builderâ??s honor is a deserving one for UW-Madison, reflecting perhaps the struggles of the private sector as much as anything.

Research does pay off in economic development

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

I was saddened greatly by the opinion piece “UWM as economic engine? Dream on” by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor Marc Levine (Crossroads, Oct. 4). The central theme of that piece is disdain for Chancellor Carlos Santiagoâ??s leadership and vision of what UWM can do for Milwaukeeâ??s and Wisconsinâ??s economic futures.

It would be a tragic shame if anyone used Levineâ??s analysis as an excuse to deflect UWMâ??s current trajectory. I am absolutely convinced that UWM is on a path to become one of the nationâ??s great research universities and that the achievement of that goal is critical for the economic future of Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin (including, let me add specifically, the futures of Madison and UW-Madison), says former UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley in an op-ed column.

UW calls proposal to change patent law ‘reckless’

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

University of Wisconsin-Madison officials are lashing out at new recommendations from an influential federal panel that could dramatically weaken patent protection for the universityâ??s genetic research.

Among other things, the panel recommended essentially exempting genetic tests for cancer and other diseases from patent protection – meaning that anyone could use genetic diagnostic research from UW-Madison or any university without obtaining licenses.

“They are making reckless policy recommendations,” said Andrew Cohn, who spearheads government lobbying efforts on behalf of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, UW-Madisonâ??s patent-management arm. “This is an incredible precedent, a bad precedent.”

Badger State’s tech boom

Star Tribune

There was a time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison when starting a company ranked somewhere between gambling and arms dealing.

Faculty members shunned entrepreneurship because it seemed to conflict with the school’s true mission of conducting research and educating students, a debate that still rages at schools across the country, including the University of Minnesota.

“Prior to 1992, very few faculty started companies,” said Thomas (Rock) Mackie, chairman and co-founder of TomoTherapy Inc., who still teaches medical physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “It was almost frowned upon. But now it’s actively encouraged.”

A bio border battle

Star Tribune

Wisconsin has become the regional biotech equivalent of traditional high-tech powerhouses like Boston, Silicon Valley and Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, thanks to strong political support, an influx of investor capital and what is arguably the most formidable university technology transfer program in the country.

Thoughtfulness trumps attacks in food debate

Capital Times

Two decades ago, it seemed that not a month went by without some farmer or another challenging the term “sustainable agriculture.” Farmers wrote letters to editors in farm papers asserting that there was no definition for this ridiculous term; it meant whatever a person wanted it to mean. In fact, then as now, sustainable agriculture advanced straightforward principles – of elevating environmentally sound, economically profitable and socially responsible agricultural systems.

Various farmers and more than one agricultural researcher buttonholed me back then to say that agriculture had to feed the world and this fanciful approach undercut agricultureâ??s serious responsibilities. Some perceived sustainable agriculture as anti-technology and opposed to change. It was a contentious time in agriculture, born of the farm crisis – the terrifying hemorrhaging of farmers during the 1980s – and the growing awareness of environmental damage from many federal agricultural policies.

Into this hostile climate was born the University of Wisconsin-Madisonâ??s Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last week.

Students awarded grants for entrepreneurship

Daily Cardinal

Four students were awarded the Student Venture Seed Grant Monday for their business ventures as part of the Wiscontrepreneur program. The SVS program will provide each student with $3,000 to help turn their start-up businesses into successful companies. Charles Hoslet, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations managing director, said the program is designed to support students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

UW entrepreneur students receive seed grants

Badger Herald

Consistent with the spirit of the University of Wisconsinâ??s top-25 national ranking for entrepreneurship last week, the Wiscontrepreneur initiative announced the winners of the Student Venture Seed Grant Competition Monday. According to Allen Dines, assistant director at UWâ??s Office of Corporate Relations, five applicants presented their ideas to a panel of judges that consisted of university employees as well as local business leaders. Four of those five were then awarded $3,000 to help further their businesses.

Student start-ups receive grants from UW-Madison

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Four student-run start-ups have received grants from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Corporate Relations to help grow their businesses. The businesses, all run by UW-Madison undergraduate students, each received $3,000 from the officeâ??s Student Venture Seed Grant Program, the university said Monday.

John Oncken: Farmers have no real beef with Pollan, but donâ??t blame them for obesity

Capital Times

Among the estimated 7,000 students, University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty and the public who attended author Michael Pollanâ??s discussion of his latest book, “In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto,” were some 200 Wisconsin farmers.

The farmer delegation came to the Kohl Center on buses chartered by Madison-based feed company Vita Plus to hear for themselves what the much-discussed book was about, direct from Pollan himself.

….Mostly, the farmers attending the Pollan event seemed to be worried about how few of the students know anything about farming and have ever seen a farm up close. They’d like to do something about it.

Some farmers suggested that Chancellor Martin’s next effort might center on “Visit a Farm,” whereby entire classes, special groups or individual students and faculty would take a trip to an actual dairy or livestock farm.

In defense of Michael Pollan and a broad food debate

Capital Times

….The Farm Bureau bureaucracy is all hot and bothered because the UWâ??s Go Big Read program – which seeks to promote a campus-wide discussion about a particular book – selected Michael Pollanâ??s “In Defense of Food” as the text students and faculty will be discussing.

“Pollan has narrow and elitist ideas about how you should eat and how farmers should or shouldnâ??t feed a hungry and growing world,” argues the federationâ??s president.

Actually, Pollan, whose work has revolutionized the discussion about food and food production in the United States, argues that Americans should eat locally grown foods – especially plants – and should be wary of the claims of “a 32 billion-dollar food-marketing machine” that keeps telling us the best way to eat just happens to be the way that yields the highest profits for multinational corporations.

….No matter what the motivations, no matter whether the misread of “In Defense of Food” is malignant or misguided, the bottom line is that Pollan is not the problem for working farmers. He may, in fact, be a part of the solution. So it is good that his book is being read by UW students and it is great that he is coming to Madison to further the discussion.

WI Business School predicts foreclosure “perfect storm”

WKOW-TV 27

MADISON (WKOW) — Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Business School call it the “perfect storm”.

Home values are declining and unemployment is rising.

Authors of a new study at the business school say President Barack Obamaâ??s foreclosure rescue plan doesnâ??t adequately address both problems.

Authors: Morris A. Davis, Stephen Malpezzi and François Ortalo-Magné

Tech: BTN to stream at least 200 â??minor’ sports events

Capital Times

The Big Ten Network announced that it will double its commitment to several Olympic sports this season by streaming at least 200 live events on www.BigTenNetwork.com — more than double the 100 last season.

All events on www.BigTenNetwork.com will be available for just $2.99 per event, which BTN said in a news release was “significantly” less expensive than the cost of most other collegiate streaming services.

Of the 200-plus events, there will be 21 non-conference menâ??s basketball games, plus all exhibition games. Unlike any other conference, the Big Ten will receive TV or Internet coverage for every single home menâ??s basketball game for the third straight year. Once again, nearly 90 percent of Big Ten home regular season games will be televised.

Biz Beat: UW chancellor denies buckling to ‘Big Farma’

Capital Times

Itâ??s no secret farm groups in Wisconsin are in a froth over the UW-Madisonâ??s invite to Michael Pollan to visit campus.

The best-selling author of “The Omnivoreâ??s Dilemma,” Pollan has emerged as the leading critic of mainstream agriculture, factory farming and the meat-heavy diet of Americans. His call to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” has enraged cattle, pork and dairy producers nationwide — not to mention its various front groups like the Center for Consumer Freedom.

Pollan will visit Madison on Sept. 24 for a lecture at the Kohl Center. He also will participate in a panel discussion on Sept. 25 as part of the UWâ??s “Go Big Read” campus-wide book reading program where his 2008 work “In Defense of Food” will be discussed.

Yet while farm groups have openly criticized UW chancellor Biddy Martin for approving the Pollan book for the “Go Big Read” effort, Martin is also taking some behind-the-scenes heat from left-wing foodies.

Biz Beat: A big empty space

Capital Times

University Square owner Greg Rice isnâ??t sure where to go next with the large restaurant space at the corner of West Johnson and Lake Streets.

But heâ??s grown frustrated now that Scott Acker has abandoned his plans for a sports-themed bar/restaurant to fill the 24,000 square feet of space in the mixed use development.

UW teaches artists business skills

Isthmus

“So you’re an actor?” goes an old joke in both Manhattan and Hollywood. “Which restaurant?”

The image of the starving artist may be romantic, but that’s about it. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is combating uncertainty for people contemplating arts careers with a groundbreaking program called Arts Enterprise. It includes a public lecture series.

Students learn about marketing by selling radio headsets for Badger games

Wisconsin State Journal

Badger fans can optimize their game-day experience and support a local high school business club with the purchase of pre-tuned earpiece radios that let users hear the play-by-play in real time with action on the field, court or ice rink.

Hawked by students in LaFollette High Schoolâ??s DECA Club as a fundraiser and a business learning experience, the headsets cost $20 and are good for the current season of Badger football games, home and away, and the home games of the menâ??s hockey and basketball teams.

To banks, college students are pure gold

Wisconsin State Journal

Zachary Glembin eagerly eyed the inflated plastic booth set up in the plaza of East Campus Mall, in the University Square complex.

He would be the first to step inside and make a grab for as much play money as he could hang onto in 30 seconds as it flew around in the portable wind tunnel, dubbed the Tycoon Typhoon – play money that would be exchanged for the real thing.

Madison: the low-cost biotech alternative?

Capital Times

Wisconsin economic development gurus love to tout Madison as one of the worldâ??s rising biotech “hot spots.” But Madisonâ??s biotechnology scene gets an unflattering mention in a new report detailed in the Scientist magazine – for having some of the lowest life sciences salaries in the nation.