The Associated Students of Madison’s (ASM) spring election had the highest voter turnout since 2022, with more than double the number of students voting compared to last year.
Category: Campus life
Buzzed into Madison with the UW-Madison School of Nursing
Celebrating 100 years of excellence at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing! With a growing nursing shortage, Badger nurses are stepping up—pursuing advanced degrees to educate, advocate, and transform healthcare for the future.
Indigenous ribbon skirts make a modern statement
Ribbon skirts — once reserved for ceremonies across many tribal traditions — are showing up in everyday spaces on a new generation of Indigenous women. Miinan White, McKenna Metoxen and Ava Belisle attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where they’re building community around the garment. “When I was little, I only had like two or three [ribbon] skirts,” says White, whose mother taught her to sew them. Now White, Metoxen and Belisle are filling their closets.
The three young women all hold leadership positions for Wunk Sheek, a UW–Madison campus organization founded in 1968 that promotes Indigenous identity, culture and history.
LGBTQ+ students navigate uncertainty amid shifts in federal policies
President Donald Trump’s second term has introduced a series of policies raising concerns for the LGBTQ+ community across the U.S., particularly hindering the welfare of University of Wisconsin students, according to Human Rights Watch.
Eboo Patel, Chancellor Mnookin speak on bridging divides
Founder and President of Interfaith America, Eboo Patel, joined University of Wisconsin Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to discuss building bridges and fostering community at Tripp Commons March 12.
‘We will not be intimidated into being quiet’: Activists gather at Library Mall in support of Mahmoud Khalil
Around a hundred University of Wisconsin-Madison students and community members gathered at Library Mall Tuesday for a walkout in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestine protest leader who was arrested by immigration officials in New York over the weekend.
Hundreds of UW students stage walkout in protest of ICE’S detainment of Mahmoud Khalil
Hundreds of students walked out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in protest of ICE’S detainment of Mahmoud Khalil on March 11.
UW students get ‘scoop’ on what jobs are really like
The University of Wisconsin Havens Wright Center for Justice, in collaboration with the High Road Strategy Center and the South Central Federation of Labor will present Labor Spring 2025, “Get the Scoop: What jobs are really like,” March 14 at the Old Madison Room in Memorial Union from 1-3 p.m.
Carla Vigue on Native students and ‘Relatives’ at UW-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison Tribal Relations Director Carla Vigue describes how a group called “Relatives” offers different types of support to Indigenous students on campus and to student groups.
Experts break down Wisconsin Supreme Court race ahead of April 1 election
The State Democracy Research Initiative and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Election Research Center hosted an expert panel on Friday to explore funding, impact and the legal context of the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
UW students march for Mahmoud Kahlil, condemn deportation efforts
Student group organizes walkout in solidarity of pro-Palestine activist.
Who is Bucky Badger?
Each April, the University of Wisconsin–Madison holds tryouts to test which hopefuls are up to the task, both physically and creatively. In a role-playing station, candidates don Bucky’s 35-pound head and respond to various scenarios. In a second station, they improvise a minute-long performance using props.
Devesh Ranjan, new Grainger Dean of Engineering, talks research, inspirations
Devesh Ranjan, currently a chair and professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, will be returning to Wisconsin this summer as Grainger Dean of Engineering.
UW-Madison announces new police chief
The UW Police Department has named its interim leader, Brent Plisch, as its permanent police chief, its third in more than three decades.
UW System leaders urge Congress to preserve federal research funding
Leaders from Wisconsin’s top universities, including University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, urged Congress to reverse federal research funding cuts at a press conference Wednesday at the UW-Madison’s Health Sciences Learning Center.
UW Police Department names new chief
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department announced its new police chief Thursday. Brent Plisch will officially become chief March 16.
UWPD investigating attempted bike robbery outside Sellery Hall
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is investigating an attempted strong-armed robbery outside Sellery Residence Hall that allegedly occurred on Saturday, according to a UWPD crime warning email sent to UW-Madison students and faculty on Thursday.
Voters sue after Madison failed to count their absentee ballots
The Madison city clerk’s office first informed the public on Dec. 26 about the unprocessed ballots from three wards near downtown and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. That disclosure was six weeks after a first batch of 68 ballots was found in a tabulator machine, sealed in an envelope inside a sealed courier bag.
Trigger warnings in the classroom: Helping or hindering students? UW professor weighs in
Halverson-Bascom and Douglas Kelly professor of French Jan Miernowski said he began placing trigger warnings in his course syllabi for two reasons.
For one, Miernowski observed his students placing content warnings in their assigned essays when there is explicit content present. The second reason is that his students reached out saying they were extremely affected by the content of his course books.
UWPD investigating attempted bike theft outside Sellery Hall
The UW-Madison Police Department is investigating an attempted strong-armed robbery which occurred March 1 and was reported March 5, according to a Crime Warning emailed to University of Wisconsin students Thursday afternoon.
Brent Plisch named UW–Madison’s new police chief
Brent Plisch has been named the new chief of police for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department. He will officially assume his role on March 16.
UW-Madison Police Department announces next police chief
The interim police chief of the UW-Madison Police Department has been selected to lead the department permanently.
The University of Wisconsin- Madison announced Thursday that Brent Plisch has been named UWPD chief of police, starting on March 16.
Brent Plisch named chief of UWPD
Current interim University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department (UWPD) Chief Brent Plisch was named chief of police, UWPD announced Thursday.
Madison voters to sue over uncounted absentee ballots in 2024 presidential election
“Many of these uncounted votes belonged to University of Wisconsin students in downtown Madison. The students were voting in their very first presidential election and perhaps one of the most consequential elections of their lives,” Jeff Mandell, general counsel of Law Forward, said in a statement.
Wisconsin football’s 2025 season opener gets moved up
The University of Wisconsin football season will start with some history this year.
A shift in the schedule moved the Badgers’ season opener against Miami (Ohio) up to Thursday, Aug. 28 at Camp Randall Stadium, providing the program with its first Thursday regular-season kickoff since 2011.
Women’s History Month: Celebrating prominent women artists of UW
March marks Women’s History Month and a time to honor the contributions made by women far and wide, here and now. The University of Wisconsin’s history is made up of countless accomplished women.
Wisconsin Film Festival announces 170 films in 8 days this April
The Wisconsin Film Festival is presented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Communication Arts and is now entering its 26th year. Ben Reiser, director of operations, said Madison has supported the festival’s growth.
“The film-going community in Madison has embraced it as a chance to see all these films that you do hear about from other film festivals,” Reiser said, and particularly, “as a chance to see them in movie theaters.”
From the field to the classroom: UW athletes read with Madison second graders
Student athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have visited second grade classrooms in the Madison school district every Monday since September 2024 as part of the Role Model Reading Program, a partnership between the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and the 2nd & 7 foundation created by Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell.
UW–Madison leaders express concern over federal executive orders
In a letter to all students, faculty and staff on Feb. 28, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin and Provost Charles Isbell Jr. expressed concern about recent executive orders issued by the Trump administration.
Indigenous activist Sarah Eagle Heart presents Lakota worldview
Oglála Lakota activist, storytelling discuss cultural preservation, power of Indigenous voices.
‘Roots and Routes’: UW celebrates third annual MENA Heritage Month
‘MENA Heritage Month finally feels like a time where our voices are heard and our identities are really seen,’ MENA chair says.
‘No grad student makes a living wage in Madison’: Inside UW graduate worker union’s fight for better pay
Trump administration budget cuts could negatively impact science research, TAA co-president says.
‘Speak up, take action’: UW community navigates DEI breakdown
Despite state, federal pushback against diversity initiatives, students, professors work to maintain inclusive campus environment.
UW responds to U.S. Department of Education letter demanding educational institutions remove DEI programming
Amid this uncertainty, UW spokesperson John Lucas said the university remains dedicated to its commitment to DEI in an email statement to The Badger Herald. “UW-Madison is committed to a campus environment that values diversity in both background and viewpoint, and fosters inclusion and belonging for all students, faculty and staff,” Lucas said in the email.
UW-Madison recommends lowering number of future admitted graduate students as NIH funding remains in limbo
University of Wisconsin-Madison leaders’ recommendation to graduate school deans to lower future graduate admissions comes as the university is preparing for the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to federal grant spending.
UW-Madison to reassess race-based programs to comply with federal orders
In a letter to the campus community, University of Wisconsin-Madison leaders said federal decisions have created uncertainty though they reaffirmed the university’s values of diversity.
Wisconsin Black Student Union celebrates Black fashion, culture at third annual fashion show
The event, “Tailoring the Black diaspora: Black Brilliance through the Ages,” featured four design themes: The Harlem Renaissance, Black Icons from the 1980s to early 2000s, a futuristic 31st century category based on Childish Gambino’s song “3005” and a Black Excellence category.
Madison’s State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment may be extended
City planners recommend adding a fire hydrant, lighting upgrades and raised pedestrian crossings on State Street, which stretches from the state Capitol to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. They also favor adopting one-way traffic, automatic retractable bollards and bike lanes.
UW-Madison student organizes off-campus art gallery to bring more eyes to local artwork
Bryce Dailey is a junior at UW-Madison. His art has been featured several times in the Memorial Union’s annual Student Art Show. However, he and several of his classmates wanted more showcasing experience, so Dailey organized an independent show.
UW evaluates graduate program admissions amid federal funding uncertainty
Following NIH, NSF funding cuts, no central UW directive to decrease new admissions.
Former ambassador to the UN to speak at UW-Madison in April
“We are thrilled to host Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield who has extensive experience in international policy and in modeling respect and compromise in policymaking.” said La Follette School Director Yackee.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former ambassador to the UN, to speak at UW–Madison on April 1
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will share policy insights and evidence-based solutions from her 40-plus years in the Foreign Service at a public presentation for the UW–Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at the UW Memorial Union in Madison. She is a UW alumna.
Ohio State and Brown have the most Fulbright Scholars and students this year
- The top doctoral universities for Fulbright Scholars were:
- Ohio State University 14
- University of Florida 12
- Pennsylvania State University 12
- University of Wisconsin, Madison 12
UW political science professor previews first 100 days of Trump’s presidency
Professor Mark Copelovitch discusses Trump’s domestic, foreign policies, says future looks uncertain.
Trump presidency’s whirlwind’ domestic, foreign policy reversals create more uncertain world, political science professor says
At an event hosted by WUD Society and Politics Monday, UW-Madison political science professor Mark Copelevitch voiced concerns about President Donald Trump’s remaking of the federal government.
2-time Super Bowl champ takes the stage in UW-Madison play
The play, written by one of the giants of 20th-century theater, August Wilson, opens on the UW-Madison campus with a preview Thursday. Hicks plays Seth Holly, the owner of a Black boarding house in Pittsburgh where many different lives intersect in a search for identity and wholeness.
Inaugural African American Studies Student Symposium shares DEI research, Black arts
The Department of African American Studies hosted its first annual undergraduate symposium Feb. 22 at the Pyle Center. The symposium highlighted research, art and projects from students involved in the African American studies department taking classes, declaring the major or the certificate.
A look at UW-Madison’s Peace Corps legacy amid foreign aid funding review
UW-Madison contributes a significant number of Peace Corps volunteers. Proposals of federal cuts to foreign aid pose serious risks to agency funding.
UW professor gives talk, discusses racist policies, black homeownership
Law professor Bernadette Atuahene discusses inequitable nature of homeownership in America.
Afghan Student Association coming to campus in fall of 2025
New organization to create community for Afghan students.
Madison-area theater companies build buzz with Sondheim series
“A Little Night Music,” featuring a vocal quintet, is University Opera’s choice, running March 14-16 in Shannon Hall. With a story by Hugh Wheeler, the 1973 “Little Night Music” was inspired by an Ingmar Bergman film about an aging actress, Desiree (Madison Barrett), and what happens when her married lovers converge at her mother’s estate for a very dramatic “weekend in the country.”
Art, engineering partnership creates new space for innovative learning
For years, the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Mechanical Engineering foundry has served as a learning environment for students eager to gain hands-on manufacturing skills. But, the early months of 2024 saw the foundry’s permanent closure so the space could be used as a research lab.
10th year of 100,000 meters for pediatric brain cancer research
UW Madison’s rowing team hosted its tenth annual erg challenge on Thursday at the Porter Boathouse to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research. Teams raised funds by completing a 100,000-meter rowing relay in partnership with the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation.
He fled Syria in 2014. Now, this Wisconsin-based humanitarian wants to rebuild his country.
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Shayyah studies how other countries have started over after oppression — how they rebuild the economy, infrastructure and culture. He’d like to start his own humanitarian organization that will help war-torn countries recover, through education for children and young adults.
Author John Green at UW-Madison: ‘All true stories are hopeful’
“ I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I find it very hard to think about anything else at the moment,” the best-selling author told a packed crowd of students and community members at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Shannon Hall on Tuesday.
Starting classes on Sept. 1? Students, faculty support making fall start date earlier
For many University of Wisconsin-Madison students, the beginning of September is a time to reacclimate themselves to Madison before classes start and take advantage of the remainder of summer to enjoy campus. But some say the first day of classes, usually the middle of the week after Labor Day, arrives too late.
America is about to enter an apartment crunch
Apartment prices surged most this month in college towns like Syracuse, New York; New Haven, Connecticut; Lexington, Kentucky; Madison, Wisconsin; and Lincoln, Nebraska. Those towns, all of which were in the top 10 of year-over-year rent growth in August, are home to Syracuse University, Yale University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, respectively.
It’s not time to protest, it’s time to strike
Peter Rickman is the president of the Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization now, but in 2011 he was a grad student and a member of the Teaching Assistants’ Association at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He remembers it was a Thursday when the governor “dropped the bomb”—which is what Walker himself called his bill dismantling unions. Rickman was in a meeting with other organizers at the time: “We all sort of looked around at one another and were like … this is our fight.” After all, teaching assistants were state employees, too.
John Green discusses tuberculosis, health inequities during Shannon Hall lecture
Author John Green visited the University of Wisconsin’s Shannon Hall at Memorial Union on Feb. 18 to talk about the upcoming release of his new book, “Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection.” Green was introduced by professor of pediatrics at UW’s School of Medicine and Public Health Dr. James Conway.
Georgia Tech professor, Badger alum named dean of UW-Madison College of Engineering
Devesh Ranjan will step into his new role on June 16. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and won the Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in Mechanical Engineering in 2023.