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Category: Campus life

As protesters return to UW-Madison and UWM, new policies spark free speech concerns

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The first two weeks of the fall semester looked nothing like the last two weeks of the spring semester at Wisconsin’s largest universities.

The tents have not returned. The news cameras have largely vanished. The police no longer seem perpetually parked near the pro-Palestinian encampments that were fixtures of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee campuses in May.

UW Madison student voters share impact of celebrities endorsing presidential candidates

WMTV - Channel 15

There is buzz around celebrities endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump this election cycle. University of Wisconsin- Madison students say it’s exciting to see their favorite celebrities speak about the candidates. “I feel like Beyonce’s a big one, like that’s my queen right there,” UW Madison Junior Natalia Baker said.

These two Wisconsin cities are among the 100 best in the U.S., study finds

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

However, the ranking doesn’t tell the whole story: despite Madison’s relatively affordability compared to other U.S. cities, home prices and rents have skyrocketed in Madison in recent years and surpassed the area’s median income. University of Wisconsin-Madison students also face some of the highest off-campus rent prices in the Big Ten Conference.

A UW-Madison student’s racist video stirred outrage. Now, new ideas have been offered to improve campus climate

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A racist social media video featuring a University of Wisconsin-Madison student consumed the campus in spring 2023. A Black student advocacy organization formed. Protests staged. A petition signed, to the tune of 67,000 signatures. And an ad-hoc group formed to study the Black experience on campus.

New policies suppress pro-Palestinian speech (opinion)

Inside Higher Ed

In the same breath, colleges claim that they remain committed to academic freedom, the right to protest and freedom of expression. In another extreme example, University of Wisconsin at Madison updated its expressive activity policy in a manner seemingly straight out of 1984, banning any speech activity short of “individuals speaking directly to one another” within 25 feet of a building, a policy UWM constitutional law professor Howard Schweber called “clearly unconstitutional” because it covers “an enormous and almost incalculable amount of First Amendment–protected expression in ways that have nothing to do with ensuring access to university buildings.”

New University Rules Crack Down on Gaza Protests

Mother Jones

University of Wisconsin, Madison: Updated its policy on “expressive activity” August 28. “Expressive activity,” defined as activities protected by the First Amendment including “speech, lawful assembly, protesting, distributing literature and chalking,” is now prohibited within 25 feet of university buildings.

‘Harm or Harness’: AI anxieties among UW students, faculty increase along with demand for skills

The Badger Herald

For University of Wisconsin computer science major Tanvi Wadhawan, envisioning a future where artificial intelligence is not only present but omnipresent has been a no-brainer. Growing up in the Silicon Valley area, Wadhawan has long understood the potential of AI, so much so that it caused her to switch career paths.

“It’s [AI] why I switched gears from straight software engineering to security… it 100% has made me rethink my entire career,” Wadhawan said. “If ChatGPT or cloud AI can do my homework, it can do my job.”

Chancellor Mnookin reflects on free speech, student housing, protest violations during media roundtable

The Daily Cardinal

A lot has been on University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s plate since the spring.

Between a 12-day pro-Palestine encampment and juggling the university budget process, she’s had to carefully tread an upcoming election with a student body that has divided perspectives. Mnookin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor sat down with campus media Tuesday to discuss free speech efforts, the affordable housing shortage and protest culture.

UW-Madison students show gratitude for program that expands study abroad access

Wisconsin Public Radio

During the 2022-23 school year, more than 2,500 UW-Madison students participated in a study abroad program, according to the university’s International Academic Programs annual report for that year.

“We really see it as an opportunity for growth,” said Dan Gold of UW-Madison’s study abroad office. “When you look at it conceptually, basically it’s just: What can you do that’s not on campus that will help your academic goals?”

What does it mean to be Jewish? Age, upbringing influence response to Israel’s war in Gaza

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Tension would probably be an understatement,” said University of Wisconsin-Madison junior Reuben Berkowitz of Milwaukee.

Berkowitz said his family, who raised him to understand the shared importance of Israeli and Palestinian safety, have supported him as he explored his relationship with Zionism, and chose to participate last spring in UW-Madison’s encampment. His father, Joel, is the director of UW-Milwaukee’s Jewish Studies program.

Bus pass pickup moves to Ogg Hall due to long lines at Union South

Daily Cardinal

Long lines inside an already busy Union South were a major factor in the decision to move locations, Transportation Services marketing specialist Lauren Hawley said in an email to The Daily Cardinal. “Transportation Services decided to relocate the student bus pass pickup location to Ogg Hall, a larger location to help facilitate pickup in a more efficient manner,” Hawley said.

Investigating vandalism at UW-Madison

WTMJ

The University of Wisconsin-Madison police are investigating 2 incidents of vandalism on campus.

The most recent incident happened around 3am on Wednesday, September 4. UWPD found several parts of Library Mall, including the Hagenah Fountain, vandalized with paint. Facilities crews were able to clean up the graffiti.

Students return to UW-Madison for start of fall semester

WKOW – Channel 27

Thousands of students are flooding the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus Wednesday for the first day of the fall semester, marking the beginning of a new academic year. University officials say they are welcoming 10,000 new and transfer students this year, continuing a trend of growing enrollment.

UW tuition promise programs finding success, but need funding

Wisconsin Public Radio

For years, national surveys of students and families have shown the cost to attend college heavily influences where high school students choose to enroll. Educators in Wisconsin have taken that seriously.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison launched Bucky’s Tuition Promise in 2018. The program covers a student’s tuition for four years if the family has a household income of $65,000 or less.