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Category: Campus life

Geoffrion dodges draft to continue tour of duty at UW

Madison.com

Thirteen months ago, Blake Geoffrion walked into the office of University of Wisconsin menâ??s hockey coach Mike Eaves and said something profound.

A captain and highly regarded center in the midst of his junior season, Geoffrion told Eaves he intended to return to UW for his senior year.

Geoffrion, a second-round NHL draft pick of Nashville, had talked it over with his parents during the holiday break and decided he would make a pretty unusual commitment.

Suspicious package at UWSP prompts emergency response

Wausau Daily Herald

What appeared to be a suspicious package Tuesday morning on campus at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point turned out to be a prop for a class.

Although the incident proved not to be serious, it did provide university officials a chance for a live-action implementation of the campus’s emergency management plan.

Fresh Madison Market being developed at University Square

Wisconsin State Journal

Interior construction has begun on a grocery store in the University Square complex, with Jan. 15 targeted as the opening date.

Fresh Madison Market will be on the West Lake Street/University Avenue corner of the development. The 18,000-square-foot project will have an emphasis on fresh foods such as produce, meat, seafood, bakery and deli as well as being a full-service grocery, owner and operator Jeff Maurer said Tuesday.

Health agency to focus on swine flu vaccinations in Dane County schools

Wisconsin State Journal

Noted: UW-Madison has requested 20,000 swine flu vaccinations and plans to offer walk-in vaccinations at the University Health Services, as well as seven “large scale” clinics once the vaccinations are received, said Dr. Sarah Van Orman, executive director of University Health Services.

And while the university recently reported a decrease in the number of students evaluated for influenza-like illness, “I would not be surprised if we see another uptick,” she said.

ASM diversity forum stresses personal action

Daily Cardinal

The 2009 Student Diversity Forum, hosted by the Associated Students of Madison and the Multicultural Student Coalition met Monday to challenge students and other members of the UW-Madison community to engage in an open and honest dialogue about diversity on campus.

Board begins initiative work

Badger Herald

The Madison Initiative Student Oversight Board met Monday night to discuss 20 proposals submitted by almost every college on campus, ranging from a new certificate in nanotechnology to a shared adviser note system.

Suspicious package at UWSP turns out to be class prop (Stevens Point Journal)

What appeared to be a suspicious package on campus at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point this morning turned out to be a prop for a class.

Shortly before 9 a.m. maintenance workers observed a student crossing campus with what looked like a rifle bag. The workers followed the student and watched him enter the Noel Fine Arts Center, while campus security was on its way.

Diversity Committee announces task force

Badger Herald

The Associated Students of Madison and MultiCultural Student Coalition teamed up Monday night at Memorial Union to engage students in discussing the importance of diversity on the University of Wisconsin campus.

Flu cases continue to decline on UW-Madison campus

Capital Times

The number of students with flu-like symptoms continued to decline last week on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, according to the weekly report from University Health Services.

In the sixth week of the fall semester (Oct. 4-10), 43 students were determined to have an influenza-like illness, down from 58 students in the fifth week of the semester.

“Influenza activity on campus seems to be pretty quiet right now,” said UHSâ?? executive director, Dr. Sarah Van Orman. The 43 cases are the lowest since school started Sept. 2.

Protecting information privacy on college campuses

Wisconsin Public Radio

A computer glitch which allowed some Google users to inadvertently see otherâ??s e-mail is underscoring some of the pitfalls colleges have, when students and faculty rely on computer applications that donâ??t have campus oversight.

It didnâ??t happen here in Wisconsin. The glitch occurred at Brown University in Rhode Island. UW-Madison Information Technology director Brian Rust says it doesnâ??t happen frequently. But itâ??s the kind of thing in which I.T. officials everywhere take note. Rust says it probably wouldnâ??t go over well at UW-Madison if students discovered that their gmail, facilitated by campus officials, was able to be read by other students. (3rd item.)

Creativity required to solve issues of diversity

Daily Cardinal

The word â??diversityâ? has always drawn crowds and sparked discussions. Last Thursday, the UW community held a conference on campus diversity. Hundreds of people shared their opinions on the idea of â??Inclusive Excellence.â? The heated exchange lasted all day long, but most of the talks were limited to racial and ethnic diversity. Even though this is the centerpiece of the whole diversity ideal, such a narrow interpretation might compromise UWâ??s efforts to diversify itself.

Grad school to reform

Badger Herald

In response to what University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin called the â??single greatest complaintâ? she has received thus far as chancellor, a proposal has been constructed that would significantly change the structure of the graduate school, including the addition of a separate vice chancellor for research.

Burglaries prompt warnings from police for UW students

Capital Times

University of Wisconsin-Madison students are being warned by both the Madison and the UW-Madison police departments to keep their homes secure after a couple of burglaries were reported.

Both burglaries happened Sunday night, Oct. 4, in the 500 block of West Doty Street. UW-Madison students were the break-in victims in both burglaries.

Letter: Support accurate sexual education

Wisconsin State Journal

The state Assembly held hearings Tuesday on the Healthy Youth Act (AB 458), which would require schools that choose to provide their students with sexual and reproductive education to do so in a comprehensive and accurate manner.Over the past three years while attending UW-Madison, it has become apparent that many of my peers have received little information or guidance regarding sexual activity, even in their high school curriculums.

Beloit Daily News editorial: Let them find their own funds

IS IT possibly true a conservative student group could have been denied funds from University of Wisconsin-Madison student fees because of objections to its political viewpoints? Oh, surely not.

Just because the group engages in such things as a planned protest against an Al Gore speech in Madison, how could anyone believe decision-makers on the liberal campus might object and pull the plug on money? The rejection, supposedly, is because the club â?? Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow â?? does not provide enough â??direct servicesâ? to students.

Besides, university rules state the fees are to be disbursed in a viewpoint-neutral manner. Itâ??s hard to believe the good folks controlling the pursestrings would consider bending that rule just to stick a finger in the eye on some annoyingly conservative kids.

From camouflage to Bucky shirts, more student vets at UW-Madison

WKOW-TV 27

Eight years after the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, more veterans are dropping their weapons and picking up their textbooks at college campuses nationwide.

Despite its reputation as an anti-war campus, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has seen a significant increase in its student veteran population. That number doubled between 2004 and 2008, and the university says 600 students claimed to have military experience on their applications.

UW anticipates enough swine flu shots

Wisconsin Radio Network

As the first shipment of swine flu vaccine began arriving in Wisconsin this week, UW-Madison officials are anxious to receive them. Doctor Sarah Van Orman, Executive Director of University Health Services, says they have designated 32,000 people within the targeted group.

From camouflage to Bucky, more student vets at UW-Madison

MADISON (WKOW) — Eight years after the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, more veterans are dropping their weapons and picking up their textbooks at college campuses nationwide.

Despite its reputation as an anti-war campus, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has seen a significant increase in its student veteran population. That number doubled between 2004 and 2008, and the university says 600 students claimed to have military experience on their applications.

Flu cases drop at UW for third straight week

Capital Times

The number of cases of students with the flu continues to drop on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

The weekly status report from University Health Services (UHS) showed students coming in to the health clinic with flu-like symptoms was almost cut in half in the fifth week of the fall semester (Sept. 27-Oct. 3), with only 58 students evaluated, down from 94 the previous week.

The 58 cases was the least seen on campus since school started Sept. 2.

After war, veterans go off to college

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A growing number of veterans are trading their uniforms and weapons for Bucky Badger sweat shirts and books, transforming this campus that was once a hotbed of war protest. As thousands of veterans return home from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, many are taking advantage of generous educational benefits through the G.I. Bill. And as veterans flood campuses around the United States, theyâ??re changing and diversifying the student population in ways not seen since the end of World War II.

Locals will attend D.C.’s Equality March

Wisconsin State Journal

On Saturday two buses of UW-Madison students, in addition to Madison residents, will travel to Washington, D.C., for the National Equality March, which will take place on the Capitol lawn at noon on Sunday.

Break-ins Reported Near UW Campus

WISC-TV 3

Madison police are investigating a burglary near campus.It happened Sunday evening on the 500 block of West Doty Street.A 20-year-old man was asleep inside when he heard shuffling in the kitchen. He went to investigate and found a man who claimed to be looking for a friendâ??s party, according to police.

H1N1 update: Cases decline as vaccines arrive in state

Badger Herald

The first wave of H1N1 vaccine allocations arrived in Wisconsin Monday as the number of University of Wisconsin students contacting University Health Services with influenza-like illnesses fell for the third straight week. Vaccines, however, will not be available for students for another 10 to 15 days.

UHS: Flu cases on UW campus continue to decline

WKOW-TV 27

MADISON (WKOW) — For the third straight week, the number of students contacting University Health Services (UHS) with influenza-like illness (ILI) has declined.

Health officials on campus say that Week 5 (from September 27 to October 3), UHS examined 58 students with ILI, down from 94 in Week 4, which was down from 168 students in Week 3.

Drunken fan runs after injuring student

Wisconsin State Journal

At Saturdayâ??s Badger football game a week ago, my daughter was injured by a drunk. He fell down two rows of seats in the student section at the start of the fifth quarter and knocked her down two more rows of seats.

Vulgar student antics give UW a bad name

Wisconsin State Journal

Alumni of UW-Madison around the country and world have fond memories of Badger football Saturdays spent with friends on beautiful fall afternoons. But itâ??s apparent that, despite headway by the university, there are still many students, alumni and other fans who wish to create nothing but unpleasant experiences and memories for visiting fans. Verbal and physical intimidation, insults and slurs are still an embarrassing aspect of Camp Randall.

UW seeks to be more inclusive

Wisconsin Public Radio

Officials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are launching a new initiative called â??Inclusive Excellenceâ??. Coordinators say the goal is to provide a welcoming atmosphere in which students and staff from all racial, social and economic backgrounds can work and excel. (Second item.)

UW Enrollment is strong

Wisconsin Public Radio

UW officials say enrollment at their two-year colleges is looking strong this fall. And some four-year colleges are even expecting record numbers of students. For the UW Collegesâ?? thirteen two-year schools, overall enrollment increased 5% from last year to a total of more than 13,800 students. (First item.)

Conservative student group denied funding at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wisconsin State Journal

A UW-Madison student committee denied funding to conservative group Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow on Monday night for the second year in a row. The group, called CFACT, sued the university earlier this year, alleging that it didnâ??t get funding because of its views on social and environmental issues. CFACT promotes the idea that problems like global warming should be regulated by the free market, not the government.

UW-Oshkosh newspaper rejects anti-abortion ad

WKOW-TV 27

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh newspaper has rejected an anti-abortion advertisement as too controversial.

The Advance-Titan decided not to run the 12-page insert from the Human Life Alliance. The advertisement, called iCare, contains information about abortion, its side effects, contraception, the development of a pre-born child and adoption.

Bicyclist mugged, knocked to ground on west side

Capital Times

A 19-year-old Madison man biking home early Sunday morning was knocked off his bike by a mugger who stole his money and fled.The mugging happened at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday on Randall Avenue. Madison police said the victim was tackled by the suspect while he was on his bicycle.

Campus sees string of crime

Badger Herald

Even though the annual University Campus Safety Guide for 2009 released Thursday declared crime at the University of Wisconsin is at an all-time low, the Offices of the Dean of Students is addressing a string of robberies in the past few weeks involving students and Madison residents on campus and in the downtown area.

UW student runs pre-game radio spot

Madison.com

A University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism student is promoting her school before every Badger football game.

Senior Emily Smolarek hosts the “UW-Madison Minute” on the Badger Sports Radio Network. The program reaches the entire state of Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. It emphasizes research, events and developments on campus.

Tough times don’t scare off dairy students

Wisconsin State Journal

Those who want to make agriculture their future aren’t being scared away by the tough times hitting the dairy industry.

“Milk price is up, it’s down, it’s always doing that,” said Abbie Holig, a UW-Madison junior from Mauston who is studying dairy science and Spanish. “You just have to hope it comes around and you make it through.”

Concern about mental health confidentiality

Daily Cardinal

Last year, approximately 10 percent of UW-Madison students visited UHS to treat at least one mental illness, but thatâ??s just skimming the surface, according to UHS Director for Clinical and Crisis Services, Dennis Christoffersen. 

UW sees drop in crime on campus

Badger Herald

Safety on the University of Wisconsin campus has seen major improvements over the past two years with total crime at an all-time low, according to the annual University Campus Safety Guide for 2009 released Thursday.

H1N1 flu victims relive the experience

Capital Times

Many may have pushed it to the back of their minds since last spring, but the H1N1 virus flu is here again.

Infection rates for the H1N1 virus are much higher among university students than that of the general population. Given the close quarters in which students live, and the myriad social events on campus, the university seems like a breeding ground for flu.

Since the fall semester began, University Health Services (UHS) has evaluated hundreds of students with flu-like symptoms, many of whom have been diagnosed with swine flu. The health center eventually stopped diagnosing students in their offices, instead opting to conduct an evaluation of studentsâ?? symptoms by phone. After getting hit hard at the start of the semester, however, the number of UW students sick with the flu seems to be tapering off.