University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson said in a Thursday interview that the campuses were among the safest places in the state, with extensive testing, tracking and quarantine programs. But he acknowledged there was “some connection” between returning students and the viral wave.
Category: Campus life
With students — and covid-19 — on campuses, college towns look on warily
The discord may be especially thorny in towns that are home to land-grant universities such as Georgia and the University of Wisconsin, which view themselves as having a responsibility to the entire state, not just the locality where they sit, said Stephen Gavazzi, an Ohio State University professor who wrote a book about town-gown relations.
UW-Madison student council declares ‘no confidence’ in campus police due to protest response
A contentious debate preceding the vote split members of the Associated Students of Madison’s student council, which ultimately passed the declaration with nine members in favor and five opposed. Nine others abstained.
Dane County Board urges UW-Madison to move classes online, close dorms
The Dane County Board urged UW-Madison to move all classes online and empty out dorms, the latest call from local officials for the university to take more drastic action to slow the spread of COVID-19.
UW lays off 35 Continuing Studies staff, projects $4 million deficit
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has implemented full and partial layoffs affecting 35 people — or about 18% of the staff — in the Division of Continuing Studies, citing the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial toll.
Soccer star Rose Lavelle to speak at UW-Madison’s online winter commencement ceremony
Soccer star and Badger alumna Rose Lavelle will deliver the keynote address at UW-Madison’s winter commencement ceremony, which will be held online because of COVID-19.
UW-Madison sees steady enrollment numbers, but increased housing cancellations
Two hundred and fifty students have withdrawn from the University of Wisconsin-Madison so far this fall, a number not substantially larger than the 208 withdrawals at the same point in the fall semester a year ago. The number makes up about 0.5% of the student body.
UW-Madison grad, World Cup champion Rose Lavelle named 2020 winter commencement speaker
While most of the celebrations will be virtual, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates this December will have a big-time name speaking at commencement.
Soccer star Rose Lavelle named UW-Madison’s Winter Commencement speaker
The speaker for UW-Madison’s Winter Commencement knows a few things about goals.
When home doesn’t feel like home: How racism in world, on campus continues in dorms
’The University makes me feel like my Blackness is a burden,’ BIPOC students struggle to find safe, welcoming spaces on campus.
Starship Robots Now Delivering Groceries for Save Mart in Modesto, CA
While this is the first U.S. grocery partnership for Starship, the company has been doing robotic grocery delivery in the U.K. for a while now. Here in the U.S., Starship is mostly known for its college campus food delivery, and has lined up a number of partnerships with higher-education institutions including George Mason University, University of Pittsburgh and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Colleges Use Targeted Lockdowns, Online Classes to Preserve Fall Semester
Providence is among colleges taking drastic steps to try to slow the spread of Covid-19, essentially pressing pause to salvage the rest of their fall term for face-to-face instruction and campus activities. The University of Arizona urged students to shelter in place for two weeks, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Colorado Boulder quarantined thousands of students and moved classes online for weeks, too.
UW-Madison student government declares ‘no confidence’ in UW Police Department
UW-Madison’s student government on Tuesday declared it has “no confidence” in the university’s police force because the department helped Madison police during protests over the summer.
Nicholas Recreation Center finally opens doors to students after long wait
Extra safety precautions are being taken to make sure center can stay open.
Witte, Sellery residents speak on challenges during two-week quarantine
’It felt like I was in a different sort of world,’ student says.
UW Distinguished Lecture Series hosts renowned epidemiologist Celine Gounder
Gounder emphasizes history of health inequity within Native American populations.
ASM votes ‘no confidence’ in UWPD, votes to support UW BIPOC Coalition
No confidence vote signifies distrust in UWPD, call to reform, ASM rep. says.
Morgridge Center encourages engagement through the pandemic
Despite limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morgridge Center for Public Service continues to connect student volunteers with community partners and non-profits.
Nicholas Recreation Center opens on UW-Madison campus
The new health and wellness center on UW-Madison’s campus is officially open.
USDA grants UW- Madison award to support educational resources, pathways to Native American youth
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture awarded University of Wisconsin- Madison a grant Monday to support Native American students by providing a path to post-secondary education.
Coronavirus has now killed 1 million people around the world
The University of Wisconsin-Madison had more than 2,800 confirmed student cases as of Friday. At Kansas State University, more than 2,200 students have been placed in quarantine or isolation. The University of Missouri has recorded more than 1,500 confirmed cases among students since classes started.
State of the art recreational center ‘the Nick’ opens on campus
The ‘Nick’ got its start after 87 percent of UW-Madison students voted to approve recreational sports facility upgrades, although only 35 percent of students voted in that 2014 referendum.
UW-Madison student government to take ‘no-confidence’ vote on UW Police Department
UW-Madison’s student government may soon declare it has “no-confidence” in the university’s police force because the department assisted city police during protests over the summer.
US colleges struggle to salvage semester amid outbreaks
Faculty members from at least two universities have held no-confidence votes in recent weeks against their top leaders, in part over reopening decisions. Government leaders want the University of Wisconsin-Madison to send its students home. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, alarmed by what he sees as draconian rules on college campuses, said he is drawing up a “bill of rights” for college students.
Young People Are Spreading the Virus
In Wednesday’s newsletter, we mentioned a spat between the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin and the executive of the surrounding Dane County. Over the past week, there have been an average of 2,018 cases per day in Wisconsin, an increase of 112 percent from the average two weeks earlier, according to a Times tracker.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Lifts Quarantine on 2 of its Largest Dorms
The University of Wisconsin-Madison lifted quarantine orders for two of its largest dorms on Wednesday, on a day when the state added 56 hospitalizations from COVID-19 complications to its record total.
Why Is University of Wisconsin-Madison Reopening During ‘Near-Exponential’ COVID Surge?
Just two weeks after going remote because of a COVID-19 spike, the University of Wisconsin Madison is resuming in-person activities, despite what Gov. Tony Evers described as a “near-exponential” increase in coronavirus cases in the state.
Finish in sight for new Badgers pool construction, Field House exterior renovation
The Nicholas Recreation Center is scheduled to open Monday with limited capacity on the site of the former Southeast Recreational Facility near the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. The University Recreation and Wellbeing building includes the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center that will be home to the Badgers swimming and diving teams.
UW-Madison gradually resumes in-person classes
The positivity rate for students has decreased to a level the University feels safe for in-person classes to resume.
“We’re rolling with the punches”: UW Marching Band reacts to Big Ten decision
When the news came down, drum major Josh Richlen said his first reaction was disappointment. “There are a lot of good memories from being in Camp Randall, so it’s just really unfortunate to not be able to do that this year,” he said.
UW student group harvests, gives away free produce
A small group of UW-Madison students is feeding hundreds of others for free. They’re making quarantine grocery shopping healthy and affordable.
The College Covid Scare
Young people account for a large share of new cases in many states. Cases in Wisconsin among 18- to 24-year-olds spiked 220% between the week of Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 while ticking up 30% among those age 65 and older. The University of Wisconsin has reported 1,945 cases since students returned to campus last month.
UW students create app for college students to make friends virtually
Three University of Wisconsin students collaborated to create an app that aims to help students meet others from their campus on a virtual platform amid social distancing.
Evers calls on Big Ten to launch PR campaigns for safe football watching
In the past, Governor Tony Evers has supported UW students returning to campus, but he’s wary about what having football games back could mean for the state’s already high COVID-19 numbers.
No UW Marching Band performances at football games this fall
The UW Marching Band announced Thursday that the Big Ten Conference decided bands will not participate in this football season. The conference may revisit the decision later.
Positive percentage of new COVID-19 tests rises; more than 2.3K new cases confirmed in Wisconsin
Although COVID-19 cases have continued to spike in Madison and Dane County, public health officials say a rising number of cases are not connected to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
UW-Madison to gradually lift campus lockdown, resume in-person classes with changes
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank says the campus will begin to reopen Saturday following a two-week lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 among undergraduate students.
What a day in quarantine looks like for a student at UW-Madison
Shannon Abolins and her roommate rushed to the closest Walgreens the night of September 9. They had heard rumors that their dorm building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison would be going into a two-week quarantine in just a few hours.
Pandemic, Campus Shutdowns Add Additional Hurdles For Wisconsin’s College Voters
But young people have historically had the lowest turnout among any age group. And now with a growing list of temporary shutdowns at University of Wisconsin System campuses and general uncertainty caused by COVID-19 outbreaks, some college students are facing a new set of challenges in the final stretch of the 2020 campaign.
COVID-19 news: Johnson & Johnson vaccine; Donald Trump vs. FDA; Canada
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said the campus will begin to reopen Saturday following a two-week lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 among undergraduate students.
UW-Madison lifts quarantine of residence halls
UW-Madison lifted the quarantine on two of its residence halls following the rapid spread of COVID-19 among students.
UW-Madison returning to some in-person classes starting Saturday
According to an email sent to students Wednesday morning, some courses will resume in-person or hybrid learning Saturday. The email said students enrolled in those courses will be contacted by their instructors no later than Friday.
UW to end quarantine at Witte, Sellery residence halls, plans return to in-person classes
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is slowly phasing back to in-person classes and activities after two weeks of online learning and quarantines in two residence halls.
UW-Madison lifts dorm quarantine, will resume some in-person classes
UW-Madison lifted quarantine orders for two of its largest dorms on Wednesday and will soon phase in some face-to-face classes, the first easing of restrictions since COVID-19 cases spiked on campus about two weeks ago.
‘It’s traumatizing’: UW-Madison student reacts to Breonna Taylor decision
“It’s kind of disempowering knowing that such crimes against humanity can go unpunished, especially as a Black woman,” Juliana Bennett said. Bennett is one of the co-founders of UW-Madison BIPOC Coalition. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The group seeks to elevate the voices of students from these populations.
Fall 2020 student enrollment largest in UW-Madison history despite COVID-19
UW-Madison posted its official enrollment numbers for the fall of 2020 on Tuesday, revealing that the student body has grown to an unprecedented size with its second largest class of first-year students in university history despite complications posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
UW-Madison posts strong fall first-year enrollment numbers despite pandemic
The University of Wisconsin-Madison published its official enrollment numbers Tuesday, touting record-breaking total enrollment and its second-largest freshman class in history despite the challenges of opening a campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. coronavirus deaths hit 200,000 amid rising case numbers in many states
In Madison, Wis., Dane County Executive Joe Parisi has repeatedly criticized University of Wisconsin officials who decided to bring students back to campus despite the high risk of new infections.
Political strategist LaTosha Brown discusses voter suppression in virtual event
Tuesday, University of Wisconsin’s Distinguished Lecture Series hosted political strategist LaTosha Brown for a virtual event on voter suppression.
UW students request refund of segregated fees, cite reduced access to services
University spokeswoman Meredith McGlone responded in an email that segregated fees fund “critical services,” including UHS and tutoring, which are ongoing. “All of these services continue to be provided to the fullest extent possible, both in person where appropriate and virtually,” McGlone said. “It is simply not correct to say there is ‘extremely limited or no access’ to these services. We are continuing to collect these fees to support these services.”
‘It’s long past time to stop arguing’: UW-Madison chancellor releases statement on COVID-19 enforcement in off-campus areas
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued a statement Monday regarding COVID-19 at the university and in off-campus areas throughout Madison.
Chancellor, County Executive trade criticisms over COVID response
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued yet another statement on Monday in response to one from Dane County officials asking that the university take responsibility for rising positive cases.
UW students petition to ban Honorlock in classes
Exam proctoring software Honorlock’s use at the University of Wisconsin recently came into question as professors and students alike attempt to navigate the online learning environment.
Office of Inclusion Education presents to SSFC on diversity, inclusion
The Student Services Finance Committee heard a diversity training presentation and appointed a representative for the Student Transportation Board at their meeting Monday.
Tensions arise between UW, local government over rising COVID-19 cases
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi recently released statements on UW’s decision to hold in-person classes this semester.
Badgers with beats: Life as an underground UW student musician
We all have our music tastes, and for many of us, they come from the great musicians of our time. There are the Drakes, the Elton Johns and the Taylor Swifts whose lyrics run through our minds and playlists. The music world seems to be dominated by them.
UW leader: County needs to stop wishing students were gone
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s chancellor on Monday pushed back against repeated calls from Dane County’s top leaders to close the campus to slow COVID-19, saying he needs to stop wishing students were gone and crack down on off-campus gatherings.
Dane County Again Urges UW-Madison To Move Classes Online, Send Dorm Residents Home
Dane County is again asking the University of Wisconsin-Madison to move classes online for the rest of the semester and send students living in residence halls home to curtail a spike in new coronavirus infections.
Charting the pandemic over the next 12 months — and beyond
As we look for clues, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one to watch. Desperate to contain the virus, the school this month mandated that residents of two dormitories and 22 Greek houses quarantine for two weeks. “I literally felt like I was being arrested,” one student told a TV reporter.
Reopening Colleges Likely Fueled Covid-19 Significantly, Study Finds
Within weeks of opening, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University reverted to online instruction and sent students home because of outbreaks of Covid-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Arizona have urged students to hunker down and shifted classes online, for at least a few weeks, to try to stem the virus’s spread.