THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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Volume XLIII, Issue 26
CFACT funding appeal case closed Student Judiciary says campus group will not receive seg funds from last year Katie Caron News Reporter The Student Judiciary voted Friday to close a case concerning the appeal of a student organization denied funding in October of 2010. The case began
approximately a year ago when the Student Services Finance Committee sent a letter to Collegians For A Constructive Tomorrow denying the student organization’s eligibility for funding for the 20112012 fiscal year. Following several appeals and court hearings since the original denial, SJ voted to close the case Oct. 7. Associate Justice Nicholas Checker delivered the unanimous opinion of the court dismissing the case and
ruling in favor of SSFC. SSFC ruled to deny funding to CFACT — a national nonprofit organization promoting environmental stewardship — in October of 2010. The group had failed to return SSFCowned equipment, which SSFC said was a violation of University of Wisconsin financial policy. Matt Manes, SSFC chair at the time of CFACT’s funding eligibility denial, said CFACT did not return equipment including printers, laptops and
cameras to SSFC by the end of a 5-month extended deadline. Manes said the group’s noncompliance was not a misunderstanding and that it was attempting to keep the equipment. CFACT appealed SSFC’s decision, arguing SSFC was in violation of viewpoint neutrality and used “pretextual arguments to disguise viewpoint discrimination.” CFACT’s appeal also said SSFC imposed unfair proceedings and that the
History lesson Cecilia Leon, member of MCSC, stood on Bascom Hill Monday informing passers-by of the significance of the day’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, indigenous students educated members of the University of Wisconsin community through informational literature, music and talks that demonstrated the effects of colonization on Native Americans. Malory Goldin The Badger Herald
its power by applying powers reserved to SSFC. SSFC argued its appeal that “in judging CFACT did not commit an intentional violation, the panel effectively overstepped its bounds by not only interpreting the bylaw, but also applying it to the available evidence.” The court’s ruling last week confirmed this point, holding that CFACT did not present credible evidence to suggest SSFC members showed any
keeping of equipment was unintentional. SJ then set up a panel to review the case. The panel initially did not affirm CFACT’s viewpoint neutrality claim but did find that CFACT did not commit an intentional violation and reopened the case for the word “intent” to be addressed by SSFC, according to 2011 ASM SJ16. SSFC then appealed this decision, seeking to deny the case on the basis that the panel acted beyond
CFACT, page 2
UW, state look at admissions Wis. to hold hearing after national study says university racist against caucasians Leah Linscheid State Reporter A Wisconsin Assembly committee announced it would hold an informational hearing regarding the University of Wisconsin’s holistic admissions process. According to a statement from committee chairperson Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities is responding to two controversial studies released by the conservative think tank Center for Equal Opportunity last month, claiming UW uses reverse discrimination in its admissions policies. The studies allege the university’s undergraduate and law school admissions discriminate according to race and ethnicity, giving preference to blacks and
Latinos over Caucasian and Asian applicants, according to CEO’s website. Data from the study implies that race and ethnicity may be used as a final determining factor in the admissions process, according to Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for Nass. During the hearing, the committee will listen to testimonies regarding UW’s admissions process, Mikalsen said. The public will be allowed to attend, with access restricted by the number of seats available. He said only speakers invited by the committee will be asked to partake in the conversation. Mikalsen also addressed concerns that demonstrators may be present at the hearing. “We certainly want
ADMISSIONS, page 2
SSFC hears power check proposal Danielle Miller News Reporter Members of student government met Monday to examine controversial new legislation proposing an added check to the process of funding student organizations while hearing two eligibility hearings as well, one for a previously denied group. The discussion of new legislation regulating the power of the Student Services Finance Committee through a Process Standardization Committee was a central topic of conversation during Monday night’s meeting. The key change under the proposed committee would require new forms, procedures or legislation to go through this committee in order to be approved. A large function of the committee is to prevent decisions from being “unilateral within SSFC,”
Rep. Tia Nowack, who coauthored the legislation, said. Nowack also said the current SSFC policy is to recommend issues to Student Council. The Process Standardization Committee, she said, would support that policy. When confronted by differing opinions in regards to their decision to present the legislation directly to Council rather than SSFC, co-authors, Reps. David Vines, Tito Diaz and Nowack, defended their position. They argued going to Council first promoted the idea of SSFC not having sole authority. They also said the new legislation is concerned with self-regulation and the protection of student organizations — and that Council includes everyone the check will affect. Vines said he supported his decision to go to Council first on the
grounds that SSFC not only functions within itself, but in cooperation with other committees, and does not have sole authority over decisions concerning student organizations. Nowack agreed with Vines’s argument. “The intent is that new processes that are created are reviewed by other committees to ensure legality,” she said. The legislation was slated to be voted on in the Student Judiciary and then forwarded to Council for a final vote, but committee members requested to ask Council for the legislation to be referred back to SSFC for further discussion. This referral would place the legislation in SSFC for two weeks, after which it would then return to Council. The student organization Collegians For A Constructive Tomorrow also presented
during its eligibility hearing Monday night. Previously, the group had been denied eligibility because of a failure to return Associated Students of Madison equipment on time. Representatives from the organization supported their petition for eligibility, stating CFACT teaches students skill sets that are relevant to any political idea. “We’re trying to give students a resource to pursue issues they care about,” President Joshua Smith said. On campus, CFACT creates workshops and campaigns for student groups and opens them up to all students to teach effective advertising and campaigning, Smith said. Another student group applying for funding eligibility was the Legal Information Center. This organization provides legal information
John Lemmon The Badger Herald
Rep. Tia Nowack co-authored a piece of legislation that would create a committee to oversee the day-to-day work of SSFC. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. to students through the efforts of student volunteers, according to its representative Ray LaBarge. The Legal Information
Center’s motivation in applying to SSFC for funding is to promote awareness, LaBarge said.
SSFC, page 2
Legislation introduced to exempt seniors from voter ID Senator says elderly not a threat for voter fraud, face hardships caused by original bill Mitchell Herrmann News Reporter A state senator announced Monday he will propose legislation
to exempt senior citizens from the recently signed voter ID law. Sen. Tim Carpenter, D– Milwaukee, is currently looking for co-sponsors for the legislation, and expects to introduce the bill by the end of the week. The proposal would allow registered seniors who are above the age of 65 to vote without having to present any
identification, according to a statement from Carpenter. The voter ID law, signed by Gov. Scott Walker on May 25 of this year states that starting next year, all registered Wisconsin voters will be required to present a valid, stateissued identification card in order to vote in any election. “The voter ID bill
prevents election fraud by requiring that the voter prove that they actually are who they say they are. In the past if someone else next to me says, ‘yeah that’s who he is,’ [the election attendants] will believe it,” Andrew Welhouse, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said. Welhouse said the act
© 2011 BADGER HERALD
should not have any adverse effects on voter turnout and was only proposed in order to prevent fraudulent voting. However, Carpenter said the act makes voting harder for some individuals, especially senior citizens. “I have had several elderly constituents endure significant difficulty and physical
hardship in getting stateapproved photo ID for voting,” Carpenter said in a statement. “These elderly constituents have not had driver ’s licenses for years, and when they went to get a state ID at the DMV, they were refused due to a name being changed from their birth certificate or lacking
VOTER ID, page 2
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The Badger Herald | News | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Events today 3 p.m. Graduate School Fair TITU Union South
10:30 a.m. Testing the voter ID bill Mock Election Room 108 City Council Building
Events tomorrow Noon Evidence-Based Medicine 3268 Ebling Library
TODAY
TOMORROW
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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62 45
57 40
61 43
pm showers
showers
few showers
partly cloudy
partly cloudy
City finance committee reviews budgetary cuts Group vows to address furlough days added for City Attorney’s Office Ally Boutelle City Reporter
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Mayor Paul Soglin and the city’s Board of Estimates reviewed necessary changes to next year’s municipal budget Monday and considered the consequences these changes could have on city residents and businesses. Soglin said in a message to City Council earlier this week that the state of the economy means 2012 will bring major budget cuts. “[We] need to make drastic cuts to our borrowing in order to reduce the impact of increasing debt service on the operating budget,” he said. The need for these cuts comes from an increasing difference between the city’s expenditures and its revenue. Financial Director David Schmiedicke said that while the city’s expenditures are up 0.9 percent, its revenues are down 6.1 percent.
The recession has also resulted in an overall decrease in the value of Madison property. Schmiedicke said property values have fallen each year since 2009 by about 1 percent annually. The city has taken on multiple new items for 2012 that will be covered by the city budget, including traffic engineering,
“We need to ramp up whatever we think the highest return on investment is.”
Deb Archer
CEO, Greater Madison Convention Visitors Bureau
improvements to city parks and streets and a heroin and opiates task force, Schmiedicke said. Soglin said one of his primary goals in creating next year’s budget was to avoid layoffs and the creation of furlough days. While mass layoffs were avoided, Schmiedicke said 15 city jobs are being eliminated, nine of which are public health jobs. The preservation of most jobs and services, however, has resulted in
other impacts on Madison residents and the city. Projected property taxes for 2012 will increase by 3.24 percent, or $66, for the average home, Soglin said. Various development and building-related fees will also increase, with estimated additional revenue for the city adding up to $193,000, Schmiedicke said. Controversy has broken out throughout the past several weeks concerning the creation of 20 furlough days for the Madison City Attorneys Association. Assistant City Attorney Lara Mainella encouraged the reduction or elimination of these furlough days. “City attorneys provide a valuable and necessary service. It would be to the detriment of the city for us to not be working for 20 days,” she said. “We’re interested in discussing a fair and just solution to the budget.” Mainella said the furlough days would result in an average pay cut of $7,714 throughout the year for each of the association’s 14 assistant city attorneys. The Board of Estimates agreed to discuss the situation and see if amendments could be
Taylor Frechette The Badger Herald
Mayor Paul Soglin addressed the Board of Estimates Monday. He said one of his primary goals in the 2012 budget was to avoid furloughs and layoffs, though 15 city jobs were cut and furloughs were unavoidable. made. “All of us respect and use the work of the City Attorney’s Office — none of us are interested in less work output,” Ald. Mark Clear, District 19, said. Deb Archer, president and CEO of the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau, discussed plans to increase revenue for the city. “We need to ramp up whatever we think the highest return on investment is. That means
advertising [and] getting the word out about Madison as a destination,” she said. Archer said she is optimistic about the state of business in Madison and the city’s ability to recover from the economic downturn. She said she expects to see a 4 or 5 percent increase in business during the next few years — an improvement over last year’s 3 percent increase. The Board of Estimates’ amendments to the budget are due Oct.19 at noon.
Local restraining order placed on tobacco tax Judge says roll-your-own cigarette stores temporarily do not have to pay new fee to align with manufacturers Leopoldo Rocha News Reporter State-mandated enforcement of a manufacturer tax on rollyour-own cigarette tobacco stores was halted by a Dane County judge last week. The RYO stores sell tubes and tobacco, and then rents the RYO machines in the stores to customers that the consumers themselves can produce cigarettes, according to Robert Petersen, the owner of Rib Mountain Tobacco and Liquor. Petersen, along with other RYO store owners, filed the lawsuit. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue sent a notice to RYO
stores Sept. 23 explaining the stores would now be counted as manufacturers and distributors of tobacco, according to a DOR statement. This would require the stores to pay the state taxes already being paid by tobacco manufacturers in the state. DOR spokesperson Stephanie Marquis said Dane County Judge Juan Colas ruled in favor of the stores on Oct. 7 to place a temporary restraining order on the new enforcement. She added there will be another hearing Nov. 23 to decide whether the current restraining order will be continued or lifted. Marquis said the DOR enforcements were crafted to make the tax code fair. “Obviously, there is
some lost revenue in the difference of what RYO stores would pay without the new regulation, but the original intent was to enforce the law equitably and consistently,” she said. “Other stores across the state have contacted us and told us they can’t compete with these RYO stores.” Rep. Evan Wynn, R-Whitewater, said he was already working on legislation that would have the same effect as the DOR enforcements, adding that he was “more than willing” to continue working on it if the restraining order is maintained. Regardless of the restraining order’s fate, Wynn said he supports the DOR enforcements.
“I campaigned on no new taxes and no tax increases. I don’t see this as a new tax,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of the marketplace is paying that tax, but this 5 percent have created machines to circumvent the revenue laws that regulate tobacco.” Petersen said cigarettes produced in RYO stores are healthier than those produced by other tobacco companies. He said the tubes he imports from other nations are registered with the Food and Drug Administration and the tobacco he sells is chemical free. Steve Elliott, a spokesperson for SmokeFree WI, disagreed with the claim that RYO-
produced cigarettes are healthier. “That is a claim that the retailers make and is strictly prohibited by the FDA. There is no evidence to suggest they are healthier,” Elliott said. Elliott said that because RYO-produced cigarettes are less expensive, people buy more cigarettes there. He said placing a tax onto RYO stores would make their cigarettes more expensive, therefore preventing people from smoking. “The evidence shows that over the last ten years, as Wisconsin’s cigarette tax has increased, we have seen youth consumption cut in half. It strongly discourages young people from starting smoking and encourages people to
request of CFACT, stating those decisions are “the exclusive province of SSFC.” Checker said CFACT’s reasoning in the case did not hold merit and that the organization asked the court to step outside
its bounds. “Essentially CFACT employed irrational post hoc reasoning to suggest that their previous denials of eligibility constituted a pre textual VPN violation,” he said. “Moreover, they sought
remedies we are not empowered to grant, such as granting eligibility ourselves (and) removing members of the SSFC.” CFACT held an eligibility hearing Monday night for the next fiscal year and will
hear a decision Thursday. CFACT President Josh Smith said he hopes the organization can gain eligibility in the future because it will help it to substantially bring its direct services to the campus.
hearing might open the door for future action by the committee regarding the admissions process. “Rep. Nass felt it was important to move forward with the hearing to at least review [the admissions process]. The idea is to allow both sides to come in and provide the community with testimonies and viewpoints about what the studies show and don’t show,” Mikalsen said. “It will allow the community to build up a base of knowledge for future potential actions the committee might have to take.” Mikalsen said although only the invited parties would be allowed to speak at Monday’s meeting, public hearings allowing students and members of the community to provide their input could potentially happen in the future. Vice Chancellor for University Relations Vince
Sweeney confirmed UW had received an invitation from the committee to participate in Monday’s hearing and is currently cooperating with them by providing a list of suggested speakers. “We’re working closely with the staff of Nass’s committee to submit some potential representatives from UW to participate in the hearing,” Sweeney said. “We are always open for a discussion, we more than welcome the conversation and we look forward to participating.” Interim Chancellor David Ward will not be among those representatives, as he will be out of town during the day of the hearing, Sweeney said. On the subject of UW’s admissions policies, Sweeney said the university stands behind its approach. He said the policy has been challenged inside and outside of the courts.
would like to delegate funds for advertising in student newspapers and possibly implement a “mobile clinic” that would
travel to dorms and around campus. Both applications are pending a decision Thursday.
Peter Hoeschele Corey Chamberlain
CFACT, from 1
Herald advertising Bryant Miller Advertising Director Mitch Hawes Display Manager Roshni Nedungadi Classified Mgr. Anna Elsmo-Siebert Executives Max Nonnamaker Jillian Grupp Danielle Hanaford Matthew Preston Myla Rosenbloom Alissa Siegenthaler
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personal bias against the student organization. In the hearing, the court also ruled that it would not declare eligibility or remove any SSFC members at the
ADMISSIONS, from 1 people to come and observe and listen,” Mikalsen said. “Rep. Nass and the capitol police will not allow demonstrations or disruptions of the community hearing. It is not lost on the capitol police what happened at the Double Tree Hotel. That kind of behavior will not be tolerated.” When CEO representatives were in town last month to present their studies’ findings at the West Johnson Street Double Tree, protesters who were unable to get into the conference because of a lack of space pushed through hotel security and stormed the meeting. Mikalsen said the hearing will be evaluative in nature and would focus on testimonies from UW representatives, the UW System and CEO. However, he said the
SSFC, from 1 LaBarge also added that, with the help of SSFC, the organization
VOTER ID, from 1 ready access to birth records.” While some individuals may find it tougher to vote once the voter ID law goes into effect next year, Welhouse said, no one who is eligible will be denied their right to vote. “The bill included safe-guards to make sure that it’s constitutional. It doesn’t inhibit anyone who is legally able to vote from voting,” Welhouse said. “It only prohibits people who aren’t able to prove who they are to vote.” According to Welhouse, there are measures written into the bill that will accommodate anyone who currently does not have an acceptable ID, such as funding for free IDs for those who cannot afford it. Despite claims the legislation is not meant to keep anyone from voting, Carpenter believes seniors will not want to vote if they
have to take extra steps in order to be eligible. “With elderly people it becomes difficult with transportation, health issues, all sorts of things in life, and it becomes very difficult for them to have these extra hurdles thrown in front of them. This bill will create a lot of anxiety for them,” Carpenter said. Carpenter said he thinks many people, especially seniors, will be surprised when they find out it is more difficult to vote come next February. He added he does not believe voters will prove a significant threat of election fraud and does not think the accuracy of elections will be affected if they are made exempt from voter ID, the statement said. “I think it’s overkill. It’s very onerous to go through the process to vote now,” Carpenter said. “I don’t know of any gangs of senior citizens out there who are stuffing ballot boxes.”
The Badger Herald | News | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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Dane County to provide domestic violence grant Long-time abuse prevention group to receive nearly half a million in funding Dan Niepow City Editor Dane County Executive Joe Parisi recently signed a grant to award nearly half a million dollars to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, a local organization that works to prevent domestic violence. The organization, which operates the only emergency domestic violence center in the county, will receive $462,579 from Parisi’s budget. According to DAIS Executive Director Shannon Barry, the organization also offers crisis intervention, support groups and other services. During a press conference Monday, Parisi spoke in strong support for the 34-year-old organization. “It’s unfortunate that domestic violence occurs at such epidemic levels,” Parisi said. “[We] work
toward a day when shelters will no longer be needed … Until that day, protecting survivors is crucial.” He said he believes this grant would be “money well-spent,” citing a study done in 2001 which found every dollar spent on domestic violence services would return more than $4 in social benefits. The organization had applied for the grant through a Community Development Block Grant project, according to a statement from Parisi’s office. DAIS will use the money for pre-development plans for a new facility, according to Barry. The grant would enable the organization “to look at the project holistically and thoughtfully,” she said. In particular, Barry said the grant would allow the group to begin working with architects and engineers for early planning of the new facility. She emphasized the need for this new facility, noting the current facility regularly exceeds its availability. Barry also said the group
would ultimately need a few more million dollars to bring their project to completion. Parisi also declared October as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, an action Barry strongly supported. “One of the most powerful things that we can do to address this issue is to acknowledge its farreaching impact in our community,” she said. She called domestic violence a “pervasive and devastating issue that thrives in secrecy,” and that increased awareness would bring accountability to people committing these crimes. Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney also spoke in support of the organization, mentioning the fact that one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. He also said domestic violence has cost $5.8 billion nationwide. Mahoney said the grant was well-deserved for the organization’s efforts. He too called the current levels of domestic violence epidemic.
Megan McCormick The Badger Herald
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced Monday the Domestic Absue Intervention Services, which operates the only emergency domestic violence center in the county, would receive funds to “work toward a day when shelters will no longer be needed...” “As a law enforcement officer, it’s my hope that those women living in silence, experiencing domestic abuse in their own relationships, can reach out to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services in hopes of ending that epidemic in their lives,” he said. Dane County District
Attorney Ismael Ozanne also attended the press conference, speaking in support of the grant. He said while abuse might take place in the private confines of a house or relationship, the effects are wide-reaching and impact the community as a whole. “Violence that starts
in the home reaches our community; it affects our community,” Ozanne said. “Let’s have a real discussion about ending violence altogether. If we can start to have that discussion and [make] a move in that direction, hopefully we’ll resolve the issues that surround domestic violence.”
UW still working for valid voter IDs Legislative Affairs Committee says no final plan yet, pressure is on to meet first elections Selby Rodriguez Campus Editor Members of student government reviewed legislation Monday asking for a swift decision concerning new voter IDs for University of Wisconsin students and a separate bill asking the university not be added to a proposal that would allow more differential tuition programming. Legislative Affairs Chair Hannah Somers presented a voter ID update to members of the committee, speaking primarily on an Associated Students of Madison statement released earlier Monday. Somers said the statement regarded legislation to be introduced in Council asking for the university to make a final decision concerning student IDs. The university had previously said it John Lemmon The Badger Herald would make new IDs Legislative Affairs Chair Hannah Somers said the comittee is proposing the university finalize plans for an for students so students would have a valid form
acceptable student ID that will work at the polls, and that UW should not make students cover the costs.
of identification to vote in future Wisconsin elections, according to Somers. As of yet, no formal plan has been made to implement these changes. “In my personal opinion, we really just need to know soon what
“I think [the legislation] should be brought up on the chance UW wants to be on this list.” Rep. Leland Pan
Legislative Affairs
the university is doing so we can continue working on this,” Somers said. According to the statement, cost estimates range from $200,000 to $500,000 for the initial cards and the two-year reissuance required by the legislation. Somers added the
proposal also asks administration to find additional funds to cover these students and to not charge students extra. To help test the effects of the law, a mock election is slated for today from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 108 of the CityCounty Building, the statement said. The election is intended to give Madison officials a better idea of how the elections would work under the provisions of the voter ID bill and what impacts would be made. Somers also spoke on previously introduced differential tuition legislation, asking for a general consensus before Council votes on it Wednesday. The legislation is an added measure to prevent UW from being added onto a bill allowing for four institutions — UWStevens Point, UWParkside, UW-Green Bay and UW Colleges — to implement differential tuition programs.
If passed, the Stance on Differential Tuition legislation would mark a visible statement that ASM is against UW being added to this bill and will advocate against any inclusion. “Personally, I agree with the legislation,” Representative Leland Pan said. “I think it should be brought up on the chance UW administration wants to be on this list.” He also said other universities, such as UW-Stevens Point, have reached out to ASM to say they do not want UW to be added as they feel this addition would be against the purpose of the bill. Representative Libby Wick-Bander agreed this inclusion contradicts the bill’s intent. “[This would] defeat the purpose of what [the bill] was,” she said. “This was for campuses that did not have differential tuition to get differential tuition, not for universities already with differential tuition, like UW, to increase it.”
Opinion
Editorial Page Editors Allegra Dimperio & Taylor Nye oped@badgerherald.com
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The Badger Herald | Opinion | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Herald Editorial Making voting accessible Under the new voter ID law, the only acceptable forms of ID are Wisconsin state IDs, drivers’ licenses, passports and specialized student IDs. Before the new law, many who used alternate forms of identification were out-of-state students. While these students will now have a more difficult time voting, if the university and student groups act early, the effects will be minimized. To solve the issue, the University of Wisconsin has decided to update its student IDs. UW will add an issuance date, expiration date and signature space to allow Wiscards to function as voter IDs at the polling place.
UW has already decided to make updated IDs available to students who request them, but this does not go far enough. UW and all other UW System schools should provide voter compliant IDs to all incoming students to make voting more convenient. Since the voter ID portion requires renewal every two years, those who do not may let the voter ID portion expire and still have a functioning Wiscard.
Voting will be further complicated by a United States Department of Justice mandate, which made states change their primary dates to allow more time for soldiers overseas to cast absentee ballots. Wisconsin chose to move its primary from September to August, which will make it more difficult for students to vote as they often leave Madison in the summer. Organizations that have histories
While these students will now have a more difficult time voting, if the university and student groups act early, the effects will be minimized.
of mobilizing students, such as Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group and the Associated Student of Madison, should step in to ensure voting is convenient for students. They should work to inform students about absentee ballots and increase voting initiative. It is important that students have a hand in selecting their representatives. Voter awareness is a non-partisan issue that can be aided by prompt action. If the university and relevant groups act early and often, they can help increase awareness of the new law’s requirement so the student voice is not diminished.
Alex Brousseau
Signe Brewster
Carolyn Briggs
Editorial Board Chairman
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
Jake Begun
Allegra Dimperio
Taylor Nye
Ryan Rainey
Editor-at-Large
Editorial Page Editor
Editorial Page Content Editor
Editorial Board Member
Weekly non-voting Community Member Nichole Powell | Panhellenic Association Ed i t o r i a l B o a r d o p i n i o n s a r e c ra f t e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f n e w s c o v e ra g e .
Voter ID essentially a poll tax, disservices voters Reginald Young Staff Writer
State Sen. Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, introduced legislation recently to give Milwaukee residents the ability to waive a $20 fee to obtain a copy of their birth certificate, in order to get an ID to vote with. Coggs’ move was a reaction to the new state law that requires photo IDs for voting. The law allows for Wisconsin citizens to have the fee for obtaining a voting ID waived, but does not recognize that in order to acquire a voting ID, one must provide a
birth certificate, which also requires a fee. U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., hit the nail on the head in his New York Times editorial when he noted that “despite decades of progress, this year’s Republican-backed wave of voting restrictions has demonstrated that the fundamental right to vote is still subject to partisan manipulation.” Coggs similarly claimed that, without the fee waived for birth certificates, the voter ID law “just seems like it’s a poll tax.” In fairness, one must look to the arguments in support of the voter ID law. The obvious argument for having such a law is that it would limit the ability of misguided citizens to commit voting fraud. In the 2004 Wisconsin elections, there were widespread claims of
fraud that election, so an investigation was done. The allegations yielded only seven substantiated cases of individuals knowingly casting invalid votes. Seven votes out of almost three million is a voter fraud rate of 0.0002 percent, which is hardly legitimate enough to necessitate the passing of a voter ID law. At least Republicans can justify their bill by saying there are instances of voter fraud in Wisconsin, arguing that it would prevent that kind of fraud from happening in the future. Oh wait — the investigation also found that “none of [the voter fraud] problems could have been resolved by requiring photo ID at the polls.” That renders the argument for the necessity of a voter ID law to be … completely unfounded,
entirely unjustifiable and a whimsical joke. But hey, who can really take our current governor´s rhetoric seriously, anyway? Republicans tend to focus on the law in the books, especially in instances like this, where one can simply say “hey the law says everyone needs an ID!” But Lewis notes the obvious effect — the “law in action” reality — of the law. He notes that “in reality, we know that [it] will disproportionately burden African Americans and other racial minorities, yet again. They are poll taxes by another name.” What evidence is there that the voter ID law was aimed at disenfranchising minorities? What evidence is there that this Republican driven bill affects predominantly Democratic voting groups in the state? The evidence
is that Walker decided to go the extra step to ensure that responsible, Democratic voting citizens would have an even harder time acquiring a voting ID by shutting down 10 Department of Motor Vehicles offices in Democratic districts shortly after the bill was passed. Then there’s the whole issue of how a state employee was fired for blowing the whistle on the Department of Transportation policy that recommended withholding information on how a responsible, voting citizens could get a free photo ID unless specifically asked about it. It seems Republicans are trying to monopolize the vote by disenfranchising Democratic voters. I’m pretty moderate on the political scale. But something every citizen
in this country should have a right to is voting. Voter fraud isn’t rampant in our state, and a voter ID law wouldn’t mitigate the near-non-existent level of fraud that takes place. This voter ID law is “a poll tax with a different name,” another example of “partisan manipulation,” and a Republican attempt to monopolize the vote. Milwaukee alder Ashanti Hamilton sums it up the best: “it’s disappointing for any government body to try and disenfranchise people from voting.” That’s exactly what this law is: a disappointment. We, the voters, have been let down by a Republican scheme for power. Reginald Young (rcyoung3@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in legal studies and Scandinavian studies.
Walker’s windmill move bad news for jobs, energy Taylor Nye Editorial Page Content Editor
From November 2010 to March 2011, the news was filled with Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to scrap the proposed high speed rail system. What upset me most was not a deep love for trains, a desire to be more European or the excitement of being able to cheaply and easily visit my best friend in Milwaukee. What really got me was the fact that Walker was throwing away two things that are very important to the people of Wisconsin: opportunities for jobs and energy efficiency. Now, not even a year later, Walker and his administration are looking to repeat this move by cutting down industry and clean energy to the detriment of Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Walker has scrapped legislation on the regulation of windmill farms on the state. The original rules, which were
hashed out over the span of a year by bipartisan legislators, tackled controversial wind-power issues like noise pollution. The bill was tabled by Walker earlier this year, just as it was about to go into effect, and sent back to the Public Service Commission. Seven months later, the PSC has gotten nowhere as energy developers twiddle their thumbs waiting for the go-ahead. So what does this mean for Wisconsin? Nothing good. First, there’s the economic toll: Five major wind farms have suspended or cancelled their development, costing the state $1.6 billion and about 1,000 temporary or full-time jobs. “There are companies who want to come here, who want to bring those jobs here, but they don’t,” the bill’s author, former state Sen. Jeff Plale, said in the WSJ. “They bypass us for Minnesota, they bypass us for Iowa, they bypass us for South Dakota.” The economy is getting worse, not better, and while he could be supporting solid job creation, Walker snubs clean energy while insisting small pet projects will fill the job gap. Second, there’s the
energy efficiency issue. Without a doubt, energy independence should be a top priority. Admittedly, though, there are problems with wind power, mainly the noise levels associated with turbines. Currently, turbines must be placed approximately 1,250 feet from the nearest residence. However, the governor took it upon himself to increase this distance to 1,800 feet, or more than six football fields. Why would Walker go to such lengths to cut down renewable energy? Perhaps it was the $400,000 in campaign contributions he received from wind industry critics and real estate groups. This seems like a petty reason to be downright frigid to a socially responsible industry that could create clean energy for Wisconsin homes. Before Walker’s intervention, the PSC had spent a significant amount of time laying down groundwork that was acceptable to both Republicans and Democrats as well as the wind industry and its critics. “It has been a deliberate decision by Gov. Walker,” said Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said in the article. “They are going
Megan McCormick The Badger Herald
Gov. Scott Walker sent a finished bill back to the Public Service Commission. Due to the measure, five major wind farms have canceled their developments, costing Wisconsin valuable investments and 1,000 full or part-time jobs. to kill wind energy in this state.” At least Walker could justify derailing the train by saying it would cost the state valuable budget money. In this case, however, there is no such excuse. Wind power is an independent industry that does not receive substantial government funding, and in a state that
has a reputation as being difficult for business, we can’t afford to lose these significant investors in the Wisconsin economy. As Walker continues to cut down opportunities for job creation, he continues to look more and more foolish. Perhaps a Don Quixote comparison is fitting here. Walker, a self-important man, is
embattled by personal convictions and delusions of a long-gone world of the gentry, so he takes out his frustrations on fictitious demons that are, in fact, just windmills. Taylor Nye (tenye@wisc. edu) is a junior majoring in human evolutionary biology, archaeology, and Latin American studies.
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Comics
No Gods, No Kings, Only Comics Noah J. Yuenkel comics@badgerherald.com
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The Badger Herald | Comics | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
WHAT IS THIS
SUDOKU
HERALD COMICS
PRESENTS
S
U
D
O
K
U WHITE BREAD & TOAST
toast@badgerherald.com
MIKE BERG
NONSENSE? Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. What? You still don’t get it? Come, on, really? It’s not calculus or anything. Honestly, if you don’t know how to do a sudoku by now, you’ve probably got more issues than this newspaper.
TWENTY POUND BABY
DIFFICULTY RATING: Sailing away to an Objectivist heaven
HERALD COMICS
PRESENTS
K
A
K
U
R
O
baby@badgerherald.com
STEPHEN TYLER CONRAD
YOURMOMETER
LAURA “HOBBES” LEGAULT
C’EST LA MORT
PARAGON
yourmom@badgerherald.com
HOW DO I
KAKURO?
I know, I know. Kakuro. Looks crazy, right? This ain’t no time to panic, friend, so keep it cool and I’ll walk you through. Here’s the low down: each clue tells you what the sum of the numbers to the right or down must add up to. Repeating numbers? Not in this part of town. And that’s that, slick.
paragon@badgerherald.com
The Kakuro Unique Sum Chart Cells Clue 2 3 2 4 2 16 2 17
DIFFICULTY RATING: Getting anyone to sweep up the place
MOUSELY & FLOYD
Possibilities { 1, 2 } { 1, 3 } { 7, 9 } { 8, 9 }
3 3 3 3
6 7 23 24
{ 1, 2, 3 } { 1, 2, 4 } { 6, 8, 9 } { 7, 8, 9 }
4 4 4 4
10 11 29 30
{ 1, 2, 3, 4 } { 1, 2, 3, 5 } { 5, 7, 8, 9 } { 6, 7, 8, 9 }
5 5 5 5
15 16 34 35
{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 } { 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
6 6 6 6
21 22 38 39
{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 } { 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
7 7 7 7
28 29 41 42
{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 } { 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44
{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 } { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
ehmandeff@badgerherald.com
MADCAPS
HERALD COMICS 1
2
3
PRESENTS
4
5
13
pascle@badgerherald.com
23
20 25 29
32
33
38
39
26
11
12
30
27 31 35 40
47
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62
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41
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random@badgerherald.com
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43 46
ERICA LOPPNOW
9
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24
42
RANDOM DOODLES
8
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28
RYAN PAGELOW
7
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BUNI
6
14
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madcaps@badgerherald.com
MOLLY MALONEY
45 48
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49 52
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Puzzle by Susan Gelfand
PRIMAL URGES
primal@badgerherald.com
ANDREW MEGOW
MODERN CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT
THE SKY PIRATES
COLLIN LA FLEUR
DENIS HART
mcm@badgerherald.com
skypirate@badgerherald.com
Across 1 It gets patted on the bottom 5 Tableland 9 Lead-in to boy or girl 13 Surveyor’s calculation 14 Raring to go 15 Gershwin and Glass 16 Ticket usable on more than one trip 18 Basketball hoops 19 Gerund’s finish 20 When repeated, cry to a vampire 21 ___ accompli 22 They make a king laugh 26 Available if needed 28 One who’s supposed to be available if needed 29 End-of-list abbr. 31 Diamond
32 33 35 38
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cover Life, in short Neck cover Smells bad Mel who batted left and threw right Become oblivious to one’s surroundings Completely untrained Home of Arizona State University Stir up, as a fire Suffix with brigand “___ well” Alternative to .com or .org Bean type Like maps, iguanas and rock walls Bad-mouth Counterparts of dits Cut with a sweeping motion
57 Greek H 58 Theater sign 59 Fast marching pace … or a hint to 16- and 39-Across and 10- and 24-Down 64 Dairy Queen purchase 65 Shortstop Smith who won 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards 66 Cajole 67 Lollapalooza 68 “Butt out,” briefly 69 Novelist Victor Down 1 Bit of body art, for short 2 Train schedule abbr. 3 Meadow 4 Dentist’s target 5 Apple on a table 6 “My word!”
Get today’s puzzle solutions at badgerherald.com
7 Prefix with comic 8 Raring to go 9 Expedia calculation 10 Interval in which something is tested 11 Indian tongue 12 Helper: Abbr. 14 Artist born in 30-Down 17 WSW’s opposite
CROSSWORD 22 Frilly neckwear 23 Type of type 24 Las Vegas staple 25 Nixon aide Maurice 27 ___ blanche 30 Minotaur’s home 33 Former Cleveland Orchestra conductor George 34 General ___, former maker of Jell-O and Sanka 36 Rapper West 37 Promise 40 Luau instrument 43 Wall cover 47 Rarely 49 Grab 50 Anglo-___ 51 Lollapalooza 53 Noshed 54 Art ___ 56 “The Godfather” author 60 Drool catcher 61 Debtor’s letters 62 O or Cosmo 63 Prefix with skeleton
Rocky the Herald Comics Raccoon™
The only fundamental differences between a wine tasting and a keg stand are angle, velocity and dress code.
ArtsEtc.
ArtsEtc. Editor Sarah Witman arts@badgerherald.com
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The Badger Herald | Arts | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ebert narrates ‘movie of his life’
‘Life Itself’ gives esteemed Chicago film critic chance to reestablish voice, this time in writing Bess Donoghue ArtsEtc. Staff Writer When Roger Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002, the disease and the surgeries it would require hindered his ability to drink, eat and speak. However, the cancer would not prevent the Pulitzer Prize-distinguished film critic from having a voice through his written words. Through an online blog, Ebert continues to provide film reviews and resources for viewers internationally. To make his silent voice heard by more, the writer released a memoir in September 2011 titled “Life Itself.” The account details many chapters of Ebert’s life from childhood memories in Urbana, Ill., to discussing “Midnight in Paris” with Woody Allen at the most recent Cannes Film Festival. Through this book, Ebert makes it apparent that his life has been a long journey of adventures, every one of which he has appreciated. “You can’t say it wasn’t
interesting. My lifetime’s memories are what I have brought home from the trip. I will require them for eternity no more than that little souvenir of the Eiffel Tower I brought home from Paris,” Ebert said in “Life Itself.” The book not only documents all the opportunities Ebert has been granted over the course of his life, but the people who made them possible. Many of the chapters are centered around a specific person who influenced him over the course of his life: his parents, editors, film directors and his wife, Chaz Hammelsmith. Although he speaks in high regard of every individual and respects every person for what they brought to this world, it was clear at the beginning of the chapter dedicated to Chaz how passionate his love is for her. “How can I begin to tell you about Chaz?” he said. “She fills my horizon, she is the great fact of my life, she is the love of my life, she saved me from the fate of living out my life
alone, which is where I seemed to be heading.” His chapters about his mother and father were especially compelling, but the documentation of one other person’s relationship with Ebert was quite interesting: Gene Siskel, the film critic for the Sun-Times’ newspaper rival, The Chicago Tribune. The pair had such a competitive relationship that when “alone together in a elevator, we would study the numbers changing above the door.” The two opinionated critics eventually teamed together for television programs, where they had a natural talent together. Toward the end of the Gene Siskel chapter, Ebert has convinced the reader of the special quality of the relationship between these two writers. “... The problem was that no one one else could possibly understand how meaningless was the hate, and how deep was the love,” Ebert wrote. With Ebert as the writer, the book was without a doubt well-
written. However, at the conclusion of the book, readers may find themselves more curious about his feelings for film. After all, he is one of the most renowned film critics the entertainment industry has ever seen. While some film watchers follow him religiously, some viewers despise the critic. What are his feelings towards the dispute? How does he form general opinions about film? These are just a few questions readers may be wondering at the bewginning of the book, that are not fully answered by the end. In a chapter dedicated to the start of his career as film critic for the SunTimes, Ebert does make a brief comment on film. “What kinds of movies do I like the best? If I had to make a generalization, I would say that many of my favorite movies are about good people. It doesn’t matter if the ending is happy or sad. It doesn’t matter if the characters won or lost. The only true ending is death,” Ebert said the memoir.
Photo courtesy of Grand Central Publishing
Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Ebert has suffered multiple complications from cancer, including the loss of his ability to speak. His new memoir focuses less on cinema, more on his own story. There is the possibility Ebert is attempting to make a statement with this book. Media consumers typically see him as the man with film opinions, the one that can tell us where and when filmgoers should spend their money on film. With “Life Itself,” maybe Ebert is trying to explain he is more human than readers perceive. He is a man with crazy quirks, like the need to visit the same destinations during each trip to London, or his obsession with Steak ‘n Shake. He is also a man with expectations that people should offer nothing less than joy to the world. “I believe that if, at the end, according to
our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is the best we can do,” he said. “Life Itself” allows readers to hear a different voice of Roger Ebert. It is not the voice of Roger Ebert the film critic, but Roger Ebert the person.
‘LIFE ITSELF’ Roger Ebert
THE BADGER HERALD PRESENTS LOW-FAT TUESDAY
Up-close look at symptoms, dangers of binge eating Jenny Slattery Low-fat Tuesday Columnist This week I want to cover a topic that I feel is crucial to discuss because it is often overlooked: binge eating disorder. It is estimated that over 8 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder, and that 10 percent of college women develop one. Binge eating disorder, also known as B.E.D, is the most common eating disorder in the United States, though it has yet to be classified as a distinct psychiatric condition. Unlike anorexia, which is characterized by starvation, or bulimia, which is characterized by binging and purging, binge eating involves consuming unusually large amounts of food without compensating for the excess calories. Everyone overeats from
time to time. Holiday parties, family gettogethers — it happens and is pretty much inevitable. But for some, overeating is more than a second helping. Binge eating has very distinct characteristics from overeating, and can cause life-long turmoil if not treated. Binge eating disorder comes with a variety of symptoms that affect a person both physically and mentally, including: often eating large amounts of food, often eating alone or in secrecy for fear of embarrassment, eating faster than normal, eating if you are already full, even to the point of pain and discomfort, feeling guilty, depressed or disgusted after eating and feeling out of control when you eat. After a binge episode, many feel extreme guilt which can often lead to more binges, rather than stopping them. The complications that come from binge-eating can be very dangerous. Many of these complications come from the excessive weight gain most
binge eaters tend to experience. Obesity, depression, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, suicidal thoughts, heart disease, headaches and gallbladder disease are all potential effects of extreme binge eating behavior. The reasons that binge eating exists are unclear, but there are various factors that contribute. Some who have B.E.D. — or any eating disorder — may have inherited a gene that made them susceptible to developing it. Simply being a female means you’re more likely to develop a disorder, usually during adolescence or the early 20s. Family history and environmental factors can also contribute. If someone has been around a close family member who had abnormal eating habits, they may be more likely to develop these same habits. Additionally, the United States has created a culture based on the notion that people should be thin and fit, especially women. Many who don’t fit this bill,
but desire these ideals may eat to feel better, but feel guilty subsequently, which could generate the beginning of the disorder. Some who overeat do so because of strong negative emotions like low-self esteem. Stress is a huge factor as well. Depression or sadness can be a significant cause because those who binge may be using food as comfort in lieu of managing their emotions. Dieting can also lead to binge eating. Those who have a mixed history of dieting may have a higher risk of developing binge eating disorder since restricting calories too much can causes cravings. Remember, however, that the causes for eating disorders are never matter-of-fact and the factors listed above are just a few that seem to be most common. Having an eating disorder of any kind can be very embarrassing and difficult to discuss with even close friends or family, but the disorders can be life threatening and should be treated. Confiding in someone
about these issues is never simple, but it’s the first step toward recovery. If you know or believe that someone has an eating-disorder and want them to seek help, please discuss it with them with the utmost respect. There are tons of services out there for people who want help with an eating disorder and we just so happen to have one here on campus that’s free for all students. University Health Services offers individual and group counseling as well as medical evaluations and nutrition consultations. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have developed an eating disorder, I highly recommend visiting the UHS for an initial consultation. Doing this takes a lot of courage, but I assure you, if you do it you’ll be very glad that you did. The staff there is very professional and understands the issues at hand, and talking to someone is easily one of the best things you can do. UHS provides students with the resources mentioned above, as well
as two additional support groups. ED Liberation Front, as described on the UHS website, is for students who are ready to live healthy lives and take active stands against their eating disorders. The Mindful Eating Group is for those seeking help to stop destructive eating habits. In that particular group you will learn how to listen to your body and know when you are hungry or full. It can help you understand your emotional patterns and how they relate to your eating habits, and most importantly, it emphasizes body acceptance. If you’d like to learn more about the UHS services you can visit their webpage www. UHS.wisc.edu. If you’d like to learn more about binge eating disorder, or any other type of eating disorder, MayoClinic. com has some excellent information. Jenny Slattery is a sophomore majoring in journalism. Want a healthier lifestyle? Send questions and comments to her at jslattery@wisc.edu.
To place an ad in Classifieds: Roshni Nedungadi rnedungadi@badgerherald.com 257.4712 ext. 311
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The Badger Herald | Classifieds | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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Sports
After opener, Zengerle excites Eaves As Badgers travel to face Huskies, head coach excited by play of young forward Brett Sommers Statistics Editor The men’s hockey season is barely underway with Wisconsin coming off a split in its opening series. But looming ahead for the Badgers is both their fi rst road series and Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference matchup of the season Friday and Saturday at Michigan Tech. Still, simply preparing and keeping things straightforward while improving his young team is all that head coach Mike Eaves seemed concerned with when discussing the state of his team at his weekly press conference Monday. In regards to the upcoming series at Michigan Tech, Eaves said he feels it makes things less complicated than last weekend’s series at the Kohl Center. “Personally, I think getting on the road for the first series is kind of a blessing in disguise,” Eaves said. “I think it’s good to get on the road. It’s simpler. You don’t have to worry about
MANIA, from 8 “When we began to see Russell start to play well in front of our eyes and began to hear the hype, then I had a meeting with [Director of Athletic Communications] Brian (Lucas), I guess, and said, `Hey, what do we have to do to move forward? The kid’s earned an honest, legitimate shot of being in the Heisman talk. What can we do to help it?’” Bielema said. Bielema said Lucas had already set the wheels in motion, and he also spoke with Athletic Director Barry Alvarez to gauge his opinions of the campaign.
HUGHES, from 8 nature of traditional powers like Texas, Alabama and Ohio State — teams that will make national news just by virtue of who they are — but I think Bielema wants Wisconsin to be a staple in the media. He doesn’t want to miss any opportunities of having people see and talk about the Badgers. Although the football team is well-known, Wisconsin is still behind plenty of schools in coastto-coast prominence. It’s taken a Rose Bowl, top-5 rankings and a Heisman candidate to get Wisconsin in the major headlines. Meanwhile, you have schools like Notre Dame, where SportsCenter will occasionally check to see if the Fighting Irish are good again, only to say, “Nope, not yet. What about Michigan?” Wisconsin can benefit directly from attention similar to that. Consistent,
tickets as much, and what’s going on at the dorm, people coming into town, so I don’t look at so much as a challenge.” “It’s a good chance for us to come together, and other than we’ve got to play somebody, it just happens to be in somebody else’s rink, and I think sometimes if the pressure’s off, we can play a simpler game and just go have at it,” he added. One area the Badgers are watching closely is the transition to the collegiate game for two freshman goaltenders — Landon Peterson, who started game one, and Joel Rumpel, game two starter against Northern Michigan. Despite Peterson coming away with the loss and Rumpel a win, Eaves said he is encouraged by both, and in his postgame interview following game two, he said each deserves a chance to start more games. He expounded on that observation Monday. “Both played very well,” Eaves said. “I think that the biggest difference in the two young goalies was that Landon looked more comfortable quicker. Joel, it took him that first period to kind of get through that. ‘Oh, they scored on me. I got that done. I don’t have to worry about pitching a
shutout anymore.’” Eaves has said before that seeing what type of team these Badgers will develop into is the
Alvarez, the UW head coach from 1990 to 2005, coached running back Ron Dayne, who won the Heisman in 1999. Then, there were some posts and signs up campaigning for Dayne — though obviously not on the scale provided by Twitter and other social media outlets. “I think the world has changed a lot over the last, maybe, 10 years,” Bielema said. “All of the major awards are won on the field. I don’t think there’s a campaign. I don’t think you can put a poster up in the middle of New York City or anything like that. I think it’s about what you
do on the field. I believe that Russell buys into it.” Wilson himself was present at Monday’s press conference, seemingly a first, as usually coaches are the only people made available to the media. “It’s a blessing to be in that type of company with some other players that are being mentioned for the Heisman Trophy,” Wilson said. “It’s definitely an honor, it’s definitely some that, in terms of as a college football player — in my opinion, I always try to be the best that I can be. I’m trying to be the best quarterback in college football.”
national attention can make recruiting all the more easy when potential student-athletes from outside of Wisconsin and the Midwest grow up seeing the “motion-W” and Bielema’s face leading news outlets. Athletes always talk about the teams, coaches and players they grew up watching and reading about. It creates a connection — maybe you could even call it a “soft spot” — and the less introduction a football program needs when meeting a recruit of high value, the better. There are also no indications that Bielema is getting too caught up in the attention, either. Last Tuesday, he said ESPN came to him with the idea of going out to Bristol (not the other way around) and when Sports Illustrated came calling, he made sure the interviews were conducted in the week leading up to South
Dakota, not Nebraska. Could he have been recruiting when he was in Bristol? Maybe. Last Tuesday, he detailed his coaching staff’s plans for the week, saying all of a possible nine recruiters were active, but that most of the year’s efforts were already done. According to Bielema, it’s a time of the year when high school sophomores and juniors (where there’s less urgency) start to shift into focus Either way, it was one day he spent on the ESPN campus, not the entire bye week. And the more Bielema answers the door when ESPN and others come knocking, the better.
Megan McCormick The Badger Herald
Mark Zengerle notched one assist in the Badgers’ season-opening series as well as 12 shots on goal, the most of any UW skater this weekend.
Elliot is a senior majoring in journalism. Have you noticed how much Bielema welcomes the national attention to Wisconsin? Send him an email and tell him about it at ehughes@ badgerherald.com or tweet @BHeraldSports.
fun part of the season, and that he got a small glimpse after watching the Northern Michigan games on film.
“We played pretty well for being such a young team,” Eaves said. “If you were to take a look at that game
POTENTIAL, from 8 17. The only returning player with more points is defenseman Justin Schultz, who finished the season with 47 points. But with an inconsistent weekend, the trio knows it has a lot to prove. “We’re excited to play together,” Barnes said. “We really haven’t done much to prove [that we’re making an impact]. We still have got a long ways to go, and we’re going to work every day towards that. Hopefully we be the line that everyone’s hoping and expecting.” They lead a young squad, but the three of them have more experience than their respective years of eligibility suggest. “We’re a really young team,” Mersch said. “Mark and Tyler are both older guys, both 21-years old. But I’m kind of feeding off them, and hopefully we can make some plays.” In order to make those plays and be the line everyone is expecting, they have to be more consistent. Friday night, it was clear they expected things were going to be a lot easier than they actually were. The trio just couldn’t play a consistent game or finish a scoring opportunity. Its play seemed frantic, dashed with moments of great potential that reaped no personal results. Saturday, it slowly became evident that it learned from its underestimation Friday
night and took that to heart. In the end, both Mersch and Barnes notched their first goals of the season, while Zengerle was relentless with eight shots on goal. “What they did on Saturday is what they have to bring every night,” Eaves said. “If they don’t do that, they’re not playing to their potential and they should be disappointed in themselves … When you understand, to be a good pro, the highest compliment you can get is to be consistent every time you play. That’s what these young men are trying to get to.” “We got off to a slow start Friday night,” Zengerle said. “Saturday night, we played a lot better, I thought. [Barnes] and Mersch both got a goal. We played more in [Northern Michigan’s] zone, less in ours. We just have to build off of that and get better every day in practice.” While they’re improving through game experience and finding how to be more consistent, Eaves believes they need to be more than consistent to lead this Wisconsin team — they need to continually play to their strengths. All three are constantly aware of each other on the ice and know what each brings to the ice. Between Zengerle’s vision, Mersch’s size (one of UW’s bigger skaters at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and Barnes’ ability to score, they have to continually strive to play to their potential.
and, structurally, how we played our systems and such, we looked beyond our time together, and that was fun.” Eaves said he was very pleased to get a strong offensive series from sophomore forward Mark Zengerle. Although Zengerle led the team in assists a year ago with 31, he only had five goals on 60 shots the entire season. Despite not scoring a goal in the opening series, Zengerle tallied 12 shots on goal, precisely what Eaves said he has been looking for. “Every athlete has the strengths and weakness and will play to them,” Eaves said. “It’s just natural. So Mark’s going in the right direction, and Saturday was a good example. In practice, we’re seeing it more. We’re trying to change a behavior.” And while Eaves said he is looking for certain individuals to step up, he does recognize that for this team to be successful, it must not rely on specific players to keep the team afloat. “We’re going to have to do it by committee,” Eaves said. “I think our power play is going to have to get revved up and be a major contributor if we’re going to be successful, but by committee is going to be the call of the year.”
“You know what that word and 80 cents gets you? A cup of coffee at McDonalds,” Eaves said. “I think it’s a matter of playing to their strengths and they all have strengths. Mersch is big and strong. He needs to go in the hard areas and create space for those other two line mates. “Obviously Mr. Zengerle sees the ice very well. I know he’s trying to work on his shot and shooting more, and he did that on Saturday night. [Barnes] has great energy; he’s shifty, he can shoot the puck, he needs to play to those strengths, but they need to bring that every night.” In light of the work ahead of it and the talent its members have, the trio still has a strong chemistry on the ice that only helps it play stronger together. Roommates for two years in a row, the three forwards are close friends, which they believe transfers to the ice. “We’re really good friends,” Barnes said. “We lived together all of last year, and we’re living together this year too. We’re all good friends, and I think that’s important to the chemistry of a line.” That sort of chemistry is what they need to fulfill their potential and make the Badgers a team worthy of an adjective more than “young” or “inexperienced.” “Unfulfilled potential is not worth the paper that you write it on,” Eaves said. “They have to bring it every day.”
S PORTS “Russell Mania” under way Sports Editor
Mike Fiammetta sports@badgerherald.com
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The Badger Herald | Sports | Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bielema embraces hype surrounding Wilson; Claxton, Armstrong battle for starting spot Ian Kuhn Sports Writer Following an electrifying win against new Big Ten foe Nebraska and coming off a bye week, Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema had only one worry — the focus on the upcoming Indiana game. Bielema said he was “a little bit” worried about the praise that was streaming into Madison, but reiterated he was confident his players would be focused. The coaching staff had a meeting with the players Sunday to discuss this incoming attention from the national media. “One thing that’s kind of kept coming up was either by opposing coaches or just people saying things to me and watching us practice — even with NFL scouts — that they say our players are playing with an edge, a
certain type of just a little image that’s out there, and I’m encouraging our guys to keep the faith,” Bielema said. However, the bye week gave new attention to the Badgers because of some position battles that are arising for starting spots. Senior linebacker Kevin Claxton and sophomore linebacker Ethan Armstrong are fighting in what Bielema deemed “an open competition.” Claxton missed two games earlier this season while recovering from a broken wrist he fractured on the opening kickoff of the season, while Armstrong has been dealing with a troublesome shoulder. This has prevented them from having the competition for the spot before, though Bielema has been complimentary of both. “Whoever practices close,
practices best during the week if it’s close, you’d obviously go with the senior just because he’s earned that right,” Bielema said. “But if there’s a big difference, then we’ll go Ethan; I think he is very explosive. He can make a lot of plays.” Rushing attack provides steady consistency Despite the ambiguity facing some positions, UW’s running back group continues to be a source of strength for Wisconsin. Highlighted by junior Montee Ball and complemented by sophomore James White, the tandem has rushed for 840 yards and 16 touchdowns. Monday, Bielema credited Ball for his transformation into a lead back. After playing at approximately 235 pounds, Ball dropped 25 in the offseason and now
plays at around 210 pounds. “Obviously, there’s a physical transformation [that he went through] last January, February,” Bielema said. “But to me, there’s been a mental, again, like a little bit of an edge.” Though the rushing numbers have been somewhat lower than expected, quarterback Russell Wilson’s numbers have stayed strong and consistent. Bielema continues to rave about the senior, crediting him with the team’s surge in successful third down percentage compared to 2010 and his ability to make plays with his feet. “Russell can improvise, and that’s the part that, to me that would be the biggest challenge in defending us is the ability for Russell to make something out of nothing,” Bielema said. “The first
Stephanie Moebius The Badger Herald
Russell Wilson is 83-for-111 this season for a 74.8 completion percentage. Wilson has thrown for 1,391 yards and has picked up a net total of 172 yards on the ground this season. time it really happened was we were in an empty set down at Northern Illinois, and they ran a full-out blitz. You have a guy free to the quarterback, another [player come] free, and he makes them miss. Another guy’s coming back in, and he makes him miss, and that’s when I began to really see the effects of what his feet can do.”
“Russell Mania” in full swing In light of Wilson’s success for his team, the athletic department has even set up a Twitter account for Wilson to help him win the Heisman Trophy under the handle “RussellManiaXVI.”
MANIA, page 7
Bielema right in embracing hype Elliot Hughes Hughe’s Your Daddy? Megan McCormick The Badger Herald
Michael Mersch scored the game-tying goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Northern Michigan. Mersch also recorded one assist for UW.
Young top line boasts potential for Badgers Sophomore trio leads Wisconsin’s offense but needs more consistency Kelly Erickson Associate Sports Editor There really is no way around it — Wisconsin’s men’s hockey team is young. Yet a trio of sophomore forwards that has only been together for a year has already landed itself leading roles for the Badgers.
Mark Zengerle, Micheal Mersch and Tyler Barnes, while not the most veteran forwards, make up the Badgers’ first line. This year, they want to be “those guys.” “They want to be the guys on this team that lead offensively, playing against another top line,” head coach Mike Eaves said after UW’s 3-2 win over Northern Michigan Saturday. “They didn’t hit that mark [Friday] night; they did [Saturday] night.” Despite a rude wake-up call Friday night, the trio bounced back Saturday, playing at a higher, more
competitive level and ultimately combining for two of Wisconsin’s five goals, two assists and a total of 21 shots on goal on the weekend. Last season, the forwards were the top freshmen on the team. Zengerle leads in points with a total of 36 points from five goals and 31 assists. Mersch had the most goals of the three with eight and an additional 11 assists for 19 points. Barnes rounds them out with five goals and 12 assists for a total of
POTENTIAL, page 7
For anyone who’s ever watched the weekly videos produced by Herald Sports about the upcoming football games (which can be found on the Badger Herald YouTube channel, among plenty of other goodies), I think we can all say that being on camera really brings out the awkwardness in me quite well. Just like the days in Spanish class when I’d be called on to speak. The time I got “excito” confused with “emocionado” is a fond one in hindsight. That was awkward. So from the perspective of someone not adept at speaking in front of people or a camera with ease, I’m impressed at how enthusiastic Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema is about stepping in front of the bright lights. And from the perspective of everyone
else, I’m impressed at Bielema’s enthusiasm because it seems like he’s working hard to increase the media exposure at Wisconsin. There’s been an avalanche of attention given to Wisconsin for about a year now, beginning (sourly) with criticisms of unsportsmanlike conduct against Minnesota last season and burgeoning with the defeat of a No. 1-ranked team and, later, a Rose Bowl bid. Then in the offseason, the Badgers landed a dual-threat, transfer quarterback who has become a legitimate candidate for the Heisman Trophy. And right now, the team is arguably on a better five-game start than any of UW’s past four Rose Bowl teams. The Badgers are also sitting pretty at No. 4 in the Coaches Poll and the Harris Poll, which, together, make up two-thirds of the BCS standings. National exposure is a natural byproduct of winning — specifically winning big, important matches (i.e. Ohio State, Nebraska). However, all the media access requests that come in between
games are avoidable, and you don’t see Bielema trying to shelter anybody. Bielema spent the Friday of his bye week in Bristol, Conn., headquarters of ESPN, to engage with reporters and anchors for a full nine hours. SportsCenter, College Football Live, the Scott Van Pelt Show and ESPN the Magazine are just some of the ESPN incarnations he met with. This comes after Bielema allowed ESPN cameras to document the Badgers’ fall camp for a program called “Depth Chart” and, last spring, he was one of four college coaches to join the NFL Network’s broadcast of the college football draft as a guest analyst. He’s also letting others into the spotlight as well. In the week leading up to the South Dakota game, Bielema allowed Sports Illustrated to conduct an exclusive story on the offensive line while this past week, Russell Wilson also appeared on one of the best sports programs out there, Pardon the Interruption. It would be hard to match the ubiquitous
HUGHES, page 7