THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Volume XLIV, Issue 20
Monday, October 1, 2012
www.badgerherald.com
Obama to take stage on Bascom 1 week after visiting Milwaukee, president announces Thursday trip to Madison Sean Kirkby Senior News Reporter For the second time in two weeks, President Barack Obama will visit Wisconsin, making a stop at Bascom Hill in Madison Thursday for a grassroots event, according to a statement from his campaign Saturday. Obama’s campaign released a statement about the event Saturday, and
in a tweet early Monday morning, the University of Wisconsin chapter of Students for Barack Obama announced the president would speak at Bascom Hill with the gates opening at 12 p.m. Further details were unavailable. Obama will visit the state the day after the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, postponing a visit to Cleveland, Ohio for a grassroots event, according to the statement. “President Obama has been traveling all over the county to spread his message of economic security for middle class
families from the middle out, not the top down,” Gillian Morris, Obama for Wisconsin spokesperson, said in an email to The Badger Herald. “We are excited he is returning to Wisconsin.” Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Nathan Conrad said in an email to The Badger Herald that the recent number of visits by the Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden show how close the race has come for Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes. “His campaign is throwing heaps of money
OBAMA, page 3
Lukas Keapproth The Badger Herald
President Barack Obama, pictured speaking at Library Mall in Madison for a 2010 rally, will return to the city Thursday to appear on Bascom Hill. In 2010, Obama became the first sitting president since Harry S. Truman to visit the University of Wisconsin campus.
Kickin’ it old school The Badgers donned custom throwback jerseys in their 30-27 loss to Nebraska Saturday, snapping a five-game Big Ten winning streak. Kelsey Fenton The Badger Herald
Student loans hurt economy Julia Skulstad Campus Life Editor According to a recent survey, the cost of a college education is adding pressure to Wisconsin’s economy. A study by the Institute for One Wisconsin pointed to student loan debt as harmful to the economy. The Institute for One Wisconsin conducted a survey of 2,700 state residents that showed over one-third of individuals with bachelors or advanced degrees have outstanding student loan payments. Scot Ross, IOW executive director, said the study found that across all income levels and age groups, individuals with a student loan debt are twothirds more likely to buy a used car as opposed to
a new car and two-thirds more likely to rent instead of own a home. “Home ownership and having a nice car were symbols of success, and now, they are being denied due to student loan debt,” Ross said. Ross attributed the negative trends in student debt to legislative changes made in the late 1990s. Ross said regulations that were changed in the mid- to late-1990s took away consumer protections for borrowing and encouraged privatization and consolidation of loans to make them longer term — which has resulted in an explosion of student loan debt. According to Ross, student loan debt has gone
LOANS, page 3
Dozen cops, pepper spray needed to break up fights Molly McCall City Life Editor Several fights broke out in downtown Madison early Saturday morning that required a dozen police officers and pepper spray to quell, according to a Madison Police Department statement. The report said the fight
broke out at about 2 a.m. in the State Street and Frances Street area and approximately 200 people were gathered in the area when multiple fights broke out. A dozen police officers responded to the scene to stop the fighting. One officer was struck in the head and chest during
the skirmish but was not seriously injured, according to the statement. The report said several people were arrested. MPD officials did not immediately return phone calls for further details. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said there is no indication any University of Wisconsin students were
involved in the incident. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the area in which the fights occurred is a busy intersection and it is not unusual to have 200 people in that area, given the popular bars and restaurants nearby. Verveer said offenders are getting themselves re-arrested for causing
problems during bar time. One man arrested is under supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, he said. “What is shocking and disturbing is the fact that convicts are continuing to hang out and cause problems in this area,” Verveer said. “This is just the latest in a serious of
arrests of individuals with serious criminal records.” According to Verveer, this is one of too many incidents the city has seen this year around bar time in the downtown area. Verveer backed up the police’s decision to deploy pepper spray on the
FIGHTS, page 2
Nearly 300 participate in Brittany Run INSIDE McKenzi Higgins Herald Contributor Nearly 300 walkers and runners participated in the third annual “Brittany Run” Saturday, a 5K run/ walk to remember 21-yearold Brittany Zimmermann, a University of Wisconsin student who was murdered in her apartment on West Doty Street four years ago. The purpose of the event is to raise money for Madison Area Crime Stoppers, an organization that aims to solve crimes by offering cash rewards up to $1,000 through anonymous and confidential tips. Tim Caramore, 29, placed first overall with a time of 15:36. Dani Fischer, 22,
completed the race in 17:51 and was the first female finisher overall. Jean Zimmermann, Brittany’s mother, said despite the change in the location of the run due to construction, a few more students participated in the event in comparison to last year. She said she hopes more students will attend the event in the future, not only to honor Brittany but to learn from Brittany’s murder as a way to reinforce the importance of staying safe on campus. “Students need to be aware of their surroundings,” Zimmermann said. “Students are being attacked, mugged and being
completely violated — it needs to stop.” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the event serves as a reminder to UW students they are not immune to violent crimes on campus. He said the run also reminds the public Brittany’s murderer has not yet been found and may encourage anyone with information to come forward. Verveer said Brittany’s murder currently remains under very active investigation, adding detectives work daily to try to solve her case. Though existing evidence has not been sufficient enough to arrest anyone, Verveer said area police
remain focused on bringing the person who murdered Brittany to justice. Verveer said Brittany’s family and friends raise tremendous safety awareness on the UW campus through her memory, citing examples such as the Brittany Run Saturday, raising money at other campus events and creating a scholarship in her name. “I know Brittany’s family strongly believes that her memory should live on,” Verveer said. “This event serves as a reminder to all of us.” Zimmermann said she and her family are already focused on creating new
BRITTANY, page 2
© 2012 BADGER HERALD
Looking for October fashion tips, movies and more? Look no further Your best bets for the coming month in movies are in ArtsEtc., along with fall fashion and concert coverage of this weekend’s Dirty Projectors show at Majestic.
ARTS| 12
Obama, Romney dodge prison Ahmad: Both presidential candidates ignore Guantanamo issue, although for different reasons
OPINION | 6
Bielema must establish stability, trust in redshirt freshman Stave After pulling out new starter on game-deciding drive, Ian McCue says it’s time for the head coach to choose a long-term option.
SPORTS | 10