'Unpacking Risks' - Volume 48, Issue 27

STUDENT MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 · VOL 48 ISSUE 27 · BADGERHERALD.COM

UNPACKING RISKS

With an uptick in terror attacks in developed countries, UW has reemphasized safety measures for students abroad

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BLUE LIVES MATTER 7 As shootings targeting police officers increase around the state, Wisconsin lawmakers look to provide provisions protecting law enforcement.

Board of Directors

STUDENT SHOWCASE

JUST KEEP PADDLING

10

The Madison Music Foundry prepares to display young musicians’ talents through show at the High Noon Saloon.

21

Even with one of the most dominant programs at the university, the rowing team is beginning to lose big players to conflicts.

Jason Joyce Davy Mayer Polo Rocha Paul Temple

5 14

NEWS

6

FEATURE

PHOTO PAGE

16

OPINION

10

ARTS

20

SPORTS STUDENT ABORTION TRAINING

24

DIVERSIONS

26

SHOUTOUTS

17

A recent bill introduced by state Republicans claims the UW medical school’s partnership with Planned Parenthood violates statutes forbidding use of state funds for abortions. If passed, it could have detrimental effects on OB-GYN training.

MADTOWN CRIER

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Tuesday 4/25 ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL with Linda Oh, bass at Humanities, all day, FREE

Madtown refuses to slow down. Here are some upcoming events The Badger Herald recommends to keep you up to speed.

Thursday 4/27

Friday 4/28

Flint Eastwood at The Frequency, 8 p.m., $10

The Jayhawks at the Majestic, 9 p.m., $35

Wednesday 4/26 Crystal Garden feat. Boyd Tinsley of Dave Matthews Band at The Frequency, 7:30 p.m., $12

Thursday 4/27 Chazen Museum Charity Gala at Chazen Museum of Art, 5:30 p.m., FREE

Friday 4/28 Manhole Sketch Comedy Show at Wisconsin Union Theater, 8:15 p.m., FREE

Saturday 4/29 UW CHORAL UNION & UW SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at Humanities, 8 p.m., $15/$8 Courtesy of Flickr user Jeannette

Courtesy of Vivian Johnson

Sunday 4/30 Lea Salonga at Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 p.m., $30

Saturday 4/29

Middle Child: Photographs by Alex Orellana at Chazen Museum of Art, all day, FREE

Monday 5/1 Chancellor’s Undergraduate Awards Ceremony at Union South, 7 p.m., price unlisted

Courtesy of Kirstin Pires/Chazen Museum of Art

NEWS

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Nontraditional student honored for dedication despite barriers Though UW isn’t most ‘adult-friendly’ university, Erdmann-Hermans found way to overcome personal obstacles, reach academic excellence

by Madeline Westberg Reporter

In her first semester at the University of Wisconsin, Gretchen Erdmann-Hermans enrolled in Chemistry 109.

Once a week, Erdmann-Hermans and her two children would ride the bus in the evening to the chemistry building to attend tutoring hosted by a Greek organization.

While her kids played with legos and colored pencils, Erdmann-Hermans got help on homework.

Erdmann-Hermans is an adult student at UW, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in geology. She is one of two recipients of the Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award, which recognizes adult students for their hard work and high academic achievement.

Before transferring to UW in 2015, Erdmann-Hermans spent about three years studying at Madison College and taking online language classes. She had

previously studied adventure sports at a technical college in Maryland, business at Edgewood College and earned a culinary degree at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver.

One of the things that drove her to earn a bachelor ’s degree, Erdmann-Hermans said, was the desire for “upward motion” in whatever field of work she wanted. She said she didn’t want to have a limit on how she could study or what jobs she could have.

“I don’t want to have a ceiling on my life,” Erdmann-Hermans said.

To achieve the independence she was looking for, Erdmann-Hermans said she has had to overcome many challenges.

Balancing academics with personal and family life, she said, has not been easy and has demanded a lot of hard work.

Erdmann-Hermans also said UW isn’t the most accessible school for nontraditional students and is not “adult student friendly.”

Because UW doesn’t have one central

tutoring center, Erdmann-Hermans said it was sometimes difficult to get help in her classes at times that fit her family’s schedule as well as finding help outside of the classroom. Relying on office hours offered only once a week or having to search through tons of websites and services was challenging, she said.

“You’re up at 2 a.m. ... trying to find an answer to a question because you have nobody to ask [for help],” ErdmannHermans said.

In addition, Erdmann-Hermans said she had to take extra plans and steps to commute to class because she lives in Middleton. Erdmann-Hermans balanced shuttling kids to school, substantial drives to UW and scheduling classes around her family.

As a mother, Erdmann-Hermans said balancing a degree and parenting was sometimes difficult. In addition to bringing her kids to tutoring for Chemistry 109, she said her kids came to campus with her during their spring breaks, days off

of school and sick days, unless she could find someone to watch them. ErdmannHermans also has had to balance last minute deadlines during family time.

Erdmann-Hermans said on a social level, being an adult student can be isolating.

“I don’t have peers, I know they exist but [there are] none in my major,” ErdmannHermans said.

Because undergraduates often connect through student organizations, going through majors and are often similar in age, Erdmann-Hermans said sometimes it can be difficult to make connections.

Nevertheless, Erdmann-Hermans said she is “very honored” to be recognized for her achievements as an adult student.

“Getting to college for me was a big step toward regaining my independence,” she said.

Amendment would put crime victims, perpetrators on ‘equal footing’ Proposed changes to Marsy’s Law allow those affected to speak up, be a bigger part of judicial process involving prosecution

by Izabela Zaluska Copy Associate

When Christina Traub heard about Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, she wanted to get involved in some way and share her story. She didn’t want future victims of crimes to feel as “lost” during the legal process as she did.

Traub, who was strangled and attacked by her boyfriend at the time, tried to stay on top of updates about the case, but was often the last to know when hearings were cancelled. Though she felt like everyone was trying to give her support, Traub still felt disconnected at times.

“My serious healing is coming to a completion with me getting involved with Marsy’s Law and telling this story and realizing there is a different way this process could’ve happened,” Traub said.

The campaign for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin started April 4, with a goal to give victims of crime equal rights to those of the accused by updating and

strengthening the state Constitution.

In Wisconsin, the rights Marsy’s Law wants to pass are already part of the current law in some sort of form, either part of state statute or a state constitutional right, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin spokesperson Brian Reisinger said. Because Wisconsin already has victim’s rights, this makes Wisconsin’s proposal different than states that did not have victim’s rights already in their law, he said.

“This constitutional amendment will update our Constitution to ensure equal rights for crime victims that are clear, enforceable and permanent,” Attorney General Brad Schimel said in a statement.

Marsy’s Law would make laws in the state statute part of the state Constitution and clarify wording on rights already part of the Constitution, Reisinger said.

For example, the state Constitution gives victims the right to speak at disposition, but Marsy’s Law would allow the victim to speak up at multiple times during the case and have a greater voice in the process.

It would strengthen the victim’s right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay, to get timely notice of proceedings and to receive protection from the accused, to name a few.

“I think that Marsy’s Law is a big step in putting the victim and the accused on equal footing,” Traub said. “Being part of the [legal] process and knowing you’re being heard can be part of the healing process.”

Traub hopes Marsy’s Law and its campaign will bring more awareness and change perceptions about victims of violent crime. The accused is innocent until proven guilty, but the victim’s side doesn’t always get the same kind of respect, she said.

In order to amend the state Constitution, the state Legislature and voters have to support the law two years in a row, Reisinger said. It’s possible voters will see this on the ballot in 2019, he said.

Two Republican lawmakers are introducing the law, but Reisinger said Marsy’s Law has had positive

conversations with both Republicans and Democrats. Currently, the proposed law has 42 co-sponsors, he said.

Nonpartisan organizations, such as Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Wisconsin Professional Police Association, have also showed support, WPPA executive director Jim Palmer said in a statement.

Most recently, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Milwaukee Police Association and Wisconsin Troopers’ Association have announced their support, Reisinger said.

“Enacting Marsy’s Law here in Wisconsin will not only represent an important extension of law enforcement’s fundamental duty to protect the public, but the state’s proud legacy as a national leader in advancing the interests of crime victims as well,” Palmer said.

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 5

PHOTO

Madison stands up for science

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Photo · This Saturday, Earth Day, hundreds participated in the Madison Climate March to rally support for scientific research and more sustainable energy sources.

6 • badgerherald.com • April 25, 2017

Jack Dougherty (top) Ella Guo (bottom) The Badger Herald

OPINION

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The ruling on Justice Neil Gorsuch College Republicans: Gorsuch promises to uphold rule of law

College Democrats: Blatant partisan bias reaches Supreme Court

Justice Antonin Scalia, whether you loved him or despised him, was an absolute titan of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was an originalist and served for 29 years on the court.

In those 29 years, he had quite a few tremendous quotes. My favorite was when he called the Obamacare majority decision “pure applesauce.” He once used the phrase “jiggerypokery” and he had said a parent’s first child is like a pancake.

Scalia will greatly be missed by those on the right, and I like to think that even those on the left will miss some of his fun moments on the court even if they did not agree with some of his rulings.

Justice Neil Gorsuch is not Scalia, and he has massive shoes to fill, but the University of Wisconsin College Republicans are excited about the future of the court and Gorsuch’s own reputation he will carve out for himself.

The nomination process may not have been smooth, but we now have nine justices again.

In the process, it is important to know it was not Gorsuch’s record or decisions that were scrutinized, but rather Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to change the Senate rules that made headlines, and of course invited attacks from Senate Democrats.

It is also important to remember it was not Senate Republicans that opened the Pandora’s Box of changing the long-standing Senate rules, but rather former Senator Harry Reid, D-Nevada, who got the ball rolling back in 2011.

Reid ended repeat filibusters and changed the standard of not messing with Senate rules.

At the end of the day, both parties can point the finger, but we now have nine justices again, and that’s what’s important.

So, what can we expect from Gorsuch? Well, us conservatives are excited President Donald Trump appointed an originalist. The University of San Diego School of Law defines originalism as “the view that the Constitution should be interpreted in accordance with its original meaning — that is, the meaning it had at the time of its enactment.”

Democrats tend not to appreciate the originalist view because they prefer the Constitution to be examined more as a “living document.” They view originalism

Newly appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s hand-selection, was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

He will now sit on the highest court in the land for the remainder of the foreseeable future, preserving the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, briefly at stake following the death of former Justice Antonin Scalia during the Obama administration.

The merits of the nearly yearlong Republican blockade of Merrick Gardland’s nomination to the court is now a moot point.

However, in the case of Justice Gorsuch’s confirmation, it is important to acknowledge the damage that this blatant power grab did to the American political character.

It is painfully evident that a party must now have control of both the Senate and the presidency in order to successfully confirm a Supreme Court pick.

By making the judicial branch — an institution that is meant to be free from political leaning, passion and bias — a victim of blatant partisanship, the Republicans threaten the very heart of the court itself.

While many Democrats are discouraged

by Gorsuch’s confirmation, it is not a reason to lie down and allow the court the reverse the progress our country has made, or stifle progress yet to come.

Democrats must work hard to gain back majorities in the House and Senate in 2018 and 2020. We must work hard to ensure that the conservative agenda, which prioritizes corporations and millionaires over families and students, never reaches the Supreme Court.

We must ensure that this kind of destructive legislation never even makes it past a floor vote.

With the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Supreme Court will be more anti-choice and pro-corporation.

Gorsuch has repeatedly sided with big

as a mechanism by which Republicans allow themselves to make conservative decisions, instead of what it is.

Originalists know the only way to be consistent is to view the Constitution as former justices have for three centuries. The rule of law must be consistent for there to be true justice, and viewing the Constitution as a living document only leads to judicial activism and the potential for justices to impose their own view of the law.

There’s a reason the Founding Fathers created a Legislature: so unelected justices aren’t the ones writing legislation. Let the Legislature and the people decide laws, and let the justices rule on the constitutionality of those laws. Anything else leads to judicial overreach and the end of the rule of law.

All that being said, let’s look at some of the cases Gorsuch will see in the near future. He heard a case last Wednesday on an important religious freedom case, Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer. The case deals with a Lutheran preschool and its right to apply for government funding for the playground. The case is heralded as a landmark case for religious freedom, and Gorsuch is going to be a big player on the court.

It is safe to assume Gorsuch will break the tie for originalists in the decisions that would previously have been 4-4. He will set a reputation and role in the court very quickly with the decisions that were put on a slow track until there were nine justices.

Whether conservative or progressive, everyone should appreciate Gorsuch’s intellect and strong credentials to be on the Supreme Court. After all, he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to the Circuit Court of Appeals in 2006. Conservatives know originalism isn’t everyone’s view of the role of the courts, but we know that it’s the most consistent and real form of justice there is.

We could not be more excited that we have nine justices again, and we’re looking forward to seeing Gorsuch hold up our constitutional liberties on the judicial branch’s biggest stage.

Jake Lubenow (jlubenow@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in political science and finance. He is the chair of UW College Republicans.

companies over their employees.

Not only does he side with corporations like Hobby Lobby and dark money groups that flooded campaign coffers after the Citizens United decision, Gorsuch also has a “consistently narrow view” of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Judge Gorsuch overturned a lower court decision and ruled against a child with disabilities who had regressed socially and academically when enrolling in a new school district that did not meet his needs. Gorsuch absolved the school district of all responsibility in the situation.

With Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at the helm of our nation’s education system, it is now more important than ever to have a court committed to protecting the right to education for all children, and ensure students have their individual needs met by their school in order to have an equal chance at success.

It is clear that DeVos has no allegiance to the Obama-era education regulations which fought for these principles, and it is painfully obvious that with Gorsuch as a Justice, the Supreme Court is much less likely to provide a strong opposition to the education secretary.

Now more than ever, Democrats must fight for our values of equality and opportunity. Vote, get involved in local campaigns, talk to your legislators, and fight for the change that our country so desperately needs, which our president clearly will not give us.

Eliana Locke (elocke2@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in political science. She is the Press Secretary for the UW Colllege Democrats.

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 16

FEATURES

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Despite scattered attacks abroad, UW remains confident in protective measures

FEATURES

University screening policies, traveler preparedness combine to minimize potential dangers overseas

by Amanda McEnroe Contributor

Miriam Kelberg remembers waking up abruptly at a friend’s house to the sound of ambulance sirens sounding out one early morning in Brussels. The group chat with her Brussels friends had started blowing up, saying there was an “explosion” at the airport.

Thinking this was an isolated incident, Kelberg was about to head back to her host family’s house when suddenly, she was warned not to leave by one of her friends. The metros were now under investigation, according to Twitter reports.

Terrorists had attacked Brussels. In the past 24 hours, she had visited the airport and the metro stations where random passersby had just been killed.

Kelberg, a senior who studied abroad in Belgium last spring, was among the seven University of Wisconsin students in the city during the attacks.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the three coordinated bombings that took place March 22, 2016, killing 32 people and injuring more than 300 others.

“We jumped to the news for updates, and discovered it wasn’t just an accident – it was bombs and people were dying,” Kelberg said.

After the recent increase of terrorist attacks in developed economies and the tragic death of one of its students abroad in July 2016, UW took steps to ensure the safety and security of its students in foreign countries and re-emphasized the importance of the existing travel guidelines offered to prospective study abroad students.

International safety and concerns

Despite safety concerns abroad, International Academic Programs Director Dan Gold said campus-wide numbers of students studying abroad have been steady for the past decade. In the 2015-16 year, IAP had a 13 percent increase in numbers of students studying abroad compared to the previous year.

UW ranks in the top 25 universities for number of students studying abroad, according to the 2016 Open Doors Data report published by the Institute of International Education. In the 201415 school year, UW ranked 16th in the U.S., with 2,152 students receiving academic credit abroad. For semesterlong programs, the university ranks No. 1 among U.S. public institutions.

With so many students abroad, UW maintains travel policies designed to ensure their safety.

Ron Machoian, UW’s international safety and security director, said there have not been any direct changes to safety and security protocols due to terrorism abroad. There has been more use of “ISSD’s Tips for International Travelers,” a document emphasizing awareness among travelers at risk of organized violence.

Machoian works with IAP, the International Division, other colleges and universities, the U.S. State Department, embassies and international insurers and agencies to ensure top security in each country. He also looks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, travel warning systems and the Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council.

“In the case of France and Belgium, despite the apparently increased threat condition there, the U.S. government and UWMadison remain confident in both nation’s public governance and

their ability to preempt and respond to such episodic violence,” Machoian said.

Machoian said a country is usually not added to the Department of State’s travel warning list due solely to a terrorist attack, but instead, due to a “complex combination” of factors associated with an increased risk of terrorist violence.

If a program is canceled before it starts, Gold said no fees are charged and IAP helps students find alternative programs. If a program is canceled while in progress, the credits and courses are handled case by case.

There have been instances where programs have been shut down, discontinued or suspended for a period of time, such as Kenya during the spring and summer of 2015 and current programs in Turkey.

“We began watching Turkey closely more than a year ago and increasingly reached the shared, but unfortunate, conclusion that it was not a location to which we can confidently send UW-Madison students for the time being on university-affiliated travel,” Machoian said. “Because of this decision, we did not have students there during the failed coup.”

Becoming informed before departure

In addition to UW’s evaluation of conditions in foreign countries, students are encouraged to inform themselves about the countries they will be studying in.

The IAP website titled “Safety and Security,” provides links and information on State Department resources, consular information sheets, public announcements and travel warnings.

Gold recommends students become familiar with the information before departing, as the university provides significant resources to students for a reason.

The International Division of IAP requires all students take an online orientation, with many programs offering in-person orientation sessions led by a program leader, affiliate program provider or IAP staff member.

Along with the orientations, each study abroad student is provided a program-specific handbook that provides information on finances, academics, checklists, travel logistics and health and safety concerns.

“Students are expected to be active partners in their own preparation for safe study abroad,” Machoian said. “Attending orientations, actually reading the provided materials, asking any questions they might have about the content therein or relevant contemporary topics and engaging with other students who recently returned.”

Unanticipated roadblocks

Photo · The University of Wisconsin continually monitors conditions in foreign countries to determine their fitness for student travel. Turkey was recently deemed unsafe, ensuring students were not present during the 2016 coup attempt.

Courtesy of Flickr user Ashley Bayles

Despite educational steps such as these, not every incident can be anticipated.

Along with the recent terrorist attacks in Belgium, France, Germany and Turkey, the death of UW student Beau Solomon in Rome raised concerns among students and parents about the safety of Western European study abroad programs.

UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued a statement after Solomon’s death noting, “there is no indication of a broader risk to students or others in Rome or elsewhere.”

Along with this isolated incident, there have been threats from terrorist groups among Western European countries impacting students abroad.

Kelberg, in Brussels, was instructed by her friends to stay at a friend’s house and avoid the metro station. She remained inside all

day “like most of the rest of the city.” She received emails from IAP with safe location recommendations in the city while asking her to check-in.

While there was no talk of canceling her program, Kelberg said a student decided to go back home and the rest of the group discussed how to carry on after the incident. There were no stricter precautions put in place, but the program asked students to notify them when deciding to travel elsewhere.

She remembers the day, and subsequent days, to be very tense, but people were supportive. Taxis gave out free rides to take people home as public transportation shutdown.

“After the attack I sometimes felt unsafe, especially right after,” Kelberg said. “At the metro stop by my house, the police shot someone who they thought was bringing in a bomb a few days after the attacks. Everyone was tense on the metros for like a week.”

Despite this, the incident did not deter Kelberg from traveling.

“We can’t live our lives in fear and never leave our homes,” Kelberg said. “These attacks are chance, but it’s a tiny chance.”

Preparing for the unexpected

Gold said students have a strong responsibility to be proactive in learning about potential security concerns specific to program and location.

“The final decision to participate on a study abroad program is up to the student, and their family,” Gold said. “That is a highly personal decision for which there is not one right or wrong answer.”

The university can only do so much when preparing students for international travel, though a student would never be sent somewhere UW deemed unsafe.

Clare Woessner, an interdepartmental administrator at the Foundation for International Education works with UW and IAP to ensure the safety of its students.

Woessner, who works in London, said FIE has a comprehensive emergency incident response plan, which is reviewed annually.

Despite recent circumstances, Woessner, who has lived in London for six years, considers traveling around Europe to be safe.

“I maintain that [London] is one of the safest cities in Europe, and certainly safer than many American cities,” Woessner said.

Megan Otto, a sophomore studying abroad in London this semester, said she was fully aware of the recent attacks in Europe.

Her mother was incredibly nervous for her to travel abroad alone, but Otto had a different perspective on her upcoming experience.

While Otto said she understood the dangers of being a visitor in a foreign country, she made plans to stay in safer places around Europe, walk in big groups and keep a lookout for suspicious activity.

“These attacks are random and could happen anywhere, including here in Madison,” Otto said. “I understand that is highly unlikely, but I also know that it is not everyday that you hear about terrorist attacks in London.”

While the probability of being the victim of a high profile attack is low Machoian said it’s important to be prepared.

Machoian urges students to carry an international phone and enroll for international insurance and the U.S. Department’s Smart Traveler program.

Machoian said travelers should remain in groups of two or more when in public and never drink alcohol to the point where it decreases situational awareness.

Gold said it’s important to take precautions no matter the situation or location.

“While all risks cannot be eliminated, we take numerous steps to ensure that our international programs operate in safe environments while providing rewarding educational experiences,” Gold said.

Photo · University of Wisconsin sophomore Megan Otto went ahead with her plans to study abroad in London in the aftermath of the 2016 Brussels attacks.

Erik Brown (top) The Badger Herald Courtesy of Megan Otto (bottom)

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Conversation Starter

ARTSETC.

Alex Orellana explores themes of identity, gender in latest exhibition Photography installation attempts to undermine, explain cultural, social constructs surrounding presentation

by Celeste Benzschawel ArtsEtc. Editor

Third-year Master of Fine Arts student Alex Orellana recently debuted their photography exhibit “Middle Child: Photographs by Alex Orellana” at the Chazen Museum of Art. The exhibit details life as an androgynous individual and differences in treatment based on gender presentation.

The Badger Herald spoke with Orellana about their life experiences that guided this exhibit and their inspirations as an artist.

This interview was edited for style and clarity.

The Badger Herald: What is it about photography that you like most and why did you choose to use it for this exhibit?

Alex Orellana: I’ve been a photographer since I was little, and I’ve been working at it a long time.

With this project, it made sense to me because it started as basically me taking selfies. I’m taking hormones and they’re changing the way that I look, and I think it’s pretty natural to want to document that process — to see the before and after. That turned into work I was sharing because I wasn’t seeing representation of people like me in the world.

So basically, the aesthetic of the image of the series is rather based on a mugshot kind of photograph — you take your ID out of your wallet, and that’s basically supposed to be a summation of who you are as a person. We attribute a lot of meaning and a lot of aspects of someone’s identity to that single section of their body. So, I wanted to do the very standardized portrait type with basically me as these different genders as the starting point.

BH:

In curating this entire exhibit, what was that process like from initially taking the photo to mounting it on the wall? How has that process been for you?

AO:

First, I was taking images for private reasons, and then it moved into me taking more constructive, stylized artistic portraits of myself as different genders to prove that I can exist as more than one. So, I’m trying to point out they are arbitrary, or at least the physical manifestations we attribute so much meaning to with the way that people look. It’s all arbitrary.

Then from there, I started to look at the tracks of these studies and the psychology department.

Unlike a lot of artists, I have a really deep love for science. I spent my first year at the University of Wisconsin, in addition to the art department, working at a vision lab in the psychology department. I was being exposed to a lot of research studies — a lot of different methods of

looking at the way people see and the way we perceive.

They were using software built for this study that could physically calculate the differences between peoples’ faces. I photographed my entire family — my mom, dad, brother, sister and myself, all in the same standard “identity portrait,” [used for] drivers license, mugshot framing. Using this software, you can calculate the difference between those points on each person.

It’s not just blending our color and our texture, it’s calculating the different shapes that would exist to get from my face to my mom’s face, or my face to my brother’s face. And I did that for my entire family, and there’s photos and videos of that process in the show.

BH:

In your bio on the Chazen’s website, I read that you had said you wanted to share the experience of how being androgynous affects your social interactions. Would you be able to expand on that?

AO:

The bathroom thing is a big issue, right? That’s kind of the hot button thing people are really fixated on about transgender issues. That does affect me, but it affects me a little bit differently than the transgenders I’ve seen on TV portray it as. I’m not trying to switch. I’m not trying to transition to present myself as a woman.

I’m taking medication that makes me physically feel better. It helps with my depression, so that’s my motivation. It’s more of a side effect that I look more feminine, and when I go out in public it manifests itself in these ways that I kind of expected, but kind of catches me off guard.

For example, when I go to the store with my girlfriend, I can walk in wearing all men’s clothes, but people will say, ‘Hi, lady,’ and then what do I do with that? What’s my job in that situation?

There’s that social dynamic to it — do I want to try and make sure I’m not upsetting people, but then also people will treat me differently depending on if they think I’m a man or think I’m a woman? It’s such a quick judgement and such an arbitrary thing, but it decides how people are going to treat me from the moment they see me.

the work I was doing before but it wasn’t personal, and I think people could tell.

I had that debate — I was thinking if I put together a well-made image with something that happens to be in the news right now, am I ready for that? It came down to a conversation I had with my brother in a coffee shop one day.

He’s a doctor doing amazing research, and he’s got big ambitious ideas, and I was telling him I admired that. He said, ‘Well, what do you want to contribute?’ and I’ve decided to kind of wave my privacy if I can give someone a little bit of comfort or identification or different representations of the world, and maybe it’ll be a little less hard for someone like me if it was put out there.

I want people to stop treating me in weird ways depending on what gender they read me as. So, it’s also personal on my side, where I don’t want the bathroom to be centered on my right to use the women’s, because I don’t want to use the women’s. I want to use the men’s room, and I just don’t want to be in danger when I go in there. I haven’t seen that particular point of view addressed.

When everything is said and done, and the exhibit is over, what do you want people to be thinking or feeling or have learned when they walk away from it?

BH: AO:

My hope is that it deconstructs these very solidified understandings of men and women and what our appearance means. It’s about all of the other aspects of us as people, so as you walk into the space, hopefully the experience is that you see all of these different pictures of a man and woman, of masculinity and femininity, and you can leave the space not being sure what gender is anymore and not being sure, or at least so confident, that there are these two groups and everything is readily defined.

I kind of love when people don’t know which one I am and still treat me well. If someone doesn’t know if I’m a man or a woman and they still come up to me and speak to me like I’m an individual who’s worthy of care, attention and respect, then I feel like they get to know me based on my unique qualities rather than all of the assumptions they can make about me if they know I am a man or know I am a woman.

BH:

How do you feel about sharing this work with the public since it seems to come from such a personal place?

AO:

It was a debate early on. I’ve always been a technically driven artist. All of my work has always been about doing something really well rather than doing something that’s expressive and especially creative. I was proud of

Photo · This work aims to show how gender is arbitary through mugshot-style presentations.

Courtesy of Alex Orellana

ARTSETC.

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‘Deflated’ details feelings of displacement, illustration of depression ArtsEtc. editor offers personal take on living with insomnia, inner discomfort using beautiful diction, imagery

by Kristin Washagan ArtsEtc. Editor

Welcome to StoriesEtc, a place where University of Wisconsin students can share their original works of creative writing with the community, whether it be poetry, short stories or anything in between. As a section dealing with the arts, it feels only natural to create an opportunity for students to share their creative talents.

With that being said, let’s meet this week’s contributor, and The Badger Herald’s ArtsEtc. Editor: Kristin Washagan.

The Badger Herald: Tell us about yourself. What’s your major? Year in school?

Kristin Washagan: I am a sophomore at UW studying journalism and mass communication, and pursuing a certificate in gender and women’s studies as well.

This is my first semester as the ArtsEtc. editor, but I’ve been writing for The Badger Herald for three semesters.

Other than writing, I also love singing, attending cool art shows and gigs and caring for my loving rescue kitten, Juno.

BH: KW:

Define your writing, authorship and perspective.

Because of my major, I mostly write articles and concise pieces in AP style. While poetry was the first reason I fell in love with writing, I’m currently more comfortable and fond of journalistic writing. Something about sitting down and speaking with someone about their life’s work, inspirations and goals for the future of their work is so inspiring. I love interviewing subjects and receiving the unique privilege to tell their stories.

I also suppose I like journalistic writing because it’s more objective, and I don’t have to hone into my own feelings and thoughts. While writing about your own experiences is incredibly rewarding in many ways, it can also be extremely difficult and emotionally tolling.

In my fiction writing, I tend to focus on mostly female characters. I like using my own experiences to explore themes of womanhood, gender presentation, adversity, sexuality and trauma.

I rarely have the time or creative energy to write poetry much anymore, but I still read poetry books regularly when I have free time (as if that ever happens). My favorite poetry books are probably “Love & Misadventure” by Lang Leav, or “Book of 12 • badgerherald.com • April 25, 2017

Longing” by Leonard Cohen (who is also one of my favorite lyricists and musicians of all time).

I still love poetry and prose, though, and try to write creatively whenever I get an opportunity. While it is rare for me, I love using creative writing as a means to center or ground myself, and to check in with my emotions. Nothing works quite like writing your feelings does.

BH:

When did you start writing creatively?

KW:

I fell in love with creative writing in grade three, when my teacher set up a “Writer ’s Workshop” portion of our classroom. At certain times in the day, she would encourage us to create and write our own books. Once we were finished, the teacher added the books to a special bookshelf in our classroom, and everyone got a chance to read each others’ work.

While most of the books were silly, poorly written and consisting of mostly illustrations, the Writer ’s Workshop gave us each a chance to create stories from our own imaginations.

I wrote about math-genius mice, children with super powers and softball games. It was something fun and brand new, and I was immediately hooked. It really taught me a love of storytelling that I carry to this day.

Listening to the sound of A man playing a drum Outside my bedroom window Open wide, to let out my smoke And to let in fresh autumn air The air is chilly, I pull down the rolled sleeves of my sweater I gently lay my palm over the candle near my bed And appreciate the warmth My eyes feel heavy as I hear the sound Of a train in the distance I make a mental note to start a pot of coffee before dinner I feel fine.

The man with the drum continues tapping Until the tapping no longer sounds like music Just noise And at once, it all feels so temporary.

There are flowers that bloom in autumn, And exist despite impending frost.

I look down, at nothing in particular, And come to the understanding that I may not be one of those flowers.

I tried poetry, and lavender Deep breaths, and counting sheep But nothing will help Make time stop, and allow me to sleep.

BH:

Despite the heaviness in my head, I feel a sense of calm.

I take an aspirin And look outside my window.

KW:

There are so many voices and sounds Pouring through my open window over State Street A sonata of patterns of life And I listen, alone

Talk about your creative process. What inspires you, and how do you get from an idea to a finished product?

When dealing with hardships in my life, I always turned to writing as a way to process and cope. In my writing, I tended to reflect on my personal experiences. I’m not sure if sadness can count as an “inspiration” per se, but I’m most eager to write something creative when I’m going through difficult times.

It helps me process my emotions in a way that is constructive, but also meditative.

On the flip side, sometimes I’m just so struck by all of the beauty that surrounds me, I feel the need to write down every detail of that emotion so I never forget it.

If I see a particular flower, an exchange on the street or something that just reminds me of love and compassion, I just want to write about it.

Here is a work:”Deflated”

sample

of

Kristin’s

Designed by Greta Zimmermann

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Wisconsin prepares for upcoming summer festival season A guide for music-, art-lovers alike to enjoy atmosphere, big-name headliners without having to leave the state

by Aidan McClain ArtsEtc. Writer

Wisconsin is home to an array of diverse music festivals, each offering unique genres and atmospheres.

For those who are confused as to what each festival has to offer, here is a comprehensive list of some of The Badger Herald’s favorites.

Eaux Claires

Date: June 16-17 Location: Foster Farms in Eau Claire Lineup includes: Danny Brown, Bon Iver and Wilco Entering its third year as a music festival, Eaux Claires is looking to change their festival dynamic. According to the Eaux Claires website, the entire grounds as well as the stages will be reconfigured to offer a better fan experience.

Besides these layout changes, Eaux Claires should be similar to its previous years: a multifaceted arts festival. Those in attendance can experience live music, performance art and visual art.

This festival also allows attendees to get personal with the area. Besides staying in a hotel, concertgoers can choose to stay on nearby campgrounds or in a residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Those who choose to camp can access the campgrounds the day before the actual festival starts. Eaux Claires is only two days long, but has a lot to offer.

According to the website, fans can “expect to see unpredictable performances, hidden venues and surprise collaborations.”

Summerfest

Date: June 28-July 2 & July 4-9 Location: Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee Lineup includes: Future, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Migos Summerfest remains the world’s largest music festival, but this year the festival is going to be even more special. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this lake-front festival should be extra memorable.

Offering hundreds of performances to its estimated 800,000 attendees, Summerfest has something for everyone. In addition to music performances, Summerfest has plenty of other activities ranging from an arts and crafts market, food stations and game areas.

Headliners start to perform at 8 and 10 p.m., with some outside on festival grounds and some inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater (the latter requires separate tickets.)

Being the world’s largest music festival, one would expect ticket prices to be unreasonable, especially if someone chooses to attend for all 11 days. But Summerfest has made itself affordable — a current special allows festival access for less than $8 per day.

Photo · Summerfest is planning an exciting new lineup to celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Country Thunder

Date: July 20-23 Location: Twin Lakes Lineup includes: Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean

For a festival that hones in on one specific sound, there is Country Thunder. Also offering the option to camp with campgrounds opening the day before the festival, Country Thunder allows concertgoers to get intimate with the space.

When it comes to planning a festival, Country Thunder knows what they’re doing. They currently operate four festivals under the same name in two countries, each pulling in about 100,000 fans. Every year, Country Thunder has the biggest names in country perform.

Metro Jam

Date: June 16-17 Location: Washington Park in Manitowoc Lineup includes: Garland Jeffreys, others TBA For a more low-key music festival, musicenthusiasts can go to the Metro Jam festival in Manitowoc. This two-day free event offers 10 different acts in a town park.

The smaller-sized festival still allows for

discovering new musicians. According to their website, Metro Jam offers “the most eclectic rosters of national, regional and local artists that this area has ever seen.”

The Metro Jam schedule is yet to be released, but they must have an idea of what they’re doing — this year marks the 39th year of Metro Jam.

Willow River & Brews Fest

Date: June 2-3 Location: New Richmond Lineup includes: Garland Jeffreys, others TBA For a more Wisconsin-themed music festival, Willow River & Brews Fest offers music, art and, of course, beer tasting.

Located in New Richmond, all music is free to see; individuals just need to pay if they choose to try the brew sampling.

According to their website, over 50 microbrews will be available to try from around the Midwest. There is also regular concession beer available for those not interested in the sampling.

The small park fest also offers a variety of art tents for people to peruse.

Photo · Eaux Claires offers camping grounds and campus housing atmosphere for large crowds to gather overnight.

Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald

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Madison Music Foundry celebrates student-musicians in annual showcase

Organization provides individual attention, chance to shine for young music-lovers during difficult time for arts

by Frankie Hermanek ArtsEtc. Writer

The Madison Music Foundry’s upcoming annual student showcase will celebrate music education in a time of trouble for the arts.

Hosted at the High Noon Saloon April 30, the Foundry’s showcase will honor its extensive range of students. A tangible result of the 600 private lessons a week offered at the Foundry, the showcase will consist of both youth and adults, Madison Music Foundry education director Ken Fitzsimmons said.

“We’ve been doing the showcases since at least 2008, but I think actually it may be even before that,” Fitzsimmons said. “It started just as a student jam.”

Only one portion of the showcase, the student jam is a performance with a twist. In the weeks leading up to the showcase, students select a theme, songs and sign up for specific parts — including vocals, bass, drums, guitar and keys, Fitzsimmons said.

Within their private lessons, students learn the songs individually. Come time for the showcase, students perform the songs as an ensemble group — without ever rehearsing with each other.

In addition to the student jam, the annual showcase will feature the Foundry’s four performance groups — Beginning Youth Rock Band, Adult Rock Band, Youth Soul Band and Slag, Fitzsimmons said.

Originally called the Foundry Rock Band, the name “Slag” was the result of a little challenge. Noticing the chemistry among the band members and a solid music collection, Fitzsimmons asked them to come up with a name for the group that would stick and was relevant to the Foundry’s theme (in normal terms, a foundry is a factory that produces metal.)

“They came up with ‘Slag,’ which is the extra metal that is left over from the refining of ore,” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s a throwaway material, and it’s got a little edge to it. Eventually we hope to have all the groups have names, but they were the first ones to come up with something.”

While the Foundry is a rehearsal space located in Fitchburg, its largest offering is a vast range of lessons for students. Some are performance-based, others are technical

lessons. Among the lecture-based classes are lessons for live sound basics, recording music theory, songwriting, musicians’ yoga, musicians’ wellness and a collection of music business classes, Fitzsimmons said.

As for the performance-based lessons, Fitzsimmons cited Rock Workshop as the Foundry’s crown jewel. The workshop places both kids and adults in bands based on their ability, age and musical interests, he said.

Thanks to Blast House Studios, the recording company owned by the Foundry, students in this workshop are able to write and record songs over the span of nine weeks. The next stop for this year’s Rock Workshop students will be the High Noon Saloon showcase.

Fitzsimmons himself specializes in both electric bass and string bass. Stemming from his desire to provide resources and support for music instructors, Fitzsimmons collaborated with Foundry owner Mike Olsen to create the position of education director.

“Madison has certainly seen some cuts,” Fitzsimmons said. “We find that [music teachers] have less time to give one-on-one

instruction to students. What we have seen in the Foundry now is people seeking out private lessons who want that extra help, or music teachers are recommending students to the Foundry who could use some more individual attention.”

What started as a series of rehearsal rooms for bands in 2006, the Foundry gradually transitioned into an inviting space for lessons.

During the day, the Foundry buzzes with student lessons. At night and on the weekends, it’s a space for rehearsals. Blast House Studios also provides the Foundry with a separate recording space a few blocks down the road.

Though the Foundry’s student showcase at the High Noon Saloon will primarily consist of youth, Fitzsimmons said the adults are really “just big kids” as they learn the ropes of musical performance. To him, the showcase is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“All the parents, the instructors, the students, they get on stage, they play the music and we get to see the fruits of all this labor,” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s hard to attend it and not think that it’s going to be awesome.”

Sara and Kenny discuss upcoming WUD performance, musical development

The duo displays care for craft, each other as seen through latest album release, international tour together

by Sara Easa ArtsEtc. Writer

Sara D’Ippolito and Kenny Reichert of Sara and Kenny describe their music as a fusion of many things, including jazz harmonies, Latin American rhythm and traditional folk music from southern Italy called Tarantella.

“It’s jazz in the sense that it’s a little more intricate, and folk because of the story telling and acoustic factors,” D’Ippolito said.

Both are primarily guitarists, yet after jokingly incorporating the ukulele into some music, they grew fond of it and the new sound possibilities it allowed.

“Sometimes when you switch to an instrument you’re less familiar with, it opens up new possibilities,” Reichert said.

Both D’Ippolito and Reichert are classically trained. D’Ippolito attended a conservatory in Rome and Reichert studied jazz at Berkeley.

When making music they relay ideas to each other, combining two different styles of guitar to create a unique product.

Sometimes the process is short. Other times, it may take weeks or months, Reichert said.

In any case, they do not settle on a product 10 • badgerherald.com • April 25, 2017

unless they are both pleased by it musically and lyrically.

In addition to extensive preparation for the release of their second album, Familiar Rhythms, the two are currently touring to support the release, writing new music and even planning for their upcoming wedding.

They hope to work with other artists in the future and explore various approaches to self-expression. The two enjoy touring and aspire to expand their international fan base to reach new audiences and develop musically based on new experiences.

The band has performed extensively over the last two years. Though they identify as travel addicts and enjoy performing everywhere, one show stuck out in particular. The show took place at the Troubadour in London, where “people are only there to listen to music,” Reichert said.

“Those types of experiences, regardless of where you go, are special,” D’Ippolito said.

During live performances, the duo aim to create a connection with the people who are listening. Reichert said he believes a live performance is an artist’s invitation to “bring you into their world.”

“The best thing we can ask for is anyone

willing to give us a listening,” Reichert said.

“It’s always a blessing when people are willing to listen to us.”

D’Ippolito and Reichert met for the first time by chance about three years ago. Eight months later they ran into each other, once again by chance. Soon afterwards, they began performing together.

“She invited me to play at a couple of her gigs, then she started coming out and performing with me,” Reichert said.

“Everything happened organically.”

Their musical and personal relationship quickly grew. They began writing songs together, and soon after discovered their mothers had attended confirmation class together about 20 years prior to their first encounter. In many ways, the duo felt they were destined to play together.

Their second album varies from their first, as the development of their relationship has influenced their individual musical development. Their writing is a reflection of their growth as a musical couple.

“We like to think that life is a work of art,” D’Ippolito said. “[The first album was] almost like a Sara before Kenny.”

“I would be worried if the music wasn’t changing,” Reichert said.

The band draws inspiration from many artists. On one hand, they admire artists with whom they share similar musical characteristics such as Lionel Loueke, Becca Stevens and Gilad Hekselman. They also admire more widely recognized artists like James Blake, Kate Bush and Radiohead.

The music from which they draw inspirations from is not genre specific.

Rather, it is the ability of the music’s capacity to evoke emotions within the listener.

On the subject of lyrics, D’Ippolito said their intention is to write in an abstract way.

“We hope the fans can read in them what they want,” D’Ippolito said.

“We never write to specifically please the audience, but we hope they will get something out of it — that they will like it or have a reaction,” Reichert said.

Familiar Rhythms was released on April 20, and is currently available on Bandcamp, Spotify and iTunes. You can also catch Sara and Kenny live in Madison on April 28 at Memorial Union.

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FIEL D NOTES UW researchers offer insight on dream production, consciousness Study suggests dreams are not linked only to rapid eye movement, could explain sensory experiences during sleep

by Riley Steinbrenner Photo Editor

Dreams are movies and University of Wisconsin researchers have just located the production studio in our brain necessary for creating them.

FIEL D NO T ES

Ben Baird, co-author of the study and researcher at the Center for Sleep and Consciousness, said this finding debunks the misunderstanding that “[rapid eye movement] sleep equals dreaming.”

While people dream up to 90 percent of the time in REM sleep, studies have shown 70 percent of participants in non-REM sleep also have dreams, Lampros Perogamvros, co-

author and research fellow at the Center for Sleep and Consciousness, said.

Baird, Perogamvros and their team, however, report that activity in the posterior, or rear, region of the brain takes precedence over sleep stage when it comes to dream production.

“There appears to be a very similar core region that’s involved with dreaming or experiencing something irrespective of whether you’re in REM or non-REM [sleep],” Baird said. “And that’s interesting because it suggests maybe an important region of consciousness.”

This discovery brings neuroscientists one step closer to understanding consciousness, or our state of “experiencing,” which takes the form of dreams during sleep, Perogamvros said.

Because people are constantly experiencing while awake, the CSC researchers took advantage of human’s least-taxing condition, or sleep, to study consciousness.

“One of the big things missing from our scientific worldview is basic experience and how that emerges from the brain,” Baird said. “Even something as low-level as just seeing the color red, for example, in this terminology is considered a conscious experience.”

During sleep, Baird said people cycle between periods of unconsciousness and in the form of dreams, consciousness.

This makes it simpler to compare brain activity of a healthy individual under a consistent and normal state of mind, Baird said. “[Sleep] affords a unique opportunity to study consciousness in healthy individuals within the same state,” Baird said. “And also avoids similar confounds because people aren’t overtly doing a task in this experiment, they’re just sleeping.”

Using an electroencephalogram, which measures brain activity, the researchers tested 32 sleeping participants untrained in

FIELD NOTES

FIELD NOTES Designed by Greta Zimmerman

dream recall and 10 participants trained in dream recall.

They woke the participants in 30-minute intervals throughout the night to ask if they could recall a dream and the contents of that dream, such as seeing faces or hearing voices.

When the team compared EEG reports of participants who could recall faces with those who could not, they noted high brain activity among the recall participants in the fusiform face area — the same brain region typically activated during wakeful facial detection, Perogamvros said.

Even the Wernicke’s area, activated during wakeful speech detection, was activated in participants who recalled speech in their dreams, Baird said.

Other regions that were activated in recall participants’ dreams were occipital and parietal regions, Baird said, which are also responsible for visual and sensory perception during wake.

These sensory areas make up the posterior region of the brain, Perogamvros said.

Similar activation of this posterior region during wake and dreaming helped the researchers discover its importance in dream production.

Knowing the location of dream production, the researchers again performed an EEG, on seven different participants, to test if they could predict whether or not they had a dream, Baird said.

The researchers were able to predict the presence of a dream 91 percent of the time and predict the absence of a dream 80 percent of the time, according to their paper published in “Nature Neuroscience.” Perhaps one day people will be able to direct their own dreams, Baird said. “[These posterior areas] are responsible for multisensory integration,” Perogamvros said. “So it’s rather expected that they play an important role in dreaming, because they can integrate information from different parts of the brain and produce a world simulation the dream represents.”

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Lawmakers unanimously vote to protect internet privacy in Wis. Several other states including California, Illinois have already taken action for restoring residents’ online rights

by Avery Aurand Reporter

As internet privacy remains a hot-button issue around the world, the Wisconsin state Senate unanimously passed a recent amendment April 4 aimed at reshaping internet usage and protections.

This proposed legislation, known as Senate Amendment 13, prohibits internet service providers from collecting internet users’ personal information without expressed, written consent from the customer, Sen. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said in a statement.

“These new safeguards will ensure that customers, not out-of-state corporations, have the final say in how their personal information and internet data is shared,” Shilling said.

The amendment, introduced in April, will also protect people from having their personal data tracked, stored and sold by internet service providers, according to the statement.

Internet service access is defined as

sending messages and information through services such as local, toll and wide-area telephone services or specialized mobile radio, according to a Wisconsin Legislative Council Amendment Memo.

The amendment was part of Senate Bill 49, which was introduced in February, and has yet to pass.

According to the amendment, internet service providers and telecommunication companies cannot deny service to someone who refuses to approve the collection of their personal data.

“Thanks to our quick action in the Senate, children, families and seniors in Wisconsin will have the opportunity to protect their personal information,” Shilling said.

A group of senators including Shilling, Sen. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, introduced the amendment.

Several other states, including Illinois and California, took quick action to restore internet privacy rights after Republicans in Congress repealed consumer privacy protections, according to the statement.

Sen. Howard L. Marklein, R-Spring Green, made another amendment to the bill, changing the wording of Bill 49 for additional clarification. This wording change expanded consumer privacy protection to unserved areas.

The bill originally defined an“unserved area” as an area in the state unable to receive internet services with speeds within 20 percent of high-speed, switched broadband, Marklein said. But Marklein’s amendment changed the definition from “high-speed, switched broadband telecommunications” to “advanced telecommunications.”

The Senate Committee on Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues advocated for the acceptance of Amendment 13 and the progression of Bill 49. Both of their requests were passed unanimously, Shilling said.

“I’m glad that Democrats were able to protect Wisconsin families and prevent out-of-state corporations from profiting off big data collection and invasive internet surveillance,” Shilling said.

Photo · According to the amendment, internet service providers and telecommunication companies cannot deny service to someone who refuses to approve the collection of their personal data.

Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald

UW graduate scholars want to change world for future generations Bouchet Honor Society emphasizes diversity in scholarship by recognizing individuals from underrepresented groups

by Hannah Miller Reporter

Albert Burgess-Hull wanted to create a legacy that those younger than him could look up to for generations to come.

Burgess-Hull, University of Wisconsin doctoral candidate in human development and family studies, examines the relationship between social networks and health behaviors and is spearheading research in the School of Human Ecology. His work focuses specifically on marijuana and substance abuse among minors.

For his work, Burgess-Hull became one of six UW students to be inducted into the UW chapter of the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society in April. Founded in 2005 at Yale University, the society recognizes scholars in graduate and doctorate programs for outstanding achievements in research, leadership and community outreach.

Named after Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American to receive a doctorate degree from an American institution, the Bouchet Society emphasizes diversity in scholarship by recognizing

individuals from underrepresented groups.

“By highlighting people in [underrepresented] groups, it shows those who are younger that they can be successful too,” Burgess-Hull said. “The future generations have a model they can look up to.”

LaRuth McAfee, the assistant dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Funding, said the UW Chapter of the Bouchet Society effectively aligns with the Wisconsin Idea.

To be inducted into the Bouchet Society, all nominees are evaluated on the “Five Bouchet Qualities.” The five qualities include character, leadership, advocacy, scholarship and service.

“We can’t just be strong in scholarship, it’s about character and what type of leaders they are,” McAfee said.

Another inductee, Nadia Khan, researches changes in gene expression which can occur after epileptic seizures. Khan is a doctoral candidate in UW’s cellular and microbiology graduate program. Khan said being inducted into the Bouchet Society has placed her in a network of people who care about diversity in

“By highlighting people in [underrepresented] groups, it shows those who are younger that they can be successful too.”

Albert Burgess-Hull Bouchet Honor Society inductee education.

“It helps to know that I have allies who do think [diversity in academia] is important,” Khan said.

Coming from a low-income household, Khan said she experienced obstacles in her childhood that helped develop her work ethic and drive for success. Despite these obstacles, Khan received national recognition for her research in the field of biology.

Reflecting the “Five Bouchet Qualities,” Khan has exemplified excellence in leadership and advocacy, McAfee said.

As an active member of her community, Khan said she worked with local Madison high schools to facilitate Free Application for Federal Student Aid seminars in Spanish for parents within the community.

“The goal is to help students have the confidence and tools to pursue further education,” Khan said.

The Bouchet Society plays a vital role in recognizing academic excellence and promoting interdisciplinary connections among scholars and the community, McAfee said.

As a national organization, the Bouchet Society has created a network of professionals across the country who represent academic excellence and diversity, McAfee said.

“There is inequality in the world, and the scholars have the type of impact that can address that,” McAfee said. “The Bouchet scholars strive to make the community a better place, in and out of academia.”

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‘Blue Lives Matter’ bill faces opposition across party lines

Approximately 64 police officers were shot in 2016, leading to national increase in ‘ambush-style shootings’ of law enforcement

by Mia Sato Reporter

While many police officers know the potential dangers they face in their line of work, the Wisconsin Legislature has proposed a new bill that would increase protections for law enforcement officers.

The new bill, dubbed the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, would add law enforcement officers to the categories of people who can be victims of hate crimes. Despite receiving bipartisan support, the bill has been criticized across party lines as well.

A hate crime is currently defined as a crime against someone motivated by a person’s race, religion, nation of origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability, author of the bill Rep. David Steffen, R-Green Bay, said.

Legislation similar to this bill have been passed in dozens of states, including Louisiana and Kentucky this year.

Steffen said a national increase in “ambushstyle shootings” of police officers last year prompted him to introduce the piece of legislation.

“That for me is a clear message that there’s something that’s going on that needs to be addressed within our community, within our society,” Steffen said. “These individuals wake up every single day to protect and serve us … this is not as simple as a uniform for them. It’s integral to their identity, to who they are.”

Grant County Deputy Adam Day described an incident in an April 4 hearing for the bill

where he was attacked by a man who had a negative experience with law enforcement. Day suffered minor injuries from the incident.

The bill has faced multiple points of criticism from Assembly members and community organizations.

Rep. David Crowley, D-Milwaukee, said in a statement he appreciates the people in law enforcement, but does not think this bill ensures the safety of those people.

“Elevating an occupation to the same level of protection as a race, religion, color or disability is unconscionable and a step in the wrong direction,” Crowley said. “We should be focusing on improving community and police relations which actually would make everyone in our community safer, including law enforcement officers.”

American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Interim Executive Director Molly Collins said in a statement it is tragic 64 police officers were killed by guns in 2016, but this does not prove there is any war on police.

Making the claim that there is a war on police does not do anyone good, Collins said.

“A more useful approach would be creating a better working environment for police officers through building community partnership and trust,” Collins said.

“Community trust requires police department transparency and accountability and ensuring that people in all communities receive fair and equitable policing services.”

Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, said the bill fails to actually protect law enforcement

before harm comes to them.

Making communities safer for both officers and the public is a more effective approach to the issue, Taylor said.

“I don’t think anybody is against a penalty enhancer when a law enforcement officer is

killed,” Taylor said. “But really, the question is, how do you stop officers from being killed in the first place? That’s what our focus should be and that bill doesn’t do a thing.”

A Senate vote on the bill has not yet been scheduled.

Photo · Critics of the bill argue it does not ensure safety and legislation instead needs to work on improving community and police relations.

Jason Chan The Badger Herald

New tool looks to speed up research process for UW biologists

Algorithm sifts through 30 million abstracts, papers, which would be virtually impossible for experts to go through by hand

by Emilie Burditt Reporter

A new University of Wisconsindeveloped algorithm looks to help smooth and shorten the research process for biologists and, potentially, researchers across the board.

Called “KinderMiner,” the algorithm holds millions of pieces of archived research and can scan online archives within hours. While it currently caters to biologists, it could be adapted to different fields in the future.

Ron Stewart, project supervisor and UW associate director of bioinformatics, came up with the idea and wrote the original algorithm. He said he is devoted to the project and hopes for a positive outcome.

Then his colleagues improved the code and statistical calculations, making it more than 10 times faster and much more robust.

They also compared “KinderMining” to a drug repurposing algorithm Stewart and his colleagues had written, he said.

Stewart is hoping KinderMiner will make potential Google searches easier for biologists by narrowing content.

The content in the archives come from a database called EuropePMC, which comprises roughly 30 million different documents for the researchers. These range from biomedical papers to abstracts.

KinderMiner can be compared to the PubMed biomedical literature database, which is also found through EuropePMC, Stewart said.

Stewart said KinderMiner counts the co-occurrence of a key phrase that the biologist or user is interested in such as “cardiomyocyte” and some target term, which is usually a gene name or the name of a drug or compound. It “reads” through all 30 million abstracts and papers for each

combination of the key phrase and each target term in the target term list, which amounts to 600 billion papers and abstracts in total.

With a new article added to the database in EuropePMC every minute, it is virtually impossible to sort through all the documents. This is similar to the problem of overwhelming and nonrelevant data scientists were running into with Google.

Stewart said an algorithm like KinderMiner is the only realistic option.

Stewart said he viewed the algorithm as a relatively simple concept, therefore naming it “KinderMiner.” The algorithm is simple in context, where it basically sorts through key phrases using statistical data to order searched drugs, compounds and genes for the finding.

“We have shown for some historical examples that KinderMiner ranks genes near the top of the list that were later

shown to be critical for certain processes such as reprogramming cells to become cardiomyocytes [or heart muscle cells] or to become induced pluripotent stem cells,” Stewart said.

Stewart said the algorithm targets very specific topics the biologists or users are curious about. He highlighted that KinderMiner easily speeds up research for scientists and can give them information that may not be published until five years later.

Stewart said the algorithm is recently developed and can easily assist researchers and biologists who are looking for specific information. He said he looks forward to what is to come in the biology community with KinderMiner taking effect.

“There is insight that leads to the positive effects KinderMiner could have within the biology community,” Stewart said.

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 7

OPINION

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Proposed legislation threatens adequate training for UW medical students

Republican legislators attempt to cut university’s ties with Planned Parenthood at cost of insufficient OB-GYN experience

by Julia Brunson Columnist

Last Friday, state Republicans introduced a bill addressing an agreement between the University of Wisconsin and Planned Parenthood, claiming that the university’s relationship with the organization violates statutes forbidding the use of state funds for abortions.

“UW should get out of the abortion industry,” said Rep. André Jacque, one of the bill’s sponsors, later labelling faculty members “abortionists.”

Since 2008, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health has worked with local Planned Parenthood centers to provide training for doctors and nurses in reproductive health — an elective course including instruction on abortion and family planning. Resident doctors gain experience and fulfill Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements through work at local clinics, as well as providing services for their community.

Representatives from multiple UW schools objected to the bill, noting that

accreditation and current training in OBGYN services would be severely impacted by the legislation. Any work at outside centers providing abortions would also be prohibited while employed under the university, cutting off access to community work experience often sought in job applications.

The bill’s sponsors claim that this legislation will not harm the university’s ability to maintain (ACGME) accreditation, citing similar legislation passed in the University of Arizona.

However, the legislation passed in Arizona also forbade students from funding the training themselves.

Over 55% of medical schools across the country reported giving no clinical exposure to students for abortion services at all. Without access to abortion services, it would be extremely difficult for UW to train students, prompting concerns that doctors would graduate with little to no experience in reproductive healthcare.

This transparent attack on Planned Parenthood has little to do with taxpayer money.

Targeting the training for abortion procedures is unnecessary, and the

hypocrisy of this attack is evident in the bill’s text. Prohibitions for training are conspicuously absent in the case of rape, incest, or the possibility of death or grave injury of the mother.

As someone who has used Planned Parenthood resources, community physicians such as UW faculty are essential to the future of women’s health.

Prohibiting faculty from working at Planned Parenthood centers removes critical health services such as STD testing, birth control prescriptions, and other family planning measures. For some women, these are the only doctors or medical personnel they will ever see.

Training and OB-GYN services at Planned Parenthood provide critical opportunities for doctors to learn abortion procedures, both elective and life-saving.

Knowledge of and experience with reproductive health care is imperative at a time when more than a quarter of U.S. women entering doctors’ offices will have had an abortion in their lifetime.

Shaming the existence of legal abortion in the state is counterproductive, and only serves to underscore the lack of concern Republicans have for women’s health care.

If legislators truly wanted to lower abortion rates in Wisconsin, they would increase access to birth control and family planning resources — both of which are significant contributors to the decline in teen pregnancy rates.

It is clear that Republican legislators would rather students and faculty have limited experience in abortion procedures at all than acknowledge Planned Parenthood as a legitimate health resource for the community. This thinly-veiled attack on UW faculty again emphasizes that Republicans will target abortion through any means necessary.

At the end of the day, those most severely impacted by this bill will be poor women and doctors, many of whom provide critical community and state services.

Advocating for this legislation ignores the legitimacy of women’s health services and the right of women to accessible, safe health care. Framing it as anything other than a restriction on legal abortion is hypocritical and short-sighted.

Julia Brunson (julia.r.brunson@gmail. com) is a freshman majoring in history.

Intercultural Dialogues valuable addition to undergraduate program Course emphasizes analysis of social identities, teaches students not to ‘other,’ promotes healthy campus climate for all

by Letter to the Editor

Planning your schedule for next semester? Need to fulfill the ethnic studies requirement? Want to do so in a personally challenging and potentially life-changing way?

Take Sociology 205: Intercultural Dialogues. I promise you won’t regret it.

Intercultural Dialogues is a discussionbased course that meets twice per week.

It focuses on critically analyzing the socially constructed identities we all possess and encounter in our daily lives (ability, citizenship, class, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, nationality, race, religion and sexuality).

The class also challenges students to think about and discuss the intersectionality of these identities and their real material and personal consequences.

This is all done through interaction with written materials, media and — yup, you guessed it — dialogue.

Students share not only their understandings of the information presented, but connect it to their own personal experiences.

I was drawn to the course because of its emphasis on crucial topics I didn’t learn much about in my formal K-12 education.

Having grown up in a small, predominantly white city in Wisconsin where inequities related to social identities were almost never talked about, my education was incomplete.

Even though I had been aware of harmful racial, ethnic, class and gender stereotypes from a young age because I felt them and saw them around me, I struggled to describe them.

Intercultural Dialogues provided a place I could learn to do that and more. It also offered an opportunity to learn about my classmates’ experiences and come to better understand my own privileges and biases.

My overarching takeaway from this class is there are countless ways in which we are socialized to consciously and subconsciously “other” people. According to Oxford dictionary, as a verb “other” means “[to] view or treat (a person or group of people) as intrinsically different from and alien to oneself.”

We “other” not only in relation to our own identities, but also in relation to what is considered “normal” in our society.

Instead of seeing people as complex, unique individuals we often tend to do something we’ve been taught not to since childhood — judge books by their covers.

By attempting to infer far too much about an individual based on socially constructed categorizations of them, we force people into boxes they don’t want to be in, setting unfair expectations and contributing to the reproduction of social inequality.

Raising awareness of this is the first step to changing it, and that’s where Intercultural Dialogues comes in.

In the course, students look to the past to understand where social identities come from, examine the present to see how they’re playing out in our lives and all around us and talk about ways we, as future leaders, can make the institutions we benefit from — the education system, politics, the criminal justice system and arts and the media, to name a few — more equitable.

Structural inequality rooted in histories of oppression remain present in all institutions — we’re all complicit in it and impacted by it at the same time, all the time.

Intercultural Dialogues requires a short application but has no prerequisites. All who apply simply need an open mind, a willingness to be vulnerable and a high level of respect for those with beliefs and experiences different from their own.

Nicole Galicia (ngalicia@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in political science and sociology.

Designed by Greta Zimmermann

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 17

OPINION

@BHopinion

While socialism breeds oppression, capitalism spurs democracy, economy Income mobility, financial growth in free-market countries versus crumbling socialist regimes is evidence of unbeatable philosophy

by John Graber Columnist

of life. An August 2015 study published

by Deloitte found technology has created more jobs than it has eliminated while simultaneously removing workers from repetitive and dangerous work.

Using employment data from England and Wales, the study found the number of people in the agriculture industry has decreased by 95 percent since 1871. The number of people who have jobs that provide care and nursing to others has increased from only 1.1 percent in 1871 to almost 25 percent by 2011. Jobs that use muscle power have been merely replaced by knowledge-intensive work.

Technology has lowered the costs of essential goods and services, expanding the disposable income of consumers and thus creating more demand. Do you have a smartphone or a laptop? Have you ever

travelled via car or commercial airlines?

Have you ever eaten or shopped at a restaurant or retail chain? If so, then you have benefitted from the free enterprise capitalism has provided.

Marx was always worried that capital would be concentrated among the very wealthy. In fact, a majority of Americans are able to obtain capital through stock market investments, according to Gallup.

This comes from individual stocks, stock mutual funds, stocks in a 401(k) or through an IRA. The ownership of corporations is widely dispersed, meaning a great number of people benefit, not just a handful of millionaires and billionaires.

Not only has capitalism increased quality of life wherever is it adopted, but it encourages the establishment of democratic forms of government. The

hypothesis of the link between economic freedom and political freedom was put forward by Nobel laureates Friedrich A. Hayek and Milton Friedman. When put to empirical examination, the hypothesis holds up very well.

In March 2010, the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization published a paper by economists Robert A. Lawson and J.R. Clark analyzing 123 nations as far back as 1970. They found only a handful of cases where democracy and capitalism do not exist together. Furthermore, these cases have been declining over time. Other research has found similar results.

Wherever there’s socialism, crisis often follows.

The year 2017 marks several anniversaries for socialists across the world.

It has been 150 years since Karl Marx published “Das Kapital,” a book that criticized capitalism and helped spark the socialist movement. It has been 100 years since the Russian Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin. It has been 50 years since the death of Che Guevara, who led many guerrilla campaigns during the Cold War. While there will be leftists who intend to honor these anniversaries, it is also worth remembering what an absolute failure socialism has been.

Just look to Venezuela, the latest example The University of Wisconsin has of the failure of an already disproven numerous socialist groups on campus economic system. For years, making the case such a trash socialism was maintained in ideology should be tried over the Latin American nation and over again. without reform under Hugo These groups spout the typical Chavez’s presidency, but rhetoric of ending a system they as Margaret Thatcher once believe only rewards the few and warned, “Eventually you run exploits the many. Socialism, in out of other people’s money.” their eyes, will end oppression of The Venezuelan economy is the workers and create equality. now collapsing. Food supplies The only problem with this have dwindled, leading many argument is socialism creates people to rob supermarkets oppression and poverty, while and food trucks. Soldiers and capitalism generates income police have to guard loading mobility and prosperity. depots from being overrun by Consider what has happened starving Venezuelans. since the publication of One cannot blame the Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of poor for resorting to thievery Nations” in 1776 and the rise in this desperate situation, of the Industrial Revolution. As as government currency economic analyst and American mismanagement has led Enterprise Institute fellow James to a massive devaluing of Pethokoukis has pointed out, the bolivar, driving prices since the 18th century, gross through the roof. People can’t domestic product per person has even fit enough money in skyrocketed. In real terms, the their wallets anymore. The average income of Americans result is that nearly 75 percent has increased from less than of the population has lost an $5,000 to nearly $45,000. average of 19 pounds.

Also, it isn’t just Americans When faced with the who have benefited from the choice between capitalism power of free market capitalism. and socialism, the answer is GDP per person in Europe has always clear — capitalism risen from less than $5,000 to has proven to be the superior more than $25,000. Throughout system. It has improved the the rest of the world, there has lives of billions of people been an increase from roughly and given them opportunities the same starting point to more socialism has not. There will than $5,000. The implementation always be dissenters, but no of capitalism in the west and the one can deny the tremendous expansion of it across the globe is Photo · With Steve Forbes visiting UW to speak on capitalism April 25, invited by the Young Americans for Liberty, now seems as good a accomplishments of capitalism. simply the greatest achievement time as any to reveiw the merits of a capitalistic society even in the face of progressive criticism. in human history.

John Graber (jgraber3@wisc.

Capitalism has allowed for Kirby Wright edu) is a junior majoring in technological innovations that The Badger Herald history and political science. have vastly improved the quality

18 • badgerherald.com • April 25, 2017

THIS WEEK IN WISCONSIN SPORTS SOFTBALL 4/21/17

1 0

WISCONSIN MICHIGAN

WIN

SOFTBALL 4/23/17

WISCONSIN MICHIGAN

LOSS

0 8

SOFTBALL 4/22/17

WISCONSIN MICHIGAN

LOSS

WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/23/17 0 WISCONSIN 4 MARYLAND

LOSS

WOMEN’S ROWING 4/22/17

WISCONSIN GRAND VALLEY STATE

WIN

2 10

4/23/17

WISCONSIN GRAND VALLEY STATE

WIN

SPORTS

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An inside look at life of two Wisconsin lightweight rowers

Go behind the scenes of one of most demanding sports in college athletics with ex-Badger rowers Hannah Mesmer, Stephanie Meder

by Stephanie Browne Beat Writer

“But why?” is the question University of Wisconsin sophomore Stephanie Meder is plagued with by her peers.

It’s a fire burning in your heart so rampant it motivates you from your core. It tells you to do more and push harder and be better. But when the fire in your heart is out, what do you do?

Meder was the top recruit of the 2015 Wisconsin women’s lightweight rowing team. They called her only by her last name, and that itself described her fierceness and dedication. She was the cornerstone of the recruited freshman of the Class of 2019, a key identifier to the rest of the boathouse. When coaches prescribed 45 minutes of cardio as a supplemental workout, she would venture an hour and a half.

Her jet black braid, national team gear and traps of titanium resembled her can-do mentality.

“That girl is so fast,” was a common remark heard in the ergometer machine bay of the boathouse, accompanied by glazed-over eyes of starstruck athletes watching Meder ’s muscles engage while hanging onto the handle of the indoor rowing machine.

With each stroke, her body would be pushed to its physiological limit, lactic acid threatening her muscles and pain tempting her mind. But, her thoughts were consumed by her ambition, and through this, Meder was number one.

“Rowing is 100 percent the toughest sport out there,” Meder said. “The trick is to find a cohesive element in your mental and physical self and use it to hold yourself together when it gets hard.”

On the water, once her blade locked in on the crisp, calm water of Lake Mendota, Meder ’s physical strength, mental toughness and mythic mentality of settling for more catapulted her racing shell forward, as if she was a bird released from a cage.

“I was inspired by my brother ’s Princeton rowing career to take my rowing to the next level,” Meder said. “I had a ton of respect for Wisconsin. This was one of my dream colleges going back to my second year of high school.”

Meder fell into a rhythmic cycle of success, just like the repetitive motion of her arms extending, body swinging and legs compressing to place the oar in the water.

Come days of ergometer testing and seat racing, where success was imperative for favorable boat placement, Meder always prevailed. The issue of inconsistency her teammates often struggled with

was foreign to her and her calm, confident countenance.

“The pressure of keeping a position could be even harder than achieving it in the first place,” Meder said.

Athletes and coaching staff alike would cheer Meder on or eye her ergometer screen, watching her break boathouse records.

Everyone wanted to see her succeed. Olympics, maybe. Worlds, definitely.

No one ever thought she would quit. But she did.

“Honestly, I was just curious about the cheese curds that Badgers come here for,” Meder said. “On rowing, I was like, ‘What’s a brat?’”

It was common.

Meder said this year alone the women’s lightweight rowing team lost a staggering 17 recruited athletes due to reasons similar to Meder.

UW offers the third-best lightweight rowing program in the U.S., attracting the top recruits in the country.

Hannah Mesmer ventured hundreds of miles away from her home in New York to compete for the Wisconsin Badgers as a recruited student-athlete in the class of 2020. In her extensive high school rowing experience, her unwaivering work ethic brought her and her Pittsford Crew teammates to Scholastic Nationals and renowned rowing venues such as Oak Ridge, Sacramento and Princeton.

Mesmer stood out in the pool of freshman as she had the fastest ergometer time and the most impressive race results in the arena of high school rowing.

“I did everything right,” Mesmer said.

“I performed well at practice, [was] always conscious of my nutrition to fuel my body for success and put the team’s needs over my own. Every time.”

In mid-April of her freshman year, Mesmer quit the team.

“The love that I have for the sport rowing is so strong, but I need to take a break in order to be my healthiest self,” Mesmer said.

The moments of freedom that were granted to Meder and Mesmer while rowing were eventually overwhelmed by the restraining requirements of competing in the sport. Lightweight women’s rowing has a weight limit of 130 pounds for racing and 131 pounds for seat racing in practice.

“Crew made me happy, so I did it for all the happiness it was worth,” Meder said.

“But I took a step back and asked myself if it still does, if it’s worth it.”

Photo · Rowing is a relatively unfollowed sport in Madison, but remains one of the school’s most dominant.

Jason Chan The Badger Herald The tranquility of the boat gliding on the water, with one click of the oarlocks as eight blades square up in unison and then back into the water altogether was the essence of the sport and the moment that made all of the hours worthwhile, Meder said. This collective goal that was only achievable by selfless dedication was met by the harsh reality of a strict weight limit.

Meder and Mesmer are both 5-foot-8, which is tall for the lightweight category of women’s rowing, requiring them to follow a demanding diet to maintain lean muscle mass in an effort to maximize power.

“I found comfort in drinking a lot of tea and coffee and eating apples because I knew they wouldn’t make me gain weight,” Meder said. “It became unsustainable, though, when after hours of practice I would only be able to eat half a packet of oatmeal and some lettuce because I knew there could be a weigh-in the next morning.”

With two to three weightlifting sessions per week, the two rowers were in a constant struggle to have a high percentage of muscle mass that brought them top ergometer scores, while meeting the firm weight capacity.

“I missed out on so many birthday

dinners and normal friend activities because of always being so close to making weight,” Mesmer said. “It was pretty sad when I would be in my dorm after Saturday morning practice trying to convince myself that my oatmeal was almost the same as Mickies Dairy Bar.” Focusing on low glycemic index foods such as oatmeal and apples helped Mesmer and Meder with weight management, but there were also health reasons to end their lightweight rowing careers.

“My BMI was scary low and that can have dangerous long-term effects,” Meder said. “I didn’t want to negatively impact my life down the road because of a few years of rigorous training on a Division I rowing team and being underweight.”

After relieving the stress from the rowing team, the former athletes said their college experiences have become better.

Meder joined Club Lacrosse and Mesmer is thinking about joining a sorority.

“I am so much happier now,” Mesmer said. “I had pizza at the Memorial Union yesterday and there were dogs in Lake Mendota. This is a different life than collegiate rowing, but undoubtedly a good one.”

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com •21

SPORTS

@BHeraldSports

Junior second basemen Kelsey Jenkins leads Badger offense Wisconsin’s lead-off hitter has had breakout season as dominant on-base performer, success mostly through walks

by Nolan Beilstein Beat Writer

Home runs, balls that split the gap and bang off the wall are one of the most exciting aspects of softball. With a 27-8 record, the University of Wisconsin softball team has been doing quite a bit of that. But there is a small part of the game people overlook simply because it does not seem like much at the time. While the Badgers’ bats often explode for a number of runs, it is their plate appearances that allow the offensive surge to take place.

Second baseman, Kelsey Jenkins, serves as one of the most dangerous hitters in Wisconsin’s arsenal. The Arizona native already owns a .370 batting average, but the junior does something else just as helpful: She walks. A lot. So much so that she leads the team and the Big Ten in the statistic.

“I like to see a lot of pitches,” Jenkins said. “The deeper I get in the count, the more confident I get that I can draw a walk or potentially get a hit. I try to think of two positive things that can happen from watching more pitches.”

The leadoff hitter for the Badgers has taken the lead for walks in Wisconsin program history in just her third season of play with 135. In fact, it only took her 120 career games to take the lead over Stephanie Peace, who played for Wisconsin from 2011-14.

Jenkins tied the record February 25 against Hofstra in her 119th career game.

She then took the record the following day in a game against Rutgers. Jenkins led the game with a seven-pitch at bat, working a full count before being awarded first base for career walk number 99, surpassing Peace.

Jenkins finest moment of making a pitcher work came from a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in which she came to bat five times but only recorded one at bat because she walked the four other times. Jenkins saw a total of 28 pitches in those five at bats.

Jenkins leads the team in base on balls, with 35 for the season following the series against Purdue. Chloe Miller, who leads the team in batting average, slugging, onbase percentage, homers and RBIs, is 12 behind Jenkins for walks. But Jenkins said having Miller and another strong hitter in Brooke Wyderski batting behind her helps her approach.

“It opens it up for more walks,” Jenkins said. “I have a trust in them that if I do get on, one of them will get me in.”

The strategy works well because Jenkins leads the team in runs scored with 42, which gives her a slight edge over Miller, who has 41.

Hitting coach Danielle Zymkowitz said she sees Jenkins’ good eye as the beginning of a domino effect with the bats of Miller, Wyderski and Sara Novak following behind her.

“Because [Jenkins] is on base, I think Chloe gets better pitches,” Zymkowitz said.

“With our top four hitters, you can’t pitch around them.

So when Wyderski is hitting behind Chloe, it’s just going to trickle down.”

Jenkins already hits the ball well and will occasionally show a little power, collecting 6 homers on the year, which is tied for second on the team.

This is something Jenkins and Zymkowitz have been trying to expand.

The practice has paid off for Jenkins, who is tied for 13th for batting average and ranks fifth in on base percentage in the Big Ten. “She has been swinging more aggressively in those hitter ’s counts,” Zymkowitz said. “She works on her swing for two hours every day, yet she draws walks. I tell her to use her swing, and now it’s just getting her feeling comfortable doing it.”

The team saw some results in exciting fashion a few weeks ago when the team played the Iowa Hawkeyes. Trailing 4-1 in the fifth inning and a runner on, Jenkins, again, worked the at bat to a full count.

During the at bat, she sent a towering fly to left field that cleared the fence by 20 feet, but was clearly foul. Then on the seventh pitch, Jenkins sent a line drive shot to the same side of the field that stayed fair this time for the opposite field home run.

Jenkins’ on base percentage of .515 has rubbed off on the rest of the team to help them earn a team average of .400, which outnumbers their season opponents’ average of .333.

Wisconsin also owns a total of 174 walks, 64 more than their opponents total on the season.

Look for the strong Badger offense to carry them into the postseason, where they could make a lot of noise.

Photo · Despite up-and-down success in the middle of Big Ten play, the University of Wisconsin softball team has seen a batting explosion, courtesy of its opening batter.

Jason Chan The Badger Herald

SPORTS

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Gentle Clowns continue to win at content, friendship, life University’s truly independent newspaper let the olds have this one thing, the Dirty Birds don’t have much left

by Tes F. Michael Dirty Bird Contributor

The Cleveland Cavaliers were down 3-1.

The Chicago Cubs were down 3-1. The New England Patriots were down 28-3. None of these teams’ comebacks were as exciting or historic as the Dirty Birds’ comeback Saturday afternoon against the Gentle Clowns, en route to a 5-2 victory at Vilas Park.

Led with a historic speech by incoming managing editor Andrew “We Must Honor our Forefathers” Bahl, the Dirty Birds followed the guidance of beloved head coach Zach “Makin’ it Rasty” Rastall in his final game.

“We’ve now won the last four sporting events against these bastards,” Rastall said.

“They don’t deserve to play us.”

Maggie “I’m the GOAT” Chandler collected MVP honors during the annual softball game, driving in the winning RBIs and crushing what little dignity The Badger Herald had left after being called “fake news” by President Donald Trump earlier in the week.

“I know I’m new to the scene, but The

Badger Hairball has nothing on me,” Chandler said, while packing up her belongings and planning her training regimen for the football game this fall. “College News and my softball skills are going to continue to be the best things since sliced bread.”

Incoming Editor-in-Chief Madeline Heim is pleased with The Daily Cardinal’s performance and says before the game, she told players she was going to fire them all if they lost.

One rogue Herald member wore a red Wisconsin shirt instead of his team’s uniform, and was mocked for choosing to support his university instead of their so-called independent newspaper.

Sports Editor Tommy “I Love Bob” ValtinErwin shocked the crowd by beating his record-breaking chug-off performance.

After the game, he popped champagne and proposed to his co-editor Bobby “I Like All Cardinals” Ehrlich. The two are expected to tie the knot in July.

L.E. HerMan contributed to this report.

Photo · The Dirty Bird emerged victorious on a beautiful Saturday in Vilas Park.

Sarah Godfrey (top) Ella Guo (bottom) wwThe Badger Herald

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 23

A WITCH NAMED KOKO

CHARLES BRUBAKER

SHMOMBER AND SHMOLIN

BY CATERPILLAR (AGE 6)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is printed with the permission of Caterpillar and his parents.

CLIFF’S NOTES

24 • badgerherald.com • April 25, 2017

BYRON LIND

kookaburracards@verizon.net

SHMOMBER AND SHMOLIN: PART 2

WHITE BREAD AND TOAST

MIKE BERG

BY CATERPILLAR (AGE 6)

CALL FOR CARTOONS: The Badger Herald’s diversions page accepts work from cartoonists of all ages!

Send 300 dpi scans of your work to comics@badgerherald. com or jduncan@badgerherald. com. To promote artistic liberty, any size and format is accepted.

April 25, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 25

SHOUTOUTS

Like our Shoutout page? Tag your tweets and instagrams #bhso to see them printed in future issues.

The Nitty Gritty needs an app to order power hour drinks & cheese curds so they’re ready when you arrive pauleen

@MelodicOsprey

badgerherald.com/shoutouts @bhshoutouts

oops I drunk butt-dialed my dad last night ??? is it 2003??? who butt dials anymore Sydney.jpg @_sydneyr

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last night I helped some random drunk girl carry her even drunker friend home and she sent me $6 over venmo “for ian’s pizza” lol meredeath @murrrdith

If I see one more of those unicorn drinks on snapchat, I’m deleting it Megan Mullen

@Megan_Mullen25

There are three men with matching “I pregame like you party” shirts like no I think you’re just an alcoholic.

Loch Nessa Monster @hung_pope

Can someone tell me why I’m 1) drunk on 3 glasses of wine while 2) watching Sky High?

Aa[Ron] Johnson @aaron_johnson95

So I just worked out for the first time this year and I’m honestly shocked and offended that I still have fat on my body ???! jenna miller

@jennaral_mills

College pro tip: don’t shower for a week then sit next to random people at the library to get your own table! tresiba ready! @BushnJohnson

s/o to that drunk guy who let me use their iPhone 4 on state street last night and my wonderful friends that kept me alive meagan zellmer @megzellmer

Asking an engineer to hang out: SOCIAL LIFE?I ain’t got no time for that the grind never stops Library 24/7 Jackie Chang

@OhDangChang

Things I would rather do than finish this semester: shave off my eyebrows, eat a giant bowl of toenails, have a bug lay eggs in my ear, etc K8

@BadGurlKate

Okay fr tho..those neon pink Starbucks drinks look like just about the nastiest thing ever Brenna Petersen @BrennaJane13

so loud in the sophomore slums today u can get high walking home mart

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I’m drunk and I haven’t put bed sheets on for 2 weeks tay

@tayfendos

by DAN CHINITZ Banter Editor

BANTER BANTER B I N G O

BI NGO Mifflin

Masturbate in the Lincoln Bring your Bedroom own bouncy house

Yell a bunch?

Tip the Secret Service attenSweat dant whointo pumps a bucket your gas

Have a great time

Check out the Instagram White House volleyball you smoking court a a fat for blunt game Nukem with of a cop

Slap your own ass instead

Riot"don't just Put a bit signs on touch" all of the artwork

Wear your jammies out

Bring your Skinny dip own in the White handcuffs House pool

Stop by on Fulfill your your morning promise to run write a new edition of the Supreme Court Justice League

Set up an Xbox in the Oval See what sort Office of reactions a regular red hat gets

Carry around a nice, cold glass of milk

Go in your morning Shabbos clothes

Check the Resolute Bring a dog, score sex desk some for any artifacts

Have sex on a police car

Slip 'N Slide!

Keep a George Take Air Force Solve the grill Shotgun One for aa beer joy Foreman with the Mifflin Murder ride governor in the Oval Office

Call your mother to tell her youAROUND got JUMP that job you wanted

Hump a lamppost

Commission Nick Cage to double Cannonball check the desk

through a house

Show up on a horse

Throw a bike off Put WashingName all Amersome balcony ton's portrait Make some ican bald on the fridge

eagles after yourself

throw-up art on the pavement

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