'Self-advocates' - Volume 56 Issue 5

SELF-ADVOCATES:

UW students with disabilities fight for access, inclusion on campus

Board of Directors

Students

SHINE 14

Publisher Emmet O’Connor

By: Adrian Carmosino

Wisconsin Supreme Court to rule on issue that could ban conversion therapy in state

‘Engaging in conversion therapy by mental health professionals is completely unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline,’ social work professional says

by Anna Kristoff Print News Editor

CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of suicide and/or self-harm. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. View options for mental health services on campus through University Health Services.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Jan. 16 over whether or not the State Legislature can use its authority to block rules proposed by state agencies — specifically concerning a ban on conversion therapy introduced by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, according to the Associated Press.

The Legislature argues that since it gave state agencies the authority to introduce rules in the first place it should also be able to suspend this authority as it deems appropriate, according to Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty General Counsel

4 • badgerherald.com • February 4, 2025

and President Rick Esenberg.

“The question becomes ‘how do you prevent … a situation where the administrative agencies have usurped the legislative role, where they’ve become the legislators?’” Esenberg said.

Esenberg said he believes it is an abdication of legislative authority for the Legislature to allow a state agency to rule on this issue.

Esenberg said certain agencies should maintain authority in aiding the Legislature — such as environmental agencies that help determine acceptable levels of pollutants, but he said issues of conversion therapy do not fall under the same jurisdiction.

“The people elected the legislators to solve these problems,” Esenberg said. “They didn’t elect the bureaucracy.”

State agencies argue that the Legislature should not be able to rebuke their authority

unless a law to do so is passed by both the State Senate and Assembly and then signed by the governor, Esenberg said.

Executive Director of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Marc Herstand said that state agencies should be allowed to introduce rules regarding their specialty.

“I’ve been working on this for seven years, and it is our hope that the Supreme Court will rule in our favor,” Herstand said.

The ban would not block religious providers from practicing conversion therapy on their clients, Herstand said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that these bans do not bar spiritual providers or mental health professionals from discussing their opinions or recommending treatment. Instead, the bans are geared toward

regulating medical professionals, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

Esenberg said he is concerned about the ban infringing on First Amendment rights if it limits what a therapist can say to a patient.

“Depending upon what the rule [ban] says, we would be opposed to it,” Esenberg said. “Particularly if this rule is basically trying to impose a particular orthodoxy … [such as] you can’t tell somebody or ask them whether or not they would prefer to be … their birth sex.”

WILL previously argued against the City of Eau Claire’s ban on conversion therapy, saying the ban discriminated against certain viewpoints and violated the First Amendment, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. As of recently, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Madison and several other Wisconsin cities continue to observe bans against conversion therapy, according to WPR.

Herstand said conversion therapy should be banned given the dangerous effects it can have on LGBTQ+ individuals and he said there is zero concrete evidence to show conversion therapy is effective for changing sexual orientation.

Researchers at Cornell University conducted 47 studies on whether or not conversion therapy can alter sexual orientation without causing harm. In 12 of the studies conversion therapy was either ineffective or harmful, one study found it to be effective and the rest of the studies were inconclusive, according to the Cornell website.

Herstand said studies have shown conversion therapy to have especially detrimental mental health effects on young people in the LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s [conversion therapy] been associated with increased depression, psychological distress … suicide attempts as well as lower educational achievements, lower weekly incomes,” Herstand said. “So it has a terrible impact on LGBTQ youth who go through it.”

Esenberg said he believes a therapist should be able to help someone who is experiencing gender dysphoria by working with that individual to accept their birth gender.

But, Herstand said most LGBTQ+ individuals are sent to conversion therapy by their parents who cannot accept their children’s identity. Children are rarely distressed about their sexual orientation, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Herstand said he hopes the ban will pass and that it will make the dangers of conversion therapy more well-known.

“Engaging in conversion therapy by mental health professionals is completely unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline,” Herstand said. The Wisconsin Supreme Court will rule on this issue in the coming months, according to the AP.

The Wisconsin State Capitol. November 17, 2024

MIA HOMAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Community notes or chaos? Examining how UW students navigate news on social media

by Shannon Hare News Associate Editor

Meta announced Jan. 7 that its platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Threads would discontinue third-party factchecking.

In its place, the company will introduce “community notes” — aiming to empower users to fact-check collaboratively, according to Meta.

These notes will allow other users to add context, clarifications or corrections to posts that may contain misleading or incomplete information, according to Meta.

Mark Zuckerberg describes this shift as a commitment to prioritizing free speech and expression, according to Meta. But, experts have expressed concern that this move could lead to an increase in misinformation, according to Time Magazine.

Critics argue that community-driven systems often lack the checks and balances necessary to ensure accuracy and objectivity in the social media age, according to Time Magazine.

Social media platforms have become a dominant way people consume news. According to a 2024 Pew Research study, 91% of Facebook users encounter news content on the site.

UW Professor of Digital Information Dorothea Salo weighed in on challenges posed by Meta’s new approach.

“Whether community notes protect against misinformation depends a whole lot on the community involved in creating them,” Salo said. “Long story short, some communities are a lot more attentive to accuracy than others.”

Platforms with robust moderation and well-informed users may see better outcomes. But, unvetted notes could easily become breeding grounds for misinformation, Salo said.

Adding to the complexity is the current social media “diaspora” — wherein users gravitate toward platforms that align with their interests, values or demographics, Salo said.

“Meta’s properties tend to skew older,” Salo said. “TikTok skews toward teenagers and college students. These affinity communities will have differing abilities to notice misinformation, and different willingness to intervene.”

UW Professor of Life Sciences

Communication Dominique Brossard said she was also concerned about the potential pitfalls of Meta’s new approach.

Brossard said community notes are an interesting way to highlight misinformation, but she is not sure how

effective it will be without vetting a system to ensure the accuracy of the notes.

She noted that incidental exposure to news — encountering news without actively seeking it — is common on social

has used community notes, but still deals with increasing misinformation.

Brossard said it’s important for students to increase their media literacy as they navigate social media diaspora.

importance of participation in shaping the system, urging students to verify information from multiple sources before resharing it on their accounts.

“Students need to be aware of the new system, currently being tested on Threads and Instagram, and contribute by pointing out whether the notes are helpful,” Brossard said. “At the end of the day, this is a collective endeavor, a little bit like Wikipedia.”

To address misinformation on a broader scale, Salo said she envisions incorporating these challenges into the classroom classroom setting.

Salo said she wants to build a Communications A course in misinformation and disinformation and the social, political and economic dynamics involved in it.

“Building this course would be fun and frustrating and useful all at the same time,” Salo said.

Additionally, student organizations and campus initiatives may play a role in addressing these challenges. Groups like the Wisconsin Union Directorate and journalism-focused clubs could host events or discussions on navigating social media responsibly, according to Salo.

While Meta’s shift to community notes represents a significant change in how misinformation is addressed, experts agree that engagement and critical thinking remain crucial, according to Meta.

Students and users alike will need to navigate these changes carefully, maintaining enthusiasm for innovation while staying alert to the risks of misinformation, Brossard said. Brossard also encourages ongoing dialogue between platforms, educators and users to ensure the system evolves effectively.

“I think it’s also important to learn about persuasion techniques appropriate to people who are spreading misinformation either accidentally or on purpose — if we just stomp in and yell about people being wrong and bad for saying what they’re saying, we’re not really helping,” Salo said.

media, often through friends’ posts and shares.

“It’s true that people tend to believe fact-checking systems that align with their own beliefs, but since these notes will be anonymous, it’s unclear how much trust users will have in them,” Brossard said.

Brossard pointed to X as a platform that

“Media literacy courses and workshops can be vital in helping students discern credible information from misinformation,” Brossard said.

In the meantime, Brossard said students should approach Meta’s new system with a healthy degree of skepticism.

Brossard also emphasized the

As Meta rolls out this change, Salo suggests a proactive approach for students by staying informed about platform policies, engaging in discussions on digital ethics and advocating for transparency in how community notes are created and moderated. These steps could help create a more informed and critically engaged online community, Salo said.

MIA HOMAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

A UW-Madison student using Instagram. January 26, 2025.

Navigating immigration policies following Trump’s executive orders

‘When we hear the phrase mass deportation, we know that this is going to look very different,’ attorney at Community Immigration Law Center says

by Patricia Clark News Associate Editor

The Badger Herald reached out to Republican state legislators for comment but either received no response or was denied.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants during his first day in office, Jan. 20.

The executive order is federal, overriding any local or state laws, and Democratic state politicians are discussing what they can to protect immigrants in Wisconsin, according to state Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton, and state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison.

“We do not have to accept his outrageous, illegal and unconstitutional actions as a fact or a foregone conclusion,” Roys said. “We still have our right to protest. We still have the right to make sure that our local and state governments are working for us, and not to try and take away our rights — as Trump is attempting to do.”

Both Roys and Joers emphasized the steps Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is taking to prevent Trump’s policies, which they said will have negative effects on immigrants.

In the executive order, Trump claims the 14th Amendment, which establishes naturalized and birth citizenship, was wrongfully interpreted. Under the executive order, Trump has created new guidelines for birthright citizenship, taking away birthright citizenship from any children born in the U.S. while their parents were here illegally, and sometimes even legally, according to the executive order.

Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers announced that Wisconsin will be joining various other states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for violating the constitution with the enactment of the executive order, according to a report from WPR.

“We’re very fortunate to have our Attorney General, Josh Kaul, putting forward, joining the effort,” Joers said. “Clearly it’s a large problem because there are so many states joining into this lawsuit.”

Many of the executive orders Trump signed revoke or move away from Biden’s more narrow deportation criteria, and allow the pursuit of everyone who is in the country illegally, according to AP News.

Managing attorney at the Community Immigration Law Center in Madison Aissa Olivarez said local immigration lawyers have an important part to play regarding the policy change.

“We know that the need [for lawyers to represent immigrants] is exponential right now,” Olivarez said.

6 • badgerherald.com • February 4, 2025

The presence of ICE in the Madison community is not a new phenomenon, as they have always been in the community making targeted arrests, Olivarez said.

Following the executive orders, the most significant change the Madison community will likely see is mass deportations, according to Olivarez.

“When we hear the phrase mass deportation, we know that this is going to look very different,” Olivarez said.

Law enforcement officers’ abilities are expanding from being able to arrest certain people to expedited removal, meaning they

are able to deport people who have been in the U.S. for less than two years, without the right to see an immigration judge, according to Olivarez.

Previously, expedited removal was only used on the southern and northern borders of the U.S., but Trump’s policies allow for interior states to have expedited removal, Olivarez said.

Olivarez advises people worried about the possibility of a mass deportation in Madison to collect money to help pay bonds for people who have been detained, and donate to organizations that are going to courts and litigating to get people out on bond.

There aren’t any policies or laws that would explicitly protect undocumented immigrants, because federal law controls immigration, Olivarez said.

While certain people in Dane County, like Olivarez, hope to play the role of someone who helps to aid any immigrants who are at risk for deportation, others in the community may play the role of enforcing the executive order.

A CapTimes report revealed that the Dane County Sheriff’s Office gets reimbursed tens of thousands of dollars for, once a year, voluntarily sharing the information of undocumented people who have been convicted of crimes and spent at least four days in jail.

In response to the executive order the Dane County’s Sheriff Office said their first priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all citizens.

“Creating barriers and fear for the victims and survivors of crime is not congruent with our mission and vision statements,” Sheriff Barrett said in an email to The Badger Herald.

Fears surrounding mass deportations in Wisconsin extend beyond undocumented immigrants to many citizens, as concerns for the effect on the state economy arise, according to Roys.

In 2022, immigrants contributed $3 billion dollars in taxes and made up about 6% of Wisconsin’s labor force, according to Roys.

A 2024 report from the University of Wisconsin School for Workers showed that 10,000 undocumented workers do 70% of the labor on dairy farms.

“The impact on our economy, if they were to actually pursue a policy of mass deportation would be devastating,” Roys said. “We rely on documented and undocumented immigrants, especially here in Wisconsin where agriculture is our industry.”

Badger Herald archival photo of a UW-Madison Police Department car.

AUDREY THIBERT. THE BADGER HERALD.

People of UW: President of AreaRED talks leadership, game day traditions

Stories of students: Read about students making a difference on campus

by Allie Serterides Social Media and Public Relations Director

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Tim Reiss. I’m in graduate school [at UW]. I’m doing my MS in supply chain management but I started this shindig as an undergrad. I did my undergrad in the business school doing supply chain and operations and technology management and I’m from Palatine, Illinois.

What is AreaRED?

AreaRED is the official student section for Wisconsin athletics, and we facilitate organizing students on our Game Day traditions and getting them involved — as well as loud — and contributing to the environment of whatever sport we’re active in. We as students are represented at almost every Badger sport and that includes your big ones like men’s basketball, football and men’s hockey, but also lesser-known sports we still have a presence at, like softball.

That presence could be everything from starting cheers at these sporting events or it could be working with athletics and our marketing department within the athletic department to come up with giveaways. On game days, we help pass out signs as well as handing out those giveaways.

AreaRED has a committee for football, hockey — which handles men’s and women’s hockey — and basketball, which also handles men’s and women’s basketball. We’ve got a volleyball committee, which is under the name of the MadHouse, and hockey is under the name of the Crease Creatures.

We also have a non-revenue sports committee, which we call Cardinal & White. So those are smaller sports that would be men’s and women’s soccer, softball, wrestling, track and field, cross country and rowing, where you traditionally won’t see a large student population and the goal is to try to get students out to those games.

What goes into preparation for giveaways and athletic events?

It’s a collaboration with the marketing department. At the beginning of the year, they give some ideas of allotments, [for example] based on the amount of T-shirts that they purchased at the beginning of the year, we know that we can do X amount of giveaways at this many games. So then we’ll know we’ve got enough T-shirts to where basketball can do three T-shirts and hockey’s gonna do two T-shirts throughout this season. With the rest of the budget in the past, they’ve done street signs, pit viper glasses, scarves, sweaters, Hawaiian shirts and beanies. Also, [AreaRED] students will work on designs with the athletics department.

Say I come up with a cool idea where Bucky is going to be holding a flag that says “AreaRED,” and he’s gonna be waving it and that’s gonna be the T-shirt. The

comes time for a game. It’s a partnership. We do a lot with the marketing department and they do a lot for us. What led you to get more involved with

committee will talk amongst themselves about the upcoming T-shirt design they want to have and they’ll have a deadline from athletics on when the design needs to be finalized. Once we get a rough idea, the athletic department takes care of digitizing it. Once that’s all set up, they get it ordered and then we help hand them out once it

AreaRED?

I wasn’t in AreaRED until the end of my junior year. A friend of mine was the incoming president of AreaRED who I knew through my business fraternity during my time in undergrad. The running joke was that I was the biggest fan of AreaRED who wasn’t actually in AreaRED. I’d constantly

be talking up AreaRED. And so he finally convinced me to join, along with one of my other good friends, who’s now our director, named Peter.

Peter was really the one that pushed me to join. We had met through classes and had gotten pretty close and he convinced me to join his committee. So I applied. They were lucky enough to let me in so I officially joined the Membership and Finance Committee for AreaRED. So with that, [we] rewrote some bylaws, did some stuff with our finances, we had our first ever social events and formal and had a good time. So then I thought, “You know what, why not? I think I got a good shot at doing the role that my friend Ben had done,” and we had talked about it and I decided, “I’m gonna run for this.”

I ran and ended up winning and here we are, but it’s definitely been a journey. I really didn’t think that I’d be president of AreaRED, but it’s been really a phenomenal time ever since and I’m so, so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been able to have and all the people I’ve been able to become friends with and meet as well along the way.

What’s your favorite part about being in AreaRED?

It’s got to be friendships. Some of my best friends are in this organization. I’ve had some crazy fun experiences with them over time. It’s just been two years, but it has been some of the most fun two years. I love softball. Softball and women’s basketball are some of my favorite events to go to and unfortunately, there are not many other students there and we’re working to fix that problem. But when it’s just that dedicated core group of people, we tend to have a lot of fun.

How can students get involved with AreaRED aside from just going to sporting events?

We have weekly meetings like most organizations on campus. If someone is just looking to get involved, we’d love to have them at an open meeting. We have those every other week throughout the semester, so that’s every other Monday. Some committees will have open work time then and they can get to know the people in the organization and they can start contributing potential ideas. It’s also an opportunity for our directors and our committee members to get feedback on those designs and ideas that they have. Any student who shows up to any sporting event is technically a member of AreaRED by just participating in the student section.

Photo courtesy of Tim Reiss.

UW has a student belonging problem

How to combat the impulse to self-categorize, belong on your campus

by Blake Thor Editor-in-Chief

As an underclassman, I avoided campus libraries and the unions, normally working in my dorm. I wasn’t unsociable — those who know me can attest. There was just something about those places I didn’t enjoy, and I wouldn’t realize why until the fall of my junior year.

On the second to last day of classes, my cultural psychology professor gave a lecture on the culture of college, wherein he highlighted a study examining his alma mater — the University of Virginia. Researchers asked undergraduates how often they used seven “iconic” public campus spaces — including the Rotunda and the Lawn — which you might note look quite similar to Bascom Hall and Hill.

Researchers found, across three separate studies, that students from lower socioeconomic status used iconic spaces less than their higher SES peers.

Notably, a student’s sense of belonging on campus mediated their use of spaces and vice versa.

These are public spaces that define a campus — where students become friends with each other and where club events are held. Ideally, every student would feel equally comfortable in these places but, as the authors of the study put it, “public spaces have never been truly public.”

A light bulb might have appeared over my head in the middle of the lecture as I figured something to the effect of — “oh yep that explains it.” As a local kid who grew up surrounded by all things University of Wisconsin, I felt like I belonged in some ways.

But I was also a first-generation student from a family who broke into the middle class just before it was time to apply for college — in this way I didn’t think I belonged.

Belonging, I think, is the integral missing part of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It’s not enough for UW to increase admission access to underrepresented students if they don’t feel at home once they arrive. And this is exactly what we are seeing at universities — increasingly diverse campuses coupled with low self-reports of belonging from underrepresented student groups.

Over the past half-century, college has become dramatically more accessible, transforming campuses into some of the most diverse places in America. For instance, the percentage of high school graduates from low-income families enrolling in universities has risen from below 50% in 2000 to 67% in 2016, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Moreover, white student enrollment at American universities has dropped from 84.3% in 1976 to

52.3% in 2022, according to the Education Data Initiative.

The student population at UW reflects these trends as well. Hispanic student enrollment has risen from 2,736 in the fall of 2020 to 4,081 in the fall of 2024, Black enrollment from 1,000 to 1,360 and Asian enrollment from 3,202 to 4,977. Enrollment of freshmen Pell Grant recipients has increased from 792 in 2014 to 1,323 in 2023.

At the same time, these minority groups are reporting weaker feelings of belonging than their majority counterparts. The 2021 UW campus climate survey asked students a set of “General Feelings on Campus” questions, one of which was “How often do you feel like you belong?” As the survey describes the results — “nonbinary, transgender, students of color and students with a disability responded less positively than their counterparts to all five General Feelings on Campus questions.”

This is not a new phenomenon either — the 2016 campus climate survey shared similar results with its successor. In 2016, only 50% of students of color reported they often felt like they belonged on campus, compared to 75% of white students.

One way researchers are understanding differences in belonging is through selfcategorization theory. Based on this theory, students are likely to self-categorize — recognize themselves as part of a group — in situations where group identity is emphasized.

This is part of the reason why you feel “so college” when you tan at memorial union or play frisbee in front of your dorm — you’re immersed in a shared experience, surrounded by other students participating in stereotypical activities. But in the same way a student can selfcategorize as part of the ingroup, they can self-categorize as part of the outgroup. When a student from an underrepresented group tries to use an “iconic” space, but is surrounded by students who don’t look like them or have different upbringings, they might think, “oh I’m not a UW–Madison student.”

Resisting the urge to self-categorize is incredibly difficult — we are constantly evaluating ourselvs against the context of our surroundings. So, rather than attempting to ditch this habit altogether, we should work toward familiarizing ourselves with new groups.

The researchers at UVA discovered that as students spent more time in iconic public spaces, their sense of belonging increased irrespective of SES. You can think of it like this —if the Packers spent the rest of their days playing at U.S. Bank Stadium, eventually it would turn into their home field as well as the Vikings.

This thinking can be applied outside of space us as well. If you insert yourself into situations that define the UW campus, you can expect to self-categorize as a bonafide UW student.

MAX NASH. THE BADGER HERALD.

The intersection of climate change, migration poses both challenge, opportunity for

Wisconsin Wisconsin prepares for potential climate migration surge

by Anna Smith Science News Editor

The Eaton and Pacific Palisade fires — currently ablaze in Los Angeles, CA — are set to be some of the most disastrous fires in California state history, respectively ranking as the second and third most destructive wildfires as of Jan. 24, according to a report released by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Collectively, these fires have damaged 37,469 acres of land and 16,227 structures, according to the CDFF report. As neighborhoods are destroyed, thousands of people are left without homes, underscoring the growing concern surrounding “climate refugees.”

This phrase refers to any person who is displaced from their home as a result of climate change, whether this be within their own country or internationally, teaching professor and Director of the Global Legal Studies Center Sumudu Atapattu said.

Importantly, “climate refugee” is not a legal definition and thus does not afford a person the same legal protections granted to those who are considered refugees under international law, Atapattu said. Due to the lack of a legal definition, the phrase “climate refugees” is the subject of debate about the mortality of its usage, according to Earth.Org.

Moreover, those who have a higher likelihood of being subjected to climate disasters will not feel the effects evenly. Instead, historically marginalized groups — such as minorities, people experiencing poverty, LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, etc. — will be disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change due to the historical patterns that have restricted these individuals’ rights, Atapattu said.

“We need to take these historic patterns into account, especially colonialism when we are discussing climate change because not everyone will be affected to the same extent,” Atapattu said.

While people may move for any reason, there is a growing number of people at risk of displacement across the world — it is estimated that 1.2 billion people are threatened due to climate disasters, according to The Alliance for Citizen Engagement. Climate change has exacerbated the severity and frequency of climate disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, cyclones, droughts and floods, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Climate migration has been underway not only within the U.S. but globally, with an expected increase of people displaced due to these disasters. By 2050, between 44 million and 216 million people are estimated to migrate within their countries as a result of climate change, according to The World Bank. In the U.S., this migration has already been impacting Wisconsin, Atapattu said, which brings into question how people will acclimate to such change.

“People are already moving to Wisconsin or the Midwest because of climate change,” Atapattu said.

“This is something that we need to think about … How do we make them [climate refugees] adapt to a much colder climate — the clothing, housing, heating. These are some of the things that people are not used to. Also, [their] livelihoods, their jobs might be different.”

Due to its abundance of water and cool climate, Wisconsin has been deemed a “climate haven” — an area that is considered to be less affected by climate change, according to UW’s Nelson’s Institute for Environmental Studies. Furthermore, Wisconsin may be seen as a desirable location because of the lack of environmental challenges it faces — such as hurricanes and sea level rise, Director of the State Climatology Office Steve Vavrus said.

But, Wisconsin’s weather challenges should not be taken lightly when considering its role as a potential climate haven, Vavrus said. Specifically, heavy precipitation and high temperatures have been significantly affecting Wisconsin’s climate in recent decades, Vavrus said.

“Those [heavy rainfall and high temperatures] are risks, challenges — they’re not just anticipated for the future,” Vavrus said. “Already communities in Wisconsin are having to deal with how to manage those changes, so those are two of the highest probability risks for climate change in the future.”

For instance, the average annual precipitation over the past 50 years has increased by 5% in most of the Midwest and rainfall has increased by

approximately 35% during the four wettest days of the year, according to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Regarding Wisconsin’s heat levels, the projected increase in temperature may contribute to an increase in the formation of ground-level ozone, which is linked to lung and heart problems, according to the report. Furthermore, higher temperatures put people at risk for heat strokes and dehydration, effectively impacting an individual’s cardiovascular and nervous systems.

While Wisconsin may be perceived as a location safe from weather disasters, its climate is still contingent on the influence of climate change. Wisconsin’s increased precipitation and high temperatures raise its chances of climate disasters like floods and heat waves. Despite this, an increase in the state’s population due to climate migration is still a possibility.

“Is it a good idea for Wisconsin communities to be planning what would happen, how they would handle a big influx in population if we were to see it,” Vavrus said. “It may not come to pass, but even if it doesn’t, it’s good to have a plan in place — just the basic question ‘if our population went up by 20% in the next decade, how could we handle it?’”

Along with environmental devastation, climate disasters may have impacts beyond climate migration. Even if climate disasters were to occur in distant areas of the country, the effects would still be felt in the state because of how interconnected the economy is, Vavrus said. Factors like housing,

insurance and supply chains are inextricably linked, so a climate disaster in any part of the country or world could have direct effects on Wisconsin — this is exemplified by the economic pressure the Eaton and Pacific Palisade fires have placed on the U.S. But, an increase in migration may also be advantageous for Wisconsin. On a wider scale, the U.S. has depended on migrant labor, especially in terms of agriculture, Atapattu said. Considering that approximately 70% of Wisconsin’s dairy farm workforce is composed of workers from Mexico and other Latin American countries, the same may be true for the state, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. Moreover, migrant workers also bring about an influx of skilled labor, effectively enhancing the state’s industries, Atapattu said.

“... We can definitely benefit from them [migrant workers], but we also need to see how we can be more welcoming,” Atapattu said. “How we can facilitate their integration into our society. So, there are big questions for us to answer as a community.”

Currently, the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts — co-directed by Vavrus — works to predict and understand the effects of climate change on the state, according to their website. Operating as a collaboration of scientists and stakeholders, WICCI works toward developing solutions to the problems posed by climate change, Vavrus said.

Devil’s Lake from the East Bluff trail. July 30, 2024.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Risk of developing dementia predicted to double by 2060, UW experts say

What UW researchers, faculty are doing to reduce risk of disease

by

As of 2019, nearly one in two Americans over age 55 are at risk of dementia, according to the Census Bureau’s report. Dementia is the progressive decline in memory and cognitive ability over time and impacts about 6.7 million Americans every year.

Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Dr. Nathaniel Chin weighed in on what Americans can do to reduce the risk of developing dementia in an article in Fortune. According to Chin, continued learning, staying socially connected, managing chronic conditions, protecting hearing and limiting alcohol intake can strengthen neural networks, reducing the risk of developing dementia.

Forty-five percent of dementia cases may be prevented by monitoring these risk factors, according to a study in The Lancet. As a result of this discovery, UW experts are attempting to find a way to detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s before symptoms occur.

There is a misconception within the general public on the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s is characterized by a disease of the brain that usually leads to dementia. It is also a specific type of dementia. In 2023, 6.7 million Americans were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the UW School of Medicine have discovered a way to diagnose Alzheimer’s before the onset of symptoms through detecting biomarkers in a simple blood test using Wisconsin’s Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention data.

The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute Director Dr. Cynthia Carlsson is a part of the team of researchers that is testing a patient’s blood for specific proteins indicating whether or not Alzheimer’s disease is present.

“We look for two types of proteins in a blood sample: the autosomal dominant protein Presenilin and Ptau-217,” Carlsson said.

Presenilin is involved in Alzheimer’s disease, and a mutation in the gene that produces Presenilin is a cause of Alzheimer’s. This genetic mutation is the leading cause of Alzheimer’s, according to a study conducted by the NIH. An abnormal spike in amyloid protein, a protein aggregate that causes disease, creates an abnormal spike in Ptau-217 protein. Blood tests can detect this spike in Ptau-217, and this advancement may entail promising results for the medical industry.

“There are 700 participants in the

study,” Carlsson said. “We focus on looking at middle-aged adults with no memory symptoms and follow them over time to see if we can detect these changes

make early detection of Alzheimer’s accessible to all through the mechanism of a blood test, according to Gleason.

The Census Bureau’s report noted

in the brain earlier.”

Dr. Carey Gleason is the principal investigator of the African Americans Fighting Alzheimer’s in Midlife study at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The team’s goal is to

attempting to bridge this gap. According to WRAP data, Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia but often do not get treatment or care until much later into the disease.

The quicker the disease can be identified, the better quality of life a person will have, as treatment can begin before the onset of symptoms. The AAFAIM was established to bring resources to the community and inspire health promotion, yet the Black community has often been underrepresented in the field of research and is more susceptible to disease.

“Five hundred and fifty African Americans were recruited for this study, over half were recruited here in Madison,” Gleason said. “One hundred Native Americans also enrolled.”

In the study, participants were followed for up to four years and researchers took incremental measurements on the amount of amyloid in the bloodstream, measuring cognitive ability over time. Early into the study, a pattern emerged that a lower amyloid level in the body is associated with a decline in cognitive performance. Though this observation did not meet measures of statistical significance, researchers for AA-FAIM seek to prove this association through further research.

This study would provide a less invasive way to test for Alzheimer’s, and it would be easier for rural clinics to get their hands on blood kits as opposed to the methods of testing for Alzheimer’s that are currently available.

“Under-resourced medical centers do not have the specialty services that urban clinics and hospitals have as they are often more primary care based and lack the technology necessary to diagnose some diseases,” Gleason said. “A simple blood draw and a cognitive exam would help reduce barriers to care for African and Native Americans.”

A recently rescinded executive order by President Donald Trump calls into question the viability of certain research endeavors. Without proper funding, it can be difficult for scientific studies to continue and provide results.

how the risk of developing dementia is significantly higher for marginalized groups. The risk of dementia in African Americans is disproportionately higher than in their white counterparts, according to the report. UW researchers are

“Our lab is strong in detection methodology and neuroimaging and blood tests capabilities are among the best in the nation,” Gleason said. “We excel with groups who are underrepresented in research and who are more susceptible to disease. We have racial and medical condition diversity. We increase representation across different medical conditions.”

Abby Nagel Science News Associate Editor

Photo courtesy of Claire Bitner/Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute.

Ketamine’s path to Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin marked by optimism

Anesthetic agent becomes lifeline for patients with TRD, suicidal ideation

by Beth Stacey Science News Associate Editor

Medicaid in Wisconsin has expanded to cover ketamine infusions as of Jan. 1, sparking conversations about the nuances in type, frequency and patients who should be treated with ketamine therapy, according to Healing Maps. Ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression has not had an easy path to acceptance. According to the Cleveland Clinic, TRD refers to moderate to severe depression that persists beyond the implementation of two antidepressants and therapy with no substantial improvement.

The unpatentability of generic ketamine has slowed the process for FDA approval of ketamine for use beyond anesthetic. The inferior molecule of ketamine — SPRAVTO or esketamine, which Johnoson&Johnson patents — has been FDA-approved for TRD. SPRAVTO is a nasal spray administered to patients. Still, it does not have the same robust effects as ketamine infusions, Founder of Treatment Assistance Fund, Inc. Alan Ferguson said.

Ketamine, not esketamine, is not FDAapproved for the treatment of TRD, a practicing provider at the University of Wisconsin Health Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Behavioral Health Clinic Dr. Steven Garlow said. Providers utilize what is called “off-label use” or using an approved drug for unapproved treatments. This is a common practice, Ferguson said.

Off-label use of ketamine in IV infusions is an increasingly popular way to treat those struggling with TRD, as well as treating patients with persistent suicidal ideation. Still, because of the increasingly popular “psychedelic renaissance,” specific ketamine-focused clinics are extending ketamine’s usage beyond TRD, according to Psychology Today. The use of ketamine for mild depression and anxiety is effective, but over-prescription of ketamine therapy may create a misconception that ketamine is a miracle drug, Ferguson said.

“I think this is a treatment that can be very useful,” Garlow said. “We have an obligation to manage it responsibly and ensure that we’re doing it in the most conservative, responsible and safe way so we do not jeopardize it being available to our patients [at UW Health].”

In addition, ketamine’s molecular structure and properties do not match those of traditional antidepressants, Garlow said. This created certain skepticism within the psychiatric community of ketamine’s use for TRD.

About 40% of patients have a robust response, 30% have a “useful” response and about 20-30% have little response, which

is incredibly promising but not out of the realm of understood possibility, Garlow said.

Another possible criticism of ketamine is the medical use of what the public often views as a party drug. The idea that ketamine is a party drug used for illicit use should not discredit the importance and usefulness of ketamine. Ketamine was first

integrity of ketamine research. Though it can be beneficial for mild cases of anxiety and depression, right now, most providers believe ketamine is most appropriate for severe cases.

The process to get ketamine infusions or SPRAVTO is not a simple request form, and behavioral health clinics like Garlow’s are just not taking people off the

studied for depression in a Spanish study in 1974 — it is not necessarily a new or novel idea, Garlow said.

“I would be careful with that,” Garlow said when discussing ketamine’s reputation as a party drug. “In the medical community, it is known as an anesthetic agent. It has always been a very useful medical agent.”

It is well understood that patients should have TRD or experience SI to limit potential abuse, as well as protect the

streets. Patients are expected to have been diagnosed with either TRD or SI, which inherently requires them to be working with a physiatrist and have tried and found minimal improvement from other antidepressants like SSRIs.

Patients do not benefit from the dissociative, high feeling they get from a particular session, Garlow said. In other words, the appeal of ketamine recreational use and the benefits of ketamine for TRD

are not the same neurological effects. The antidepressant effect is the almost indescribable feeling that occupies the following days and weeks, Ferguson said.

“When I woke up — from the first session of ketamine — my driver asked how I was feeling,” Ferguson said. “All I could say was different. I knew I could get better.”

Ketamine is very safe, with higher efficacy rates than traditional SSRIs. While there are inherent risks, these can be mitigated by attentive providers, Ferguson said.

Ferguson has worked to fight for Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance in Wisconsin to cover ketamine therapy. He hopes for more expansive funding for TAIF, both in terms of who it can help and how much assistance it can provide.

The bureaucracy involved in the running of a nonprofit organization, with funding restrictions and quotas to meet, expanding the range of assistance provided can be inherently problematic. Still, Ferguson continues to work to make ketamine therapy available to an increasing number of low-income patients.

“We’d hope to [focus on] depression in general, but fundraising is difficult, and so we’ve had to focus our money on what is more needed, and that is on suicide prevention,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson expresses that even with support from TAIF, most sessions cost around $100, and the initial treatment is a series of six sessions. Ferguson emphasizes that this is still not affordable for many people and wants people to understand that ketamine therapy can save people’s lives.

Expanded Medicaid coverage has been a critical point for TAIF, but Ferguson does not plan to stop advocating for ketamine to become accessible to all who need the treatment, irrespective of income or state of residence.

“I do know from my speaking that personal stories reach people,” Ferguson said. “This is a really important thing, and the more we talk about it, the more people we are going to reach.”

The expansion of Medicaid itself does not make ketamine therapy overly accessible or even affordable for most people. Still, it does start to normalize a drug that has and will continue to save lives.

Ketamine is an effective antidepressant but not a miracle drug and should be used without caution, Garlow said.

“The more patients I work with, the more I trust ketamine,” Garlow said. “It is not a miracle antidepressant, but it works well for some people. It is realistic.”

KENNEDY SLATER. THE BADGER HERALD.

by Margaret Shreiner Managing Editor

ISELF-ADVOCATES:

UW students with disabilities fight for access, inclusion on campus

t’s 8 p.m. on a Thursday in late January, the sun set over two hours ago casting darkness over the University of Wisconsin’s campus. As students shuffle home to their houses, dorms and apartments, some begin to plan for the night ahead of them. They send texts to their group chats, call their friends, plan where to meet, how to get there and where to go. But for some students, planning is a lot more complicated.

One UW student hears a ding from their phone as they walk into their dorm after an exhausting day of class. The text tells them to meet at their friend’s house in an hour, all the way across campus. They check the time — 8:05 p.m. — too late to access Go Riteway. Questions arise — how will they get there? Will they be able to access the house? Where do their friends want to go after? What food will they be serving? Will there be drinks?

These questions are not out of the ordinary for students with disabilities at UW. Every class, meeting, game or social event they attend requires careful planning and heightened awareness of accessibility challenges.

UW has taken steps in recent years to foster an environment of inclusion and elevate students with disabilities to achieve their full potential as undergraduate and graduate students.

Resources like the Disability Cultural Center, Teaching Assistant Association mutual aid networks and the Badger Support Network provide resources and community at UW, especially for students with disabilities. But this wasn’t always the case, according to the genetics department.

In the 20th century, UW researchers supported and practiced eugenics, advocating for increasing the reproduction of “favorably perceived individuals” and “preventing unwanted members of the community” through sterilization efforts. These efforts often targeted individuals with disabilities.

Despite ongoing efforts to improve the UW experience for students with disabilities, systemic issues persist. From classrooms to social settings, students with disabilities often face preconceived ideas of what a disability looks like. As a result, students with disabilities are often forced to advocate strongly for themselves and cannot always rely on their school for support.

Reasonable accommodations

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 prohibits discrimination or exclusion based on identity for all federally funded institutions, including higher education.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act was not ratified until 1990, the Rehabilitation

12

• badgerherald.com • February 4, 2025

Act made what many know now as “reasonable accommodations” possible for students with disabilities at higher education institutions nationwide.

Since its passing, colleges and universities have applied the act in different ways. Some create general requirements to make education fair and accessible to all students, while others leave accommodations up to professors.

According to UW policy, reasonable accommodations do not give a student an advantage in courses, but they give them an equitable opportunity to show their engagement, knowledge and dedication. Reasonable accommodations do not alter course material or content.

For example, a student may request a sign language interpreter or closed captioning if they are hard of hearing or deaf.

At some Big Ten schools, like the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan, students needing accommodations are required to receive an accommodation letter from their access consultant — a specialist who decides which

not the case.

“I am someone that came into college with a lot of undiagnosed disabilities, I didn’t come in with an IEP from high school or 504 plan, so I came to college and was having a lot of struggles with that transition phase,” Kratochvil said. “I had a lot of struggles around specifically, course attendance, timeliness and executive functioning skills that I just did not have, or hadn’t been able to build up.”

After having trouble with the transition from high school to college, Kratochvil went on a journey to identify and find accommodations for their disabilities. After initially being diagnosed and receiving accommodations for anxiety and depression, Kratochvil was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which are what most of her accommodations now address.

“A lot of times when you try and go to get a diagnosis for those things as an adult, people are just like what’s even the point?” Kratochvil said. “But that was a major part of me getting those accommodations because I came into college without any formal documents to prove disability.”

Recently, the McBurney Center has established

“I have succeeded in college not in spite of my disabilities, but alongside being a disabled student.”

accommodations are reasonable for a student based on their disability and course specifics.

Generally, these letters mandate a student’s professor to provide accommodations to students, such as longer test times, notetakers or additional excused absences for certain chronic health issues like Crohn’s Disease.

UW takes a different approach to reasonable accommodations than its closest Big Ten peers. Rather than being automatically granted accommodations by their instructors, students with disabilities go through a lengthier process.

Currently, students are required to be authorized by a medical professional to access accommodations by the McBurney Disability Resource Center.

From there, instructors and students set up a time to “discuss” accommodations, but these are not automatically granted by the professor. A professor can deny a student’s accommodation if they feel it is not reasonable.

In the best-case scenario, students are already aware of and possibly have an Individual Education Plan or 504 plan — blueprints for how a school will support a student with disabilities — in place by the time they enter UW. For River Kratochvil, a fourth-year student at UW, this was

a new system called the “limited flexibility plans module” for professors to set parameters for the accommodations they provide students. But, students argue the new plans give professors more leeway to limit flexibility by allowing them to “set reasonable parameters for flex accommodations.”

This new model ultimately encourages students to advocate more for themselves in the classroom setting than before, according to UW senior Emmett Lockwood.

“McBurney wants to work on this model of saying students should advocate for themselves with their professors, but that’s not a model that is mimicking what happens in the workplace,” Lockwood said. “It’s a model that doesn’t take into account that students already have to do advocacy to get to the place of getting approved for accommodations.”

In an emailed statement to The Badger Herald, Associate Director of Student Services at McBurney Kyle Charters said students can always use an Access Consultant for support throughout the process and faculty are encouraged to reach out to McBurney if they are unsure of a student’s accommodation.

“A student’s Access Consultant is always

available as a resource if a student is struggling to request their accommodations, or if they are seeking support in communicating with instructors,” Charters said.

While McBurney requests students communicate their needs with their professors openly, some worry it could damage relationships with professors, according to UW junior Lyn Talley.

“It can put students in a vulnerable situation where they’re enforcing their own access to education at the risk of their interpersonal relationship with this professor,” Talley said.

For students who enter college without complete awareness of their disability — such as Kratochvil — it can be even more damaging to expect a high degree of self-advocacy to obtain certain accommodations, according to the ADA National Network.

Campus culture

Academia has not always been welcoming to students with disabilities. Its competitive nature often reinforces misconceptions about accommodations and the contributions of individuals with disabilities.

One particularly unwelcoming field is STEM, especially medicine.

Jennifer Koehler, a UW biomedical sciences graduate student, pointed out that many topics lectured and discussed in their classes treat disabilities like autism as something that requires a cure.

“The end slides [in lectures or seminars] are always about how we can treat and/or cure autism,” Koehler said. “There isn’t that much pushback against that, and that feels very isolating.”

At one point in class, Koehler encountered a presentation arguing it would be a “beautiful world” if scientific research could cure genetic diseases.

“This is just dehumanizing in a lot of ways,” Koehler said.

Koehler is not alone in feeling this way. Amelia Hansen, a graduate student researching infectious diseases at UW, said lab instructors often assume no immunocompromised students are present in the lab — disregarding their ability to research while dealing with chronic illness.

“They’ll say a collective ‘we in the room aren’t at risk of Cryptococcus, but immunocompromised people are,’ and it’s assuming no one in this room is immunocompromised,” Hansen said. “That’s just wrong. You don’t know who’s in your audience, and there are disabled people and immunocompromised people doing science right now on campus, and it should be that way.”

Alongside the prevalence of microaggressions in the STEM field, Lockwood has faced similar rhetoric in his political science and philosophy classes at UW.

“I’ve been in poli sci classes — as someone who does research on disability and politics — where folks have said that folks with certain disabilities shouldn’t be able to vote,” Lockwood said. “I’ve been in philosophy classes where I’ve had students say to me that they believe it is morally permissible to kill disabled people.”

These inherent biases have lasting consequences on the morale of students with disabilities, Lockwood said.

Students can report microaggression through UW hate and bias forms, but Lockwood argues by the time UW addresses discrimination, the damage has already been done to the student.

The results of hearing and dealing with these biases often have mental health consequences for the students subjected to them, leading to increased isolation for students with disabilities.

Mental health impact

Students with disabilities often experience stressors beyond that of an average college student when self-advocating for accommodations and ensuring social environments are accessible — all while potentially dealing with microaggressions from peers.

The hidden labor costs — as Lockwood put it — associated with attending a higher education institute can impact a student’s ability to adapt and feel accepted on a large campus, especially if they are dealing with mental health issues on top of it.

Students with disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to meet the criteria for mental health problems than students without disabilities, according to the National Institute for Health.

For students at UW, this data is not surprising.

“It’s easy to understand why students [with disabilities] feel isolated when you’re on a campus where it’s a struggle to get students to even stand up and offer someone their seat on the 80 [bus],” Lockwood said. “If my peers are not able to do that bare minimum amount of decency, how am I going to get included in these other social events?”

The ADA National Network highlights social inclusion as a noted predictor for success in higher education. Despite this evidence, students with disabilities are more likely to lack a “sense of belonging” in college environments, with social inclusion being a missing factor in the lives of students with disabilities.

Social, physical and instructional inclusion for students with disabilities should be addressed in the coming years to adapt to the influx of students entering higher education, especially as post-traumatic stress disorder and intellectual disabilities rise in K-12 students, according to the ADA National Network.

The NIH conducted a study into mental health trends in higher education settings and found students with disabilities have fewer coping strategies compared to their non-disabled counterparts, highlighting the importance of mental health resources on campuses.

University Health Services have not adequately met the needs of students struggling with mental health, according to a 2023 study conducted by Neurodivergent-U. According to the findings, students have to wait an average of two weeks

before a counseling appointment is available. For students experiencing emergency mental health situations, it can be frustrating to have limited options on campus for support.

According to an emailed statement to The Badger Herald, Interim Director of Mental Health Services Dr. Ellen Marks shared UHS currently offers Access Appointments for students seeking mental health resources, after which students may be referred to counseling, behavioral health support or psychiatric care.

“We aim to have Access Appointments available within two weeks of scheduling, even during the busiest times of the semester,” Marks said. “Our average wait time for an Access Appointment last academic year was 4.4 days, but certainly those times vary based on the time of the year.”

Even when a counseling appointment is made available, some students report the services are not adequate for certain mental health disorders, such as PTSD.

“Graduate students have free access to a certain amount of mental health counseling, but they [UHS] just weren’t equipped for the level of care I needed,” Koehler said. “So then I went to UW Health to get care and that took about 10 months to get an appointment with someone.”

In general, there is a serious shortage of mental health experts across the U.S., with 160 million people living in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. Less than 50% of those experiencing a mental health issue received care in 2021, according the most recent data provided by NAMI.

Looking forward

So how can higher education institutions go about implementing change for students with disabilities? Unfortunately, there is no one-sizefits-all solution to the systemic problems students face.

One proposed solution to the academic problem has been a universal design for learning, which would require courses to be created with students with disabilities in mind. This means accommodations recommended by McBurney would already exist for courses, like closed captioning, extra test time and flexible absences.

But, universal design is not necessarily applicable to all situations, according to Lockwood.

“You will have folks at the university saying it is not budget-friendly for every class to have a sign language interpreter,” Lockwood said. “[Also] if a professor creates a slideshow and uploads that slideshow to Canvas, that slideshow is now the intellectual property of the university and not the professor.”

Lockwood instead advocates for a “mixed method approach,” wherein professors implement some aspects of universal design. But, there will still be

accommodations that students with disabilities will always need, requiring professors to remain flexible in how they implement those accommodations and resources.

One thing schools can start to implement is extra support to aid students with the transition between high school and their post-secondary career, whether that is a job or college.

As students with disabilities enter higher education, the ADA National Network argues there is a need for strong, deliberate transition programming, including peer-to-peer mentoring, academic coaching and increased understanding of reasonable accommodations.

Additionally, students who are aware of their disability typically already have the proper documentation to request and access accommodations. But, the transition can sometimes require students to obtain new “proof,” which can be costly, according to the ADA National Network, which warrants more collaboration between universities and high schools.

students,” Lockwood said.

In the short term, students with disabilities who are struggling to find belonging on such a large campus should seek out communities, clubs or organizations to support them. These organizations include the DCC, Chronic Health Allies Mentorship Program or Advocates for Diverse Abilities. For Hansen, CHAMP provided a community and friendship network to support her throughout her undergraduate and graduate career at UW. Students experiencing mental health issues can also seek out same-day or next-day support through Uwill Telehealth counseling, daily dropin Let’s Talk sessions or through contacting the on-call counselor or 24/7 crisis support line.

In the face of a complicated accommodation system, social isolation and mental health issues, UW students with disabilities are a resilient group, relentlessly self-advocating on a campus that can sometimes work against them.

“I’m a firm believer that the dropout rates for students with disabilities are not because of students’ disabilities,” Lockwood said. “I have succeeded in college not in spite of my disabilities, but alongside being a disabled

Softball: Three Wisconsin freshmen named to America Freshman Watch List to kick off 2025 season

Hannah Conger, Kendra Lewis, Jaclyn Showalter added to American Freshman Watch

by Taylor Kaufmann Sports Editor

Three freshmen from the University of Wisconsin softball team were named to the America Freshman Watch List on Jan. 14. Freshmen Hannah Conger, Kendra Lewis and Jaclyn Showalter begin the 2025 season with this accomplishment under their belts, and will take this confidence to kick off the season.

Of the three, Lewis entered the list as a utility player and was also added to the D100 Freshman Watch List as a pitcher. Conger and Showalter were both added to the watch list as infielders.

“My reaction to being named to the watch list was an honor — Going into the season, it means I will continue to work hard to compete well and make it to the NCAA tournament,” Lewis, a freshman from Milan, Illinois, said.

The America Freshman Watch List is a curated list of 170 freshmen who have made an immediate impact in their preseason play. This list is to acknowledge and share the potential standout players to look out for during the 2025 season across the U.S.

Ending the 2024 season by falling to the University of Michigan was heartbreaking for the Badgers. This game was the first semifinal the team had reached since the 2019 season. The squad was eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament following a 6-4 loss to Michigan, after advancing to the semifinal game even as a No. 11 seed, becoming the first team to do so. The team ended 21-31 overall, and 8-15 in conference play.

“The softball program here is phenomenal — filled with incredible coaches and teammates who create such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere,” Conger, a freshman from Gurnee, Illinois said. “The emphasis on supporting female student-athletes [at UW] is something I deeply appreciate. It’s truly a dream come true to be part of such an outstanding program.”

The Wisconsin softball team’s 2025 season starts in Boca Raton, Florida in the FAU tournament on Feb. 7. The squad played six games at Goodman Diamond last fall, and were set to start their travel season at the Badger Fall Classic hosted by the Wisconsin Brewing Company Park in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

“Traveling together will be a great bonding experience for our team,” Conger said. “We’re already a tight-knit group, and spending time on the road will only bring us closer.”

14 • badgerherald.com • February 4, 2025

List

Rain delays forced the Badger Fall Classic to be canceled, but senior Molly Schlosser spoke about her last season with the Badgers, expressing how young the team is this year with just over half the squad being underclassmen.

“The youth on this team brings a sense

of energy and excitement which creates a feeling of possibility and growth,” Conger said. “We are fortunate to have strong upperclassmen that have done a great job mentoring the new players. Their advice and support, both on and off the field, have been invaluable.”

Senior Ellie Hubbard is an example of a strong upperclassman for the squad. Averaging a .221 batting average in the 2024 season, including a two-run homerun against Georgia last Feb. 15, at the Clearwater Invitational.

“Our senior leadership is one of the best in the country,” Lewis said. “The upperclassmen on the team have helped guide us younger teammates to ensure we have an outstanding season. With a mix of returners and new incomers we are anxious to start the season.”

Schlosser ended the 2024 season with a .252 career hitting average as well as a .933 fielding percentage in the outfield.

With a total of 65 career hits and 3 home runs, it is clear Schlosser will continue to be a great addition for Wisconsin.

“It is very important to get the travel under our belt, and the ability to play together as a team somewhere different,” Schlosser said. “We can’t get comfortable playing in the same spot every time.”

Following the FAU tournament, the team will be in Fort Myers, Florida, playing five games at the FGCU Invitational. With another five games in Tampa, Florida at the South Florida Showdown, and finally wrapping up February in the Chanticleer Showdown hosted in Conway, South Carolina, playing another five games.

Wisconsin’s conference play will start March 14 against the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.

“It’s not just about the games — it’s about the memories we’ll make together,” Conger said. “The chance to experience new places, share those moments, and support each other on and off the field will definitely strengthen our relationships and team dynamic.”

The University of Iowa will come to Goodman Diamond on March 28-30 for the first Wisconsin home games of the 2025 season.

“We have to give it our all, giving 100% every game,” Schlosser said. “Take it one game at a time, one week at a time, just give it our all every time, — this is all I ask for, this is all we ask for as a team, play together, do it together.”

With practice currently in motion and a brand new set of uniforms, the team will be ready to fly out to Boca Raton and kick off their season.

After 31 games away, the Badgers will be back home March 28 to prepare for the NCAA tournament beginning May 8.

DANIEL YUN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Badger Herald archival photo of the UW softball team.

Women’s Basketball: Star transfers boost Badgers, look to turn around Big Ten record

Williams, Porter hope to lead team beyond WNIT Great Eight

by Julien Payen Sports Editor

The University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team (10-10, 1-8 Big Ten) have not enjoyed the greatest start to life in the new-look Big Ten, which saw Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington join the conference and further expand it to the “Big 18.”

Despite the Badgers’ current skid, which has seen the team drop the last eight games against Big Ten opponents dating back to Dec. 28, their stars have been on a careerhigh pace in almost every stat.

Junior forward Serah Williams, who led the Badgers in points, rebounds and steals as a sophomore last season, not only continues to lead the team in several categories but is on pace to surpass her averages from last year. The Brooklyn, New York native is second in the Big Ten in rebounds-per-game with 11.1, second in blocks-per-game with 2.4 and ranks fourth in points-per-game at 18.6.

But, Williams is not the only player leading the way for the Badgers. Junior guard Ronnie Porter’s 4.8 assists-per-game puts her third in the Big Ten, and the St. Paul, Minnesota native also leads the team in steals-per-game with 1.7.

The duo of Williams and Porter shows the Badgers have what it takes when it comes to recruiting prospects out of high school, but in recent years, the NCAA has evolved beyond the promise of good coaching staff, training facilities and the chance to go professional.

In comes the transfer portal — and name, image and likeness deals — which have seen recruitment tactics shift to lucrative offers and sponsorships, and teams that want to succeed in the NCAA have to learn to adapt to these changes.

Last offseason, the Badgers recruited two highly-touted prospects from other universities. Sophomore center Carter McCray transferred from Northern Kentucky, where she led Norse in points and rebounds as a freshman. Grad student guard Tess Myers joined the Badgers after four years at Duquesne, where last year she helped lead the Dukes to fifth in the Atlantic 10 conference, their highest finish since the 2018-19 season and to the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

Both of these transfers came into the program at different points in their careers, but have been able to make a positive impact to the team.

McCray and Myers have started in every

game so far this season. Having made the jump up from their previous conferences to the Big Ten, one of the strongest conferences in the NCAA, both have been able to put up solid numbers this season,

despite what results might show. But, when programs bring in new talent, some of the current stars also transfer out looking for new opportunities, and Wisconsin is no exception.

After seeing limited playing time last season, sophomores Ana Guillen and Imbie Jones, junior Tessa Towers and senior Sacia Vanderpool all left the program. Jones has gone on to start for Nevada, while Vanderpool, Guillen and Towers are putting up career-highs in scoring at North Dakota State, Yale and Ball State, respectively.

The biggest loss in the transfer portal for the Badgers was junior guard Sania Copeland, who departed from Madison for Kansas last offseason. The Kansas City, Kansas native started for the Badgers during her sophomore year, averaging 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. This season she has started every game for the Jayhawks and is setting career highs in rebounds and blocks.

This season the Badgers face what might be the toughest-ever Big Ten schedule, as they have already faced No. 8 Maryland, who at the time had only lost one game, No. 9 Ohio State, who won the Big Ten last season ahead of the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes and No. 23 Minnesota, who always play a tough Border Battle.

The ranked matchups do not seem to stop for the Badgers, as they will also face No. 24 Michigan, No. 4 USC, No. 21 Michigan State and No. 1 UCLA as they round out the schedule this season.

The Badgers, like any sensible program, are looking to improve on their results from last year, which saw them advance to the Great Eight of the WNIT despite going 6-12 in conference play and 13-16 overall.

Badger fans should not be worried about the record, however, as head coach Marisa Moseley has improved the program since signing on in 2021. In each of her three previous seasons with the Badgers, the team’s record has improved — first from 8-21 in 2021-22, to 11-20 in 2022-23, to the 13-16 record from last year.

These trends, combined with the potential from stars like Williams, Porter, McCray and Myers, should give Badger fans hope that the team will continue to turn it around and maybe cause an upset or two before turning their focus to potential postseason play.

Badger Herald archival photo of the UW women’s basketball team. January 31, 2024.

JULIEN PAYEN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Gov. Evers establishes Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention in key step forward to curbing gun violence

$10 million directed toward new office aimed at preventing gun violence through education, statewide initiatives

by Josh Standal Associate Opinion Editor

Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order on Jan. 14 creating the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention. The order was signed in response to a mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this past December, where a student and a teacher were killed and six others were injured.

Evers signed the executive order amidst the plague of gun violence that has worsened in Wisconsin and across the country in recent years. The rate of firearm deaths from 2014 to 2023 has increased 34% nationally and 54% in Wisconsin, according to Wisconsin Examiner. Mass shootings have also become a major problem in the U.S., with 515 taking place in 2024 alone, according to CNN.

Evers plans to direct $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to create the office, which will distribute grants to firearm dealers, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, school districts and government agencies to help support violence and gun violence prevention efforts, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. The grants can be used for but are not limited to covering and implementing suicide prevention education, supporting law enforcement investigations, promoting and administering safe storage and gun buyback programs and using crime gun intelligence tools, according to Wisconsin Examiner.

The creation of the office has seen pushback from prominent members of the Wisconsin legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Racine, wants to instead increase funding for the police and public safety services instead of investing in another government agency, according to CBS News. Other Republican lawmakers pointed to a similar effort in the city of Milwaukee that failed.

Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, saw the failure of Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention and consequently believes replicating such an office at an even higher level would become another failure, according to Wisconsin Examiner.

In context, however, it is important to note that the head of the Milwaukee office, Ashanti Hamilton resigned to take a new position in the private sector, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Additionally, this “failure,” which Wanggaard cited, may have been mischaracterized, because while Hamilton was the director of the office, the rates of homicides and other gun violence dipped

it. In November of 2019, Evers called a special session to debate and discuss gun laws in Wisconsin and when Republicans arrived, they adjourned it immediately, without debate or any votes taking place, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

While some politicians have voiced their concerns and anger about Evers’ executive order, others have expressed their support and their hope for the future. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley expressed significant support for the new office and was excited that Evers was working to make gun violence prevention a statewide priority, according to the Wisconsin Examiner.

Evers’ efforts to create more legislation addressing the issue of firearms and violence goes beyond just the creation of the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention. He also previously stated that, as part of the 2025 budget, he will develop a gun safety reform and violence prevention package, according to the Wisconsin Examiner.

Gun control and gun safety should not be controversial topics regarding the way they are treated in the U.S. In 2019 alone, 37,040 people in the U.S. died from firearms, making up 14.85% of all firearm deaths in the world that year, according to the World Population Review.

It is glaringly obvious that change is needed in this country and regardless of where one stands politically, they must be able to identify that gun violence is an issue that needs to be addressed. People may disagree on what exact solutions are needed and the steps to get there, but we can no longer sit idly by while tens of thousands of Americans die every year.

Many citizens and politicians do not see eye-to-eye in terms of the reforms and legislation that is needed to help curtail the issue of gun violence within the U.S., but we can no longer do nothing. By no means will Ever’s creation of this new office solve the U.S.’ and Wisconsin’s gun violence issue completely, but it is a step in the right direction and small steps forward are better than standing still.

in Milwaukee, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Republican lawmakers have a track

record of going against gun control legislation in Wisconsin and have frequently gone toe-to-toe with Evers over

Spring election referendum threatens to enshrine voter ID laws, silence disadvantaged voters

Vote against voter ID referendum April 1, protect Wisconsin’s democratic process

by Aanika Parikh Opinion Editor

A Wisconsin voter ID law that requires voters to present photographic identification at polls is seeking a highly contested, but permanent residence in the state Constitution. On Jan. 14, Republican legislators successfully advanced their proposal to enshrine the law into the state Constitution, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. As a result, the April 1 ballot will now include a referendum that has advanced the law into the final round of approval — this time, at the hands of voters.

With a series of lawsuits from activist groups like the League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union and trials at the local, state and federal levels, the voter ID law has experienced a tumultuous history since its initial enactment in June of 2011, according to PBS Wisconsin. It comes as no surprise the Legislature’s latest move is a source of outrage throughout the state.

Republican lawmakers defend their decision by claiming that the future of the law — and thus the security of our voting process — is uncertain in the face of a 4-3 majority in the state government, according to WPR. But it is clear this law will do more to endanger voting accessibility rather than promote its security.

A 2009 study on a similar voter ID law in Indiana found the requirement for photo identification significantly reduced voting opportunities for minority, low-income, less-educated, the youngest and oldest generations of voters and voters likely to vote Democratic.

These disparities may arise due to inequities in the possession of up-to-date photo IDs, according to a 2024 report by the University of Maryland. For instance, 41% of individuals without a high school degree do not have a driver’s license with an upto-date name and/or address.

The opportunity to vote is especially stripped for individuals falling under multiple disadvantaged categories. Indeed, the report found that nearly 50% of Black Americans aged 18-29 do not have a driver’s license with their current age and address. The study also found similar patterns of disparity in knowledge about voter ID laws and experience of mismatch between current names/addresses versus what is listed on their ID.

Inequities in possession of up-to-date photo IDs clearly have a greater effect on disadvantaged groups and threaten to silence their voices, which is a violation of our democracy. The Constitution grants

U.S. citizens unalienable rights to their civic liberties, which include the opportunity to cast a ballot. Making the process of voting more inaccessible is a violation of these

laughable in comparison to the percentage of individuals affected by voter ID limitations. In fact, it is commonly said the chances for voter fraud are lower than one’s likelihood

rights.

Even more, studies find that voter ID laws do not promote voting security in any significant way. The Brennan Center for Justice found in-person voter fraud occurs at a 0.00004% rate — a number that is

of being struck by thunder.

Why, then, are Republican legislators so convinced that our voting process is endangered without the protection of voter ID laws?

It is highly likely that the attempt to

enshrine the law is a deliberate attempt to silence the voices of targeted voters. As reported by the 2009 study on Indiana’s laws, the voter ID law suppresses Democratic votes by a margin that is likely significant in tight races — which we often experience in the swing state of Wisconsin.

It is really not that hard to believe that conservative legislators are gatekeeping the ballot from disadvantaged communities considering their recent misinformation and hateful rhetoric surrounding voter fraud. For instance, the Associated Press found noncitizen voting to be a central component of the 2024 election, though claims of its existence are entirely baseless.

Republican politicians frantically held conferences and hearings regarding the nonexistent infiltration of the voting process by unauthorized immigrants, taking advantage of voters’ strong emotions and concerns about immigration to plant doubts about voter security.

In reality, there is no evidence to support claims that voter security is a threat at the local, state or national levels. Thus, Republicans must be utilizing the opportunity to enshrine voter ID laws to craft a select group of voters eligible to make civic contributions. In doing so, they are leading us down a slippery slope of transforming our democracy into an oligarchy.

So, when you flip your ballot to the referendum this spring, reflect on how your vote will influence the voices of the communities around you. Enshrining voter ID law is equivalent to limiting the invaluable power of the vote to historically privileged groups.

Even if you are not convinced about the anti-democratic nature of voter ID laws, that is still no reason to vote in favor of enshrining the law into our state’s future forever. Rest assured that Wisconsin’s voter ID law is not being wiped should the referendum fail. Voting against the referendum merely ensures future room for adjusting the law.

You have the power to preserve equity in our democratic process and protect Wisconsinites’ civic liberties this spring. Make your voice heard this season so your fellow constituents have the ability to do so for generations to come.

Aanika Parikh (aparikh@badgerherald. com) is a junior studying molecular and cell biology and health policy.

Line to vote early at Memorial Union. October 30, 2024.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

OPINION

UW collaboration with USCYBERCOM advances national defense

Recognized for groundbreaking research, UW positions itself at forefront of cybersecurity innovation

by Sammie Garrity Opinion Editor

Cybersecurity has emerged as a major national priority in response to the rise of technology and the University of Wisconsin is stepping up and taking on more responsibility surrounding the evolution of this digital danger. It helps protect and defend sensitive information surrounding members of the campus community.

Collaborating with federal agencies can help educate universities and provide resources and programs that aid in preventing potential attacks. Simultaneously, these partnerships can also serve as an educational tool for future employees in the cybersecurity space, according to America’s Cyber Defense Agency.

The university was subject to a recent visit by the United States Cyber Command and held the first USCYBERCOM Tech Talk at any academic institution. The event cemented UW as a key player in the pioneering of cybersecurity contributions and their relationship with federal agencies dealing with cybersecurity, according to UW News.

USCYBERCOM’s visit drew important federal leaders in the military and intelligence space who interacted with the research labs on campus as well as networked with students and faculty, according to UW News. This visit represented the importance of the collaboration of academic institutions with innovation surrounding national defense. Partnerships between federal bodies and educational programs is critical and offers benefits like information sharing and increased access to resources.

One of the main takeaways from the visit was learning more about the universities quantum computing research. The Department of Physics and the College of Engineering displayed their projects and demonstrated a quantum network that has the potential to improve intelligence gathering, secure communication and overall surveillance, according to UW News.

These advancements have the potential to forever change how data is encrypted which heavily impacts national defense. Professor Jennifer Choy and doctoral student Xuting Yang also spoke about their research with atom trapping which can render technology far more precise and enhance their civil and military capabilities, according to UW News.

Another area which UW is making great strides is in digital privacy. Electrical engineering and computer science affiliate assistant professor Kassem Fawaz is working in a lab to develop new methods for targeting vulnerabilities in popular apps like Tik Tok and Instagram, according to UW News.

His findings will potentially transform the development of digital security systems for public and private use.

The research could have major impacts for TikTok, an app that is undergoing scrutiny and one whose future is still unknown due to the privacy concerns, according to the University of Ottawa. If there was a way to make the app

safer to use, this could have heavily affect the future of the platform. These are only select examples of the innovative research being done at UW that all have the potential to change the course of modern technology as we currently understand it.

USCYBERCOM’s visit also highlighted university infrastructure investment and the

transformation of Morgridge Hall into the new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences. This facility will become home to computer science, data science and other related fields which aim to draw new talent and collaboration initiatives.

Collectively, these initiatives will bolster the university’s reputation as well as open doors for future relationships with federal agencies and leadership positions in cybersecurity fields. They will embolden the university to better prepare students for the workforce, as well. The National Security Agency named UW a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research, which signifies that UW is committed to education and producing new leaders in the cybersecurity field, according to the College of Letters and Science.

The university is bridging the gap between theoretical academic research and bringing it to life with tangible applications. Researchers are taking real-world problems and creating solutions that help the nation. Madison’s relationship with USCYBERCOM advances the security of the country and represents the importance of academic institutions taking on the responsibility of addressing national challenges. As cybersecurity threats become more common, this collaboration is urgent and critical.

These alliances are also important because they extend beyond just collaborations and into workforce development. As the national need for cybersecurity workers grows, UW is equipping students to not only be sufficient in their skills, but excel. New courses and investments into training ensure graduates are highly prepared to enter a workforce that is constantly evolving and changing. This investment and government partnerships provide students with hands-on experiences which strengthens the workforce capabilities, and also puts UW at the forefront of the technology sector.

Additionally, this broader commitment to advancing cybersecurity initiatives extends beyond just the campus community, and even the Wisconsin community. Businesses, agencies and new companies are able to benefit from the research and opportunities that the university is able to provide. Through partnerships, this hub of advancement helps push forward the development of modern ideas and security solutions.

This digital infrastructure investment addresses the challenges of a more technologically advanced era and ensures that everyone is equipped to navigate this new world in which we live.

Sammie Garrity (sgarrity@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore majoring in journalism and political science.

A person typing on a laptop. January 26, 2025.

MIA HOMAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets kicks off 75th anniversary

Winter Poetry Festival gives stage to Madison’s established, starter poets alike

The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets’ Winter Poetry Festival is a gathering for local artists to share their best, most personal and wackiest poems with the Madison community.

This eight-week festival kicked off Jan. 19 with readings from six poets at the Arts and Literature Lab, including Madison’s Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate. Each Sunday afternoon until March 9, attendees admitted with no fee can listen to a new batch of poets perform their works.

This year’s Winter Poetry Festival coincides with the WFOP’s 75th anniversary. The fellowship, which has more than 500 members from across Wisconsin, is committed to spreading poetry appreciation across the state while providing members with mentoring, affordable workshops and free readings. Members also receive their own websites to post works and the chance to perform at readings like the WPF.

“The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets offers a wonderful variety of things for both the beginner and the advanced poet,” WFOP regional Vice President and Winter Poetry Festival host James

P. Roberts said.

With 48 performers total, the festival is also showcasing 13 first-time readers, giving a platform to poets who previously lacked the space to share their works. While spots were prioritized for members of the WFP, no other credentials or participation fees were required.

This allowed poets like Marshall Begel to properly perform his poetry for a large audience for the first time. Before his reading, during the first week of the festival, the only event Begel had read his poetry at was the end of his weekly work meetings. Now, he’s performed for over 60 pivotal members of Madison’s poetry community.

“I was definitely nervous at first,” Begel said. “But then, I felt more relaxed and people were laughing, so it’s something I want to continue.”

Poet Breanna Grow also indulged in the opportunity to read her poetry during the festival’s first week. Like Begel, Grow enjoyed the festival’s poetry community’s receptive and welcoming attitude.

“Other communities or institutions would have more gatekeeping, but the Wisconsin

Fellowship of Poets doesn’t do that,” Grow said. “Their whole mission is around making poetry accessible for anybody who wants to participate.”

While Grow was an avid writer and poet throughout high school, she lost touch with the craft in the midst of attending college and starting a career. After she moved from central Illinois to Madison in 2021, the upheaval prompted Grow to do some serious selfreflection, leading her right back to poetry.

Grow joined the WFOP upon hearing about the benefits of membership from former Madison Poet Laureate Angeia Trudell Vasquez during a workshop at the Arts and Literature Lab. While she performs at A Room of One’s Own’s open mic night often, Grow was specifically excited to read for the crowd at the Winter Poetry Festival.

“That audience is just ready to celebrate you,” Grow said. “It doesn’t have much of a sense of competition, it just feels like a community wanting to appreciate things together and support one another.”

Besides support and motivation from the community at the festival, practical advice, constructive criticism and career opportunities are in no short supply. Interested in producing a poetry book in the future, Begel said he enjoyed learning about the publication process from more experienced poets. A merchandise table at the festival allows members to sell their poetry collections and advertise upcoming readings. Additionally, a grant from the Dane Arts helped the WFOP pay the poets a small sum for performing.

The theme of this year’s festival, “Passport to Poetry,” encourages poets to write a piece based on a specific location that changes weekly. With the first week focusing on London, the series will bounce from Paris and Rome to Delhi and Tokyo.

Grow used the theme as an opportunity to reflect on the distance between herself and her family back in Illinois.

Justin Russell, another poet who read during the festival’s opening week, went a completely different direction. His poem, about the wildfires currently ravaging Los Angeles, compares flames to tragic events to make the point that

problems are only given attention when they finally go ablaze.

As Madison’s Youth Poet Laureate, Russell was tasked with opening up the festival with the first reading.

“The performance was good, the crowd was amazing and the other performers were incredible,” Russell said. “I was honored to be there.”

Along with reading his works, Russell said the highlight of the festival was experiencing new forms of poetry he’d never seen before. Among his favorites was Begel’s poetry, which often features call-and-response portions, funny anecdotes and light-hearted themes.

“I’ve seen all types of poetry, but this was the first poetry I’ve seen that interacted with the crowd,” Russell said. “He was hilarious, just the funniest guy.”

Begel read his poem “Alternate Route,” which takes the form of a letter from a cruise company informing customers that their cruise has been canceled because they were unable to find a cruise ship. He remembers being drawn to Shel Silverstein’s humorous poetry in elementary school. Once Begel took up poetry as a hobby, he found himself writing in a similarly jovial tone, even sorting through his old Facebook posts to find previous jokes and jabs to implement into his work.

“I am always trying to be funny,” Begel said. “Most people are doing a lot of personal stuff about their own issues, but I’m having fun doing this right now.”

While the festival will stay at the Arts and Literature Lab for the first four weeks, it’s moving to Madison’s Café Coda for its last

by Logan Underwood ArtsEtc. Associate Editor

MARIA BRUNETTA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Cafe Code on Madison’s East Side. November 17, 2024.

The art of being present: A DIY activity guide to Valentine’s Day

Store-bought gifts are overrated, try these three homemade gifts instead

by Jenna Innab ArtsEtc. Editor

January — the month of intention setting, habit stacking and more often than not, falling short on anything we said we wanted to do. With the start of this new year, there has been an unmistakable shift toward one intention in particular — being present for ourselves and those we cherish.

With the most loathed holiday around the corner — Valentine’s Day, it is the ideal time to walk the talk of this intention. Gone are the narratives of obligatory dinner reservations and hastily purchased gifts. While these “traditional” celebrations can be meaningful, it’s time to turn this holiday into something genuine while following through on our intentions to nurture the relationships we truly value.

If you have been on TikTok at all, you have likely seen the “ins” and “outs” trend for 2025. Of the plethora of hot takes on this trend, one consistent “out” stands clear across the board — overfilling your social calendar with people we do not have a genuine connection with and filling others’ cups over our own.

As for the “ins”, of 2025? They promote quality time, intentional relationships and creating meaningful experiences within our inner circle.

Luckily, a simple solution aligns perfectly with these intentions: a curated selection of at-home DIY activities for Valentine’s Day. Whether you gather those you care about most or embrace peaceful solitude, I have no doubt these low-stress, creative projects offer a meaningful way to celebrate the day.

Clay creations

Air-dry clay projects captivated my attention last summer, and I’ve been collecting inspiring design ideas ever since. From personalized magnets to trinket trays and candle holders, these creations offer the perfect blend of functionality and handmade charm. The versatile trinket tray is a perfect key catch-all by the door, a charming jewelry dish or a colorful accent piece for any room.

Easily enough, there are a plethora of tutorials to make clay creations at home. My favorite tutorial has to be these clay tea candle holders, just look at them, they are adorable and would add undeniable charm to your standard college living space.

Supplies you may need to purchase include:

Clay

Acrylic paint or Acrylic paint pens

Magnet strips

Additionally, there are some tools you could likely find around your living space — like those obnoxiously large Stanley water cups that can be used as a rolling pin, or miscellaneous utensils to imprint designs on the clay.

20 • badgerherald.com • February 4, 2025

If you are drawn to something more practical, try out this bowl tutorial that guides you through creating a delicate catchall place for your miscellaneous items while personalizing it with your design touches. A frequently missing item in my home is refrigerator magnets, and for those of us constantly searching for ways to display photos and notes, handcrafted clay magnets offer a creative alternative to store-bought

options.

Of the activities on this list, this activity is my favorite one. Based on the lengthy description, can you tell it is one of my favorite ideas?

Custom laptop background art collage

An intention I set for myself this year was to develop my skills in design. I love taking pictures, but sometimes I want to create something graphic.

While conducting my nightly Instagram scroll — yes, we have all been there, I came across this custom laptop background idea from a reel.

It couldn’t have been more perfect for this list and, frankly, it’s one of those things that makes you think, “Why didn’t I think of this first?” One, it’s free — for any of you who set an intention to spend consciously this year. Two, there are endless designs you can make. Finally, three — it is a perfect activity to do with a small group of friends, or even by yourself.

The process is refreshingly simple. Start by poking around your Pinterest boards for inspiration – whether you’re drawn to vintage aesthetics, contemporary or baroque style art. Then, leverage your wisc.edu email to access Canva’s free version, where the design possibilities are endless. For those seeking guidance, I’ve found an excellent tutorial that walks you through the process step by step.

Frames for your Valentine(s)

There’s something nostalgic about DIY photo frames that warms my heart. Maybe it is because they remind me of those craft kits my mom would buy to keep me from redecorating the “nice” things around the house.

This version is an elevated take on those beloved projects, creating personalized frames with a handmade touch to add to your space. Best of all, this project has no directions or expectations, striking the perfect balance between creativity and simplicity, and making it ideal for crafters of any skill level.

Supplies you may need to purchase include:

Wooden frames

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Decorative charms

Optionally: washi tape, glitter any other miscellaneous decoratives

A photo for your frame!

I hope you found inspiration for a new craft hobby from this article! Whether you choose to create with clay, design digital artwork, personalized photo frames or a craft not mentioned, remember that the true value lies not in what’s created, but in who you share those meaningful moments with.

JENNA INNAB. THE BADGER HERALD. Valentine’s themed craft inspiration. February 1, 2025.

Izakaya Kuroyama finds success in first month in Madison

Defined by Japanese aesthetics, street food, popular culture, Izakaya Kuroyama buzzes after January opening

by Aiden Mellon ArtsEtc. Editor

After opening on State Street’s 400 block in early January, Japanese bar and grill Izakaya Kuroyama has hit the ground running. The restaurant and bar has been packed almost every single day since opening Jan. 9, according to owner Hugo Leung.

Izakaya Kuroyama is Leung’s fourth restaurant; he owns three others in Chicago. Leung, who is originally from Hong Kong, left a career in banking to chase his passion for Japanese cuisine. Leung used to travel to Japan several times a year to study Japanese cuisine and learn from a Japanese chef, he said. He hopes his restaurants bring a level of authenticity and creativity in Japanese food that is often lacking in the U.S., Leung said.

“My concept in Chicago is kind of new to people as well. But to the young people, or whoever has been to Japan before, they know exactly this is how it is in Japan, that’s why they love it so much, that’s why they were happy that we have the same kind of place just like in Japan,” Leung said.

Izakayas are a popular tavern-style restaurant in Japan, typically serving drinks along with small, inexpensive plates. Leung said he hopes Izakaya Kuroyama’s environment and menu make patrons feel as if they are dining at an authentic Japanese Izakaya. In this, Leung has succeeded, said patron Madori Samson.

Samson, who was enjoying the night out with friends and family, had been to Izakaya Kuroyama twice already since its opening and said that it reminded her of an Izakaya she had been to in Japan.

“I think it’s a lot like an Izakaya would be in Japan,” Samson said. Samson added that she and her party particularly enjoyed the wagyu, bacon-wrapped tomatoes, and takoyaki.

Perhaps most striking about Izakaya Kuroyama is its aesthetic. Dozens of Japanese tavern lanterns glow brightly in the storefront, beckoning hungry passersby into a world away from State Street.

From the ceiling to the floor, Izakaya Kuroyama screams Japan. Ceilingmounted Bangasa–traditional bamboo umbrellas–backlit by string lights throw a colorful glow on the patrons below. A collage of reprinted Japanese artworks covers the vermillion walls, and the booths

have small superstructures with sloping roofs, reminiscent of iconic Japanese architecture.

Izakaya Kuroyama was designed

local that they can do this artwork for us or the decoration for us. So all these lanterns and all these umbrellas are built by us and all these walls and decorations,

and constructed entirely by Leung and employees from his Chicago restaurants, Leung said.

“We have to put a lot of work into the restaurant to make this happen because we don’t have anybody knowing in Madison

we decided we do it our own,” Leung said.

Izakaya Kuroyama is designed with State Street in mind. On weekend nights, it stays open until 3 AM, an hour past bar closure, welcoming in a rush of patrons looking to soak up a long night

of drinking. Leung also hopes to appeal to Madison’s college crowd by subtly incorporating aspects of popular culinary anime shows into the experience.

Some of Izakaya Kuroyama’s wallpaper prints include popular anime characters, and Leung has gone so far as to include Dorayaki ice cream inspired by the anime Doraemon on the menu.

“Now they can experience it. Some of the dishes that they can only see in an anime show, like okonomiyaki and takoyaki and all that stuff, they can only see in the anime show, but now they can finally taste it,” Leung said.

Leung has also incorporated karaoke from 9 pm till close Friday and Saturday nights to further appeal to Madison’s younger population, he said.

For the average American, Izakaya Kuroyama’s menu might not be instantly recognizable as Japanese. Notably, patrons will not find sushi on the menu but can instead order from a range of items more common to Japan’s street food scene, Leung said.

By bringing over culinary traditions more representative of how many Japanese actually eat, Leung hopes that he will make Japanese international students feel more at home and help diversify the typical Japanese cuisines so common in the U.S.

“That’s what we focus on. Street food, not sushi. When people mention about Japanese food, they all know about sushi, that’s it. But that’s not what it is,” Leung said.

Patrons can order common Japanese street foods such as okonomiyaki (a savory pancake dish), taiyaki (fishshaped cakes) and takoyaki (octopus balls) as well Izakaya staples, like karaage (fried chicken), edamame and gyoza (pot stickers). Patrons will also find a drink menu filled with classic Japanese beers, spirits and wines alongside an assortment of mixed drinks and American IPAs.

Izakaya Kuroyama is an ode to Japanese cuisine and culture, Leung said. Beyond just succeeding in his latest venture, Leung hopes that Izakaya Kuroyama will open patrons’ eyes to Japanese culture.

“That’s one of my whole points, you know, to let people know about the culture. This Japanese culture is amazing,” Leung said.

Izakaya Kuroyama at night. Sept. 7, 2024.

BRODY KILLOREN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Madison restaurant forms community through food since 1996

by Akhilesh Peddi ArtsEtc. Editor

Mediterranean Cafe, established in 1996 on 625 State Street, is an institution on the University of Wisconsin campus to its loyal customers, near and far.

Describing the cafe, Mackenzie Crary — who served as its manager for six months — described it as a go-to place for professors and students wanting a quick lunch in the afternoons or romantic dates in the evening with its quiet ambiance.

Crary described the cafe as a “third place” — a term coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg. A third place exists beyond the boundary of work and home, creating an environment where people can foster social connections or simply enjoy solitude in a cozy space.

What makes Mediterranean Cafe special? What has kept customers loyal for 30 years? The answer is its founder Faisal Belakhdar, an Algerian immigrant who moved to Madison. Now in his 80s and retired, Belakhdar continues to take care of his restaurant and help with the preparation of their specials every week.

The plethora of postcards that line its walls and binders from around the world are tangible recognitions of its community. Postcards pour into the restaurant every year from people around the world — Europe, Asia, South America and countries from all seven continents of the world.

The cards carry greetings, wishes and little stories, usually from foreigners who have visited or stayed in Madison at some point in their life. These are either pinned to the cafe’s wall or are gathered into a binder for diners to scan through while waiting for their food.

experience and memory of working for his father in Annaba, would inspire Belakhdar to begin a cafe in Madison — a cafe where foreigners would feel welcomed and at home. Thus, he started Mediterranean Cafe.

in recent times.

“It is really supportive and welcoming community,” Crary said. “Faisal [Belakhdar] wanted to have a welcoming and supporting community not only for immigrants but for all.

A few customers have also written feedback and expressed gratitude for the restaurant.

The first example is a postcard from Puerto Rico.

“To Med Cafe: Puerto Rico is beautiful but there’s no Med Cafe! Your food is the best! You make the Madison experience worthwhile!”

During his childhood, Belakhdar worked in his father’s coffee shop after school in Annaba, Northern Algeria. Growing up, while working at his father’s coffee shop, Belakhdar focused on his academics and strived for an academic career. After high school, Belakhdar pursued college in France.

It was in France that the seeds of his inspiration to start a cafe would bloom. While studying in France, Belakhdar longed to create a place where he nor others would be judged for being a foreigner, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. This, along with his

Belakhdar wanted as many people as he could to feel welcomed in his cafe and wanted everyone to feel like they were home.

“Some people just have that charismatic and homely charm,” Crary said. “Faisal [Belakhdar] has that. He sees someone and invites them and gives them free tea. It is nice — he sees or hears about people and just starts talking to them and then people remember that and send back a postcard for the wall.”

Apart from postcards, the cafe has received gifts such as famous soccer team scarves, paintings and various other pieces of art from its customers which line the restaurant’s walls

That is a big thing.”

Over the years, Belakhdar — and now his son Ali, who runs his own coffee shop called Madison Cold Brew Coffee — have strived to make all those who visit or live in Madison feel at home.

In its almost 30-year journey, the Mediterranean Cafe has ceased to be just a restaurant for many and has become a community and a piece of Madison that people take back with them.

“When you’re far away from home, you want something to feel like it,” Crary said. “That is what he [Belakhdar] is trying to do.”

Next came a letter, marked March 26, 2001, from Thailand.

“I hadn’t noticed a postcard from Thailand in the Mediterranean cafe so I thought you must like this. Some of the food here in Thailand is tasty but not as good as what I get in your restaurant. Thanks for all the help promoting all our shows this year.”

Postcards also describe big changes and occasions in previous customers’ lives, including a letter from New York City from the 2000s.

“Hello, how is everything? It’s been a long time! I moved from Tokyo to New York City and I’m teaching English to foreigners there. There’s lots of falafel here but I will never find hummus like yours ANYWHERE! I still dream about it. Will visit soon.”

Another letter was posted Jan. 22, 2021, from Los Angeles, California.

“Hello Faycal [Belakhdar], I hope that you and your business have fared well during this pandemic. We may have had to move to Los Angeles but still haven’t found a better Shawarma!”

Not so far from Madison, another letter dated Sept. 6, 2002, came from Menominee, Wisconsin.

“I will look for this card the next time I join my daughter Julia for lunch in your fine restaurant! Hi to the folks that work there and Hi to my friends Sang and Ned who eat there often.”

Ali and Faisal [Belakhdar] have made a community through food and provided support and safety to those who needed it in Madison. They remain in the stories of others and the heart of Madison.

Faisal Belakhdar creates home for those far from theirs in Mediterranean Cafe

Mediterranean Cafe. Jan. 24, 2025.

JENNA INNAB. THE BADGER HERALD

Satire: UW frat guy tapped for U.S. Secretary of Education

Kyle Whiteman aims to transition U.S. education away from math, science, toward trading stocks

by Tony Doncer Batner Writer

In a shocking turn of events, President Trump has rescinded his nomination for Linda McMahon to be the Secretary of Education and instead tapped local UW frat guy, Kyle Whiteman, to be his new nominee.

This announcement came earlier this week through the POTUS’s YikYak account, bigBootyTrump. Whiteman happens to be a business major here at UW, and while it is unclear how Trump came to learn about Kyle, sources near the president claim that there was something about Kyle’s name that really spoke to the President.

Skepticism from many Americans has been raised about Kyle’s experience for the job, but President Trump was quick to crush these rumors. Yesterday, BigBootyTrump yakked, “I got to meet Kyle Whiteman last week, and let me just say, Kyle has some of the best coloring pages I’ve ever seen. If you saw the same coloring books I did, you’d know he was the man for this job.”

Whiteman’s trip to the White House was celebrated with a game of beer pong on the North Lawn with frat guys from around the nation.

The Badger Herald was able to sit down with Whiteman where he recounted his game with Trump: “Yeah man, the President is lowkey chill. Like dude, we’re definitely gonna invite him to our frat for Lily’s, and honestly, I hope he rushes this semester.”

When asked how Whiteman plans to deal with the looming shortage of teachers and dropping wages, Whiteman stated that his team would transition the US education system away from “useless classes like English, math and science” and replace them with personal finance, BUS ED 101 and more gym classes. Whiteman also raised concerns about how kids these days do not know how to trade stocks, nor know about the DOW JONES.

convenience store to restock.

While we had more questions for Whiteman, especially his disappearance from campus between Jan. 3-7 in 2021, he abruptly left after realizing he had run out of Zyns and rushed to the nearest

Whiteman is surprisingly not the only nominee from UW. In fact, freshman prelaw student Sarah Smith was recently nominated for Attorney General. When asked why Trump chose her, the president stated she “is a hot prospect with lots of potential. Not to mention she’s a real

smoke show.”

We asked Sara about her nomination, to which she said, “Please do not nominate me for Attorney General. I have taken zero legal classes and know nothing about the legal system. I’ve only taken gen eds. I have no experience. I’ve only seen like two episodes of Suits and that’s all I know

about the law. I beg you, please do not nominate me.”

Trump cited Smith’s humility and honesty as exactly what we need from government officials and precisely why she should be Attorney General.

Smith’s confirmation hearing took place at the end of January. Senators asked her grueling questions like “Can I have your number?” or “Is murder a crime?” and despite Smith’s inability to answer a single legal-related question correctly and her adamant disapproval of the nomination, she was voted in with 75 for and 25 against. It is expected that Whiteman’s confirmation will go smoothly just like Smith’s.

As we at The Badger Herald are world renowned as the best newspaper organization, we have several sources in the White House, and recently there have been rumors of other potential nominees for President Trump’s cabinet.

Surprisingly, many of these rumors relate to UW students. For Secretary of Defense, Trump is eyeing a Comp Sci major, reportedly due to their inability to shower being a great defense not only against women, but also anyone who wishes to invade our country.

To maximize the efficacy and usability of this biohazard of a stench, the White House is in talks with scientists and inventors across the nation to create a pheromone grenade that would release the Comp Sci student smell, thereby neutralizing the enemy.

For the Secretary of Interior, the Trump team is considering an interior design major. It is unclear at this time whether President Trump realizes that this position does not actually entail decorating the rooms of the White House.

Nominate me to head of getting mad huzz

BRODY KILLOREN. THE BADGER HERALD.