'The Tuition Dilemma' - Volume 52, Issue 3

STUDENT MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

TUESDAY, September 8, 2020 · VOL 52, Issue 3 · BADGERHERALD.COM

The Tuition Dilemma While universities attempt to mitigate money loss, students struggle with the idea of paying for Zoom University pg. 12

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CAMPUS LINCOLN STATUE DEBATE WILL HAVE GENERATIONAL EFFECT 16 As BLM movement gains media traction, so does complicated history involving Lincoln statue.

VOLLEYBALL: BADGERS PREPARE FOR DELAYED 2020 SEASON Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, senior setter Sydney Hilley speak to mindset of Badgers following 2019 National Championship appearance, delay to 2020 season 2 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

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Badgers Back to Business Despite roughly half of all classes being completely virtual or some form of hybrid learning, Badgers returned to Madison for their fall semester with smiles on their faces.

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Kenosha business owner, activist comment on recent protests

‘The Black Lives movement is not about destruction. However, it is 100% spot on ... how we feel in Black America,” activist says.

by Will Lange Reporter

Days after the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake in late August, unrest erupted in the streets of Kenosha.

Kenosha became a hotspot for protests spearheaded by the Black Lives Matter movement after a video of Officer Rusten Sheskey shooting an unarmed Jacob Blake surfaced and garnered national attention.

The demonstrations were among a multitude stemming from backlash against police brutality and shootings of unarmed Black Americans.

Protests in Kenosha at times turned into rioting, leading to property damage and the destruction of many local businesses.

Gov. Tony Evers, D-Wisconsin, declared a state of emergency in Kenosha, but the motivation behind the destruction seen throughout the city appears highly motivated, Black photographer and activist E. Mackey said.

“In Kenosha, it didn’t seem like acts of aggression for the sake of being aggressive,” Mackey said. “It really seemed like people were angry, upset and in pain. So it seemed

like a genuine, ‘We are upset. We’re doing this because we’re upset.’”

Jim Degrazio, a Kenosha resident and the owner of Treasures Within Kenosha — a local discount store — said he faces an estimated $10,000 in damages.

Treasures Within launched an online fundraising campaign in order to cover the cost of the damage, as his business has not been able to operate while the demonstrations have been in Kenosha.

“We’ve been closed since it happened,” Degrazio said. “The windows are boarded up, the business has been closed, no income.

We will [re]build and [are] working on the restoration of business practices, you know.

Got a long way to go.”

Degrazio condemned violence in Kenosha and called for the Kenosha police force to intervene against protesters who are causing the damage.

Degrazio said he hoped in lieu of the handful of violent acts he witnessed, the protests would remain entirely peaceful.

“I think there are other ways they could express their views, rather than hurting businesses and people,” Degrazio said. “I

think a more aggressive stance would have been able to forcibly stop them. You know, arrest them, take them into custody. You know, to stop this [from] happen[ing], that should have been done, I believe the first night.”

Mackey acknowledged the destruction derived from the feelings of anger among Black Americans, but Mackey differentiates the Black Lives Matter movement from the Kenosha protests.

“I can say unequivocally no,” Mackey said. “The Black Lives movement is not about destruction. However, it is 100% spot-on, bullseye, finger on the pulse of how we feel in Black America. I think it is important to understand that those are two different things — the Black sentiment and how we feel in the country, and what Black Lives Matter is about and it’s fighting for are two totally different things.”

During one night of protests, 17-year- old Kyle Rittenhouse walked the streets equipped with an assault rifle. Protesters chased Rittenhouse after he had a confrontation with another protester and gunshots were heard.

Those chasing him attempted to disarm him, during which Rittenhouse shot and killed

two protesters and injured one. Rittenhouse is now facing homicide charges in his home state of Illinois.

Activists raised questions as to why Rittenhouse was at Kenosha when he lives in Illinois — individuals like Mackey are outraged at what they perceive as an explicit double standard shown by police as a result of the shooting.

“You have a situation where we have Jacob Blake, who was not armed, he had on a shirt where you could see he wasn’t armed,” Mackey said. “So explain how you can be at a riot ... With the AR-15 strapped across your chest with your hands up walking toward the police from the direction of the shooting that they were going to. And you pass by him.

But then you shoot the black guy in the back, seven times, with no weapon.”

Kenosha was lifted out of curfew Sept.

2 as Mayor John Antaramian describes the protests as relatively peaceful. Governor Tony Evers, a vocal advocate for peaceful protests, condemned the violence on Twitter.

The future of potential reform in policing throughout Wisconsin is uncertain as a recent petition to recall Evers has gained traction.

Evers to be sued by WiLL for public health emergency order

“We are challenging the governor’s declaration of a second state of emergeny,” Deputy Council at WiLL says of order

by Joseph Mitchell Reporter

March 12, Gov. Tony Evers declared a public health emergency in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic and an uptick in positive cases throughout Wisconsin.

Under Wisconsin state law, such a declaration gives Evers special emergency powers to deal with the health emergency.

These powers include implementing all measures deemed necessary to control the emergency, directing aid to those affected by said emergency and forbidding public gatherings in schools, churches and other places in order to control an epidemic.

In late March, Evers directed Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm to implement a Safer At Home Order which prohibited many nonessential public gatherings. This order prohibited nonessential gatherings at schools, businesses and private residences.

Under Wisconsin state law, a state of emergency order cannot be extended past 60 days. After that deadline, it must be passed by the state legislature. In mid-April, the Safer At Home Order, which was set to expire 4 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

on April 26, was then extended to May 26.

Many Republican state lawmakers disagreed with Evers’ executive order and sued to block the extension of the stay at home order. According to The National Law Review, in May the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4–3 to overturn the extension of the order.

According to the office of the governor, July 30 Gov. Evers issued a new executive order declaring the COVID-19 pandemic a Public Health Emergency. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, under this executive order, the governor issued a statewide mask mandate which would require people to wear masks inside almost all public buildings.

Deputy Counsel at Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Lucas Vebber said their group is filing a lawsuit against Evers’ new state of emergency order.

“We are not challenging the mask mandate,” Vebber said. “We are challenging the governor ’s declaration of a second state of emergency.”

Vebber said their group’s lawsuit is targeting the new state of emergency order because they believe it works as an extension of the old state of emergency order, which

expired in May. Vebber also said he believed the argument that the state of the pandemic has changed or has worsened is not accurate.

“What should have been done is to go to the legislature and say, this emergency is still ongoing, I need these powers, and to make his case,” Vebber said. “He has to be accountable to the legislative branch in order to use these powers.”

Vebber said their lawsuit addresses a separation of powers issue and is not a political stance on mask-wearing, and if the mandate were stricken down it would not affect individual county mask mandates.

“There are potential lawful and easy ways the governor could put a mask mandate on the books.” Vebber said. “He could ask the legislature to pass a law.”

Vebber said, as of now, WILL would like to have the mask mandate set aside as the litigation proceeds.

Professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School David Schwartz said he believes Evers is working within authority under Wisconsin state law relating to power and duties for emergency management and is not overstepping. Schwartz cited Wisconsin

Statutes 323.10, which states if Evers believes there is a public health emergency, he is able to make an executive order declaring a “state of emergency related to public health” for the state or for certain groups within the state, according to the Wisconsin State Legislature website.

Schwartz also said he believes, in this case, the governor is not acting irresponsibly, explaining that the new declaration was made more than a month after the original order expired.

“Nothing in the law says one emergency declaration per crisis,” Schwartz said.

“Irrespective of how long the pandemic lasts or how much the circumstances change, a spike in cases can reasonably be seen as a new emergency.”

Vebber said WILL filed their complaint to the governor last week, thereby providing the Governor ’s Office 45 days to respond to the complaint.

“Right now the ball is in the governor ’s court, in terms of how to respond to the lawsuit,” Vebber said. “Once he responds to the lawsuit we will have a better idea of how it moves forward.”

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Dane County officials propose criminal justice reform resolution

Legislative initiatives include improving mental health services as well as establishing a community justice center

by Haley Bills Reporter

Dane County leadership formalized a criminal justice reform package Aug. 14 aiming to end racial disparities and inequitable access to justice.

The package, which was put forward in late July by Dane County Board Chair Analiese Eicher and Supervisor Shelia Stubbs, sought to create alternatives to the currently broken criminal justice system, Stubbs said.

“This is one of the most critical pieces of legislation, given the conditions that the state of Wisconsin is in,” Stubbs said. “Wisconsin has been the worst state to raise a Black family, and at one time, Dane County was the worst county in the United States to live for Black families.”

As a policy-making body, Dane County leadership took a legislative approach to dismantle these disparities. Their initiatives thus rely on the engagement and collaboration between many of the actors within the criminal justice system, Eicher said.

The resulting reform package was formalized into Resolution 180, which Eicher said is currently undergoing committee review.

After the committee process, which involves public comment and possible amendment, the

resolution will move to the Board floor, according to Eicher.

“I think the biggest piece of Res-180 was that it formalizes the process of the county moving forward with both a triage and restoration center as well as a community justice center, which are two big alternatives to incarceration,” Eicher said.

A triage and restoration center would help address mental health challenges both inside and outside the criminal justice system, according to the resolution. Individuals would be able to access services by walking in, community referral or by drop off from law enforcement.

This would not only reduce the number of people with mental and behavioral health issues that are sent to jail, but it would also allow people to get the help they need, Eicher said.

“If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, do you really need to be in jail if you’re not committing a crime? Absolutely not,” Eicher said.

“Do you need help? Absolutely. Do we have a place currently where people can go to get that assistance? We don’t.”

Eicher said the community justice center would feature housing, peer mentoring and educational and restorative justice services, according to the resolution. Reaching and

serving people with resources like these would help reduce the number of crimes and offenses by preventing them from happening in the first place.

Further, a community court within the community justice center would provide benefits to the offender, victim and community a traditional court system could not offer, Restorative Justice Project Director Jonathan Scharrer said.

“It gives the victims opportunities to have a much greater voice and control of the outcome, as well as for the community to repair harm or redress needs that were created as a result of crime,” Scharrer said. “For respondents themselves, a benefit is that there wouldn’t be any CCAP entry, so that helps prevent some of those collateral consequences that result from a CCAP entry around obtaining employment or housing.”

Other initiatives within the resolution aim to further the system’s transparency by urging all county law enforcement agencies to collect and share data on race for all traffic stops with the Criminal Justice Council Research and Innovation team on a quarterly basis, Stubbs said.

The resolution also urges the County Executive and the Dane County Department

of Administration to hire an information management position to ensure regularly updated information. Additionally, the resolution outlines a partnership with the UW System to hire a student to serve as the Criminal Justice Council data apprentice, Stubbs said.

“It’s hard to manage what we can’t measure,” Eicher said. “Being able to measure and see these items and data on a regular basis, I think, is incredibly important.”

Criminal justice reform is nothing new to Dane County. Through years of community-involved workgroups and committee recommendations, the county has already achieved most of the “low-hanging fruit” reform, Eicher said.

Alternatives for incarceration are the next step, according to Stubbs, but Resolution 180 will only be successful if their partners within the criminal justice community are willing to engage.

“I think my hope is that we get back to this place where we understand that we have this shared humanity and that we need to be looking out for each other and not just ourselves,” Eicher said. “I think that if we can get back to that place, we will be able to move toward some of these restorative and diversion opportunities quicker.”

PFC seeks public input in search for new chief of police

“What we...need is to be able to conduct... independent investigations,” Director of Community Power Building, Freedom Inc. says

by Phoenix Pham Reporter

The Police and Fire Commission — the Madison civilian board tasked with selecting the city’s police chief — announced new measures allowing the public to give their input in the search to fill the position.

The announcement came nearly a year after former Madison Police Department Chief Mike Koval abruptly resigned in September 2019.

Since then, the shooting of George Floyd put a spotlight on police brutality and systemic racism against Black Americans.

Though they are nationally well-regarded, the MPD has its own controversies regarding the killing of unarmed Black men. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, MPD officer Matt Kenney shot and killed an unarmed Black man named Tony Robinson. Kenney claimed Robinson attacked him in a dark stairwell.

According to the PFC’s website, the new measures will include two virtual town halls, a call-in session at both local Spanish-speaking radio station LaMovida and the Englishspeaking station WORT, online small-group discussions and an online survey, in addition to already accepting emails and voice messages.

Local social justice groups, such as

Freedom Inc., welcomed the PFC’s increased transparency over the selection process, though they expressed hopes that the new measures would be just the first step in a series of changes to the MPD. Director of Community Power Building at Freedom Inc. Mahnker Dahnweih said she would like to see MPD replaced with community-controlled policing.

“What we actually need is to be able to conduct independent and concurrent investigations of police murder,” Dahnweih said. “And we need the power to hire and fire police.”

Dahnweih said while Madison’s white and affluent residents receive great service from the MPD, Madison’s Black and lower income communities suffer from over-policing and hyper-surveillance, which when combined, reduce a community’s quality of life.

July 22, Freedom Inc. was among the 16 community organizations that signed a letter to the PFC which decried and listed what they viewed as anti-Black and white-supremacist actions within the MPD. The letter demanded the PFC hire a police chief whose guiding philosophy would be that the police’s ultimate purpose is to make their roles obsolete.

Voces de la Frontera, a community organization dedicated to protecting and

expanding worker’s rights, also signed off on the letter. Bianca Tomasini of the Voces de la Frontera’s Madison chapter said she would like to see a police chief who respects sanctuary cities — cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities — and supports immigrant driving permits.

Tomasini said even if one only values their contribution to the economy, undocumented immigrants do more than their fair share. Most of them pay taxes, she said, and all of them — through working and shopping— support the U.S. economy. Tomasini also said if they ever run into a legal problem, deportation should be the last resort.

Voces de la Frontera also advocates for immigrant driving permits. According to Tomasini, these permits would confer no other legal benefit aside from the ability to drive — which many undocumented immigrants need in order to arrive at work. She also said she believed a sympathetic police chief would be very helpful on these two fronts.

“Advocacy from law enforcement is really important at the Capitol,” Tomasini said. “They have a huge role to play.”

Tomasini said she already gave her input to the PFC. When asked about the PFC’s upcoming call-in session at Madison’s local Spanish-

speaking radio station, LaMovida, Tomasini said she thought it was good outreach.

In an email, MPD Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said the MPD fully supported the PFC and was confident the board would find the right chief to lead the MPD forward. DeSpain also said there would always be challenges facing the department, but placed importance on continuing to build trust with the community.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, an independent consultant hired by the city found the MPD was “far from ‘a Department in crisis.’” The same article said the MPD was also recognized nationally and internationally for their problem-orientated policing, work with the mentally ill and for increasing their number of female officers.

When asked to respond to the MPD’s national reputation, Dahnweih said these largely positive reviews will not satisfy what she perceives as a fundamental need for change in policing.

“You can change the face of an institution, but you can’t change the mandate of that institution,” Dahnweih said. “More Black cops, more women cops, is not the answer. Any time that somebody is murdered, anytime that somebody is wrongly arrested, any time that happens, it destroys people’s lives and families.”

September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 5

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LINK. Madison calls for removal fo Chamberlin Rock over racist nickname

Protests prompted UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank to search for alternative means to honor former UW president, Thomas C.Chamberlin

by Azul Kothari Campus News Associate

On the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, about a hundred feet from Observatory Drive, sits a giant 70-ton boulder known as Chamberlin Rock, named after renowned glacial geologist and former University of Wisconsin President Thomas C. Chamberlin. But that is not the name it always bore.

When Chamberlin Rock was unearthed from the side of Observatory Hill in 1925, it was colloquially referred to with a racial slur.

It is this history that has prompted groups like the Wisconsin Black Student Union and LINK Madison to call for its removal, WBSU treasurer Nzinga Acosta said.

“This rock and the history that it holds is a representation of oppression, of discrimination and of hurt,” Acosta said. “And so in the removal of it, it’s a show that that type of behavior and that type of history is not going to be tolerated.”

UW Tribal Relations Office Director Aaron Bird Bear, who discusses the rock’s offensive nickname during his regular cultural landscape walking tours of campus, wrote in an email that UW’s staff found one instance of the offensive term in a 1925 Wisconsin State Journal article about the unearthing and subsequent relocation of the boulder. The reporter used the offensive term as a generic reference to the geological feature. A year after the newspaper article was published, the rock was named after Chamberlin.

Bird said because the monument itself is of concern and not Chamberlin himself, UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank is in the process of finding other potential means to honor the former UW president.

“The only hindrance right now is figuring out what to do with the plaque that is on the rock because it commemorates the history of Chamberlin,” Acosta said. “As soon as there is a concrete plan on where that plaque will end up, they’re 100% on board with removing the rock, from what they’ve told us.”

Acosta said she wants to see it replaced with a monument to Black students and the contributions of the Black community.

According to UW, the rock was carried near to its current location by the massive glaciers that once covered the landscape. It likely originated in northwest Michigan or northeast Wisconsin, but may come from as far as Canada.

Public historian at UW’s History Department Kacie Lucchini Butcher said she believes it is important to realize that instances of racism do not happen in a vacuum, but rather in a larger societal framework which supports inequality and actively works for white supremacy.

“Having the conversation about why was that term used, how it was used and who was using it, and whether it was widespread not 6 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

only illuminates that time period for us, but also the ways that racism is on our campus,” Butcher said. “I think that the conversations about the instances are actually the most important part, because we’re not only learning lessons, but we’re also trying to understand our community and our history.”

Butcher said she was hired by the university roughly a year ago to conduct a project about UW’s history of racism and discrimination as well as resistance toward it by members of the community. The project was born as a follow up to a UW report which looked at the history of the Ku Klux Klan at UW. The report prompted UW to further investigate its entire history of racial discrimination.

This month, the project released its annual report, which dove into several instances of racism, but also moments which prompted members of the UW community to rally together against perceived bigotry.

“Some of my favorite stories I think are the ones where you see students really rallying around each other,” Butcher said.

“For example, one of our students researched the founding of the Chicano Latino Studies program.

This wasn’t something that just happened — the right students came together and fought for this department really hard for years.”

In Photo - Veronica Kuffel addition to The Badger Herald

the removal of Chamberlin Rock, WBSU and LINK. Madison also called for the removal of the Abraham Lincoln statue on top of Bascom Hill for his stances and policies the groups consider anti-Black and anti-Native.

In 1862, Lincoln declined to commute the death sentences of 38 Dakota Sioux warriors in what became the largest mass execution in U.S. history. The warriors fought in the Dakota uprisings in response to hunger, privation and numerous treaty violations by the federal government.

“It’s opened up a really important conversation,” Butcher said. “Our history is not as easy, it’s not simple and it’s not as nice as we’ve been taught. Lincoln, like everybody else, has an extremely complicated legacy and I think that the conversations around that complicated legacy are really important.”

Butcher said she believes her role as a

historian is to provide people with historical context and then leave it up to the public to have conversations on how to move forward.

She added that decisions about removing monuments do not have to be left to historians.

To have those conversations, WBSU demanded Chancellor Blank hold an audience with Black students through a town hall meeting to hear their experiences and advice on how to make the campus a safer, more supportive place for them, Acosta said. But she added that she was disappointed in the university’s response.

“The response was not something that could move us forward in any way, and a lot of it was shutting it down, to put it quite frankly,” Acosta said. “It felt dismissive, but we are continuing to push to make sure that administration hears us.”

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Freshmen face difficulties adapting to university life in age of COVID-19 Freshmen say it is difficult to meet, spend time with fellow Badgers due to social distancing, restrictions inside UW dormitories

by Audrey Thibert Reporter

dying from the virus but should still follow CDC guidelines to avoid contracting the virus or spreading it to at-risk populations.

Freshman Mairead Morahan said she considered the virus less of a health threat and more of an inconvenience. Morahan added the inevitability of contracting the

Attending school in 2020 is uncharted territory for every student in the United States. For incoming college freshmen, it is an even more uncertain environment to navigate.

The University of Wisconsin’s Smart Restart outlined UW’s approach to instruction, dining and housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan emphasized the shared responsibility of students and staff to adhere to a set of instructions that protects themselves and their fellow Badgers.

The Smart Restart plan, requires COVID-19 testing for on-campus housing residents, face coverings in all indoor public spaces, social distancing, primarily virtual classes, limited spaces for gatherings and modified dining amongst other restrictions.

UW freshman Simon Bushmaker said these guidelines can complicate befriending other students and making genuine connections.

“It is tough to meet people because clubs are canceled, and there is social distancing in the dorms,” Bushmaker said.

According to the CDC, wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread of COVID-19.

Madison residents are required by Dane County to wear masks in any indoor public areas.

UW’s Smart Restart plan implemented strict guidelines regarding face coverings. But freshman Aliya Glasper observes students continuously Photo - Riley Steinbrenner violating these rules The Badger Herald and worries about the repercussions of refusing to wear a mask. virus in a college dorm created a culture of “It is frustrating to see people gathering carelessness regarding one’s own wellbeing. in large groups without masks because “I am nervous but at the same time, we they are putting other people at risk, not are probably all young enough that if we just themselves,” Glasper said. “It’s pretty get sick, hopefully none of us will get too simple — you can be together and wear sick,” Morahan said. “I feel guilty giving it your mask.” to people.”

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Smart Restart requires freshmen living in teens and young adults are at less of a risk of residence halls to be tested for COVID-19

when arriving on campus in addition to free bi-weekly testing. Those who test positive are required to quarantine in isolation dorms on campus or return home if they are able to do so.

Bushmaker said he would rather stay in the isolation dorms than head home because

he views quarantine as a potential social opportunity.

“I walked past the isolation dorms today, and it seemed kind of fun,” Bushmaker said.

“It reminds me of the Breakfast Club.”

According to the UW COVID-19 Dashboard, the positivity rate on campus has gone from a 1.5% positivity rate to 4.4% with most reported positive cases in early September. Freshman student Elsa Palmieri, believes the recent spike can be attributed to student disregard for social distancing.

“A lot of students are just focused on themselves and getting their freshman experience,” Palmieri said. “Obviously

that is something that everyone wants, but thinking like that is selfish because they could ruin it for the people who are following the guidelines and then get us all sent home.”

Violation of campus rules can result in suspension or dismissal from UW, as stated by the Smart Restart plan. But, freshman student Michael Ovsak said he does not anticipate mass suspensions and does not seem concerned about a major outbreak.

“If they don’t send us home after the first round of testing, I think we are set to stay on campus,” Ovsak said. “Madison has a safety cushion in place for us.”

According to the CDC, virtual classes present the lowest risk of COVID-19 spread. UW’s Smart Restart plan states that 45% of classes will have an inperson component. All inperson components require face coverings and social distancing.

Despite the lack of inperson classes, UW’s Smart Restart plan states that tuition costs will not be lowered. Freshman student Olivia Dikeman said she believes the unreduced tuition price takes advantage of students financially.

“I’m critical because I don’t do well with an online format, but I also agree with why we have it,” Dikeman said. “I feel like I’m wasting my money.”

According to the Sept. 2 Daily Briefing on campus COVID-19 data, 13 students were in on-campus quarantine and 13 students were in oncampus isolation. But, Smart Restart said they expected an increase in cases as more students arrived on campus.

“The spread is inevitable ... when so many kids don’t take it seriously. A large portion of students take it seriously but not enough people do, and that is what is going to get us kicked off campus,” Palmieri said. “But I am just glad we got to come back.”

September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 7

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Dane County, UW prepare for influx of COVID-19 Cases on UW campus Dane County Publice Health spokesperson says student behavior is key to preventing spread of COVID-19 in Madison

by Ella Ceelen Reporter

Dane County officials said the University of Wisconsin and Dane County have proper policies in place to keep COVID-19 under control on campus this fall.

This May, Public Health Madison and Dane County released the Forward Dane plan, which set standards for workplaces, schools and recreational facilities as the county began to reopen. In June, Dane County entered phase two of the Forward Dane plan, which allows post-secondary education institutions to operate as usual, no longer restricted to distance learning as they were in phase one.

Despite the growing list of universities across the country whose reopening plans have failed due to spikes in COVID-19, students moved into dorms in late August and many registered for in-person classes.

Communications Director for Public Health Madison & Dane County, Sarah Mattes, said student behavior is key in Dane County’s success as a community in preventing an increase in cases.

“The driver of disease transmission isn’t happening in the classroom — it is happening as students socialize,” Mattes said.

UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone said UW will follow the Dane County Public Health Order which outlaws indoor gatherings of more than 10 people.

McGlone also said UW fraternities and sororities pledged all events will follow county public health guidelines and have prohibited social gatherings which include alcohol.

UW freshman Rachel Dimeo said she is doubtful these policies will be followed.

“If dorms could actually social distance and wear masks, I do not think COVID would be a rapid problem, but I know this is not the case,” Dimeo said.

“I have seen many people congregating together without masks and are crammed into little dorm rooms and even parties.”

A press release from UW explained classes this fall would offer in-person instruction in many courses until the Thanksgiving recess, after which they will switch to a virtual format for all courses for the final nine days of instruction plus exams.

The Smart Restart plan describes UW’s three-part testing plan, which includes unlimited free drop-in tests, surveillance testing to track the prevalence of the virus on campus and target testing for all students and staff living in residence halls. Additionally, 8 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

everyone on campus will be required to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and self monitor for symptoms.

Hundreds of colleges across the country reversed or remedied their reopening plans, including many Big Ten universities. Michigan State closed undergraduate residence halls and moved classes online, according to Inside Higher Ed, and the University of Minnesota’s governing board voted to delay the opening of dormitories and the start of in-person undergraduate classes by at least two weeks, according to the Star

Tribune.

“As a premier residential university, we believe deeply in the value of face-to-face instruction,” McGlone said. “We believe students want to be in Madison to learn in person and that they will rise to this opportunity for in-person learning. Having students on campus and providing in-person instruction, where feasible, provides a better set of educational opportunities for students lacking suitable technology or spaces to effectively study at home.”

Not all Big Ten universities changed their

Photo - University Health Services prepares for a potential spike in COVID-19 cases in Dane County.

Riley Steinbrenner The Badger Herald

reopening plans. Ohio State allowed students to return to campus and is now monitoring the virus with consistent testing, according to Ohio State News.

UW is also using quarantine and isolation housing to keep students safe this fall, according to University Health Services Chief Preventative Medicine Resident Colin Pitts. There are approximately 700 spaces available in quarantine housing and 400 in isolation housing. There is currently no data available on the University Health Services website regarding the number of students living in quarantine and isolation housing.

“If you test positive [for COVID-19] you are isolated,” Pitts said. “We have isolation facilities for that, where essentially, if you [test] positive, you go into this dorm for 10 days after the positive test. We send you a symptom survey to see how you’re doing and housing checks in on you.facility.”

Students are tested twice while in quarantine, once in the early days of their stay and once near the end, Pitts said. Quarantined students are also monitored with a symptom tracker.

While students are technically able to go home as opposed to living in quarantine wor isolation housing if they are exposed to the virus, Pitts said students are “strongly encouraged” to quarantine on campus because of access to testing within quarantine and isolation housing and because their symptoms can be monitored.

“Our plans are informed by the latest science and public health information,” McGlone said.

“They include a robust testing regime, contact tracing, symptom monitoring, enhanced cleaning protocols, mandatory wearing of face coverings in university buildings and public spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible, and physical distancing in all classrooms.”

McGlone said the percentage of students testing positive, available beds in on-campus isolation and quarantine, Dane County policy, percentage of Dane County residents testing positive, the capacity of the UW health care system and the consultation of on-campus infectious disease experts are all taken into consideration.

ARTSETC.

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How UW learning communities are managing this semester Dorm life is weird enough right now; learn what’s happening with learning communities, major residence life opportunity on campus

by Veronica Kuffel ArtsEtc Editor

The world of learning communities goes unnoticed by most people on campus.

Nonetheless, they are an essential part of the freshman experience.

Learning communities have offered residents the ability to connect with people of similar interests.

The Open House, for example, is a space reserved for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Bradley, on the other hand, helps freshmen make lasting connections and prepare for their college experience.

“All of the learning communities are a partnership between the residence halls and an academic school/college/division and this is part of what makes the program unique and successful,” Residence Life Associate Director Cindy Holzmann said. “It is an intentional knitting together of academic life and student life, encouraging students to view their college experience as connected and integrated.”

UW’s 11 learning communities are spread over campus in residence halls of Southeast and Lakeshore. They come in all sizes, depending on the opportunities and facilities they have to offer.

Most of the 11 learning communities are located on a floor of their specific residence hall.

The Open House is one of the communities that focuses on creating a safe and educational space for students. Their space is located at Phillips Residence Hall on the Lakeshore side, and offers ways to study gender and sexuality on a more immersive level.

While they don’t have many facilities outside of their floor, they help students form lasting connections and navigate college. They host exclusive events where residents can participate in movie nights, study sessions, karaoke and much more.

Like many, the Open House also has a required seminar class where students learn more about the learning community’s core interest. By living on the same floor and taking the same class or classes, students can strengthen their identity through group solidarity.

Other learning communities, like the Greenhouse, have more facilities for students to apply their interests. This community focuses on sustainable living practices, which, according to their webpage, includes “gardening, cooking locally, conservation, repairing bicycles, restoring prairies and more.”

Atop its location at Leopold Residence Hall, there is an onsite rooftop greenhouse where residents can learn to grow and cook their own food.

The building is also LEED-gold certified, meaning it is recognized as a best in class, greenfriendly structure. Along with the greenhouse, Leopold also uses wind and solar energy to power the building.

Some other learning communities that are known for their facilities include StartUp and The Studio in Southeast.

StartUp is for students who are interested in entrepreneurship, while The Studio leads those interested in the creative arts.

The Studio has two major spaces — a recording studio and the Black Box for their showcase performances.

Both communities share a space called the Hive, a room filled with crafts ranging from crayons to sewing machines.

Photo · Residents of the 2018 StartUp Learning Community with entrepreneur and alumna Michelle Ching during a regular conference in the dorms (See p. 10) John Surdyk StartUp Learning Community Unfortunately, due to COVID and construction, these spaces are not available this semester.

Both communities have had lean on their other biggest draw — visits and talks from experts.

The Studio hosts artists to teach students about both their art and the art world.

The StartUp attracts people who work in the business realm who offer a fresh perspective on building a product, or even an entire company.

“StartUp is usually quite geared around inperson activities,” Program Coordinator of StartUp and Bradley, Sari Judge, remarked.

“We’d have guest speakers like Michelle Ching, an alumna and founder of the educational tech company Literator or alumnus Scott Resnick, founder of Hardin Design and Development.”

These are only a few of the many learning communities UW students can participate in.

Though with COVID, a lot of their opportunities have been altered to promote safe learning.

The public facilities of Southeast have been disbanded in favor of construction during this time of distancing. While the learning community residents can’t use rooms and tools, there may be some advantages to virtual programming.

“We can potentially bring in more — and more recognized — speakers via Zoom sessions than we might be able to do normally where travel complicates efforts and increases costs,” Director of StartUp John Surdyk said. “These events can help our students develop their professional networks more meaningfully and more quickly than in a ‘usual’ year.”

With classes on and offline, the hybrid structure of the semester will also allow more time for exercises and demonstrations among

the communities. Any activities that can be accomplished at a safe distance will resume, and many are still set for the next year.

One example is StartUp’s Dream Big Grant program which awards its students money to develop “new venture ideas,” the application and award are now all online.

Like many parts of the UW college experience, learning communities have had to adjust many of their programs.

Holzmann said UW faculty working with learning communities have impressive connections around the world, and COVID is making it easier to share them with students.

“They have been working all summer to come up with creative, engaging and safe ways to connect with students and make their semester special,” Holzmann said.

September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 9

ARTSETC

Photo · The Greenhouse has its own green house on top of Leopold, but their other opportunities are limited by COVID

Bryce Richter Greenhouse Learning Community

@badgerherald

Photo ·While once taking pride in their popular showcases, The Studio will take a break due to COVID and construction Maryam Ladoni UW Division of Arts

Photo · Learning communities will have

to say goodby to collaborative activities like “Project Thrift,” a thrift store fashion show

Maryam Ladoni UW Division of Arts

The Madtown Crier: top five list of events to check out this week If you are looking for something to do around town, check out these fun, safe from COVID events

by Rachael Lee ArtsEtc Associate Editor

1. Peter Mulvey with SistaStrings: 20th anniversary tour at the Bur Oak. Sept. 10, 7-10 p.m.

2. Second Language Acquisition and Language Institute Lecture: Undoing White Supremacy in Language Disciplines: an online talk discussing the colonial aspects and white supremacy in the field of linguistics. Sept. 11, 3-4 p.m.

3. Madison World Music Festival: Virtual event feature workshops and a variety of international music styles. Sept. 11-12, see our digital for more details.

4. Virtual Trivia Night with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum: The museum hosts a virtual trivia night for the public. Sept 15. 7 p.m., see our digital for more details.

5. INTERSECTIONS: Indigenous Textiles of the Americas: “Indigenous scholars Kendra Greendeer (Ho-Chunk) and Dakota Mace (Diné) co-curate an exhibition exploring material interrelationships among cultures with long histories of exchange throughout the Americas.” Now available online.

Visit our digital copy for more information and sign up details at badgerherald.com

10 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

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Review of opened movie theaters with Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” Student review of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet,’ debut screening in United States as movie theaters reopen for first time since March

by Zach Lutz Sports Editor

With “Tenet,” viewers should expect the ultimate movie theater experience. Whether the viewer feels favorably or unfavorably towards the movie, one cannot deny the constant fun, entertainment and thrills that “Tenet” provides.

It’s best that you go into this movie knowing very little about the plot. All you need to know is it revolves around international espionage and Nolan’s continued obsession with the manipulation of time. Essentially, it’s Nolan’s take on James Bond, but with his signature addition of complex concepts.

In classic Nolan fashion, “Tenet” will hurt your brain a little bit and it requires immense focus to completely comprehend. In fact, it makes Nolan’s smashing 2010 success “Inception” look considerably simple in comparison.

This is a puzzle of a movie and Nolan packs so

much detail into each frame that the viewer should be able to pick up more with each viewing. “Tenet” may never be fully understood without a couple of YouTube explained videos, some extra reading into the concepts at play and multiple rewatches with subtitles.

“Tenet” is truly a grand visual spectacle, as Nolan continues to deliver yet another masterful technical achievement. As far as action sequences go, this is Nolan’s best work.

These sequences are only enhanced by the movie’s striking sound effects and Nolan’s practical effects through the lens of Hoyte Van Hoytema’s gorgeous cinematography.

Nolan’s long-time music collaborator, the legendary Hans Zimmer, did not conduct the score for “Tenet,” and instead opted for Denis Villeneuve’s highly-anticipated adaptation of the sci-fi classic “Dune.”

Ludwig Goransson, who won an Oscar for “Black Panther,” stepped into Zimmer’s shoes

here and didn’t miss a beat, providing a score that matches both the urgency and energy of the film.

John David Washington is the first Black lead in any of Nolan’s movies, and as he showed in Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” Washington knocks this performance out of the park, showing off his versatility and range.

With the visibility of this role and the quality of Washington’s performance, the hope is that more actors that look like Washington are cast in these blockbuster lead roles.

Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki also play terrific in supporting roles, each providing nuance and subtlety throughout, hinting there is always much more to their characters than meets the eye.

Kenneth Branagh returns to what seems like his first major dramatic role on the big screen in a long time. The British screen legend plays the primary antagonist with a lot of zest, topped off by a thick Russian accent.

For all the movie’s great qualities, it still has its

share of problems, however. The most glaring issue being Nolan’s continuation of placing dialogue at the bottom of the sound hierarchy.

The music, sound effects and background ambiance are a constant at great volume throughout, often drowning out portions of dialogue. This can be a problem when you are already trying to wrap your brain around concepts that are out of this world.

Another potential issue here is the movie may suffer from too much plotting. Every detail is so carefully laid out within a frame that there is so little room for the characters to breathe.

We know very little about most of the characters, making it hard for many viewers to root for them.

The characters are simply a vehicle driving the plot forward, and in this case at over 100 mph.

In all, “Tenet” is the perfect movie to reopen theaters. Whether you end up liking it or not, “Tenet” deserves to be seen on the big screen. I have already bought tickets to see it again.

Here’s a roundup of latest hip-hop tracks from summer 2020

From Drake to Flatbush Zombies, hip-hop from 2020 summer recapped, including posthumous albums from Juice Wrld, Pop Smoke

by Will Lundquist ArtsEtc Associate Editor

As fall kicks into gear, I’ve decided to take a look back at some of this summer’s biggest hip hop releases.

Because artists cannot perform live events in front of massive crowds like they used to prior to COVID-19, many in the music industry are releasing music at a rapid pace, perhaps to make up for the fact that their primary source of revenue — income from concerts and festivals — is all but obsolete.

May started off with a bang as both Drake and Lil Baby released projects on the first day of the month.

After the underwhelming hodgepodge of throwaway singles that was Drake’s previous project “Care Package,” “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” was a refreshing release from the Canadian singersongwriter.

The project sees Drake exploring new sonic ideas, with the occasional UK drill beat popping up on songs like “War” and “Demons.” The album also includes hit single “Toosie Slide,” as Drake reminds us of his uncanny ability to make a mainstream pop hit.

While few will argue that this project is among Drake’s finest work, it is difficult to fault him for a lack of variety or creativity on the tape.

Lil Baby’s album “My Turn” is among the strongest releases so far this summer and remained atop the Billboard 200 for four weeks.

The project contains a whopping 20 songs, ranging from high energy bangers like “Woah” and “Heatin Up,” to more introspective songs like “Emotionally Scarred.”

Lil Baby’s relentless flow shines throughout the project as he hardly ever stops rapping to take a breath.

While the album is certainly repetitive and formulaic at times, Lil Baby’s fans will not be disappointed when it comes to Lil Baby’s delivery, production and energy in this album.

May’s next big release saw Chris Brown and Young Thug team up on their collaborative project “Slime & B.” Despite having two of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop, this album falls well short of anything worth listening to.

Young Thug’s verses sound aimless and disengaged, while Brown’s singing does not mesh well with Thug’s sporadic rapping style. Avoid this project at all costs for your ears’ sake.

Some of May’s less forgettable releases include Lil Tjay’s “State of Emergency,” and Polo G’s “THE GOAT.” Bronx native Lil Tjay is one of the up and coming artists in the NY drill scene, and the production on “State of Emergency” is some of Tjay’s best to date.

But, his nasally voice is unmistakably pumped with enough autotune to make a bullfrog sound like Beyonce, and this makes listening to more than two of his songs in a row a less-than-enjoyable feat.

Polo G’s project, “THE GOAT,” on the other hand, has been receiving quite the critical acclaim — and for good reason. Polo G also employs some drill beats on the project, but his voice requires significantly fewer vocal effects because Polo G is a naturally gifted singer.

Polo G’s lyricism is carefully crafted and woven with intricate stories of the pain and suffering he experienced growing up in Chicago.

Future’s “High Off Life” was one of the more cohesive projects that dropped in May.

Throughout the album, Future stays true to his patented style of sporadic vocal inflections as he raps about his extravagant life of drugs and sex on songs like “100 Shooters” and “Trapped in the Sun,” but to the surprise of many, Future also reveals emotional depth and introspection in his lyrics on “Up the River” and “Accepting My Flaws.”

The biggest flaw of the album is the lack of tuning on songs like “Harlem Shake” and “Outer Space Bih,” where Future’s singing is in an entirely different key than the instrumental.

June has been a much slower month for hip-hop releases, with many artists focusing on making singles addressing the political climate of the nation rather than releasing entire projects.

Rap duo Run the Jewels — Killer Mike and El-P — kicked off June with their highly anticipated project “RTJ4.” The album is chock-full of powerful boom-bap instrumentals and braggadocios lyrics, but the duo doesn’t shy away from topics like police brutality and the current political climate in the United States.

RTJ’s anger and boisterous energy remains as strong as ever as the group continues to hold it down for the dying breed of old school conscious hip-hop.

Flatbush Zombies also released their first project since 2018 with the EP “now, more than ever.”

Unfortunately, the project only contains six songs, but the Flatbush Zombies still manage to solidify their place among the best underground conscious MC’s.

The album features the dark, gritty production Erick Arc Elliott has become known for, but the album sounds drastically different than their previous work, with an emphasis on slower, more contemplative, dare I say romantic, R&B rather than

the drug-infused up-tempo style the group tends to gravitate towards.

Pop Smoke kicked off July with his posthumous album “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.”

Executive produced by 50 Cent, the album showed a different side of Pop Smoke’s musical ability.

About half the tracks on the project differed from Pop Smoke’s usual menacing, drill style of music. Instead, it focuses on more romantic topics and gives Pop Smoke room to maneuver his voice over a larger plethora of instruments. The album is loaded with features from Roddy Ricch, Swae Lee, Future and many more.

A week after Pop Smoke’s posthumous release, Juice Wrld’s highly anticipated posthumous album, “Legends Never Die” also released.

This album was a tough listen for me, as the pain and suffering in Juice Wrld’s lyrics shine through and beg the question — why didn’t anyone in his circle see his death coming and step in to help him with his drug abuse?

Juice Wrld’s ability to convey emotion, construct a story from the top of his head and ride the beat with flawless delivery will be remembered for a long time.

After a long two year hiatus, Seattle rapper Aminé released “Limbo,” his most comprehensive project to date. The album is full of hits and amazing features, most notably from Young Thug and JID. Aminé delivers a different vibe on each song, with just enough lyrical depth to keep me coming back form more.

Aminé also continues the theme of artists stepping out of their comfort zones and exploring genre-bending in their music this summer, with songs like “Riri” and “Easy (feat. Summer Walker)” being almost entirely R&B. September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 11

FEATURES

The Tuition Dilemma

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While universities attempt to mitigate money loss, students struggle with the idea of paying for Zoom University

by Arushi Gupta City News Associate

When COVID-19 hit, the world came to a standstill along with the funding for hundreds of universities across the United States. With students moving out of dorms in March, the Big Ten sports season being cancelled, and large cuts in future state funding, the University of Wisconsin is grappling with the enormous, looming loss of hundreds of millions of dollars.

It therefore might be understandable why UW would continue to charge students the same tuition as it normally does for the fall semester.

UW student Annabelle Stimmel, however, raises an important question — is it just for universities to continue to charge students the same tuition in the middle of a global pandemic?

On the other hand, UW junior John Spengler thinks

keeping tuition costs the same is a “practical necessity.”

“The university is already hemorrhaging so much cash from the loss of sports to people choosing to defer a year or semester from their enrollment, from people who choose not to come to housing,” Spengler said. “If the University is gonna attain any semblance of monetary solvency, I don’t think they have much choice.”

THE DEFERRING DILEMMA

Many students are thinking of taking a gap year or deferring their enrollment to the spring semester.

Interestingly, according to preliminary data, enrollment on the first day of classes at UW-Madison stands at 44,010 students, which suggests a modest 1% decline from 2019.

In a blog post, UW Provost Karl Scholz said, “The costs for UW-Madison to deliver world-class instruction have increased during this pandemic, and the prices of any good or service depends critically on costs.”

Earlier this year, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved a tuition increase for international and out-of-state students for the 2020-21 school year.

“Far too many students who drop out or delay never complete their degree. I do know that the opportunity cost of delaying college attendance is considerable,” Scholz wrote. “The value of a college degree likely increases in difficult times. Moreover, one delays entry into the post-college workforce (which is typically characterized by higher earnings than those who do not attend), if one delays their studies.”

According to Forbes, those with a high school degree or some college will be more hard-hit by the pandemic than those with a Bachelor ’s degree.

Depending on race, people can see a 49% to 105% increase in earnings for a Bachelor ’s than someone with a high school degree.

Eric Grodsky, professor of sociology and educational policy studies at UW, said even though it’s “not the end of the world” to defer, evidence suggests students who defer for more than a couple of years are less likely to finish their degree. In particular, low-income students are more affected by an incomplete degree than moderate or highincome students.

“It’s not the kids who finish college that you should be worried about with debt — it’s the kids who don’t,” Grosky said.

SEGREGATED FEES

12 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

Stimmel, who is a junior, created a petition to demand decreased tuition for the fall semester. As of Sept. 7, the petition has amassed almost 2,000 signatures.

“I started the petition because I was planning for the fall semester and looking at the costs that would be incurred and I realized that for me, paying tuition might be a struggle, and for others

it most likely will be the same as well,” Stimmel said.

Stimmel feels apart from classes, students pay for a college experience that includes living in dorms, access to dining halls and a sense of community through clubs and networking with professors.

In addition to a typical college experience, many students who are choosing to live at home this year — particularly those who are international and outof-state students — will not have the opportunity to access numerous on-campus services they pay for.

“You are not paying for what you normally would pay for, which is the in-person experience,” Stimmel said. “With that being said, I don’t think that students should have to pay the cost of facilities and student life when they are not benefiting from those.”

In an email statement to The Badger Herald, UW spokesperson Greg Bump said though UW acknowledges the financial impact the pandemic has had on students and their families, segregated fee services are not set up on a user-fee basis. Instead, they are set up to provide services for all students.

“Since the campus went virtual in March, we’ve made sure all students continue to have access to many of the services provided by segregated fees in a virtual way. And that will continue to be the case this fall,” Bump said.

According to Bump, UHS will continue to provide virtual appointments and services, including mental health appointments, and University Recreation & Wellbeing will continue to offer online exercise and wellbeing courses.

“We are committed to continuing to provide highquality virtual services to all students, whether they are in Madison or elsewhere for the fall semester,” Bump said.

FINANCIAL DISCONNECT

Some students, like Stimmel, think UW has not done enough to aid their low-income students.

“I kind of feel like the university has not done enough to acknowledge the financial disparities that occur between different societal groups,” Stimmel said.

Stimmel thinks online classes and current tuition fees do not consider low-income students who may not have access to technology and computer requirements for online classes.

“It keeps in mind a very middle-class, American family [that] has the resources to work online and to do their classes from home, to pay regular tuition, to remain on a stable income, and I don’t think that they are taking into account different groups who aren’t as privileged,” Stimmel said.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, college tuition for four-year public institutions in the U.S. has increased from $3,859 ($8,798, adjusted to inflation for 2018) in 1985-86 to $20,050 in 2018, more than double the value in tuition fees.

According to Grodsky, though the sticker price of college has increased significantly, the real cost of attendance has not increased as much. In addition, Grodsky said despite rising tuition, college access has not changed considerably.

“The percentage of kids from disadvantaged backgrounds who go on to a baccalaureate college has been increasing,” Grodsky said.

Students who find it difficult to pay tuition can fill

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facebook.com/badgerherald out the FAFSA, also called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and apply for financial aid.

Greg Offerman, Associate Director for Advising & Outreach for the Office of Student Financial Aid, said he is a lot “busier” this year talking to students and their families to see how he can help.

This year ’s FAFSA is based on 2018 tax information, but a lot can change, even under normal, non-pandemic circumstances. The Office of Student Financial Aid at UW is working with students and families to update FAFSA results and make it more accurate with their current financial situation, Offerman said.

“There has been at least an increase for sure in the number of financial aid requests, so we do everything we can to help students qualify for some of our programs, such as the Bucky Tuition Promise and FastTrack,” Offerman said. “I think right now is a good time as any to invest in yourself and invest in higher education, especially when jobs become less available.”

The Office of Student Financial Aid also provides greater college access to low-income students dealing with the consequences of the pandemic.

“Something we talk about every single day is access for students who need it the most and that’s why we design our financial aid promise programs to help students who need that financial access to UWMadison,” Offerman said.

THE BADGER BUDGET

Bump said the legislature and governor vote on spending for state agencies, including the UW System, every two years. This includes capital projects, such as building construction.

In a statement to The Badger Herald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance David Murphy said the development of the annual university budget begins by estimating the size of the revenue base for the coming year. The major drivers are student enrollment, state support, federal grant activity and philanthropy.

Senior leadership — such as Chancellor Blank and Provost Scholz — individually meet with each Dean and the unit heads for the major administrative areas to review their multi-year fiscal plans and assess their priorities and concerns for the fiscal year.

Murphy said UW compares the revenue base to committed costs for the upcoming year (e.g. financial aid, faculty salaries, utilities, etc.) and remaining revenue is used to increase the budgets of some units.

“Of course, if we believe that the revenue base is inadequate to fund our current commitments, then units may be forced to reduce their budgets to ensure we maintain balanced operations,” Murphy wrote.

“Given the size of our university and the uncertainty of some revenue streams and cost factors, we do work to maintain a level of reserves to address any budget shortfalls.”

For administrative costs, Murphy said 16.8% of fiscal year 2019 expenditures fund university support units, and the largest support unit is Facilities Planning & Management. Major costs in this unit include custodial services, operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds and utilities.

Higher-education institutions in the US are observing a sharp increase in administrators and their earnings, with tenured faculty appointments declining significantly. According to the New York Times, this trend, however, is not linked to increased institutional funding by the state or federal government.

According to recent data by the Chronicle, a dozen public university presidents and 64 private-institution presidents earned over $1 million per year through their salary, bonuses and deferred compensation. In

Illustrations by Nuha Dolby

2008, that number was 28 for private institutions.

Interestingly, according to the American Association of University Professors, tenured faculty positions in universities have declined by 26%, while part-time instructional faculty appointments — which have similar responsibilities to tenured faculty but are paid less and have higher job insecurity — have shot up by 70%.

“The tuition prices on our campus are set by the Board of Regents,” Offerman said. “That’s something that we don’t necessarily have control over, so the Board of Regents sets those tuition rates, usually in the summertime, usually in July or August, and then that’s what we have to go off of for the upcoming school year.”

One of the reasons why UW is continuing to charge full tuition, according to Scholz, is UW has heavily invested in improving course design and remote learning experiences. In addition, it has also developed resources for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, UHS and student support.

Stimmel said she strongly believes UW should publish reports or audits on how testing will increase their costs. She said she wants UW to involve students more in the discussion, admit some vulnerability in it and be straightforward.

UW System Director of Media Relations Mark Pitsch met inquiries about the process of determining tuition rates with the following lone comment, “Whether we provide online, hybrid, or in-person classes, we will continue to deliver a high-quality learning experience for our students in accordance with the tuition set by the Legislature.”

FUN(E)DING

According to the 2019-20 budget report, federal aid comprises 28.5% of UW’s revenue while state aid comprises 14.3% of the total budget. The secondhighest source of funding for UW is tuition and fees,

which makes up 20.2% of the budget at $642 million.

Over the past four decades, federal aid provided to UW has remained steady, but state aid has reduced by three times from 43% in 1974 to 14.3% in 201920. Interestingly, tuition, which was 11% of the total budget in 1974 is now at 20%.

“I think things are gonna get a lot worse economically before they get better and I think the same is true for the university,” Grodsky said. “The question will be, to what extent does the State try to balance its books by cutting the university — which historically it’s done and that’s led to us increasing tuition and fees.”

By cutting state funding, Wisconsin legislators have shown their desire to be less financially obligated to the UW System while maintaining tighter control over its operations.

According to Grodsky, the main wave of COVID-19’s economic impact is not going to hit until late 2020 or early 2021 and that is when families are going to be crunched for money.

Spengler said he doesn’t fault UW for charging the same tuition this fall semester.

“With such inaction at the state and federal level to try and provide better funds for public institutions, I think [UW’s] hands are kind of tied, so obviously I would prefer if I or my family was paying less money for an education that I think I’m probably not going to get as much value out of as I would have otherwise,” Spengler said.

Meanwhile, Stimmel said families shouldn’t be burdened because the university’s losing money and it’s the university’s responsibility to figure out a different way to find the resources they need.

“Personally, I don’t believe that the cost should be put on students or their families if they’re contributing, but sometimes the university doesn’t know what else to do if it doesn’t have the state or the federal funding that it needs or it was used to previously,” Stimmel said. “It’s part of a much larger discussion around education funding in our country.”

September 8, 2020• badgerherald.com • 13

OPINION

@badgerherald

Accessible absentee voting key to ensuring fair November election

Wisconsin voters must fight back against White House efforts to undermine upcoming presidential election by supporting USPS

by Ken Wang Columnist

Aug. 13, President Trump blocked funding for the U.S. Postal Service. Trump, as early as May and in the middle of the pandemic, claims that mail-in voting will be fraudulent or will sabotage the election because he believes ballots will be printed by “foreign countries, and others.”

It is obvious Trump cares more about the election results than proposing comprehensive plans to reduce the impacts brought by the pandemic, or anything related to actually running the country. Mail-in voting is a basic voting right for American citizens, and voting is a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Trump’s block of funding also remains unconstitutional.

From now until November, local and state governments must fight to vote and vote to fight Trump by exercising this basic right.

Why did Trump block the funding in the

Photo - Fight to Vote, Vote to Fight come November Ahmad Hamid The Badger Herald 14 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

first place? One reason is that he worries he will lose the election because he believes mail-in ballots will be fake, forged or stolen.

There is no evidence to back up that statement. Mail ballots are printed by each state with dozens to hundreds of different styles, with a barcode on the ballot envelope to allow both voters and the postal service to track it. Moreover, each ballot is signed by the voter and a forgery needs to be repeated for each ballot in each style perfectly, which is impossible.

Then, each ballot is to be collected at the boxes using secure measures such as surveillance, locks, and other methods, which make ballot theft extremely unlikely.

Also, most Americans support using absentee ballots to avoid the pandemic, but Trump never believed the danger of coronavirus and claims that it is a scheme of Democrats.

“I believe the [block of funding] is a setup … and [Trump and his administration] are going to lose the election and they’re

going to claim fraud,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

Trump’s block of funding remains constitutionally and socially unjust. Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution states “all Bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills,” and Section 8 states that Congress has the power “to establish post offices and post roads.”

The block of funding should be an act of Congress, not the President. This is an act of executive overreach, and more importantly, an attack on the Constitution.

When Trump defunded the USPS, it was against the American people’s will, as 90% of Americans support using parts of the COVID-19 stimulus package on USPS. The President is supposed to serve the people and when they fail to do so, the President should be impeached, according to JeanJacques Rousseau’s version of the social contract. The lack of funding also impacts the lives and jobs of USPS employees, who have had hours and overtime cut in recent months.

Despite Trump’s action being unconstitutional and unjust, unfortunately, it is still happening. Given that USPS is a government agency, the lack of funding soon will impact each state, if it has not yet.

That means Wisconsin needs to step up in order to have a fair presidential election in November. Wisconsin, for now, faces three primary challenges — an insufficient amount of ballot boxes, late ballot delivery and the process of absentee voting.

In order to address the first concern, the City of Milwaukee has been increasing the number of ballot boxes in an effort to bypass the USPS. But, at the polling places in Milwaukee and in 35 other municipalities, absentee ballots must be processed in an alternate site from the polling place. The inflexibility causes confusion and inconveniences for citizens to vote.

To solve the problem, Wisconsin should either allow citizens to drop their ballots at all polling places or add more counting locations, especially in remote, rural areas of Wisconsin.

UW Political Science Professor Barry Burden said, “the state needs to continue offering local neighborhood polling places as it has in the past, as well as to rely heavily on the postal service to deliver ballots and to provide drop boxes and drive-up opportunities for voters to hand off their ballots.”

Despite the challenges the USPS is dealing with, the public should still place trust in the service. But, delayed delivery of ballots still present a problem — late ballots will not be counted. As mentioned earlier, each ballot has a barcode that allows the voter and the postal service to track the location of the ballot at all times.

To enforce and to counter the problem, according to UW Political Science professor and former lawyer Howard Schweber, the Wisconsin Elections Commission “should count the absentee ballots based on the date of their postmark rather than the date of the delivery.” This would stop problems linked to an overloaded mail-in system in November — but unfortunately, legislative leaders refuse to step up and ensure a fair, smooth election.

Another concern would be the process of absentee voting. Absentee voting requires many specific details if the ballot is to be counted, mistakes like not signing the ballot envelope, lacking the signature of a witness, not sealing the envelope or making a simple error on the ballot can make the vote uncountable. The intricate details could be easy to neglect. Hence, Wisconsin should have election volunteers to check the ballots and return them in time to correct the mistake.

Another solution is to send out tutorials along with the ballot when voters request it, so they are not clueless of what to do when filling out the ballot and will be able to check the ballot before they send it out.

At the moment, it is really difficult to predict how the lack of USPS funding will affect the upcoming election in Wisconsin.

UW Political Science professor and expert on elections Katherine Cramer said “there is some evidence by scholars at Stanford that absentee voting will advantage Democratic candidates, but there is not yet evidence specific to Wisconsin that confirms that would be the case here.”

We do know that State officials are making efforts to run a smooth election with absentee voting. Should there be attempts to prevent that from happening, the public will express more anger, frustration, accusations of deliberate voting suppression and a further belief of illegitimate election results.

At this moment, before Nov. 3 arrives, we must do what we can to defend our constitutional rights, and when the time comes, we must vote to fight a sitting President who disrespects the people and the Constitution of the United States.

Ken Wang (hwang832@wisc.edu) sophomore majoring in political science.

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OPINION

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Closer look at Green Party’s attempt to enter Wisconsin ballot

Third party candidates Hawkins and Walker’s failure to enter ballots shed light into US electoral duopoly, candidate selection process

by Anne Isman Opinion Associate Editor

Since March, UW and many other colleges anIt’s almost Election Day, which means the race between Democratic candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump is only getting tighter. Though Biden and Trump continue to dominate headlines, third-party candidates are still trying to make their way onto the ballot — namely Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins and his running mate Angela Walker.

Green Party candidates usually receive little attention compared to Democratic and Republican nominees, and Hawkins and Walker’s failed attempt to make it onto the ballot in Wisconsin ahead of the 2020 election is no help.

Most notably, the Hawkins-Walker campaign focuses on providing “real solutions to the climate crisis, the new nuclear arms race and ever-growing economic and racial inequality.”

Their platform leans more to the left than that of Biden and Harris’, with promises for a $20 minimum wage, a transition to 100% clean energy use by 2030 and community-controlled policing.

To make it onto the ballot as independent candidates in Wisconsin, nominees need between 2,000 and 4,000 nominating signatures. Hawkins and Walker jointly submitted 3,880 signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, but according to a complaint filed with the WEC in early August, the majority of these signatures are invalid on the basis that Walker’s listed address on the petition was incorrect.

The complaint specifies that of the nearly 4,000 signatures submitted by Hawkins and Walker, 2,046 of those signatures “appear on nomination papers that were printed with an incorrect address for Ms. Walker.”

In effect, the Green Party would be disqualified from appearing on the upcoming ballot in accordance with Nomination Paper Review Guidelines which state that “If any of the required information is missing or incorrect, no signatures on that page may be counted.”

But given how minor an address discrepancy is in the context of Walker’s capability, and by extension Hawkins’, is this attempt to knock the Green Party off the ballot a ploy to garner more votes in Biden’s favor?

Hawkins himself rejects the idea that his candidacy could “pull votes away from Biden and help Trump win Wisconsin for a second time,” arguing that if Democrats can’t win in the face of Trump’s failure to lead during COVID-19 and the nation’s recession, “it’s not the Green Party’s fault.”

In 2016, many Democrats blamed thenGreen Party presidential candidate Jill Stein

for Trump’s win, especially since she received 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, ultimately cementing his win by drawing progressive voters away from Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

It’s clear that Democrats may fear a Green Party presence on the ballot in as crucial a swing state as Wisconsin, especially when considering how the bipartisan WEC found itself deadlocked 3–3 after failing to pass the motion to block the Green Party from the ballot Aug. 20.

While the Democrats came out against Hawkins and Walker, Republicans voted in their favor. According to Jeff Mandell, a Democratic attorney from Madison who filed the complaint, it’s not “unreasonable or unfair to expect that candidates who want to be President of the United States can follow the clear rules each state sets out.” Conversely, Hawkins argues that it would be a “travesty of justice” if the Green Party is excluded from the ballot on Election

Day. Obviously, it’s in the Green Party’s interest to be on the ballot, but since the Green Party and the Democratic Party are towards the left on the political spectrum, progressive voters would be divided between Hawkins-Walker and BidenHarris, with Republicans reaping the entirety of the conservative vote. This would likely lead to a repeat of the narrow margin seen in 2016, where Trump won by fewer than 24,000 votes.

If the WEC complaint is received and the Green Party is in fact excluded from the ballot, the majority of the state’s votes will be split Democrat-Republican, which would likely give Biden more of a leg up against Trump.

Still, as futile as Walker’s address error was on the nomination papers, the nomination paper guidelines are clear, and though such a guideline has no demonstrable impact on her leadership abilities, it is concerning that such a simple rule was overlooked. That said, both the

partisan split on the WEC, as well as the address requirement in the first place, prove how overly bureaucratic elections and voting are, and how valuable Wisconsin is as a voting bloc when it comes to procuring votes for the leading political parties.

The process of getting candidates on the ballot should be just as concerning to voters as actually casting their ballot come Election Day if we want fair elections and a functioning, representative democracy. Instead, what we have here is a duopoly in which the two most prominent parties continually battle back and forth, with little effort to change such a system that repeatedly benefits the same two parties.

Anne Isman (isman@wisc.edu) is a sophomore studying economics.

Photo - To address election misgivings, voters must look at how candidates qualify to make it onto ballots, as well as who they vote in Molly Devore The Badger Herald September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 15

OPINION

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Debate surrounding Lincoln statue will have generational effect As Black Lives Matter movement gains traction in media, so does complicated history involving campus Lincoln statue

by Samiha Bhushan Opinion Editor

As protests involving the Black Lives Matter movement continue throughout the nation, many University of Wisconsin students have begun to call for the removal of the Abraham Lincoln statue that sits proudly atop Bascom Hill despite its ties to the racist history that enshrouds the U.S. The statue itself has been a largely beloved figure in the past, guiding generations of Badgers to their futures beyond UW in the form of a good luck charm. Several UW traditions surround

him, where students rub his nose and even sit on his lap to steer prosperity their way.

In his role as the 16th President of the United States, Lincoln’s arguably most important achievement came from the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. The proclamation declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

The Lincoln statue itself, however, has less-than-pristine origins. A UW Facebook group petitioning for the removal of the Lincoln statue shed light on the donors to the statue, which includes one Richard

Photo - Removing Lincoln statue may pave way for positive future between UW, BIPOC students Mary Magnuson The Badger Herald 16 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

Lloyd Jones, “a known racist and journalist who frequently published articles instigating violence against Black people.”

According to the campaign, “The other primary donor was a man named Thomas Brittingham Jr., a known member of the KKK.” With this in mind, it is no wonder the Wisconsin Black Student Union has called for the complete removal of the Lincoln statue, believing it to be anti-Black as well as anti-Native — Bascom Hill, where the statue is situated, is stolen HoChunk ground. In fact, the entirety of UW originates from the Ho-Chunk people.

There has been pushback against the petition, including a counter-petition calling for the Lincoln statue to stay up.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank herself has supported the efforts to preserve the statue, stating the past should “not be erased but examined.” Blank continued by stating Lincoln’s legacy deserves to be “both celebrated and critiqued.”

But, something both the supporters of the counter-petition and Blank do not seem to realize is by removing the Lincoln statue, history will not be erased or forgotten. Many have accurately pointed out that those who look at the Lincoln statue do not see his racist donors. In the same light, we do not see the accurate history of land on which UW stands. We do not see the suffering of the Ho-Chunk people or the state of slavery as it was during Lincoln’s time.

Still, it is difficult to completely dismiss the Lincoln statue as even with its origins, Lincoln himself did bring about major change toward abolishing the intuition of slavery.

By preserving the statue, UW is indeed preserving Lincoln’s legacy — good and bad.

“He signed acts that ordered a lot of Native Americans killed … [and] wiped out a lot of their villages and their tribes,” Wisconsin Black Student Union President Nalah McWhorter said. “And so for Black and Native students on campus having to walk up that hill every day, having to see that statue overlook downtown Madison [and] State Street, is kind of just an everyday reminder that these students really don’t belong here.”

Removing the statue and perhaps adding another figure — one that sheds a more positive light on the struggles of BIPOC students — might lead to minority students feeling more at home at UW. After all, having a statue of large cultural value on campus commemorating the legacy of minorities in the country would be a clear move on UW’s part to welcome its BIPOC students.

The conversation regarding the significance of statues in Wisconsin is an important one. Those whose legacies we choose to protect are a direct reflection of current times, and the debate on preserving Lincoln’s statue will inevitably affect future generations of Badgers and how they perceive UW. Samiha Bhushan (bhushan3@badgerherald. com) is a sophomore majoring in English

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SPORTS

Men’s Rowing: Team faces challenges due to postponed season

Due to COVID-19, UW men’s rowing team faces obstacles after postponed fall season, depriving seniors of farewell season

by Alyssa Huglen Sports Writer

The University of Wisconsin men’s rowing team is finding ways to overcome adversity as a result of having its fall 2020 season postponed.

The conversation of COVID-19’s effect on collegiate sports has primarily centered around college football, regularly dismissing how less mainstream sports programs are dealing with the Big Ten’s decision. UW men’s rowing is one of these programs. Drawing attention to the postponement’s effect is something Head Coach Chris Clark said is incredibly important.

“It is easy to forget that the vast majority of college athletes are in sports like rowing that don’t get a lot of attention,” Clark said. “For people that aren’t really aware of athletics, they have no idea how impactful college sports are on a kid. They don’t see how much it changes your life.”

The team is not new to dealing with coronavirus-related cancellations, already experiencing a compromised spring season earlier this year. March 13, the team and staff abruptly canceled their Friday afternoon practice, instead gathering for a farewell meeting and departing back home. Clark said this experience was unprecedented in his time as head coach.

“This was the first time for me since 1992 that I didn’t have a racing season I was involved with,” Clark said. “For me, personally, it was bizarre.”

Beyond coaching staff, seniors on the team were deprived of the final season of their rowing careers. Assistant Coach Beau Hoopman said this loss was quite a blow to those graduating in spring.

“They didn’t get their final say on their career, and they kinda just went off into the real world without any finality to their rowing careers,” Hoopman said. “You feel for those guys.”

Months later, an Aug. 11 statement released by the Big Ten created additional hurdles for the rowing program as it was announced the Big Ten would be postponing the fall season.

Clark said this decision was not a surprise to him.

“We’re watching football, and we realized if football’s not doing it, we’re not doing it. Not just rowing, any other sport,” Clark said. “So once football looked like it was going down the tubes for at least the near future, we figured we were as well.”

As a result of the prolonged off-season, a major concern for the program is the team’s inexperience. Limited contact this summer has furthered the problem with out-of-season rules prohibiting coaching and practices at the facility.

Unfortunately, this means a number of the team’s current sophomores still have no rowing experience whatsoever. Hoopman said targeting this problem is the biggest priority for UW men’s rowing.

“If we can control having practice and getting the guys some experience, that’s what we wanna do. We’re not worried so much about not having a legit racing season at this point,”

Hoopman said.

Identifying as a “development program,” Clark said he and his staff pride themselves on finding the team’s hidden gems. The program looks to build up experience and skills this fall while modifying practices to follow pandemicrelated guidelines.

The team begins practices this week, focusing on running as well as developing rowing skills in single and pair boats at remote rowing sites. Every rower also gets tested for the virus weekly. Despite having to rework fall plans, Clark said the team looks as promising as ever.

“The makeup of the people we have is starting to resemble what we had in years’ past when we were pretty good,” Clark said.

The coaching staff has also altered their techniques with recruiting potential walk-ons at UW. In past summers, team representatives have visited Union South during student orientation to speak with incoming freshmen.

This method has proved successful for maintaining the program’s impressive participation, as walk-ons make up well over two-thirds of incoming numbers every year.

The team has now shifted to online resources as a way of contacting participants.

This summer, men’s rowing sent an online questionnaire to all incoming freshmen via email to spark potential interest. With freshmen having persevered through lots this year, Clark said he is encouraged by their resiliency and how it has translated to their level of interest in the program.

“I’ve already been really impressed with how many are excited about rowing,” Clark said.

The program has also taken time to analyze the postponement’s effect on finances. At least half of the budget is not being spent this year due to lack of need for travel and equipment.

In regard to funding the team, Coach Clark said he hopes UW Athletics can develop a system similar to many of his team’s opponents.

“The Ivy Leagues, which are a lot of our competitors, have endowments that pay for their entire programs,” Clark said. “I think that’s a great way to go, and we should be moving in that direction.”

Despite the drastic changes thrust upon men’s rowing this fall, Clark said he is ultimately supportive of the Big Ten’s decision.

“The Big Ten did exactly what they needed to do. They had all the information, and I’m part of that team, so I support it 100%,” Clark said. “There’s no other option.”

Coach Hoopman said he also agrees with there not being a season right now.

“From our perspective, it’s viable not to do it. We don’t need to put anybody’s life at risk to watch a game,” Hoopman said.

Clark said he is also impressed with how UW Athletics has navigated this situation.

“I’m proud of not just our guys but the entire athletics department. Believe me, I know from talking to other institutions how well and unbelievable Wisconsin Athletics has handled the entire thing,” Clark said.

The team looks to make the most of resources and time available in hopes for a regular spring season. In spite of the challenges being faced, Coach Clark said he is confident in the work being done by his program and realizes the impact this experience will have on his rowers.

“We’re communicating with the team a lot more and everybody seems to be motivated,” Clark said. “In the long run, these kids are gonna be really prepared for life.”

Photo · The UW men’s rowing team has been forced to overcome a series of challenges due to COVID-19 cancellations.

UW Athletic Department

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UW women’s volleyball team is optimistic after fall season cancellation Coach Kelly Sheffield, senior setter Sydney Hilley speak to makeup, mindset of 2020 Badger volleyball club following 2019 success

by Zach Lutz Sports Editor

In the face of complete chaos and uncertainty, perhaps no collegiate sports program is better equipped to handle the cancellation of a fall season quite like the University of Wisconsin volleyball team.

In 2019, Badger volleyball reached their second national championship under Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, and their third in the program’s 46-year run. Ultimately, the Badgers fell to Stanford in the final, but with a lot of returning talent and a core group of seniors, these women were poised to come back stronger than ever this fall.

In fact, according to way-too-early power rankings after the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Badgers were ranked No. 1 ahead of the 2020 campaign. While the official volleyball rankings never surfaced before this fall season was canceled, it was safe to assume the Badgers would be a team to beat — maybe the team to beat.

One might assume the cancellation of the fall season would mess with the mojo of such a touted team. While the sour taste of championship defeat may linger in the mouths of many returning players, the fire and the hunger brought on by that defeat could be exhausted during a long drought without play and a future full of unknowns as to when play could resume.

As it turns out, these assumptions couldn’t be more wrong. From the moment the decision was handed down by the Big Ten Conference, the Badger volleyball team was clear about how it would deal with the matter.

“We were expecting the decision,” Coach Sheffield said. “It just added clarity to move forward, and to do it together. We immediately called a meeting in the Field House, I saw a lot of head nods as I was telling them. And then a couple players spoke up and said, ‘Hey this doesn’t change anything, we still have great things to accomplish. Let’s stay together and stay positive.’ There was a lot of leadership and passion in the moment. We were ready to move forward right away.”

For All-American setter and UW senior Sydney Hilley, this is an opportunity to be optimistic and continue the desire to get better.

“Even though we were disappointed we didn’t get to play this fall, we can make up for missed practices from the spring now,” Hilley said. “We can train with each other and be that much more prepared for when the season does finally happen.”

The squad wasted no time taking this mentality into practice. The first practice following the decision to cancel the fall season was one of the most energetic and cutthroat he had ever been a part of, Coach Sheffield said.

“They just went at each other for two hours,” Coach Sheffield said. “They have 18 • badgerherald.com • September 8, 2020

motivation coming out of all their pores.”

That practice is by no means an exhaustion of pent up energy and frustration but a tangible spark which speaks to the makeup of the team moving forward during this time of limbo.

There is no question the 2020 Wisconsin volleyball team possesses immense talent and potential to achieve wonderful things on the court, but performance and talent are only a couple of the necessary ingredients.

Hilley notes that their chemistry throughout the entire roster is proof of their willingness to persevere through this patch of uncertainty and that it’s never been stronger than right now.

“Our entire program has done a really good job,” Hilley said. “Our captains did a great job making sure we stayed in the loop.

Our coaches have also been very involved.

We had a book club meeting where we could just talk about things not related to pandemic or volleyball and a documentary club where we all got together. Also coaches would call to check-in. All of our teammates and coaches genuinely care about everyone, so we have been able to stay connected throughout this whole thing.”

Beyond the strengthening of team chemistry, Coach Sheffield’s players have picked up a mindset which could not have been born without the current circumstances.

“They bought into the concept of discipline yourselves so nobody else has to,” Coach Sheffield said. “In the world of COVID, you have to discipline yourself if your goal is to stay healthy and keep the

people around you healthy. You have to lead a disciplined life, make disciplined choices.

I’ve been really impressed by the lifestyle they have chosen to live. Living in the unknown can be really tough. I think they have flown with that really well. They have just been really mature.”

As Coach Sheffield’s team continues to move forward toward an uncertain future, he and his players remain disciplined and unfazed by these rare circumstances.

These circumstances have only made them stronger. Whether it’s this winter, spring or next fall, we will see this unit ready to take the court at some point. We just aren’t sure anyone else in the country could possibly be ready for them.

Photo · Coming off an 2019 National Championship appearance, the Wisconsin women’s volleyball team is optimistic even during the COVID-19 pandemic Jason Chan The Badger Herald

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Football: Teams for Badger fans to root for in absence of 2020 season

With the Big Ten football season on hold until at least November, here are teams Wisconsin fans should root for this fall

by Will Whitmore Sports Editor

Though Wisconsin’s football team is not taking the field this weekend, there are still a lot of exciting teams who are continuing their college football season without any hiccups.

While we can’t root for Wisconsin, here are some exciting, appealing teams that Badger fans can stand behind.

Georgia Bulldogs The Bulldogs are similar to the Badgers — always a bridesmaid and never the bride. Wisconsin fans can sympathize with the Bulldogs as both teams have struggled to take the next step in becoming the conference’s top dog. Like Wisconsin in the Big Ten West, the Bulldogs have dominated their division, the SEC East.

The problem is both programs have struggled when they face off against the representative of the other division in the conference championship game. Georgia has appeared in four of the last eight SEC Championship games, but they have a dismal 1-3 record in those matchups.

Similarly, Wisconsin has lost their last four conference championship matchups.

Both schools have also been running back factories, producing top-tier backs

that have gone on to have careers in the NFL — Nick Chubb and Sony Michel for Georgia, James White, Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor for Wisconsin.

Georgia fans, we Badgers feel your pain and hope your team finally hurdles that final obstacle and secures the team’s first national championship since 1981.

Appalachian State Mountaineers Appalachian State first made headlines in 2007 when they pulled off one of the great upsets in college football history. As a then FCS team, the Mountaineers silenced 110,000 plus fans at the Big House with a historic win over No. 5 Michigan. Since that monumental victory, the program has soared to another level. Last year, the Mountaineers enjoyed a stellar 13-1 season, winning the Sun Belt and finishing ranked No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Entering 2020, the Mountaineers looked to turn some heads.

Quarterback Zac Thomas is one of college football’s best-kept secrets. In 2019, Thomas threw for 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Thomas also did damage on the ground, scampering for seven rushing touchdowns. A former Sun Belt Conference player of the year, Thomas is poised for a breakout season. Everyone loves an underdog, and the Mountaineers,

yet again, are a team that can turn some heads in 2020.

Clemson Tigers The Tigers are loaded with talent and again ride a “National Title or bust” mentality heading into the 2020 season.

For college football fans, this will likely be the last season to cherish the natural talent of quarterback Trevor Lawrence before he makes his move to the NFL. Lawrence, paired up with two-time ACC Player of the Year Travis Etienne — who surprised many by returning to school for his senior year — is one of, if not the most, dynamic tandem in the country.

Though Clemson lost four defensive players to the draft including first-round picks Isaiah Simmons and A.J. Terrell, it’s expected Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables will reload a defense that finished No. 6 nationally in yards allowed per game at 288.3. The strength of Clemson’s defense is their front, led by the mammoth Tyler Davis. In his freshman year, Davis was a second-team All-ACC selection, tallying 5.5 sacks and 51 tackles. The anchor of the defense is linebacker James Skalski, who recorded 105 tackles last season. With an array of talent, the Tigers are a must-watch on television and a favorite to take home their second national championship in

three seasons.

North Carolina Tar Heels If you are looking for an up-and-coming team, the Tar Heels fit the script. In Head Coach Mack Brown’s return to Chapel Hill in 2019, North Carolina exceeded expectations. From 2018, North Carolina’s win total jumped from two to seven, and the Heels are the most suited team to challenge mighty Clemson in the ACC. North Carolina can hurt opponents through both the air and the ground.

Quarterback Sam Howell is one of the best in the country, and as a freshman threw for 38 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. In fact, it was Howell, not projected top-pick Trevor Lawrence, who led the ACC in touchdowns. The Tar Heels also use two capable running backs in Michael Carter and Javonte Williams. In 2019, both Carter and Williams rushed for over 900 yards. The Tar Heels are ranked in the preseason polls for the first time since 2016, so it will be interesting to see if this team can contend for an ACC title.

Even if the Badgers don’t take the field this fall, there are still a lot of exciting and alluring teams to follow in 2020. While the Badgers should be everyone’s top choice, these four teams will be electrifying to watch this season.

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Spice up your sad, drab study space for optimal scholarly-ness Find motivation to get out of bed, ditch your furnished barstool and read this article for online school inspo

by Keagan Schlosser Banter Editor

Remember the good ole days? The days of going to a coffee shop with a friend, opening your laptop and talking for two hours instead of studying? Procrastination never felt so good …and so expensive! My oat milk dirty chai is like seven dollars — what the hell?

If you didn’t know by now, those days are gone. You can’t just say “I’m going to the library” to feel good about yourself anymore.

You’re going to actually have to study. In pretty limited spaces too.

If you’re like me and get distracted by anything, skimming textbooks at home isn’t the most appealing. But now that both lectures and homework will be hosted in your twin XL, it’s time to start investing in some new study spaces.

First, let’s start inside the home. If you’re in a residence hall, some of this may not apply to you, as you have the luxury of sharing a common area with everyone on your floor/ dorm. Don’t knock it, though — that’s how I made all of my ~friendly acquaintances~ freshman year.

Whether you’re in a sorority house or Hub suite, you’re bound to have a common space.

Your roommates may resort to the couch but choose to be a bit unique.

I’m currently writing this article in my kitchen, and boy are my creative juices flowing! A simple change of scenery can really get you out of a slump.

Another handy tip is to change your physical positions. You can stand and work to feel like one of those people who have treadmills in their cubicles.

The floor is also a fabulous option. Sure it requires some extra posture work, but staying grounded is always important.

In terms of scenery in your apartment or house, change it up! This may be a weekly challenge, but it’s something that is incredibly important to keep you alert.

I recommend stealing university property so that your interior reflects a university building. Shuffle it from room to room every once in a while, and you’re golden!

One thing that has always helped me focus is being in a place with very few people around. This is generally a good rule to follow in a pandemic as well.

But, this one can be a toughy. The University of Wisconsin is a 40,000 person campus, so there’s bound to be a dirty, indie kid with a cold Colectivo americano already camping out in your spot.

Start brainstorming ~different~ study spots now and your individuality complex will thank you later. If you want to be unique AND lazy, here are my top picks. Don’t tell

your friends.

Regent Street McDonald’s parking lot This one is fun and classic! Grab your dollar coke and park it out front, buddy!

People don’t often think of this area of Madison for academia, but Regent is sure cute and cozy.

Sure, the cute and quaint Indie Coffee is right across the street from Micky-D’s, but just think of the ambiance the parking lot provides. The traffic as white noise, the grease in the air — nothing has motivated me to study more.

Nature Who would have thought that us humans could use the great outdoors to our advantage. That’s right — for FREE you can go and sit on the grass and study! Miss Gaia won’t even make you buy a drink. (Unless you’re bolder than I am, you will have to plan around your pee schedule.)

Of course, you will have to fight the inability to read or see with the constant wind and/or sun in your business. But maybe you’ll get lucky and find a nice spot under a tree. Soak it in while it lasts — word is there’s a polar vortex scheduled for late September.

That one single-stall bathroom in MemU if you go down the hall towards the theater, but, like, before you turn the corner, it’s just on the left — you’ll know it when you see it

I know, I know ew! Besides the fact that you’ll be thinking about inhaling fecal matter during the entire study sesh, this option is actually a very private one. The unions will technically be open during the school year and who’s gonna stop you from taking a tinkle?

Little do they know, you’ll be completing a midterm on the toilet. Obviously keep your pants on if you want. Seriously though, so few people probably think to use this bathroom, it’s your safest choice. It’s also close to food if you need it!

Besides versatile study spaces, you also have to think about the rate at which you study. With everything behind a screen, you might feel the need to constantly switch from school to work to Instagram to Twitter to work to TikTok to school.

Take breaks — actual, real, not-socialmedia breaks. Bake a pan of spinach artichoke dip and eat it in one sitting. Watch all of Orville Peck’s music videos and text me about how much you love them. Try on the most extra thing in your closet, throw it on the ground and neglect it for two weeks.

It’s the simple things that are going to get us through. Go out of your comfort zone this week — your GPA will thank me later. Just kidding, that’s very personal and none of these tips are proven to help with anything.

Photo - Finding your ideal study space can be tricky, but knowing the underground places to bust out your laptop makes it all the easier Courtesy of Keagan Schlosser

September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 21

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Photo - It’s Virgo season! Two wildly dominating and sensitive virgins, Aidan Gallagher and Jason Derulo Courtesy of Creative Commons

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Feeling conceited? Silly horoscopes for post Sylly Week blues

Everything you could possibly want to know about yourself this week – things aren’t looking good for you, water signs

by Jeffrey Atkins Banter Contributor

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You should go get tested for STDs. I mean everybody should, but you should go right now. Like, drop what you’re doing and go get tested immediately.

Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20 The full moon is in Pisces this week,

and that means you should avoid foods high in keratin and omega-3 fatty acids.

These nutrients will block vital essences from circulating through your body, and you will suffer professionally as a result.

Eat lots of fast food to get that promotion you’ve been angling for.

Aries March 21 - April 19 Ares was the ancient Greek god of war.

I’m not sure if this has anything to do with the sign Aries, but it seems too close to be a

coincidence. Whatever. To be honest I don’t really know what’s up for Aries this week.

Just wing it, I guess.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Taurus is the sign of the bull, and if you ask me a whole lot of it has been coming out of your mouth lately. Start telling the truth more, because people are starting to catch on. It starts out innocently enough — a white lie here and there never hurt anybody. But before long you’re sending remittances to your secret family in Antigua and moonlighting as a wrestler under the stage name Guenther to pay off your gambling debts.

Gemini May 21 June 20 The stars are aligning for Gemini this week.

You should be making that big decision you’ve been mulling over for a few weeks.

Pay no heed to the fact that your entire future hinges on this one choice, and if you go down the wrong path your entire life will be ruined.

Choose now, because if you wait any longer you’ll completely fuck it up.

Cancer June 21 July 22 Cancer is the Crab sign, but that doesn’t mean you have

to be so crabby all the time! Lighten up toots! You look much prettier with a smile on your face. Remember — when you’re smiling the whole world smiles with you, but when you’re crying it makes people feel uncomfortable. Lucky Numbers for Cancers this week are 7, 29, 42, 55 and 0.

Leo July 23 - Aug. 22 Marilyn Monroe once said that blondes have more fun, but personally I think Leos do. This week you’re going to be outgoing, sociable and friendly to a fault. Just remember that not everybody likes you as much as you think, so keep that in mind the next time you extend that handshake.

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 The Sun is in Virgo until Sept. 22, meaning it’s time for you to get your shit together. Do that task you’ve been putting off for the last week. That pile of dishes you have in the sink isn’t gonna do itself, and I think I heard a mouse crawling around in it last night. I mean come on, when we signed this lease we talked about dividing up the chores evenly, but you haven’t washed a single dish since we moved in. It smells like goddamn rotten eggs in here.

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Libras are primarily concerned with Justice and Balance, making them excellent Jenga players. They also tend to solve problems with diplomacy, but the movement of the moon this week might make that difficult. If you run into problems trying to solve conflicts with words, consider using your fists.

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Scorpios have intense intellects, and that could cause problems this week if you’re interacting with people who don’t like nerds. Make sure not to come off as a know-it-all dork this week. Maybe look into a prescription for contact lenses.

Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You should satisfy your innate Sagittarian thirst for adventure this week.

Throw caution to the wind and see where the week takes you. Try out that new restaurant you’ve been thinking about, ride the bus to the end of the line, or if the opportunity should arise, smoke some cool new drugs.

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Capricorns take heed — this week will be extremely painful for you. I recommend shutting yourself inside your home and leaving only for the bare necessities. Do not expose yourself to the cruelty of the world.

Consider buying an Xbox.

Photo - Knowing your sign and the traits and icons associated with it are akin to knowing your identity Courtesy of Nuha Dolby September 8, 2020 • badgerherald.com • 23