'Toxic' - Volume 50, Issue 4

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 · VOL 50 Issue 4 · BADGERHERALD.COM

TOXIC

In the aftermath of dramatic flooding, experts point to lake pollution as a poignant example of climate change at work.

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Gender-affirming surgery, related treatments now covered in state-provided healthcare for state employees

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Longtime ban on gender-affirming surgery lifted by WI board Benefits for gender-affirming surgery and related treatments for state employees will take effect Jan. 1, 2019

by Gretchen Gerlach City News Editor

Gender-affirming surgery and related treatments will now be covered for transgender state employees under state-provided health insurance after a 5-4 vote by the Group Insurance Board last month ended the ban on coverage exclusions.

Though the case for coverage has come to an end, benefits to state employees will take effect Jan. 1, 2019 in a process that took over two years.

According to an email from Mark Lamkins, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, the GIB approved removing the exclusion of transgender services in July 2016 based on new federal requirements under the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act that would take effect come Jan. 1, 2017.

But later that year, the State of Wisconsin challenged this requirement through a federal lawsuit in joining with Texas, Nebraska, Kentucky and Kansas, the Wisconsin DETF website states.

In Dec. 2016, the insurance board met again for a re-vote to determine whether gender-affirming surgery and related treatments would be covered, Lamkins said in an email.

The board, according to Lamkins, agreed to reinstate the exclusion if and when four contingencies were met.

A court ruling or administrative action enjoining, rescinding or invalidating the rules set by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Compliance with state law that provides parameters for benefits of employees.

Renegotiation of contracts maintaining or reducing premium costs for the state.

A final opinion of the Wisconsin Department of Justice that the action taken does not constitute a breach of the Board’s fiduciary duties.

According to University of Wisconsin law professor Steph Tai, the contingencies were met, but the coverage only lasted a month before President Trump took office in January 2017, and Obama Care was repealed.

“Whereas the Obama administration was more accommodating to transgender folks, the Trump administration is not as much,” Tai said.

Prior to the Aug. 22 vote, transgender advocates, UW Health and UW System officials alike were in full support of extending the coverage. On Aug. 8, UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank, among chancellors from five other UW campuses, addressed the GIB in a letter, and asked the insurance board to reconsider the exemption, stating that the exclusion of 4 • badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018

in Wisconsin, Lamkins said in an email. Segal found that between two and five people out of 159,000 members in the state’s Group Health Insurance Program would be anticipated to need transgender-related services in any given year. The potential annual cost would be up to $250,000 of the state’s $1.3 billion non-Medicare premiums.

Included in an email from UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone, Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration for UW said, “as noted in the chancellors’ letter to the Group Insurance Board, providing transgender health insurance benefits will be a valuable tool in helping us attract and retain top faculty and staff. The financial costs of this coverage are vastly outweighed by our ability to compete for talented people and the positive impact these inclusive health benefits will have for our community.”

Photo · Transgender state employees will not be covered for surgeries previously excluded from health insurance.

UW Health’s Chief Diversity Officer Shiva Bidar-Sielaff Amos Mayberry said UW has historically been The Badger Herald a leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy and equality, with UW Health coverage “jeopardizes our ability to attract employees — the choice between an being recognized as a “Leader top academic and research talent and puts institution that offers full health coverage in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the us at a serious disadvantage retaining or and one that does not — transgender Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

LGBTQ employees.” employees would opt for the former, the This designation is a big deal for UW According to Tai, who as on the faculty letter said. and prospective employees, Bidar-Sielaff committee that studied the necessity of this “Importantly, the number of people who said. coverage for UW employees specifically, it would utilize this coverage would be much “This designation definitely helps attract was decided that UW needed to be a strong smaller than the goodwill and recruiting employees to UW Health,” Bidar-Sielaff advocate for such matters. impact this coverage would have for a said. “We have been recognized worldwide Due to the lack of coverage offered to broader range of sympathetic current and for the policies and practices we have in prospective and current employees, Tai prospective employees,” the letter reads. place to create an inclusive environment said UW experienced recruitment and Although state coverage has been for both employees and patients.” retention issues. reformed and extended now, Tai said UW Health, specifically, is very involved “People chose not to come here that transgender individuals will not in demonstrating the standards that are in because their health care needs would necessarily take advantage of the full range place to ensure an inclusive environment, not be covered. Recruitment for graduate of surgeries and treatments now covered Bidar-Sielaff said. students was also hard. That’s when the by state insurance. Because surgeries and Unisex restrooms, training for employees UW chancellors put out their letter,” Tai related treatments were banned for so and, now, the ability to have access to said. long, some transgender individuals may insurance for transgender employees are The chancellor ’s letter argues that continue living their lives without taking among the many policies and practices in universities in the UW system must already advantage of these new options, but some place. compete with peer institutions regionally people may consider it as it has become “Patients want to be cared for in a place and nationwide that offer coverage and more affordable now, Tai said. that has these policies,” Bidar-Sielaff said. health benefits for transgender faculty and In January 2017, the GIB’s actuary, Segal “And employees want to make sure they staff.

Consulting, researched national trends and are working in an inclusive environment When working to recruit prospective assessed the impact of transgender services that has these standards.”

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Independent voters could prove vital in upcoming election, polls show Approximately 43 percent of national voters identify as independent, their votes could decide results come Nov.

by Mary Magnusom News Reporter

In just two months, the Wisconsin general election will take place and incumbent Gov. Scott Walker will seek re-election to the position he has held since 2011.

The Republican party has held the office and controlled the Wisconsin Congress since 2011, but as Wisconsin is nationally recognized as a swing state with a large percentage of independent voters, each election cycle can be a toss-up.

University of Wisconsin Press Secretary of College Democrats Sam Schwab explained that independent voters are who choose not to identify with either of the two major parties in US elections.

“In our view, independents tend to gravitate towards common-ground issues that we can all agree on, such as funding for public education, protecting the environment and providing people with affordable and quality healthcare,” Schwab said.

According to the most recent Gallup News poll, independents make up approximately 43 percent of national voters.

While in past years, Walker has garnered enough of their support for continuous reelection, this year, he is trailing Democrat Tony Evers by at least ten percent in terms of independent voting numbers, according to various polls conducted by NBC, Marquette University, Emerson College and Suffolk University.

According to the Marquette poll, the shift away from the Republican party for independents is most likely a function of declining approval ratings for Republicans in offices across the country. According to polls conducted by ABC News and Investor ’s Business Daily, President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 36 percent.

These low ratings come in the wake of controversial policies enacted by the Republican-controlled national administration, from the tax overhaul dropping over 10 percent of the corporate tax rate to their narrowly-missed attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act. In Wisconsin, Gov. Walker ’s politics have generated plenty of discourse as well. Many of his policies mimic those of Republicans in Congress, as he’s fought for tax breaks and job creation, and opposed planned parenthood and climate change action. He takes a hard stance against immigration, minimum wage and gun control, which can make it hard for many independents, who tend to gravitate toward moderate positions

on most issues, to support him.

Schwab said that many independents are also growing upset with the disparity between some of his claims and his actions.

“As College Democrats, we think that Scott Walker is pretending to be someone he’s not,” Schwab said. “For example, Scott Walker claims that he is the ‘education governor.’ In our view, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Since his tenure as governor, the Walker administration has cut upwards of $1 billion in education funding.

Polling suggests that voters in the state of Wisconsin, including independent voters, have watched Scott Walker ’s assaults on our public school system.”

August’s primary election provided a good overview of Wisconsin voter ’s attitudes towards Walker and his democratic adversary, Tony Evers. If the discontent with Walker ’s more controversial policies spreads, Walker may encounter similar difficulty in the November election, Schwab said.

According to the Associated Press, in August’s partisan primary, a reported 537,000 voted Democrat, while only 456,000 voted Republican. Walker won 92 percent of the Republican vote.

As Barry Burden, political scientist at UW, noted, another factor could be voter turnout.

“Because Democratic voter turnout appears to be robust this year, Walker will need more support from independents than he has today to be successful in November,” Burden said.

If the Democrats outweigh the Republicans like they did in the primary, Walker will need a large percent of his voters to be independents, Burden said.

And in a swing state like Wisconsin, that could be possible.

According to the Marquette poll, 34 percent of Wisconsin voters consider themselves independents.

That’s approximately the same as the percentages that identify as Democrat and Republican, 30 and 33, respectively. More than enough to tip the election to either side.

According to Alesha Guenther, Communications Director of the GOP Badgers student organization on campus, the most important factor in Walker ’s re-election could be the way he campaigns. Because he already has the support of most Republicans, he will need a campaign rhetoric that moderate independents can get behind.

“Governor Walker has done a great job of highlighting his accomplishments in

office while traveling the state and meeting with voters. It is extremely important that his record of success continues to reach Wisconsin voters,” Guenther said.

According to the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, during his time as governor, Walker ’s legislature has been one of the most productive in Wisconsin’s history. The average bill deliberation time for the Wisconsin legislature has been 119 days.

With many of the bills signed into law receiving positive responses from Wisconsin families, Walker should have enough achievements to highlight on the campaign trail, Guenther said.

If Walker is able to change tactics and pursue policies closer to the middle ground independents love, perhaps revamping

his approach to education reform and taking a more lenient stance in terms of environmental issues, health care and immigration, he certainly has the ability to tap into Wisconsin’s population of independents, Schwab said.

Although, he will have to actively appeal to the moderate in ways he hasn’t before.

According to the ABC News polls, the influence of the Democratic party is growing as discontent with the current Republican administration spreads.

Burden says that independent voters could be important during the upcoming election. Come November, Wisconsin residents will find out just how influential.

“Independent voters are likely to be quite influential in Walker ’s re-election bid,” Burden said.

Photo · Independent voters make up a striking percentage of the nation’s population ahead of November’s election — their role could be crucial to results Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald September 18, 2018 • badgerherald.com • 5

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Contaminated “fake weed” causes severe bleeding in eight new cases The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 54 cases of severe bleeding since March, warns against harmful effects

by Hibah Ansari State News Editor

The Department of Health Services reported eight new hospitalization cases in Wisconsin of severe bleeding caused by the use of contaminated synthetic cannabinoids — also known as “fake weed,” “spice” and “K2.”

The DHS is investigating these hospitalizations as well as the 54 cases of severe bleeding reported in the state since March. The DHS confirmed severe bleeding in Dane, Milwaukee, Outagamie and Rock counties.

“We strongly urge people to stop using these drugs,” State Health Officer Karen McKeown said in a press release. “If you or someone you know has a serious reaction to synthetic cannabinoids, call 911 or go to the emergency department right away.”

The DHS reported one confirmed death in Milwaukee County. They could not provide further details about the victims during this ongoing investigation.

Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-created compounds of hundreds of different chemicals that act on the brain like marijuana, according to Jon Meiman, the chief medical officer involved in the

investigation.

“They act on the same receptors in the brain, but they act on them sometimes more, and so the health effects can be very unpredictable,” Meiman said.

“Depending on the particular cannabinoid — and there are hundreds of them — the effects can be pretty significant.”

Because synthetic cannabinoids are actually hundreds of drugs, the DHS said new health risks arise each year with new variations of the product.

While the effects of this product can be unpredictable, Meiman said the 54 victims were hospitalized after using fake weed contaminated with brodifacoum — a chemical found in rat poison.

This can cause severe bleeding, and in some rare cases, death.

According to Brian Patterson from UW Health, the chemical makeup of fake weed is not similar to actual marijuana. The synthesized version causes more excitatory effects similar to ecstasy and other lab-made drugs.

“Because it’s marketed as a fake weed product that’s supposed to be natural and similar to marijuana, people who aren’t into hard drugs might try it,” Patterson said.

The fake weed raises many health issues — people use these products without expecting consequences,

as well as the added issue of contamination, Patterson said.

According to Meiman, synthetic cannabinoids come in a liquid form produced in a lab. The liquid is sprayed onto plant material and then smoked. But Meiman said some reports show the liquid product was also added to vaping liquid.

“The bottom line is when you’re using these drugs you do not know what’s in them,” Meiman said. “If you’re vaping or you’re buying these products in a plant-material form that has been sprayed with the synthetic cannabinoid, you don’t know what’s in it.”

According to vaping expert Alex Vikemyr from Knuckleheads Tobacco and Vapes, vaping is a great cessation tool for actual nicotine addicts.

But for young people, it’s more attractive than it is appealing. Falling victim to trends, young vapers are now developing nicotine addictions.

There aren’t very many long-term studies of the effects of vaping, according to Vikemyr. But he added vaping production has become standardized and regulations are becoming more extensive.

“People like to know what’s in the product,” Vikemyr said. “Thankfully, again with the standardization and the regulation, pretty much each one has to have the same ingredients.”

While these types of vaping products are legal and

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therefore regulated, synthetic cannabinoids are illegal in Wisconsin, according to the DHS press release.

Sellers get around these laws by creating new products with different ingredients or labeling them — “not for human consumption,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no standards for making or packaging these products, according to the CDC. According to the DHS website, these products are found across the U.S. in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia shops, novelty stores and online Because synthetic cannabinoid products are now readily available in this area, Patterson said students should avoid using these products all together to avoid hospitalization.

The DHS also urged synthetic cannabinoid users to seek immediate medical attention, even if they are not experiencing severe bleeding.

Meiman said they are putting information out to people who are likely to use these products as well as healthcare providers.

“We are working with state and local partners to make people aware of these dangers and identify potential cases in Wisconsin,” McKeown said in a press release.

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Folk for the Soul

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Photo · Boston band Ballroom Thieves visited Madison Sept. 14, showcasing their artistic breadth and neo-folk vibes. Singer and guitarist Martin Earley [bottom left & top right] performs on the High Noon Saloon stage — after he was laid off from a part-time job, he was finally afforded the time to produce music. Callie Peters [top left & bottom right] plays cello and sings for the band.

Quinn Beaupre The Badger Herald

September 18, 2018 • badgerherald.com • 7

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Great Lakes-focused book selected for ‘Go Big Read’ promotes awareness of environmental issues Author Dan Egan’s book outlines the time he’s spent researching the protection and destruction of the Great Lakes

by Mackenzie Christman Campus News Editor

This year the University of Wisconsin selected the award-winning book titled “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes” by Dan Egan for the Go Big Read Program.

Go Big Read is a program promoting the enjoyment of literature among students on campus as well as members of the surrounding community. Each year, UW selects a new, academically focused book for participants to read, as well as hosts a variety of classroom discussions and campus events about it.

“The Death and Life of the Great Lakes” was picked because of its focus on bringing awareness to environmental issues experienced by the Great Lakes, a landmark familiar to many Midwesterners.

The book was recently named one of the top 10 best environmental, climate science and conservation books of 2017 by Forbes magazine.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank hopes the book will serve as inspiration for readers to address ecological concerns and take better care of the nature surrounding them.

“This book takes a historical look at the Great Lakes with deep affection and concern for the future,” Blank said. “It’s written in a way that pulls readers in and serves as a reminder that we can’t take these wonderful resources for granted.”

Author Dan Egan is also a senior water policy fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He grew up in Green Bay and spent much of his childhood playing in the Fox and Lower Green Bay rivers.

Egan cited the heavy pollution of the rivers as part of his inspiration for writing “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.” But, Egan said his main interest in the Lakes stems from the time he spent as a reporter out in the deserts of Idaho and Utah.

After 10 years of living in the desert, Egan moved back to Wisconsin, discovered a newfound appreciation for the Great Lakes and found himself writing many stories about them for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“There is really nothing like [the Great Lakes] on Earth,” Egan said.

Egan said that one day, amid writing another piece about his favorite landmarks, he realized there was a bigger story to tell about the Great

Lakes that nobody had explored yet.

Egan wanted to know how the Great Lakes had gotten as “messed up” as they had.

“What in the hell have we done to these lakes that span 94,000 square miles and are the world’s largest freshwater system?” Egan asked.

It was that question that fueled him on his journey to pen “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes” where he reveals to readers the struggles the Great Lakes have faced with a variety of issues including overfishing, logging, industrial pollution and most recently, invasive species.

Egan’s book also offers suggestions to help the overused bodies of water recovery from years of pollution and overuse. Egan believes one of the main ways we can help the Great Lakes recover is to stop the invasion of even more new species.

Jake Vander Zanden, director of the Center for Limnology, says that Madison area lakes are facing some of the same difficulties presented in “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.”

Invasive species have brought about potentially irreversible ecological damage, Vander Zanden said. In addition, nutrient loading from both agricultural and urban

sources combined with climate change is causing a decrease in water quality and increase in blue-green algae blooms.

“Environmental degradation has farreaching effects that include both human health and economic consequences...the recent flooding in Madison should be a wake-up call demonstrating that our community is highly vulnerable to climate change, and highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation,” Vander Zanden said.

Egan said he is thrilled to have been selected for the Go Big Read program.

He believes the Go Big Read program is a great opportunity to spread the word about why the Great Lakes matter to more than just the people living on their shores.

“The story of what’s happened to them is a cautionary tale relevant to, basically, anyone who drinks water,” Egan said.

A visit from Egan to the UW campus is in the works. Copies of the book were distributed at the Chancellor’s Convocation for new students and for students who will be using the book for their coursework.

UW student scammed out of $15,000, phishing becoming more prominent on campus

With telephone scams on the rise, UW is playing a role in educating students on phishing fraud, preventative measures

by Abby Doeden Print News Editor

In late August, a University of Wisconsin graduate student contacted the Madison Police Department saying she had been duped out of $15,000 by someone who claimed to be from the MPD, according to a release.

The callers told the woman she had to pay them $15,000 immediately to avoid deportation. She then purchased $15,000 in gift cards and gave the pin numbers to the “police,” the report said.

While many think this couldn’t possibly happen to them, MPD’s Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said these fraudulent attacks are becoming more and more common.

“We’ve seen several of these over the last couple of years. In many cases, the scammers are very convincing and keep them on the phone for hours,” DeSpain said. “A lot of times the people who are victimized are students because of their vulnerability.”

Chief Information Security Officer and Director at the UW Office of Cybersecurity Bob Turner said phishing scams are on the rise. An average of 200 phishing emails was reported each week during June and July of this year. That quantity almost doubled in August.

While many phishing e-mails attempt to coerce the victim to hand over personal information to be used to create accounts that are run up and never 8 • badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018

paid, recently there was a run of business e-mail compromise events that attempted to entice UW Staff to send wire transfers to accounts in obscure locations, Turner said.

“Scams are an easy payday for the criminal.

Very little effort is required with very low risk to the scammer as fake names and addresses to send the money are easy to create,” Turner said.

“The more skillful actors will try to capture e-mail accounts from university staff and create phishing e-mails that look legitimate.”

And these aren’t the only phishing scams to go around Madison recently, DeSpain said.

According to DeSpain, other scams have targeted small businesses, threatening to turn off their power. Another common case in Madison has been scammers contacting elderly people saying their loved ones are in trouble and they need money to let them go.

“These people who are doing this are very very good,” DeSpain said. “They really convince people that they are going to be in trouble or that they have a loved one in trouble, and they need to get their money out right away. In all these cases, the victims are somewhat vulnerable.”

Most phone scams follow a pattern similar to e-mail “phishing” scams, Turner said. The caller establishes a relationship with the victim by creating a scenario that might interest the student and then makes the victim purchase money orders, reloadable gift cards, or other instruments that can easily be turned into cash.

Turner added that larger dollar value scams might involve stories about family members in need or a larger unpaid debt that, if not paid, might impact their standing at the university.

UW Cybersecurity Education and Awareness Program Director, Ed Jalinske said while it can be scary for students to encounter scams, UW always has their backs.

“The UW Madison Wiscmail team maintains spam filters that inspect all mail sent to us from non-UW accounts,” Jalinske said. “The cybersecurity operations center reviews all emails that are reported as phishing and then blocks access to any of those links contained in those emails. We’re especially vigilant about websites that mimic a UW NetID login page.”

The university also engages in prevention efforts by educating ways that students can avoid being scammed. The university sends information to students after scam attacks, educates students and participates in cybersecurity awareness month.

DeSpain said he also tries to get information out to the public after scams, but there is still not much they can do as they are a local police department.

“They are pretty despicable crimes, and unfortunately what we can do is warn people and certainly forward these cases on to federal authorities, but as a small police department, we don’t have the jurisdiction or power to go after them,” DeSpain said. “Mainly what we try to do is just get the info out there and warn people.”

As for knowing when something is a scam, Jalinske said to look out for grammatical and spelling errors in emails, or a hyperlink that doesn’t go to where the email claims it should.

DeSpain adds that when someone asks you for gift card pin numbers, it is more likely than not a scam.

“One of the ways to tell that it is a scam is when people are asking you for the pin numbers on gift cards,” DeSpain said. “The best that people can do is to be skeptical. Whenever someone is asking you to go get gift cards as a payment, that is a scam — don’t do it.”

Turner advises students to always be aware of their finances and know the statutes and source of their tuition payments. Keeping close tabs on your personal accounts is hyper important, Turner said.

Beware of strangers who try to establish an overly familiar relationship.

Jalinske said with the way emails and accounts can be hacked on campus, students need to take extra precautions, especially with how vulnerable students are to criminals.

“I think the most important thing that students can do to protect themselves is just to teach themselves about what to look out for in these situations,” Jalinske said. “What I would recommend they do is go to our webpage and read more about it there. They can also go to antiphishing.org and they have a great [wealth] of research as well.”

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Astronauts, etc. bring complex yet gentle, 70s inspired pop to Ruby No limits for producer Toro y Moi, keyboardist Anthony Ferraro while performing unique blend of pop, classical styles Friday

by Ben Sefarbi and Marko Uzeirovic ArtsEtc. Editor & ArtsEtc. Staff Writer

Anthony Ferraro, who goes by Astronauts Etc. on stage, paid Madison a visit Friday night at Ruby.

Ferraro released his second album as Astronauts Etc., Living in Symbol, earlier this year. Critics praised the sophomore LP for its gentleness and present-day take on tropical sounds of the 60s and 70s by giving his unique take on the Information Age. Unique takes serve as a staple of Ferraro’s musical career. Trained in a classical music background, Ferraro always looks to bring a classical element to today’s algorithmic and software-based sounds. A record encapsulating this concept was the standout Mind Out Wandering (demos) project following the original record just months prior in 2015.

“Writing a musical algorithm got me thinking more deeply about the future of music and how algorithmic music may become more prevalent and what that means for the soul of music,” Ferraro said.

In a simpler sense, Ferraro explains it as “tying human creativity to a machine.” On a surface level, this may seem like a sci-fi based album, but in Ferraro’s approach it’s something that sounds much more organic, and, for lack of better word, human.

For Ferraro, the uncertainty and complexity of the Information Age is something we must learn to understand. He sees it surrounding us, and on Living in Symbol he attempts to bring a sense of security.

“I hope that people feel comforted, or a little less alone. There’s so much turbulence and indeterminacy in many different domains, whether it’s politics, the environment or technology, and they’re all tied up together,” Ferraro said.

Despite seeing these large societal connections and making such a grandiose statement regarding the creative process and technology, Ferraro’s music never feels overwhelming. Much of it feels gently poppy.

It may seem weird that an artist with such profound ideas regarding the creative process takes an approach to something calmer and less overtly political, yet Ferraro’s background allows him to take on these issues with a unique perspective.

In fourth grade, Ferraro was diagnosed with a rare form of juvenile arthritis. When he was diagnosed with the illness, Ferraro was told the effects would fade away by the time he reached high school. Unfortunately, the effects continued throughout college.

“In the middle of college was when it was at its worst, and I decided to kind of re-route my efforts from trying to be a classical pianist,” Ferraro begins, “to being a musician that didn’t

have to be in the practice room hammering away for hours at a day.”

Ferraro was messing around with programming before his music career took the next step, another talent that fit within his physically strenuous activities. Once the pianist realized he could genuinely push out quality music, Ferraro had a positive mindset toward his diagnosis. Now he sees the limitation as a blessing in disguise, it has allowed the workaholic to move forward and pursue writing his own Photo · Anthony Ferraro has overcome physical limitations with a strong music on a less rigorous mindset. schedule.

The decision was the true Anthony Ferraro/Astronauts, etc. bandcamp beginning of Ferraro’s career as a musician. The west coast lifestyle didn’t last long as his own classical background. The established constant touring began to give him an endless knowledge of music has proven valuable, supply of experiences across the world, playing influences of any number of artists come to a number of shows in Asia. mind while listening to Ferraro’s play for Toro y With his classical background, Ferraro Moi and when he performed as Astronauts, etc. missed out on plenty of the pop music canon.

In his performance in Madison, Ferraro Working with artists such as Toro y Moi’s brought his unique musical blend with a Chaz Bundwick allowed Ferraro to learn the touring band that “hit its stride” with their stop rich history of pop music while blending in at Ruby.

Local yoga studio offers reduced rate for students during fall semester Due to stress, anxiety of being college students, Bliss Flow Yoga and Wellness offers opportunities for Badgers to relieve pressure in life

by Melissa Simon ArtsEtc. Associate Editor

As college students, the burden of endless exams, essays and projects lead to our individual stresses and anxieties. For me, yoga has become my way of releasing any physical tenseness and negative emotions.

After sitting all day in class, and then continuing to study at the library for hours, yoga is the perfect break to settle your mind and calm your body. Yoga is a form of relaxation for your muscles, as well as the cluttered thoughts in your brain.

If you’re not interested in hot yoga, yet crave the relaxation and serenity yoga provides, Bliss Flow Yoga & Wellness is a great place to start. The studio is only a bus, Uber or bike ride away from campus, and a few minutes from downtown Madison off of Midvale and University Avenue.

According to the recent buyer of Bliss Yoga, Jennifer Braun — a former staff member of 10 years, Bliss Flow makes it easy to care for your mind, body and spirit. Braun believes that if everyone practiced yoga, the world would become a sweeter place.

“Feel the energy change as you breathe, flow, transform,” Braun said.

Braun explained that Bliss Flow is not just another yoga studio, but a significant part of the community. A unique aspect of the studio is

Photo · Braun completes yoga-like tower with teamwork during one of her sessions at Bliss Yoga Courtesy of Jennifer Braun giving back to the community, whether that is by providing services, helping out around the city or giving donations. The studio partners with various local businesses, typically food and wellness companies like local tea brand, Cha Cha Tea, which is located off Monroe Street.

The yoga studio is in the process of launching an organization called the Karma Foundation, which will strive to connect communities through yoga by removing barriers and

extending the accessibility of the practice.

During teacher training, the studio is working on creating a more diverse staff, according to Braun.

Bliss Flow teaches a sobriety course to students in charter schools and teaches classes at every Middleton school to encourage teachers to teach mindfulness to their students in the classroom.

The studio offers a variety of classes like power flow, bliss flow, yin yoga, gentle yoga,

slow flow, exhale flow and candlelight yoga.

There are various events — like Yoga for Anxiety, a six-week series that offers supportive practices for those struggling with stress and anxiety.

The classes incorporate discussions about the physiology of anxiety and how to manage stress.

The Yoga of Eating teaches about mindful consumption and specific healthy foods that contribute to longevity.

“Flip Your Asana” joins the slew of class opportunities, teaching how to build strength and flexibility to do inversion poses, such as headstands and handstands.

Currently, Bliss Flow is offering a happy hour class featuring Ayurvedic food from a local chef.

Ayurvedic cuisine focuses on whole-bodied wellness that nourishes the mind, body and soul.

The studio’s unique activities, events and classes offered to contribute to the tight-knit community.

If you need a method to relax your body and mind during the intense and demanding school week, yoga is arguably one of the better ways to do so. For new members, Bliss Flow offers an introduction membership, which includes 30 days of unlimited classes for $30. There’s also a student rate of unlimited yoga for the semester — which expires on Dec. 20, for $350.

While Bliss Flow is a yoga studio in the very traditional sense, according to Braun, it is more importantly dedicated to improving the community. badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018 • 9

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Prism Fest returns for second year with headliners Post Animal, Trapo

Madison music scene continues to develop with returning music lineup of over 30 performers, massive expansion from last year’s 10 bands

by Celeste Benzschawel ArtsEtc. Staff Writer

The music scene in Madison has obviously been well-established for years — but there’s something new coming at the end of this month that might very well change the game.

The Prism Music & Arts Festival is coming to Dane, Wisconsin, brought to you by Scotify Studios and Frameshift Collective, both artist development and collaboration platforms.

I sat down with J. Scott Kunkel and Madda Udvari-Solner of Scotify Studios, as well as Jake DeHaven of Frameshift Collective to talk about the festival and its inception.

The festival is in its second year, founded

by DeHaven. Kunkel and Udvari-Solner attended the first one just as music fans, and ended up meeting DeHaven. They enjoyed the atmosphere of the fest and how those vibes encouraged them to put themselves out there. That’s where the partnership began.

Last year featured familiar Madison acts like Kainalu, Disq and the Wilder Deitz Group. This year, they’re bringing in an array of local and regional artists spanning all genres with the help of Scotify Studios.

Together they’ve stepped up their outreach methods and are hyping the event even more this year.

Kainalu and Disq remain on this year ’s bill in addition to other Madison favorites like Lucien Parker, Proud Parents, The Hussy and more. GGOOLLDD and Abby Jeanne are coming from Milwaukee, and Post Animal and Slow Pulp (both dear to our hearts) are coming from Chicago. The list certainly doesn’t end there. The festival went from having about 10 bands to roughly 30.

“The amount of artists and genres Prism Fest is hosting gives smaller bands a chance to put themselves out there,” Udvari-Solner said. They’re excited to be able to provide a platform for lesser-known groups.

The festival itself is more than just music.

There will be food from different vendors, art of all kinds, anywhere from fine art in a makeshift gallery to poetry, live painting and graffiti. There will also be art vendors set up to sell their work, and installations placed around the grounds.

Located at Common Gardens, a farm and venue space, the festival is moving from a combined urban and nature feel (last year they had part of the fest downtown) to an immersive outdoor experience. General

admission tickets include camping, so it gives attendees an opportunity to get to know the space in that respect, plus it’s another way to get to know people.

An intimate and special part of the fest last year was to be able to wake up and have breakfast with those that stayed over — something they wanted to promote again this year, DeHaven said.

In addition to camping and the main performance spaces, there will be four hidden “living room” getaways in the woods, some of which are about a mile in. People have to find them, giving those who are looking for a little bit of calm or detachment from the main space a refuge and unique experience.

The “living rooms” will have literal couches and lamps in the woods. The goal is to make it warm and nostalgic — an escape.

Kunkel found one of them last year, turning out to be of great comfort, meeting cool people. It felt kind of like home, Kunkel said.

There hasn’t been an experience truly like this in Madison, and Prism is the place to start, especially for students. To make it even easier, there will be buses for a small price that can take students and other attendees back and forth to the grounds. These guys

have put in a lot of effort to make Prism really accessible — it’d almost be foolish to pass it up.

“Even if it’s a total bust, if you can get together with people that you care about, I think that’s what’s most important for me,” Udvari-Solner said.

In the end, Prism is about making new connections, collaborations and friendships.

It’s an experience to them —not just a festival, they said. It’s a space where they can build professional relationships, but also genuine friendships where everyone is welcome, Kunkel said.

Similarly, Kunkel said that there’s a lot of cool people in Madison that really love music, and that hopefully, this festival will be a way for these people to interact when perhaps they otherwise wouldn’t have. He wants to see those connections made through good food, good music and good art.

“That’s such an open platform for everyone to express themselves, and really challenge themselves as well,” Kunkel said.

“It’s a challenge to put yourself out there.

But I feel like people in that element are truly them.”

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‘Print in Protest’ gallery recalls past to prevent flaws of future History captured through pictures from 1960s, 70s, feature displays from Vietnam War, civil rights movement, paint compelling picture

by Tenzin Woser ArtsEtc. Staff Writer

Many note the liberal aspects of the Madison population today, but fewer understand the history behind the previous students who championed activist movements forming such an atmosphere.

The Print in Protest art gallery at the Chazen Museum of Art captures a snapshot of this history through endless textures and colors of print media.

The gallery focuses in on pieces made in the full swing of contention during the 1960s and 70s, when the issues that troubled students on the local and national level revolved around civil rights, poverty and the Vietnam War. Organizers representing the Madison Reunion — an organization that facilitates reunions for alumni — called for the exhibit as an homage to those volatile years on campus.

Andrew Stevens, curator of prints, drawings and photographs at the Chazen, finds a powerful beauty in the history of Madison and calls patrons to appreciate the impact each of our hometowns can have.

“Madison history is its own interesting thing,” Stevens said. “Sometimes we think

that our hometowns are not important in some ways but everything that goes on nationally starts in some place like Madison.”

As I walked amongst these powerful pieces, I stopped in front of a particularly visceral piece named April 4, 1968, by Russell T. Gordon. The shaking torso of Martin Luther King Jr. is depicted, while life is ripped from his chest in a splattered frenzy.

The piece arrived in the hands of the Chazen after an alumnus found the piece amongst her gifts, but found it too difficult to hang up in her home — so it was donated.

Unsure who or where the piece came from, Stevens set out to identify the artist. After some time he was able to track down the piece by signature to Gordon, another past student at the University of Wisconsin who found a voice in studying art.

Stevens spoke of his concerns around displaying such a gory piece at first before referencing an experience with patrons.

“They are remarkably able to encompass it,” Steven said. “Maybe that’s because we all see such horrible things on a regular basis —that we’re a little jaded.”

Out My Garden Window by Warrington Colescott in 1969 is a particularly engaging work on display. The piece is based on conflicts over the university’s involvement in the Vietnam War as student involvement reached an all-time high. The picture visualizes a row of tranquil homes playing their roles as quiet overseers as riots and gas fill the streets below them. One subtle part of the piece that Stevens let me in on was that in the center of the homes, Colescott places a tiny study referencing his own perspective and place amongst the chaos.

“Warrington made that piece out of several plates,” Stevens said. “Each one contributes to the final print. To have any of them apart from the rest of them is nearly meaningless.”

Stevens couldn’t say if he had a particular piece, it’s just not something he does. He doesn’t see the artwork as singular pieces.

Rather, the displayed images are more of a big body of information that several artists contribute to.

Stevens maintains that each piece is distinctly essential in creating an individual’s narrative of the world we live in.

“It’s not even like asking someone about someone’s favorite book. It’s like asking someone about their favorite page in a book,” Stevens said.

Stevens implores the sharing of experience, that we save all the things which are experienceable. The hope is that people will assemble these experiences for themselves and become a culture.

Stevens noted that in the past students believed every point of view is worth considering. To put something off limits is just unwise. No scholar wants to be hindered in the work, Stevens claimed.

With the show now being extended until the end of September, and maybe further, Stevens admits that the collection does not encompass all of the events of the time. But, he encourages those aware of the events in the exhibit to gain a grander outlook on the breadth of print media. He is hopeful that the collection may act as a firm reminder of the dangers of forgetting the past while trying to follow the mission of creating a more promising future.

Boston-based Ballroom Thieves brings eclectic neo-folk to Madison

Despite growing corporate music scene, ‘bread and butter’ performance locations allow upcoming artists to perfect repertoire and style

by Lena Stojijkovic Copy Associate

The music scene in Madison attracts musicians from all across the nation. From big names to up-and-coming artists, Madison has become a destination for musicians looking to grow their careers.

Bringing musical intimacy and artistic excellence to the High Noon Saloon stage, the Ballroom Thieves not only enriched their career on Friday — they enriched Madison.

Comprised of three gifted individuals, this Boston-based band put on a preeminent performance, showing immense talent with every strum, lyric and beat. The band’s high energy on stage transferred to many in the audience who continued to sway their bodies and sing along to the music.

The neo-folk artists performed sweet melodies consisting of plenty of industrial flair.

With a unique folk-like sound to their name, many question how they found their way. But those questions aren’t hard to answer.

“As songwriters, I think we just gravitated towards that sound ... our last two records progressed nicely and organically, and the sound has just shifted since then,” singer and guitarist Martin Earley said.

Though clearly successful on Spotify (the band reached more than 10 million streams recently), few know how the guitarist’s music

career began. Producing music was always something Earley enjoyed in his free time, but it wasn’t until he was laid off from his day job that he realized a new door had been opened for him.

While others may respond negatively to job loss, Earley said it was one of the most positive moments he could’ve experienced, opening the possibility of pursuing music as a career.

Moments like these show how vulnerable musicians can become, so having the right support systems in place goes a long way. “[Boston] is a really loyal music community,” Earley said. “A lot of the Boston bands that we were surrounded with when we were starting up are still our closest friends, and I think they really push us to do better just by being themselves.”

Earley formed the band with singer and drummer Martin Mauch back in 2011. With Mauch’s distinctive skills as a drummer, Earley couldn’t have chosen a better candidate.

The way Mauch has his kit set up in unconventional — the kick isn’t played with his foot, but with his right hand. Each percussive hit he made grounded the band, and his intense effort put into the concert showed he appreciated every moment.

Impressive and majestic, Callie Peters joined the band in 2013, playing cello with great aptitude. Peters knew forever that music was her calling — she graduated from Berklee

College of Music before joining the band. unified the audience.

Her musical expressions emitted Friday were If you missed out on the Ballroom Thieves’ evidence to her natural gifts — it felt like being breathtaking performance this past weekend, in the presence of a musical genius. Every time they’ll be back soon. Hoping to return to her bow touched the strings I was transported Madison in mid 2019, the band is excited about to another world. their next chapter. Their performance was one The Ballroom Thieves left an everlasting I’ll never forget. impression Friday — they love what they do, and their appeal is natural.

“I think that’s one of the great things about music,” Earley said. “[It’s] that you’re never really done with it.”

Their performance was so moving, one audience member’s flowing dance moves seemed to captivate the venue.

“Epic, auburn and emotional,” dancer Sasha Illig said of the performance. “[Ballroom Thieves are a] genuine talent.”

And she’s right, the Ballroom Thieves expressed their authenticity with every Photo - Devin Mauch, Martin Earley alongside Callie Peters enjoy performsong Friday night. ing on stage together.

The band showcased their unity with on-stage smiles — the smiles seen throughout the Quinn Beaupre venue proved they had, in turn, The Badger Herald badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018 • 11

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Phosphorus polluting Madison lakes cause for concern, experts search for long term solutions UW researchers, local environmental organizations tackle challenging task of keeping water clean as wicked weather and rising temperatures contribute to pervasive algae bloom

by Haidee Chu, Mackenzie Christman & Emelie Burditt Print Features Editor, Campus News Editor & Staff Wrtier

Aug. 20 started with a torrential downpour. Caitlin Pueschner clocked in for her shift at the Whole Foods on University Avenue the same way she would on any work day.

But at around 8 p.m., a five-foot-tall swell of water grew so high it blocked the doors of the grocery store, trapping everyone inside. Only one woman made it outside in time to reach her car.

In a matter of minutes, the store turned dark. The power had shut off.

“Some of the employees were very frightened,” Pueschner said. “People [were] really nervous once the lights went out and when they’d bump into things underwater.”

Pueschner, her coworkers and customers all had to stand on top of desks until emergency personnel arrived to evacuate them.

Although Pueschner sustained no injuries, she was shaken by her experience.

“I was really scared to drive home. I was worried about getting stuck,” she said.

Whole Foods lost more than $200,000 of merchandise throughout the 90-minute flood. But it was only one of many victims of the unrelenting floods affecting the isthmus the past few weeks.

The flood not only devastated businesses like Whole Foods, it also made Lake Mendota more vulnerable to algae blooms, one pollution issue that has been plaguing the lake since the 1940s.

The most recent flood has increased runoff of phosphorus, a nutrient typically used as a crop fertilizer that encourages organism growth, from rainfall and nearby agricultural lands into the lake.

Something in the water Although phosphorus runoff from rainfall encourages plant life in lakes by creating excess nutrients therein, it takes away oxygen animals may otherwise consume, causing death — a process called eutrophication, according to University of Wisconsin limnology professor

Stephen Carpenter.

For instance, eutrophication manifested in June 2017 in the form of a toxic blue-green algae bloom that crept over the surface of Lake Mendota.

The algae bloom, cyanobacteria, can harm not only animals but also humans. It can, among other health issues, damage the liver and other internal organs, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The severity of such pollution has forced many Madison-area

“The flood not only devestated businessess like Whole Foods, it also made Lake Mendota more vulnerable to algae blooms, one pollution issue that has been plaguing the lake since the 1940s.”

lakes and beaches to shut down.

Worries about further water pollution in light of the flood have only encouraged individuals and organizations from UW and the Madison area in their work to resolve Lake Mendota’s persistent phosphorus problem.

Among these individuals is Dave Elsmo, sailing program manager and head coach of the Wisconsin Hoofers sailing club.

The sailing program loses money every time the high toxicity level in Lake Mendota cancels practice or causes it to move location. But Elsmo is also concerned about the impact of lake pollution for the greater Madison area, beyond the reaches of UW and his organization.

“The phosphorus and its associated outfall is pretty substantial to the community at large,” Elsmo said.

“We’ve seen reports of dogs being killed by this stuff.”

Because the Memorial Union terrace is located on the shores of Lake Mendota, life on campus has been affected as well.

UW junior Tanner Bilstad, for instance, was disappointed that the pollution prevented him from enjoying a swim in the lake this past summer.

“This summer I would have loved to jump into the lake after running along the Lakeshore Path on the really hot days,” Bilstad said, “However, the potential harm from the blue green algae prevented me from doing that, and not being able to enjoy the water was a real bummer.”

Solutions in bloom Determined to fight back, Elsmo has worked alongside UW’s Environmental Health Services Division to test Lake Mendota regularly for dangerous levels of algae contamination.

Elsmo said the university has used retention systems to manage stormwaters, which he hopes will reduce the amount of phosphorous entering the lake.

Elsmo’s organization, Wisconsin Hoofers, is trying to make a difference too. Starting Oct. 1, Hoofers will be undertaking a renovation project that will install several more water filtration and stormwater abatement systems, as well as make the lakefront more environmentally friendly.

“Right now it’s a concrete jungle,” Elsmo said. “One of the big things we integrated into the renovation is some green space on our lakefront.”

The plants in the new green space will help serve as a bioretention area that holds and filters a large amount of phosphorus-rich rainfall. He hopes the process will reduce the amount of phosphorus leaking into Lake Mendota, therefore decreasing incidents of toxic blue-green algae blooms and improving water quality.

Elsmo has faith the work Hoofers and UW is doing will pay off in the end.

“The university has a huge plan for [reducing pollution],” Elsmo said. “They’re thinking about it on a macro level.”

Outside of the university, non-profit organization Clean Lakes Alliance has also worked to help improve and protect bodies of water within the Yahara Rivershed area, including Lake Mendota.

Clean Lakes Alliance spokesperson Adam Sodersten said the organization has been using CLEAN, a 14-step action plan designed in 2012 to reduce phosphorus in lakes by 50 percent by 2025, to guide their effort in quelling pollution in Madison-area lakes.

“Our main goal is helping fund and implement lake improvement projects that reduce phosphorus, educating the public on how to change practices on the land to slow runoff, and to give the public [better] lake conditions,” Sodersten said.

Others are less confident about using phosphorus removal methods to alleviate pollution in Lake Mendota.

UW soil science professor Phillip Barak is one such person.

“We’re conservative about what the implications of phosphorus removal might be,” Barak said. “It might not make an appreciable difference in the phosphorus content of the effluent that is released back into the surface waters downstream of Madison.”

Circle of life Still, Barak believes the technology he is currently developing, which could extract, recover and repurpose phosphorus into dry fertilizer, would make a positive impact to both lake water quality and farming fields because the same process that contaminates lake water also encourages plant growth.

This process, he said, underscores a mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients. The idea is to move from waste, to recovery, to food.

“If the phosphorus that goes to the wastewater treatment plant isn’t going out with the effluent water, then it has to go somewhere,” Barak said. “In the United States most of the [phosphorus] is applied to land, to agricultural fields. It serves as a nutrient source to the soil [and] to the plants.”

Because factories spend as much as $250,000 annually to unclog and remove phosphorus that would otherwise crystallize, Barak said he believes his technology will also contribute to a productive, ecological solution for an otherwise difficult, expensive and labor-intensive process.

Barak’s goal is to recover phosphorus by treating five to 10 percent of solids that go through wastewater treatment plants. This process would also reduce the amount

“Lake Monona has reached 100-year flood levels. Lake Mendota is not far behind...floods between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3 are responsible for more than $39 million worth of damages to county and local governments alone.”

of phosphorus being consistently released back into Madison-area lakes; others so far have focused mostly on cleaning rainfall as they come.

Too close for comfort Although outside the path of Hurricane Florence, a storm currently devastating the Carolinas, Wisconsin is not immune to the effects of climate change, one of which is the increased level of phosphorus in the lakes surrounding Madison.

Despite efforts by many individuals and organizations in the Madison area, phosphorus inputs to Lake Mendota have remained relatively constant.

The increase of hard surface areas such as roads and roofs, according to Carpenter, is one factor that offsets efforts to better manage phosphorus output from

agricultural lands, as phosphorus runoff increases with the size of hard surface areas.

Artificial interruption to nature aside, Carpenter said warmer waters have also caused lakes to be more susceptible to harboring toxic algae blooms. In recent years, UW lake researcher John Magnuson has documented a steady decline in how long lakes in Wisconsin are staying frozen.

Lake Mendota has averaged six fewer days of ice cover every decade from 1956 to 2006, indicating not only warmer winter temperatures but a changing lake environment.

All this is symptomatic of what Carpenter considers the culprit of the continuous lake pollution Madison confronts: volatile, unpredictable environmental conditions.

“Precipitation is increasing and big storms are more frequent,” Carpenter said. “[Although] Dane County, municipal governments, Yahara Pride and other farmers are makingw strides toward reducing phosphorus pollution … there is still a lot of phosphorus in soils.”

As Hurricane Florence wreaks havoc on the East Coast, dropping upwards of 25 inches of rain in cities across the Carolinas, the repercussions of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. Flash floods, much like those Madison experienced at the end of August, are closing interstates and isolating cities, preventing aid from reaching citizens.

City of Madison engineer Robert Phillips warned that Lake Monona has reached 100-year flood levels.

Lake Mendota is not far behind.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Emergency Management, floods between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3 are responsible for more than $39 million worth of damages to county and local governments alone.

While the floods have caused unprecedented damage, climate change trends reveal that severe weather and storms are only becoming more frequent.

Recent natural disasters in Madison have so far ravaged businesses and displaced citizens. Further damages, monetary and psychological, are not far out from the horizons of Lake Mendota — on which algae bloom already looms large.

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Representation matters everywhere, even in UW lecture halls Carrying out faculty diversification initiative establishes first-hand experience while relieving pressure on marginalized students

by Emiliana Almanza Lopez Columnist

The University of Wisconsin’s Division of Diversity states, “Diversity is a source of strength, creativity and innovation for UW-Madison.” Although the university currently provides a myriad of diversity initiatives and resources for minority students, change does not happen overnight.

The latest campus climate survey reported minority students, particularly students of color and LGBTQ+ students, feel less safe and less respected than majority students. Twenty-five percent of students felt expected to represent their identity in class. This experience was described as negative by LGBTQ+ students, students of color and students with disabilities.

First-hand experience is best for any learning environment. Why else would internships, job shadowing, research and study abroad be encouraged? However, it should not be a minority student’s job to

offer a deeper perspective, represent their identity and educate their majority student peers. To address this truth, Chancellor Becky Blank established a faculty diversity initiative which allocates spending to the recruitment of diverse faculty. The Office of the Provost states, “UW-Madison is committed to hiring a diverse faculty and staff.” This is what has been needed for some time.

A non-diverse staff creates several negative effects. First, minority students do not feel at home on campus. Then, those who hold the majority on campus do not get to learn about diversity and what it brings to a classroom from someone who has lived it first hand. UW already has an ethnic studies requirement, but with most faculty being Caucasian, many students are taught about different minority groups by professors who have no first-hand experience of belonging to a minority culture. This limits the ability of students to directly come into contact with perspectives that are not similar to their own.

While no one chooses their race, gender identity or sexual orientation, members of the majority live with systemic advantages that shape their worldview. The experience and emotion many of these topics can evoke in minority students may become masked when a faculty member teaches an ethnic studies program while part of the majority population. This could be due to fear of being blamed for creating white guilt, having their emotions and life analyzed and critiqued by people who will never fully understand it or possibly fear of being held responsible to speak for an entire group of people.

Having a diverse faculty offers a safe environment for minority students to express their views and experience sensitive topics by providing an aura of likeness.

Normalizing diversity on campus is critical to housing a productive and open learning environment.

Overall, a more diverse faculty will add an unprecedented richness to not only the ethnic studies requirement, but

also a UW education as a whole. Through hiring faculty that belong to minority groups, students can reflect on a firsthand understanding of dealing with discrimination or race relations without sacrificing the comfort and education of minority students.

The Division of Diversity finishes its international statement on diversity as follows: “The University of WisconsinMadison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background — people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.” Even though no solution is as simple or timely as this concise promise is, Blank’s faculty diversification initiative shows UW is well on its way to achieving these goals.

Emiliana Almanza Lopez (almanzalopez@ wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in sociology and environmental science.

For-profit colleges deserve federal regulation, not leniency If current guidlines are repealed and replaced, already corrupt universities will only grow in insitutional strength

by Sam Palmer Columnist

For-profit colleges are a distinctly American phenomenon. Perhaps they could only have proliferated in the country that has most thoroughly digested the philosophy that every aspect of our lives deserves a market.

Betsy De Vos’s effort to repeal guidelines that prevent for-profit colleges from receiving federal loans if their students do not make enough money after graduation to pay off those loans is true to this spirit. In the midst of a student debt crisis that has saddled American college graduates with a combined sum of $1.5 trillion owed, it is an attempt take the leash off of, historically, one of the most exploitative sectors of education.

The rap sheet for for-profit colleges is a mile long and stretches back decades. It includes fraud, fly-by-night operations and most commonly a simply ridiculously overpriced education. For-profit colleges are not simply private colleges that make a profit. Their profit comes almost exclusively from enrolling undergraduates and tapping into their student loans rather than from say, research, athletics or endowments, the more traditional money spinners of higher education in this country.

That means they have an iron-clad incentive 14 • September, 18, 2018 • badgerherald.com

to get as many undergraduates in their doors as possible, no matter how prepared the students are for college or how employable they will be once they graduate. Squeezing undergraduates is not just a side benefit for these colleges, it is their entire profit model.

The guidelines Betsy De Vos is seeking to repeal were an attempt to curtail the profiteering that has for a long time been rampant in these colleges. For-profit colleges have for a long time been known to target vulnerable populations, such as low-wage workers and first-generation college students.

They promise employment and earning far beyond what one could hope to receive without a college degree. They vocalize what non-profit colleges have been mouthing for years now — one needs to attend this college or they won’t make it.

The bitter truth is that they are often correct.

As our country de-industrialized, unions were beaten back and the ways to earn a decent living outside of a college education dried up — the hand of the for-profit colleges only grew stronger. Going to college isn’t about education anymore if it ever was — it’s a survival tactic.

Couple that with student debt, and today the education system encapsulates the circular logic of our economic reality. We must go to college to avoid poverty — now, if we are

unlucky, going to college may guarantee our poverty.

Advocates for for-profit colleges have bemoaned the regulations on several grounds.

They cry that the same standards were not applied to state or private non-profit universities. This is certainly true, although it takes little introspection to understand why. Students that attend non-profit colleges are hit with outrageous student debt and an uncertain job market just like students at for-profit colleges, but they at least have the small comfort of not being their institution’s profit source. The only unfairness is not including traditional university students in the protections.

For-profit college proponents have also taken pains to paint themselves as playing a major role in filling the need for a college education, particularly for vulnerable populations. This is an obfuscation of the purpose of these schools, which is making money. It is similar to the suggestion that the purpose of say, Ford, is to make cars. This is only true at first glance — the purpose of Ford is to make money, cars just happen to be the form. The engineers in the factories are producing cars, just as the professors in the colleges are educating. But this is fairly immaterial to the purpose of the institution as

a whole. So while some graduates of for-profit colleges may find their experience a ladder to stability, others will not, and the machine will keep chugging along, fairly indifferent. In vintage American form, the entry-point to our own exploitation is presented to us as a path to a better future.

This is the commodification of education at its lowest ebb so far. We are forced to shackle ourselves with student debt — now our jailers have stopped even paying lip service to the idea of future employment. The system was exploitative when students were being prepped for future employment — it is all the more so now they are being prepped for life in and around a surplus labor population.

As the guardrails come off, we are told to act as informed consumers, buying from an industry that spends billions of dollars on disinformation: “marketing,” as the industry calls it. In fact, the onset of this vulture privatization is likely to do little more than complete the assimilation of education into American capitalism, with all its ugly connotations. For the masses of dispossessed people in this country, the desperation will only grow.

Sam Palmer (spalmer4@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in biology.

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Point Counterpoint: Why join UW College Democrats or Republicans

College Republicans: Unity, experience await conservative students On a campus in one of the most liberal cities in the nation, one might be surprised to find one of the most robust College Republican chapters in the nation. College Republicans of the University of Wisconsin fosters conservative thought and friendships on campus while allowing members to help elect Republican leaders and learn more about state and national politics.

College Republicans has hosted dozens of speakers of state and national significance including Gov. Scott Walker, U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. We also host events that allow like-minded students to get to know each other including a day at the gun range, a trip to a Brewers game and study nights. Additionally, our members have the opportunity to volunteer with the Republican Party of Wisconsin, giving them the opportunity to play a role in historic elections that determine our most influential leaders.

The 2018 midterm election is slated to be one of the most contentious and historic elections in our lifetime. The Democratic Party is attempting (and failing) to attack conservative reforms on the basis that they aren’t working. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Republican accomplishments have delivered successes for Americans everywhere.

Republicans in Washington have confirmed an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, passed a historic tax reform package that cuts taxes for an estimated 90 percent of Americans with a success that is expected to continue to build and removed the red tape on American businesses.

Right here in Wisconsin, conservatives like Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, have championed reforms that invested more in K-12 schools than ever before, frozen tuition for UW students for six consecutive years and produced a largerthan-expected surplus that has been reinvested in Wisconsin families.

These bold conservative reforms allow the U.S. and Wisconsin to continue to thrive. The U.S. economy is booming and Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low. The 2018 midterm elections are going to be critical in order to ensure that these reforms continue, and right here on campus, you have the chance to be a part of it.

The Republican Party is a party of opportunity that encourages growth and wants every single American to be able to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our party supports the rule

of law, strong borders and seeks to protect the intentions of the United States Constitution. It is a party that believes that American exceptionalism is only achieved when citizens are allowed to make decisions for themselves. Republicans seek to ensure American prosperity through limited government, low-spending and freedom.

Don’t be fooled, young Republicans exist and we show up in force to the polls. Right here in the state of Wisconsin, both Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, and President Donald Trump won the youth vote in 2016.

Our members are deeply committed to sifting and winnowing for the truth during their time in college, and College Republicans provides an environment where they are challenged to do just that. Our chapter is filled with Republicans with views across the conservative spectrum — ranging from traditional conservatives to neo-cons to moderate thinkers. Even though we might disagree from time to time, College Republicans is a place where these opinions are not only tolerated but welcomed.

College Republicans also provides many professional opportunities for students, even for those that don’t necessarily want to pursue a career in politics. Our members can further their involvement in Republican politics through internships, volunteer opportunities, conferences, our annual trip to the Conservative Political Action Conference and conventions and meetings with other College Republicans from across the state.

At a College Republicans meeting, I can personally guarantee you that you will find engaging and dynamic speakers, wonderful people, pizza and common sense. It is one of the few places I’ve found on campus where differing opinions are enthusiastically welcomed and encouraged. Joining College Republicans was one of the best decisions I have made since starting at UW, and I am so thankful for the experiences I have gained because of it thus far.

I am extremely excited for what another year of the best party on campus will hold during this historic season.

You can always find the most up-to-date information for our events on our Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.

Alesha Guenther (aguenther2@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in journalism and mass communications. She is also the Communications Director for the College Republicans of UW-Madison.

College Democrats: The perfect place for young progressives In this crucial election year, the University of Wisconsin College Democrats are looking for passionate and hardworking college students to help elect Democrats down the ballot and to meet like-minded, progressive individuals.

It isn’t a secret that Democrats underperformed in 2016. Since then, however, progressives have been making a strong comeback. In April, Rebecca Dallet was elected to serve a ten-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, helping to balance a conservative-leaning bench and more accurately reflect the Wisconsin electorate. Additionally, Wisconsin voted to preserve the Office of the State Treasurer, blocking Gov. Scott Walker’s grab to have more funds under his discretion.

We view both the Supreme Court election and the referendum outcome as important victories that have helped us build momentum heading into the 2018 midterm elections.

As College Democrats, we are continuously inspired by Wisconsin’s motto, “forward.”

Because of this, we are choosing to put our past shortcomings behind us and are determined to work hard to move Wisconsin in the right direction. The first step in doing so requires that we work to elect our exceptional Democratic ticket. We were greatly encouraged to see a high turnout in the Democratic primary. Moving forward, two important goals for us this election season are to reelect our beloved Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, as well as elect State Superintendent Tony Evers as governor.

Sen. Baldwin made history in 2013 when she became Wisconsin’s first female senator and the first openly gay person to be elected to the U.S. Senate. She has admirably served as a legislator at multiple levels of government, clearly demonstrating her experience and effectiveness as a legislator. We must fight earnestly to reelect Baldwin because she has shown a steadfast commitment to Wisconsin’s progressive values, particularly in working to make post-secondary education and healthcare more affordable for working families.

It is critical that Democrats regain the office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor so that we can, among other things, restore funding for education, rebuild our infrastructure and raise wages. It’s time we elect executive officeholders that Wisconsin deserves. We believe Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes are the right Democrats for the job.

Furthermore, throughout the Trump presidency, we have watched as a Republican-

controlled Congress has refused to check a president who has obstructed justice and constantly undermines our valued American institutions such as the FBI. Time and again Congressional Republicans have made it clear they find it more important to protect a member of their political tribe rather to than stand up to the president and do what is right for the country. As stated by former President Barack Obama, “ … There is actually only one real check on bad policy and abuses of power, and that’s you. You and your vote.”

In the time before the election, College Democrats will be providing its student members with dozens of opportunities for action. This includes meeting to send out phone calls and texts, canvassing and registering voters on campus. We will also have several chances for students to get great exposure to our Democratic candidates. For example, Congressman Mark Pocan will be joining College Dems at our kickoff meeting on Sept. 20. We will also be hosting events to help our members get to know each other better, such as “Speed Deming” and a meeting where we will be decorating signs and buttons to advocate for candidates and our values in general. We hope you will be joining us for this exciting semester.

Not only does College Democrats provide excellent opportunities for action, we also help our members get connected with internships in the area and back home. Many students in College Dems have interned with Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s official Legislative Office as well as with her campaign. It’s no question that College Democrats is a great way to get connected for those looking to find a career in progressive politics With all that said, we hope that you will join UW College Democrats this semester in the fight for progressive values on our campus. We cannot stress enough the importance of staying engaged from now until Nov. 6. We’re going to need all hands on deck — all the energy you have this semester to elect Democrats down the ballot so that we can get back on track and move Wisconsin forward. Thank you and don’t forget to vote Democrat for Wisconsin.

Sam Schwab (sschwab2@wisc.edu) is a senior junior majoring in political science and English. He is also Press Secretary for the College Democrats of UW-Madison. badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018 • 15

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Integrity of Wisconsin’s election dwindles as anonymous donations grow

Midterm voters must show unnamed doners come November that Wisconsin’s future polices are no longer for sale

by Ethan Carpenter Columnist

In what two states can two words be worth twenty million dollars? Florida is one, Wisconsin the other — and in both, simply by avoiding the phrases “vote for,” or “vote against,” anonymous donors can wash their hands of any limits or accountability from pouring their fortunes into politics. These donors freely cooperate with candidates’ political campaigns because their donations do not have to be reported to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

With what the non-partisan Wisconsin Center for Representative Democracy calls “unprecedented outside spending” looming on the horizon of the 2018 midterm elections, those of us with the privilege of living in one of the nation’s few remaining swing states have a responsibility.

Not only must we understand what happens, but we must take action to preserve our state’s character of competition and dialogue, of leaders who earn their place rather than purchase it, and to end this mockery of dignity and democracy.

The start of Wisconsin’s ethical decay was the same big bang that created the political universe we currently occupy: Act 10, which barred public sector collective bargaining over conditions, overtime pay and benefits, among other limits. The ensuing controversy included lengthy protests and a failed attempt to oust Gov. Scott Walker via a recall election, the source of our twenty million figure.

During the years of the defeated recall, conservative nonprofit Wisconsin Club for Growth saw an explosive increase in revenue and expenditure, $12 million in 2011 and $8 million in 2012.

Following these events, a process unique to Wisconsin known as a John Doe Investigation, where witnesses and targets are barred from speaking publicly about their participation in the investigation, was undertaken to probe for violations of campaign finance law by the incumbent governor and his associates.

Acting within his mandate, Special Prosecutor Francis Schmitz worked to unearth evidence of what he called in one court filing “the criminal scheme… to utilize and direct [nonprofit organizations] as well as other political committees” by the governor. One particularly damning document the prosecution turned up, later leaked to The Guardian in 2016, was a 16 • September 18, 2018 • badgerherald.com

Photo · If the state continues to equate money with free speech, the integrity of Wisconsin’s democracy remains in danger Emily Hamer The Badger Herald $10,000 check made out to Wisconsin Club for Growth with “Because Scott Walker asked,” written on the “for” line — as clear and to brazen an admission of illicit cooperation as a lawyer could hope for.

However, before the investigation could be completed, it was litigated up the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Pandora’s Box was opened. The ruling, citing the now-infamous FEC v. Citizens United case and supported by the court’s conservative wing, held the state’s current laws regarding campaign finance as “unconstitutionally overbroad and vague.” The governor granted a tainted innocence based on the supposition that the laws which were broken had never been valid to begin with. For the citizenry, this was the beginning of a nightmare.

Since then, we have lived in an unacceptable situation. Our right, not even to know who our leaders are financially beholden to, but to politicians free from corrupt fiscal ties, is denied. Constituents, who should hold ownership over their district and its interests, instead see

the voices of those who deserve fair representation drowned out by tides of endless money. That this is done while following the letter of the law is meaningless — corruption, when legalized, is still corruption.

Sometimes, the Bill of Rights is held up as justification for this abdication of government ethics. The First Amendment of the donor class, where money is a form of speech, is at the very best nothing short of abuse of language. The same Constitution that gave the government the power to levy taxes and regulate commerce — compelled speech and censorship in the twisted world of bribery’s enablers — was amended to protect the voices of the downtrodden, not the purse strings of the powerful.

That this legal travesty has attached itself to Wisconsin and Florida is no coincidence. Two swing states temporarily under Republican control have seen open season declared by the party most favored by wealthy contributors. With the nation’s eyes opening to the true nature of the

political syndicate’s contempt for rural and urban constituencies alike, no battlefield is more dangerous than the one where no organization can take its power for granted — where no politician can remain without justifying to their constituents their position.

For all the bought lawmakers have done, though, the people are left with all they need to break free. They are witness to the amorality playing out daily in front of them. Their feet, to march to the polls.

Their vote — the vote paid for with the blood of soldiers and protestors alike over more than two centuries of broadening and hard-fought democracy — to throw the people who betrayed them out of office.

Come November, we must remind those occupying our capital the Badger State is not for sale.

Ethan Carpenter (emcarpenter2@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in political science.

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College tuition is on the rise, those will full-time jobs left by the wayside

Accompanying an unsettling increase in the cost of college are more students forced to juggle academics and employment

by Adam Ramer Columnist

When many students first leave for college, their parents sit them down and say that their singular focus over the next four years should be college — iterating something along the lines of “college is your job.” Without the burden of having to financially will themselves through college, these students are able to take internships and load their schedule full of extracurriculars — something that is next to impossible otherwise. Those who are able to master the art of collegiate juggling pull off the seemingly impossible, but that doesn’t mean they should have to.

A recent study published by Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce has found that the demographics of workers in college are changing. Some 1 in 4 college students are also working full-time jobs on top of their school schedules, and between 70 and 80 percent of all college students are working in some capacity.

Many of our parents were able to put themselves through four years simply

by working a summer job. But that’s absolutely non-existent at this point. For many students, working full-time at the minimum wage wouldn’t be enough to afford tuition, housing and general cost of living.

The prices of college have risen exorbitantly, for the benefit of student loan services, and at the expense of everyone else. In a CNBC study, tuition prices have risen over 200 percent in the past 30 years.

This would be fine if the minimum wage had followed suit, but that’s simply not the case. The Economic Policy Institute, a non-partisan and non-profit think tank, has published that, if wages kept up with productivity, then minimum wage would be more than $18 dollars per hour, far more than double what Wisconsin’s is, and more than even New York City.

This all, compounded with a vast growth in wealth inequality, has created a world where working while attending college is an enormous reality for many.

The University of Wisconsin System addresses this bleak reality in their administrative policies, stating “The university, acting in the best interest of

the students, continues to identify jobs within the university environment that can be performed by a part-time student employee.”

Of course, the caveat within this is the classification and emphasis on “performed by a part-time student employee.” While it’s a good sign the Wisconsin System as a whole recognizes many students need to work during college, it naively ignores the full realities of those quarter of students who are working full time.

Moreover, while not set into law in any way by the university, professors at large still occupy the mindset that their courses reign supreme over other courses, and more importantly over jobs. My mind immediately takes me to my friends taking science courses, and who need to fulfill their lab obligations or field work, who, if also burdened by the responsibility of putting themselves through college are now forced to throw another ball into their juggling routine.

Similarly, it’s not just the STEM majors — every student, even if you’re taking “easy courses” and whether you’re full time or part time, struggles with the stress

of classes. Having to work, or work full time just complicates that equation even more.

While the university is taking steps in order to help out students find parttime jobs, it still doesn’t solve the core root of the problem. College prices are skyrocketing, and for many, the only way to attend school is with loans or to work full time.

Regardless of political affiliation or ideological belief, this is a flawed system.

Students shouldn’t have to stretch their own well-being and time thin by juggling classes and full-time work. And to keep sounding alarms, there’s no clear indication that this trend is going to dissipate or cease anytime soon.

We as a society need to take steps and actively try to figure out how to make universities a place where students are molded by the experiences of their classes, not molded into a fight and struggle to simply survive and pay bills and tuition.

Adam Ramer (aramer2@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in political science and history.

Government checks, bipartisanship secrets to effective drug prevention

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s SOFA Act has potential to save lives as a product of rare, integral government cooperation

by Abigail Steinberg Opinion Editor

There are roughly 30,000 undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin. To imagine all these lives could be lost in the course of a year is nearly unfathomable — but definitely possible. In 2016, 64,000 people died of drug overdoses — over twice the size of our undergraduate population.

This may not seem as dramatic as losing an entire subset of university students, but the numbers are staggering nonetheless.

Since 2010, opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin have increased by more than 400 percent. The rise of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, adds to the danger of drug addiction. Deaths involving fentanyl nearly doubled from 2015 to 2016, and its effects have been seen in Madison just last month, resulting in 14 overdoses and two fatalities in only five days.

Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance, categorized as such because of its potential to treat acute chronic pain.

But, since fentanyl is the result of carefully orchestrated chemical bonds, chemists

need only modify the structure of the fentanyl molecule ever so slightly to create a new version of the drug. Since these new versions, called fentanyl analogs, can be so numerous and variate, they are not categorized by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. This loophole makes easy for drug manufacturers to bypass United States customs and legally make a profit selling deadly fentanyl analogs.

Although Wisconsin has suffered its fair share of losses due to the opioid epidemic, Wisconsin lawmakers have been working hard to fill this gap in drug enforcement policy. More than a year ago, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act to the United States Senate. If passed, the SOFA Act would give the DEA the authority to schedule fentanyl analogs as Schedule I controlled substances as soon as they are intercepted by law enforcement. The hope is that speeding up the criminalization of various fentanyl analogs will minimize their use, and consequently the overdoses the drug would have caused. From a logistical

standpoint, the SOFA Act will likely make history in terms of its efficiency in getting dangerous drugs off the streets.

However, the SOFA Act is not just unprecedented due to its potential effectiveness. 52 state and territory attorney generals signed a letter urging the top Democrat and Republican members of Congress to pass the SOFA Act. Such a display of bipartisan cooperation is rarely seen in today’s political culture. Though this does prove the great prevention power the SOFA Act may have, it speaks volumes on what government cooperation could mean for the American people. At the end of the day, whether the policy is about illicit drug use or any other healthcare topic, the job of the government is to protect the well-being of the people. Democratic attorneys general supported a Republican-sponsored bill because it was right regardless of party affiliation. This show of support will be integral in the eventual passage of the SOFA Act. Furthermore, the attorney generals’ letter shows the competency of America’s separation of powers. The SOFA Act has been a mere bill for nearly a year — it took the urging of

multiple attorneys general to thrust the act into the national spotlight. Given that the attorney generals, even on the state level, are a part of the executive branch, this letter can be seen as an executive check on the legislative branch.

According to Sen. Johnson, “It’s really big and I really appreciate our attorney general, Brad Schimel, that led that charge and got them all signed up, which has obviously gotten the attention of senators and members of the House in terms of the importance of this piece of legislation.” Clearly, this check has had a momentous influence on the SOFA Act. With proper checks on government branches and bipartisan cooperation, lives can be saved.

America is constantly at the forefront of change, especially in a political climate as polarized and volatile as the one we live in today. In this time of chaos and fear, of overdoses and senseless loss, the SOFA Act is a beacon of hope, not just for drug prevention, but as an indicator that American democracy is still functional, even in times of great doubt.

Abigail Steinberg (asteinberg@badgerherald. com) is a sophomore majoring in political science and intending to major in journalism. badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018 • 17

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Football: Takeaways from Saturday’s season-jeopardizing loss

This marks just the fourth loss of quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s collegiate career, only his second at Camp Randall

by Will Stern Sports Editor

There was something off during Saturday’s game between Brigham Young University and the University of Wisconsin at Camp Randall.

It wasn’t just that the Badgers looked flat all game, which they did.

It wasn’t just that BYU’s offense seemed to be outsmarting the Badger defense consistently, which they were.

It wasn’t even that BYU running back Squally Canada was averaging over 10 yards a carry, which he was.

Maybe it had something to do with “Jump Around” after the third quarter when Badger fans are normally raucous in their participation, or the fact that on this day BYU’s bench was taking part.

When Badger kicker Rafael Gaglianone’s game-tying field goal attempt sailed left, the BYU players began jumping around once again, this time there was no music, and Badger fans began filing out of the stadium.

BYU took a ‘W’ from Camp Randall, beating the Badgers 24-21 in a shocking defeat that puts the high expectations for this UW season in jeopardy.

It ended with a missed field goal, but it’s not all on Gaglianone After the missed field goal, Gaglianone could be seen mouthing “my bad” to just about every Badger player on their way into the

locker room.

Kickers have the unenviable task of being the ones responsible for situations such as these. Even though the team played poorly against an unranked opponent the entire game, Gaglianone gets a chance to bring them back into it, misses and is saddled with the loss.

Though any semblance of nuance washes away the idea that Gaglianone is the reason for the loss.

Every Badger player had Gaglianone’s back after the game on Saturday.

“It happens,” Wisconsin receiver A.J. Taylor said of the last-minute attempt. “It’s not like it’s his fault. We all made mistakes — his was just the one that was the most noticeable.”

To Gaglianone’s credit, he took complete ownership of the kick.

Gaglianone has come through time and time again for this program and was devastated to be on the other end of it in this game.

“It’s just part of my position, what I work for, what I’m judged for, I had my opportunity, and they put me in a good position,” Gaglianone said. “I felt like I needed to make that kick for the team.”

Gaglianone also made it clear he will be keeping his head up, and he won’t let this one play define him or the rest of the season.

Hornibrook’s performance left a bit to be desired Was Badger’s quarterback Alex Hornibrook completely dreadful during Saturday’s game?

No. But his untimely interception, intentional grounding call and the absence of much of a big play ability from the redshirt junior are not exactly confidence-boosters.

Hornibrook was honest about the intentional grounding play, which appeared to be a mental lapse.

“That was a stupid play on my part.”

Hornibrook’s completion percentage was decent but as he went 18-28 and threw for 190 yards.

He echoed much of the same sentiments of his teammates, as he talked about the effect of the loss on the team, and whether it was deflating.

“I don’t think it’s deflating at all — I think it’s the exact opposite. A loss isn’t deflating, it isn’t going to defeat you just like everything else in life. If you think like that, that’s the wrong mindset,” Hornibrook said. “I’m excited to see what we do, I’m excited to be back in the building on Monday.”

Taylor has worst performance of the year, O-line doesn’t get it done Running back Jonathan Taylor only ran for 117 yards Saturday, which by his standards normally qualifies for a decent first half.

This was a combination of a BYU defense that seemed intent on focusing solely on Taylor, daring the Badgers to make plays in other facets of their game — that strategy paid off.

Taylor rarely speaks personally and likes to deflect to a team-centric outlook, and it was no different Saturday when he was asked about whether the BYU defense was honing in on him.

“It was definitely tough,” Taylor said.

“We knew they were going to come in and play hard. We didn’t expect them to give us anything.”

Taylor’s outing was not only an outcome of his performance but also a weak showing from the offensive line.

There was even a drive — Coach Paul Chryst was playing second-team lineman along with starter Michael Deiter, though, he says it wasn’t performance-based.

“It was hot, getting those guys a breather,” Deiter said. “It’s not like they were getting benched or anything like that.”

That may be so, but the offensive line was having trouble creating the same kinds of holes that we’ve seen the last couple of weeks.

Is the Season over?

In short: No. The Badgers would need to run the table and win the Big Ten Championship to make the playoff, which was the original bar.

Next week Wisconsin will take on Iowa in a night game that’s sure to have a ton of energy from a crazy crowd. A resounding win next week could be exactly what this team needs to get back on track as they begin Big Ten Play.

Photo · This was by far the worst game of the season for running back Jonathan Taylor, and the best for running back Taiwan Deal who had a pair of touchdowns Daniel Yun The Badger Herald

September 18, 2018 • badgerherald.com • 19

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Football: Scott Nelson has shown flashes of brilliance early in season

The redshirt freshman safety is already standing out in a crowded secondary, could be superstar in the making

by Danny Farber Sports Editor

After a demoralizing loss to the BYU Cougars, it’s easy to forget the University of Wisconsin football team still has a lot going for them both now and in the future.

At the heart of their current and prospective success is redshirt freshman Scott Nelson.

Nelson bears the same name as the Badger safety who helped Wisconsin win the 1993 Big Ten Championship. Today’s Scott Nelson, and the rest of the Badgers, have similar aspirations after two straight losses in the conference championship game.

A native of Detroit, Nelson credits his parents and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard for his ability to take on a powerful leadership role so early in his college football career.

“One of the things my parents always tried to instill with me was be a leader growing up. [I’m] young but Coach Leonhard always says you don’t have to be an old guy to be a leader,” Nelson said. “If you’re dependable and people can count on you ... people will follow you.”

Perhaps another reason Nelson has

“One

thing my parents always tried to instill with me was ‘be a leader, ‘” Scott Nelson Badger Defensive Back earned the respect of his defensive teammates so early is his relationship with fellow safety D’Cota Dixon. While the two became friends through a bible study group Dixon leads, they’ve since worked to create the same chemistry on the football field.

In an offseason interview with the Wisconsin State Journal Nelson described the routine he and Dixon generated in preparing for the 2018 season. “[Dixon and I] always go up to Coach Leonhard’s office, probably four or five times a week,” Nelson said. “We’ll watch old games. I can’t tell you how many times we watched [last year ’s] Ohio State game.

We watched that one probably 15, 20 times.”

But Dixon isn’t the only teammate Nelson has made an impression on. In their postgame interviews following the week 20 • badgerherald.com • September 18, 2018

two victory over New Mexico, several defensive players, including linebacker TJ Edwards, praised Nelson’s early success.

“Anytime you get turnovers, that’s what you want to do and [Nelson’s] always around the ball making plays,” Edwards said.

Week two was Nelson’s most successful game of the season to this point. Against the Lobos, he recorded four tackles on the team’s opening drive and notched a red zone interception after reading the quarterback Sheriron Jones and cutting off the throw.

Head Coach Paul Chryst praised Nelson’s late game heroics, calling it the turning point of the game. But Nelson had a more humble view of the play, giving credit to his teammates on the offensive side of the football.

“For me, I would say the turning point was when the offense got rolling. They started getting touchdowns [Jonathan Taylor] was getting touchdowns, [Taiwan Deal] was getting rolling, [AJ Taylor], [Hornibrook] they were all playing really well,” said Nelson. “We can get some stops, but once they started scoring touchdowns we really got into a rhythm.”

Nelson’s interception came at the start of the second half when the team led by a slim 10–7 margin. The Wisconsin offense rode this momentum in route to outscoring Mexico 35–7 the rest of the game.

Nelson’s success was also apparent in the week one contest versus Western Kentucky where the safety racked up seven tackles and two pass deflections in his first ever game playing at Wisconsin. One of those deflections was also a dropped interception for Nelson which could have boosted his early stats even more.

In the recent loss against BYU, Nelson was quieter, notching only five tackles and one pass deflection. But this was not entirely the safety’s fault as BYU relied more heavily on the run to gain the win, quarterback Tanner Magnum threw for just 89 yards on the day.

Looking at these three games, Nelson’s statistics put him at the top of the Badger’s defense. A reliable stopper, he’s currently second on the team with 16 tackles to Dixon’s 18.

Nelson also leads the team early with an interception and three pass deflections. But with only a small sample size so far, we’ll have to see if his ball-hawking abilities can persist against tougher Big Ten competition.

Wisconsin and Nelson will look to move forward Saturday at Iowa as the team opens conference play.

Photo · Nelson and fellow safety D’Cota Dixon have become fast friends, a bond that could be crucial for the redshirt freshman’s development.

Daniel Yun The Badger Herald

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Volleyball: Will this be the year Badgers hang championship banner

Unity is the calling card for this new season under proven Head Coach Kelly Sheffield — motto: “Rise as one”

by Justin Mielke Volleyball Beat Writer

We are heading into the sixth year of Kelly Sheffield’s tenure as the head coach of the Wisconsin women’s volleyball team, a coaching run characterized by dominance.

In Sheffield’s first season, he quieted skeptics by taking the 12th seeded Badgers all the way to the national championship where they would fall short to Penn State.

Wisconsin boasts an impressive 113-25 record under Coach Sheffield and have made the NCAA tournament every year since he took over in 2013. The only thing left to accomplish is finally hanging a championship banner from the rafters of the ancient Wisconsin Field House.

It’s no simple feat to elevate a program from good to great and solidify that elite status with a national championship. How do you motivate a program that has lost only 25 games over the past five seasons?

The answer has to come from within, the response has to be player-led — and this season has that feel to it as players are more than ready take on the challenge.

“I want to see the most improvement in our mindset by accepting challenges and embracing them,” sophomore Captain Sydney Hilley said.

Hilley will play a key role for Wisconsin this season. Her teammates are already responding to her call to embrace challenges.

When prompted about where she sees this team at the end of the season, sophomore Dana Rettke said without hesitation “national championship.”

There’s little doubt a championship dominates the mindsets of fans and coaches, but this year could mark a key turning point now that players within the locker room are hyper-focused on the seemingly elusive goal.

Idealizing a national championship is far easier said than done, and while the topic feels fun to talk about, we’re currently sitting in the middle of September, just six matches into the regular season — three months away from the final four.

There’s still plenty of work to do, but Hilley believes Wisconsin is moving in the right direction as a team.

“Even when we get down or lose a set, our communication is very positive and forward-looking,” Hilley said.

Wisconsin will still have to run the Big Ten gauntlet before the season concludes.

“If we keep our core fundamentals really stable — our serving, passing, defending —

if we do that we can beat anyone in the country,” Rettke said.

This team is more than ready, with 11 players ranked in the top 100 in the prep volleyball list of senior aces. The only fear you will find is in the eyes of the team forced to line up across from Wisconsin.

At the end of September, Wisconsin will face likely their most formidable string of opponents on a road trip which includes three straight games against ranked schools.

They leave Madison to face rival No. 7 Minnesota, then over to West Lafayette to face No. 15 Purdue before playing in Champaign against No. 9 Illinois, all in an eight-day span. It doesn’t take an expert to understand the brutality of this week, and to top it off Wisconsin will wrap up their road trip with what feels like a trap game at Iowa. Yet, the schedule doesn’t faze this talented Wisconsin team.

“That is what I love about it, just being able to compete against the best every single night,” Rettke said.

Thirteen of Wisconsin’s 28 opponents this season are ranked in the top 25, and 10 of those games come from the Big Ten. “Big Ten is always a battle. Almost every night is a top 25 team you are going to play, it’s a grind the whole season, it’s a dogfight every night,” Rettke said.

Wisconsin has already played two top 25 teams and is sporting a 1-1 record in those games after beating No. 2 Texas at home, later losing to No. 15 Baylor down in Waco, TX. The last non-conference game against a ranked opponent this year will be down the street in Milwaukee as they take on No. 21 Marquette.

This rigorous schedule should be a sign of hope rather than dismay for the young Badgers, playing these teams night in and night out is only preparing them for the NCAA tournament. As fun as it may seem to beat up on lesser opponents all year, it’s not very beneficial for the program, and Wisconsin is looking forward to using each tough game this year to learn and get better.

The goal in Madison is no longer to just win every game of the season but to win every game in the postseason. Playing nearly half your games against the best in the country will only put them a step ahead of everyone else come early December, should a playoff birth occur again.

Wisconsin is fully prepared to take on the challenge, together, as one.

Photo · Sophomore Sidney Hilley is one of many to embrace revamped culture of unity Daniel Yun The Badger Herald “We are here as one unit, we all have the one team, one fanbase, one city, to raise same goals, and if we work as a unit we that one monumental banner which reads will get to where we want to be,” Rettke “national champions.” explained when talking about their “rise as one” motto for this season.

“I think ‘rise as one’ is a great mentality for PAGE DESIGNER: Looking for highly motivated, creative us this year because we page designers who can bring a new dimension to our brand of have the capability of local newspapers and magazines. getting to the top, but SPECIAL PRESENTATION DESIGNER: Looking we need every single for a highly motivated visual journalist to join our special person on board,” presentation and shared content team.

Rettke continued.

QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR: Looking for The selflessness, an inquisitive, detail-oriented, communicative troubleshooter to togetherness and serve as a liaison between the center and local sites to promote positivity surrounding quality and efficiency in products and services. this team is creating a Learn more or apply online at: buzz in the air unlike any other year, and www.lee.net/careers/opportunities that feeling is only getting stronger with each win. The 2018 season comes with one goal, to rise as one —

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Obituary: Wisconsin’s one actually pretty good football streak After BYU tragedy, fans remember the streak for being obscure, useful to show superiority to all NCAA football teams

by Angela Peterson Banter Editor

Wisconsin’s non-conference home game win streak, age 15, of Madison ended peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison as the Badgers succumbed to Brigham Young University.

If one hasn’t scoured the internet an obscene amount for Badger football trivia, then it’s important to note that this break was formerly the longest active streak of its nature in the NCAA. The streak was born in Madison, on September 20th, 2003, as a result of the Badger win over the North Carolina Tarheels following a shocking 5–23 loss to University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The streak was one of the many sad records broken Saturday, including the first regular season loss since 2016. On Sept. 25th, 2010, Wisconsin beat Austin Peay University 70–3 in order to continue the streak. This is important to the meaningfulness of the streak because 70 is a big number and Austin Peay contains too many vowels.

The streak withstood tough challenges

from mostly non-power 5 teams, which pretty consistently held the Badgers out of the upper echelon of early AP polls. The streak was instrumental in instilling student’s confidence in the Badgers, believing they are good at everything, all of the time.

The football team enjoyed hosting a variety of visiting teams and forcing them to take an “L.” The Badgers loved intercepting balls, running in for touchdowns, making field goals and were quick to quiet all of the haters. Some players were also great bakers in their time, often crafting footballshaped cookies and scrumptious cupcakes for their opponents after their tough road loss.

The streak survived by its five children, five empty 24 packs of Natural Light in Chad the Frat Bro’s front yard, someone still trying to sell their student section ticket on the UW Badgers Student Ticket Exchange (Open Market) on Facebook, a bitter, sarcastic sports editor in The Badger Herald’s office, a half-eaten box of popcorn, located in gate 5 of Camp Randall, and disgruntled comments on Twitter. The streak was preceded in death by the men’s basketball team’s failure to make the NCAA

Tournament last spring, the fall in three spots in the most highly regarded and official U.S. News rankings of U.S. universities, and my ability to wear this really cute tube top that says, “All WI do is win.”

Camp Randall Stadium was a special place to the then-invincible Badgers — they loved running, passing and almost breaking a concrete stadium by jumping too dang much. When it seemed as though the game would not turn out in the Badger’s favor, the team still felt at home there. It was as if the team had played there for 100 seasons or something and they had known the pain of losing to a far away, non-power five opponents before. The student section and student workers who decided UW Athletics seemed like a great work study option are grateful for the loving care given to them after the game and for all hate being directed to the usually reliable players in ineloquent Facebook comments.

A formal burial will be attempted on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019., at Camp Randall. This is the next time the Badgers get to play a non-conference opponent at home, so until then, students get to

be sad and streakless. Some referees who are just trying to talk above the student section yelling about some moon will officiate. A visitation will be held in the comments section of the Bleacher Report articles from now until Saturday’s game at Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, losses from Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are all appreciated.

Photo · Kendric Pryor finishes a play Saturday vs. BYU Grace Colvin The Badger Herald

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