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University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Columnist calls for alternative solutions to campaign finance reform.
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OPINION
dailycardinal.com
By Ariel Shapiro The Daily Cardinal
Isabel álvarez/the daily cardinal
Workers began laying down sheets of ice to prepare Camp Randall for the Culver’s Camp Randall Hockey Classic, taking place Feb. 6.
Southeast campus proposal provides new facilities and expansive lawn The Daily Cardinal
The Joint Southeast Campus Area Committee met Monday evening to discuss the significant redevelopment plans underway at Gordon Commons. The committee, comprised of residents of the area, professionals in the community and both undergraduate and graduate students, reviewed the tentative plans that would significantly transform the downtown area. The new Gordon Commons facility would be 98,000 square feet, consisting of three levels situated over the old Ogg Hall grounds. On the first floor, the renovated
commons would house a marketplace style food court and “grab-andgo” convenience store. The lower floor would host office space, backup storage and a service desk in addition to accommodating food delivery trucks. The second floor would provide two large banquet halls and supporting back areas, collectively servicing 1,000 people. Once the projected facility is built and occupied, extensive renovation to the surrounding area would begin, transforming the old Gordon Commons into an open great lawn that would seat 150 people outdoors. The green space would be used for
eating, sunbathing and light recreational sports purposes. The proposal seeks to create a more open, welcoming and versatile space through its renovations. The great lawn would be lined with landscaping, providing a natural retaining wall within the southeast area of campus. An integrated curb would grant more pedestrian space around the Kohl Center and an inline pathway through the plaza would more safely control the heavy walking traffic. UW-Madison is looking to use this space for large gatherings and renovations page 3
UW-Madison opens institute for evolution The University Academic Planning Council approved the opening of a new UW-Madison institute for evolutionary studies last week. The institute, called the J.F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution, will consist of evolutionary research, teaching and outreach programs, according to David Baum, a UW-Madison professor of botany who is the director of the new center. Baum said the institute began as a small group at UW-Madison called the Evolution Coordinating Committee about six years ago. He said it wasn’t until last year that the
group decided to become an institute. According to Baum, the institute plans to hold a weekly research seminar series, review evolutionary curriculum offered on campus and push for a graduate program in evolutionary biology. Baum said he feels it is important for all UW-Madison students to learn something about evolution, especially those interested in studying biology. “Evolution is such an essential part of biology,” he said. “If you want to understand biology you have to understand where biological diversity came from.” According to Baum, religious oppo-
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Obama speech likely to focus on economy
Ice, ice baby
By Ashley Davis
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President Obama is under pressure to defend his policies of the last year and reassure his supporters that he will follow through on campaign promises in his State of the Union Address Wednesday. Kenneth Mayer, UW-Madison political science professor, said although Obama’s attempt to alleviate the economy is his greatest achievement thus far, the state of the economy continues to worry voters. “I guess we could point to the economic stimulus as the biggest accomplishment for the first year,” he said. “Even though technically the state of the economy has begun to grow again, that is certainly not how people think about it.” Obama has made changes in foreign policy as well, most notably with the troop surge in Afghanistan in December, but Mayer said little substantial change has been made. “Certainly there is not a lot to show for his international efforts. He didn’t get the climate change agreement or the Olympics, and his trip to Asia came up with nothing,” he said. UW-Madison College Democrats Chair Molly Rivera said people are disappointed with the Obama administration’s progress. “People are feeling frustrated that at the 2008 election they made such a booming call for change, and were so excited to see change happen immediately, that when they didn’t, they were getting frustrated.”
Mayer said one of Obama’s biggest problems going into 2010 is his failure to pass a health-care plan after devoting a year to the bill. The health-care bill, which has received criticism from both sides of the aisle, now faces a new hurdle after newly elected Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts promised to help block the bill. Many argue that Brown’s election, which Mayer deemed “huge,” signals a significant shift in political sentiment since the 2008 election. “When you have a deep blue state like Massachusetts go Republican,” said Jim Steineke, founder of conservative activist group Fox Valley Initiative, “[it means that] people want to send this administration a message that they don’t agree with the current policies.” Republican Party of Dane County Chair Mike Herl said Obama is beginning to alienate independents and centrists whose votes he successfully won in 2008. “A lot of folks … told us they voted for Obama in 2008 and said they thought he was more of a centrist. They are quite scared of how far left he and the congress ran,” Herl said. “You can tell that it is shifting.” Although Mayer said we can expect a Republican surge in the 2010 midterm elections, Rivera said she is hopeful the Democrats will stand strong. “There are still many supporters of Obama and his party,” Rivera said. “I don’t think people are ready to give up just yet.”
sition has prevented evolution from being taught properly at some high schools, making it even more important to be provided at UW-Madison. “At a university like this with great research in evolution, we’ve got to make sure that we provide students with every opportunity to learn about it,” he said. Baum said the institute receives a small amount of funding from the UW-Madison College of Letters and Science as well as the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and is open for all students, faculty and staff members to join. —Kelsey Gunderson
Doyle to give final State of the State address at Capitol By Alison Dirr The Daily Cardinal
Gov. Jim Doyle is set to deliver his final State of the State Address Tuesday at 7 p.m. The State of the State Address is a chance for Doyle to explain state
issues and plans for the coming year. Because Doyle is not running for re-election however, there is speculation surrounding which successes he will highlight, challenges he will address and topics he will leave on the shelf.
No information about the content of Doyle’s speech has been released, leaving parties on both sides of the aisle unsure if their predictions will hold true. doyle page 3
Brad Fedie/cardinal File Photo
President Obama will likely speak about the economy and the pending health-care bill at his State of the Union Address.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”