Tuesday, February 18, 2014
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 1892
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Rec Sports’ budget to raise student fees By Emily Gerber THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Division of Recreational Sports’ 2014-’15 budget was approved by the Student Services Finance Committee Monday, which will lead to an $6 increase of student segregated fees per student per semester.
“It was a challenging process for us.”
Hank Walter associate director Wisconsin Union
The budget, comprised of a total segregated fee allotment of $3,291,900, was approved with a vote of 7-0 with one abstention. Director of Rec Sports John Horn said with the approval of Rec Sports’ 2014-’15 budget, the maximum segregated fee request in the future Recreational Sports Master
Plan would be reduced to $102, as opposed to the previous $108. The Wisconsin Union also presented its 2014-’15 budget, with a request of $17,703,500 in segregated fee revenues. The proposed budget features a $1.99 increase in segregated fees per student per semester, which is a total increase of $273,600 from this current year’s budget. While segregated fees make up the majority of the Union budget, the Union also generates revenues through services both Memorial Union and Union South offer, such as the buildings’ food venues. Associate Union Director Hank Walter said there was some uncertainty in compiling next year’s budget proposal, as many variables rely on a decision from the State Building Commission next month in regards to the Memorial Union Reinvestment. “It was a challenging process for us,” Walter said, in terms
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Drunken driving to be criminalized
TOMMY YONASH/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Associate Union Director Hank Walter discusses expected changes to come with the Memorial Union renovation.
AMY GRUNTNER/DAILY CARDINAL FILE PHOTO
John Horn, Director of Recreational Sports, explained the segregated fee increase to improve workout facilities.
Wisconsin could become the last state to criminalize drunken driving. State Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, introduced a bill Monday that would criminalize first-offense drunken driving. Currently, a firstoffense is treated equally to a traffic violation. Under the bill, first-time drunken driving offenders would be fined up to $300 or receive 5 days in jail, according to a statement. Richards said a majority of drunken driving accidents involve drivers who have previous convictions. The increased penalty would cover the cost of enforcing the new law, according to the statement. Richards has supported multiple bills to improve public safety, all of which tighten intoxication laws, according to the statement. The attorney general candidate said this bill is one of several that needs to pass the state Legislature in order for Wisconsin to “get serious about drunken driving.” “First offenders are no less dangerous than repeat offenders,” Richards said. Richards is running in the 2014 attorney general election.
Landmarks Commission denies Gilman Street construction permit By Dana Kampa THE DAILY CARDINAL
Madison residents debated what Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, called one of the Landmarks Commission’s “most divisive and controversial projects” at a meeting Monday. Steve Brown Apartments requested permits to demolish 121, 123 and 127 W. Gilman St. buildings and construct three apartment buildings. The
Commission denied the construction request and referred the demolition request to another meeting. Project developer Shane Fry said the process has been frustrating and spoke about the difficulty of creating a construction plan that is compatible and economically feasible. “We feel that we’ve worked very, very hard with city staff to get to a project that can be a good
project for everyone, including the neighborhood,” Fry said. “We’re at our bare bones.” Property owner Steve Brown controversially and allegedly intentionally let 127 W. Gilman St. fall into disrepair so the Commission would let him demolish the building, despite being located in a historic district.
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Student government aims to improve college affordability The state Assembly voted along party lines Thursday to defeat the “Higher Ed Lower Debt” bill that had been debated the last month, which would have lowered interest rates on student loans in the state. The bill would have created the Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority to enact policy allowing students to refinance their student loans. It would have also required higher learning institutions to provide counseling
to students concerning the responsibilities of both parties involved in the loan. David Gardner, Associated Students of Madison Chair, said he was disappointed to see the bill voted down but added ASM was working closely with legislators to address student concerns about the rising cost of education. Gardner said ASM has “huge concerns” with regards to statements University of WisconsinMadison Chancellor Rebecca
‘Drunk in Love’ (with Ian’s) +ALMANAC, page 2
Blank has made in relation to increasing tuition. Morgan Rae, ASM’s Legislative Affairs Committee Chair, noted college affordability will still be a priority for student government. Rae also said other tuition policies will be priorities for the committee, including tuition caps and freezes, which must be renewed biannually in the state’s budget.
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GORDON COMMONS
Strollin’ Colon
The UW Carbone Cancer Center presents a giant inflatable replica of a human colon, meant to educate the public about various colon conditions and cancers. + Photo by Wil Gibb
out the Badgers’ +SPORTS, page 8 Batter Up! Check 2014 Softball Preview
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”