Weekend, March 9-12, 2017 - The Daily Cardinal

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Weekend, March 9-12, 2017

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Hometown Heroes +SPORTS, page 8

+ARTS, page 6

As transgender students’ mental health services expand, obstacles in care remain transgender mental health.

Story by Margaret Naczek Amid the many challenges transgender students face, a twofold issue emerges: locating beneficial resources and existing.

At UW-Madison, the LGBT CC works in junction with University Health Services to provide LGBT-identifying students with increasing support, especially for transgender persons. While services expand, some find help. But others are still waiting.

“It’s hard to exist sometimes as a trans person in the world that is set up the way it is right now,” said acting associate director of the LGBT Campus Center Katherine Charek Briggs.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the U.S. will experience some form of mental illness this year. One in 25

MORGAN WINSTON/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The LGBT Campus Center and University Health Services partner with the aim to provide inclusive services. will experience serious symptoms that interfere with major life activities.

These statistics increase threefold for a person who identifies as LGBT. “ Transgender people

deserve to receive mental health services from providers who are culturally competent. Trans-affirmative care assumes that the clients understand their own experience and identity,” states a set of guide-

lines released by the University of California, San Francisco’s Center of Excellence for Transgender Health to improve transgender care.

UHS uses these guidelines to structure their services toward

Burgeoning resources UHS’s mental health staff works in partnership with primary health services and the LGBT CC to facilitate wellrounded, transgender-inclusive healthcare. UHS’s three goals to provide adequate healthcare for transgender individuals involve integration of campus and community medical and mental health services, preparation of medical and mental health providers and meeting the framework of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care.

It is the LGBT CC’s open attitude, said Charek Briggs, that bolsters mental wellness, providing “welcoming, safe and affirming” guidance.

In addition to designated training sessions, the LGBT

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Breaking down UW-Madison’s sexual assault reporting numbers

By Jake Skubish THE DAILY CARDINAL

Data from a university official recently revealed reports of sexual assault increased by more than 100 in 2016 at UW-Madison, but the report included additional information about the nature of the reports as well.

A lack of information To a large extent, the numbers are clouded by uncertainty: Of the 325 reported cases, 215—roughly two-thirds—were reported to confidential sources, who don’t disclose details of the assault. That statistical shortage limited the revelations the data could provide.

More than 77 percent of the assaults occurred at an unknown location, and in 170 of the reports, or 52 percent of them, it was unknown whether the victim and assailant were acquaintances. The respondent was identified as a UW-Madison student in just 21 of the reported cases. Additionally, the degree of sexual assault was unknown in three-fourths of cases.

Report details Despite these blind spots, the

data still contained some striking discoveries. Half of the reports, 36 of them, with known locations occurred on campus; of those, 15 occurred in residence halls. In 31 percent of the reports, there was known alcohol and/or drug use.

The data also analyzed whether the victim and assailant knew each other; in 38 percent of cases the victim and assailant did know each other, and in 10 percent they did not.

When they were acquaintances, the percentage of higher-degree sexual assaults was greater: For victims and assailants who knew each other, 27 percent of reports involved first, second or third degree assaults; for those who did not, just 16 percent of cases involved these degrees of assault. In either case, alcohol and/ or drug involvement was high: 44 percent for acquaintances, and 48 percent for non-acquaintances.

The reports resulted in 15 investigations, one expulsion and three suspensions; five cases are still in progress. Culpability for sexual assault also sometimes included educational sanctions, such as mandatory alcohol education or restrictions on extracurricular activity participation.

None of the incidents were discovered to be unfounded after law enforcement investigations.

Comparison to past reports The 325 reported sexual assaults represented a roughly 50 percent increase from 2015, and a 166 percent increase from 2013. Still, the data alone can’t give a definitive answer for the root cause of these increases: Are they attributable to more sexual assaults, or better reporting?

According to Tonya Schmidt, assistant dean and director in the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, university efforts to improve access to reporting deserve at least some of the credit. Schmidt said actions such as hiring a full-time Title IX coordinator and requiring additional sexual assault education for students have made a difference.

“UW-Madison has made a concerted effort over the past several years to break down barriers to reporting and encourage more students to come forward and seek assistance,” Schmidt said. “We believe the increase in reports is a sign that prevention, education, and outreach efforts are working.”

LEAH VOSKUIL/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Associated Students of Madison candidates for Student Council gather around a list of election results at a press conference.

ASM election brings new faces, constitution change

By Nina Bertelsen THE DAILY CARDINAL

Beginning in May, the Associated Student of Madison will have a new set of faces seated at the table after spring election votes were tallied for representatives and ASM’s constitution changed Wednesday.

This year the group saw a 9 percent voter turnout—3,629 completed ballots—among the student body, down from 11 percent from last year. Student

Election Commission Chair Kate Wehrman said that the turnout difference wasn’t shocking based on past years, and the lower number was likely due to fewer students running on a ticket platform like the Blindside group.

The highest vote-getter was Kaiyang Chen at 1,213 votes for Letters and Science, which has the largest voter base among the dif-

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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

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Weekend, March 9-12, 2017

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 126, Issue 43

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000 • fax (608) 262-8100

News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com

Editor-in-Chief Theda Berry

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News Team News Manager Peter Coutu Campus Editor Sammy Gibbons College Editor Nina Bertelsen City Editor Gina Heeb State Editor Lilly Price Associate News Editor Noah Habenstreit Features Editor Hannah Olson Opinion Editors Sebastian van Bastelaer • Samantha Wilcox Editorial Board Chair Ellie Herman Arts Editors Ben Golden • Samantha Marz Sports Editors Bobby Ehrlich • Thomas Valtin-Erwin Gameday Editors Ethan Levy • Ben Pickman Almanac Editors Marc Tost • Ayomide Awosika Photo Editors Morgan Winston • Katie Scheidt Graphics Editors Amira Barre Multimedia Editors Lisa Milter Science Editor Julie Spitzer Life & Style Cassie Hurwitz Special Pages Editor Allison Garcia Copy Chiefs Katarina Gvozdjak • Yi Wu Audrey Altmann • Sydney Widell Social Media Manager Jenna Mytton Historian Will Chizek Copy Editor Sofia Biros

Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Grant Bailey Advertising Manager Tyler Baier • Caleb Bussler Marketing Director Ryan Jackson

Madison residents, students organize at Capitol for ‘Day Without a Woman’

By Noah Habenstreith and Claire Lancaster THE DAILY CARDINAL

At least 600 people rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday to observe International Women’s Day, participating in a day of strikes, protests, lobbying and walkouts that event organizers titled “A Day Without a Woman.”

The civic action in Madison was part of a nationwide movement designed to show the contributions women make to the economy and call attention to the injustices women endure around the world.

“I have the privilege to be able to skip out on school and work, and this is about speaking out for people who don’t have that chance.”

Rose Caplan student Madison East High School

People of all ages, including a sizeable number of students who walked out of area high schools around midday, showed their support by marching from different parts of the city to the Capitol, where speakers bemoaned not just threats to women’s rights,

but also to the rights of immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ people and people of color.

A group of about 50 UW-Madison students met on Library Mall to hear a speaker from the university’s socialist organization at 11 a.m., after some walked out of classes to join the protest. As they marched down State Street to join the citywide rally, they shouted chants that celebrated the intersections of social justice movements.

“Gay, straight, black, white; same struggle, same fight!” a member of the International Socialist Organization’s Madison chapter shouted through a megaphone, as the marchers drew the attention of unsuspecting passersby.

As the UW-Madison students arrived at the Capitol, about 25 minutes before the event was scheduled to officially start at noon, a modest group of community members lingered around downtown Madison.

But about 15 minutes later, a large swarm of high school students, along with some teachers, flooded the Capitol after staging a walkout from a number of area schools.

The students, who came by the hundreds, chanted, “this is what a feminist looks like”

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and “women united will never be defeated” as they made their way up the steps of the Capitol.

“I have the privilege to be able to skip out on school and work, and this is about speaking out for people who don’t have that chance,” Rose Caplan, a Madison East High School student who attended the rally, said. “Some people don’t have as much security as me, like undocumented immigrants. Me coming here is me trying to give them a voice and stand up for their rights that they might not have the chance

By Sarah Schoenfeldt THE DAILY CARDINAL

UW-Madison Cheif Diversity Officer Patrick Sims responded to a letter with reccomendations from a black alumni group.

UW-Madison to work with ‘Collective’ of black alumni

Board of Directors Herman Baumann, President Phil Brinkman • Theda Berry Tyler Baier • Negassi Tesfamichael Grant Bailey • Janet Larson Don Miner • Ryan Jackson Nancy Sandy • Jennifer Sereno Jason Stein • Tina Zavoral Caleb Bussler

JON YOON/THE DAILY CARDINAL

At least 600 protesters swarmed the state Capitol Wednesday to support the rights of women and other marginalized people. to talk about.”

Other students cited the wage gap, high rates of sexual assault and general discrimination as reasons they felt it was important to attend the protest.

“I think it’s backwards that a victim [of sexual assault] should be blamed for what happened to her or him,” Zoe Svanoe, a La Follette High School student, said.

Jagoda Swallop, also from La Follette, added that the rally was not just about women, but all

woman page 7

State Democrats introduce bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide

KATIE SCHEIDT/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Theda Berry • Negassi Tesfamichael Ellie Herman • Jack Kelly Amileah Sutliff • Dylan Anderson Sebastian van Bastelaer • Ben Pickman Samantha Wilcox

dailycardinal.com

By Noah Habenstreit THE DAILY CARDINAL

A letter sent by a group of black UW-Madison alumni drew a response from the university’s chief diversity officer, who said he hopes to work with the group to improve campus climate for students of color.

The group, known as the “Collective,” sent the letter to the UW-Madison administration in January. It details 10 “recommendations” for university actions to better the treatment of students of color on campus.

Patrick Sims, the university’s vice provost and chief

diversity officer, and Leslie Orrantia, director of community relations, sent a letter to the group last week, thanking them for their “genuine investment in the critically important work of making UW-Madison a more inclusive place.”

Sims and Orrantia told the group they will work with them on diversity issues in the future by “engag[ing] in a collaborative meeting process.”

“We envision working alongside you to discuss our

collective page 7

Three Democratic lawmakers revealed a bill Wednesday that would legalize physician-assisted deaths for terminally ill patients, starting at 18-years-old.

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and state Reps. Sondy Pope, D-Mt. Horeb, and Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, is designed to provide terminally ill patients with the ability to end life on their own terms, also known as assisted suicide.

The bill, entitled “Compassionate Choices” stipulates that in order to medically end one’s life, a patient must be a resident of Wisconsin, 18 or older, of sound mind and have received a physician recommendation for medication.

If passed, Pope hopes the law will transfer decision-making power to the patient.

“I think it’s really important that as individuals we each have the ability to control the circumstances of our life,” Pope told The Daily Cardinal. “I would personally like to have the opportunity to choose to end my life differently, with dignity.”

Assisted suicide has faced opposition from the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, an organization focused on social and political issues from a Catholic perspective.

The WCC has a history of

opposition to physician-assisted death, having opposed a similar bill that did not pass in November 2016.

Kim Wadas, executive director of the WCC, said she believes the bill violates physician’s duty to provide care.

“We think the goal of the medical profession is to heal and restore the individual and if that is not possible, to make sure they have a little comfort,” Wadas said. “We believe in the sanctity of life from conception until natural death. Physicianassisted suicide does not provide that opportunity. Really we just want to make sure that care is provided.”

The “Compassionate Choices” bill mirrors legislation already in place in other states, particularly Oregon’s 1997 Death with Dignity act. Additionally, Washington, Vermont, Montana and Washington D.C. have comparable “Compassionate Choices” legislation.

In the past 20 years, legislation relating to medically assisted death has been proposed to the Wisconsin legislature eight times. A 2016 Gallup poll found that 70 percent of Americans support physicianassisted suicide.

The authors of the bill are hopeful that it will pass through the Legislature this session and move on to become law.

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Weekend, March 9-12, 2017

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NPR panel of UW-Madison students, other guests debate purpose of higher education

By Sammy Gibbons THE DAILY CARDINAL

KATIE SCHEIDT/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Family and friends held a vigil Monday for Tony Robinson, an unarmed teenager fatally shot by Madison Police Department Officer Matt Kenny in 2015, to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Discontent persists two years after Madison police shooting of 19-year-old Tony Robinson

By Gina Heeb and Claire Lancaster THE DAILY CARDINAL

Grief and anger were palpable as hundreds of friends, family and community members held a demonstration Monday night to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the death of Tony Robinson, a teenager shot and killed in 2015

by Madison Police Department Officer Matt Kenny.

Family and friends still seeking justice Demonstrators chanted, “The whole damn system is guilty as hell, indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail,” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police,” as they marched from Madison East High School to the Social Justice Center—a block from where Robinson was shot.

“Madison is not like other places. This is a place that when people know the truth, they will act.”

Anand Swaminathan prosecuting attorney

“They took [Robinson’s life] like he was a f---ing dog,” a protester yelled. “There are six bullets in a revolver and they took seven to kill him. Are you kidding me?”

Several of Robinson’s family members—who recently reached a historic settlement in the civil lawsuit filed against the city of Madison in association with the teen’s shooting— attended the march.

“Accidents happen in life,” said Robinson’s cousin, Tia. “We agree with that, but this situation was not an accident.”

Andrea Irwin, Robinson’s mother, spoke out several times during the event, calling for justice for her son’s death. She encouraged the community to

visit a website with compiled evidence she said showed that her son was innocent.

“He did nothing other than ingest something he couldn’t handle,” Irwin said. “He needed help. There were calls for help.

My son got seven bullets to his face and his chest. I’m not done and my lawyers aren’t done … but now, after two years, now that this settlement is over, now we can be angry.”

Friends of Robinson said they showed up to remember a man who was easy to get along with, and whose character seemed at odds with Kenny’s account of the altercation.

“It just shows that people are scared of a skin tone more than a personality,” said Dawan Reynolds Jr., a close friend of Robinson’s.

The fatal shooting has been a source of heated disagreement between the family and MPD. Protesters carried banners that read “Fire Matt Kenny” and “Community Control Over Police.”

Conflicting evidence David Owens and Anand Swaminathan, prosecuting attorneys in the civil suit, observed the two-year mark of the teen’s death by presenting evidence at a press conference that they said doesn’t match up with Kenny’s claims.

“The truth means there’s space for Tony Robinson to become Tony Robinson,” Swaminathan said. “For two years there has been a story told about Tony Robinson, a kid who attacked a police officer and got shot. That’s not what happened. Tony Robinson can’t be the person that the family knows and loves if that’s the perception of who he is.”

Owens and Swaminathan said an audio-video synchronization disproved Kenny’s claim that the first three shots were fired at the top of the staircase, as a response to being punched

by Robinson. The video compilation—which matches up

visual footage from Kenny’s dashboard camera with corresponding audio recording from the microphone of Sgt. Jamar Gary, an officer sent to the scene as backup—shows the first three shots being fired at the base of the staircase.

“Accidents happen in life.

We agree with that, but this situation was not an accident.”

Tia Robinson’s cousin

Prosecutors also questioned the proximity between Robinson and Kenny when those first three shots were fired. Evidence shows, Owens and Swaminathan said, that at least two of the first three shots were fired from a distance. While Kenny said that Robinson was one foot above him on the staircase, swinging punches, forensic evidence showed that all shots fired from close range entered Robinson with downward trajectory— suggesting the two were not where he claimed at the time.

Owens and Swaminathan noted Robinson’s body position remained “unchanged” after the first three rounds fired, disproving Kenny’s claim that Tony was still “aggressing” toward him during the last four shots.

“Madison is not like other places,” Swaminathan said.

“This is a place that when people know the truth, they will act.

And when they act, their elected officials might listen. So we’re here in part because we have a hopeful message. We want to present the truth to the public and they can take whatever steps they believe are important.”

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division are investigating the shooting, according to NBC15.

In the midst of midterms, college students may be asking “Why college?” National Public Radio’s Michel Martin asked panelists, which included four UW-Madison students, this question and what purpose they think higher education serves.

Wisconsin Union President Deshawn McKinney, Outreach Director for the UW-Madison Working Class Student Union Sam Park, Powers-Knapp Academic Scholar Kaitlynne Roling and Associated Students of Madison Representative Brooke Evans spoke with Martin at the event sponsored

by Wisconsin Public Radio, “Going There: Why College?” which will be featured on her NPR program, “All Things Considered,” next week.

The student panelists shared personal anecdotes about the driving forces that led them to enroll in college.

Evans, a nontraditional student who was homeless for much of her college career, said she owed her desire to continue her education to her older brother, and the Gifted and Talented Education in her early school years. “[GATE] taught me, without knowing it, taught me that my mind would be a terrible thing to waste,” Evans said.

“It’s at least worth trying it out, and college is a place to do that.”

This led into a conversation among the panelists about whether higher education is meant for people to “find

themselves” or to get a job.

Park said his experience has been shaped by his requirement to work and not explore opportunities like studying abroad or unpaid internships.

“It’s a matter of understanding that there’s power in honing your experience because then you’re able to control what happens with you,” Park said.

Following the panel of students and a performance by UW-Madison’s First Wave, Martin and McKinney were joined by other guests, including radio host and author Charlie Sykes and state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.

The group touched on similar topics, as well as where funding for education should go and what college is for. They debated if some political ideologies are stifled on the UW-Madison campus and mentioned classes such as the “The Problem with Whiteness.” Roling is enrolled in the recently added course, which gained national media attention.

Roling disagreed with Vos, who said courses like this were “liberal.” She said people should take classes like this in order to do what many individuals in the auditorium agreed college is for, which is not simply getting a job.

“Taking these classes has really helped me find myself in a way,” Roling said. “I am learning more about the history of our country and the world, allowing me to go forth and talk to people about this.”

CARDINAL FLASHBACK

Hurdles passed & hurdles to come

Wednesday the world celebrated International Women’s Day to recognize the movement for women’s rights. In the fall of 1974 UW-Madison took a big step forward in the fight for equality by establishing an intercollegiate women’s sports program thanks to the help of Title IX. + Daily Cardinal Archives, 1974

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Weekend, March 9-12, 2017

dailycardinal.com

Increased awareness of Good Samaritan laws crucial to campus safety NATALIE SCHNELL letter to the editor

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write to address and reiterate the importance of Good Samaritan laws having a more clear and progressive approach to protecting bystanders and the endangered person involved in a dangerous situation due to alcohol or drug use.

I have personal experience with a situation where Good Samaritan laws proved their importance.

People are unaware they will be protected when calling for the sake of someone’s safety.

NICK MONFELI/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Students should not choose a STEM major just because their future salary will be greater.

Studying STEM is not more valuable than a degree in humanities ADAM IMRAN opinion columnist

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f I had a dollar for every single time I’ve been told a STEM degree is more valuable than a degree in something non-technical, I would be a wealthy man.

Today, society puts such a huge emphasis on getting degrees in the broad sciences, that it makes people forget the values of the non-numerical. It puts math over arts, computer sciences over history and physics over English.

Now, if I had a dollar for every time prospective STEM majors responded to “Why are you a STEM major?” with “Because it will land me a good job where I can make a lot of money,” I think I could fund my ticket to see the Chainsmokers April 28.

The people who decide to direct their careers toward something more than just a high salary are extremely commendable.

I understand that the entire reason we attend college is to graduate with a major that will land us a job. However, it is also a time to explore passions and talents and can help you become a more well-rounded person.

This is why it is so important that we all take classes that we enjoy—so that we can be happy people, not simply driven by success and a well-paid job.

A writing course is applicable no matter what your major is.

Whether you want to

improve your research papers, or you love to write creatively and need an outlet within a slew of math and stats classes, writing classes help all students.

Whether it be to analyze the architecture of the Ming Dynasty or write a research proposal for a National Science Foundation grant, effective writers are effective employees because they can clearly share their ideas, as well as potentially inspire positive change or progress within their field.

Beyond writing courses, other humanities and liberal arts fields get the short end of the stick.

Political science and government are the essentials of an informed society and are no less important than math or science when we are talking about society as a whole. They help to strengthen global relationships, something we are in desperate need of in this xenophobic political climate.

The social sciences encourage the understanding of human interaction. Whether it is understanding our history through archaeology and anthropology, or using the power of economics to help find equality in our society, these professions and schools of thought are essential for a working society.

Public speaking and communications should also not be overlooked. Forming spoken arguments and having the skills to present your thoughts in a way that is articulate and clear is integral to forming a society where ideas are valued and understood.

Whether you are a politi-

cian planning the next debate or an oncologist on the verge of discovering the cure for cancer, you need to be able to share your views with others.

There should be focus not just on quantitative but also on qualitative information and academics.

Scientists and people working in technology are not the only people that can more significant advances in the world.

While biochemists may be key in understanding the most recent medical discovery or detecting a new virus in the red blood cell, people in the humanities are often the bridge between different cultures and can articulate the things that everyone is thinking to a global audience.

All in all, there should be focus not just on quantitative but also on qualitative information and academics.

The people who decide to direct their careers toward something more than just a high salary are extremely commendable.

Both have influences in everything we all do. Most importantly, they go hand and hand.

Adam is a sophomore studying applied mathematics. What are your thoughts on humanities majors? Do you feel pressured to pursue a STEM field because of future job security and salary? Have you felt judged because of your chosen study? Please send questions, comments and concerns to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

It was Halloween weekend my freshman year. Given the reputation of this specific weekend in Madison, my friends and I had been looking forward to it all week.

Little did we know, it would be one of the most unforgettable weekends of our college experiences thus far—for all the wrong reasons.

On Saturday night, instead of going with the rest of our group to Freakfest, my friend and I decided to stay at the house party we were drinking at. The next thing I remember is being in the bathroom and my friend slumped over on the floor, unconscious.

After attempting to wake her up by splashing her with cold water, people outside the door realized something was wrong and came in to give help. Meanwhile, my other friends had returned from Freakfest and were trying to assist the situation as well.

Realizing things were out of our control and that our friend needed medical attention, the decision was made to call 911. The ambulance arrived, the first responders were directed upstairs and my friend was rushed to the hospital.

We then made the walk to UW Hospital where my friend was being taken care of with a 0.32 blood alcohol content. The legal BAC is 0.08.

If we had not called 911, we do not know if my friend would have just woken up the next morning with a raging hangover or not woken up at all.

Thankfully, our decision to make that call was without question due to those around us knowing about the Good Samaritan laws.

Even though my friends and I were partaking in underage drinking at that party, no tickets were issued. While this may not be the case for all situations of this type, it is still crucial that more people are aware that these laws exist.

It surprises me—and frankly worries me—that people are unaware they will be protected when calling for the sake of someone’s safety.

The fact that this unawareness may lead to people not calling for help when someone is in danger is concerning.

The well-being of a person should not be compromised by the fear of the caller or the victim getting in trouble with the law.

It is important that the university, UW Police Department and Madison Police Department take steps to clarify and express Good Samaritan laws in order to encourage getting help when a situation turns serious.

The well-being of a person should not be compromised by the fear of the caller or the victim getting in trouble with the law.

An increased awareness of Good Samaritan laws is crucial to the safety of this campus.

What are your thoughts on the Good Samaritan laws on campus and in Madison? Are they broad enough to instill confidence within callers reporting an incident? Or do they discourage the community from getting help for someone who needs it?

Please send any and all questions, comments and concerns to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

MILLER JOZWIAK/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Good Samaritan laws help to prevent substance-related deaths.

almanac dailycardinal.com

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GOP: ‘Obamacare’ to be replaced by a walk-in Walgreens clinic in Oklahoma

By Patrick Hoeppner THE DAILY CARDINAL

The impending repeal of the Affordable Care Act, known colloquially as “Obamacare,” was largely cited by critics as having the potential to harshly impact the sectors of the American population who would not otherwise be covered by health insurance. Republicans, as of Tuesday morning, seem to have found a solution—in a two-physician Walgreens clinic, which has now been tasked with the immense responsibility of caring for all of America’s uninsured.

“The resources and staff of the walk-in Walgreens clinic should be sufficient to care for the healthcare needs of the nineteen million Americans who will be abandoned by their health insurance providers,” Ben Carson

said. “It appears to be a skimpy, but adequate, solution.”

The walk-in clinic, located in Tulsa, Okla., is a 258-mile drive from Dallas, a 269-mile drive from Kansas City, and a 107-mile drive from Oklahoma City, the three major population centers in the greater region. The Walgreens clinic is staffed by two doctors and is open from eight-thirty in the morning through one-thirty in the afternoon.

“With a 15-minute waiting time, on average, the new Walgreens clinic in Tulsa is our most effective strategy in combating the premium hikes that working Americans have seen under the Affordable Care Act,” an architect of the Affordable Care Act replacement bill said.

“The Affordable Care Act is rapidly collapsing, and we need to ensure that we engineer a suitable replacement to fulfill the medical needs of the American populace,” Paul Ryan said in the unveiling address of the replacement bill. “It is clear that the Walgreens clinic provides our best option, and the most accessible option, to bring the best health care possible to the American people.”

“It is evident to me,” President Barack Obama said, while on a kitesurfing vacation with Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands, “that a two-man Oklahoma quack shack will not have the horsepower to care for almost twenty million people who will be simultaneously abandoned by their insurance.”

Republican pundits cheered

IMAGE BY AYOMIDE AWOSIKA

An artist’s rendering of what the proposed clinic could look like. on the measure, with several affirming long-standing party beliefs that “Obamacare” should not be replaced at all.

“Those left-leaning varmints got doctors,” a Texas congressman said. “That’s good enough!”

Academy Awards blame Russia for Best Picture mix-up

By Jordyn Walker THE DAILY CARDINAL

COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS - DEMOCRACY CHONICLES

The Academy’s main suspects for the Russian spies depicted here.

Over a week after the 89th Academy Awards, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement saying it is “confident” that Russia is to blame for the Best Picture mix-up that shocked the world. According to the statement, the Academy denies the possibility that human error may have caused the mistake and insists that Russia’s highest officials ordered a “series of deceptive

Democratic congressmen request to import Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

By Marc Tost THE DAILY CARDINAL

WASHINGTON—It was a rough week for Democratic congressmen. Republicans revealed the promised healthcare alternative to the Affordable Care Act, which as anticipated will cost millions of Americans their insurance coverage, while deportations of illegal immigrants continued across the U.S. Facing mounting opposition from a Republican majority and president, some Democratic congressmen are putting their hope into last-ditch move: the involuntary importation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Using people as a resource should be a right of every American politician.”

Mitch McConnell majority leader U.S. Senate

Capitol staff Monday were surprised to discover the official petition, which had been nailed to the door of Senator Mitch McConnell’s office. It laid out the request for a team of Navy Seals to invade the home of Trudeau, kidnap the

prime minister and imprison him in the personal bathroom of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The document went on to request congressional permission to humanely waterboard Trudeau in order to receive strategic political advice.

A federal judge, who requested her identity be kept private, was skeptical of the legality of the plan when interviewed by the Cardinal reporters. She was quoted saying “while obviously, sometimes, we have to wiretap foreign leaders, physically bringing them to the U.S. to interrogate them is a bit of a grey area, legally speaking.”

When McConnell himself was asked about the plan, he began by going on the record to say he was impressed with the Democrats’ initiative, and continued on to mention that “using people as a resource should be a right of every American politician.” He concluded the conference by stating that he thought Trudeau was a poor choice, and that he would like to recommend to his Democratic colleagues an importation of Nigel Farage instead, even offering to pay for expedited shipping as a show of bipartisan goodwill.

At press time, a parcel containing a small amount of chloroform was intercepted by customs officers at the Canadian border.

tactics, including spies, look-alikes and other clever distractions” to cause PwC accountant Brian Cullinan to give the presenters the wrong envelope.

“Although investigations are still underway, we are almost positive that the Russians have sent a spy backstage to distract the accountants and sabotage the presentation,” The Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a press conference following the statement.

“I am utterly heartbroken by this attack on the integrity of the entertainment industry, America’s most noble institution,” said Boone.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said in an interview that Putin was “incredibly hurt” by the accusations. “President Putin loves ‘Moonlight’ and has seen it at least three times,” Peskov commented. “He was thrilled to see it win Best Picture.” In recent tweets, Putin explained that while

watching the Oscars, he was “just as shocked and confused as everybody else” and called “Moonlight” a “true masterpiece, beautifully shattering stereotypes of masculinity and sexuality.”

While representatives of “Moonlight” have remained largely silent on the issue, “La La Land” composer Justin Hurwitz has composed a heart-wrenching score about his feelings on the issue to be released in time to sweep at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

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Weekend, March 9-12, 2017

dailycardinal.com

Excitement for South

By Southwest mounts South By Southwest officially begins this weekend down in Austin, Texas. With a stacked lineup of artists, keynote speakers, films and television shows, SXSW is gearing up to be an amazing festival. The Daily Cardinal Arts staff will be flying down to cover the event, and here’s what they are most looking forward to: As a hub for all things music, SXSW has a lot to offer this year. First off is the 18-year-old Madison native, Trapo. He’s one of the most original artists in hip hop right now, giving him the potential to blow up at any time. Additionally, young rappers like Aminé, Eric Biddines and Sammus all have extremely unique sounds delivered with intense confidence, following a recipe for success.

Acid Dad, the psychedelic, surf rock group with a knack for making infectious music, has been in constant rotation since I found them. Temples is another band with a psychedelic edge, but they take their sound to futuristic places that draw in your attention like no other. The Regrettes are a punk band from LA who are overflowing with energy; they are primed for a rowdy show.

Of course, I’d be crazy if I didn’t say how giddy I am about the appearances of established acts like Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Ferg, Sleigh Bells and Migos.

Most of all, I’m looking forward to stumbling across artists that I’ve never heard of before.

—Logan Rude Although recently revoked, the controversy surrounding SXSW and their inexcusable deportation clause in their artist statement has launched a justifiable air of cynicism surrounding the festival amongst artists and industry professionals alike. While we should all go into Austin wary of the corporate backbone that supports this event, I’m finding optimism in the incredible and deserving artists waiting to be supported and unearthed during

their performances in the Lone Star State. While my favorite approach to South By is spontaneous and flexible, I’ve got a mile-long list of must-sees going in. There’s too many to cram into one blurb, but I included some highlights. Girlpool’s recent single “123” has me itching to hear my old favorites while I hope for more of a look at their upcoming album. I’ve been listening to Young M.A. nonstop since her feature in “The Fader.” I’ll be lined up for YouTube’s showcase with Solange, Lil Yatchy and Migos because, c’mon! After catching Noname at The Sett about a month ago, I’m dying for another live performance from the phenomenal rapper. I could keep going; my intended schedule is impossibly packed and bound to shift once I get there, but the one thing that’s set in stone is that a lot my favorite performances will be people whose names I don’t even know at the moment.

—Amileah Sutliff South by Southwest is going to be quite the experience this year! Hundreds of exciting events are lined up, and I wish to cover just about all of them.

Although I cannot clone myself and attend every event, there are a few specific standouts that I hope to catch. The new television series, “American Gods,” a Starz series based on the Neil Gaiman novel, will be premiering with the cast in attendance.

Former Vice President and recent meme-celebrity Joe Biden was just announced as a special guest. The cast of my favorite political comedy, HBO’s “Veep” will be there, including the legendary Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Chaos will no doubt ensue when the “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as the show’s stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, will give a talk.

UW alum and “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway will be giving a film keynote. There will

also be exciting music performances by local talents, including Caroline Smith, Lizzo and Hippo Campus, as well as better-known artists like Spoon, Weezer and Solange. Kesha will not be performing, but she will be giving a talk discussing the dangers of cyberbullying. Many interesting films will be making their debut as well, including the closer of the festival, space thriller “Life,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds.

So much to cover, so little time!

—Ben Golden I had the privilege of attending South By Southwest last year, so I cannot wait to jump back into the thick of the festival again. On my radar this year is director Edgar Wright’s crime-comedy “Baby Driver,” starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx. James Franco’s “The Disaster Artist,” starring James and Dave Franco, Seth Rogen and Josh Hutcherson will also add comedy to the lineup. Franco will appear again in “This is Your Death,” a dramatic satire directed by Giancarlo Esposito, who also stars in the film. On the side of television, “American Gods,” an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantastical novel, will premiere at SXSW, along with “Dear White People,” a show based on the 2014 film.

Several notable speakers will also give presentations; director Gareth Edwards, hot off the successes of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” will be in attendance, as well as showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Beinoff of “Game of Thrones,” accompanied by stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner. Most notably, however, is former Vice President Joe Biden, who will discuss the fight to end cancer.

I’m counting down the seconds until I finally get to experience SXSW 2017.

—Sam Marz Check out the arts section at dailycardinal.com for updates on South By Southwest 2017.

IMAGE COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS -JÖRG WESTPFAHL

South By Southwest 2017 will feature various artists, films and television show premieres.

IMAGE COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS - FX NETWORK

“Feud” explores Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s tense relationship.

‘Feud’ depicts iconic stars’ rivalry with depth

By Monique Scheidler TV COLUMNIST

If you’ve run into me in the past month, you’d know that I’ve been binge-watching Ryan Murphy like crazy. I sat down and watched the entire season of “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” in a matter of days. I felt like I was going through withdrawals, but luckily Murphy’s back with his new anthology series, “Feud,” and I can get my fix once again.

Murphy’s new series centers on one of pop culture’s favorite things: celebrity feuds.

The first season follows Bette Davis (Susan Sarandon), Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange) and the rivalry between the two stars on the set of their film, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” Both stars are past their prime, struggling to find roles for women of their age. Crawford, despite hating Davis, knows that if the two of them team together for a movie, it’ll be the biggest film of the year. That doesn’t keep her from taking every chance she can to outshine her.

This show perfectly fits Murphy’s stylized directing, from the lavish set decorations to the campy dialogue and camera movements. Across his numerous successful shows, he manages to keep his style consistent, whether it be in a horror story, a courtroom drama or a 1960s period drama. The playful mixture of humor throughout works so perfectly with this over-thetop story of an extravagant time in Hollywood. On top of that, it looking beautiful, half of the episodes are directed by women and it provides over 15 acting roles for women over the age of 40, something hardly any TV shows are doing today.

However, what really perfects this show are the performances

by Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. When the two of them are in a scene together, they fill it up with their presence alone. It’s incredibly hard to portray reallife people as famous as Bette and Joan—and we can see how this can fall flat like with Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance as O.J.

Simpson in “American Crime Story”—but Sarandon and Lange do it and make it seem effortless. The only word to describe them in these roles is iconic.

They give such nuanced performances, adding layers to what could have been an incredibly shallow story. The first we see of Lange, she’s sitting in the audience as Marilyn Monroe accepts an award for Best Actress. She makes a bitter comment and brushes it off, but her eyes fill with tears, showing firsthand the insecurity lying beneath a woman who is seen as an icon, not a human being. Another scene that blew me away was after their first day of shooting on set when the two women join the director in the theater to screen the day’s shots. They are forced to see themselves— who they actually are and who they’ve become–within this feud with one another. It’s a tragic scene that gave us a glimmer of the emotional toll we’re going to see these women put through.

Though to be honest, the performance from Sarandon and Lange wasn’t all that surprising.

They’re two of the most incredible actresses in history, so I had full faith in them to fill the shoes of Bette and Joan. What surprised me the most was the underbelly of the show. I went in expecting to watch an hour of mean pranks and catty comebacks, but what I found was a story of Hollywood pitting these two women against one another for their survival–the internalized misogyny that gets passed off as competitiveness. Stanley Tucci as Jack Warner, the producer of the film, is the perfect sexist driving force behind the entire rivalry.

These women are repeatedly tossed to the side because of their age; it’s easy to see them as the villains when, in reality, they’re the victims. The show starts us off by saying, “Feuds are never about hate, they’re about pain,” and throughout the pilot, we see exactly that.

Are you a fan of “Feud” and Ryan Murphy’s shows? Let Monique know your thoughts at arts@dailycardinal.com.

jumps dailycardinal.com

Sloths take two weeks to digest their food.

Today’s Sudoku

© Puzzles by Pappowcom

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

transgender from page 1 CC builds community among transgender students through its Gender Explorers group, a space for all to “explore concepts and constructs of gender in their own lives,” according to its website.

“The LGBT CC has definitely improved my overall wellness,” UW-Madison sophomore Samson Srok, said. “It’s connected me with some amazing supportive people and a sense of community.”

For transgender students, UHS offers non-surgical therapy, including hormone therapy and gender identity counseling. Both are covered under the Student Health Insurance Plan. This insurance plan also recently covered a $25,000 lifetime cap toward gender affirming services, which can include hormones and a variety of surgical procedures.

Walk-in consultations and various drop-in hours are offered for students as well, which can begin the process of gender identity counseling.

UHS associate counselor Shannon Juniper Neimeko, who was hired in September 2016 to facilitate better counseling service for transgender individuals, said that by “improving services for underrepresented people,”

collective from page 2 Today’s Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1 Artist’s studio, sometimes 5 Port of Israel 10 Parts of dogs’ paws 14 Completely qualified 15 Alaskan islander 16 Brainstorming result 17 Sanity 20 Irritably impatient 21 Feebleness 22 Jalopy 25 Titled British woman 26 Major network 29 Cold Italian desserts 31 Horse race victory margin 35 Two-cup garment 36 Aeries, e.g.

38 Food holder 39 What some headphones filter 43 “No” voter 44 Sleeper’s sound 45 “Are we not ___? We are Devo!”

46 Reeks 49 DNA-sample collector 50 Baseball pitching stat 51 Christian name in fashion 53 Vertical thing behind drywall 55 Feelings of unease (with “the”)

58 Very flexible 62 Partner at a candlelight supper 65 Very soon, in old poetry 66 Type of spray 67 Castrate a farm animal 68 Large smoking pipe 69 Glue component 70 Mine bonanza finds DOWN 1 Worst race finish 2 Certain orchestra instrument 3 They can be worse than colds 4 First extra inning 5 One of the Brady Bunch 6 Beer relative 7 “Gab,” “slug” or “song” ending 8 Melded by fire 9 Without a key, in music 10 Things stuffed in an olive 11 Entrance to a mine 12 Just say no 13 Melancholy 18 Doing a pre-Easter activity 19 Stew or boil?

23 Super server in tennis 24 Mexican change

26 Successor to Arafat 27 Certain goose 28 They grow in the desert 30 Blows one’s mind 32 Dirty gunk 33 Weapon that immobilizes 34 Doglike nocturnal mammal 37 “The ___ Of Kilimanjaro” 40 Fire starters 41 “Curses!”

42 Space cloud of gas and dust 47 Pottery baker 48 Polished and wellgroomed 52 Short summary 54 Australian wild dog 55 Excessive drinker 56 Knowing, as a secret 57 “Eh” or “meh” 59 Level at Camden Yards 60 Donut part with the fewest calories 61 Final boundaries 62 Bit of gel 63 Min. opposite 64 Carry on, as a trade

efforts in greater depth, talking about our progress, listening to your insights, and providing opportunities for you to inform continued improvement, including the creation of new initiatives where gaps may exist,” Sims and Orrantia said in the letter.

The Collective’s original letter, signed by over 160 black alumni, called on UW-Madison to “intentionally include diversity and inclusion throughout the student experience,” “require diversity and inclusion components throughout employee hiring, onboarding, and evaluation processes” and “create a robust response and support protocol to hate and bias incidents that is at least as sophisticated and interdepartmental as the campus sexual assault response protocol,” among other recommendations.

The letter also criticized UW-Madison’s response to an incident in October in which a spectator at a Wisconsin football game was photographed in a costume depicting former President Barack Obama wearing a noose.

The university initially defended

woman from page 2 marginalized people.

“I never had the chance to go to a protest, but it’s an extremely important issue,” Swallop said.

“People have to deal with discrimination all over—not just women, but people of color and many others.”

Speakers at the event continued the rally’s theme of intersectionality.

Jessica Williams, an advocate for survivors of gender-based violence at Freedom Inc., pointed to the story of Cierra Finkley as an example of a minority woman being failed by a system that is

Weekend, March 9-12, 2017 UHS helps transgender students with gender identity, medical and social transition, as well as lessening the stress that comes with being in the minority.

Limited spaces While the services offered at UHS can improve a student’s mental health, many times there are not enough staff members or too long of wait times to positively impact students.

“The demand for mental health services is extremely high, and in my experience, it’s taken six or more weeks to get an appointment, which is absolutely devastating for someone going through a rough time,” Srok said.

Graduate student Jess Draws, who works at the LGBT CC said more queer and transgender counselors of color are necessary for students like herself who will only use a queer counselor.

“They [non-queer counselors] just don’t understand my experience and often make mistakes and microaggressions. It makes a world of difference to have a queer counselor, and there just aren’t many to choose from or that I know about,” Draws said.

Even for non-specific mental health services, students like junior Helen Rottier have found counselor services at the spectator’s right to free speech.

In response to the group’s recommendation that the university “improve communication about diversity, inclusion, and climate progress, programs and initiatives,” Sims and Orrantia acknowledged that the school’s “communications to date about those initiatives haven’t been great,” and invited the Collective to a quarterly phone call to discuss possible solutions.

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UHS subjective. “I definitely have to advocate for myself and the things I wanted before they fell into place,” Rottier said.

Rottier said that both UHS and the campus community can improve mental health care services with a greater sense of transparency and openness “by listening to patients, acknowledging their needs and working to destigmatize mental health issues.”

Juniper Neimeko hopes in the future UHS and the university can hire more LGBT counselors to decrease wait times for students. Charek Briggs also said that the university needs to continue training staff that has experience in the LGBT community and is trained in LGBT competency.

Srok, who uses they/them pronouns, met with a gender identity counselor to receive a letter of referral for hormone replacement therapy. They have been able to work with both UHS and their off-campus therapist to create a system of support to managing their mental health.

While Srok spoke highly of the community-based resources that UHS offers, they suggested more counselors and longer office hours as ways to both decrease wait times.

“UHS still feels too busy to feel like they are a community,” they said.

asm from page 1

“We’ll begin our first call by listening to your recommendations, hearing your concerns, and sharing a detailed overview of the initiatives that fit within your recommendations,” Sims and Orrantia wrote. “[This will] put us on the same page and ensure our work is most effective.”

ferent colleges represented. The incoming representative from the School of Education, winner Jesse Galvan, earned the lowest number of votes, 11, for his seat representing a university college.

This election also saw a nondiscrimination amendment to the ASM Constitution pass with 90 percent approval from all voters.

The amendment will alter the Declaration of Rights article and provide greater protection to underrepresented groups to ensure that no matter who they are, all students will be represented

by ASM, according to the amendment author Rep. Brooke Evans.

With the change, the section now includes many additional identities not previously stated such as language ability, citizenship status, occupation, diverse ability, religion, military service and several more.

“Every student, no matter their classification of any kind, has a right to be served by this body,” Evans said. “I wanted to make sure regardless of who was elected to this body in the future that they understood what their job was.”

insensitive to women’s issues.

Williams said Finkley was a victim of domestic abuse, and was punished for acting out in selfdefense after several disregarded 911 calls.

“If you are a black woman, you don’t get mentioned when women are discussed,“ Williams said. “Patriarchy is not just personal or private, but also structural.”

There were political undertones to the rally, with many of the speakers denouncing the Trump administration for what they considered misogyny and insensitivity to women’s and minority issues.

“I don’t think a march like this has happened before that I can recall on International Women’s Day. Maybe I’m more aware this year because of the new administration,” Barb Klich, a nurse in Madison, said. “I’m here today for reproductive rights, Planned Parenthood and the ACA.” Some protesters entered the Capitol after the rally to voice support to their representatives for women’s issues. The day of action continued later Wednesday evening with an event titled “International Women’s Day Against Trump,” held at UW-Madison’s humanities building.

“We envision working alongside you to discuss our efforts in greater depth, talking about our progress, listening to your insights...”

Leslie Orrantia and Patrick Sims UW-Madison administrators

Sports

WEEKEND, MARCH 9-12, 2017 DAILYCARDINAL.COM

Read of the Week

Men’s Basketball

Wisconsin-born: Hometown heroes treasure opportunity to play for Cardinal and White Story by Ethan Levy

N

ot many college hockey players get the chance to play for their dream school. But for a select group of kids who one day find themselves at the school of their dreams, they carry an extra sense of pride every time that they step on the ice.

For the Badgers, Tim Davison, Jake Bunz, Jarod Zirbel, Jake Linhart and Jason Ford all dreamed about playing for Wisconsin since they were little kids. All five current Badgers grew up in Wisconsin, and their careers have been dedicated to finding their way to UW. “For any kid growing up in Wisconsin to be able to come here and put the red and white sweater on, it’s pretty surreal,” Zirbel said. “It’s something a lot of kids dream about and for me, it’s a dream come true.”

Like Zirbel, the rest of the instate Badgers have dreamed of playing at UW their whole lives.

Not all, however, knew that they would ever get that chance.

“It’s something I wanted to do, but it’s not something that I knew that I was going to be able to do or how far I was going to make it,” Ford said. “So it was definitely a goal that I worked towards, and when it came true it was something special.”

For others, there was never any question about whether or not they would wind up at Wisconsin.

“I was always like, ‘I’m going

to be a Badger no matter what,’” Bunz said. “In juniors I started getting recruited by other schools and I always entertained the thought of going somewhere else and I went on a few visits, but in the back of my mind I was like, ‘This wouldn’t be the best thing ever for me.’ I wanted to go to Wisconsin no matter what.”

“When you step on the ice and hear the band playing, that’s something that always stood out to me when I was a kid, and I just thought that was the coolest thing,” Linhart added. “I was actually at the national championship game in 2006 at the Bradley Center, and ever since then I just wanted to come here.”

“For any kid growing up in Wisconsin to be able to come here and put the red and white sweater on, it’s pretty surreal.”

Jarod Zirbel sophomore UW men’s hockey

Still, all five in-state Badgers, regardless of their expectations, agreed that playing youth hockey in Wisconsin and being instate kids helped prepare them for playing collegiate hockey at the Division I level for the UW. “I think that there are a lot of good opportunities out there for Wisconsin players to go anywhere within the state and play good quality hockey and get

themselves prepared for juniors or beyond,” Bunz said.

Since making the jump from youth hockey in Wisconsin to playing for the university, the five have made sure not to take any moment for granted living out their childhood dream of wearing the Cardinal and White.

“I remember growing up and coming here to watch games and my dad saying, ‘Oh, maybe you will make it here someday,’ and as a kid you are like, ‘Oh, wow, that would be awesome,’” Zirbel said. “And then you finally make it here, you are kind of reminiscent of those days when you remember watching all those guys that played here before you and won games and national championships and then you get to come here and try to do the same thing. It’s pretty awesome.”

The rest of the in-state Badgers felt a similar pride in playing for such a storied program. Dozens of NHL stars have stepped out on the ice at the Kohl Center, and they proudly wear the Badger name as a badge of honor.

“I mean, honestly, every day I’m living a dream. It may be cliché, but growing up in Green Bay, I grew up a Badger fan and every day is just surreal and I try not to take it for granted,” Davison said. “To be a Badger is something special, and then especially to be an in-state kid to be a Badger to get that opportunity, a lot of kids would kill to be in my skates, so I try not to take it for granted, and I try to get better every day and just take full advantage of my opportunity.”

CAMERON LANE-FLEHINGER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Growing up in Wisconsin, Jake Linhart has always dreamed of playing hockey for the Badgers.

CAMERON LANE-FLEHINGER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

While watching the team from the sidelines, Matt Ferris has worked to find ways to contribute to the team off the court.

Ferris’ bright disposition helps Badgers stay focused

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin THE DAILY CARDINAL

In the spring semester of his sophomore year, Matt Ferris found himself enrolled in Calculus 213 with his high-profile teammate, Nigel Hayes. Hayes was a serious contributor on a team that came within a few minutes of a national championship, while Ferris scored a total of two points in 17 minutes over the course of the season.

Despite the sharp differences in their performances on the court, the two formed an unlikely friendship off the court. The study partners found common ground in their goofy personalities and have since become like family.

But as Hayes has grown into the figurehead of the Wisconsin program and the team has stopped going to Final Fours, he’s refocused on basketball and let Nigel Burgundy fade into the background. Ferris, meanwhile, has blossomed into the comedic spirit at the heart of the Badgers.

“I think if you look at all the good teams, they’ve got someone that’s able to crack a joke or is able to focus on things outside of the court,” Ferris’ roommate and teammate Aaron Moesch said.

“And he’s just a goofy guy.”

Ferris has become the go-to guy for a pick-me-up, and he says that that’s an especially important role to play when the team falls on hard times. During this season, when the Badgers dropped five games in a six-game stretch, Ferris was the one who kept them focused on the next game after tough losses.

And while, for many teams, it’s generally the senior captain inspiring the team during dark days, Ferris has found unique ways to keep the team motivated to bust of its slump.

“I’m a redshirt sophomore on the team, it’s not like I can stand up in the locker room and give a rah-rah speech after we just blew a game,” he said. “But just anything to keep the guys light, anything to keep them positive, because you can’t play a basketball game with your head down.”

Despite his lack of on-court persona, Ferris has worked his way into the spotlight a handful of times over the years for his light-hearted

social media presence. This past winter, Ferris and Hayes took to Twitter and went viral for their “13 Days of Nigel” and “13 Days of Ugly” threads as the two went back and forth posting embarrassing photos of the other each day during what’s commonly known as the 13 days of Christmas.

“He had the upper hand because he texted my mom … so she emailed him all the pictures,” Ferris said. “I texted Talaya, his mom, and I got some, but most of mine was more blue-collar, gritty, just tough.”

And it’s exactly that willingness to go the extra mile to get a laugh that makes Ferris such a critical piece of the Badgers’ team. He’ll go to great lengths to make sure the team isn’t taking itself too seriously when it’s winning or too down on itself when it’s losing.

It’s also the same mindset that has kept him at UW despite playing fewer than 30 minutes in three years with the team. After dominating high school sports, Ferris came to the Badgers ready to contribute however he could, whether or not he saw the court.

“At times, I think everyone wants to be the star. Everyone wants to be the guy in the spotlight. When I was in high school, I was in that position,” he said. “But I knew that I needed a role. Every team kind of needs those guys, because you can’t have a roster filled with 15 stars. It just doesn’t work like that.”

Ultimately, though, it’s the bonds that he’s built with him teammates that have kept him here. The team has traveled as far west as Hawaii and as far east as New York for games during his career, and he says he wouldn’t trade that opportunity for anything.

“You got those days where you go into practice and you’re like, ‘There’s so many other things I could be doing.’ But at the end of the day, those numbers are so few compared to the ones that you’re with your best friends doing cool things, traveling around the country, going to all sorts of different locations.

All that together, bundled up, that’s why I’m still here.”