Amazon: piloting the new comedy
Softball’s greatest rivalry: The Cardinal transfers its winning streak from print to the diamond
+ARTS, page 6 University of Wisconsin-Madison
Complete campus coverage since 1892
+SPORTS, page 8 l
dailycardinal.com
Weekend, April 26-28, 2013
Campus, state leaders stand by WISPIRG By Justin Williams the daily cardinal
Student, faculty and legislative leaders held a press conference Thursday urging the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to reconsider UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward’s decision to deny Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group its full requested funding for the second-consecutive year. The press conference, led by WISPIRG board members, highlighted the organization’s work on campus and gave WISPIRG advocates including ASM representatives, UW-Madison faculty and state legislators, the chance to voice support for the student organization’s funding.
Ward recently denied WISPIRG funding for professional staff for the 2013-’14 funding year, despite budget approval from the Student Service Finance Committee, which allocates student fees. However, the chancellor must give final approval to all student organization budgets. SSFC Chair Ellie Bruecker filed an appeal of this decision last week with the regents, hoping the board will overrule his decision. Ward’s decision has garnered criticism throughout campus, including from ASM Rep. Maxwell John Love, who said the chancellor is acting against the voice of the student body. “It is disappointing to see that
wispirg page 3
Committee plans next step in Library Mall redesign Members of the State Street Design Oversight Committee met Thursday to plan meetings with potential stakeholders to seek their input on the Library Mall redesign. The city plans to update the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street, which includes the Library Mall area, with additional lighting and improved
passageways for pedestrian and bike traffic. The committee held a public information meeting April 23, where members of the community shared their thoughts on the functionality of Library Mall and what could be improved. City Project Engineer Jason
state street page 3
graphic by Dylan Moriarty
Hidden room in Memorial Union helps students recover lost items By Genevieve Globus THE DAILY CARDINAL
Whether it is a scarf or head phones, students constantly leave things behind in class or study spots around campus. But, what students do not know is that the Memorial Union has a hidden room dedicated to helping connect students with their forgotten belongings. While each building on campus has its own way of taking care of lost items, Memorial Union has a detailed system for logging items that are left behind. Wi s c o n s i n Un i o n Directorate Assistant Facilities Director Roger Vogts is in charge of keeping the union’s lost-and-found system functional and organized. “My job has me doing different things every day, so the variety makes it fun,” Vogts said. Items lost in both Memorial Union and Union South are brought into a large room in the basement of Memorial
Union where items are sorted and cataloged. The most common items found are seasonal clothing items, such as mittens and hats in the winter, and T-shirts in the summer. However, there have also been some more interesting items recovered, according to Vogts. “We had someone leave a cello once,” Vogts said. Other interesting items that have turned up include wedding rings and luggage. The more expensive items found in Memorial Union are stored in a safe, then handed over as soon as possible to the University of Wisconsin Police Department to attempt to track down their owners, according to Vogts. UWPD takes care of items with a value of over $100. The UWPD runs a campuswide, online lost-and-found database, which allows students to post items they have lost. The department also
posts items it has found and keeps in its office for students to retrieve. Memorial Union keeps its system fairly low-key in order to keep people from “item fishing,” according to Vogts. To retrieve one’s lost items from the lost and found, the owner must give a detailed description of the object. Approximately twice a semester, everything in the lost and found gets cleared out, Vogts said. Most of the clothing items are donated to organizations such as Goodwill, while other items, such as eye glasses and keys, are donated to organizations that recycle or reuse them. Credit cards are kept until the end of the day they are found, then shredded the next day. While many items are donated because they are not claimed, Vogts said it is always “rewarding” when belongings are reconnected with their owners.
Ward comments on system surplus funds at UW-Madison
on campus
An honest tradition
Students graduating this May participate in one of Wisconsin’s traditions, sitting on Abe’s lap and whispering their dreams. + Photo by Courtney Kessler
Following a statewide uproar after a legislative audit revealed the University of Wisconsin System held $1 billion in cash balances as of last June, UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward released additional details in a statement Thursday about where the extra funds will be used at the university. According to Ward, UW-Madison held approximately
$298 million in its reserves, most of which are identified for specific uses including increased financial aid, as well as program resources for majors such as engineering. Ward said in the statement although he understands the reactions of many state legislators, he believes Wisconsin universities are being “prudent stewards of resources.” He added he welcomes a discussion about what level
of reserves are appropriate as the university faces economic uncertainties and reduced revenue sources. However, he also said the university needs to remain conscious of affordability for Wisconsin families. “There is no higher priority at UW–Madison than continuing to keep tuition affordable while providing a world-class education,” Ward said.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”