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University of Wisconsin-Madison
BEN KINGSLEY 'WACK' IN NEW FILM Retro-indie flick has its moments thanks to Olivia Thirlby, but Kingsley is subpar ARTS
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Campus remembers students killed in crash By Erin Banco THE DAILY CARDINAL
Members of the UW-Madison community gathered at the Red Gym Monday evening to pay their respects to students who died in a car crash days before the fall semester began. Lindsey Plank, 23, Dan Myers, 22, and Rick Putze, 22, were killed in a single vehicle car accident Aug. 27 on Midvale Boulevard. Dean of Students Lori Berquam began the service with a reflection on the students’ lives at the university through a Power Point video. “I know it is a time of reflection and a time of grieving but it is also a time to celebrate these students’ lives while they were here,” she said. “It is the stories about these three young people that will keep us going and will keep their legacy with us.”
Faculty members from the chemistry and music departments spoke of the students’ talent and spirit in the classroom. Frank Keutsch and Chad Wilkinson, members of the chemistry department said they thoroughly enjoyed working with Plank and Putze. Keutsch, research instructor to Plank, said she was always full of energy and enthusiasm no matter what she experienced. “She was so much fun to work with … she was so positive and so full of life, that when you saw her, that is what you could see,” Keutsch said. Todd Wellborn of the music department spoke of Myers’ versatility as a student. He said Myers immersed himself in musical studies aside from practicing his instrument. “The music program at UWMadison is the closest one can get
to a conservatory program … but Dan was not a typical conservatory student,” he said. “He was interested in things outside of his instrument, outside of music.” Friends of Putze said they would always remember receiving stacks of Billy Joel CDs from him. Another student said she only knew Putze for a short while but enjoyed the time she had spent with him. “I did not know Rick very well and I am having a hard time, I can only imagine what you all are going through.” After friends, faculty, staff and neighbors spoke of the students’ childhood, adolescence and college life, attendees proceeded to the back of the room to light a candle of remembrance. The ceremony closed with the singing of UW-Madison’s signature song,“Varsity.”
KYLE BURSAW/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Family and friends light candles to remember Lindsey Plank, Dan Myers and Rick Putze. Dean of students Lori Berquam led the service.
Low Wis. primary turnout expected By Megan Orear THE DAILY CARDINAL
Awareness is down and low voter turnout is expected, but the primary for Wisconsin Legislative elections is taking place today, Sept. 9, and the outcomes could have important ramifications. Mike McCabe, director of the watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said this primary is flying under the radar because there is no high-profile statewide office up for grabs. According to McCabe, the outcome of the state Legislative election is important because control of both the state Assembly and state Senate could go to either Democrats or Republicans. “Either or both of the houses LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The UW Police department hope to decrease the number of student bike thefts on campus with new GPS systems this year.
UWPD ‘Bait Bike’ program uses GPS technology to catch campus bike thieves By Andrea Carlson THE DAILY CARDINAL
A new tracking system initiated by the University of Wisconsin Police Department is aiming to cut down the amount of bicycles stolen on campus. “Bait Bikes,” launched in May, places GPS equipment on select bicycles around campus. UWPD Officer John Deering followed University of Toronto Police officers in starting the program at UW-Madison. “After about a month and a half
or so [the GPS devices] were quite successful and were working better than we thought … so we purchased a few more units and have continued since then,” UWPD Sgt. Jason Whitney said. According to UWPD, the police can find a stolen bike via the Internet as soon as it is moved. Officers track the bike’s path, dispatch to the area and make an arrest. From January 2007 to May 2008, UWPD received 100 reports of bike bikes page 3
could change hands, and that has big implications for the University of Wisconsin,” McCabe said. He said Democrats and Republicans handle higher education very differently, and whoever gains control in this election can have a big impact on tuition and funding for university programs. McCabe said there are a handful of races in which the winner will actually be determined in the primary because candidates from only one party are running. Six Democratic candidates and no Republicans will appear on the ballot for the 81st Assembly district, which includes Madison, and the winner of the primary will be the district’s new representative. “It’s unfortunate that people are
overlooking what might be in some communities the only opportunity to influence the makeup of the state Legislature,” McCabe said. Election officials predicted a voter turnout of only 15 percent, and UWMadison political science professor Charles Franklin said he thinks student turnout will be much lower. According to Franklin, average student turnout in general elections is usually about half to two-thirds the average overall turnout, partially because students are not permanent residents and have not lived in an area long enough to become familiar with local politicians. Franklin said the high interest in the presidential election probably primary page 3
Student robbed at gunpoint on Mills Street By Abby Sears THE DAILY CARDINAL
University officials urged students to focus on personal safety precautions Monday after a student was robbed at gunpoint on an off-campus street Friday night. The 25-year-old male victim was walking on Mills Street just south of Chandler Street after leaving the engineering building around 10:50 p.m. Friday, according to a Madison Police Department statement. MPD Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said a masked gunman riding a bicycle attacked the victim from behind. “[The perpetrator] held a gun to [the victim’s] neck and asked
him if he had anything in his pockets,” DeSpain said. The perpetrator took the student’s wallet and cell phone before fleeing with another male perpetrator standing nearby. DeSpain said the victim was not injured. The robbery prompted university officials to issue a statement reminding the campus community to be aware of their personal safety and to utilize UW-Madison’s SAFEwalk and SAFEride programs for secure transportation. The incident on Mills Street is one of several crimes committed in student-frequented downtown areas during the past week. Early Saturday, a 20-year-old
man from Racine was hospitalized after being beaten by two men in the 500 block of State Street. DeSpain said the men approached the victim looking for a fight and then punched him several times until he was knocked unconscious. Based on descriptions given by the victim’s friends, police were able to locate and arrest the perpetrators, 23-year-old Dustin Bachman of DeForest, Wis., and 25-year-old Bradley Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa, in the downtown area. Police said Bachman is tentatively charged with substantial battery and Thompson is tenassaults page 3
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”