MOVIES IN REVIEW: ‘Appaloosa,’ ‘Flash of Genius’ and ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’ ARTS
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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HEARTBREAK FOLLOWS BADGERS HOME A tough loss against OSU snaps the Badgers’ 16-game winning streak at Camp Randall
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Monday, October 6, 2008
Marijuana enthusiasts gather at Harvest Fest By Anna Discher THE DAILY CARDINAL
DANNY MARCHEWKA/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO
LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
UW-Madison seniors without student season tickets were able to sit in the seats usually occupied by the band (above). Band Director Mike Leckrone stands in front of the empty band section before the game (bottom right).
Camp Randall bandless for first time in 40 years By Amanda Hoffstrom THE DAILY CARDINAL
Taped versions of “On Wisconsin” and “Varsity” were the only sounds of the UW Marching Band Saturday during the Wisconsin-Ohio State football game—a result of Band Director Mike Leckrone suspending the band for misconduct allegations. “There are allegations of hazing, which I find totally unacceptable— the band knows it,” Leckrone said at a news conference Friday with Dean of Students Lori Berquam and College of Letters & Science Dean Gary Sandefur. Leckrone said the hazing allegations and other reports of “inappropriate sexual behavior” were serious enough to take immediate action. Saturday’s game was the first time the band did not perform at a home football game in at least 40 years—the time Leckrone has been director. “You don’t have any idea how hard [the decision] was,” he said. Berquam said Associate Dean Kevin Helmkamp has been put in charge of an official investigation. If any of the allegations violate university conduct codes, punishment could range from a reprimand to expulsion. Berquam did not say how long the suspension could be in effect, meaning the band will miss all home games until the investigation is complete.
Leckrone said the band would practice Tuesday with the understanding they may not perform at this week’s game against Penn State. The suspension comes two years after then-chancellor John Wiley placed the band on probation in October 2006 for similar reports of inappropriate sexual behavior and alcohol use during the band’s trip to the University of Michigan, in addition to reports of past incidents. The fact that the latest allegations come one weekend after a trip to the University of Michigan may be just a coincidence. Neither Leckrone nor Berquam would comment on when the new allegations took place or who was targeted. With a band of over 300 members, Leckrone said he believes the number of band members involved is a “very small percentage.” Leckrone said the probation had been lifted a year ago, but the new reports were against the code of conduct he still holds in place. According to Leckrone, the band had made strides since 2006 with mentoring sessions and meetings with upperclassmen and freshmen about appropriate behavior. “Obviously we still need to do more,” he said. Leckrone said the reaction from band members, who heard of the sus-
pension at 4:30 p.m. Friday, was one of disappointment. “Most of them felt like this was in violation of everything we’ve talked about,” he said. Individual band members did not return phone calls as of press time. Some students who attended Saturday’s game said they felt a similar sentiment of the band’s Camp Randall absence. “It was kind of disappointing that the band wasn’t there for such a big game,” UW-Madison sophomore Kelsey Padrutt said, adding the band was “definitely missed.” Sophomore Sarah Zipperle said she thought the crowd interaction at the game was lacking. “They shouldn’t ban them for hazing because then they’re punishing all the students, football players and even all the band members who were not involved,” Zipperle said.
UW Police Stats from Saturday’s game
26: Citations to students 25: Student arrests 53: Student ejections
Financial bailout bill approved by Congress, President Bush By Rebecca Autrey THE DAILY CARDINAL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed an updated $700 billion bailout bill Friday, and President George Bush signed it later that afternoon. The bill, which in its original form failed in the House and caused the stock market to plummet last week, allows the government to buy the assets of failing companies, mostly in the mortgage business.
Wisconsin Representatives voted the same way they did for the original bill, with five voting for and three voting against it. U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, DWis., said in a statement she supported the bill because without action America could fall into a severe depression. “I do believe Congress needed to act, and has, in a responsible way that responds to the immediate crisis
and takes steps to prevent such greed and mismanagement from ever happening again,” she said. U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., voted against the bill and said in a statement giving the government power to spend more money is not the correct solution. “Consumers and businesses alike have lived well beyond their means bailout page 3
The 38th annual Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival attracted a large crowd in downtown Madison this past weekend to celebrate a common cause: the crowd’s support for the legalization of marijuana. The festival began Friday at the Cardinal Bar with a medical cannabis benefit and continued through Sunday in Library Mall, with speakers, vendors, informational tables, displays and food carts. The festival ended Sunday with a parade to the Capitol, and a rally and concert at the Capitol Square. This year’s theme was “Vote,” as organizers and attendees recognized the importance of getting one’s voice heard. Agua Das, the inventor of hemp ice cream and a six-time attendee of the festival,
said he thinks “hemp makes sense” and supports legalization. “I’m pro-hemp and I vote ... I’m looking for candidates who will support the hemp agriculture bill,” Das said. Eric Miller, an advocate for the Students for Nader campaign, said he supports Nader because of the presidential candidate’s call to legalize hemp. Miller said hemp makes economic sense because it is an easy plant to grow and is good for the environment. Miller said there are consequences of marijuana use that directly tie to our governmental policies. “There are more people in jail in Dane County than any other county in Wisconsin,” Miller said. marijuana page 3
NICK KOGOS/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Attendees of the 38th annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival marched from Library Mall to the Capitol Sunday.
Student conduct code revisions move to next round of review By Erin Banco THE DAILY CARDINAL
The UW System Board of Regents approved a new draft of rule revisions Friday to Chapters 17 and 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which moves the changes to the next stage in the process. According to the regents, the last major revisions of the chapters occurred in 1996. Currently, university officials can only discipline students for offcampus misconduct if it involves other students or employees. The revisions expand the guidelines, allowing university officials to discipline off-campus behavior. The review committee’s revisions state a student may be subject to university disciplinary process for off-campus misconduct if the actions threaten “substantial university interest.” The students would have to present a danger or threat to the health or safety of themselves or others and the conduct would have to demonstrate a
pattern of behavior that seriously impairs the university’s ability to fulfill its missions. The draft states the university will also recognize the possibility of local authority reparations toward student off-campus misconduct. Regent Danae Davis introduced the committee’s revision process and said the next step for the regents will be to conduct public hearings to have the revised rules in place by fall 2009. “In brief, Chapter 17 revisions seek to clarify, streamline and improve the efficiency of the rules’ format, scope, educational sanctions [and] hearing process,” she said. “Chapter 18 seeks to improve organization and update modernized language.” In terms of sanctions, the draft provides students an option for educational and developmentally appropriate sanctions in response to misconduct. The draft will move on to the Legislative Council for review before the hearings take place.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”