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PAGE 8
Monday, November 17, 2008
UW professor details student drinking dangers By Alyssa Connolly THE DAILY CARDINAL
UW-Madison physiology professor Kevin Strang gave a presentation on “The Science of Drinking” Friday as part of the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s First-Year Parents’ Weekend. Most attendees were parents of freshmen interested in hearing about the true physiological effect of drinking on their children. “There’s a lot of cultural knowledge [about drinking] among our students,” Strang said. “Some of it’s true, some of it’s not.” Strang encouraged parents to help their children comprehend the negative effects of alcohol on their bodies and minds. He said parents should not preach to their children about avoiding alcohol entirely. “‘Just say no’ messages don’t work,” Strang said of his approach to students. He asked young people to practice moderation by maintaining a one to two drink limit to maintain
memory, intelligence and reputation. He said having one drink a day is actually proven to be healthier than entirely abstaining from alcohol. Throughout his presentation, Strang addressed common questions like “Why does whiskey burn?” and “Why is 21 a good drinking age?” He promoted waiting until the legal drinking age to consume alcohol because the brain undergoes necessary development before then. Many attendees of Strang’s presentation said they were in favor of the university mandating an alcohol education course for freshmen. “I think there is a tremendous drinking problem on all campuses,” said Stacey Strumeyer, a mother of a UW-Madison freshman. “There were definitely things I learned and I would like to share some of that with my son.” drinking page 3
DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Hundreds of local residents marched down State Street Saturday to protest against gay marriage bans, especially California's Proposition 8, and expressed hope for President-elect Obama's reign.
Madison residents rally against Proposition 8 By Ryan Hebel THE DAILY CARDINAL
JACOB ELA/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team has contacted Gov. Jim Doyle about the possibility of joining his cabinet.
Doyle in contact with Obama transition team, aides confirm By Hannah Furfaro THE DAILY CARDINAL
President-elect Obama’s transition team has been in contact with Gov. Jim Doyle’s office, Doyle’s spokesperson confirmed Friday. The Obama transition team will spend the next few weeks compiling the aides, top cabinet posts and advisors that will accompany Obama to the White House this coming January. “The governor has had contact with the Obama transition and that’s really all we can say,” Doyle spokesperson Lee Sensenbrenner said. Contact between Doyle and Obama’s transition team has sparked speculation about the possibility of Doyle receiving a cabinet position in the Obama administration. Attorney General is a rumored possible post for Doyle, according
to UW-Madison political science professor Charles Franklin. However, according to Franklin, filing the positions of secretaries of state, defense and the treasury will be the top priority. “Since Doyle is typically rumored to be possibly a candidate for Attorney General … my guess is that’s a little bit down the list on the order in which they feel pressured to make early picks,” Franklin said. Doyle was an early supporter of Obama after he won the Iowa caucuses this past January. Since the election, Doyle has denied speculation about the likelihood of his selection as a member of Obama’s cabinet. “The job he really feels the obama page 3
Hundreds of protesters marched down State Street Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide Fight the H8 rally against recent gay marriage bans, particularly California’s Proposition 8. Chants like “Gay, straight, black, white—marriage is an equal right” cut through the blustery cold and provided appropriate metaphors for the diverse crowd that included all of the above, as well as many families with young children. Launching from Library Mall, the marchers eventually flooded the Capitol steps where speakers called for an end to sexual ori-
entation discrimination, creating a stark contrast to the thousands who rushed the same steps in jubilation just 11 days ago after the presidential election. UW-Madison sophomore Cody Olson, Fight the H8’s student organizer, said he hoped the election of Barack Obama would translate into future rights for gay and transgender Americans. “President Obama really represents change, and hopefully this change will help create a tidal wave of more change and human rights for everyone,” Olson said, who like many of the protesters, is directly affected by the issue. “I am gay, and in the future I do want to be
married and have my own kids and … just the American dream of having my own family and my own life and own home, and I believe that that should pertain to everyone.” Sophomore Jenny Wustmann said she was also encouraged by the progressive shift apparent in Obama’s election but was “disgusted” by the marriage bans, which to her prove more needs to be done. “Our country was built on social movements and civil rights for everyone and this is the grossest denial of civil rights to a demographic of our country in years,” rally page 3
Symptoms of norovirus spread to sorority houses on campus By Alexandra Bream THE DAILY CARDINAL
UW-Madison students are experiencing symptoms of norovirus in areas outside Sellery Hall, including several houses from the Greek community. University Health Services reported the first case of the virus in Sellery Hall Nov. 6. and directors said there have been approximately 70 students who experienced symptoms since then. Christine Binkley, chapter president of the Delta Gamma sorority, first heard about the virus Nov. 8, the day before members of the sorority experienced symptoms. According to Binkley, 60 girls both in and out of the house have experienced what they thought were symptoms of the norovirus.
“We have disinfected the house twice with bleach … we have asked live-ins to either sign hotel rooms or stay with friends so they do not get infected,” Binkley said, “But now that the symptoms are dying down, we are just asking girls to wash their hands a lot.”� Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS, said specialists are encouraging UW-Madison students with the virus to stay in and not go to class. Directors are continuing to advise students to aggressively wash their hands to prevent contracting the virus. “The thing that makes this a challenge is that it is very contagious and in particular when people are living in close contact it is easier for it to spread,” Van Orman said.
According to University Housing Director Paul Evans, prevention information for the virus has been posted on the housing website to educate students. “Housing has done a wonderful job and has been very aggressive dealing with the virus,” Van Orman said. “Information went up right away in all the halls and they immediately started very aggressive cleaning procedures.” Van Orman said she is hopeful symptoms have begun to slow down. “The numbers at this point are slowing down a bit, so we are very hopeful that we may be nearing the end of this but because the virus is so contagious sometimes it can be difficult to get rid of it,” Van Orman 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.”