Want to liven up your dinner party? Pair it with your favorite movie FOOD
l
PAGE 4
University of Wisconsin-Madison
HIGH ACCOLADES FOR THE LADY BADGERS Four members of women’s hockey team nominated for Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Complete campus coverage since 1892
l
SPORTS
dailycardinal.com
l
PAGE 8
Wednesday, January 25, 2009
Students vote against ASM Constitution By Rory Linnane THE DAILY CARDINAL
The UW-Madison student body defeated the Associated Students of Madison’s proposed new constitution Tuesday, with 61 percent of students voting against it. The Associated Students of Madison’s proposed new constitution failed to pass the student body Tuesday. According toKatherineTondrowski, Student Elections Commission chair, 15 percent of the student body voted in total and 61 percent voted against the constitution. According the “Vote No Coalition” blog, 18 student organizations opposed the passing of the constitution. “We’re not surprised by the results,” said Chynna Haas, who represented
the Vote No Coalition on several occasions. “We knew there was significant issues with the document that was being presented, and we were able to gather a very diverse and strong coalition of students that were committed to defeating the constitution.” John Tackett, member of the ASM Constitutional Committee, said he was disappointed with the results. “The current structure just doesn’t work to benefit students the way it had in the past,” Tackett said. “People really into grassroots organizing have gone to other organizations and new students have skills of communication and coordination. The current structure doesn’t work to serve those skill sets.” Although the constitution did not pass, both sides of the debate were
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LORENZO ZEMELLA
happy about the voter turnout. “This is one of the highest voter turnouts in a long time, so at least students were having their voices heard,” Tackett said. “I’d like to see the conversation continue, so that hopefully we can come up with a better product.” ASM began rewriting their constitution last May in an effort to address concerns with accountability, participation and efficiency. The new constitution would have implemented a President, Board of Directors, and a
Senate. The Constitutional Committee publicized multiple drafts, held 12 listening sessions and passed the constitution through Student Council before the student body defeated it. Despite the constitution’s failure, Wright said ASM will continue reform efforts. “A loss isn’t a signal that ASM doesn’t need to change on some level,” he said. “It’s clear on both sides that students think ASM should be reformed.”
Wright said ASM will not be able to put another version of the constitution to a vote this semester, so any constitutional changes would have to be taken up by the next session. However, he said ASM would possibly make changes to current bylaws. “I don’t think we’ll get the real reform and great strides forward that we could have,” he said. “But there are definitely some things we can do, and I think we’ll be able to use the work we’ve done to move forward.”
UW to host first Dance Marathon By Grace Kim THE DAILY CARDINAL
JACOB ELA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The City Council overturned the decision made by the Transit and Parking Commission and raised the bus fare another 25 cents Tuesday.
Common Council approves 50 cent bus fare increase By Rachel Holzman THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Common Council voted 11 to 8 to approve the bus fare increase from $1.50 to $2.00 at Tuesday night’s meeting, overturning the former decision made by the Transit and Parking Commission to increase the fare 25 cents. The current bus fare sits at $1.50, and there has been much controversy over the amount to which the fare should be increased to meet the city’s budget. The TPC approved a fare increase of 25 cents on January 13, resulting in a bus fare of $1.75. Tuesday’s meeting debated whether or not to overturn the decision made by the TPC in order to increase the fare 50 cents, resulting in a fare of $2.00. The $2.00 fare was proposed by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and was
Directors of the first campus-wide UW Dance Marathon are encouraging all students and community members to join the fundraiser this weekend. The event will take place from Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. through Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. The 12-hourlong dance marathon will work to raise money to benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital. “The money raised affects so many lives. The lives that we lead are so much easier compared to the sick children who struggle each day just to live,” Nichole Rupe, executive chair of the UW Dance Marathon, said in an e-mail. “We strive to create awareness of AFCH and
positively impact the lives of all who choose to participate.” According to Adam Wallenfang, secretary of UW Dance Marathon, the Dance Marathon’s theme is FTK, For The Kids. The event is entirely dedicated to benefiting the children of AFCH. “ F T K has become a monsieur for the dance marathon,” Wallenfang said. “The three little letters are the constant reminders of why we are doing what we are doing. It’s always reminded that it’s for the kids.” Wallenfang said the main goal is to host the best possible event and to raise the most amount of money, possibly over $50,000.
Participants can raise $100 to join the entire event or $20 for two hours to meet the kids, families and hospital staff as well as to enjoy performances by live bands, sketch comedies, the Madhatters and an ’80s dance group. According to Rupe, the event will take place across the entire nation. The combined events have previously raised over $125 million each year for local children’s hospitals. Several other Big Ten campuses participate in Dance Marathon events, including Northwestern University, University of Michigan and Indiana University. However, Pennsylvania State University inidance page 3
approved by the Common Council by a 12 to 8 vote in January. Metro Transit general Manager Chuck Kamp explained the recent investment in more hybrid buses for the city cannot be transferred over to a lower fare. “The funding category for the hybrid buses is capital funding,” said Kamp. “The stimulus budget cannot be used to reduce the fare because it is operational funding needed.” Many Madison residents voiced their opinions on the proposed bus increase at the public hearing. A Union Street resident said the mayor and city officials are “asking those who are least able to pay to solve the budget problem.” He also said, “Nine out of ten people surveyed disproved of the increase
Ald. Verveer allegedly seen in room smelling of marijuana
council page 3
verveer page 3
By Anna Bukowski THE DAILY CARDINAL
Police reportedly saw Ald. Mike Verveer in the presence of marijuana at a downtown restaurant earlier this month. Officer Carrie Hemming of the Madison Police Department smelled marijuana when she was making a routine restaurant inspection. Using her flashlight, she saw Ald. Verveer, District 4. Hemming left quickly and later explained the incident to her sergeant. The MPD is currently reviewing the incident and Hemming’s report. MPD has not released the report due to the internal investigation. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke
with Verveer “as soon as he saw the police report,” according to his spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson. Cieslewicz will “wait for results of the internal investigation before he jumps to any conclusions,” said StrauchNelson. Verveer was VERVEER at Zander’s Sports Lounge on 118 State St. to eat dinner and watch a badger hockey game, according to an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal. Both Verveer and res-
taurant owner Mohammad Barketallah deny that any illegal activity took place. Verveer said of the incident, “I didn’t smell anything. I didn’t see anything. I didn’t use anything.” He reported he was recovering from the flu and believes his sense of smell may have been dulled at the time. Barketallah said in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, Zander’s floor space is open and is ill-suited for doing drugs. Shortly before leaving the establishment Verveer spoke with Barketallah for a few min-
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”