Our Ed Board endorses Analiese Eicher for County Board, District 5 election OPINION
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Students take part in local government By Beth Pickhard the daily cardinal
UW-Madison students may not consider their role in Madison city politics, but city issues have a direct impact on the campus area and student life. According to Analiese Eicher, UW-Madison student and candidate for Dane County Board of Supervisors, students tend to pay attention to state and national issues rather than city issues. She said students do not form a solid link to city politics while attending UW-Madison. “I think there is a piece that is missing,” Eicher said. “We have city community and student community.” Austin Buerosse, a UW-Madison student and nonvoting representative on the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee, said it is difficult for students to learn about city issues. “Meetings are intricate and technical, especially if you aren’t versed in this,” he said. Eicher added that even though students may wish to learn about city politics and voice their opinions, they can be constrained by the complex ordinances and long meetings, both of which require a time commitment. “[It takes time] to go to school and have 18 credits,” she said. “A lot of us have student jobs on and off campus.”
Despite these circumstances, Buerosse said he believes UW-Madison students still follow city politics. Buerosse said students follow big issues like the alcohol density plan over the course of the many meetings about the issue. Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, said although students may maintain a grasp on city politics, they may not realize the personal impact the discussions have on their community. “A lot of the issues that students deal with on a day-to-day basis are dealt with on a city level,” he said. Mark Woulf, UW-Madison student and voting representative on the Alcohol License Review Committee, said the committee has a direct impact on students and does more than determine which businesses can serve alcohol. He said the ALRC also addresses entertainment options available to underage students and area safety concerns. “It’s really about not only bringing money to the bars, but the secondary effects to crime in the area,” he said. One of the largest involvement efforts from UW-Madison students in recent years occurred in late 2009 when students urged the ALRC to increase student representation on the committee. Following pressure from students, the Madison Common Council voted to add two seats involvement page 3
UW System spent $3M on lobbying over past 10 years By Hannah Furfaro the daily cardinal
The UW System spent nearly $3 million on lobbying efforts over the past 10 years according to data from a government watchdog group. “You have to spend huge amounts of money to hire politically affected lobbyists to make your case.” Jay Heck executive director Common Cause in Wisconsin
The Center for Responsive Politics data shows that yearly funds spent on lobbying by the UW System increased from just over $100,000 in 2000 to
$460,000 in 2009. UW-Madison spent $350,000 in 2009 and spent $1.8 million out of the overall $3 million spent by the UW System. UW-Milwaukee spent $70,000 on lobbying last year. According to Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, increased lobbying is the UW System’s response to budget cuts in recent years. “I don’t think this is a function of the UW spending a lot more money on lobbying to increase the amount of money they are getting from the state or the federal government. I think it’s just to hold on to what they have,” he said. Mike McCabe, executive director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a campaign finance lobbying page 3
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Monday, April 5, 2010
Detroit Rock City
danny marchewka/the daily cardinal
The Wisconsin men’s hockey team celebrates its win over St. Cloud State at the NCAA West Regional, which earned them a spot at the Frozen Four in Detroit this weekend. For complete coverage turn to page eight.
Student referendum to determine future renovations of Natatorium By Kelsey Gunderson the daily cardinal
The UW-Madison Natatorium may see major renovations within the next few years if a student referendum passes next week. Mike Bernatz, president of NatUp, the student organization working to pass the referendum, said the main reason for the proposed renovation is the overcrowding of the facility. According to Bernatz, over the past ten years, recreational sports facility use has increased by 50 percent and the current Natatorium cannot support the increased usage. “Students, now more than ever, are committed to healthier and more active lifestyles,” he said. “Our facilities need to provide enough space and equipment for students to pursue their active lifestyles.” The proposed renovations would include a larger weight room and cardio area, a new indoor turf, four basketball courts surrounded by an indoor track and several new classrooms. UW-Madison junior Clark Oster said he feels that both the SERF and the Natatorium are too crowded and he would support the renovation to give students more room to exercise. “I really like to work out at the Nat, and I would enjoy a more spacious and less crowded atmosphere,” he said. Amy Jones, a UW-Madison junior and kinesiology major, said she supports the renovations but hopes the construction does not
interfere with kinesiology classes that are located at the Natatorium. Bernatz said the renovation would be funded by a $54.19 fee increase per semester beginning in the fall of 2013, with other funds potentially coming from UW Recreation Sports. The fee would remain for 30 years and cost $60 million total, according to a Recreational Sports Board report. Bernatz said, however, that Recreational Sports plans to raise private donations to lower the cost to students. Bernatz said UW-Madison’s rec-
reational facilities are behind those at most Big Ten schools and hopes students vote for the referendum in order to keep UW-Madison in the top of its peer group in terms of student services and facilities provided. “At some point someone is going to have to step up and make a commitment for the future generation so they can have access to things we don’t,” he said. Students can vote on the renovations April 12-14. If it passes, the renovation would begin in late 2011 and would be completed by Fall 2014.
anthony cefali/cardinal file photo
Students will vote April 12-14 on proposed renovations for the Natatorium, which would include new cardio and weight rooms.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”