Thursday, February 23, 2023 - The Daily Cardinal

BY MADELEINE AFONSO

PHOTO BY BRYCE RICHTER / UW-MADISON

Editor-in-Chief Sophia Vento Managing Editor Jessica Sonkin

Chancellor Emerita Rebecca Blank: An enduring legacy

By Madeleine Afonso CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR

When news broke of former Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s death on Feb. 17, notes from university faculty, former colleagues and the greater University of WisconsinMadison community poured in, expressing admiration of the legacy left behind by the leader. Blank’s influence not only left a mark within the bounds of campus, but far beyond the confines of Madison and well before her time served as chancellor too.

Blank held a nine year tenure at UW-Madison from July 2013 until May 2022 — one of the longest from any leader of a Big Ten public institution. Blank accomplished a myriad of initiatives during her tenure, the formation of Bucky’s Tuition Promise being one of the most notable. The program guarantees scholarships to low-income students from Wisconsin families making less than the state’s median income, effectively expanding access to more students.

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Editorial Board Graham Brown • Em-J Krigsman • Anupras Mohapatra • Jessica Sonkin • Priyanka Vasavan • Sophia Vento • Ethan Wollins

Board of Directors

Scott Girard, President • Herman

Baumann • Ishita Chakraborty • Don

Miner • Nancy Sandy • Phil Hands

• Josh Klemons • Barbara Arnold

• Jennifer Sereno • Max Lenz

© , The Daily Cardinal Media Corporation ISSN -5 98

Annabella Rosciglione

Other memorable accomplishments under Blank’s tenure include the All Ways Forward campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history, collecting $4.2 billion from over a quarter-million individual donors to create more than 5,000 new scholarship funds. The Public History Project, led and organized under Blank’s leadership, drew attention for its culminating “Sifting and Reckoning” exhibit displaying controversial elements of the university’s past, and was praised for the institution’s frank scrutiny and bold introspection.

“Becky was a leader who was in equal parts inspiring and deeply pragmatic,” current Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin shared in a campus-wide email. “She had high expectations, a willingness to be direct, extraordinary mastery of the complex landscape of this great university, and boundless energy.”

Blank faced many challenges, as her tenure began during a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduates that lasted the entire nine years of her chancellorship. She led the university through the duration of the pandemic. Blank also oversaw a change in legislation removing tenure protections from state law, marking a period of time where it was uncertain if the university would retain much of its faculty.

Countless examples of Blank’s steady leadership and numerous achievements while at UW-Madison could be listed, and were even included in the former chancellor’s own reflection written after departing UW-Madison for the position of president at Northwestern University. Prior to starting at Northwestern, Blank was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and stepped down

from the position to receive treatment in Madison.

But the Missouri-native’s influence as a leader, government professional, published author and professor began far before her chancellor tenure in Madison.

Influence beyond campus: A public and civil servant

After receiving a PhD in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Blank held faculty positions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, according to UW-Madison archives.

Blank was an internationally known labor scholar whose expertise lay in low-income labor markets, government

Obama shared. Chancellor Mnookin said Blank’s service in the Obama administration “was one of her greatest sources of pride in what you rightly call her extraordinary life.”

Continued legacy of a beloved and dedicated leader At UW-Madison, former Chancellor Blank’s legacy lives on at the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History — the center’s name was announced last month. Formerly called the Public History Project, Blank was instrumental in its inception, approval and funding of the center’s successful “Sifting and Reckoning” exhibit.

Director of the center, Kacie Lucchini Butcher said she credits part of the project’s success

notably decisive — she made tough decisions with ease, stuck by them, and owned up and took the blame and responsibility with humility if they turned out to be wrong, Butcher explained.

“I respected that she didn’t always make decisions that everybody liked, but at least she was decisive,” Butcher said. “When she made a decision, she stuck by it, and she stuck by the consequences. So when those decisions didn’t work out, she also took full responsibility.”

“I think that’s really hard as a leader. It’s really hard to have that kind of humility in the face of making mistakes,” she added. “The best leaders have that humility.”

Another continuation of Blank’s legacy, in a similar fashion to the center, takes the form of the newly created Rebecca Blank professorship. UW-Madison botany professor Kate McCulloh was announced the first to receive the title on Feb. 16 — the day before Blank’s passing. The professorship, designed to recognize accomplished faculty committed to service, was named to honor the leadership and service shown by Blank.

McCulloh shared she was always impressed by Blank’s ability to think on her feet and respond to questions and criticism with clarity and confidence. The professor said she is happy to have gotten an opportunity to honor her, despite the bittersweet timing.

“She was an inspiration,” McCulloh said. “She always tried to find the best path forward for as many people as she could.”

policy and macroeconomics. She spent time directing the University of Michigan’s National Poverty Center and the Northwestern University and University of Chicago’s Joint Center for Poverty Research, according to White House archives.

Before Blank started her tenure at UW-Madison, the prolific economist held positions in three presidential administrations. Blank advised the Council of Economic Advisors for Clinton and H. W. Bush administrations, and acted as both the deputy and acting secretary of commerce for the Obama administration. Under the Obama administration, Blank worked to make businesses more innovative at home and competitive abroad, accelerate job creation and increase economic growth by creating well-paying jobs.

“Dr. Blank’s four years serving in my administration was just one part of her extraordinary life. Whether in government or academia, she devoted her career to reducing inequality and increasing opportunities for others, and made everyone around her better,” former President Barack

to Blank’s commitment and belief in its potential impact, noting how she was fiercely supportive and aware of the risks and rewards of investing in it.

Butcher said she deeply admired Blank and understands having her name on the center is a huge responsibility, and wants to work to make her proud. The center’s role serving the campus community will continue to reflect Blank’s personal legacy of service and the service she gave to the university, Butcher said.

“Our project turning into the [Rebecca Blank] Center is just one piece of an amazing life,” Butcher said. “We want to continue to live up to an amazing legacy.”

Despite Blank’s small stature, she always commanded a room, and everyone around her looked up to and was inspired by her leadership, Butcher shared.

“If you’ve talked to a lot of people about her, you will find that everybody is a better leader because they’ve had contact with her,” Butcher said. “That’s just really special. I don’t think you can find that all the time.”

Blank’s leadership style was

Butcher touched on Blank’s unique relationship with students and how it was often illustrated by memes online that “never felt callus or mean, they were always very warm spirited,” and brought up how students would endearingly dress up as her for Halloween. Blank’s relationship with Bucky the mascot was also a genuine friendship, Butcher explained, something she really valued.

“She had this kind of mythos around campus,” Butcher said. “That’s unique too, you don’t see students dressing up like chancellors for Halloween. That doesn’t happen to everybody.”

Blank often shared her adoration for UW-Madison students, faculty and all of its campus hallmarks — the Terrace, Bucky the Badger, Camp Randall, Lake Mendota and Daily Scoop ice cream to name only a few.

“It’s been an honor every day that I’ve served as chancellor at this university,” Blank wrote last May in her farewell blog post. “I have come to love this campus, as I know you do.

I look forward to watching it continue to move forward.”

JEFF MILLER/UW-MADISON

Evers allocates $305 million for UW System in state budget

By Ava Menkes STAFF WRITER

Gov. Tony Evers announced a significant funding increase for higher education in his much anticipated 2023-25 biennial budget address last Wednesday.

Evers’ proposed budget promises an additional $305.9 million for the University of Wisconsin System over the next two years. Though the number is nearly $130 million less than the $435.6 million increase the UW System requested, university leaders praised the governor in statements last week.

“I look forward to working with the legislature and budget-writing committee to talk about how we can partner with them to address some of the state’s economic challenges,” UW System President Jay Rothman said in a tweet.

“We thank Governor Evers for recognizing that the University of Wisconsin System is one of our state’s strongest assets, an economic driver, and a center for education and innovation,” Mnookin said in a reaction to Evers’ budget address.

The full budget will be debated in the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) this spring, where Republicans have promised to throw out Evers’ proposal in favor of building their own. The Legislature will vote on the budget in late spring before sending it to Evers for approval this summer.

Evers funds tuition promise amid GOP doubts Evers’ budget includes $24.5 million for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, a program scheduled to launch this fall aimed at increasing enrollment among low-income and first-generation students.

The program would ensure Wisconsin resident undergraduates whose annual household adjusted gross income is $62,000 or less can attend any UW institution without paying tuition or fees.

“Funding the Wisconsin Tuition Promise is a game-changer, as it will develop talent that is needed in Wisconsin’s workforce,” Rothman said in a tweet.

Evers included $24.5 million in funding for the program. But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Daily Cardinal last week that Republicans will “probably not” approve it.

“If the university wants to go out and raise private resources, I think that’s an excellent use of their fundraising prowess if they choose to,” Vos said. “I think it’s probably not something we’re going to be able to fund at the state level when we see so many folks struggling with paying their taxes and all of the other bills.”

Although the UW System intended to raise $13.8 million in private funds to cover program expenses during the 2023-24 academic year, it planned to seek state funding to cover subsequent years.

The UW System remains committed to funding the Wisconsin Tuition Promise’s inaugural 2023 student cohort, spokesperson Mark Pitsch said in an email Friday. It is unclear how

the UW System will continue to support the program for future cohorts without state funding.

Tuition freeze once again in limbo

For the first time since 2019, Gov. Evers did not include designated funding for UW’s undergraduate resident tuition freeze in the budget.

The tuition freeze was first enacted in 2013 at the urging of Gov. Scott Walker. Since then, the university has raised tuition costs and enrollment of out-of-state and international students to cover the di erence, according to Wisconsin

include mental health funding for all UW System campuses but did not provide a specific amount. He previously allocated $5 million to expand access to virtual mental health services across UW campuses following last year’s State of the State address.

While Evers’s 2023 budget promised more than $500 million for statewide mental and behavioral health services, his budget does not explicitly allocate funding for mental health care in higher education.

In a statement to the Cardinal,

Hernando Rojas said the university was not involved in any advocacy processes regarding Evers’ funding proposal but appreciated state support.

“We welcome support from the public and private sectors to maintain the quality and visibility of one of the top communication programs in the world,” SJMC Director Hernando Rojas told the Cardinal.

If Evers’ proposed $2 million is approved by the Legislature, the UW System will allocate funding between campuses.

Bipartisanship

Vos said. “It was a budget that is absolutely devoid of reality.”

Sen. Roys found Republicans’ response to the budget proposal “disappointing.”

“They [Republicans] declared their refusal to consider the Governor’s budget and said they’d start from zero, just as they’ve done the last two budget cycles,” Roys told the Cardinal.

Capital projects

Evers expressed support for a “significant increase” in funding regarding renovations to educational buildings on campus and other initiatives in a December interview with the Cardinal.

UW-Madison announced last month that the $355.7 million engineering building would provide hundreds of more graduates, attract talented faculty and sustain research programs.

The UW System can only approve projects funded through grants and private fundraising. However, UW leaders are requesting a change to this restriction where projects can be approved through revenue generated by campuses, according to UW-Madison’s budget priorities website.

Crystal Potts, UW-Madison’s director of state relations, said UW-Madison’s request for a new engineering building would yield another 1,000 engineering graduates every year. She said the university is bringing forward $150 million in private fundraising and asking for the state’s partnership to cover the other $200 million.

Public Radio.

The freeze persisted until May 2021, when the JFC voted to suspend the state-mandated freeze and allow the UW System to decide whether to raise in-state undergraduate tuition.

The UW System voted last June to sustain the freeze through the current academic year. Evers told reporters in Middleton last week that his budget contains enough funding to sustain the tuition freeze through the 2023-24 academic year, though the UW System won’t vote on the matter until this summer.

O cials from UW-Madison’s

O ce of Financial Aid previously said Bucky’s Tuition Promise would likely absorb additional costs for low-income students in the event of a tuition increase. However, uncovered students at UW-Madison and low-income students at other UW schools could su er without additional aid.

Evers’ budget would further expand nonresident tuition exemptions to undocumented immigrants who graduated from a Wisconsin high school or obtained a Wisconsin declaration of the equivalent of high school graduation. The exemption also includes certain Indigenous tribal members or children and grandchildren of tribal members.

Mental health funding

In a December interview with the Cardinal, Evers said he would

Evers said his budget’s UW System base funding increase could be used for continuing mental health services and other campus priorities.

Funding student journalism programs

Evers’ budget includes $2 million for UW System journalism programs. The funding would award programs $1 million annually in 2024 and 2025 for fellowships and graduates, among other uses.

Evers told the Cardinal the last few years have been tough for local media, which he said “play a critical role in making sure Wisconsinites stay engaged about what’s happening in our communities and across our state and country.”

“Having a free and functioning press is every bit as important to our democracy, too,” Evers added.

Phillip Clampitt, chair of UW-Green Bay’s Communication Department, told the Cardinal he would use the funding to bolster outreach e orts for their journalism program.

“Local news still matters, and local nuance in the news still matters,” Clampitt said. ”The local community would benefit an enormous amount from having exposure of the issues and concerns that we have in our region.”

UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) Director

The Joint Finance Committee helps with the state’s fiscal budget and has the authority to aid funding requests.

Sen. LaTonya Johnson, Rep. Tip McGuire and Sen. Kelda Roys — all Democrats on the JFC –supported Evers’ funding increase for the UW System.

McGuire said funding the UW System would ensure “success long into the future” for Wisconsin. The state is expected to lose 130,000 workers by 2030 as young people move away from the state, a trend that could worsen an existing “brain drain” crisis.

“Investing in UW-Madison and the rest of the UW system in a real way signals to these companies that we are committed to maintaining and growing our world-class workforce in Wisconsin for years to come,” McGuire said.

Johnson said capital projects like the new engineering building “seem like no-brainers.”

“It’s critical that the state keep its end of the bargain when it comes to financial support for UW-Madison,” Johnson said in a statement to the Cardinal.

It’s unclear if Republicans agree, though the party promised to dismantle Evers’ budget following his address last week. Vos said he preferred to focus on reducing overspending.

“In some ways it felt like I was watching Oprah Winfrey,”

“Chancellor Mnookin meets with the governor, continues to meet and has met with many members of the legislative leadership, continues to meet with the Joint Finance Committee, both houses, and those conversations are certainly going well,” Potts said

Potts said UW representatives “haven’t had a ton of commitment” for state legislators so far but added there was “a lot of time” in the budget process between now and May when the JFC will likely make final decisions.

Other initiatives

Evers’ budget for the UW System also includes:

$32.9 million towards funding technical colleges.

$1.2 million for support services to students who are veterans at UW system institutions.

$1 million to study the creation of direct admission programs that o er Wisconsin high school graduates conditional admission to a UW System based on predetermined eligibility requirements.

$500,000 towards supporting UW System students who formerly resided in a foster home or group home.

A compensation plan that would raise state employee and UW employee pay by 5% in the fiscal year 2024 and 3% in the fiscal year 2025.

HANNAH RITVO/THE DAILY CARDINAL

UniverCity Year adds nine new Wisconsin communities

By Zach Kaplan STAFF WRITER

In a record-setting cohort, the UniverCity Year (UCY) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced partnerships with nine new communities for the 2022-25 academic years. These collaborations will leverage university resources to move forward with the di erent communities’ goals to address specific issues facing their residents.

Using resources from the university — and potentially $300,000 per the governor’s recommended funding based on a new state budget proposal — UCY aims to help small communities address issues from public health to sustainability to historical preservation.

The organization focuses on research grounded in the priorities of local governments and o ers opportunities to students through classes like Urban Planning 215 and community-based learning courses.

“Through education, outreach, technical assistance and research that is grounded in the priorities of local governments, and through bridge-building engagement with policy initiatives, our efforts will have impacts to improve the places and lives of people throughout Wisconsin and the world,” said Gavin Luter, managing director of UniverCity.

“UW-Madison is a unique partner for these communities because we hopefully are perceived to be a neutral third party whose only interest is to help the communities improve,” he added.

The villages of Cottage Grove and Shorewood, the cities of Marinette, Milton, River Falls and Wausau, and the counties of Eau Claire, St. Croix and Wood joined UCY, the hallmark program of UW-Madison’s

UniverCity Alliance.

While each community has unique needs, the UCY program has seen an increase in requests around childcare issues, EMS recruitment and retention, a ordable housing, program e ectiveness and environmental sustainability, Luter said.

Luter also noted some unique challenges facing these small communities throughout the state, as many are still reeling from the economic e ects of the pandemic.

“I think communities coming out of the pandemic are eager for assistance in rethinking the way business normally gets done,” Luter said. “There has also been more funding available for local governments, so they want to make sure that public dollars are spent in

the best way possible.”

UCY community leaders shared their excitement about the initiative and the benefits of support from the flagship university in their communities.

“We’re excited to partner with the UW system and tap into the innovative minds of our next generation of leaders,” Jason Stroud, assistant city administrator for the city of River Falls, said in a release. “The resources provided by UniverCity Year will be invaluable in developing creative solutions to the complex challenges we face as a local government.”

Since 2016, 20 communities have partnered with UCY. The new class brings the total number of communities involved to 29, with 15 counties and 14 cities, towns and villages

making up the cohort.

City of Marinette Mayor Steve Genisot said the community hopes the process will bring “new and innovative solutions to the many projects we are working on.” Phil Galli, justice services director for St. Croix County said working with UCY will ultimately bring a fresh perspective to challenges facing the community, like increasing access to housing.

Additionally, the program involves UW-Madison students, which is why many of the leaders said their partnership with UCY brings about new ways of looking at issues facing their communities.

“UniverCity Year can be a program that brings these on-theground issues directly to faculty and students,” Luter said. “This

helps us continue to stay relevant across the state, while also improving how we train students in applying their fields to public issues.”

Leaders throughout the state echoed how helpful UW-Madison can be in aiding change in their communities.

“We hope that the community will gain additional insight into the benefits of the UW system and the meaningful outreach that it can have to communities such as ours,” Norb Kirk, finance director for Eau Claire County, said in the university release. “We believe that the completion of the projects we have outlined will enhance the citizens of the county and be an example of how communities can partner with the UW System for the betterment of both parties.”

UW-Madison ranked third as a top university for producing Fulbright scholars

By Sophia Ross STAFF WRITER

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been recognized by the Fulbright Scholars Program as a topproducing institution for scholars. The achievement acknowledges the extensive research done by both faculty and students and offers grants to build further upon their research ideals.

With the selection of seven faculty members and one graduate student from UW-Madison, the university tied for third place with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for the highest number of awardees.

The Fulbright Scholars Program is one that “provide[s] lecturing and research opportunities that open doors to collaboration and foster longlasting connections” through the distribution of grants. This helps scholars benefit “their home and host institutions

and countries.”

The main goal of the program — which is overseen at UW-Madison by Coordinator Mark Lilleleht — offers “more than 1,700 fellowships each year, enabling 800 U.S. scholars to go abroad.”

Among those 800 scholars were several of UW-Madison’s own, each possessing a wide range of research topics and experience. Katarzyna Beilin, Andrea Hicks, Adam Kern, John Ohnesorge, Anne Pringle, Brittany St. John, Brittany Travers and Michel Wattiaux are the eight scholars nominated for a research grant through the Fulbright program.

With the exception of St. John, who is a graduate student in UW-Madison’s Department of Kinesiology, the additional seven awardees are faculty members on campus.

St. John, a selectee for the 2022-23 Fulbright program, highlighted how UW-Madison’s extensive

emphasis on research development led her to become a Fulbright scholar.

“UW-Madison, and the Waisman Center in particular, is an incredible research environment that I was privileged to be a part of,” St. John explained. “My experiences in interdisciplinary fellowships, leading research projects, mentoring students and collaborating to produce research are absolutely the reason I received a Fulbright and have set a solid foundation for my next step into an independent line of research.”

The grants offered through Fulbright permit awardees to travel abroad, all in efforts to widen research opportunities and obtain a deeper connection with their host countries.

Just among Madison recipients alone, grants have been allotted for travel to areas of Mexico, Ireland, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Australia, Spain and Canada.

St. John, who has been residing in Australia through the Fulbright program, noted how she has “already connected with several research colleagues and identified ways to expand [her] ideas into an exciting line of independent research.”

The university o ers many resources for students to learn more about the program and apply. Students can make appointments with UW-Madison Fulbright coordinator Mark Lilleleht, and also receive access to “personal statements from previous UW-Madison Fulbright recipients.”

St. John described the accessibility of these resources while going about her application process.

“I met with a staff person to discuss options, and they recommended the scholars program for my specific goals,” said St. John. They also sent me examples of funded applications from UW for the student program. It was a helpful first step.”

St. John further discussed the opportunities presented to her as an award recipient through the Fulbright Program.

“Being a Fulbright Scholar carries a lot of weight when you are networking and making connections in the academic world,” St. John stated. “I have been welcomed into conversations with top researchers and have been able to easily coordinate community and department connections to support my work.”

St. John also described how these connections continue to expand even after being abroad.

“Fulbright facilitates those connections through their alumni communications once your appointment is ended as well,” St. John noted.

To learn more about the Fulbright Scholar program and grants, you can visit the program website at https:// fulbrightscholars.org/whowe-are/what-fulbright-program.

BRYCE RICHTER/UW-MADISON

Republicans’ flat income tax proposal for Wisconsin, explained

By Alexander Tan STAFF WRITER

As Wisconsin heads into budget season flush with $7.1 billion in surplus funds, Republican lawmakers are once again looking to reshu e and slim down the state’s tax structure.

Citing e orts to attract higher-income people to Wisconsin and stimulate business, state Republicans are pushing a flat income tax proposal as budget negotiations draw close. Their plan would incrementally implement a flat 3.25% income tax rate across every tax bracket by 2026, ending Wisconsin’s 112-year progressive tax structure that increases taxation rates as individual income rises.

For the average taxpayer, the tax decrease would be $4,415 over the four-year phase-in period and about $1,800 per year after that. The state would foot a bill of $14.2 billion in lost tax revenue in the first four years, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

“Our state government is still taxing its citizens too much,” Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said at a WisPolitics forum in Madison last month. “This proposal will fundamentally transform Wisconsin’s individual income tax and keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Wisconsinites.”

Though Gov. Tony Evers called on lawmakers to return money to taxpayers during his campaign this year and signed a Republican-authored tax cut last year, the GOP’s tax proposal will likely stop at the governor’s desk. The Democratic governor previously called the flat tax a “non-starter,” instead pushing for “common ground” between tax cuts and increased shared revenue funding for Wisconsin municipalities.

“When we deliver tax relief, it should be targeted to the middle class to give working families a little breathing room — not to give big breaks to millionaires and billionaires who don’t need the extra help to a ord rising costs,” Evers said in a Jan. 13 tweet. “That’s just common sense.”

Explaining Wisconsin’s income tax system

Switching to a flat tax would be a dramatic change in Wisconsin, the birthplace of the progressive state income tax system.

In 1911, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to implement a workable progressive tax system that distinguished between income brackets, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. Though some businesses protested, the additional revenue freed the state from reliance on property taxes and allowed it to expand state services.

Under Wisconsin’s current progressive income tax, people fall into four distinct brackets with increasing tax rates in higher income brackets.

A common misconception is that all of a person’s income is taxed at the maximum rate of their income bracket. However, only the portion of their income exceeding the prior bracket is taxed at the subsequent rate.

That means if you make $12,761, your first $12,760 is still taxed at 3.54% with only the exceeding dollar taxed at 4.65%. Under this system, any decrease in the lowest tax bracket provides tax relief to everyone regardless of income, while a tax cut for higher income brackets only relieves those with incomes at or higher than the target brackets.

The state’s income tax has incrementally trended toward a flat tax in recent years, according to WPR. Still, Tax Foundation data shows Wisconsin ranks 13th in the nation for state and local income tax collections per capita. This said, the top 5% of households in Wisconsin actually pay the smallest portion of their income when it comes to total taxes, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).

While most states now use a similar progressive income tax, Wisconsin stands out among its neighbors — namely Michigan, Illinois and Indiana — that use a flat tax

system. Wisconsin’s tax rate for the highest bracket is also higher than these same three states’ flat tax rate.

“We’re sort of an island with our top tax rate here in Wisconsin,” LeMahieu said. “We need to drive that down.”

Yet as some states have been moving to adopt flat taxes, others are implementing new “millionaire taxes” on their wealthiest

systems generally have a tendency to experience inbound migration, according to the Tax Foundation.

Additional research from UW-Madison’s Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy suggests a flat tax, when partnered with a sales tax increase, could encourage businesses to hire and households to save, improving economic

taxpayers, according to CNBC. That’s left Wisconsin in a rift between diverging state tax schemes.

“State tax systems are moving in both directions,” University of WisconsinMadison Assistant Professor of Public A airs Ross Milton told PBS Wisconsin last month. “We’re seeing the adoption of millionaire taxes in other places like California and New York as well. So what’s happening is more like a bifurcation of tax systems than anything else.”

What a flat tax means for Wisconsinites

LeMahieu contends a flat tax will make Wisconsin more business-friendly, calling the current tax system “uncompetitive and mediocre.”

In a memo sent to lawmakers on Jan. 13, he argued a flat tax would promote entrepreneurship and help Wisconsin businesses — 95% of which are taxed on their owners’ personal returns.

“Moving toward a flat tax with a low rate will benefit everyone — small business owners who create jobs, individuals looking to earn more or keep more, folks who aspire to start businesses themselves and would like to do it in Wisconsin,” Badger Institute President Mike Nichols said in the memo.

“Right now, we’re nowhere close to competitive,” Nichols added. “Our neighbors will be thrilled if we remain complacent. They’ll gladly steal our companies, our jobs and our tax revenue.”

Nichols’ concerns come as Wisconsin is estimated to lose 130,000 residents of prime working age by 2030 as young people leave for states with lower income taxes and warmer weather, among other reasons.

The state is simultaneously su ering a “brain drain” among its most educated residents, many of whom are college graduates leaving for bigger cities like Milwaukee and Chicago.

Proponents of the flat tax like LeMahieu argue that lowering taxes will attract higher-income residents and businesses back to Wisconsin.

“We need to be competitive to attract talent into the state, attract them to grow, start businesses, bring their families here. If you live in Kenosha, if you’re successful, why would you not move to Illinois and pay 2.5% less?” LeMahieu told the Badger Institute.

States with lower, more competitive tax

output and wages. Wisconsin’s current 5.43% combined state and local sales tax rate is the fourth lowest in the nation among states that have sales taxes, according to Tax Foundation.

However, a 2016 study found that very high-income households are substantially less mobile than lower-income households. The study also found tax di erences between states have minimal impact on where millionaires migrate.

“Millionaires are not searching for economic opportunity — they have found it,” researchers said in the report.

Further, U.S. interstate migration is rare in general, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. When it does occur, it’s more often driven by employment, housing affordability and cost of living concerns rather than personal income taxes.

Flax tax and inequality

The GOP’s flat tax proposal would eliminate billions in future state funding. Wisconsin would take in approximately $14.2 billion less in tax revenue over the first four years following the adoption of Republicans’ proposed 3.25% tax rate, according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis — an amount roughly double the state’s current $7.1 billion budget surplus. Annual revenues would be reduced by about $5 billion for every subsequent year.

That amount is over half of the total K-12 school assistance in the fiscal year 2023, three times as much as the UW System’s 2023 budget and four times the amount of the total shared revenue that year that supports all county and municipal services, according to figures from the Department of Administration.

And though Wisconsin currently has a hefty budget surplus that could grow to just shy of $9.8 billion by 2025, per DOA figures, Milton said a spending reduction coupled with a flat tax could leave the state in a vulnerable financial position.

“I think that the concern that many people have about big tax cuts now is that we need to have sustainable tax policy that sets our state on a good trajectory that we will be able to maintain,” Milton said. “Not one where we’re going to have wildly oscillating tax policy every few years when we realize that we cut taxes too much and our state’s going bankrupt.”

Madison teachers express excitement for new AP African American Studies course

By Brynn Mancusi STAFF WRITER

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will offer Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies in the fall of 2023 at Madison East High School and Vel Phillips Memorial High School.

Madison East and Vel Phillips Memorial are the two MMSD high schools to volunteer as part of a nationwide pilot program.

Kevin Attaway, the social studies department chair at Madison East, said the district will pay for training for interested teachers over the summer and send out curriculum guides in the near future.

“Sophomores through seniors will have the opportunity to sign up,” said Attaway. “In MMSD, it’s a requirement that you’re taking a U.S. history course in junior year — this fills that requirement.”

Alyssa Paolocci, a social studies teacher at Madison East who volunteered to teach AP African American Studies, expressed excitement about this opportunity.

“In the past few years we’ve had to cut a lot of classes, we just really want to be able to o er more than one class for a requirement,” Paolocci said. “It’s an opportunity to talk about Black joy. That was a big idea behind introducing the class. A big piece of this is intersectionality and the idea of knowing how di erent identities that you hold impact you in various ways.”

Terriun Green, another Madison East social studies teacher who volunteered to teach the course, said he hopes to see more representation in the classroom.

“We want to see our classrooms look more like our hallways. I’m hoping to attract a lot of students,”

Green said. “It’s very depressing to teach AP and honors and see kids who stick to regular classes just because people who look like them are there. I’ve seen kids of color who are very excited about it. I hope that continues, it’s been a big issue for a long time.”

Attaway added how he hopes this is just the beginning, envisioning additional classes that explore other facets of American identity.

“We would love to see an AP LGBTQ or Indigenous Studies, or an Asian American Experience AP class,” Attaway said. “We’re laying the groundwork.”

Attaway also echoed the optimism of Paolocci and Green when asked how teachers have responded to this change.

“There’s nothing but excitement,” he said. “Our department is very comfortable with this. We’ve added a lot of new classes, especially when there is student interest.”

MMSD has a long history of listening to student voices. According to Attaway, Madison East was the first school to o er an ethnic studies class in the 1990s. Additionally, he said the school added an Indigenous emphasis to their Wisconsin history class and collaborated with Madison West to make the change district-wide.

Due to this legacy of progressive curriculum, MMSD sta are no strangers to criticism. When asked if they received any in response to the inclusion of AP African American Studies in course selection, Attaway, Paolocci and Green said they are anticipating it.

“Not yet,” said Paolocci.

“It’s coming,” said Attaway.

“We’re ready for it,” Green added.

Paolocci expressed her gratitude to the MMSD community

If a recession hit the U.S. economy — which a study from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center suggests is a strong possibility in 2023 due to high inflation and rising political tensions worldwide — a flat tax could leave Wisconsin and its cities short on cash.

“When you create that really low flat tax, you’re tying the hands of your revenue system,” said Richard Auxier, senior policy associate at the Tax Policy Center, explaining it may be di cult to recoup lost income during an economic downturn.

To enact a “revenue neutral” flat tax without significant spending cuts or rises in other taxes, the LFB estimates the flat tax rate would actually have to be 5.22% — an amount similar to what Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels proposed last fall. But under this proposal, most Wisconsin taxpayers (72.5%) would see an average tax increase of $249 per year, with higher tax increases on the lowest incomes, according to Wisconsin Watch.

Only 2% of filers would receive tax reductions, and those earning over $1 million per year would get a tax cut of $112,000 on average, according to the LFB.

“A flat tax either raises taxes on those who can least a ord it or results in massive spending cuts that hit the poor and middle class hardest – often it does both,” said Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) in a statement to The Daily Cardinal.

Larson went on to call the flat tax “a relic of trickle-down economics from the 1980s

for having faith in the staff at Madison East.

“Our families are very supportive of our teachers,” Paolocci said. “I feel very lucky to work here because of that.”

Attaway said criticism of the course at both the local and national level is to be expected.

“You’re always going to count on at least one third of opposition because people always find a way to oppose anything, so there will be some,” Attaway said. “Hopefully some of that opposition can be tempered with the more information that can be provided to them. Very often, people are demonized through hearsay and misinformation, like the boogeyman of Critical Race Theory.”

Critical Race Theory stole headlines across the country in 2021 during a national debate over how history should be taught, with many Republicans pushing to remove curricula that acknowledge the role of race and racism in U.S. history. Now, o cials such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voice similar opposition to the AP African American Studies pilot program.

In a January press conference, DeSantis said inclusion of queer theory in the curriculum was pushing a political agenda.

“Who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory?” he said. “That is somebody pushing a political agenda on our kids.”

Green said DeSantis’s push to remove the course should not have influence over Madison’s classrooms.

“Ron DeSantis isn’t my parent, or my significant other or my governor,” Green said. “He has no hold over what I do. He has the same

that has been soundly rejected by the vast majority of economists.”

“If you like massive cuts to education, infrastructure, healthcare, and the environment while giving big handouts to those who need them the least, the flat tax is for you,” he said.

Wisconsin could still implement a lower flat income tax by deferring some of the revenue needs to other taxes such as sales tax or property tax, according to Urban Milwaukee.

However, this would also disproportionately a ect lower- and middle-income families, who spend a higher proportion of their income on everyday expenses like groceries and housing — the types of purchases sales and property taxes target, according to the ITEP.

“When considering all state and local taxes, Wisconsin already has a regressive tax system – meaning that the more money you make, the less you pay in taxes as a percentage of your income,” Larson said, citing the ITEP. “Under the GOP flat tax, the top 1% of earners would pay less than half the percent of their income in taxes as the bottom 40%.”

Milton notes that the impact of such a flat tax on lower-income households would vary greatly on the specifications of the proposal, citing the standard deduction as an example.

“When do you start paying this flat tax rate? Is it at $5,000 in income or is it at $20,000 in income?” Milton said. “In order to make a flat tax system not dramatically

amount of a hold over me as the guy down the street.”

Green said organizations should stand up to the Florida governor.

“I wish [the] College Board had a spine to go against him,” said Green.

The College Board removed Black scholars who wrote about queer history and Black feminism from the AP African American

opinion about what happens in the schools, but also at the end of the day, it is the teacher and student who get to determine what happens.”

Paolocci said she welcomes the opportunity to have discussions about what DeSantis is saying in the classroom because it opens up questions about racism in the present as well as the past.

Studies course after DeSantis and the Florida Board of Education criticized a leaked draft of the curriculum. The College Board denied that the changes were made due to political controversy.

Paolocci said she is apprehensive about the possible consequences of DeSantis’s claims.

“DeSantis is just loud enough for people to listen to him,” Paolocci said. “There have been many people who have disagreed with the things that have been taught for a very long time. [The] College Board is for profit at the end of the day, and everyone is allowed to have their

increase taxes on low-income households, it would have to be accompanied by a potentially substantial increase in the size of the standard deduction.”

Budget battles ahead

Gov. Tony Evers announced his executive budget last Wednesday, which included a 10% tax cut for individuals making less than $100,000 per year and a $2.6 billion increase in funding to public schools. The governor said his new tax plan would “give families a little extra breathing room” and bolster Wisconsin’s post-pandemic workforce.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate currently sits at 3.2% after the state added 60,000 jobs last year, according to the latest data from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

“That’s real, sustainable relief that will keep income taxes low now and into the future without causing devastating cuts to priorities like public schools and public safety,” Evers said during his budget address.

Evers previously floated a $600 million plan last August that included a 10% tax cut and expanded several public services, including education and public health. But Republicans swiftly shut it down, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos calling it a political ploy to gain votes in the November midterm elections, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

It’s unlikely his revived tax cut propos-

“He’s repeating this ugly history that he’s trying to erase,” said Paolocci.

Attaway referred to DeSantis’s history as an educator, appealing to their shared experience.

“He knows better and he should be ashamed of himself,” Attaway said.

Returning to the excitement of adding AP African American Studies, Attaway emphasized the significance of the course for students at Madison East.

“Our students want this, so let’s give it to them,” Attaway said. “Let’s give them something to be excited about.”

al will appease Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who told Wisconsin Public Radio in November that Assembly Republicans would focus on returning money that was “overpaid” by taxpayers.

“I think it’s fair to say that our first priority would be cutting taxes as much as we possibly can,” Vos said. “The second would be we’re going to keep the money in our savings account. I would rather keep it in the savings account than expand the size of government.”

Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) already told reporters they plan to throw out Evers’ budget, which JFC co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein called a “liberal wishlist.”

There’s some hope for compromise as the budget process moves forward. Vos has previously indicated conditional support for an increase in public school funding if paired with an expansion of the state’s private school choice program.

He also suggested a potential to “thread the needle” on tax cuts so long as Wisconsin’s budget surplus was going back to residents rather than into state spending, according to a November report from The Center Square.

Vos struck a similar tune last Wednesday when he told reporters there were “some areas” of common ground in Evers’ budget. However, he said Republicans’ solutions would look “dramatically di erent” than the governor’s “unrealistic” plans.

“In some ways, I felt like I was watching Oprah Winfrey — a billion for you, a billion for you, a billion for you,” Vos said.

LAUREN AGUILA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Cardinal View: We mourn with MSU

The mass shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students and injured five others last week marked the 67th mass shooting in the United States — just this year. For us at the University of WisconsinMadison, it is a horrific reminder of the pervasive gun violence at schools like ours.

As part of a generation where mass shootings have regularly killed our peers in their classrooms, it is also a sad reminder of inaction from our leaders. It is a reminder that our lives are at stake, and our classrooms and our student unions are not safe. It is a reminder that our peers will never feel at home again.

“As the barricades went up and the situation unraveled, we lost our home,” The MSU State News student newspaper wrote in a Feb. 16 editorial. “We lost our school. Instead, in its place, are two hollow buildings that are a shell of what they once represented, surrounded by Spartans that are trying to figure out what to do next.”

We write this piece in support of our fellow Big Ten students. We write this in honor of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson as well as those injured — in support of their families, friends, classmates and educators.

But we also write this with anger. With anger for the lives lost and the consistent inaction from our leaders. With anger that the average American is growing numb to the pain of this senseless violence.

How much is too much? How long must we wait until our state and federal governments pass sensible gun legislation? How many more of us have to die?

UW-Madison gun violence and safety

Days after the shooting at MSU, the University of Wisconsin Police Department sent its monthly newsletter “The UWPD Post” with a title that left students feeling uneasy. In the newsletter, the police department urged students to keep the words “run, hide and fight” in mind during an active shooter situation. Despite being helpful information, the subject line was phrased in a way that brought about a sense of dread. Already much-maligned communications between the campus community and the police were further called into question.

The rumblings of gun violence were felt by the campus community last November when shots were fired on the 100 block of State Street, leaving one person injured. There was also a shelterin-place at the Kohl Center during a men’s basketball game the evening of the shooting, as police searched the nearby area when investigating the incident.

O -campus alerts were sent out to warn community members about the shooting. While WiscAlerts for on-campus incidents are opt-out, o -campus incident alerts are opt-in, and therein lies the issue. All alerts should be opt-out. Safety should not need opting in.

Furthermore, WiscAlerts and o -campus alerts factor in the location where an incident occurs. Distinct lines divide UWPD and the Madison Police Department’s jurisdiction, and thus also define what areas fall within range for WiscAlerts, ocampus alerts or neither. Areas

frequented or heavily populated by students — like the N. Park and Fahrenbrook Ct. area — slip through the cracks. These boundaries should be reconsidered, especially considering the sprawling nature of our campus. While alerts and boundary redefinitions won’t reduce the likelihood of gun violence, they could help save more lives if such a situation were to arise.

The school shooting generation

After Sandy Hook, when toddlers learning to read and write were massacred under desks so small we could step over them, our politicians were “stunned” and “outraged” but apparently not so much as to reach a compromise to save lives. New problems came up, and they moved on.

And after 17 high schoolers were ripped open by an AR-15 on Valentine’s Day in 2018, our politicians were “shocked” and “distraught.” We “marched for our lives,” walked out of classrooms and organized public protests while they moved on.

And after 19 fourth graders, trying to memorize times tables, were killed in Uvalde, Texas, our leaders were so “stunned” they waited three days before attending the National Rifle Association’s conference in Houston. As we ride this merrygo-round once again, it’s worth asking just how many more times we will have to before they understand: this shouldn’t be normal.

So here we are, the lucky ones.

The school shooting generation. Nothing speaks to this bleak consistency more than the haunting image circling on social media of a student outside a Michigan State vigil in a navy “Oxford Strong” crewneck sweatshirt. The sweatshirts were sold by the community, located 90 minutes from East Lansing, after four high schoolers were killed in a November 2021 shooting.

The frequency of this violence is best highlighted in the accounts of students who

The way forward

Gun control has been cast as a political issue, with gun regulation becoming a polarizing concept divisive along party lines. Within the past year, Democratic Michigan legislators attempted to pass a bill to add more extensive background checks and storage requirements on all firearm purchases — a bill that was blocked by Republican legislators in accordance with their

have now lived through two school shootings. In the span of 14 months, college freshman Emma Riddle was present at both the Oxford High School shooting and the Michigan State University shooting.

It is a jarring reminder that there are students our age who have experienced this lifeshattering catastrophe twice in two years.

Whether it was because of monthly lockdown drills or through the killing of 20 schoolchildren in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, current college students have been aware of school shootings for the majority of their lives.

What seemed like isolated tragedies became an increasing possibility with each passing year of our education. Our generation was marked by frequent and violent gun violence. We grew up watching news screens lit up with the faces of children who — like us — had not imagined becoming a victim at a place that was supposed to protect them.

“Did you hear about that shooting?” became a common line in conversation.

Despite each incident of gun violence being horrific in its own right, desensitization has become a reality for many students. The constant presence of this issue, with virtually zero leeway made in e orts to combat it, has minimized feelings of shock and outrage in our generation.

But as a fellow Big Ten school, the shooting at MSU hit close to home for many UW-Madison students. Direct parallels to elements of our university life highlighted both the gravity of the situation and the immediacy of the gun violence epidemic at large.

party platform. Political obligations are barring legislation reform. That is appalling.

Our policymakers were elected to uplift and protect the wellbeing of their constituents, not cost them their lives in support of party entanglements. As a country, we must stop making gun control political, or the next mass shooting will be innocent blood on our hands.

It is clear that things need to change. School shootings must be put to an end. As the editorial board writing on behalf of The Daily Cardinal, we are not trying to provide the answer to this problem. We do not know what the solution should be, nor do we believe we are qualified to provide the answer. Rather, our aim is to use our platform to stand in support of MSU and o er advice to fellow students.

Until change is made, the disheartening truth is that students must know how to protect themselves. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and have potential escape routes in mind in the event of an emergency. In the presence of an active shooter, look for an exit with ground floor access or remain within a lockable location and barricade the doors.

Ultimately, every day without action is a day where vulnerability persists. It is dreadful that students can not enjoy the simple privilege of feeling safe on their own campus anymore.

Tomorrow it may be yet another campus victim to mass violence. As we mourn with Michigan State University, we implore those in positions of power to actually take action and realize that enough is enough.

Cardinal View editorials represent The Daily Cardinal’s organizational opinion.Eacheditorialiscraftedindependentofnewscoverage

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Welcome to your echo chamber

By Athena Kafkas STAFF WRITER

What if I told you that you reading this article — yes, this one right here — is the result of every interaction you have ever had up to this point. That your conversations with your friends and family, your exploratory social media swipes and your long YouTube binges all converged to the kind of stories you read today.

In this generation’s manifestation of the media within online forums, computer algorithms are the prime dictators of what information you consume daily. These arithmetic computational processes are complicated, basing the content they make available to you on data about your educational background, age and political ideologies — all information you release when consenting to the internet’s Terms of Service. Aside from the ones and zeros, all exploratory browsing algorithms have one goal in common — to keep you consuming the content you like. Revolutionary, right?

In addition to the information we consume, our opinions, interests and ideas are reflected back to us in the form of epistemologically conditioned social media circles. These are established in the form of the Facebook groups we (or, more pertinently, our moms) join. In Instagram and Snapchat, these cliques form in the comment section of popular creators or within the confines of

instant messaging groups. Social media users tend to immerse themselves into groups of likeminded people. They like to receive information from those who share similar demographic identifiers and, often, sociopolitical views about the world.

This categorical organization of people online can happen consciously or not; perhaps through the foundation of close friendships online or simply through the interactions between users on instant messaging systems. Sharing ideas between people of similar minds has proven good for our egos. It gives us a sense of belonging in the complex world of social media. So, what’s wrong with similar people making connections and agreeing on things?

Well, this universal tendency for the ideological curation of individuals’ social media pages has been coined one particularly unsavory term. Echo chambers, according to numerous scholarly articles, are extremely polarizing. And you’re probably in one right now.

Echo chambers have clear implications within not only our Twitter feeds, but the real world as well. In an article published in Aeon Magazine, Assistant Professor C Thi Nguyen of Utah Valley University defined our experiences on social media as reflectant of cults. With guidance from algorithms and the formation of close online relationships, tightly-knit “tribes”

make up our network of friends on Instagram, Snapchat and other forms of social media. This tendency toward ideological grouping reflects back to individuals only information that confirms their current world-

about the world online is detrimental. It has been accredited to extreme political polarization and, notably, the infamous attack on the Capitol in 2021.

Trust is an integral component of echo chambers. The

example, note the topics coming up on your Tik Tok “For You” page or your Instagram “Reels” and the relative demographics the videos tend to address. Ask yourself if these are reflectant upon your views of the world, and if they are, how might they be problematic? The only way to truly break out of an echo chamber is through the enthusiastic consumption of content you are not used to seeing online.

view. Consequently, our experiences online become constricted to a closed chamber of social media friends and feeds; one that repeats previously conceived thoughts and ideas back to us for our own reconsumption.

Our perceptions of current events are narrowed significantly as a result of the “exaggerated degrees of agreement” we experience from our surrounding echo chamber. This is a phenomenon furthered by computer algorithms. The complicated nature of these programs render these chambers impenetrable by any contradictory intellectual material, and keep us hesitant to consume opposing information. This way in which we learn

social structure of our communities relies on trust: trust in our neighbors, our law enforcement officers, our essential workers and our political leaders. Unfortunately, echo chambers tend to skew these feelings of trust by feeding us confirmatory stories and exaggeratedly negative depictions of the “other side.” This phenomenon facilitates a dangerously polarized view of the world, wherein your own word is always correct.

So, now that you know what an echo chamber is, what are you going to do about it? Expert analyses of this phenomenon suggest individuals become more aware of the information they are consuming online. For

You must learn your biases, whether they regard the political state of the world or whether Larry Stylinson is real (so basically the political state of the world). Reflect on the reasons behind your current beliefs and seek out perspectives that contradict them. Be empathetic of the other side and try to walk in shoes new and unfamiliar to you.

Relieving yourself from an echo chamber is a difficult process that takes conscious effort, and it all depends on your willingness to make a change in the way you view the world through social media. If you’re motivated enough, you might notice a big change in perspective, likely for the better. If not, I’d like to kindly welcome you to your echo chamber. Enjoy your stay!

Athena Kafkas is a sophomore studying neurobiology. Are social media algorithms causing societal harm? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com

Shakespeare is overrated.

By Sophia Piolanti STAFF WRITER

A majority of English speakers have most likely read or — at the very least — heard of William Shakespeare. Whether it was reading “Romeo and Juliet” in class or partaking in a discussion of his impact on the modern playwright, almost every student has encountered Shakespeare in an educational setting.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust places William Shakespeare’s importance on the legacy of his works. They conclude that the root of his importance is his plays’ “enduring presence on stage and film”. But, relevancy should not be the only metric for someone’s talent. Playwrights before Shakespeare’s time were arguably more talented, but a majority of their works are unfortunately lost.

The Greek playwright Sophocles has seven surviving plays, but he wrote around 121. The survival rate for his works is roughly five percent. If he was blessed with the preservation of his works, who is to say he couldn’t have been as prominent as Shakespeare in the education system?

Educators seem fascinated with Shakespeare’s plays and influence. But what exactly is unique about him? An argument in favor of The Bard’s individu-

alism is his ability to incorporate universal themes into stories of the human experience.

Shakespeare is not the first person, historically, to write universally appealing and thought provoking literary works. Playwrights before and after Shakespeare successfully told stories of grief, loss and joy without the unnecessary complexity of his plots and prose.

Sophocles invokes the same audience emotions — in less time — within his play “Oedipus the King.” One can argue that it isn’t an original work, as Sophocles took inspiration from Greek mythology. However, the public response to his plays can only be attributed to his talent for storytelling and writing.

The characteristics of ignorance, arrogance and grief in Oedipus still resonate with modern audiences, making the play just as relatable to the human experience as Shakespeare’s works.

Another argument regards his invention of vocabulary and skilled phrasing. However, what some may interpret as “skilled” has left modern students locked in a never-ending cycle of confusion and translation. Educators hand students a script of “Macbeth” and expect their knowledge of the modern English language to assist them in reading the works of an

Elizabethan playwright.

All meaning of the story is lost due to the archaic vocabulary. Shakespeare is no longer being studied in school for his work, but simply for his name.

The time spent teaching students how to interpret Shakespeare’s Elizabethan English could instead be spent reading the plays of more digestible, dramatic authors.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a lighter read than any of Shakespeare’s plays and delves into themes of marriage, social class and societal expectations more effectively. Replacing “Macbeth,” “Hamlet,” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with a play by August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, or Samuel Beckett is a more productive use of a student’s time.

Teaching Shakespeare’s writing and using his plays as an educational tool is acceptable — if not helpful — for the enrichment of a student’s literary knowledge. However, reading more than five of his works over the course of one’s education is absurdly repetitive and uninformative.

This is not an argument to stop teaching Shakespeare or to wipe him from school curriculums. Shakespeare still deserves credit as an influential playwright in the history of literature.

However, a majority of today’s students will read his plays and leave their desks with a mild — or extreme — distaste for dramatic literature. William Shakespeare is not cultivating the literary education of students, but instead murdering any poten-

tial interest in the subject.

Sofia Piolanti is a freshman studying Political Science at the University of WisconsinMadison. Do you agree that Shakespeare is overrated? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com

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Sweet but bitter: Stage play ‘The Wolves’ is an orange slice of life

By Breanna Bylak STAFF WRITER

The University of WisconsinMadison’s theatre department kicked o 2023 with the story of a girls’ indoor soccer team in Vilas Hall’s Hemsley Theatre earlier this month.

“The Wolves” took the stage — or field, as the floor and wall were covered in turf — after a two-year suspension due to the pandemic. Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the project was finally brought to life again by Director Audrey Standish, a lecturer for UW-Madison’s Department of Theatre and Drama. Returning members include actress Summer Kleppek — who revived the role of #8 — and Edgewood College soccer coach Romaric Setodji who trained the team of actresses, most of whom had never played soccer before.

The dramatic play, written by Sarah DeLappe, follows the lives of nine girls in their junior year of high school playing their winter season of soccer. The story only spans six weeks, but in that time the audience — positioned as if in the stands of a stadium — watches and remembers as the team plays through the hardest game — life. Discussing everything from love to death, it is not di cult to recall similar conversations from one’s days with their high school team.

A few minutes into the performance, one forgets the actresses on stage are not really having these conversations. Constantly moving, talking over one another and listening for cues, it is di cult to imagine how much the actresses had to practice to accomplish this level of fluidity.

A personal favorite aspect of the show was the attention to detail

in costuming. Costume Designer Jiaming Xie not only created realistic kits for each player, but paid special attention to when characters were straying from their comfort zones or trying to blend in — down to the type of hairstyle accessories they donned, such as #14’s orange headband denoting her separation from her former best friend #7.

The only moment where the play took a departure from a strictly realistic portrayal was in the scene “Time Out” where the lighting and sound became an external reflection of #00’s internal struggle. This is also the scene that disrupts the never-ending dialogue with total silence, but for the

sound of a single heartbeat. This moment requires the audience to slow down — as any time out does — and simply watch #00, played by Paige Gruener, live out what it feels like to be trapped in her experience of reality.

Assistant Director Grant Borcherding said the goal of the show is to remind the audience that “Life is ugly, life gets weird, life gets tough, but you have a team behind you.”

Borcherding, a junior undergraduate student pursuing a major in Spanish and a certificate in theatre, is not new to the stage. With prior experience as assistant director at Madison’s East High School, Borcherding expressed excitement

in taking the next step with a university level show, even blocking the “Time Out” scene by himself.

Borcherding believes the script was the most di cult part of the show to work with. With 132 pages of dialogue squeezed into 90 minutes, the pace and intensity is a lot to keep up with to maintain its realism. With so much detail, it is a show you can see multiple times and still find something new from due to the nature of the overlapping “chorus” of lines.

“That’s one of the hardest scripts I’ve ever seen. I mean, I’ve done Shakespeare, and that’s another type of animal, but this is hyperrealism. It’s dense. I love it. There’s so many details that

you miss the first time around,” said Borcherding.

Just like real life, this show has comedy but also contains heavy themes. Use of mature language as well as discussions of abortion, sexual content and violent events occur. Since these themes played a prominent role, the direction team and actresses had many open conversations about the di culty of the material.

Natalie Matthai, who played #7 in the show, said it was the emotional arc — not learning the sport of soccer — that has been the most di cult.

“To bring myself to that level and try to get myself to live in that world, that’s a tough challenge for me, but I’m really enjoying it so far,” said Matthai.

#13, Sophia Schmidt, agreed that the content of the script makes the show realistic, yet challenging.

“I definitely feel emotionally exhausted at the end of the play because I go through such a wide range of emotions,” said Schmidt. “It’s like, complete high and low, but I like it because I think it brings depth to the character.”

Though the show has intense themes, Anna Bogan, #11, hoped the discussion does not stop as viewers leave the theater. .

“Reflect on who you were as a young adult, adolescent, going through high school, and just think about the hardships that this group is going through at this time, have empathy for that. We’ve gone through it too,” said Bogan.

If you want to catch the game this weekend, you have a shot! The team plays their final matches this Feb. 23-26, with a double header on Saturday. Tickets are limited, so score them while you can at Campus Arts Ticketing.

flipturn: Unapologetic fun at the High Noon Saloon

By Jason Li STAFF WRITER

The doors opened at 8 p.m. to a cozy, quaint tavern. There is a standard table bar past the doors with an elevated stage sitting directly in front. A pit naturally forms in the middle.

As it gradually filled up with more and more people, the lights began to dim and all eyes turned towards the stage.

A side door is flung open and out comes indie-rock band Hotel Fiction, dressed in dashing yet striking attire, taking position on the stage.

Led by Jade Long and Jessica Thompson, the band made short work transforming the small, intimate saloon into a loud, electric crowd. With eight songs in its setlist, Hotel Fiction sustained the momentum by relying on powerful and consistent instrumentals while also engaging in some light-hearted fun — encouraging singalongs and clapalongs, giving out free band merchandise, and even

bringing on a band member’s dad for a hilarious performance of their song “FU Jess.”

Hotel Fiction’s opening performance brought a quirky and memorable energy with charisma. As they left and exited the stage to raucous applause, the lights slowly dim again.

The suspense was palpable and overwhelming — the audience knew what was about to happen. The side door suddenly swung open again, but this time it’s flipturn. The crowd erupts into deafening cheers, showering the band with applause.

The band, oozing unabashed confidence, make their way onto the stage and into their respective kits. A melody slowly begins to play and the instrumentals follow suit as flipturn starts its 16-song set list with “The Fall.”

The crowd roared its approval and the band rode the energy through the third piece, their groovy hit song

“Chicago,” during which the audience came together to sing along, following the cue of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dillon Basse. Drummer Devon

VonBalson even disassembled his own kit at one point, letting the audience hold its parts on which he later unleashed a wicked drum solo. The ener-

gy was so raw yet consistently unmatched, making it an exhilarating experience.

After the 14th song, the band suddenly gets up from the stage and leaves through the side door. Confusion arises from the audience, as they aren’t sure if the show is over. Right on cue, the door swings open and the band marches back onto stage. Taking advantage of the chaos, the band plays their marquee song “August.”

This was the defining climax of the night, as everyone embraced the chaos and sang along as hard as they could. flipturn then mellowed out the energy, ending off on “Nickel,” a nice farewell to everyone that night.

flipturn performs for those looking for a great time. The band may not be a household name yet, but that doesn’t matter. They are happy being themselves, which makes their performance so genuine and so unapologetically fun.

BEAU MEYER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Finding the courage in fear

By Alexandra Malatesta STAFF WRITER

As humans, we all experience fear. Fear is a natural emotion that protects us from danger and helps us avoid risky situations. However, fear can also be a barrier that stops us from achieving our goals and living our dreams. We often hear people say “be fearless,” but it’s not about not feeling fear — it’s about finding the courage to face it and push through it.

We’ve all experienced the anxiety that causes a mindset where we feel trapped in endless negative thoughts. While fear can be an uncomfortable and overwhelming feeling, it can also be an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Finding the courage to face our fears and overcome them can lead to major growth in areas we didn’t even know needed it.

The first step in finding this courage is to acknowledge the fear. Recognize that it’s okay to feel afraid and that everyone experiences fear at some point in their lives.

Identify what you’re afraid of and try to understand the root of your fear. Is it a fear of failure, rejec-

tion or the unknown?

Most fears remain unnoticed until you confront them. Understanding ourselves and what holds us back are important elements to discover before starting that journey of healing. Filling voids with distractions to make that fear go away is never the answer.

Avoiding our fears will only limit our growth. Once we have accepted our fears, we can begin to take action to overcome them. This may involve seeking support from friends, family or a professional. It may also involve taking small steps to gradually confront our fears.

It takes courage to even think about taking that first step, but once you do, I can promise you it will be one of the most beneficial actions you could take for your personal growth and mental health.

I’ve always been that person who looks at the positives, even in situations where I struggle to find courage and hope. And honestly, it has been one of the key elements to why I have achieved success in facing my fears. Instead of dwelling on the potential negatives, we should think about the benefits of overcoming our fears.

This may lead to increased confidence, improved

relationships and greater confidence throughout your day. Focus on your “why.”

What motivates you to overcome your fear and pursue your dreams? Is it to provide for your family, to inspire others or to prove something to yourself? When you connect with your “why,” you get a sense of purpose that makes your goal more meaningful.

Fears — such as not liking spiders or the dark — may be deep-rooted. Fear can alter a person’s life or behavior — and being able to find courage in those times of fear can make you more resilient.

Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act in spite of it. This process requires a lot of self awareness and perseverance.

We may never be able to completely erase those fears, but we can learn how to manage them and use them as a source of motivation to move on.

No one said it would be easy, but by confronting our fears and using them as a catalyst for growth, we can develop the mindset needed to live life to the absolute fullest, despite what we have been dealt with or whatever comes our way.

By Hannah Angsten STAFF WRITER

While this year’s Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles featured many highlight-worthy moments, the most dominant performance arguably came during halftime.

Taking the stage again after five years, Rihanna served viewers a powerful reminder of her extensively successful setlist and unwavering vocal abilities during her halftime performance.

The winter blues are a real thing when campus looks like this for multiple months!

Fending off the winter blues

By Maddy Scharrer STAFF WRITER

Badgers, if you’re anything like me, the thought of gray skies and mushy snow in Madison is not a happy one. Each winter, I find myself lacking in motivation when it comes to school and social activities. All I want to do is cuddle up in bed and watch Netflix, especially when the alternative is walking to class in below-zero conditions. However strong these urges may be, there are ways to fend them o . Follow my list of ways to stay motivated this winter.

1. If you’re feeling sluggish, try going to the gym

During winter months, it’s di cult to stay active. I find myself spending summer days engaging in physical activities that don’t suit cold weather. On days you’re feeling extra lousy from being trapped inside, try going to the gym. Even if it’s only for 30 minutes, a little bit of physical activity might raise your spirits and get your energy up.

2. Do your homework at your favorite campus study spot

When I’m feeling unmotivated during snowy months, the littlest activities perk me up. Starting a study session can be di cult when all you want to do is relax. Getting a co ee often encourages me to do my homework, especially if there’s a nice, quiet cafe I can go to. I’ve found that a change of scenery can be super motivating when I’m struggling to focus on my homework.

3. Set aside some me time

Self care is so important, especially in college. With coursework, jobs and additional commitments, life can be pretty hectic. Finding time each day to do something for yourself might be just what you need to reset your mind and gain motivation to continue with the many tasks in your busy life. Whether that’s reading a book or watching an episode of TV, taking care of yourself may keep you from experiencing burnout.

4. Plan activities to look forward to

It’s easy for me to sit here and preach about going to class or the gym, or being on top of homework, but at the end of the day, we all face these motivational challenges at one point or another. Some weeks feel endless and the duties just pile up. During these times, one way to motivate yourself is by setting up a fun activity to do in the future. I’ve found that during a long week of exams and papers, looking forward to a movie night with my friends keeps me going. Giving yourself plans to look forward to can motivate you through the rough patches.

Don’t let the winter blues conquer you this semester. It’s important to remember that while Wisconsin winters may seem daunting and endless, there will come a day when the sun melts the snow and warms the air. Until then, give these remedies a go, and you might find yourself feeling a little more motivated during the dreary days.

Presenting a number of hits ranging from “Umbrella” and “Where Have You Been” to iconic collaborations like “Wild Thoughts” and “All of the Lights,” she gave fans a much-anticipated taste of her unforgettable anthems that have consistently dominated the charts. The fact that even fan-favorites like “Disturbia” and “This is What You Came For” didn’t make the show is a true testament to the overabundance of hits Rihanna has provided fans over the course

of her career.

Even more impressive than her vocals, though, was Rihanna’s gravity-defying performance upon floating stages that, at times, hovered almost 60 feet above the field.

Accompanied by the Royal Family Dance Crew under the direction of New Zealand choreographer Parris Goebel, the performance left tense football fans and Rihanna fanatics alike on their feet.

Dressed in all white and slightly resembling marshmallows, the dancers amazed viewers with their perfectly robotic, oftentimes unbelievably synchronized movements. Other than flawlessly accenting Rihanna’s powerful presence, the dancers accurately embodied what many fans think they look like dancing in their living rooms to “Work” and “Rude Boy.”

Traditionally, halftime performers include at least one guest performer to accompany them, which, much to many people’s sur-

prise, Rihanna decided against. However, while this may have added to the show’s ratings, she clearly needed no support in filling the 13 minute show with nonstop action and back-to-back hits.

I’d also contend that there was no need for a guest performer, as the performance doubled as arguably the most iconic pregnancy reveal ever. Showing o her pregnancy in a powerful all-red outfit, Rihanna left viewers in shock, wondering how to politely bring up the big question on everyone’s mind.

Despite fans’ initial disappointment that Rihanna’s announcement didn’t include new music, it is clear that her performance at Super Bowl LVII will go down in halftime show history. Her ability to simultaneously belt out dicult songs like “Diamonds” and hover 60 feet in the air on a moving platform — all while pregnant — is a clear indication of her strength and a true inspiration for viewers. around the world.

Rihanna gave a truly electrifying performance at this years Super Bowl halftime show.

Rihanna brings the Super Bowl to new heights with her electrifying halftime performance

Spectroscopy through Dr. Weaver

By Ava Menkes STAFF WRITER Susana Widicus Weaver

is an astrochemist at the University of WisconsinMadison. In her research, Dr. Weaver takes the spectra of molecules in a lab and uses that as a guide to look at them in space. The spectra are the amount of light emitted over a range of energies. Spectra can be produced for any energy of light, according to NASA. This then helps scientists understand how prebiotic chemistry starts.

Weaver has loved astronomy ever since she was a kid.

“My high school chemistry teacher told me all about the fields of cosmo chemistry and astrochemistry, and I realized that this is something I can actually do,” she said.

Weaver leads a research group called the Widicus Weaver Research Group. Eight graduate students along with staff scientists and undergraduates work with her. They all do laboratory work and some do observations.

Weaver and her team can use telescopes to observe star and planet-forming regions in space.

“For me, this is usually via radio astronomy, where we take spectra of the source

and compare them to the molecular spectra we acquire in the lab,” said Weaver.

Spectroscopy has been widely regarded as a discovery from Isaac Newton in 1666 when he presented data indicating white light from the sun could be scattered into colors. Additionally, scientist Gustav Kirchho worked with Robert Bunsen at Heidelberg University around 1854. In 1860, they both were recognized for their creation of the spectroscope, which measures the spectrum of light.

Weaver described spectroscopy as shining di erent wavelengths of light at a molecular sample — “sometimes it absorbs and sometimes it doesn’t.”

“If we trace the absorption where the intensity goes down as we shine it through the sample, we can actually assign those transitions and figure out the structure of the molecule,” she said.

Part of her work also involves rotational spectroscopy.

“Every molecule has its own unique 3D structure,” Weaver explained. “So they all rotate with di erent energies. You can use the spectrum as a guide to figure out what [structure] is and then we can see exactly those fin-

gerprints in space, exactly which molecules are there and how much.”

“When they [molecules] spin, the speed at which they spin is determined by this structure. Think about a figure skater: If their arms are pulled in, they spin fast. If their arms are outstretched, they spin more slowly. Molecules are the same way”.

Scientists record the molecule’s response to di erent frequencies of light and how it spins.

“Since each molecule has a unique structure, it has a unique spectrum,” Weaver explained.

This may seem like a complex or intangible field to an ordinary person unfamiliar with spectroscopy. However, the “absolutely breathtaking” and “beautiful images” from the James Webb Space Telescope may o er more accessibility to people, according to Weaver.

Scientists can determine the makeup of a star’s atmosphere and temperature by observing which colors are absorbed and the prevalence of each wavelength, according to Harvard’s Center for Astrophysics.

“The other part of my research is to compare two models, where we put in all the starting material and the

reactions as we understand them, and then we put in the physical evolution of the source and we try to understand how the chemistry changes as the star and planets [change],” Weaver said.

Observing di erent molecules at particular stages presents how the chemistry changes in that stage of star formation, said Weaver.

“The models actually give us a way to test what we see and predict something new. We can take the output of the model and predict new molecules and then go and use that [to determine] what we should look at next,” Weaver said.

A highlight of Weaver’s work revolves around the star-forming region called W3. This region is 6,200 light years away, according to Hershel Space Observatory.

“We’ve imaged what’s called the dusty cocoon around a new star that’s forming [in W3]. And we actually see the cocoon in the maps that we made, and we can see the organic molecules in the cocoon,” Weaver said. “We think that there’s really interesting organic chemistry happening in that source. And so we’re applying for follow-up observations and trying to understand.”

Spectroscopy can help us

understand whether exoplanets have characteristics similar to those of Earth. Spectroscopy can help identify what other habitable worlds and solar systems may look like to make sense of whether or not we are alone in the universe.

“It may not look exactly like Earth. There’s a lot of debate right now as to what’s called a biosignature, meaning it’s a sign that there’s life on the planet and it’s unclear what the clear-cut biosignatures are,” Weaver said.

By using spectroscopy to identify biosignatures, we can continue to gather clues about habitable worlds outside our solar system.

“We try not to limit too much on what we see on Earth,” Weaver said. “We’re trying to keep all the possibilities open, so it’s hard to narrow it down. We can certainly look for biosignatures like we would see on an Earth-like planet, and that’s a place to start. But we’re always trying to push the envelope outside of the box in that respect.”

As the Widicus Weaver group receives more information from the telescopes, their hope is the general public will grasp a better understanding of the astounding study of wavelengths.

STEM major spotlight: Life Sciences Communication

By Madelyn Anderson STAFF WRITER

Have you ever felt out of place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison? Or overwhelmed by your interests and the school’s never-ending wealth of opportunities? If you’re thinking “yes, those feelings are painfully familiar” — you’re not alone.

When I first stepped foot on campus for my freshman orientation, I was overwhelmed with uncertainty. I wanted to immerse myself in a research paper, learning the ins and outs of living organisms. I also wanted to get out of my head and into the world, capturing emotions with my camera. That’s not to mention the hundreds of clubs I wanted to join.

When I expressed my dilemma to my advisor in one exasperated breath ending with, “so maybe I should aim for three majors in three years,” she looked at me like I lost my mind. Then, with a knowing smile, she asked, “Have you heard of LSC?”

I remember thinking the acronym sounded intense, but I had no idea what it meant. I soon learned that “LSC” stood for Life Sciences Communication, a Bachelor of Science program that stands for much more.

Requiring only 24 credits, LSC is a multifaceted student’s dream. It encourages you to fill your time with other opportunities, from double majoring

to participating in an internship. In addition, the major itself leaves room for academic freedom. Half of the required coursework is self-selected, allowing you to personalize your studies.

The major also o ers two concentrations — communication strategy and communication skills and technologies. But no matter which path you choose, you’re guaranteed the “best of both worlds,” according to Student Services Assistant Emma Hinker.

“Within our major, you’re getting the strategic side of communication, the big picture ideas, but you’re also able to learn hands-on skills in your area too,” she said.

Junior Britta Wellenstein exemplifies the range of possibilities within LSC. Double majoring in LSC and Environmental Studies, she also works as a Communications Intern at the Wisconsin Energy Institute.

“I like the interdisciplinary aspect of LSC,” Wellenstien said. “I also looked at studying in the journalism school, which had options, but I felt like I couldn’t explore them as much.”

In the Department of LSC, students are pushed to explore the world around them. They’re called to consider multiple perspectives, a skill emphasized in an introductory course titled LSC 251: Science, Media and Society.

Professor Dietram Scheufele guides students through looking at controversial media, understanding its intricacies and communicating scientific truths. Unlike some introductory courses that serve as an easy “A,” the lessons learned in LSC 251 stick with students throughout their education.

“This major has taught me to really listen to people, and to try to understand everyone’s perspectives and look at things from di erent points of view,” Wellenstein said.

LSC is a melting pot of ideas and backgrounds, and through the diversity the major brings, you can feel a sense of unity. I, and many other LSC students, appreciate the wide variety of

identities among people in our courses.

“In one of my classes, there was a football player and a group of farmers who often talked about dairy expos and stu ,” Wellenstein said. “Me and another Environmental Studies girl were just sitting there listening, thinking ‘This is so interesting.’”

Hinker echoed these statements, noting “I genuinely don’t think there is an ideal LSC student. That being said, everyone in the major shares a passion for science communication. They care and they want to communicate with the public in a variety of di erent ways.”

So, as an LSC student with

the opportunity to communicate with you today, let me give you my unique perspective and answer the question I’ve heard a million times: What even is LSC? To be factual, “LSC” stands for Life Sciences Communication. But the major itself also stands for exploration, community and truth. We may be small and often unheard of, but we will go on to make a big di erence in the world. LSC has taught me that diversity is something to embrace and given me the skills to succeed in all the new experiences I may try. Next time you find yourself feeling uncertain, staring at the course catalog, consider leaning into the unknown and trying LSC.

Wisconsin’s rocky tournament path

By Jacob Szczap STAFF WRITER

It is safe to say that this season’s Wisconsin Badgers basketball season has been a rollercoaster ride. Nothing has been comfortable. After being projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten, Wisconsin started o the season 11-2. With impressive wins over USC, Marquette, Maryland and Iowa, Wisconsin looked on its way to the tournament by mid-January.

Their only losses came to thirdranked Kansas in the Bahamas and a feisty Wake Forest team. They even rose to No. 14 in the AP Poll. It looked as though the Badgers were once again defying pre-season odds.

Then came the slide. Between Jan. 7 and 28, Wisconsin lost six out of seven games.

After losing Tyler Wahl to an ankle injury on Jan. 3, Wisconsin’s o ense struggled mightily through the remainder of January, culminating with back to back games in which the Badgers failed to reach 60 points. In fact, at Indiana, Wisconsin scored only 45 points, the low point o ensively during the January skid. Simply put, things were not pretty.

A gritty win at Ohio State on Feb. 2 o ered some hope for Badgers fans, but Wisconsin responded by losing yet another frustratingly low scoring game, this time against Northwestern at home.

On Feb. 8, Wisconsin played their best o ensive game in over a month, scoring 69 points in regulation and overtime at Penn State, and winning in the process. With lowly Nebraska looming on the schedule, a run to propel the Badgers into the NCAA Tournament seemed very feasible.

With Wisconsin already on the bubble, the worst thing that could happen was to lose against a team at the bottom of the conference. Except, that’s exactly what the Badgers did, blowing a 17-point second half lead to the team that sits 12th out of 14 teams in the Big Ten.

So here we are with less than a month until Selection Sunday. Wisconsin sits with a 7-8 conference record (15-10 overall) and has played mostly uninspiring basketball. But

after a potentially season-changing victory over Michigan last Tuesday night, Wisconsin still has a slight chance to sneak their way into the NCAA Tournament.

They have opportunities, as No. 3 Purdue and Iowa, who sit first and fourth in the Big Ten standings, respectively, come to town. A run in the Big Ten Tournament also opens a window for postseason play.

But what needs to happen for Wisconsin to find themselves on the bracket in March? What needs to happen for Wisconsin to finally play with some consistency?

Who can the Badgers rely on?

Much of it starts with 6-foot9-inch forward Tyler Wahl. The senior leader of the team hasn’t looked the same since he su ered an ankle injury in early January. A lot of the Badgers’ troubles can be attributed to the absence of Wahl, and then the shell of himself we’ve seen since his return.

Before his injury, Wahl averaged 14.1 points per game, and Wisconsin was 10-2. Since returning from his

injury, Wahl has averaged only 9 points per game, and since his injury, the team is 4-8. Those stats alone indicate how important Wahl is to Wisconsin’s success.

For Wahl to start playing better, it starts with his aggression. Everyone knows Wahl’s threat as a scorer, but since his return from his injury, he’s played with much more caution.

Wahl is used to getting most of his points in the paint, where physicality is common, especially in the Big Ten. However, with a hampered ankle, Wahl has shied away from contact. He has tried too hard to wiggle away from defenders, falling away from the rim instead of attacking. Wahl’s struggles have been reflected in his shooting percentage. While playing a career high 31 minutes per game, Wahl is shooting a career low 40.3%.

The continued emergence of freshman guard Connor Essegian is also essential in the Badgers tournament hopes. The 6-foot-4-inch Essegian is two games removed from the best outing of his career, scoring a career-high 23 points in a

win over Michigan.

The freshman is averaging 11.3 points per game and is shooting the three-ball at an impressive 42%. His scoring has only increased since filling a starting role on Jan. 17, scoring 14.2 points per game since. Essegian has undoubtedly been a bright spot in the otherwise barren Wisconsin o ense, and he seems to be hitting his stride at just the right time. As March approaches, Wisconsin needs Essegian to keep shooting the three consistently.

For the Badgers to go on a lateseason run, Wisconsin needs to continue to play well defensively. With a struggling o ense becoming a common trend this season, Wisconsin’s defense has kept them in games all season long.

Tuesday night’s win over Michigan was no di erent, but much of the defensive prowess came from an unlikely source — senior forward Carter Gilmore. Michigan center Tyler Dickinson brought his fair share of talk into Tuesday night’s contest, but he was held in check o ensively, mainly by Gilmore. In the 16 minutes Gilmore was on the

floor, Dickinson only scored one field goal. Even more impressive, the Badgers were plus-14.

Two of the teams Wisconsin need to beat, Purdue and Michigan, are both led by big men. Containing Purdue’s dominant 7-foot-4-inch center Zach Edey and Michigan’s leading scorer and rebounder Dickinson, again, are musts. On Tuesday, Gilmore set the tone defensively. The Badgers will surely need more of that.

The path

So after Wisconsin’s close loss to Rutgers, do the Badgers need to win out in order to find themselves on the floor in March? Probably.

Given how deep the Big Ten is, Wisconsin could have likely a orded a loss to either Rutgers, Iowa, Michigan or Purdue. However, after falling to Rutgers at home on Saturday, Wisconsin is clinging onto their tournament chances.

Coming into Saturday, beating Purdue would have given Wisconsin a cushion, but a close loss wouldn’t hurt too much, as long as they take care of business in other games.

However Wisconsin used its cushion already. Now, they have no other choice but to win.

Wins against Iowa and at Michigan would also go a long way. If they lose at Minnesota, their season is surely over. Wisconsin cannot a ord a loss to the bottom-feeder of the conference.

The days of playing hypothetical games are over. The Badgers must run the table of their regular season schedule. And while they’re at it, they should consider making a run in the Big Ten tournament.

This team has shown flashes. They were even ranked No. 14 in the nation at one point. If they get Tyler Wahl on track, let Connor Essegian cook and keep playing solid defense, anything can happen.

The Badgers are playing with house money. With most of the college hoops world counting them out, maybe we’ll see them play with more freedom. Chances are slim, but a run to the tournament is still possible.

Badger women’s sports fans are the most loyal in NCAA

By Claire LaLiberte STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 3, the Badger women’s ice hockey team skated out on the ice of the Kohl Center to a crowd seven times larger than the capacity of their usual LaBahn Arena. This was the seventh “Fill the Bowl” night — a game that contends for the NCAA’s most-attended women’s hockey game every time it’s played — and the first since the Badgers tied Ohio State 1-1 in 2020 in front of 14,361 fans.

Despite being blanked 1-0 by St. Cloud State, this year’s “Fill the Bowl” night was the second mostattended women’s NCAA hockey game ever, with 14,430 fans in the stands. Because it coincided with the NHL All-Star break, it was that day’s most-attended hockey game in the world.

The title of largest crowd at an NCAA women’s hockey game is also held by the Badgers, when

in 2017 they “filled the bowl” for another game against St. Cloud State and attracted 15,359 fans to the Kohl Center.

In fact, as of the 2019-20 NCAA women’s hockey season, the top six most-attended games of all time took place in Madison. After this month’s game against St. Cloud State, it is now seven. Full-season attendance data also places the Badgers as the most-attended women’s hockey program for 12 years between 2004 and 2020, beaten out only by Minnesota.

Wisconsin has topped 10,000 fans at a women’s game six times, even exceeding it by margins as great as 5,000. No other women’s college hockey program has ever had more than 7,000 attendees.

The most-attended non-collegiate women’s hockey game recorded was a 2022 matchup between the U.S. and Canada, which drew 14,551 fans to Seattle’s Climate Pledge

Arena. This means the Badgers hold the title for the most-attended women’s hockey game in history.

The women’s hockey regular season came to an end on Feb. 19, and the Badgers finished with a staggering average attendance of 3,014. That exceeds second-place Minnesota by nearly 1,000 — and most shockingly, exceeds LaBahn’s capacity by 800 fans.

With the average elevated by the nearly 15,000 people who came to the Kohl Center earlier this month, the Badgers finished the season filling the stands to an unbelievable average capacity of 132.6%. Despite finishing in second place, Minnesota could only fill its stadiums 61.2% on average. No other school broke 50%.

But Wisconsin women’s athletics have more to boast about than just hockey. The university’s dominant volleyball team took home its first national championship in 2021, and in doing so, the Badgers and the

Nebraska Cornhuskers set the alltime attendance record for volleyball. In total, 18,755 people showed up to cheer for Big Ten volleyball in the 2021 NCAA Championship in Columbus, Ohio.

Wisconsin is also the owner of the NCAA volleyball regular-season attendance title, which they secured this past season when the Florida Gators came to Madison and narrowly beat the Badgers in five sets. The volleyball team drew 16,833 fans to watch them play in the Kohl Center for the first time since 1998.

Nebraska’s powerhouse volleyball team has led the NCAA in total attendance by season since 2013, but Wisconsin has been right there in competition with them. In the 2021 season, Wisconsin drew a total of 142,571 fans to its home games, less than 5,000 behind the Cornhuskers.

Despite the performance of Badger women’s basketball wan-

ing in recent years — they finished 8-21 last season — 8,217 fans showed up to watch a heartbreakingly close loss to Northwestern in the Kohl Center on National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

Although incomparable to the numbers attained by recent champions like the volleyball and ice hockey teams, it is impressive to see such a showing for a program that hasn’t had a winning record in a dozen long seasons, and that is currently posting its lowest attendance on average since the 1993-94 season. What sets UW-Madison apart from all other NCAA women’s athletics programs is not its excellent performance in attracting fans to any one sport, although its dominance in ice hockey in particular is unparalleled. What is impressive is how the Badgers, exponentially more so than any other collegiate athletics department, are able to do this across sports.

TAYLOR WOLFRAM/THE DAILY CARDINAL

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