Thursday, February 2, 2023

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Madison mayoral candidates clash over housing, policing at forum

By Marin Rosen STAFF WRITER

Incumbent Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, and opponents Gloria Reyes and Scott Kerr took part in a community forum held at the Urban League of Greater Wisconsin on Tuesday.

The forum was organized by local organizations including the NAACP, Urban League, Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign, 100 Black Men of Madison and the Divine Nine. The candidates discussed issues including zoning, housing, body cameras and public safety.

Rhodes-Conway said she supports the creation of new housing and intends to develop new zoning plans that will ensure no current residents are displaced.

“There are different rules depending on if you own your home or rent your home, and I don’t think that’s fair,” Rhodes-Conway said. “Yes, we should be changing the zoning but at the same time we have to think about unintended consequences and make sure we’re not displacing folks out of our neighborhoods.”

Reyes, the former deputy mayor, police officer and president of the Madison

School Board, would be the first Hispanic woman elected Madison mayor. Reyes challenged Rhodes-Conway’s housing policies and said the city needs to preserve current homes while looking elsewhere to build new housing.

“I think this is an example of the mayor coming up with a bad idea,” Reyes said. “We have to think about consequences. This is not just about building more housing. We have to keep the housing that we have and look at spaces that we have in our city to develop.”

Rhodes-Conway said the city of Madison voted for a mayor who would take the housing crisis seriously, bring rapid transit to the city, fight climate

change and infuse equity into the work the city does.

“I’m proud to say that despite a global pandemic, we have made progress on all of those and more,” RhodesConway said.

Kerr, a city employee of 42 years and technician with the Traffic Engineering Division, said he will focus on creating a more responsive government.

Kerr said he plans to collaborate with local businesses for input on how to improve the city’s public safety while maintaining a cost-e ective government.

“We’re heading into really rough times,” Kerr said. “I’m going to put it out to the public to make the decisions with me on what we have to cut so we

can maintain the city without detriment to the city itself.”

Reyes said she plans to create an advisory team to increase housing affordability for Black families looking to buy homes.

“The median Black household income is unable to afford medium rent in the city,” Reyes said. “I plan to develop a mayor’s housing advisory team that’s going to implement targeted solutions to move Black families into home ownership.”

Following the police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, the use of body cameras on officers has become a pressing topic in the mayoral election. Floyd Rose, president of 100 Black Men of Madison, asked the candidates their thoughts on body cameras.

Kerr said he would prioritize putting body cameras on police officers and take other steps to increase coverage in the city.

“It is a priority to put body cameras on every officer to protect the citizens and protect the good officers,” Kerr said. “The problem is the body cameras aren’t enough. I support expanding our traffic overhead camera system so that we have good coverage throughout the city.”

Reyes said when she was deputy mayor, the city spent $400,000 on consultants for recommendations on body cameras. She criticized Rhodes-Conway for what she said was a lack of action in implementing cameras.

“We’re still here talking about body cameras,” Reyes said. “The mayor has been silent on this. We all have been wondering: where are we with body cameras?”

Rhodes-Conway said she plans to fund ongoing training in the police force to create a culture that will prevent police misconduct from happening in Madison.

“Let me say this: we’re asking the wrong question,” RhodesConway said. “The question is not ‘Should police have body cameras?’ The question is ‘How do we prevent misbehavior in police departments?’”

The mayoral primary election, as well as the Common Council primary election, will be held Feb. 21. The general election will take place April 4.

After the primary election, candidates will participate in a debate scheduled for Feb. 27 at Central Library hosted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum and Downtown Madison, Inc.

Madison unveils finalists in ‘Name These Plows’ contest

By Francesca Pica CITY NEWS EDITOR

The Madison Streets and Engineering Division unveiled its 61 finalists in the naming contest for four new snow removal vehicles.

People have until 8 p.m. Friday to vote on their favorite names for the division’s brine truck, bike path plow, loader and double wing plow. Among the finalists include many puns on celebrity names, such as “KeaNo Freeze” and “Dolly Plowton,” as well as pop culture references like “Scoopy Doo” and “Eb-brine-eezer Scrooge.”

The winning names will be chosen via a ranked choice voting system, where voters can pick their top five names for each vehicle, according to the city’s website. A name will win only if it earns a majority of total votes cast.

If no name wins a majority, the lowest vote-getter will be eliminated and another vote will be held until a name reaches 50% of votes cast.

Streets Division Public Information O cer Bryan Johnson said the contest provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of snow-fighting equipment in removing snow from roads while minimizing the use of salt, which can damage infrastructure and harm local freshwater bodies.

“Naming these snow-fighting machines in the City fleet gives us an opportunity to highlight their unique roles in helping us travel safely through Madison — whether by bike or by car — during the winter months,” Johnson said. “And, frankly, it’s fun.”

The division announced earlier this month it was accepting submissions for the name contest from community members until Jan. 13. More than 1,200 names were submitted before o cials selected the 61 finalists.

The city website encouraged contestants to submit playful and pun-

based names.

“The more pun-filled and playful the nickname, the better,” the site read. “Pop culture, local character and other references are encouraged.”

The final names are listed below:

Double Wing Plow Truck

A Plow Me to Introduce Myself

Dual-Wing Banjos

Dolly Plowton

Blizzo

Plowie Walnuts

Pushy McDriftyflakes

Willem DePlow

Snowsferatu

Kung Plow Chicken

Winged Victory

Bring Da Truckus

Drifity Do Dah

Robert Plowney, Jr

Wing Crosby

Justin Timberflake

Loader with Plow and Wing

Cindy Plowford

Giannis Intent-to-Scoop-Snow

Scoopy Doo

Sylvester Snowlone

The Shovin’ Scoopful

Flakemingo

KaPlow

Jean-Luc Plowcard

Mustard Sidewinder

JD Plower and Associates

Speed-the-Plow

Plowedly Whitford

Brrrrt Reynolds

Fighting Bob La-PlowIt

Seymour Pavement

Trackless MT7 Bike Path Plow

Plowdy Doody

Snow Pesci

Polar Troll

Austin Plowers

Icecycle

Slush-a-bye, Baby

Snowbi Wan Kenobi

Aldo Leocold

Plowaton

Pennyfarthing McChuckalot

Spokes’man

Peddle Plower

Cycle-Ops

Clyde Shovelfield

Claire DeWay

Quad Axle Brine Truck

Pavement Pickler

Snowdium Clearride

Saline Away

Brinestone Cowboy

KeaNo Freeze

Albert Brinestein

Barbara Salters

LaBrine James

Sweet Carolbrine

Haline Dugan, PhD

Saltimus Prime

Brine of Tarth

Eb-brine-eezer Scrooge

Deputy Briney Fife

Brine Cranston

Master of Brine Arts

Last year, the city asked residents to vote for the names of two electric compactors. The winning names were “Rosie the Rubbisher” and “Stone Cold Squeeze Often.”

COURTESY OF TONY WEBSTER VIA WIKIMEDIA

Freeze for Food race raises funds for Madison area refugees

By Shu Lan Schaut STAFF WRITER

The annual Freeze for Food 5K and 10K will return this March in celebration of Peace Corps Week, hosted by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison (RCPV) and volunteer organization Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR). The RCPV absorbs the majority of race expenses and will donate all proceeds from the event to the ODFR for the seventh consecutive year.

The ODFR is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to helping refugees resettle and welcoming them to Madison. The organization supports refugees by providing housing, helping with courses in English as a second language, assisting with pro-

fessional development and job searches and more. The funds from the Freeze for Food race will go toward the ODFR’s food security programs and relief e orts for refugees in the local community.

“Madison’s low-wage earners are emerging slowly from the past two COVID winters, but the progress of refugees who lost jobs or who endure recurring illness seems more slow,” Ken Baun, volunteer general manager of ODFR, said in a press release.

“In addition, new arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine flounder as their status with the U.S. government seems shaky. We truly welcome support from the 2023 Freeze for Food to ODFR.”

In past years, a large part of the

race’s profits derived from the support of sponsors and donors — including the University of WisconsinMadison’s International Division. Last year’s Freeze for Food race raised $14,500 for the ODFR. Since its founding, the race has raised over $127,000 for various non-profit organizations focused on food security, such as the Colombia Support Network.

This year, the RCPV will host a food drive for Goodman Community Center Fritz Food Pantry prior to the run. All pantry donations will be collected in Vilas Park, where the race is scheduled to start and finish.

The race itself consists of a 5K walk or run along with a 10K run, starting in Vilas Park and looping through the Arboretum and the neighborhoods

north of Lake Wingra. Participants range in age and ability, from infants in strollers to dogs to lifelong runners. The 2022 Freeze for Food brought out over 300 runners and walkers, with a similar turnout expected this year according to race organizers.

Freeze for Food stays true to its name, the race’s motto being, “Our race is never canceled due to weather or pandemic!” The event has never been canceled in its 42 year history. Race day has been held in temperatures as low as -9 degrees.

The 2023 Freeze for Food 5K and 10K will be hosted on March 4. A virtual option is available in addition to the in-person run. Registration for the event is open until race day at 11:30 a.m.

By Nick Baumgardner STAFF WRITER

A survey released Monday found an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites are worried about a ording future healthcare costs, pointing to a growing healthcare a ordability crisis in the state.

Community and labor coalition Citizen Action of Wisconsin released the results at a press conference Monday afternoon. The Wisconsin Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey, conducted with the help of Altarum Healthcare Value Hub, found 81% of Wisconsinites worry they’ll be unable to a ord an array of healthcare costs ranging from elder care expenses to treating serious, unforeseen illness.

The survey also found nearly three in five Wisconsinites experienced one or more healthcare affordability burdens in the past year.

While barriers such as getting time o from work, transportation and lack of child care contributed to health burdens, healthcare costs remained the most frequently-cited concern. Just over half of respondents reported skipping needed

care or tests, delaying appointments or rationing medication.

“There [are] extreme a ordability issues in Wisconsin,” said Executive Director of Citizen Action Robert Kraig. “Folks are avoiding care, people are facing financial challenges when they get care and people are having di culty even navigating how much a particular procedure is going to cost them, given the lack of transparency in hospital billing and the insurance claims process.”

For uninsured respondents, nearly half cited insurance being “too expensive” as their primary reason for lack of coverage. Of those who did manage to receive care, 39% struggled to pay the associated costs, resulting in depleted household savings, maxed out credit cards and forgoing key necessities such as food, heat and housing payments.

One respondent, a Medicaid recipient, reported missing their medication “all the time” because they couldn’t a ord out-of-pocket expenses for prescriptions not covered under Medicaid.

Another respondent, this time on private insurance, expressed

concern over their plan’s lack of dental coverage. “I need caps over my front teeth, but my insurance will not cover anything dental besides cleaning, extractions and fillings,” they wrote in the survey.

Kraig accused Wisconsin lawmakers of failing to tackle the state’s developing health crisis despite high rates of concern.

“The survey data should be a wake up call to state policy lawmakers who have not prioritized reforms that would slow the healthcare cost crisis gripping Wisconsin,” Kraig said.

However, Democratic state lawmakers, including Rep. Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay), are trying to change that.

Shelton and some of her Democratic colleagues plan to reintroduce the BadgerCare Public Option Act, a bill which aims to establish a cheaper, more-comprehensive public insurance option through BadgerCare for all Wisconsinites regardless of income.

“The results of this survey continue to validate what we know, people tell us everyday, and what we personally experience,” Shelton

said during Monday’s press conference. “We have to remember that these are real stories of what people are facing everyday and this is on top of what working families are already experiencing.”

The bill also looks to build on the A ordable Care Act (ACA) by establishing a new, state-level online insurance marketplace, an ACA “basic health plan” for individuals without children making 133-200% of the federal poverty line. It would also allow small businesses to purchase health coverage at more a ordable rates through the state marketplace.

“[The bill] moves away from a healthcare system that’s driven by profit and instead it prioritizes the health and wellness of working Wisconsinites,” Shelton said. “My o ce is going to fight like hell for this.”

While the lowest income levels in society face the steepest hurdles to care, high costs are felt by a majority of respondents across all income levels. Of respondents with annual household incomes below $75,000, 62% reported a healthcare a ordability burden, and for those above the $75,000 line, at least 52% still experienced one or more burdens to care.

In addition, rural, non-white, Hispanic and disabled respondents across all income levels reported higher rates of cost-related burdens.

Still, 70% of respondents said the healthcare system must change. When asked to diagnose the system’s problems, they focused on price-gouging from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and private insurance.

“The healthcare system is built to serve wealthy CEOs, drug companies and insurance companies who are making money off this profit model and off of our sickness,” Shelton said. “Too many of us, including everyday working families, are falling between the cracks.”

Shelton plans to reintroduce the bill this fall with renewed momentum surrounding healthcare costs.

UW Community Leader in Residence misrepresented an Indigenous identity

By Noe Goldhaber STAFF WRITER

In March 2022, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology Center for Design and Material Culture (CDMC) hired Kay LeClaire, who used the Ojibwe name “nibiiwakamigkwe,” as their “Community Leader in Residence.”

However, in late November, one user on the New Age Fraud online forum indicated they saw a social media post from “nibiiwakamigkwe” on their feed and had suspicions about their background after looking through more of their profile. The user used publicly available information to trace LeClaire’s genealogy and found several discrepancies in their story. Based on this information, the user determined that LeClaire’s ancestry was limited to German, Swedish and French Canadian.

LeClaire did not respond to requests for comment by the Daily Cardinal but provided a statement to Madison 365 in which LeClaire apologized and indicated they would no longer go by the name “nibiiwakamigkwe.”

The university community partnership was funded by grant money from the Equity and Justice Network’s Community Leaderin-Residence Program and aimed to connect artists — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds — to academic settings. LeClaire received approximately $4,876 in private funding from March to December 2022, according to a statement from the School of Human Ecology.

According to the initiative’s website, LeClaire was responsible for partnering with sta and students and tackling questions related to cultural appropriation and appreciation in the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection

(HLATC). Before starting this role, LeClaire participated in the CDMC’s conversation series in October 2020.

LeClaire’s position with the university was set to end on Dec. 31, 2022, however, they resigned from the position on Dec. 29, 2022. The university also indicated they had not received any materials from LeClaire for its textile collection.

“Moving forward, my efforts will be towards reducing harm by following the directions provided by native community members and community-specified proxies,” LeClaire said in the statement to Madison365.

In a statement from the university, Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications Kelly Tyrell highlighted the harm of misrepresentation of ethnic identities.

“Instances where people mischaracterize their racial or ethnic identities or backgrounds can be upsetting, disturbing and even harmful to those a ected,” she said. “There is a long and painful history of erasure and cultural appropriation in the U.S., which has had an immense impact on people’s lives.”

Madison community responds

The Madison community knew LeClaire as a queer Indigenous activist and artist who co-owned the art collective and tattoo shop giige. They identified with several Indigenous tribes and identities including Oneida, Anishinaabe and Metis, and claimed to be both Cuban and Jewish.

Nipinet Landsem, an Anishinaabe tattoo artist at giige, recalled meeting LeClaire in 2019 and working together while LeClaire was the events coordinator for the shop.

“They made it seem that this position [at UW-Madison] was them being recognized as an expert in

cultural appropriation, so that helped establish their credibility,” Landsem said. “Kay warmed their way into the ceremony, Kay got invited to events, Kay got personal stories from people by lying to them and saying they had similar stories and experiences, so people are really really hurt. I think it’s just overall made people wearier of interacting with anybody, especially white-led institutions that platform them.”

Landsem also noted that LeClaire allowed white organizations and individuals to present themselves as an ally to Indigenous art and activism while LeClaire misrepresented those communities.

“Kay was the perfect Indian to white people,” Landsem said. “They did a really good job about playing up the trauma, the stereotypes and the sad, sad stories and making white people feel like they were doing something good by letting Kay talk, when really it was an inaccurate representation of a community.”

Landsem indicated that their coworkers had communicated with LeClaire since the allegations became public. Coworkers were working to recover and redistribute LeClaire’s Indigenous items and gifts to the proper owners.

While the UW-Madison Indigenous Student Center (ISC) did not directly reference LeClaire in an Instagram post from Jan. 26, 2022, they established the definition of a “pretendian.” ISC indicated tangible and emotional reasons for being a “pretendian,” expressing the harm this causes to indigenous communities and tribal sovereignty. ISC also presented resources for Indigenous students on campus to connect with.

LeClaire is not the only individual who misrepresented a racial background in UW-Madison’s recent history. After Jessica Krug indicated she faked a black identity in a nowdeleted Medium post, a colleague of CV Vitollo-Haddad’s indicated their suspicions about VitolloHaddad’s claims. Vitollo-Haddad, who was a graduate student and TA in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, later apologized and indicated they are Italian — not Afro Latinx.

Associate Dean for Faculty A airs and leader of the Equity and Justice Network Leadership at the School of Human Ecology Janean DilworthBart echoed this local and national phenomenon in a statement. The same user who traced LeClaire’s genealogy also indicated they had received several new tips from other individuals about other “pretendians” in Madison.

“The allegations reflect a sad pattern of appropriation throughout the country and are incredibly upsetting, particularly for our Indigenous community members,” Dilworth-Bart said. In March 2022, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology Center for Design and Material Culture (CDMC) hired Kay LeClaire, who used the Ojibwe name “nibiiwakamigkwe,” as their “Community Leader in Residence.”

However, in late November, one user on the New Age Fraud online forum indicated they saw a social media post from “nibiiwakamigkwe” on their feed and had suspicions about their background after looking through more of their profile. The user used publicly available information to trace LeClaire’s genealogy and found several discrepancies in their story. Based on this information, the user

determined that LeClaire’s ancestry was limited to German, Swedish and French Canadian.

LeClaire did not respond to requests for comment by the Daily Cardinal but provided a statement to Madison 365 in which LeClaire apologized and indicated they would no longer go by the name “nibiiwakamigkwe.”

The university community partnership was funded by grant money from the Equity and Justice Network’s Community Leaderin-Residence Program and aimed to connect artists — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds — to academic settings. LeClaire received approximately $4,876 in private funding from March to December 2022, according to a statement from the School of Human Ecology.

According to the initiative’s website, LeClaire was responsible for partnering with staff and students and tackling questions related to cultural appropriation and appreciation in the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection (HLATC). Before starting this role, LeClaire participated in the CDMC’s conversation series in October 2020.

LeClaire’s position with the university was set to end on Dec. 31, 2022, however, they resigned from the position on Dec. 29, 2022. The university also indicated they had not received any materials from LeClaire for its textile collection.

“Moving forward, my efforts will be towards reducing harm by following the directions provided by native community members and community-specified proxies,” LeClaire said in the statement to Madison365.

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Fulbright brings guest educators from Asia, Europe to UW

By Zach Kaplan STAFF WRITER

Over the course of the fall semester, 22 teachers from 12 di erent countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia honed their skills at the School of Education as part of the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) program. The educators were part of the Fulbright TEA Media Literacy Cohort, which aims to help teachers develop and promote media literacy skills in their communities back home.

The program is administered by IREX and funded by the Department of State, and is only available to educators in 15 countries.

“The purpose of the program is to bring teachers together from di erent parts of the world to come into conversation with others about teaching practices, new pedagogies and how to confront global challenges such as media literacy,” said Kate McCleary, associate director of the School of Education’s Global Engagement O ce.

The educators were in the Madison area from Sept. 13 to Oct. 24 and took seminars at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while simultaneously receiving

media literacy training from PBS Wisconsin, according to McCleary. The educators also had an opportunity to tour the Wisconsin State Capitol, sit in on a Badgers volleyball game and visit Chicago.

The teachers interacted with approximately 960 Madison, Monona and Cottage Grove students, and the program included five main components: media literacy and technology, ESL & language pedagogy, social studies education and contemporary issues in education.

Many of the guest educators shared they felt it was a great opportunity to mold them not just as educators, but as people.

“I decided to apply for the Fulbright TEA Media Literacy program because I recognized it as a unique chance to develop myself not only as an educator but also as an individual,” said Ausma Sereiviene, a Lithuanian teacher in the program.

For others, taking in the so-called “Midwest nice” way of teaching helped them recognize a di erent education style that many say they look forward to using back home.

“I have learned a lot of things during my time in Madison, from teaching approaches and media

literacy techniques to classroom interaction protocols and group dynamics management in youth and adult classes — I have gathered knowledge and relevant materials that will reshape and improve my practice,” said Maria Cristina Mocanu, a teacher from Romania.

Many of the teachers who reflected on the program also acknowledged that a key takeaway from the Media Literacy Cohort was the mutual exposure to di erent cultures this opportunity presented.

The Madison-area teachers who facilitated this program got the opportunity to learn about a region in Europe and Asia that is sometimes overlooked, and the guest educators were able to learn about Midwest culture and Wisconsin life, something many of them said they wouldn’t get to learn about otherwise.

“The group was so curious about U.S. culture and exploring as much of the area as possible while they were here,” said McCleary.

For many, this initiative was their first opportunity to visit Wisconsin.

“I knew nothing about Madison and Wisconsin prior to finding out that it was our destination,” said Riina Pauklin, one of the guest educators.

“It surprised me how open, polite, and friendly Americans are. I didn’t expect Madison to be so beautiful.”

The program served as a means to unite Midwest and Eastern European

Nearly everyone agreed that this was an opportunity that enhanced their understanding of different cultures and how they compare to the more familiar ones

culture for both the visiting and Madison-area teachers.

“I am confident that people at UW–Madison as well as those in the community have learned a bit more than they had known about Romania and Europe prior to meeting me, as it happens when one gets to meet people from places that are rather unexplored,” said Cristina Mocanu.

back home.

“You can learn so much about our shared world if you are willing to make time to sit down, ask questions and listen,” said McCleary. “Having the time and space to get to know 22 people from other parts of the world who are committed to teaching, and change agents in their home communities was incredibly rewarding.”

MEGHAN SPIRITO/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Roadblocks on the road to development in UW-Madison housing

By Sophie Walk LIFE & STYLE EDITOR

The University of WisconsinMadison is grappling with the dilemma of swelling class sizes but having nowhere to house students, creating a roadblock when it comes to new growth for the university.

Public universities are ever-changing and growing, and UW-Madison is no exception. The constant pressure to continue to expand tends to create many obstacles for the school. More students not only means more diversity for the school, but also more people to house and fit into classes.

In the fall of 2019, total undergraduate enrollment was just over 31,000 students — 1,000 more than the year prior, according to an enrollment report from the O ce of the Registrar.

According to University Housing, on-campus student housing can fit about 8,000 students in total — not large enough to fit onethird of the undergraduate student population. UW-Madison’s housing capacity is 28% smaller than the Big 10 average. All Big 10 universities except UW-Madison guarantee oncampus housing for freshmen, as stated in the 2004-20 Master Plan for the university.

As a result of this overpopulation, many students get placed into

makeshift housing. In the past two years, some freshmen were placed into makeshift living situations as a way to accommodate this problem.

Construction on Sellery Hall began in 2020 and is set to be finished in the summer of 2023, according to University Housing. They are building a new link to connect the two towers of Sellery on all floors, including updated elevators and floor lounges in this central section. A new resident floor will also be added to the top of the building to compensate for resident rooms displaced by the renovations and accommodate undergraduate enrollment growth.

Large freshman class sizes mean that students living in the dorms will be looking for o -campus housing for the following year. This can cause great strain on all students looking for a ordable and accessible housing. As many returning students have grown to know, leasing apartments in Madison starts early in the fall — the year prior to them moving in — for popular o -campus locations.

A sophomore living in o -campus housing, who wished to remain anonymous, had a time-consuming experience securing housing for the upcoming school year. She and her roommates tried to apply to Aberdeen Apartments, a complex close to cam-

pus, but that did not turn out the way they hoped.

“Well, we tried to get Aberdeen and that fell through because they had like, over 1000 applicants within like, two minutes of it opening,” she said.

After the initial disappointment, they heard that a known realtor’s o ce, J. Michael Real Estate, was opening their leases the next day. The o ce told them they were allowed

to apply starting at 9 a.m. and that it was first come first serve. To prepare, she arrived at the o ce early the next morning — only to be greeted by the sight of a very large line.

“We got there right at 7:30 a.m.” she said. “And there was already a line, I think of like 30 to 40 people in front of us.”

Some students in line had been there since 10 a.m. the day before, opting to sleep on the

sidewalk overnight.

There are currently no plans for future on-campus housing according to the current campus master plan. UW Housing Director of Marketing and Communications Brendon Dybdahl said University Housing is actively working with its partners at the UW System and State Department of Administration to find a solution. Still, this process may take at least a few years.

UW-Whitewater appoints Dr. Corey A. King as chancellor

By Liam Berano STAFF WRITER

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents unanimously appointed Dr. Corey A. King as UW-Whitewater’s newest chancellor. King will step into this role on March 1 as per a University of Wisconsin System press release.

King’s experience includes a vice chancellorship for Inclusivity and Student Affairs at UW-Green Bay, and he has worked in executive positions at Bethune-Cookman University, Florida Atlantic University and other institutions of higher education, according to the press release.

King’s appointment comes after former chancellor Dwight Watson’s resignation in June 2021 due to a cancer diagnosis, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Jim Henderson served as interim chancellor from July 2021 to April 2022 but resigned due to objections toward a planned free speech survey which was shared with all students across University of Wisconsin System campuses later that fall. John Chenoweth, former UW-Whitewater provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, took the post after Henderson’s resignation and will be replaced by King, according to UW-Whitewater student Will Hinz.

Hinz, a senior and president of Whitewater Student Government, said he believes the UW-Whitewater community is excited for King’s appointment.

“We’ve had a few years of

some different leadership in the chancellor’s office,” he said, likening the appointment of a new chancellor to dominoes falling into place. “After we have the chief executive, we’re able to really move more quickly on other positions that have needed to be filled on this campus.”

Liz Gartland, another senior at UW-Whitewater and former student government leader, noted that the chancellor search was the first to occur since Watson’s resignation, and many of those who had participated in that search have departed UW-Whitewater, making the search an exciting prospect.

“In general, the campus was excited to be involved in the process,” Gartland added.

Chenoweth’s service as inter-

im chancellor was met with excitement, especially given his previous service as the dean of UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics, Gartland explained.

“I think that provided a lot of peace of mind for people,” Gartland said. “We all felt like we trusted everything in his hands, so I don’t think that there was any mass panic when it came to how long it took to fill the chancellor position.”

Gartland participated in a select number of candidate interviews for the chancellorship but did not speak with King during that process.

“I trust my student government leaders when they say that they’re excited and they think he’ll be a good fit, but I myself am

interested to see what his path is going to be,” she said.

Katie Popp, a UW-Whitewater sophomore and associate campus editor for UW-Whitewater’s student newspaper The Royal Purple, reported on the chancellor search since early November.

The Whitewater community was very involved with the search process, according to Popp, who said finalist visits were well attended by students and staff.

“Between the thorough questions and representation, it was easy to tell how much these members of the university community care to find a candidate that will remain loyal to the campus as well as be involved with student and staff functions,” Popp said.

Popp also mentioned campus

hopes that King can expand the university’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and said that while Whitewater has programs in place, the campus community is hopeful he will expand programs and boost inclusivity.

Ultimately, Hinz said he is looking forward to seeing King’s perspective on challenges the campus faces like enrollment and how to better serve students. He is particularly looking forward to collaboration between King and Chenoweth, who will be moving back into the provost’s office.

“[Chenoweth] has a ton of institutional knowledge and Dr. King has a ton of experience that he can bring to the campus, so I’m really looking forward to those two working closely together,” he said.

Consistency and campus involvement were major concerns for students, Popp said.

“Since 2018, students are definitely looking for consistency in the chancellor position,” Popp said. “What is most important to students is the presence of the chancellor, and he did well at speaking at student organization events and meetings, including the student government and first-year student programs.”

Hinz also spoke highly of King’s character, noting that students admire King’s authenticity and personability.

“[Students] really do feel valued when we have someone like that in the chancellor’s office, where they can build relationships with that person that they otherwise would not have,” Hinz concluded.

DRAKE WHITE-BERGEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL

COURTESY OF SAM AZZARO VIA FLICKR

Campus initiative seeks to beautify Bascom

By Julia Wiessing SCIENCE EDITOR

Bascom Hill, the heart of the University of WisconsinMadison campus, is a sprawling lawn enjoyed by students year after year. A new campus initiative, however, envisions a future where Bascom Hill is not only a haven for students, but also serves as a hub of biodiversity in Madison.

Bee-utify Bascom started out as a final project for Botany 651: Conservation Biology, led by Christian Fisher and Erin Urbaniak, both seniors studying conservation biology. The goal of the project was to promote biodiversity.

“The two of us were sitting in class in Birge Hall racking our brains trying to think of a project,” Fisher said about the origins of their project. “Erin looked out the window and said that monoculture lawn [on Bascom Hill] ... and we decided that it needed to be fixed.”

While many students flock to Bascom Hill year round, the same cannot be said for Wisconsin’s native wildlife. In general, the more diverse a habitat is, the more biodiversity in the area. Monocultures, in contrast,

have relatively low levels of biodiversity. After all, it would be difficult for a butterfly to find nectar in a field of Kentucky bluegrass, or for small mammals like rabbits to find a place to hide on well manicured lawns. Adding more native plants, grasses and flowers to Bascom Hill would increase its biodiversity while also providing habitat for endangered or threatened animals.

Yet, the benefits extend beyond conservation. Exposure to flowers can improve your mood, reduce stress and even increase feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment. Native grasses have an economic impact, too, preventing runoff which can reduce water costs and reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals that leach into Lakes Mendota and Monona.

While native prairies are great for pollinators and native wildlife alike, turning Bascom into a giant prairie would make it harder for students seeking to enjoy the hill.

“It’s really important to us to preserve the function of Basom Hill right now,” Fisher commented. “I know everyone loves to sit out there on

a sunny spring day to study and picnic, and we don’t in any way want to remove the ability to do that.”

In order to increase the biodiversity on Bascom Hill without interfering with student activities, the team is proposing a solution that meets both demands: micro-prairies. Instead of transforming the whole hill into a prairie, Bascom would be interspersed with small patches of prairie containing native plants and grasses. These prairies would not only represent Wisconsin’s current day prairies, but they would also be a tribute to Wisconsin’s heritage and history.

The project is currently in its planning phase and seeks to meet with UW-Madison faculty and leadership to discuss the future of the initiative.

“If you think of the UW-Madison campus, you think of Bascom Hill.” Urbaniak said. “I’m excited for people to come in from all over the country, even the world, and just see that we’re bringing back the pre-colonization prairie and encouraging people to think, ‘Wow, this is beautiful on Bascom Hill, maybe I’ll go plant some flowers in my garden.’”

Full-strength Badgers fall yet again, unable to take advantage of return home

By Seth Kruger STAFF WRITER

It’s been seven games since Greg Gard coached a fully healthy Badger basketball team. In that span, Wisconsin won just twice, both three point wins over Minnesota and Penn State.

But, he had his full arsenal to utilize against Illinois (15-6, 6-4 Big Ten) in the first game at the Kohl Center since students returned from winter break. Despite the boost, Wisconsin (12-8, 4-6 Big Ten) struggled once again to compete, eventually falling 61-51.

The key return that put the Badgers at full strength was guard Max Klesmit, who returned after missing two games with an upper body injury su ered against Penn State. He returned on Saturday afternoon, starting alongside Chucky Hepburn, Connor Essegian, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl.

First half

After watching his team lose two straight, Klesmit started the game in an inspiring manner. He put the first points on the board for the Badgers in the form of a 3-pointer, the beginning of a 12 point night. He followed it with his signature intense defense which kept the Badgers in the game early.

In classic Big Ten — especially Wisconsin — basketball fashion, it took over eight minutes of play for either team to score 10 points. Carter Gilmore finally broke the drought with a layup followed by a 3-pointer. The Badgers’ best bench player — since Essegian earned his starting role — finished with only those five points, but provided a valuable spark in the first half.

A heat check 3-pointer from Klesmit put the Badgers up by four points with under five minutes to play in the first half, but back-to-back inefficient Wisconsin possessions allowed

the Fighting Illini to force their way back into the lead. Illinois took their own four point lead, led by Baylor transfer forward Matthew Mayer. The Badgers, even with the return of Klesmit’s admirable defense, had no answer for Mayer, who torched Wisconsin with 26 points.

Gilmore found himself open for a 3-pointer in the dying seconds of the first half but was unable to convert, and Wisconsin went into halftime with under 20 points for the first time all season. Illinois maintained their four point lead at the half, 20-16.

Second half

After sitting for over 10 minutes in the first half, Wahl finally came alive in the opening minutes of the second half. He scored the first of his nine points with a drive down the lane on back-toback possessions, but the constant barrage of 3-pointers from Illinois’ Mayer held the Badgers at arm’s length.

The slight deficit turned into a much larger disparity, as the Fighting Illini ballooned their lead to 12 until Wahl hit a 3-pointer to stop the slide. Unfortunately, just after, Wahl picked up two fouls — his third and fourth — in less than a minute and went to the bench with four of them. After sitting 15 minutes in the first half, Wahl had to sit again in the second half, as he picked up those fouls with over 10 minutes to play.

When Wahl sat, Hepburn took over. His two 3-pointers and a crafty layup brought Wisconsin within two points of Illinois, and Crowl drilled one of his own 3-pointers to ignite the Kohl Center crowd and put Wisconsin up by one.

The unfortunate length of media timeouts drained the energy out of the crowd just as quickly as it appeared. After almost five straight minutes of timeouts, the Fighting Illini took advantage of the reset and restored their double digit lead with under six min-

utes to play. Missed free throws from Wisconsin — a meager 57% from the line — allowed Illinois to add onto their lead, awfully similar to the Northwestern loss at the beginning of the week.

With under five minutes left to play, the once-electric Kohl Center crowd cleared out as Wisconsin trailed 56-39. While the Badgers were able to score some late points, the idea of a comeback was fruitless, only serving to soften the impending blowout score. Wisconsin eventually ran out of time as they fell to Illinois, 61-51.

The future is... Well, concerning

After starting the season out hot with impressive wins over the likes of USC and Dayton –- not to mention a 3-0 Big Ten start — the Badgers now sit at 11th place in the Big Ten and just four games over .500. Of course, as this particularly brutal disintegration of the 2022-23 season continues to

fold out, questions about the near and far future of the program are undoubtedly swirling.

To some, the main question surrounds head coach Greg Gard. After leading the Badgers to a share of last year’s Big Ten regular season title, the coach is under heavy pressure to turn this season around, or he may be the second mid-season firing in Wisconsin Athletics this calendar year.

Missing entirely from the conversation as of late is Crowl, who, after averaging close to 20 points in the early stretch of Big Ten play, has essentially disappeared from the scoring category. Whether it be that teams have figured out how to guard him or the o ensive struggles of Wisconsin, Crowl’s abrupt decline has severely damaged the season’s trajectory.

Even with the return of Klesmit, the lack of defensive rebounding remains a massive issue. Second-chance points have come far too easily for opponents as of late, and, combined with missed Wisconsin free throws, allow any opponent to swing the momentum of a game within minutes.

Also up in the air is the security of a March Madness bid. The possibility of missing the tournament completely — for just the second time since 1998 — is beginning to become more than just a possibility. Barring a miracle run in the Big Ten Tournament, the Badgers may sign away their tournament hopes if they lose their next few matchups.

Wisconsin will look to get back on track in Columbus, as they will take on Ohio State on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. The Buckeyes currently sit at 12th in the Big Ten, just one spot below the Badgers. This matchup could prove vital for a higher seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Tip off can be found live on FS1 and the Badger Sports Network.

By Ellie Scheirey STAFF WRITER

Julie Pospisilova entered the Valparaiso women’s basketball game with 997 career points, after scoring 18 in their last matchup against Penn State.

Pospisilova, the Czech Republic native, hit a 3-pointer to finally reach 1000 after she forced a turnover.

She ended the night with 10 points, seven rebounds and a season-high four steals.

Her first steal led to the recordbreaking 3-point shot in the final three minutes of the first quarter. Pospisilova had her moment and also became the first Badger in program history born outside of the US to reach the 1,000-point milestone.

“I never really look to be the main scorer, I try to put the team first, but accomplishing some -

thing personal is always cool and I will never forget this moment, ever,” Pospisilova commented after the game.

On top of the incredible night for Pospisilova, Wisconsin was able to complete the comeback and snap a three game losing streak. Wisconsin fell to No. 6 Indiana, Maryland and Penn State in just the past week. Their record had dropped to 6-14 and 2-7 in their conference after starting off the season winning four of their first five.

Wisconsin had a rough start at home as they struggled to score and had to fight back after starting down 12-2.

Pospisilova’s historical basket was a turning point in the game for the Badgers — as the energy immediately shifted and spirits rose at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin fin-

ished the first quarter strong after taking a 13-12 lead.

Leading the Badger’s in total points was Sereh Williams who contributed 18 along with seven rebounds and four blocks. Williams shot just above 50% from the field and made all six of her free throw shots.

Valparaiso’s Leah Earnest was a force on the court as she posted a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Earnest shot 50% from the paint and nailed two of three attempts from beyond the arc.

Wisconsin and Valparaiso both played their last non-conference game of the season, after it was rescheduled from Dec. 22 due to severe weather.

Wisconsin will host Northwestern on Sunday at 1 pm, while Valparaiso will return home to face Illinois State.

Pospisilova reaches 1,000point milestone; Badgers claim win

With over a month left in the regular season, Wisconsin must shape up or else they risk missing the NCAA Tournament for just the second time since 1998.

Czech-Replublic native Julie Pospisilova became the 28th Wisconsin basketball player to reach 1,000 points, and the first not born in the U.S.

TAYLOR WOLFRAM/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The Cardinal sings the praises of this year’s Grammy nominees

ism are a little overdone. But by the time you reach the album’s final track, you’ll be treated to a sweetly somber symphony that inspires you to make another trip through the stars.

By The Daily Cardinal Sta

The Daily Cardinal staff assembled their reviews of some of the past year’s most acclaimed and anticipated albums, all of which have been nominated for 2023 Album of the Year at the upcoming 65th Grammy Awards ceremony on Feb. 5. Our writers and editors sing their praises and share their thoughts on the lineup, a selection that features a host of various sounds and textures spanning from pop and rock to R&B and rap. “Voyage” by ABBA

After a 40 year hiatus, ABBA makes their long awaited return with their 2021 release “Voyage,” an album that transports its listeners through a multitude of emotions. Going from the happy and upbeat “Don’t Shut Me Down” straight to the mellow and emotional “I Can Be That Woman,” “Voyage” certainly has variety. With the inclusion of the iconic synth lines and piano, ABBA will surely rocket its audience back into the nostalgic world of the 1970s. Another notable distinction of the album is that many of the songs tend to feature unique storylines, focusing on an event and delving deep into the emotions surrounding it. The album also contains various Easter eggs for long-time listeners. Receiving wide critical and audience acclaim, “Voyage” marks a strong return for the Swedish pop group and is definitely deserving of a Grammy.

— Allie Armstrong, Sta Writer “30” by Adele

Adele’s newest album

“30” contains a vast array of songs which take the listener through her struggles with various relationships, specifically her divorce and the raising of her son. This is an emotionally diverse album that will have its listeners dancing one second and crying the next. Despite the sorrowful source material, a few of the songs — notably “Cry Your Heart Out” — manage to adopt a groovy rhythm with a strong emphasis on cheerful drums and piano. Throughout “30,” listeners are rocked by Adele’s raw emotion as she lays her life bare, the lyrics complemented by real-world audio clips. The only criticism I had while listening to this album was that some songs do tend to linger on a bit too long. However, that is certainly not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the material. “30” is certainly worthy of a Grammy.

— Allie Armstrong, Sta Writer

“Un Verano Sin Ti” by Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny flew onto my radar this year after a friend recommended “Un Verano Sin Ti,” as I tend to enjoy Latin music. Normally, I lean toward salsa, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Its rhythmic and lyrically smooth style inspires movement. Many of its tracks made me think of bachata, a Latin form of dance. Coming from someone who isn’t always keen on trying new music, “Un Verano Sin Ti” is a definite contender since it sticks to a theme without sounding redundant. It is widely appealing, inspiring major commercial success that ultimately led

to a greater appreciation of Latin musicians.

— Paige Stevenson, Sta Writer “RENAISSANCE” by Beyoncé

“Renaissance” is everything you’d expect from a Beyoncé masterpiece — and more. While the album is full of rich, layered dance tracks, it’s also a powerfully liberating sonic journey that unapologetically celebrates Black excellence and beauty. Beyoncé’s unparalleled voice showcases her musical and lyrical versatility throughout the album as she sails between songs like “COZY” — a self-love power ballad — and the gospel-esque twerk anthem “CHURCH GIRL.” And, of course, there’s the viral “CUFF IT,” an infectious dance tune that’s so bouncy it could turn the notoriously mundane 3650 Humanities lecture hall into a Los Angeles nightclub. Any record capable of such an impossible feat is a triumph — and, in the case of Renaissance, it further solidifies Beyoncé as one of the greatest artists of our time.

— Tyler Katzenberger, State News Editor

“Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)” by Mary J. Blige

“Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)” may not be a top contender this year, but nobody can deny that it’s a jubilation of an experience. Uplifting, soulful and bombastic, Blige’s 14th album is an invigorating and self-empowering love letter to classic R&B. While the album might be a crowd-pleaser, a few of Blige’s collaborations fall flat and it doesn’t quite reach some of the lyrical and

emotional highs that many of its fellow nominees have achieved this year. Despite these small issues, “Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)” is still a standout album well worthy of its nomination.

— Noah Fellinger, Arts Editor

“In These Silent Days” by Brandi Carlile

One of the more understated albums nominated this year, “In These Silent Days” by Brandi Carlile, is perhaps one of the more poignant and soulful nominees for Album of the Year in 2023. From beginning to end, from “Right on Time” to “Throwing Good After Bad,” each and every song is effective and expertly crafted; no filler here! Carlile captures an enthralling blend of ‘70s-inspired rock and folk, forging something new while still managing to inspire an unplaceable sense of nostalgia. Featuring acoustic guitar, piano and drums to weave melodies ranging from softspoken to aching with sorrow, Carlile achieves an album which isn’t as flashy as its competitors but is nonetheless moving and timeless.

— Noah Fellinger, Arts Editor

“Music of the Spheres” by Coldplay

Coldplay’s ninth LP feels like the theme music to an opera written by Carl Sagan after seeing the famous “Pale Blue Dot” image for the first time. Its intergalactic reaches send listeners on a voyage around a Max Martinproduced musical solar system of joy and existentialism. Sure, points throughout the journey feel a little cliche, and the album’s themes of human-

—

Tyler Katzenberger, State News Editor

“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar

“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” feels like a raptured breath shared in the privacy of a confession, one which lays bare the artist’s image as undeniably fallible and misguided. Its thematic breadth is nothing new for Lamar, whose whole discography seems to field the vast complexities of the Black American self — and indeed the human self — as a displaced metonym for structural violence in America. This record, at least for me, strips bare the authorial mystique of the artist in revelation of an utterly honest being through discomfiting sincerity.

— Kai W. Li, Arts Editor “Special” by Lizzo

Lizzo’s “Special” deserves to win album of the year simply because she’s worked for it. It’s one of the rare albums that manages to successfully fine-tune and improve on the strengths of the album that came before it. While “Cuz I love you” focused more on R&B sounds, “Special” takes those and beautifully combines them with the strength of pop hits that have been dominating the airways. The result is songs that are lyrically significant but still catchy; danceable but emotionally damaging, something that appeals to all kinds of audiences.

— Gabriella Hartlaub, Sta Writer

“Harry’s House” by Harry Styles

Harry Styles released his third studio album, “Harry’s House,” on May 20, 2022. It has since topped charts and broken records across the globe.

“Harry’s House” is a 13-track exploration of romance, nostalgia and change, featuring groovy, relaxed and joyous sounds. It is no surprise that “Harry’s House” is up for Grammy nominations in three categories: Best Album, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album, NonClassical. Standout songs on this album include “As It Was,” “Daylight” and “Late-Night Talking.” This album deserves a Grammy for its intimate lyrics which showcase Styles’ growth, the A+ production value featuring lush instrumentation and its variety which ranges from jazz beats to Japanese-pop influence — all further solidifying his place in the music industry.

— Sylvia Miller, Sta Writer

Self-discovery doesn’t have a timeframe

By Priyanka Vasavan OPINION EDITOR

The summer before eighth grade, I went to Half Price Books with about 15 fantasy novels. I sat them on the counter and was o ered $12 for all 15 books. Because I had no concept of the value of money — and was happy to be o ered anything — I accepted. With the $12, I bought “The Catcher in the Rye” and “The Bell Jar.”

Subsequently, I entered eighth grade feeling painfully misunderstood. I wore a rotation of three black shirts and sat in the back of class with a contrived, surly expression, refusing to talk. I would have tried drugs but no one o ered them to me. My greatest rebellion during this brief period was sneaking a capful of Jack Daniels from the liquor cabinet on a Tuesday afternoon. I was – in short – a poser.

I spent my days privately scorning those who I thought were conforming (I previously tried fitting in and was met with lackluster results). So my decision to abandon the task of convincing the world of my legitimacy wasn’t entirely unreasonable. It at least gave me some self-satisfaction to combat the fact that I felt increasingly lonely and lost.

But I wasn’t sure exactly what I was or who I wanted to be. I just had the overwhelming feeling that it wasn’t what or who I currently was. I wanted a community of people who understood me, but no matter which direction I turned I felt as if I was pretending. Acceptance always felt feigned and my own sense of

belonging never authentic.

This sense of inauthenticity followed me into my late teens.

I wanted to be something I was not and once I achieved it I didn’t want to be it anymore. I wore personalities like they were outfits and switched them as quickly as I had put them on, waiting for the combination that received the greatest praise.

I can define at least 10 di erent stages in my teen years where my music, style and interests were drastic enough to be incomparable. I went from Lululemon to Hot Topic as swiftly as I went from A$AP Rocky to BTS. I convinced myself that my current personality was the correct one, and I fervently condemned my prior way of living.

The most discouraging part was that while I was fumbling trying to find myself, everyone around me seemed steadily comfortable. They didn’t even seem to be thinking about how they were perceived. It was natural, free of the bravado and uneasiness that accompanied my frequent, erratic personality changes.

Regardless of the validity of my insecurities, I was a woman possessed with self-discovery and I was certain college would be my time for that. I let my mind wander with images of red brick walls and professors in fraying wool coats. I dreamt of studying Tolstoy in sunny courtyards and laughing with faceless friends in dorms that had held students through events I had only read about in history books. But most of all, I dreamt of acceptance. I dreamt of finding myself entan-

gled in a network of the approval I had sought out so desperately. Obviously, nothing went the way I planned. At 18, I still had no idea who I was and I had no idea what I wanted. I entered bright-eyed, enjoying all the extremities the University of Wisconsin-Madison has to o er. Yet I found myself obsessed with quantity rather than quality because — for the first time in my life — friendship was o ered to me freely. I was determined to show the world that I knew my place in it.

It came crashing down when I realized I didn’t. I was unsure of my major and who I surrounded myself with. I was unsure of the things I said, the things I did and the places I went. Nothing in my life had any conviction, and my personality was still as malleable as it had been when I entered that bookstore to pawn my old interests away.

More than ever, everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going. I imagined every other student on campus was walking in a straight line to their destination and I was running in a circle, breaking my legs. I felt an increased fear that everyone had created a better life for themselves. I had messed up and it was too late.

College was supposed to be carefree yet defining, filled with stories that you could relay years down the line with tender fondness. There I was, stupefied, unable to make a committed decision about my future — feeling that any choice would be the wrong one. Any

bad moments, no matter how many counter good ones, felt like wasting my youth.

I selfishly thought that not only was I the only person who felt this way at my university, but I was the only person who had felt this way ever. On my 20th birthday, my aimlessness grabbed me by the throat and shoved me in front of the mirror. Every self-doubt and insecurity manifested itself in the fact that another 365 days had passed and I was still walking on a tightrope trying to balance my identity.

I was no longer a teenager, and my confusion could no longer be written o as a coming-of-age story. My peers were in exclusive clubs, prestigious internships and committed relationships. I had eaten potentially spoiled Chinese food for breakfast and slept through my one lecture of the day.

I confided in a friend and was met with an obvious — yet astonishing — answer: “You don’t have to know everything about yourself by 20. You’re allowed to have self-doubt. Remember in ‘Friends’? Rachel was going to get married and then she ran away to become a barista. You never know what’s gonna happen next.”

Their reference brought me a strange comfort. So what if I was unsure of what exactly I was doing? At least I was giving myself the opportunity to have regrets. It could be exhausting but also rewarding. If there is any time to explore yourself in a forgiving environment, it’s at college. You aren’t exempt

from struggle just because you are in an environment conducive to happiness. Missteps may slow down as you age, but they don’t expire.

I used to be terrified of creating messes, of having a life that wasn’t linear, of leaving tracks in my wake — full of mistakes. Now, I embrace it. I may not have always reached the destination of the road nottaken, but at least I wandered around a bit. I think of that as more useful than having lived so quietly that you never have any regrets or embarrassment.

Priyanka Vasavan is a current editor of the Opinion section and serves on the editorial board. She is a sophomore studying Marketing. Do you agree that self-doubt is okay in college? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

Is it just me or are young people constantly villainized?

By Nina Starynski STAFF WRITER

In a conversation between Fox News commentators on the show “The Five,” they discussed how college enrollment dropped 10% from its pre-pandemic levels. They attribute this to college students being lazy, universities being too “woke” and college not looking as fun anymore. Interestingly enough, each of the co-hosts have a college or professional degree.

Greg Gutfeld, a co-host, had a few thoughts about current-day college students. He claimed that college students are “deliberately uglifying themselves.”

He said, “You see them on TikTok. They’re out of shape. They’re asexual. They’re like, they don’t want — they’re like, rejecting. They’re rejecting the truth and beauty. They all look like rejects from a loony bin.”

Gutfeld himself is a 1987 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Considering this, I question how he is able to generalize about the entirety of the college student population in the United States when he hasn’t been a student at a university in 36 years. Regardless, how is beauty a relevant factor in getting an education?

While this is an extreme example, this is common rhetoric directed toward young people from older generations. So, what gives?

Older generations criticizing younger ones is not a new phenomenon. In fact, Plato even did around 470 BC — stating, “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”

In a study from the University of California, Santa Barbara, researchers found that older generations have a somewhat selective memory when it comes to remembering their youth. Participants were asked to rate various traits of today’s youth, then to rate themselves when they were young. Researchers found that the higher a person rated themselves, the lower they rated young people today.

Adults were more critical of others regarding their strengths. They often compare their perceptions of their younger selves to young people based on memory, which can rarely be trusted, especially when one gets older. Researchers did counter, however, that it’s possible to be more sympathetic by being aware of personal biases that you hold.

It seems almost inevitable that young people will continue to be the proverbial punching bag of older generations. However, is it possible that Gen Z will di er in attitude toward younger people based on their dissimilar upbringing than that of the boomers?

Gen Z is already drastically dif-

ferent from the baby boomers. Our financial, environmental and political circumstances vastly di er from those in the boomer generation.

We have 86% less purchasing power than baby boomers did in their 20s. As prices have gone up, wages haven’t kept abreast of that increase, and many are left to consider what is more important: groceries or rent. Rent has gone up dramatically, especially in the Madison area. The national average for an apartment today is $2,000 a month, while in the 1970s it was $800 in today’s currency.

Additionally, public university tuition has increased by 310%. For example, the University of WisconsinMadison’s in-state tuition during the 1980-81 school year was $976, which is around $3,448.50 today. Today, instate students have to pay $10,798, which can be blamed on rising inflation and budget cuts. During the 197374 school year, 44% of UW’s budget came from the state, while today it’s around just 16%.

Additionally, with more graduates from four-year institutions, workers with college degrees are forced into lower-skilled and lower-wage jobs. It’s not unheard of for people to refer to college degrees as “the new high school diploma.” Around 34% of new college graduates stated their job could be attained without a college degree, which shows that the path to success isn’t as linear as it once was for older

generations. Comparatively, around 50% of boomers in the labor force said they had good jobs when they were 25 years old, while less than 45% of millennials could say the same.

Gen Z also lived through the COVID-19 pandemic. Socialization is crucial for developing teenage brains and teenagers weren’t able to make connections with their peers, thus weakening their mental and emotional health. Online school also took an emotional toll on students, but the pandemic didn’t leave people with many other options. This left students who were struggling mentally — or academically — between a rock and a hard place. Boomers didn’t have this interrupted education.

Furthermore, as the environment is rapidly declining, Gen Z is left to pick up the pieces. A team of 17 researchers in the United States, Mexico and Australia argued in a recent scientific journal publication that biodiversity decline, overcon-

sumption and overpopulation could jeopardize the human race in the years to come. Climate inaction could lead to disastrous consequences, but with less political capital than older generations, Gen Z has less of a say on their future than those who won’t live to see the consequences of their actions.

Gen Z is drastically di erent from older generations because the circumstances of our youth are drastically di erent. As technology and societal norms continue to develop, will Gen Z be good-natured toward younger people, or will we inevitably turn out like the generations before us? Only time will tell.

Nina Starynski is a sophomore studying Political Science, Criminal Justice, and History at UW-Madison. DoyouthinkGenZisdi erent than oldergenerations,orisitjustyouthful optimism? Let us know at opinion@ dailycardinal.com.

COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

JENNIFER SCHALLER/THE DAILY CARDINAL