University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Students reflect on alleged wrongdoings of outgoing vice chancellor By Jessica Sonkin CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller will be replaced by interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning and Management Rob Cramer toward the end of May. While some members of the administration are thankful for Heller’s services and contributions to the campus community, many students remain disappointed with his lack of concern for student governance. “We’re very happy that Laurent is taking a next step in his career, but deeply sorry to see him go,” said Chancellor Rebecca Blank, according to Assistant Vice Chancellor of University Communications John Lucas. “His contributions over the past five years can’t be overstated in helping stabilize our finances and move numerous important initiatives forward.” Heller will assume the role of Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at Johns Hopkins University
on June 21. In February, the Associated Students of Madison voted 18-0 in a vote of no confidence in Heller. Wisconsin State Statute 36.09(5) declares the right for distribution of shared governance among students, yet ASM found that Heller showed little interest in acknowledging student voices. “In the fall, Heller refused to convene his shared governance committee when students expressed concern over the smart restart,” said former ASM Chair Matthew Mitnick, providing examples that provoked student leaders to issue the vote of no confidence. “And in the spring, he refused to meet with any student regarding UW-Madison’s refusal to provide international students, DACA recipients and undocumented students with their rightful aid from the federal government.” Heller’s alleged refusal to meet with students regarding compensation for international student telecom-
munications came after former ASM leaders Matthew Mitnick, Samuel Jorudd, Brian Li and Lennox Owino called for Heller and Chief Human Resources Officer Mark Walters to pay working
“The moment we tried to work with Heller to help students, we realized he had no interest in engaging with students in good faith... He refused to meet with us at all and never did.”
Samuel Jorudd Former Grant Allocations Committee Chair
student telecommuters. Mitnick referred to Heller as “the least student friendly” out of all administrators who worked with ASM over the past year. “The moment we tried
to work with Heller to help students, we realized he had no interest in engaging with students in good faith,” said former Grant Allocations Committee Chair Samuel Jorudd. “Despite all of the resolutions we passed that fell under his purview, he only implemented one after a two month long fight. He refused to meet with us at all and never did.” Ultimately, Mitnick believes that Heller will be remembered for his neglect to support students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He cared more about attaining money than considering student wellbeing, according to Mitnick. “Heller consistently demonstrated a lackluster attitude toward student wellbeing,” Mitnick said. “He did nothing in response to one of his employees running over a student or his police department violently suppressing student voices during summer demonstrations. Heller is not in higher education to make positive change — he is in it for himself and his
$300,000+ salary.” Past and present ASM student leaders and staff share the hope that Cramer will demonstrate more interest in student expression. “With Laurent Heller transferring, I do hope the next Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration will be a person who values shared governance within the school, and is willing to prioritize students voices in the decisions they make affecting us,” said Lennox Owino, former Nominations Board committee chair and current vice chair of ASM. Students find their voices essential in higher education decision-making, and ASM leaders reflect on the fact that change could have been made sooner had Heller been willing to put in the time. “I am not sad to see him go at all, and frankly I wish he had left sooner,” said Jorudd. “We could have provided students with much needed aid months ago if he had. Hopefully his replacement will be willing to meet and work with students.”
The Foxconn controversy: tax breaks to breaking promises By Ashley Obuljen STAFF WRITER
In 2017, Mount Pleasant, Wis., residents were forced out of their homes for a large high-tech plant promising a surge of new jobs. More than three years later, the Foxconn project was never built and the village is in debt. The most vocal supporter of the supposedly abandoned 20-million-square-foot project — former President Donald Trump. He once said the plant would be the “eighth wonder of the world” and credited Foxconn’s interest in Mount Pleasant to his presidency. “I hate to say it, if I didn’t get elected, they wouldn’t be in this country,” Trump said. “They would not have done this in this country. I think you know that very well.” Foxconn, the largest electronic device contract manufacturer in the world, builds iPhones in China and exports them to America. The Mount Pleasant deal was an opportunity for the company to create a partnership with Trump while his administration’s trade policies jeopardized their business overseas. But despite Trump’s claims, tax cuts were the real deal-breaker for Foxconn. The agreement, struck by former Gov. Scott Walker, provided Foxconn with nearly $4 billion in state and local tax incentives.
Mount Pleasant officials were on board. They leveraged a promise of 13,000 jobs by 2023 to rationalize uprooting hundreds of residents in order to provide Foxconn with construction property. But even Foxconn was publicly hesitant about guaranteeing 13,000 jobs. In a press release, the tech giant claimed it would create 3,000 jobs with “potential” to expand to 13,000 jobs. But there was a catch: Even if 13,000 jobs rose from the Foxconn project, Wisconsin would be paying $346,153 per job at a subsidy of $4.5 billion. And that was a best case scenario projection. If the plant created just 3,000 jobs as predicted, the state would pay $1.5 million per job. There was even some pushback among Foxconn insiders concerning the location. The plant was supposed to become a site for building flat-panel display screens for electronics, but there were not any flat-panel display production suppliers in Wisconsin. While Republicans across the country praised the deal, Wisconsinites were skeptical from the beginning. A 2018 Marquette University Law School poll showed 49% of Wisconsin voters believed the state is paying more in incentives than the Foxconn plant is worth, while 38% thought the plant would provide at least as much value as
the state’s investment. A 57% majority believed that the Foxconn plant would substantially improve the economy of the greater Milwaukee area, but 66% believed their local businesses would not benefit. As the years passed, voters’ skepticism became reality. Former residents returned to Mount Pleasant to find their homes destroyed, but saw little progress on the development. In an attempt to continue to pay for construction, the village has accumulated nearly $1 billion in debt. Mount Pleasant paid more than $152 million for 132 properties and $7.9 million in relocation costs, according to a 2019 Wisconsin Watch report. Foxconn has also failed to fulfill commitments to UW-Madison. As of August 2020, UW-Madison has received less than 1% of the company’s proposed $100 million into engineering and innovation research, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. In April, the UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement hired a former Foxconn official. During his 2018 election campaign, Gov. Tony Evers criticized Walker’s original Foxconn deal for lacking transparency, exempting the project from statewide environmental protections and not requiring that the project’s new employees be Wisconsinites.
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Gov. Tony Evers is announcing a new deal with technology giant Foxconn “With Foxconn, it’s been asterisk after asterisk and their end of the bargain seems to change by the day,” Evers said. “It’s a lousy deal, and we’re going to have to hold Foxconn’s feet to the fire going forward.” A new deal with Foxconn, Evers says, will save taxpayers $2.77 billion, but promises only 1,450 jobs. The deal also requires Foxconn to contribute $672 million in investments, less than 7% of the original $10 billion projection, and a target the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
says the company has already met. Still, the WEDC Board of Directors approved a contract amendment last week making Foxconn eligible for up to $80 million in performance-based tax credits over a six year timeline, granted it meets their employment targets by 2026. According to WEDC CEO Missy Hughes, Foxconn’s Mount Pleasant plant jobs in 2020 qualify the company for the new deal’s first round of tax credits despite its toll on Mount Pleasant’s community and economy.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
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Spring Farewell 2021
An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 130, Issue 26
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News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editors-in-Chief Kalli Anderson Willi Cioci
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Opinion Editors Ian-Michael Griffin • Riley Sumner Arts Editors Emily Knepple Sports Editors Simon Farber • Joe Rickles Almanac Editors Gillian Rawling • Nick Rawling Photo Editors Clayton Jannusch • Taylor Wolfram Graphics Editors Lyra Evans • Zoe Bendoff Science Editor Gavin Schopf Life & Style Editor Allie Sprink Copy Chiefs Grace Hodgman • Kayla Bell Copy Editors Olivia Everett • Eliza Lindley Social Media Manager Hunter Ellis
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The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.
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New ASM Chair and Vice Chair-elects look ahead By Gina Musso COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR
Associated Students of Madison Chair-elect junior Adrian Lampron and Vice Chair-elect sophomore Lennox Owino look forward to leading the student government’s 28th session beginning in the fall. Lampron ser ved as a Student Council Representative and Owino served as the Nominations Board Chair for the 27th session. Both Lampron and Owino sponsored key pieces of legislation calling for Pass/Fail grading options and additional money for students through the shuttered COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. “My experience as a council member in the 27th session was one filled with lessons,” Owino said. “Getting to work on different legislation with fellow council members is something that I cherish, and I do hope to continue doing the same as a member of the 28th session.” One of Lampron’s goals for the 28th session is to connect campus voices with ASM leadership. “The biggest thing I’ll take into the 28th session is the need for collaboration between ASM and organizers representing marginalized groups on campus, such
as the BIPOC Coalition,” Lampron said. “The 27th session was able to accomplish so much by following their lead.” A legislative goal of Lampron’s is to develop a crisis response team. Lampron and Owino worked on ASM legislation from January calling for a
program this summer using the CAHOOTS model, and I’m excited to see how that goes and how we can translate it to campus to make sure all students feel safe.” With a history of collaboration on previous ASM legislation, Owino is excited to work with Lampron in their new leadership roles.
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revamped law enforcement response on campus related to mental health calls. “One of my goals for the session is creating a crisis response team on campus that would address mental health-related calls for service instead of the police,” Lampron said. “The city of Madison is piloting such a
“Having served together with Adrian Lampron as council members in the 27th session, I look forward to working with them again in leading this session through amazing campaigns and projects,” Owino said. ASM Chair from the 27th session Matthew Mitnick collaborated with Lampron
Madison affordable housing neighborhood gets $50 million By Molly Carmichael STAFF WRITER
The Bayview Foundation, a locally based non-profit, announced that they will dedicate more than $50 million to redeveloping the Triangle neighborhood. The Triangle neighborhood encompasses West Washington, Regent Street and La Mariposa Lan, and is located in downtown Madison. Currently, the Bayview Foundation has provided lowincome housing for approximately 300 residents in its low-income housing community. In order
to allow for more residents, the Bayview foundation is polling resources with the current residents and Horizon Development Group redesign and update existing facilities. Bayview Executive Director Alexis Hood stated that the current living spaces are beyond “their functional lifespan” — as they were constructed in the 1980s — and the community center is no longer able to meet the needs of Triangle residents. The new housing will include a modern four and three-story
apartment as well as eight twostory townhouses. Hood said other features of the renovation include a food pantry, public art, classrooms, a community center, shared gardens and cost-saving sustainable utilities. Hood stated that she believes these additions will help to establish a connected community where services are just steps away from people’s homes. The services, programs and classes at Bayview won’t be only accessible to residents, but will be accessible to others living in the surrounding downtown area
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and Owino on the student council and is excited for their leadership. “Adrian Lampron and Lennox Owino are inspiring leaders who have students’ best interests at heart,” Mitnick said. “They have already got to work on the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund, demonstrating their already steadfast commitment to providing as much aid as possible.” Mitnick partnered with both Lampron and Owino on the efforts pushing for the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. “Both Adrian and Lennox were heavily involved in the work of the 27th Session and partnered with me on almost every project I was part of,” said Mitnick. “They will both carry the advocacy we started this session into the coming weeks and months ahead!” Lampron is excited for the work ahead during his and Owino’s term, which will span from April 24, 2021 to April 23, 2022. “As we move into the summer and fall, I can’t wait to see the innovative and powerful legislation that Student Council Representatives will bring forward,” Lampron said. “There is so much work to do in the coming year and we definitely have the team to do it.”
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE KUBALA WASHATKO ARCHITECTS
as well. Hood said that the Bayview foundation hopes to be less conventional than urban planning by allowing and encouraging residents to play a major role in giving input and helping design the space. To allow for easier access for residents, development meetings held by the Bayview Foundation have been held in multiple languages, with childcare and snacks available for attendees. In addition, grants have been provided for resident leaders who sat through and gave input at design meetings, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Starting in 1966, Bayview began providing housing to those whose household income falls under designated federal income limits, making them eligible for affordable housing. Additionally, the community aims to provide a network of social resources like after-school youth programs and art projects while also continuing large events such as the Triangle Ethnic Fest. A majority of residents in Bayview housing are of Southeast Asian heritage — including Hmong, Laotian and Cambodian communities — while a little more than a quarter are Latinx and about 14% are Black. Almost all of the residents are classified as very lowincome, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. “Bayview is really special because of the residents who live here,” Hood said. “They come from so many different backgrounds. They have incredible histories and stories.”
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Spring Farewell 2021
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‘Continuously Unsafe’: UW admissions puts students at risk By Cailyn Schiltz and Natalie Zientek STAFF WRITERS
Sophomore Avery Kendall abruptly left the BBCollaborate meeting during his spring semester UW-Madison physics discussion when he overheard a classmate mention that her roommate, Heidi, had graduated from Cambridge High School. Kendall’s classmate was confused and brought it up to her roommate in passing. Heidi had warned her roommate to be wary of Kendall and stated that she would personally rather fail the class than be his lab partner. “I would [have] advised [the TA] not to make any other girls his lab partner for their safety,” she reflected. Heidi had a good reason for her concern. In 2019, during Kendall’s senior year at CHS, he videotaped two classmates undressing to “full nudity” without their knowledge or consent. Everyone involved was under eighteen at the time. According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Records, Kendall pled guilty to two Class-A Misdemeanors on charges of invasion of privacy via use of a surveillance device. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and two years of probation, forbidden to contact either of the women he recorded. That probation ended on March 19, 2021. Sexual assault survivors and CHS graduates reported finding UW-Madison’s treatment of the case alarming; they feel that the university prioritized profits over student safety by failing to warn students of the possible risks posed by students with a history of sexual misconduct on campus. They cited a lack of transparency, stating that Kendall’s case is just another example of a dangerous pattern that perpetuates rape culture and actively endangers vulnerable students. Multiple classmates knew Kendall planned on attending Purdue University after graduating from CHS, and they felt compelled to alert Purdue’s admissions office to Kendall’s convictions. He was “not a current nor admitted student” after Grace, a 2015 graduate of CHS, sent two emails with articles detailing the criminal case. Grace emailed UW-Madison admissions, housing and financial aid departments the same information multiple times and never received a response. Kendall is currently an engineering student at UW-Madison; he participates in campus activities and is a member of the waterskiing team. Peyton, a CHS graduate and UW-Madison freshman, recalled feeling her worldview permanently shift when a detective informed her that authorities had found the nude videos of her on Kendall’s phone. “I was like, ‘Holy shit. I can’t believe this.’ [He was] one of [my] friends, this is just disgusting. I was just overwhelmed right away. Kind of like [I was] in shock,” Peyton said. Cambridge High School encouraged Peyton to stay quiet about what had happened to protect the school’s reputation. She stated that Kendall was allowed to finish his senior year from home, only stepping on school grounds before and after school to get class materials. CHS banned Kendall from partaking in any school concerts, but allowed him to come back to see a play and
offered to let him walk at graduation, according to Peyton. She felt unsafe and dismissed by CHS’s response, and that almost held her back from attending her dream college: UW-Madison. “At first I was not sure if I even wanted to come here, but I was the one who liked it,” Peyton said. “I thought ‘you know what? Madison is my school; I need to go there. I can’t be afraid.’ I believe I’m stronger than him. I believe he’s pathetic, and thank God I do.” Peyton saw Kendall playing spikeball on the lawn in front of Gordon’s Dining Hall on one of her first days on campus and immediately removed herself from her new group of friends. Peyton stated that they expressed concern because she “looked like she had seen a ghost.” To avoid another encounter with Kendall, Peyton reached out to Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, a student organization “dedicated to preventing sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking through education and activism,” according to the PAVE website. PAVE offered to help Peyton rearrange her schedule while leaving Kendall’s intact, and Peyton felt that this placed the burden on her and made her feel like “the problem.” PAVE eventually stopped responding to Peyton’s requests for help. PAVE declined requests to comment on the situation. Meredith McGlone, UW-Madison spokeswoman, stated that if UW-Madison’s Title IX Office is notified, they will “typically reach out to offer any appropriate supportive and protective measures,” such as a no-contact directive. She encourages students to reach out to Title IX with questions or concerns, because the University is not aware of “all such cases” that
hypocrisy within UW’s decision to admit and enroll Kendall while aware of his convictions, considering past statements they’ve put out about preventing sexual assault. “We remain committed to preventing sexual misconduct, supporting survivors and investigating complaints in a timely, impartial manner that respects the due process rights of all involved,” Chancellor Rebecca Blank wrote in a University-wide email sent in May of 2020, concerning changes to Title IX. “I’m warning you directly that if you want to protect your students, this is a student who’s capable of causing material harm and there’s a legal record proving it,” Grace said of how she communicated with the University. “They were just like, ‘Fuck you. We don’t care.’” This isn’t the only situation where UW-Madison has been put under scrutiny for how they handle sexual assault cases and prevention. In 2015, the university went under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for possible violations of federal law when addressing sexual violence and harassment complaints. Zoe Waters, an advocate for sexual abuse survivors and founder of Necessary Behavior, points to universities as being responsible for creating safe campus environments. In many cases, this means taking a victim-first approach to violence prevention. “This can look like a few different things, but it’s a way to stop violence before it begins by providing information to students about what violence is, the impact of trauma on the mind and body and educating folks about gender roles, sex ed, consent, sexuality and more as early as you are able to,” Waters stated. “Universities need to maintain a
GRAPHIC BY LYRA EVANS
Avery Kendall's phone cameras allegedly cracked to deter him from reoffending. exist on campus. However, UW-Madison does not ask students to disclose criminal history or school disciplinary history, following suit with the Common Application decision to omit questions related to a criminal record. “We need to work harder to fix this,” Peyton said. “I’m opening up so that people know that this happens to people, but [they] aren’t alone in this.” Grace highlighted what she calls
victim-centered process.” UW-Madison requires all incoming students to do an online violence prevention training that takes about two hours, McGlone said. Waters iterated that universities need to ensure that every person that comes forward has access to as much support and information as they need. “We have already failed students the second they walk in the door by not providing this education ear-
lier,” she concluded. Heidi and Edie, a UW sophomore and Kendall’s physics classmate, felt that UW-Madison should have at the very least notified students in close proximity to Kendall so that they could have adequately prepared themselves. “Women and people in general should be made aware when [they’re] going to be in a discussion
“The amount of pain [I felt], it actually did affect me. The way I view the world is so much different, and especially the school...”
Peyton CHS graduate and UW-Madison freshman
or lecture [with him] or in a dorm, especially [on the same] floors,” Edie said. “That is so sketchy and I would feel so unsafe [not knowing].” “I would hope that they wouldn’t even let him [on campus] in the first place, but if they were going to do that, yes, I would want to know,” stated Heidi. “But also I would just feel continuously unsafe. It’s like no one wins, obviously except for him.” However, Grace, Peyton, Heidi and Edie all feel that the University’s ultimate decision to admit Kendall was questionable at best. “I don’t think he should have been allowed on the UW campus. I think as soon as UW realized that he was a threat, he should’ve had his admission revoked. He chose to assault these women, and now he has to live with those consequences,” said Grace. “I think UW has a responsibility to its currently admitted students who are already paying tuition to not allow a convicted sexual predator onto campus.” Kendall’s classmates are not the only ones concerned for the safety of women on campus. Cora, a sophomore at UW-Madison and Kendall’s teammate on UW-Madison’s water skiing team, shared that typically, waterski teams are not shy about changing in and out of swimsuits in front of one another. She found it strange when she was asked to step behind a car to undress. Later, she learned of Kendall’s convictions from her teammates. “He should be telling people on the team what’s going on. When people are changing and girls are changing, he should have a spot he has to go to. [We need] more restrictions like that because not only is it our team [at risk], [but] we’re talking about Lacrosse, Marquette, Iowa State, Illinois schools, Minnesota schools,” said Cora. “[Kendall is] putting other girls at risk too.” McGlone explained that UW-Madison posts information about convicted sex offenders on the UW-Madison Police Department Website, as per the federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act. However, the criteria to define someone as a sex offender does not include surveillance without consent, meaning Kendall is not on this list. “When this type of information comes to our attention, staff from the Office of Student Conduct
and Community Standards typically meet with the student involved to discuss expectations under campus policy,” McGlone stated. “While we cannot take disciplinary action against someone for behavior that occurred while they were not enrolled at UW-Madison, we can and do hold students accountable for any violations of the law and university policy while they are enrolled.” According to Cora, the front and back cameras are cracked on Kendall’s phone, rendering them useless. Kendall told her that UW-Madison allegedly broke the cameras to deter him from reoffending and that he expressed having no intentions of recording anyone else undressing. The women familiar with Kendall’s case feel that the University’s response and lack of direct action speaks volumes about UW-Madison’s true priorities, especially when it comes to balancing student safety with tuition dollars. “It seems like a slap in the face for women that it doesn’t really matter [to the university]. Even when somebody has all of these [legal] things against him, they’re still like not taking action to make women aware and safe,” Edie explained. “Basically what it says is ‘sucks to be you’ when they decide to let someone in who they know has the potential to cause harm to other students,” Grace echoed. “What they’re saying to all of those students who are now potential victims for this predator is ‘thanks for your money, every man for themselves.’” UW Housing declined to provide specific comments on the situation and deferred to University Communications. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan, the interim Associate Dean for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in Engineering also felt that a university-provided response would speak best for her department. McGlone responded with encouragement for students with questions to contact available resources that specialize in sexual misconduct, such as UHS Survivor Services (a confidential resource); the Title IX Program; the Dean of Students Office. “It’s understandable that a survivor would have questions about this situation. We recognize students may not be aware of our admissions policies or of all the ways UW– Madison works to prevent sexual assault and misconduct, protect and support students and hold perpetrators accountable,” said McGlone. “We’ll work with you to provide resources and protective measures to meet your specific needs; we’re here to support you throughout your time on campus.” Peyton reflected on Kendall’s actions, CHS’s inactions and her experience so far at UW-Madison as all having impacted her not only a student, but as a feminist, a survivor and a human being. “The amount of pain [I felt], it actually did affect me. The way I view the world is so much different, and especially the school, knowing that they let in that person. It’s hard to come here and be so positive about coming here,” she said. “I love Madison, [but] are they really working as hard as they should be?” Kendall declined requests for comment.
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Spring Farewell 2021
By Seamus Rohrer STAFF WRITER
After last year’s baffling draft decisions, especially on the first two days, the Green Bay Packers will once again look to shore up their weaknesses and gear up for another ride with Aaron Rodgers. It’s not that drafting a third string quarterback (Jordan Love) and a third string running back (AJ Dillon) with their first two picks hurt the Packers title chances last year, it’s that they didn’t contribute to them at all. For the Packers, whose rosterbuilding philosophy is traditionally “draft-and-develop”, it’s an issue when your top picks fail to strengthen your starting lineup. The Packers have plenty of draft capital at their disposal, like they do seemingly every year. With their 10 picks – including five in the top 150 – Green Bay needs to get Aaron Rodgers some support before he’s not there to support at all. With some pretty clear needs and an increasingly disgruntled quarterback, this draft is more crucial than ever for the Packers as they try not to let their Super Bowl window close. Rashod Bateman - WR, Minnesota Star wideout Davante Adams is in desperate need of a sidekick. In last year’s draft, the Packers were seemingly destined to take a receiver before they made the dumbfounding decision to trade up for quarterback Jordan Love. In doing this, they passed on a multitude of receivers who look like future stars, most notably the Steelers’ Chase Claypool and the Bengals’ Tee Higgins. Rashod Bateman makes perfect sense with the Packers’ first round choice. At Minnesota, Bateman was always open and
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he fought for every yard after the catch. He also boasts extremely reliable hands, and Aaron Rodgers would instantly fall in love with his playmaking ability. He can line up anywhere on the field, but he’s especially dangerous in the slot where his quick release allows him to beat corners easily and get into open space. Bateman lined up on the same side of the field as Davante Adams is a scary thought, as it would be almost impossible to double Adams. The two would make each other better by diverting attention and keeping defenses guessing, which is an even scarier thought. Green Bay will likely have a couple options of first-round caliber receivers, but Bateman is the one to keep an eye on.
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What young players and future stars will step through the legendary gates of Lambeau Field this autumn?
Caleb Farley - CB, Virginia Tech When Buccaneers wide receiver Scottie Miller torched Packers corner Kevin King for a touchdown right before halftime of the NFC championship game, Green Bay’s need for a reliable secondary was more clear than ever. The Packers ended up losing 31-26, with that touchdown being the difference in a game that would have sent them to the Super Bowl. There’s no guarantee that Farley will be on the board when the Packers pick at #29, but if he is they should give him serious consideration. Once Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn are drafted, Farley is likely the third most talented corner available, narrowly beating out Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II. However, Farley’s lingering back injury is causing him to slide in the draft conversation, and Green Bay would be wise to capitalize. Farley opted out of the 2020
season, another factor which could cause him to fall into the Packers’ lap. He has all the physical tools and technique to be a lockdown corner opposite the great Jaire Alexander. Zaven Collins - LB, Tulsa Another likely first round choice, Zaven Collins is another way the Packers could bolster their defense with an instant, plug-and-play starter. Overall, Green Bay is solid in the front seven thanks to their pass rushers, but their current starting inside linebacker tandem of Ty Summers and Krys Barnes isn’t going to cut it. Collins has the talent to win a starting job before the season and his versatility would be a great asset to a leaky Packers defense. Zaven Collins is a prime newwave NFL defender because of his freakish blend of size and speed. He excels in coverage,
which is a highly coveted trait in linebackers for modern defensive coordinators. His ability to lock up running backs and tight ends at the college level allowed coaches to keep him on the field for all three downs, and it separates him from similarly ranked inside linebackers like Missouri’s Nick Bolton. All in all, Zaven Collins is the whole package and would be a welcome addition to any defense. An early run on offense could keep him available just long enough for the Packers to snatch him. Dazz Newsome - WR, North Carolina North Carolina’s offense was quietly stacked last year, and now their playmakers are reaping the benefits. With two Tar Heel running backs and wideout Dyami Brown likely to be picked before Newsome, he could be an excellent day two or three sleep-
er. If the Packers again decide to forgo their glaring need at receiver with their first few selections, Newsome could be on their radar in the later rounds. Overshadowed by the stunning amount of offensive talent in Chapel Hill the past couple of years, Dazz Newsome may not be the most productive or flashy receiver. That doesn’t mean he’s not capable of being a dynamic playmaker at the next level. His concentration when the ball is in the air is unreal, and his highlight tape includes some absolutely ridiculous circus catches to back it up. He plays with a true visible joy for the game, laying his body on the line and never leaving anything on the field. He also showed distinct improvement from his time starting as a true freshman, an encouraging sign for pro evaluators. Newsome won’t be a hyped selection but he has sneaky potential.
Weekend Recap: Badger volleyball falls short vs. Texas By Ellie Nowakowski STAFF WRITER
After a perfect regular season, the Badgers fell just short of bringing home a national championship to Madison. No. 1 Wisconsin (18-1) fell to No. 3
Texas (27-1) in three sets (26-24, 25-19, 25-23) Thursday to end their season at the Final Four. The Badgers — who were favored to win the tournament — lost momentum after a close first set and couldn’t find
DIANE NORDSTROM/UW ATHLETICS
Even without a NCAA Title, the Badgers still had plenty to be proud of in a tough season.
it again until late in the third. Though the team continued to show the depth they’ve been flexing all season, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Longhorns’ blocking and strong defense. The first set was a close one, and Wisconsin and Texas were tied at 23-23 before Texas won two points to cinch the set. Wisconsin’s offense was strong throughout the first set, and the team had 14 kills, five of which came from middle blocker/right side Devyn Robinson. However, as the first set came to a close, the Texas offense turned up the heat behind outside hitter Logan Eggleston, who had three kills late in the set to help the Longhorns tie it up. After the first set, the Badgers handed the Longhorns the second more easily, and finished the set with a hitting percentage of 0.105, the team’s second lowest all season. After that, the game was all but over when the Badgers pulled out some last ditch efforts to take the third set. Down 13-17, the Badgers went on a five-point run to pull into the lead. Behind the same consistency that setter Sydney Hilley has displayed all year, it looked as though the Badgers could take the third set. “There was never a time we gave up or stopped believing in ourselves,” Hilley said. “Even when we were down
by quite a few points, we just kept talking about chipping away, being fearless and being together.” Robinson continued her strong match, and the freshman finished with 14 kills and a .571 hitting percentage. Robinson led both teams in blocks with four in the match. Unfortunately for the Badgers, Eggleston made two more late kills in the third set to win the match. On an overturned point, the Badgers lost the third set. “Truthfully I couldn’t be more proud of our team and our fighting spirit,” head coach Kelly Sheffield said. “I thought it was an epic match. I thought that both teams were doing a lot of things that were [at] a really high level. We showed our heart there to come back in the third [set] and I’m certainly proud of this team.” The season comes to a close for the Badgers after a uniquely challenging year. Facing a modified schedule after their season was pushed to the spring, the Badgers had nine of their regular season games cancelled for COVID-19 concerns. “There’s no group I’d rather be going through a year like this with, and I’m really proud of the way we handled everything,” Hilley said. “I love everyone on the Wisconsin volleyball program, I can’t explain that enough.”
arts Looking back on a bingeful semester dailycardinal.com
Spring Farewell 2021
By The Daily Cardinal Arts Desk MANAGEMENT & STAFF
Over the past three months, a lot has come out, a lot has charted, a lot has not, a lot has spoken to the moment and a lot has failed to do so. Looking back on this spring semester The Daily Cardinal is happy to share some of their favorite binges that have helped them navigate the crazy, tumultuous times of Spring 2021.
“Grey’s Anatomy”
When I hear hoofbeats, I think horses, not zebras.” These iconic lines have been seared into my brain over the last seven months that I have — happily — been binge-watching the amazing “Grey’s Anatomy.” For those reading this and wondering what took me so long to hop on the Grey’s train, it was simply my lack of knowledge about this quality show. Until my roommate forced me to sit down and watch with her in anticipation for the newest season coming. I didn’t know this show would improve my knowledge of random diseases that ERs see, or awful tragedies that can occur throughout a person’s life. Through the classy yet cheesy “Pick me. Choose me. Love me.” to the “You are my person” quotes, Grey’s held my hand through a semester where Friday parties were replaced with staying in, Saturday darties were replaced with long hikes, and the time freed up from not walking to class had to be filled. Without Grey’s and my roommate’s obsession with this 17-season TV show, I would have had to switch between multiple shows and movies instead of falling head first into the heart-wrenching alternate reality of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ - Kalli Anderson
‘Little Oblivions’ by Julien Baker
This spring semester brought with it many of the challenges that 2020 introduced to our lives. I could split my spring semester into two very discernible halves, neither of which have been rather thrilling. Despite this, there were some positives that came from this interesting period of time,
ABC TV
"Grey's Anatomy" provides viewers with a rollercoaster of a reality. and I find myself feeling optimistic for the future. One such positive is Julien Baker’s latest album that is titled ‘Little Oblivions.’ Seeing Phoebe Bridgers’ rise to prominence in 2020 meant it was only a matter of time before I gave her boy-genius partner Julien Baker a shot. I saw her performance of “Hardline” on Late Night with Seth Meyers and was awestruck by the quality of songwriting and the passion on display. This then led me to discover the rest of the album, the rest of Baker’s discography and eventually to interviews Baker did that provided insight into her experiences that have shaped her music. It was refreshing to discover someone who speaks, writes and performs from the heart and with great wisdom, while from my own music taste point of view, “Little Oblivions” features more instrumentation than her earlier releases, which is perfect for me. “Little Oblivions” is an album I would definitely recommend! - Anupras Mohapatra
‘Sunflower Seeds’ by The Orielles
“Sunflower Seeds” is a song that will keep you coming back. The third track off The Orielles’ impressive debut album Silver Dollar Moment represents the Halifax, England trio at the (current) peak of their songwriting and musical skills. Young guitarist Henry
I bought NBA2k16 years ago, when it was still relevant. I didn’t play it much at the time but over winter break, I fell in love. Who knew controlling a fictional point guard’s destiny would be so rewarding? Probably everyone who loved the game. Since winter break, I had the chance to buy the new Xbox Series S and got NBA2k21 on the next gen. I will admit, 2k16 is the more enjoyable game, but I have spent free time controlling another fictional player’s destiny — this time I made him a shooting guard, not that anyone cares — and managed to lessen the impact of the worst academic year of our lives.
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‘Succession,’ ‘Watchmen,’ ‘The Night Of,’ ‘Snowpiercer,’ and ‘The Good Lord Bird’ (but that’s Showtime). So it’s been a pretentious couple of months but I don’t regret a second of it. All the hours spent gorging on the best TV the Home Box Office had to offer were well spent but now that Spring has sprung I might try and spend more time outside. - Philip Klinker
Billie Eilish
Over the past couple of months, I have to admit, I’ve fallen in love with Billie Eilish. When I first heard about her from friends a couple of years ago, I brushed it off and never
Wade’s intoxicating chorus riff is the highlight of the song, and it’s teased and dispersed throughout the track to keep you wanting more. Esmé Dee Hand-Halford’s jumpy bass line gives the song some bounce while her spacey, angelic vocals add a beautifully textured element. The song switches between the slower, psychedelic verse and the more classically indiepop chorus. This juxtaposition is one of the main reasons I’ve been so infatuated with this song. One moment you’re in a hazy trance, with bells and chimes swirling around the soundscape, and a few drum fills later you’re bobbing your head to the upbeat, arena-worthy chorus. Listening to “Sunflower Seeds” is like being transported to another world for five minutes and four seconds. Once you return, you won’t know what hit you, but you’ll be left craving more. - Seamus Rohrer
NBA2K
Doing online uni from Dubai is not an experience I would recommend to anyone. Dealing with a time difference of 9-10 hours with Madison, depending on the time of the year, takes a toll on the mind and body. Yet, I have managed to salvage my experience with some good old NBA2k.
KELIANNE MACCLUSKEY
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish's sophomore album, drops on July 30. The games also got me invested in the real NBA and now I watch whatever I can, be it highlights or even full games live. The latter certainly helps when you feel sleepy only when it is 4-4:30 a.m. in Dubai. - Anupras Mohapatra
High-Quality TV
JORDI VIDAL/REDFERNS
Julien Baker's album "Little Oblivions" comes from the heart and offers listeners a rich and unique wisdom.
When my roommates and I were moving into our new apartment in August, we decided to spring for the more expensive internet package considering our enrollment in the prestigious Zoom University. The internet connection may not have been all it was cracked up to be, but the complimentary subscription to HBO Max became my main binging staple. I had never had access to HBO’s extensive library of content and I was determined to make the most of it. Since diving in I have had two semesters of courses in ~Prestige~ TV. I watched ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire,’ ‘Big Little Lies,’ ‘Chernobyl,’
really gave her a chance. But, with the release of her documentary “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry” on Apple TV in late February and of course with recent singles (‘Therefore I Am,’ ‘my future’), it became increasingly hard for me to avoid her talent. I encourage anyone who hasn’t listened to her library beyond ‘bad guy’ to commit to a solid sit-down with her album. If you’re not entirely convinced, watch her documentary first and learn a bit more about Eilish and how she’s navigated her rise to fame. The documentary is what kick started my obsession and I’m so happy it did. Eilish is so epic and with the recent announcement of her sophomore album Happier Than Ever coming out in late July, you can catch up and give yourself plenty of time to prepare and make room for Eilish excellence. - Emily Knepple
science When algae blooms: Summer safely 6
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Spring Farewell 2021
By Emma Grenzebach STAFF WRITER
With the March 20 declaration of open water after almost three months of ice, Madison’s five lakes are again becoming home to a variety of watersports, including swimming, kayaking, fishing and more. The defrosting of the lakes also provides a space for the formation of algal blooms each year. Cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae blooms, develop in late spring and early summer when the three conditions needed for their formation — heat, nutrient runoff and direct sunlight — are met. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to people, especially children, and pets if they are absorbed through the skin, inhaled or swallowed. The algal blooms, according to Public Health Madison
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& Dane County, appear bluegreen, reddish-purple or brown and tend to float. The city recommends that people do not swim in water with apparent
algae and not to boat over such water, as people can be exposed to toxins through inhalation. “The things that dissipate it are wind — it can’t form on
LYRA EVANS / DAILY CARDINAL
Cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae blooms, develop in late spring and early summer due to heat, runoff and direct sunlight.
choppy water — and the same problem that causes it also helps get rid of it,” explained Adam Sodersten, the Marketing and Communications Director for the Clean Lakes Alliance, to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) last year. “If you get rain that will also bust it up… there’s no real timeframe, unfortunately.” In 2020, Lake Mendota and Lake Waubesa saw blooms as early as June 3, according to WPR. Public Health Madison & Dane County tests the water at various beaches for E. coli and blue-green algae from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The lakes closest to the heart of Madison – Monona, Mendota and Wingra — tend to receive excess phosphorus runoff from construction erosion and leaf management. The more rural of Madison’s lakes — Waubesa and Kegonsa — get their overabun-
dance of nutrients from agricultural cropping practices. To improve water quality in all five lakes connected through the Yahara River, the Clean Lakes Alliance has developed the Yahara CLEAN Compact, which is a plan meant to “improve the condition and usability of our lakes and beaches.” The plan, released in 2012, highlights the need to reduce phosphorus and outlines over 70 recommendations to improve water quality in all five Yahara lakes. The presence of algal blooms does not mean that water recreation is impossible this summer, but the safest thing to do if you plan on swimming, boating or fishing is to wait for the algal blooms to clear. Water conditions are updated on the Public Health Madison & Dane County website under public and environmental health.
I just think they’re neat: Muskrats in Madison waters By Will Cioci panied by (and often confused for) mink, river otter and beaIn Ojibwe legend, there was a time when water covered ver, all of which the little volunteers outnumber in the area. all. Unhappy with the Anishinabe people, Kitchi-Manitou, However, in 2019, the Dane County Board voted unanithe Great Mystery, flooded the earth. The only survivors in mously to rename a bay of Lake Monona to Wicawak (wea world without land were those animals who could swim chow-ek), the Ho-Chunk word for muskrat. or fly — and one man, Nanaboozhoo, who clung for life to a In their abundance, muskrats were an important source floating log. of food and furs for the Ho-Chunk people in the Yahara One by one, different animals dove beneath the waves, basin. Still today, they are “furbearers” — an unscienswimming down in search of whatever earth could be tific term referring to animals often hunted for their pelts. found and brought back to the world. One by one, the loon, “Muskrat pie,” a staple in the diet of Wisconsin’s early the grebe, the mink and others came back to the surface empty handed. And then a small, humble volunteer. A chubby rodent no more than two feet long swam forward, its tail hairless and almost scaly, its back feet webbed, its fur slick and reddish brown. Wa-zhushk — or, in English, the muskrat — dove down and disappeared for a long, long time. When it finally reappeared, it had drowned from its long swim, but in its tiny paw was a small clump of earth that would bring land back to the world. Today, almost any walk around Madison’s lakeshores yields a muskrat sighting — and questioning passersby asking what, exactly, is cutting a lazy path through the shallows and munching on the lilies. CENTER FOR LIMNOLOGY The confusion isn’t unwarranted: muskrats aren’t the only semi-aquatic mammal in the Madison area. They are accom- Walks around Madison's lakes are likely to yield a muskrat sighting. KING OF THE 'SKRATS
European pioneers, would have been served at Wisconsin’s first Thanksgiving celebrations. Muskrats themselves are vegetarian, and will eat almost any plant matter they can get their paws on within their ecosystem. In the Yahara lake system, those options include 24 aquatic plant species, such as cattails, lotus and pondweed. In turn, they fall prey to raccoons, foxes, birds of prey and even large fish. Muskrats spend most of their time in water, and thus are specially adapted to swimming with webbed hind paws and a tail that acts as a rudder. Though they generally swim on the surface, they are able to stay underwater for up to 17 minutes at a time. When the cold weather sets in and the lakes freeze over, muskrats navigate the lakes by swimming beneath the ice, bouncing from haven to haven among small dens dug into riverbeds and lakeshores, as well as the “huts” they build from brush and grass in the autumn to provide shelter through the winter. Breeding season begins in March for the muskrats, and they are, as the University of Kentucky’s Forestry Department writes, “prolific breeders,” birthing up to three litters every year with four to eight pups per litter. As this year’s little ones crop up, the best spots around campus to catch a glimpse of these critters are the shores of Lake Mendota, along Lakeshore Path or near James Madison Park.
Superfoods: Worthy of the name or focus elsewhere? Forrest Ziebell STAFF WRITER
Kale, berries, cacao, eggs, sweet potatoes, greek yogurt and more are among the dozens of foods that are labeled ‘superfoods.’ This new group of products is advertised as being nutritionally dense — or containing high amounts of vitamins/minerals per calorie — ways to improve your diet and prevent disease simply by consuming them. As one may expect, these claims are made in order to sell more products, and some stretch the truth a bit. While so-called superfoods will not instantly improve your health, they can be abnormally high in nutrients that may be hard to get from other sources, which render them a beneficial part of a diet — that is, if you are able to afford them. Superfoods contain specific nutrients in very high quantities or have particularly rare components. Many of them, for example, have lots of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which are properties common in fruits, vegetables and some grains. Because of this, it seems that the birth of superfoods, contrary to the effects of many other health fads, is generally more beneficial on one’s health. Unfortunately, some consumers may see superfoods as a cure-all method of treating or preventing disease, while maintaining an otherwise poor diet. It should be noted that superfoods are not sufficient to make up for other lifestyle factors that lead to poor health, such as lack of sleep or a sedentary lifestyle. Research from the Food and Nutrition Journal links studies showing that superfoods are most
effective when consumed with a balanced diet. While these contains a large amount of nutrients that improve one’s nutrient rich foods are undoubtedly healthy, their disease physical health. The lack of regulation, however, means that preventing or curing claims are somewhat misleading. the term carries less meaning than some may believe. While The benefits of superfoods come primarily from their superfoods can certainly be a way to consume much needed rich nutrient content per calorie. This feature is the pri- nutrients in few calories, they are not an antidote for a poor mary reason these foods are labeled “super.” The lack of diet and other unhealthy lifestyle choices. legal regulation of the term also helps, with reports suggesting that about three-quarters of people are using foods to treat or prevent a condition of theirs, often in the form of superfoods. Because of the lack of regulation around the term “superfood” and the need for an otherwise healthy diet to reap the benefits of superfoods, some experts have voiced opposition to superfood labels, saying instead to eat a “super diet,” which focuses on regular intake of healthy foods as opposed to periodically eating very nutrient dense foods. One reason that could explain why superfoods have made such an impact on people’s health is that they are often fruits or vegetables, which many Americans do not get enough of. This may explain why people report feeling better after consuming them. Nonetheless, all nutrients are available in a variety of foods, and can be obtained in more affordable ways than through superfoods. Thus, while nutritionally rich foods are supportive of good health, they are not necessary. Superfoods are one of few health trends that may be ASHLEY HAMPTON promoting sustainable health. The requirement for a superSuperfoods contain high nutrient levels or rare components. food is not legally defined, but generally means the product
opinion Year in review: Ongoing fight for justice dailycardinal.com
Spring Farewell 2021
member, friend or roommate. Though the risk of travelling and spreading the virus was absolutely necessarwy to acknowledge this spring, so too were the ongoing Cardinal View editorials represent The Daily Cardinal’s organizational struggles faced by students. opinion. Each editorial is crafted independent of news coverage. Holding a Mental Health & Wellbeing Summit is no help when students are spending hours upon Welcome Back great pain to those simply watch- hours online anyway. Neither are Entering the school year, stu- ing from afar and wishing for this three “Mental Health Days,” the dents and faculty alike were anx- nightmare to end. majority of which were held over ious for how the semester would No Spring Break Burnout the weekend. look. How would the pandemic In the fall, students suffered left Although the university extendaffect day-to-day campus opera- and right, from experiencing locktions, and could we return “safely” down in tightly packed dorm back to campus? In just five days, rooms, to packing their the question was answered when bags for quarantine Chancellor Blank directed all housing to actuundergraduate students to enter ally cona lockdown after the astronomic tracting increase of COVID-19 cases. Some combination of the University’s lack of testing, lack of foresight and expectation that our “restart” would be better than other schools that had already tried — and failed — to re-open led us to the question: What did you expect was going to happen? Both Witte and Sellery residence halls were closed shortly thereafter, following another two hour notice to prepare for a two week lockdown. The first week of students returning to campus produced one of the craziest — yet highly expected — outcomes. In addition to the litany of other stressors faced by students, pandemic stressors as a result of the universities actions — or rather inactions — were not at all remedied. Students were expected to perform academically at the same level as any other semester, COVIDwere expected to use the invasive 19. On top Honorlock platform and were not of financial offered a pass-fail option. and food March Mayhem insecurity and Let us first give credit where even electioncredit is due: The spring and fall related stress, commencements last year were the push to work rightly cancelled, and the cautious under business-asreturn to an in-person event this usual truly took its May is appropriate. Despite the toll, especially for stuemotional toll on seniors of not get- dents of color. ed the deadline to drop a class, their ting to walk like they may have enviOne University Health Services late notice about a new grading sioned, these decisions make sense Associate Psychologist Dr. Corey policy failed students, as did their in the interest of health and safety. Steele said that student mental disregard to offer proper time However, the decision to adver- health demand was “greater than for students to rejuvenate amidst tise basketball tickets for March ever.” Despite pleas from student surviving a pandemic. Madness in Indiana — a state with representatives for a pass/fail Student leaders shut out of no mask mandate — while enforc- option, the university carried on financial relief plans ing limits and restrictions on other as normal. The university also chose crowds reeks of hypocrisy. After a semester of isolation, not to take up students’ conThe inconsistency of policies lockdown and immense pressure cerns when it came to their more is a reflection of the priorities of to keep up with schoolwork, stu- material needs throughout this the university administration. dents felt additional accumulative pandemic school year. Academic accomplishment at a stress brought by COVID-19 this At the start of this semester, leading, research-oriented univer- spring. Students could seldom find it was clear that students were sity takes a backseat because ticket opportunities to connect in-person struggling to keep up with rent sales make far more money, even with classmates. Some lost loved and utilities. Concerned for their if it is at the expense of students’ ones to the coronavirus and others peers — and that federal aid comhealth. Students have made insur- had no choice but to work in a com- ing through the university couldn’t mountable sacrifices in academic pletely different time zone. go towards helping noncitizen stupursuit. They have fended off perInstead of addressing student dents — the Associated Students sonal and social misfortunes, and grievances, the work piled on. It of Madison aimed to divert their the extreme physical tolls of regular never stopped. reserve funds into a COVID-19 screen time and vastly varying time The university’s attempt to Student Relief Fund. Ultimately, zones, to name a few things. All this rectify the situation came too late those funds were left on the table simply to stay afloat. into the semester. Officials did not as the administration claimed Yet it all comes undone when decide to offer a spring semester it violated UW System policy tickets are advertised and sold in special grading policy until April 5 against gifts to students. Rather order to fill the coffers. Those privi- — one month short of this exhaust- than help ASM find a legal way leged enough to not have to think ing year finally coming to an end. to use that money to help strugabout sacrifices oblige by paying But what changed between the gling students, they stonewalled for tickets and acting irresponsibly, fall and the spring? University the effort and the good intenaffecting those who wished no part officials cite the “cumulative tions behind it. While ASM spent in it at all. Despite some fair deci- impact” of COVID-19. However, months bringing amendments sions, by virtue of selling tickets the stakes were just as high in and probing loopholes to force the to basketball games, the univer- the fall, when students were bur- fund through, UW administrasity has actively aided and abetted dened by the fear of falling ill tors rested on their legal argument selfish practices that have caused with the virus, let alone a family while $2 million — money paid by
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students and rightfully controlled by their student government representatives — sat unused. In response, ASM passed a well-deserved vote of No Confidence in Laurent Heller, vice-chancellor of Finance and Administration and the university’s pointman on the relief fund, because of his refusal to engage with their efforts. Heller responded last week by announcing his departure from the university. At the same time that the university was holding $2 million in unused segregated
GRAPHIC BY LYRA EVANS
fees hostage, they were once again forcing graduate students to pay even more of those same fees for the privilege of working at the university. In the form of mandatory fees, UW takes back around 10% of graduate students’ salaries — a practice that clearly amounts to wage theft. For years the Teaching Assistants Association has lobbied for an end to the fees for grad workers. This semester, as its members face more dire financial straits, the union organized to withhold their funds until their due date, in the hopes that the university might throw them a bone. No dice. The university claims to care about student wellbeing. We are keen to believe them. But what we have seen more clearly this year is their contempt for any student-led effort to improve that wellbeing. The continued battle for racial equity Beyond the trials and tribulations of our campus, on April 20, a collective sigh of relief was felt — not only across campus but across the country — as guilty verdicts were announced during the Derek Chauvin case. Despite the murder of George Floyd being recorded and witnessed across the world, there was worry and anxiety over what the verdict would be that Tuesday afternoon. That uneasiness, though, speaks
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volumes about our so-called justice system and who it truly serves. Sure, Chauvin was held accountable for his heinous actions; but, the system which initially allowed his murder still holds. During the course of the trial, police officers killed Daunte Wright, body camera footage of Adam Toledo’s shooting was released and countless others lost their lives to police brutality and gun violence. Though this guilty verdict has brought a fleeting sense of peace, it does not escape us that thousands of incidents of police brutality go unrecorded and don’t even make it to court. As such, this rare conviction of Derek Chauvin does not negate the need to reconstruct the criminal justice system. Rather, it marks the need for continued activism and disruption. As countless law enforcement officials have gone on with impunity, the Chauvin trial marks a long-fought, yet continuing battle for racial equity — yet another beginning in the pursuit of justice. As students, it highlights that there is still much to reform and rebuild under the institutions in which we operate. The Year in Review Overall, the university administration has continuously demonstrated their lack of care for student’s mental health. Instead, they have proven to us that we are cash cows — bodies that just pay the bills and allow the university to keep the lights on until they can overcharge the next incoming class of freshmen. But, this also has given campus a stronger sense of community: a common enemy to be united against. Students felt a sense of camaraderie as they waited in long lines at the beginning of the spring semester to get a COVID19 spit test (drooling into a tube never has never felt so normal). We have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the Chauvin trial, and we’re all equally confused at the university’s conflicting rhetoric, from no spring break to encouragement for students to watch the men’s basketball team play in a state with no mask mandate. Throughout it all, we have suffered through an awful year — a year filled with institutions failing to do their jobs to take care of the people they promised to and forcing individuals to place pressure for change and accountability. Imp o r t a nt qu e st i o n s remain: How will we take what we learned this year into the next year? How will we as students continue to keep other students safe when we go back to in-person classes, no longer plagued by an infectious disease but instead by the silent killers of food insecurity, sexual assault and mental health crises? This is the question we should be asking ourselves and our fellow students, and this is the question that will — hopefully — spark meaningful conversations with the University on how they treat their students as we move forward.
comics 8 • Spring Farewell 2021
ANATOMY OF A DAILY CARDINAL BY LYRA EVANS
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I'M NOT TOUCHING YOUR DISGUSTING FOOT LINCOLN
BY LYRA EVANS
1. Pen of epic writing and drawing 2. Wings of victory in baseball games 3. Eyes that can see news BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENS 4. Feet to carry us to places unknown 5. Tail feathers to shake that booty all night long
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Heroic students save dog from hot car during Mifflin By Owen Shao ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR
GRAPHIC BY ZOE BENDOFF
Anticipation for the annual Mifflin St. Block Party has subsided in Madison, Wis. Thousands of crushed cans and shattered glass were all that remained Sunday morning as the students in attendance reeled from their collective “post weekend denial.” Public concerns regarding student safety and COVID-19 precautions are being raised in response to the large congregation of maskless children. However, these questions appeared insignificant and misguided in light of the heroic act that took place Saturday. During the shoulder-toshoulder chaos, students noticed a dog overheating in a white SUV parked in the lots behind Mifflin. Demonstrating unparalleled courage, multiple students
began climbing the car in an attempt to spot the owner above the crowd. Once their awkward dancing failed to attract the owner’s attention, students took matters into their own hands and proceeded to stomp in the front windshield of the vehicle. The dog was freed and immediately rushed to urgent care where it remains in critical condition. Interior publications — that are bad at softball — incorrectly reported on this series of events. Misinformation circulating online spheres created unjust sympathy towards the vehicle owner. Outrage resulted in crowdfunding campaigns that raised thousands for repair costs and additional damages. Aside from dog abusers being compensated for their negligence, there
were many additional events that occurred during the outdoor cesspool. One student proved he could in fact climb that tree over there and he “wasn’t capping on god.” Another student convinced her boyfriend that a snap score of 4 million wasn’t that high. There were even reports of a bathroom that didn’t have mandatory 30 minute que time. The 2021 Mifflin St. Block Party flew in the face of almost every single health precaution that dictated the past year. Blatant disregard for rules and regulations made the student body seem inconsiderate. Excessive destruction of property made the university and their “policy enforcement” look ineffectual. With all of this considered … we can’t wait for next year.
Mifflin Street Block Party quiet, respectful By Mackenzie Moore ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR
Since 1969, the Mifflin Street Block Party has been an annual tradition for UW-Madison students. While it originally began as an anti-war protest, one thing has been true for decades — it is an opportunity for students to get obliterated with their peers before getting ready for finals week. That is until the 2020 Mifflin Street Block Party was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Something appears to have been learned from the past year, as Mifflin was reportedly very tame this past Saturday. “Last year, the party being cancelled was a huge bummer. I knew that the pandemic was going on, but, really, I didn’t know how I’d survive without Mifflin,” said Colby Raymeir, a member of Chi Phi, which has been banned by the univer-
sity since 2015. “By the time it rolled around again this year, I realized, ‘You know what? I’m good. I’m just going to have a low-key hang with my buddies in my yard.’” This appears to have been the case for most students, as there were remarkably few people on the streets. Instead, people opted to stay in their own yards and drink responsibly. While several people did visit multiple properties to spend time with their friends, those who had not recently tested negative for COVID-19 respectfully decided to stay home in order to not jeopardize their fellow students. The Mifflin Street Block Party is also notorious for its tendency towards destruction. Unlike past years, however, there were no fires in the street or damage to property. In fact, the opposite was the case.
“I was walking down the street and noticed that a car had a flat rear tire. At first I was going to just pass by, but then I realized that I had a spare and the tools to put it on. Next thing I knew, the car was good to go,” said junior Josh Rollo. “While I was back there, I also noticed that the car had a Minnesota license plate, so I decided to scribble down a quick note and leave it on their windshield to welcome them to Wisconsin and congratulate them for picking the right school.” It is impossible to know whether or not this change will be permanent or if it will just be another notch in the long history of the block party. If one thing is for sure, it’s that each student has learned and reflected on their choices throughout the pandemic. PHOTO BY NICK RAWLING
Badger Promise rumored to have been discontinued in original form, now a threat By Mackenzie Moore ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR
When it was introduced in 2017, the Badger Promise made it look as though
UW-Madison was providing a major incentive for first-generation college students to call Madison home. The program, which originally offered two
PHOTO BY NICK RAWLING
to four semesters of free tuition to first-generation college students transferring from two-year colleges around Wisconsin, is rumored to have been discontinued due to budget cuts and the fact that one of the university’s high ranking officials wants a new boat. While this is bad enough, it gets worse. The program is not so much ending as much as it is completely changing its concept, while deceitfully keeping the same name. Now, students worry that the Badger Promise is a threat. Specifically, it is believed that those who sign up for the program under the assumption that they will save thousands of dollars will turn into literal badgers upon admittance — and that’s a promise.
The science behind this has been kept close to the chest — likely not because it’s a false rumor but to prevent the creation of an antidote. However, there are a couple very scientifically plausible theories: UW-Madison has worked behind-the-scenes with the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that admitted students who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine will be told they’re receiving a twoshot vaccine. In reality, each of the two shots will be half J&J and half badger sperm. Upon receiving the second dose, you will wake up in an open pasture significantly more hairy and smaller than you once were. A time machine has been built for Bucky Badger. Bucky will go back in time and seduce
your mother before your father has the chance. He’ll take her out for a nice dinner, meet the parents and, eventually, marry her in a quiet lakeside ceremony. One thing will lead to another and, bada bing bada boom, Bucky is now your father. You appear to be 100% badger, as Bucky’s genes are all dominant. Presumably, special accommodations will be made for students once they become badgers. For one, they probably won’t be able to hold a pencil, so they will definitely need new laptops. Dining halls will likely also need to start serving rodents such as gophers, squirrels and woodrats. Those with more ideas should immediately contact Chancellor Rebecca Blank for further consideration.
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