Fall 2021 Welcome Back - Thursday, September 9, 2021 - The Daily Cardinal

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Welcome Back Issue, Fall 2021

Fall Welcome Back 2021

GRAPHIC BY ZOE BENDOFF

“…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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Thursday, September 9, 2021

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It’s good to be back! A letter from the editor

By Addison Lathers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Wow, that went fast. Summer, I mean. Maybe you were patiently counting down the days to move in, or perhaps you were dreading the return to assigned reading.

Either way, we’re all here now.

Campus is going to look different this year. Whether it’s masks, distanced seating or just casually fist-bumping your 60-year-old tenured professor — the best outcome of the pandemic, in my opinion — we all have to get used to it.

Changes are coming to The

Daily Cardinal too. Your beloved weekly newspaper is becoming a bigger, more colorful monthly publication! I look forward to producing top-tier digital content, and continued weekly editions online, with our amazing team of editors and writers. Apologies to the sudoku lovers; it had to be done. Not only is this effort going to save a vast amount of paper, but it means we can focus on upping our game for the stories that matter most.

Speaking of the things that matter most, we’re focusing on you all

this year — the students that read our paper. We have plenty of ideas here at the Cardinal on how to do this best (the results of which you’ll see soon), but we also want to hear from you! Drop me a line at editor@dailycardinal.com. Let me know your thoughts. What do you think is missing from the oldest and finest campus newspaper?

Not satisfied with just leaving comments? Thank god. We’re also launching one of our biggest recruitment efforts to date! We’ve opened up our application, which can be located on the “Join the

Flock” page on our website. We’ll be accepting applications from writers, columnists, artists, podcasters and social media aficionados. We’re also taking freelance work all semester long for our arts, science, sports, almanac and news desks. Send us your work and maybe you’ll see it published in our next issue (I’m looking at you, Journalism 202’ers)!

If you want to see us faceto-face, you most definitely can.

That’s not weird anymore! We’ll be at the virtual and in-person student org fairs, and we’ll be

holding an “Open Nest” at our office on Sept. 17 in the Vilas Communication Hall, room 2142.

Stop by at 4 p.m. for an information session and brief introduction to our wonder staff.

This is the year we’re all coming back, and we hope to come back stronger than ever. So hunker down with this copy of the Fall Welcome Back Issue, your favorite beverage, a good playlist and see what’s happening on campus. Who knows, maybe you’ll see yourself in these pages!

‘Repair the Lake’ clean-up event honors the Jewish new year

By Anthony Trombi SENIOR STAFF WROTER

Students participated in a Repair the Lake trash cleanup event on Sept. 7, organized by Hillel, Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Conference. The event is a modernized version of the reverse Taschlish, a Jewish ritual observed for Rosh Hashana.

On the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana, Jewish people throw bread crumbs into a body of water to symbolize the casting off of sins in a ritual called Tashlich. Reverse Tashlich adds a modern flair to the Jewish tradition by cleaning up areas around bodies of water, which supports the fundamental Jewish ethical principle Bal Tashchit, meaning do not destroy.

Hillel partnered with both IFC and PHA to hold a reverse Taschlish event and clean the campus and Langdon Street area.

“The practice of Tashlich for the Jewish community is to rid yourself of sin and start fresh in the new year,” Shelby Fosco, director of Jewish Student Life at University of Wisconsin Hillel Foundation said. “So, we thought what a better way to make that a campus community event by cleaning up campus and cleaning up the lakes to celebrate Rosh Hashana as well.”

The event fell the day before the first day of fall instruction, which coincides with Rosh Hashana. Following backlash around the schedule, the first day of the fall semester was not moved. Chancellor Rebecca Blank addressed the scheduling issue, stating “I very much regret this and I have worked to ensure we are taking every action we can to reduce the impact of the conflict.”

“We have so many vocally Jewish members and we wanted to also honor the fact that our school institutionally is set up to make students choose between class and community,” said IFC President Liam McLean. “So we wanted to do something that empowered the Jewish community.”

“Part of what IFC did is that Hillel saw that IFC was working with other Greek life entities that mobilized on the issue,” said McLean. “Hillel recognized that and reached out to us to have a partnered event.”

Students gathered in front of Gordon’s dining hall and began walking in groups towards Lake Mendota and the Langdon Street area. Students picked up any trash they saw on the street, sidewalk or on front lawns.

“I’m here today because I want to support my community

and be able to make a difference of what is being thrown on the ground and into the lake,” Calvin Dong said. “I want to be able to support the community and keep it clean for everyone.”

The majority of COURTESY OF ANTHONY TROMBI IFC and PHA system houses are located on Students walked along the lake, Langdon Street, gener- picking up litter as they went. ating a lot of trash on the weekends and after football games.

“We try our very best to be proactive in addressing community issues and we are also working on the reactive end,” McLean said. “So when we see issues happening we take immediate action with organizing and mobilizing people to do things that help any given situation. When it comes to these issues we have the best infrastructure to resolve it.”

Study abroad: Are we going?

GIRARD, BECKER TO WED

Former Daily Cardinal editors-in-chief Scott Girard and Abigail Becker are getting married in Madison this month! The two Cardinalistas, now both journalists for The Cap Times, are forever grateful for the memories made in 2142 Vilas.

129 years and counting for the Cardinal—here’s hoping our marriage is just as successful!

By Molly Schiff STAFF WRITER

Study abroad — former college students have probably reminisced with you about it, sharing stories about how some of their craziest college experiences took place in a different country.

Your friends have most likely been talking about it since the beginning of freshman year.

Some of you have probably already sent in applications and been accepted to programs.

UW-Madison students have the opportunity to travel to a different country to learn, grow and make memories that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. Many students have always wanted to go abroad, and plan to do so as long as the programs are up and running this spring, craving a change after the year and a half long monotonous pandemic lifestyle.

Abroad is one of the many opportunities for students halted by COVID-19. It was ripped away from students interested in studying abroad during all semesters following the Spring 2020 semester during the initial outbreak of the pandemic.

UW-Madison alumna Ellie Petruska studied abroad in Italy during the start of the

Spring 2020 semester. Her time abroad was cut short after she was sent home in March 2020 during the emergence of COVID-19.

“I was really disappointed and upset to be sent home from abroad when I had already been there for a month and a half,” Petruska said. “I was just starting to get into my routine and the experience was amazing while I was there. [I was] just really sad to be sent home.”

If given the opportunity, many current seniors would have loved to have had a traveling abroad experience during their junior year.

“Going abroad is an experience that allows students to immerse themselves in new cultures, meet people around the world, and develop both personally and professionally. My trip this past spring was cancelled so I am really hoping there will be opportunities abroad in 2022,” said UW-Madison senior Leah Lidsky.

For the time being, study abroad is still set to happen during Spring 2022. In a brief meeting between The Daily Cardinal and an abroad advisor, the advisor noted that certain programs had just been cleared for abroad, and that something drastic would

have to change for those programs to be pulled.

According to the UW-Madison Study Abroad website, there are currently fifty-three programs with open applications. The application deadline for a number of programs has passed, and some have even sent out acceptances. For example, UW in Florence has already started to deliver acceptances to students who applied and is moving ahead as scheduled for the spring. The demonstrated interest in this particular program, and study abroad as a whole, has been right on target with the department’s expectations.

“By early August, approximately 70 spring 2022 programs have started receiving applications. So far, more than 1,300 students have started applications, a very strong response even compared to pre-pandemic interest,” said Steve Barcus, Director of Communications for the UW-Madison International Department. “One of our most popular spring programs, UW in Florence, received a record number of completed applications — 77% more applications than spaces in the program and

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“…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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Thursday, September 9, 2021

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 131, Issue 3

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000

News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editors-in-Chief Addison Lathers

Managing Editor Grace Hodgman

News Team Campus Editor Ellie Nowakowski College Editor Sophia Vento City Editor Jackson Mozena State Editor Emma Grenzebach Associate News Editor Samantha Henschel Features Editor Gina Musso

Special Pages Editor Riley Sumner Opinion Editors Ian-Michael Griffin • Em-J Krigsman Arts Editors Rebecca Perla • Seamus Rohrer Sports Editors Lara Klein • Christian Voskuil Almanac Editors Gillian Rawling • Nick Rawling Photo Editor Irena Clarkowski Graphics Editors Zoe Bendoff • Jessica Levy Science Editor Joyce Ripenhagen • Emily Rohloff Life & Style Editor Samantha Benish Copy Chief Olivia Everett Social Media Manager Clare McManamon Podcast Director Hope Karnopp

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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.

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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.

Editorial Board Ian-Michael Griffin • Grace Hodgman • Em-J Krigsman • Addison Lathers • Anupras Mohapatra • Riley Sumner

Board of Directors Scott Girard, President • Barry Adams • Barbara Arnold • Herman Baumann • Phil Hands • Josh Klemons • Don Miner • Nancy Sandy • Jennifer Sereno

© 2021, The Daily Cardinal Media Corporation ISSN 0011-5398

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Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com.

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For new freshmen, a daunting and exciting fresh start

By Will Cioci SENIOR STAFF WRITER

When asked about the last year and a half of her high school experience, Namita Nair gave a chuckle and a single word: “Nonexistent.”

Nair, who spent her last year and a half at Middleton High School in virtual classes, now sits in the courtyard of Adams residence hall, near her new home in Kronshage residence hall. It’s Labor Day weekend, and alongside some new friends, she is dutifully writing the times and locations of her first college classes in a fresh notebook. Together, they are preparing for something they’re both excited and “not even a little bit” ready for.

“When I think about it, the last time I was, like, in school in school was … the beginning of junior year,” she said. “You can’t

ready for school, because we haven’t done actual school in so long,” she says. “Last year was awful. You couldn’t really see anyone.”

Even the college application process, the focus of junior and senior years for many, felt distant and glazed over, Nair said.

“I felt very lost in the entire process,” she said. “Usually you have your guidance counselors and your teachers there to tell you what to do. I was just given a PowerPoint.”

For many, like new Adams resident Maya Schimelfenyg, the hardships extended far beyond academics.

“It was definitely difficult to pull through some mental stuff and dark spots,” said Schimelfenyg, who hopes to study Spanish and International

COURTESY OF WILL CIOCI

From left to right: Marin Diz, Namita Nair and Cecilia Hiorns, map out their course schedule. offered,” Umali-Grawe said of her friend group, “we were like, ‘Let’s go let’s go let’s go! We want to hang out!’”

Every new student interviewed for this story said they were fully vaccinated, and most have yet to meet anyone on campus who isn’t. Last Thursday, the university announced that the campus community is now 90% vaccinated, with 88% of the student body fully vaccinated.

All unvaccinated students are required by the UW to undergo twice-weekly testing. Masks are also required on campus, including hallways and common spaces in the dorms.

These COVID-19 precautions bring a sigh of relief to freshmen like Poor.

Living in Witte, one of two dorms forced into quarantine by an early surge in cases last fall, Poor was concerned about potential lockdowns until learning more about campus COVID-19 guidelines.

“I’m not super worried. I think Madison has done a good job of being very COVID-cautious, and they just released that [they had a] really high vaccine rate, so that’s really nice,” said Poor.

But unvaccinated students —

someone get COVID-19 and now they’re in quarantine.”

Ultimately, Nair finds comfort in her own vaccination and her ability to avoid people in the dorms who, in her view, aren’t acting responsibly.

“I’m more annoyed about it,” she says. “If it was a bigger population then I would definitely feel unsafe, but I think it’s just two or three people. I just think it’s annoying.”

Looking forward to the fall semester Despite the isolation of the last year — or perhaps because of it — the youngest Badgers are buzzing, ready to explore their new lives as campus seems to return to its usual, busy self. Outside each dorm are new friend groups playing Spikeball, learning the COURTESY OF WILL CIOCI 80’s route, stopping to read chalk Spikeball games were ubiquitous outside the dorms ahead of the advertisements for this or that first day of classes for a new freshman class. student organization.

Nair has been “overwhelmreally equate that to college.”

Studies. “That was kind of the ingly” busy meeting new people Nair and her friends are just first time I had to check myself and attending events in the UW’s some of the thousands of new stu- academically and mentally and Wisconsin Welcome Week prodents arriving at UW-Madison after find a balance there.” gram, something she says isn’t their lives as high school upperFor students like Schimelfeng, normally her style. classmen were turned upside down shared hardship as a result of the “I forced myself to do a 180,” by the COVID-19 pandemic. After pandemic informs their day-toshe says. “I’m forcing myself three semesters of lockdowns, day interactions with new peers to say hello to people because I online classes and stagnation, they and friends. know that I really desperately came looking for a fresh miss being around peostart — new friends, places ple.” and opportunities — in a Poor is already packfall term they hope and ing her schedule and sees believe that it can be norothers doing the same. mal.

She says over 300 people A “nonexistent” signed up for a 60-person senior year tour of the engineering Two days before the school she attended — start of classes, Becca ”people just want to learn Poor sat outside Witte about the campus.”

Residence Hall, already On top of classes, busy with pre-chem Poor hopes to join the homework. She graduEngineering Student ated in the spring from Council, rush a sorority, Woodbury High School attend football games and in Minnesota, after what frequent the Nick. she called ‘a pretty easy “I say I’m not trying year’. to overwhelm myself and “I think teachers knew COURTESY OF WILL CIOCI then list eight things I’m it was hard for a lot of Becca Poor, a Minnesota native and new Witte Hall resident, gets familiar with Canvas trying to do,” she laughs. students so they dialed and works on Chemistry homework ahead of her first day of classes.

“There’s just so much!” back the school work,” the soon-to-be Engineering stu“Pulling through that collec- and positive tests — are still presdent said. “Because [this year] tively, as a generation or a group ent on campus. As of Wednesday Interested in writit’s college-level stuff plus they’re of people, is sort of uplifting,” afternoon, a seven-day average of ing for The Daily not slacking at all, I think it’s she says of her peers. “Among six students were testing positive Cardinal? going to be a lot harder than it people my age that I know, I feel each day, according to the univerEmail editor@dailycardinal. was the last couple years.” like there’s a camaraderie. I feel sity’s COVID-19 dashboard. com Isabella Umali-Grawe, a like I can relate to people on that “There are some people in my We are always welcoming Neurobiology major and new level better.” house who have chosen not to new writers or editors and resident of Sellery residence hall, Vaccine rates, a cause for opti- get vaccinated,” said Nair, the would be excited to have feels the same. mism recent Middleton graduate living you on our team! :) “I don’t think any of us are “As soon as [the vaccine] was in Kronshage. “We recently had

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Madison residents see increase in COVID-19 cases

By Charlie Hildebrand STAFF WRITER

According to PHMDC during the month of August, Dane County experienced more than 1,300 additional COVID-19 cases, largely as a result of the Delta variant of the virus. Officials note that the increase in infections have impacted both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals.

In Dane County, the total number of COVID-19 cases during the course of the pandemic has reached 49,653, according to PHMDC. From Aug. 16-29, the number of cases increased, averaging 105 cases per day. The number of cases among individuals who aren’t fully vaccinated increased by 25%, and 27% of those cases were children under 12, according to Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Data released by PHMDC shows that cases among unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals have reached levels comparable to cases in April of 2021, with cases among fully vaccinated individuals having reached an unprecedented high.

The significant increase in cases among vaccinated residents is due to both an increase in testing and the higher transmissibility of the delta variant in comparison to past

+ABROAD ... 28% more applications than the previous record high total, which was pre-COVID.” Barcus highlighted that the International Department is taking measures to ensure that traveling abroad is as safe as possible for students. According to Barcus, the safety and sentiments of security from students choosing to go abroad is the department’s number one priority. After having to send students home in the spring of 2020 and having to suspend the spring 2021 programs, the department is doing all they can to guarantee these programs will be up-and-running safely for the Spring 2022 semester.

“We have opened programs on an individual basis, allowing staff to assess health and safety conditions for each location and program,” Barcus said. “As health and safety remain our number one priority, we continue to monitor conditions and make modifications to programs as needed to best support our students.”

variants, the PHMDC explained in a blog post.

“First, this variant is much more effective at spreading than previous strains of COVID,” the post explained. “Second, recent higher rates among people who are fully vaccinated may partially be due to more people getting tested since the arrival of the delta variant. Third, and this is still under study, may be waning immunity — or immunity that wears off months or years after someone gets vaccinated.”

Compared to fully vaccinated people, individuals who were not fully vaccinated were 2.5 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, the state department said.

Released PHDMC data indicates that there were 1,472 COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals and 8,020 among unvaccinated individuals in Dane County between Feb. 2021 and Aug. 17, 2021.

The PHDMC explained in a public statement that vaccinated Dane county residents who have been infected have experienced less severe symptoms and been vaccinated at a much lower rate than their unvaccinated counterparts.

“In the event of an infection among people who are fully vaccinated, severe outcomes (hospitalization and death) are rare,” said PHMDC.

Many UW-Madison students are taking the opportunity to go abroad and running with it.

Traveling to a new place and immersing yourself in a new culture catalyzes both academic and personal growth in a way most students have never experienced before.

“I’m so excited to study abroad because I think it’ll change the way I view the world,” said

“I’m excited to study abroad and I hope it doesn’t get cancelled because I think a lot of people value it...”

Nia Diaby Junior

UW-Madison junior Kelsey Barrett. “Being immersed in a dif-

“In the event of an infection among people who are fully vacinated, severe outcomes...are rare.”

PHMDC

In response to the increase in cases, the PHDMC reinstituted an indoor mask mandate on Aug. 19 in order to curb the rising infection rate. The new mandate is due to expire on Sept. 19 but may be renewed if infection rates do not noticeably decrease.

In a public statement, Janel Heinrich, the director of PHMDC, urged Dane county residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“As cases continue to increase, requiring face coverings is an easy added layer of protection to further help keep people safe, including our youngest children not yet eligible to be vaccinated,” Heinrich said.

ferent culture is a valuable experience and I feel lucky and grateful to be able to do so.”

While many students have not experienced normalcy at UW-Madison for a year and a half, many are holding onto the possibility of traveling abroad and are scared of losing another pivotal college experience. Junior Nia Diaby expressed how important the prospect of studying abroad in the spring is to her.

“I’m excited to study abroad and I hope it doesn’t get cancelled because I think a lot of people value it as a learning experience that you can only get in college,” Diaby said.

As of now, study abroad programs through UW-Madison are scheduled to happen during the Spring 2022 semester. While the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continue to change with varying positive case numbers and new variants, the UW-Madison community remains optimistic for future semesters.

COURTESY OF BRENNA REA

COURTESY OF KAITLYN VETO

The city must keep a watchful eye as variants cause spike in COVID-19 cases.

Students returning to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus have furthered concerns of a continued increase in COVID19 cases, particularly in the wake of student-related mass gatherings such as the recent Badger football game where masks were not required in the outdoor stadium.

As of Sept. 8, 72.8% of Dane County residents are either partially or fully vaccinated, the highest vaccination rate among all Wisconsin counties. Ken Van Horn, the testing director at Public Health Madison & Dane County,

announced that the county has averaged more than 2,300 tests per day since late August.

“While we always want people experiencing symptoms to get tested, demand for COVID-19 testing is likely to grow as more businesses and event organizers are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test,” Van Horn said in a City of Madison update.

Dane County continues to offer free COVID-19 testing locations, including the Public Health clinic, local pharmacies and other community test sites.

Arts Cleanse your sins with Kanye’s album l

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

By Seamus Rohrer ARTS EDITOR

Kanye West is a new man.

Or should we call him Ye, as that’s what he officially applied to change his name to. Whether anyone calls him that or not, it’s just one of the many changes the man formerly known as Kanye West has gone through since his last release, JESUS IS KING in 2019.

It’s fitting that Kanye finished Donda living in Mercedes Benz Stadium, where the Atlanta Falcons play, because coming off JESUS IS KING is comparable to coming off blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. But there’s been plenty of other headlines swirling around the media circus that follows Kanye. Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from him in February, ending the reign of the superstar power couple.

He lost a presidential election, but was barely on any states’ ballots to begin with. He also reportedly got friend-zoned by a Russian model.

But it hasn’t been all bad for Kanye. In March, he became the estimated richest Black American ever. Netflix acquired the rights to a documentary series about him, and that will surely build his reputation and influence as much as his ego and vanity.

Unfortunately for the increasingly dwindling crowd who are able to look past this publicity drama and concerning behavior, the music of Kanye West continues to decline with Donda, which dropped after lots of speculation and tabloid chatter.

The album, though clearly following its own vision and direction, is sprawling with collaborations. Many renowned producers, like Mike Dean, 88 Keys, and Wheezy have credits

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across the whole 27-song tracklist. There’s vocal features on almost every song, with Kanye nearly taking a backseat role lyrically. It still feels like Kanye, but the myriad of different voices pull you away from that.

Kanye knows how to produce for his features, and he’s

ed out the swear words on his guests’ vocals, considering some of the outrageous things he used to say. It’s also hilarious he actually used the line “The devil my opp.” For someone whose vocals have been such a critical part of their music, from the witty, skillful lyrics

COURTESTY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Kanye calls on dozens of collaborators for features on 'Donda' very familiar with their sound.

Despite Donda having its own distinctly-focused sound, Kanye is able to warp it to compliment his guests. He does this particularly well on “Junya,” bending the church-style organ used throughout the album into a perfect beat for Playboi Carti.

Though he somehow barely raps through almost two hours of music, Kanye’s flow hasn’t fallen off when he does. On “Off The Grid”, he rhymes deftly over a pumping drill beat, while also letting features Fivio Foreign and Playboi Carti shine on their own.

The lyrics are another story.

Even the harder hitting flows on the album have heavy Christian undertones. This doesn’t necessarily diminish the raps themselves but at the very least it’s mightily distracting. It gets very preachy at points. Repeatedly hearing lines like “God please make it alright” 11 songs in with 16 songs to go is draining.

It’s funny that Kanye edit-

to actual vocal style (mostly just mispronouncing words), classic Kanye vocals are sorely missed on Donda.

Classic Kanye production is also lacking. In recent years, his producing style has been shifting from chopped up soul beats to more of a darker, organ and synth bass sound. Track three, “God Breathed”, is reminiscent of other recent Kanyeproduced bass-heavy songs like “All Mine” off of Ye and “Come Back Baby” with Pusha T in 2018.

Those songs, however, were in a transition period. Now, Kanye has fully embraced the sound he’s been creeping towards for years. Donda’s organs and lower register synths give it a dramatic, gospel feel. The beats are technically well-produced, albeit rather simple. That simplicity shines briefly on “Tell the Vision,” when a single measure of a menacing piano loop backs some cut-up Pop Smoke vocals.

It’s a refreshing change of pace (only 19 songs in), ironically featuring no Kanye besides shared production credits.

As a listener, it’s highly regrettable that Kanye’s breakup with Kim Kardashian didn’t come in his earlier musical phases. Had that happened earlier, his breakup song could’ve been a funky, heartbreaking soul sample over some classic Ye wit.

Instead, “Lord I need you” has lines like “Too many complaints made it hard for me to think / Would you shut up? I can’t hear myself drink” over a flat-out uninspiring beat.

Kanye also assures Kim several times throughout the song that “God got me baby, god got the children.” Ah, what could’ve been.

One of the many things that made earlier Kanye albums like Graduation and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy great is

that they’re relatively short, around 13 tracks. They can be listened to all the way through because there’s no excess, no filler. Each song is crucial.

With Donda, there’s a serious replayability issue. Even if it was prime Kanye and almost all 27 songs were masterful and enticing, very few people have the patience today to sit through an album that clocks in at nearly two hours.

Kanye West is a new man...

Ye, I mean. And Donda is very much a reflection of that. Even if you don’t mind the overbearing Christian overtones, it’s hard to deny that Kanye is straying further and further from his musical prime.

There’s no telling what comes next for Kanye, as unpredictability is his only consistent trait. Musically, there’s still flashes of brilliance — though let’s hope this is rock bottom.

COURTESTY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

With recent releases, Kanye West has transformed his sound.

Waxhatachee set to play The Sylvee this Friday 9/10

By Emily Knepple SENIOR WRITER

COURTESTY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Katie Crutchfield will bring her alternative blues sound to The Sylvee.

Following the release of her fifth studio album Saint Cloud in March of 2020, Katie Crutchfield aka Waxahatchee is set to perform this Friday at The Sylvee. An album decorated with nature motifs, a chilling sense of calmness and an ode to the ones she loves, Saint Cloud is a bluesy album that is perfect for the changing of the seasons.

Saint Cloud offers listeners a different story compared to her past work. Written immediately after her decision to get sober, this album offers a clearer, more honest perspective on her own personal battles and the promise of introspection. The album is full of small odes to the power of sobriety. The first line of the opening track “Oxbow” reads; “Barna in white/married the night.” In previous interviews,

Crutchfield says that ‘Barna’ is a reference to the city of Barcelona, where she decided to quit drinking. Crutchfield, an Alabama native, has since moved to Kansas City, where she lives with her long-time partner, Kevin Morby.

Saint Cloud is an 11-track journey to a better tomorrow, constantly reminding us that there’s beauty in complete transparency. The Waxahatchee show this weekend requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and all fans will be required to wear a mask, according to The Sylvee’s website. Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster, so get yours now and don’t miss out on a night of much-needed selfexamination.

sports Berger’s absence puzzling in UW’s opening week loss to Penn State l

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

By Simon Farber SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Among many things that had Badgers fans scratching their head during No. 12 Wisconsin’s 16-10 loss to No. 19 Penn State Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, one concern stood out most — where in the world was Jalen Berger?

Berger, the sophomore running back from the New Jersey pipeline, established himself as the team’s top ball-carrier last season thanks to break out performances against Michigan and Northwestern in which he compiled 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.

He doesn’t profile as the type of heavy-usage back like Jonathan Taylor and others before him, so it wasn’t too much of a concern when Wisconsin announced Clemson transfer Chez Mellusi at the top of the depth chart earlier in the week.

After all, Berger was not listed on the injury report. Expectations were for Mellusi and Berger to split carries, with Berger being the higher-leverage option throughout the game. Berger’s Saturday statline, however, told a much different story.

Zero carries, zero yards.

Zero snaps.

Especially in a losing effort, the absence of UW’s most dynamic

playmaker was glaring, and head coach Paul Chryst didn’t provide a whole lot of answers postgame.

“Just because [Berger] didn’t play doesn’t mean he’s doing something wrong,” Chryst told the media Saturday afternoon. “It’s also that we liked what [Mellusi] did and [Isaac Guerendo] did.”

To his credit, Mellusi perfectly filled the heavy-usage running back role that Chryst has been employing for more than a halfdecade. The junior topped his entire 2020 output (27 carries) on Saturday with 31 rushes for 121 yards and Wisconsin’s lone touchdown score. Getting the remainder of Wisconsin’s rushing attempts was junior Isaac Guerendo, who put together a solid game himself — 13 carries for 56 yards.

It was enough to keep the offense moving consistently, but neither Mellusi nor Guerendo showed much of that big-play explosiveness like Berger did time and time again with his snaps last season –– one of the reasons fans and scouts alike are dreaming of Berger as the next Badger headed to the NFL. On Saturday, however, Chryst didn’t even see Berger as one of the top two backs on the roster.

“The way the game played out, we weren’t thinking we needed to

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go with three [running backs] at the time,” Chryst said Monday of Berger’s absence in the opener.

It’s possible that Berger was dealing with a minor injury and simply wasn’t listed on the injury report as gamesmanship. He featured heavily throughout summer camp and was taking first-team reps as recently as one week before the season opener.

To suggest that Chryst held out the uber-talented running back for skill reasons alone might be, quite frankly, insulting to Chryst and how he’s built lineups over the years. When Berger broke out last fall, Chryst was comfortable riding the then-freshman as RB1 over veterans Nakia Watson and Garrett Groshek.

Yet one way or another, Berger was not part of the game plan in week one.

While rumors of a possible transfer swirl on message boards, it’s worth noting that Berger did attend classes Wednesday, according to a Twitter photo posted by Wisconsin Athletics Learning Specialist Danielle Straw. In the image, Berger is shown holding a small sign celebrating the first day of school. Next to a prompt asking his wish for the year, in bright blue letters, Berger wrote simply: “Win the Big Ten.”

BRANDON HARRISON /UW ATHLETICS

Jalen Berger (left) and Chez Mellusi (right) during summer camp.

Despite many thinking the two would split carries, Berger didn't play a single down in Saturday's loss 16-10 to Penn State.

Breaking down the COVID-19 extra year of eligibility

By Lara Klein SPORTS EDITOR

TOM LYNN/WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

UW volleyball star Dana Rettke is one of many Wisconsin athletes taking advantage of the extra COVID year, starting her fifth season this year.

With fall sports starting back up, Badger fans might be surprised to see some of their favorite athletes returning to play for an extra year.

Last October, the NCAA announced that they would be granting all Division I fall and winter sport athletes an extra year of eligibility, regardless of whether they competed in the 2020-21 season.

Typically, student athletes are granted five years to play four seasons of their sport; However, due to the non-traditional 2020-21 sports season caused by COVID-19, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) extended this eligibility to six years.

The extension is two-fold, including both a season competition waiver and an eligibility extension. The season of competition waiver ensures that none of the 2020-21 fall or winter sports seasons count towards an athlete’s year of eligibility — whether the athlete competed or not. The extension of eligibility gives students the opportunity to return for an extra year.

The waiver and eligibility extension are valid for all athletes, whether they were freshmen or had initially expected to graduate in 2021.

These new rules the NCAA set in place will impact team rosters and recruiting practic-

es for the next few years, but what immediate impacts can Wisconsin sports fans expect to see?

This fall, Wisconsin football and women’s volleyball will both benefit from the return of several players who were expected to graduate last May. The Badger’s defense has eight returning seniors, including three safeties, two cornerbacks, two line-backers and a defensive end. Wide receivers Kendric Pryor and Jack Dunn are the only two seniors returning to play for the Badger’s offense.

While their former teammates move on to compete in the NFL or to begin their respective careers, these athletes’ leadership and experience on the field could help the Badgers performance this season.

Wisconsin’s number-2 ranked women’s volleyball team has five returning seniors this year, including star player Dana Rettke. Rettke, a middleblocker, is joined by accomplished setter Sydney Hilley, libero Lauren Barnes, outside hitter Grace Loberg and defensive specialist Giorgia Civita.

Considering the high-level of success these girls were able to achieve on the court last year, the Badgers should be able to pull off another winning season with the return of some of the best players in the conference.

Deciding whether or not to return for an extra season of eligibility isn’t an easy choice for student athletes to make.

Factors such as financial aid, career opportunities and a student’s academic prospects all need to be considered.

“Navigating this environment was something no one has ever really had to do before and I wanted to make sure I did the best job possible, looking at all my options and deciding what would be best for me,” Rettke said. “This was an opportunity that I didn’t want to miss out on. That’s just kind of where my heart fell, knowing that this is it for college. Pro volleyball can wait a little bit.”

“This was an opportunity that I didn’t want to miss out on.”

Dana Rettke Returning athlete

Wisconsin athletics will continue to see the effects of eligibility extensions this year.

Wisconsin fans can still root on returning players this year and Badger fans get the chance to cheer on some of their favorite athletes for an extra season.

It’s a win-win for both parties that should make this year something very special.

photo Snapper’s Row: A week in photos dailycardinal.com

Thursday, September 9, 2021

PHOTOS BY IRENA CLARKOWSKI/THE DAILY CARDINAL

On September 3, 2021, WSUM Student Radio hosted Party in the Park, a community wide music festival at James Madison Park.

Chicago native Serena Isioma headlines Party in the Dark and concludes the night with a variety of unique, genre-bending songs.

Gentle Brontosaurus, a Madison native quintet, follows with indie pop music to dance to in the rain.

The crowd hyped up the performing artists, waving their arms and making some well-deserved noise.

Madison-based artist Deryk G. gets the crowd dancing with his funky and energetic songs.

Minneapolis-based artist Bobby Kabeya (Miloe) shares his dreamy pop-rock music.

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

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Facebook Aunts and Uncles Across the Country Poison Themselves With Livestock Medicine to Own the Libs

By Nick Rawling ALMANAC EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLIKR

Disclaimer: I fully recognize that this fruit is as low-hanging as it gets, and frankly, it feels like cheating for me to use it as Almanac material. But I had writer’s block, and my only other idea involved vivid descriptions of Ruth Bader Ginsberg banging Antonin Scalia in the Afterlife, so you’re welcome.

Thanks to Uncle Sam’s efforts to hoard the vaccine from the rest of the world, every American over the age of 12 has access to a safe, effective, and free treatment to prevent them from contracting and spreading the Coronavirus.

Naturally, Americans are completely ignoring that treatment and instead eating entire packages of their dog’s

Heartgard on the advice of a construction worker they went to high school with.

In a quack effort to prevent or treat COVID-19 as new cases rise, hundreds of Americans, including Joe Rogan, have taken to ingesting Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug frequently used in livestock (such as horses). As a result, the American Association of Poison Control Centers have reported a 163% increase in calls for Ivermectin poisoning this year (so far).

Despite there being little to no clinical evidence of its efficacy, your aunt Linda swears by it.

“Why in the world would I take Biden’s vaccine after he stole the presidency,” she recently commented for no reason on your mom’s

recent Facebook post featuring a terrible picture of you.

(I suppose confusion is a side-effect.)

But it’s not just Gen X Trump Disciples putting horse-paste onto white bread like spam — some of their kids are doing it too.

“If someone as smart as Joe Rogan is taking it, there must be something to it,” said Josh White, a UW-Madison student who wouldn’t shut up about crypto-currency during our interview. He then asked, “have you seen my juul anywhere?”

Unfortunately, until further research is done, there’s no good reason to believe that Ivermectin will do anything for Josh or Linda besides make them shit their brains out.

Gun shop giving out punch cards for mass shootings

By Mackenzie Moore ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR

It’s a tradition older than the fries on the floor of a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix. For decades, many businesses have offered their loyal customers punch cards to reward them for emptying their pockets for products that likely cost the same amount to produce as the slip of paper itself. Often, however, the punch cards go missing before they’re able to be completed. One business has decided to change that.

Good Guys Gun Shop, located in Muskego, WI, decided over the weekend to start giving out punch cards of its own. However, customers wouldn’t get a free box of bullets just for purchasing items from the store. Instead, the hole punches are earned by something much more consistent - mass shootings.

“Business has been a little slow since most of our clientele stockpiled ammunition in March 2020, then November 2020 and again just this past January.

Nobody really needs to buy bullets anymore, but as long as they’re free, people will take them. At this point, I kind of just want to make room for more cool stuff,” said owner Jim Rickles.

This goal is expected to be achieved quickly, as there have been at least 147 of these events in the United States since the beginning of 2021.

“At first, I thought it was a fluke,” said Rickles.

“You know, people letting off steam from last year.

But then I heard about that shooting at the FedEx in Indianapolis, and my first thought was ‘Hey, I think I could benefit from this!”

The small business owner described the outpouring of

support he has received from the community since the punch cards were made available as “almost heart-thawing.”

“If anyone needs to feel the love right now, it’s probably me,” said Rickles. “ Just this last Sunday, the McDouble I’d been saving for the last few weeks went stale. Then, I got injured when I was testing out my homemade bulletproof pants. Now, thanks to those dirty commies in Washington and their handouts to the lazy folks, I’m in medical debt.”

Rickles was unable to elaborate on this statement.

For those concerned, the man stated that he doesn’t vote, as he “actually kind of needs those food stamps” and that this was on the record because “people don’t read much around here anyway.”

UW sorority facing backlash after tasteless party theme

By Gillian Rawling ALMANAC EDITOR

GRAPHIC BY HANNAH KENNEDY

A cornerstone Greek life tradition for UW-Madison sorority chapters is bid day. All the PNMs open their bid envelopes to find out their fated new ‘sisters’, which ends in either excited screams or destitute tears, after which the girls are told to “run home” to celebrate their newfound comradery.

While themes vary greatly —from the “But-

terfly effect” to “Welcome to the storm”— Madison house Delta Delta Delta took a bolder approach than ever before.

In large letters on a banister hanging in front of the pearly white exterior of the tri delta sorority read their simple but impactful bid day theme: “The Tri-Delta variant.”

“It was probably one of the biggest surprises I’ve ever had” said one new member, recounting how after she ar-

rived at tri delta for her bid day celebration she was asked to “remove her mask” and “join hands” with her new sisters.

The Madison sorority is facing standards council as higher ups describe the event as “irresponsible”, “tasteless” and “questionable, to say the least.”

“I honestly couldn’t tell you why we’re in trouble,” said one junior member that organized the party. “We were being activists and

bringing awareness to the new delta strain of COVID — we even had a photobooth set up for our instagram stories!”

Meanwhile during this pointless display of neglect to basic health, protests and change. org petitions continue to sweep nationwide as Fiji houses in Iowa and University of Nebraska-Omaha face minimal repercussions for sexual misconduct allegations. At least we know where Greek life priorities lie.

We’re always looking for more funny and insightful writers with fresh takes on topics ranging from the UW campus to international news. We accept and encourage creative submissions as well! Any and all submissions are more than welcome. You can send your submissions and any comments or questions to almanac@dailycardinal.com. All articles featured in Almanac are creative, satirical and/or entirely fictional pieces. They are fully intended as such and should not be taken seriously as news.

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By Danielle Farina STAFF WRITER

As Badgers flock to campus for the beginning of a new school year, we are reminded of the wealth of opportunities offered by the university and its surrounding city. With a diverse catalog of courses that are undoubtedly influenced by Madison’s idiosyncratic culture, UW-Madison students have a host of unique resources at their disposal.

That being said, it’s easy to neglect the abundance of student organizations at UW when already faced with the overwhelming feat of balancing schoolwork and city life. Student orgs, however, are the perfect cocktail of these two beloved aspects of being a Badger; serving as a bridge between students and their community. With nearly 900 student organizations on campus, finding an organization that interests you can certainly be difficult. I have curated a list of just some of these amazing student organizations with details on how to get involved, in hopes of making the search that much easier!

1. Wisconsin Union Directorate Student-Run Papers The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) sponsors five student-run journals and magazines, offering a

creative outlet for students looking to gain hands-on experience in journalistic fields such as writing, editing, publishing and art-making. The five publications are: Moda, a fashion and lifestyle magazine Emmie, a music focused magazine and blog The Dish, a foodie magazine detailing affordable restaurants and recipes Souvenirs, a blog displaying student photography and articles centered around traveling Illumination, a literary magazine that publishes creative writing and art Each publication has its own website with links that detail how to get involved or join staff. Most do not have an application process and are always looking for contributing members! You can find the link to each individual website on the WUD publications website.

2. Badgers Acts of Kindness The purpose of this org is simple: to spread acts of kindness throughout campus and the Madison community. Some of the organization’s most notable activities include handing out treats to students as they exit exams, placing inspirational notes in random spots on campus, bringing cookies to selected classes and so much more. Commitment to this organization

is relatively low, with just one meeting and one event every month. There is no application process, and you can sign up by emailing them at badgeractsofkindness@gmail.com.

3. AreaRED With five unique student sections for five Wisconsin sports teams, AreaRED serves to connect UW students and athletes to create a more meaningful dynamic at sporting events. In addition to this heightened spectator experience, AreaRED also hosts events where athletes and members can socialize on a personal level. Members must be passionate UW sports fans and show dedicated attendance to various sports. To become a member, students must sign up for access to the newsletter and details on special events. Sign up can be found on their website.

The aforementioned organizations are just a glimpse into the extensive selection of opportunities offered to students on campus. To browse these programs in their entirety, you can visit the Wisconsin Involvement Network website.

The possibilites are endless when it comes to UW-Madison, and finding the perfect org fits right into that.

Welcome back to school Badgers, and happy browsing!

How to enjoy the new semester

By Megan Girod STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY IRENA CLARKOWSKI/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Langdon street, known for hosting UW-Madison's Greek life, is brought to life during rush week.

A look into Greek rush week

By Kelsey Barrett STAFF WRITER

UW-Madison is home to 25 different Greek life houses and is made up of over 4,000 members. These Greek organizations pride themselves on their brotherhood, sisterhood, philanthropy and their ability to allow students to lead.

While Greek life presents a world of opportunity, there is a process that potential new members must go through in order to become a member of a certain chapter. This process is called “rush,” and the goal is for potential new members — also known as PNM’s — to find the best chapter for them. Likewise, chapters are able to find PNM’s that would suit them the best. It’s almost like a matchmaking process, but there’s a lot of behind-thescenes work that allows rush to run smoothly.

For the majority of the summer — and the entirety of welcome week — members on the executive boards of all Greek life houses prepare for rush. Current members of sororities are expected to be on campus a week before

school starts in order to participate in “work week.” This week-long event is dedicated to preparation for the upcoming rush events, but it is also a week to bond with other members in the chapter and have fun.

Emma Sueiro is the vice president of recruitment for the Kappa Alpha Theta chapter. Emma’s role is to organize her chapter’s rush and to teach other members what to do. “After this unconventional year, being the VP of recruitment has given me the opportunity to rekindle and spark new relationships,” Sueiro said. “It has been an extremely busy but fulfilling job.”

Like sorority rush, fraternity rush aims to bring together a group of individuals with common interests and goals. However, the process of fraternity rush is a little different and less structured than sorority rush.

The PNM’s socialize with different fraternities until they eventually receive a bid. If they receive more than one bid, they then decide which fraternity they would like to

join. The process is based on building a strong connection.

In the end, both the chapters and potential new members are looking to find a good fit. Louis Schaller, one of the rush chairs for the Chi Psi fraternity stated, “I was really honored to be elected by my fellow brothers to be on the rush committee. I’m really excited to have a significant role in finding new members that will be a good fit for our Lodge brotherhood.”

If you decide to rush, the best advice I can give is to always be yourself and to try to avoid entering the rush processes with any expectations.

You may think one chapter is right for you during the first round and think completely differently by the last round.

Greek life is a great way to get involved on campus and make new friends.

UW-Madison provides great opportunities to put yourself out there and push yourself out of your comfort zone, and Greek life is a great way to do that!

Kelsey is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

Being back on campus can be overwhelming for students, especially as we transition back from our COVID-19 hiatus. A staggering amount of things to do on campus can make it difficult to figure out what to take on for the semester. To help, here are some tips and tricks to get involved on and around campus!

1. Go to the Org Fair The Organization Fair is held every year in the Kohl Center. This year, it is held in-person on Tuesday, September 14 from 4:00 p.m.

- 9:00 p.m. and virtually on Thursday, September 23 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m..

It offers the opportunity for students to walk around and interact with current clubs and organizations on campus. Interested or passionate about something? There’s almost certainly a club for it.

From fantasy sports teams to dance groups, a little bit of everything is represented

at the Org Fair. It is a great introduction to all the different and unique things to do on campus. You’ll for sure want to join in on the fun!

2. Go to events at Memorial Union and Union South The Unions offer a lot more than just amazing food.

Throughout the year, each location hosts an array of engaging and interesting activities such as events held by the WheelHouse (schedule updated weekly), Badger Fest 2021 (9/8/21) or Badger Bashes held before home football games.

These events are available to students for little to no cost, and they provide awesome opportunities to meet others with a common area of interest.

3. Join a FIG A First Year Interest Group, otherwise known as a FIG, is offered exclusively to incoming freshmen. They are clusters of usually three courses linked together with a common theme, acting as a gateway for a smooth transition into college coursework.

For example, there are FIGs for topics such as Diversity in Special Education, Exploring Biology and Food Cultures of Italy. Additionally, FIGs allow freshmen to have a sort of “anchor group” rather than being alone in a big lecture hall. Because there is one main focus class and two or three supplemental classes, it is a nice option for freshmen to gauge their interest in topics they may not have thought about before.

4. Try a new sport UW’s very own RecWell provides great experiences for students, including intramural and club sports. UW-Rec sports offers everything from rugby, field hockey, soccer, FIFA on Xbox and even innertube water polo!

Whether you are just a beginner or a seasoned professional, there is a sport on campus for you. There are countless opportunities throughout the year to sign up, and it allows for a great way to hang with friends and meet new people.

JESSICA LEVY/THE DAILY CARDINAL

science I just think they’re neat: Possums dailycardinal.com

By Helena Wehrs STAFF WRITER

While many North American residents see possums as overgrown rats, I argue that this opinion is an insult to these uniquely beautiful creatures.

Most know the United States’ only marsupial for its ability to play dead in the presence of predators or, say, an incoming motor vehicle. However, their dramatics should not be held against them, as possums unfortunately cannot control when they play dead, as it is an involuntary stress response. Imagine if you dropped to the floor every time you had a pop quiz!

Possums provide a number of invaluable ecosystem services, and should be praised for their work. They are rife with wonderful qualities — in addition to their macabre evasive maneuvers, they emit a foul odor to further deter predators.

The fatal facsimile is complete with 4-D effects.

Possums release these odorous compounds through glands in a variety of situations to communicate to mates, their young, predators and other threats.

They also hiss and make clicking sounds to communicate — just like my roommate.

As an additional advantage against predators, they are immune to most snake venom in their range, except for the coral snake. Scientists have been studying the protein that binds and neutralizes the toxins. This protein has allowed possums to

Thursday, September 9, 2021

add snakes to their diet.

Another welcome addition to their diet are ticks. Possums eat more than 90% of the ticks that attach to them and eat more than 5,000 in a single season.

Their immune system is also highly resistant to Lyme disease, so they are less likely than most mammals to contract and spread the disease.

These wonderful little guys are marsupials, which are mammals that carry their underdeveloped young in pouches.

Marsupials have a lower body temperature than placental mammals, which make up the vast majority of mammals in North America. This lower body temperature is often not suitable for the rabies virus, so they very rarely carry or transmit rabies — unlike my roommate.

For years the reproductive systems of possums were mind-boggling to European colonizers. Female possums have two uteri and two vaginal tracts, and the male has a forked penis. These systems are typical of marsupials, but since they are the only marsupial north of Mexico this was quite strange to the colonizers. The unique genitalia of the possum led many to conclude that male possums impregnated the females through their nose. Gross!

Like other marsupials, possums are pouch-bearing mammals. When they are born, possums are about the size of honeybees, but they have very

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Possums are valuable animals. They eat ticks and rarely carry or transmit the rabies virus. muscular front legs to crawl into their mother’s pouch. They stay in the pouch for about two months, and afterwards they ride on their mother’s back or stay in the den until they are fully weaned.

Now, to settle the debate once and for all: Possum and opos-

sum when used to refer to the Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana, are both correct terms and recognized by Merriam Webster. However, in Australia, a possum refers to a completely different animal that shares few similarities with the Virginia opossum, and is way, way cuter.

In summation: possums are immune to (most) snake venom.

They rarely get rabies. They eat ticks. They have a signature smell and are wonderful actors.

They are important to their ecosystems and do a great deal of good, and, above all, I just think they’re neat.

Isthmus History: How the land between the lakes came to be

By Jo Riphagen SCIENCE EDITOR

There are many unique things about the city of Madison, located in the southern central part of Wisconsin on unseated Ho-Chunk territory. Beyond its rich local music scene and characteristic dining (cheese curds galore!)

Madison is situated on a geographically unique piece of land — the Isthmus, a thin strip running between Lakes Mendota and Monona. The only other major US city built on an isthmus is Seattle, WA. Isthmuses form in a variety of ways, often by tectonic plate movements or volcanic activity. Madison, however, is not near a fault line, nor are we near any volcanoes (tragically). So what formed this beloved land? And what did it look like without its signature waterways?

Many millions of years ago, the land around Madison was markedly different. The earliest recorded Wisconsin fossils come from the Precambrian era, and there are massive volumes of Cambrian era fossils.

These fossils are marine in nature, reflecting Wisconsin’s landscape at the time. The state was covered in water, home to creatures like trilobites and gastropods — commonly known as snails and slugs — that occupied the

shallow inland sea that the state was sinking into.

Slowly, Wisconsin emerged from the sea, though other bodies of water would periodically advance and retreat over the land until about 400 million years ago. The state was then shaped by erosion until the advance of the next Ice Age. Like much of Wisconsin, the land around Madison was shaped by glaciation, or the slow movement of masses of ice over the land. During glaciation, glaciers carve out depressions in the land.

Often these depressions are then filled with water from the retreating icebergs. The Wisconsin glaciation, which was the most recent north american glacial period, occurred between 75,000 and 11,000 years ago.

Though plant and animal life was scarce during the Ice Age due to much of the landmass being covered by the glacier, it was not completely absent. Mammoths tramped across the tundra, feeding on the grasses.

It was during the Wisconsin glaciation that Lakes Mendota and Monona were formed, though they and the other lakes of the region were once one massive lake that stretched from the Northern shore of Mendota all the way

down to Stoughton.

This massive lake, which existed for a span of about 1000 years, eventually split into multiple smaller lakes because of falling water levels, leaving behind Mendota, Monona, Kegonsa, Waubesa and the iconic isthmus.

The first people known to have occupied the isthmus were the indigenous moundbuilders, who shaped the land by building elaborate burial and effigy mounds across the region. These people are considered by many to be direct ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people, who lived in the Teejop, now known as the Four Lakes region, until they were forced out by white settlers.

The isthmus is now home to Wisconsin’s Capitol building. However, Madison was not the original seat of the state capitol. Judge and land speculator James Doty, for whom Doty street is named, toured the area in 1829 and became so enamored with the land that he purchased much of it, eventually persuading the territorial legislature to make this place the new capital in 1836.

Doty named the new city for James Madison, and the very next year, the first white settlers moved in, eventually forcing the native Ho-Chunk out, though indigenous people

BRYCE RICHTER / UW MADISON

The isthmus may feel timeless, but it is geologically a baby camped along the lakes into the 1940s.

Some geologists have begun referring to our current epoch as the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is marked by significant human impact on Earth’s geology and climate, such as anthropogenic climate change. Madison has not escaped the symptoms of the Anthropocene — as it sits on an ever-changing landform, the Madison we know today is complex and evolving. Our isthmus is home to a growing population of students and locals from all corners of the globe, each of whom contributes to the cultural, historical and environmental evolution

of Teejop.

Much of the anthropogenic change up until now has been negative. Wild rice is threatened by pollution and the majority of the moundbuilder’s effigies have been destroyed. However, Madison has always been home to those most willing to make a difference in their community, and, in geological time scales, the Anthropocene has only just begun.

Interested in writing for our science section? Email us at science@dailycardinal.com!

science Is the university ready for the delta variant? dailycardinal.com

Thursday, September 9, 2021

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UHS has resumed testing in a new format for Fall 2021

By Addison Lathers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On May 26, 2021, the New York Times made the last update to its COVID-19 tracker for U.S. colleges and universities — the first full school year since the pandemic began had come to an end.

The University of WisconsinMadison may not have medalled for most cases of coronavirus in the country, but it did come in fourth with 7,708.

Pre-delta, the university’s rates of COVID-19 exploded when students returned to campus. It joined the ranks of COVID frontrunners such as Ohio State, the University of Florida and Indiana University-Bloomington. The NYT also found itself covering UW-Madison again amidst the shutdowns of two of its largest dormitories. Without a vaccine mandate, and fewer precautions and restrictions taken than last

spring, the university almost seems like it’s marching head-on towards a repeat of last fall.

There is still hope: UW has reached a 90% vaccination rate among its campus population and will be requiring masks indoors. But will it be enough?

Ajay Sethi, an expert in epidemiology and population health and associate professor at UW-Madison, believes that the university is well prepared for an in-person fall semester, but that it may see some hiccups along the way.

“We don’t know how [Delta] spreads exactly; we do know it spreads a lot in comparison to other variants,” Sethi said.

“Infected individuals put out more of the virus and that will affect how it spreads.”

Sethi pointed to last fall’s outbreak, noting that if the university does experience a similar spread of the virus as classes

resume, that it may be able to get a handle on its case numbers by the winter. However, with the Delta variant in play, these cases may be more resistant.

He also noted that achieving a high rate of vaccination among students will no longer be enough to ensure that “herd immunity” is reached on campus. Herd immunity entails protection from infectious disease that can occur when a big enough percentage of a population becomes immune to infection through vaccination or previous infections. As long as current vaccines do not stop the virus entirely, achieving this level of immunity when the highly infectious delta variant is spreading is not likely to happen.

Because of this, Sethi believes that the virus is not likely to disappear any time soon.

“At this point, there is no such thing as herd immunity,” he clarified. “I actually have dis-

couraged the use of the phrase because we just aren’t going to reach that.”

Troubles may arise if cases increase too quickly; the university has limited isolation facilities and far fewer options for COVID-19 testing this fall.

Testing appointments need to be made in advance and nose swabs take as long as 30 hours to provide results — a sharp contrast to last year’s spit tests and 4 to 6 hour results.

One way to avoid another catastrophe is frequent testing by the vaccinated campus community. While the university only requires weekly testing for the unvaccinated, this is not sufficient thanks to the delta variant. Testing can catch what students may have disregarded as cold symptoms or identify those that are asymptomatic. Sethi also emphasized the importance of the use of space in classrooms

and even outdoors; social distancing is the best tool to ensure that spread is limited. He added that spacing may be even more important to stopping delta than testing.

Currently, the UW-Madison COVID-19 Dashboard lists the university’s 7-day average at 6.4 students testing positive daily.

On Sept. 7, the first-day reporting test results after a long Labor Day weekend and a home game for the Badgers, 11 students tested positive. In comparison, 290 students tested positive on Sept. 9 last year after a similar quiet period with few positive tests. Vaccines and masks may not halt the virus, but it will certainly be able to slow it down.

Looking to the future, UW-Madison is well-equipped to respond to delta and mitigate its relatively small caseload.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Madison offers a wide range of STEM volunteer opportunities

By Emily Rohloff STAFF WRITER

The time of online classes and virtual meetings is (mostly) over, which has manyUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison students feeling excited as an in-person semester begins for the first time in 18 months. As you start to get back into the swing of walking to class, meeting face to face with peers and joining new organizations, now is the perfect time to build up your resume by volunteering.

Whether you’re looking to volunteer specifically for your major or just looking to help out your community, Madison offers a wide range of opportunities within the STEM, premed and environmental fields.

Most clubs incorporate volunteering into their organization,

but it can also be helpful to seek out opportunities individually as well. Here are some great volunteer recommendations with convenient locations near campus.

1. UW Madison Arboretum: The Arboretum is a staple of the Madison community and offers several volunteering opportunities that assist with ecological restoration, gardening, plant propagation and citizen science.

As of Sept. 4, “Restoration Work Parties” have resumed and will take place the first four Saturday mornings of each month, all year. This is a great way to help with ecological restoration and gain useful knowledge about the Arboretum’s plant communities. The work will include cutting brush, removing invasive plants and burn unit preparation. More info

can be found at https://arboretum.wisc.edu/get-involved/volunteer/work-parties/.

Looking for an even more in-depth opportunity? Students can also become an ambassador for the Arboretum! Here, volunteer stewards serve as goodwill ambassadors that promote and share information about the Arboretum’s programs and work, explain rules and help visitors with any questions they may have. Ambassadors also assist with monitoring trail conditions and phenology.

Contact Stephanie Peterson at smpetersen2@wisc.edu if you’re interested in being a steward!

2. Meriter Hospital: While there are many hospitals and clinics in Madison that you can volunteer at, Meriter offers several great opportunities.

Be a greeter! This is a great, flexible position which allows you to get homework done while simultaneously greeting, welcoming and escorting patients who come for appointments.

If you’re interested in music, or an expert in compiling Spotify playlists, consider volunteering with “Healing Beats.”

This program aims to improve the experience of patients by using a speaker or smartphone to share patient-selected music.

This can be used to help foster conversation with patients, bring up happy memories and improve their overall experiences. Learn more at https:// www.unitypoint.org/madison/ volunteer-services.aspx 3. Badger Volunteers is another great (and popular) program.

This is a semester-long,11 week

program that pairs teams of students with community organizations to volunteer one to four hours each week. The types of volunteering offered fall into the three categories — education, sustainability and public health.

It is open to any UW-Madison student and is a great way to become more involved in your community. More information can be found at https://morgridge.wisc.edu/students-getconnected/badger-volunteers After a year full of online classes and limited human interaction, volunteering is not just a great resume booster, but a rewarding opportunity to give back to your Madison community, meet new people and engage in something you are passionate about. We hope you give one of these organizations a try!

opinion Letter to the Editor: UW theatre department maintains rape culture in their recent production l

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

When I was six years old, I was sexually assaulted.

I learned that day that my body would never be safe as long as men saw my needs as worthless. My existence since has been tailored to protect me. I’ve looked over my shoulder often, and I’ve found men following me home. I’ve avoided and blocked men I know who are twice my age who’ve stalked me online.

I’ve held my tongue as men catcall me.

I’ve been warned about rapists - one is even a part of the UW-Madison theatre department. And this year, I’ve written this in response to UW-Madison theatre’s sexist play Rashomon as it ultimately supports this rape culture I’ve run from.

Rashomon has two female characters: “The Wife” and “The Mother”…literally.

That being said, the Wife actually has a complex role.

Unfortunately, though, the language and events of the play surrounding the Wife are sexist and make fun of rape.

The Bandit gleefully describes his planned and executed rape.

In response, a character claims women enjoy being had by this rapist. The husband is angry with the Wife for not killing herself after the rape. After unsuccessfully attempting to drown herself, she asks if

she “is really that worthless?“ Directly afterward, a character mocks these words. This character gives us some other gems, such as how it’s hard to know what is on the minds of women and how women always cry. The play also continuously spouts phrases that objectify women. For instance, the Bandit says rich womens‘ hands look like toys.

During the play, I was recoiling in my seat reminded of how I’ve been treated. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, “Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.“ 1 in 4 women.

1 in 20 men. And even more people of different genders, abilities and ages. And how disappointing that the Wife is depicted as weak, dirty and deserving of death due to her apparent ‚contamination‘.

Victims of sexual assault and rape are much more likely to have PTSD, depression and drug dependencies. Depicting them so darkly only adds to the isolation and pain that assault causes.

The most disappointing part for me is that these statistics aren’t new. Ever since the Me Too movement,

dailycardinal.com

PHOTO BY IRENA CLARKOWSKI/THE DAILY CARDINAL

awareness of rape culture has risen; the department probably knew that many students had experienced r a p e/s e x u a l a s s au l t .

Additionally, the truth is there are rapists among the department; in the playbill, I had the joy of seeing that an alleged rapist and someone

who stalked me on social media is listed as a donor to the program.

I’ve been speaking out against sexism and rape culture, and so have many of the other students. But we are still ignored simply because the university wanted to do this show. It makes me wonder,

are we really that worthless?

Editor‘s note: Rashomon was first performed in 1959.

The plays are based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa‘s two short stories Rashomon, written in 1915, and In a Grove, written in 1922.

UW’s Theatre department will continue with ‘Rashomon’

COURTESY OF BEAU MEYER/UNIVERSITY THEATRE

On behalf of the Department of Theatre and Drama, I’d like to respond to a recent letter to the editor.

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the deep pain experienced by survivors of sexual assault and misconduct. As chair of the department, I am committed to fostering a safe, healthy climate and to treating reports of sexual assault and misconduct with the utmost seriousness. I encourage survivors to reach out for information and support, including using confidential resources like Survivor Services. The university’s Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program has followed up with the Daily Cardinal providing information to be shared with the letter writer, in hopes that they will share information that will allow the university to further investigate.

Like many works of theatre, there is a diversity of opinions about the play “Rashomon.” Our faculty and staff engaged in a vigorous dialogue about this production. Many works of art, including plays, feature controversial and uncomfortable depictions. It is through freely exploring complex topics that society can learn from them. The play’s major themes

resound for the times we are in now. Our artistic directors have reflected on the value of this production, and it raises important themes such as the nature of truth and the need to sift and ponder and seek it out. How can an audience see the relative and elusive nature of truth presented on stage?

How does such an exercise play into our understanding of current events, where we are seeing different narratives on a variety of issues told from different perspectives?

After careful consideration, we decided to move forward with offering the production of “Rashomon” while taking steps to acknowledge the content of the play and preparing audiences for such content. The playbill for this production includes a content warning for depictions of physical violence and sexual assault and information on campus resources for survivors.

It is my hope that we continue to work together to support a safe and vibrant culture within the department.

Dan Lisowski is the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin– Madison.

Editorial Board COVID-19 variants: A more cautious approach to addressing the pandemic dailycardinal.com

Thursday, September 9, 2021

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Cardinal View editorials represent The Daily Cardinal’s organizational opinion. Each editorial is crafted independent of news coverage.

With students from all over the state, country and world flocking back to Madison and life seemingly returning to a semblance of normalcy, there is great excitement for the year ahead in the minds of those who simply desire to return to the old. A return to some sense of normal is necessary, even.

However, with the evolution of new COVID-19 variants and the rise of breakthrough infections despite vaccination, a mindless return to normal proves to be reckless. A more cautious safety plan — perhaps not to the same extent as earlier in the pandemic, but cautious still — may very well be necessary as we continue to learn more about this insidious pathogen.

Masking, masking, masking No matter what side of the fence you sit on, one thing is for certain: No one enjoys wearing masks. However, it is a matter of social and personal responsibility. Society would not function if people disregarded such responsibilities. When city and university officials announced the return of indoor mask mandates, the response was mixed.

Some members of the community, such as Dave O’Connor, a UW Medical Foundation professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, welcomed mask mandates in a Reddit post. Meanwhile, Instagram accounts like Badger Barstool and UnmaskUW played their part in stirring up opposition.

Tens of students stood outside the Capitol on Sept. 3, seemingly in unorganized protest against mask mandates.

Despite opposition, masking — specifically proper masking — is the right way to go. Masks were barely visible during the football game vs Pennsylvania State, as people were packed into Camp Randall like sardines. The story indoors isn’t much better either. University Housing rules dictate that everyone should wear masks in common areas. Yet, if multiple people are in a resident’s room, masking is at their discretion.

Some students wear masks that don’t cover their nose or wear masks around their chin like a diaper, none of which are effective. This way, students either cause themselves great harm, or

put the vulnerable members of our campus community at risk.

Wearing masks the right way and wearing masks when in presence of others must be mandated, monitored and enforced appropriately by the university, as virus variants don’t care for individual freedoms. Effective masking in the present will only drive us closer to a (hopefully) maskless future.

Maintain course flexibility Among the many nuances of the rising semester is the return to in-person classes, and with that, a revived sense of school normalcy. Herds of students will again meander throughout campus hallways and congregate inside packed lecture halls.

The restoration of in-person learning need not be a hasty one. Although the majority of the campus community is vaccinated, the once assured protection of vaccines remains unclear. In Dane County, from February to August, breakthrough COVID-19 cases among the fully vaccinated were documented. Guided by the research of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breakthrough cases are no longer anomalous, with the vaccinated capable of spreading the virus to others.

Undoubtedly, many students and faculty could still contract COVID-19 throughout the semester, resulting in the absence from in-person class-

GRAPHIC BY ALI LEIBI/THE DAILY CARDINAL

es for a minimum of 10 days.

In a statement released by the Chancellor as of Aug. 18, students who contract COVID19 during the academic year are advised to “contact [their] instructor to discuss options for access to course materials and activities ... [Any student] without adequate support should contact their academic advisor, the course department chair or the Dean of Students Office.”

This response is weak and unclear. Our university needs to set plans for not if but when students contract COVID-19.

Discussing course options after infection is too late, leaving our student body in disarray.

Do not be mistaken — the return of in-person classes is a necessary step forward. As was a common complaint throughout the entirety of the pandemic thus far, online learning will never compare to the academic and social value afforded by inperson classes. Nonetheless, we are simply not ready to leap into the course structure of years prior.

We must prepare for the possibility of much of our student body and staff getting infected.

Rather than putting the responsibility on infected students, the university should institute online course options accessible to all students. We must maintain flexibility in this transition period, preparing now rather than later to aid students and uphold UW-Madison’s educational standards.

UW’s Devolving Testing System As it stands, only the unvaccinated are required to test weekly or face non-academic disciplinary action. However, testing is still an essential service during a pandemic, and as much as it may feel like that is passing, we still need to be on guard against the virus and sufficient testing is a prerequisite for success.

While only unvaccinated students are mandated to test, there is still going to be a remarkably high demand for fast and easy testing on campus. This will likely be due to the increasing number of breakthrough cases, a growing source of anxiety on campus.

Currently, there are only four testing centers open: one of them being the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, on the west side of campus, which is not exactly in the close vicinity to many at UW-Madison. The university has also decided to scrap the usage of the saliva test, which yielded fast and accurate results, for self-administered nasal swabs booked by appointment only days in advance. These tests can take up to 48 hours to yield results.

Last year’s testing system was far from perfect, but it was a viable mode which helped give fast results to students and faculty in a relatively painless manner. For one

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reason or another, the university has completely abandoned said system for a rather bloated one, filled with prolonged wait times for results and appointments.

If the University of Wisconsin-Madison is truly dedicated to protecting students from this virus, they would prioritize fast yielding, walk-in and accessible testing for all. However, at this juncture, that seems an unlikely possibility.

What’s “accountability?”

When the university announced mandatory testing for unvaccinated individuals, we all breathed a sigh of relief.

After a strict spring semester of mandatory testing for all — with tight restrictions on access to campus facilities for the untested — many campus community members expected a similar rollout. Who wants to go to class with an unvaxxed, untested student anyways?

“Those who are required to test weekly but fail to do so will be held accountable,” the university promised us.

However, this “accountability” soon revealed itself as a closed, non-transparent process where the university handles infractions quietly on a case-bycase basis — sort of the opposite of accountability, right?

UW-Madison will not limit access to campus buildings for students who fail to meet testing requirements this fall, instead relying on non academic disciplinary measures.

Employees who fail to meet the weekly testing requirement will be referred to the university’s employee disciplinary process.

And the infamous Badger Badge? That’s gone too.

Students that routinely fail to be tested will be subject to Act 17, the state statute and administrative code on student non academic disciplinary procedures that UW adheres to. Yes, students can be suspended or even expelled, but that’s up to the university to decide. There’s no “three strike system.”

What’s more, there’s no system in place to alert professors or students — even the immunocompromised ones — that they will be sharing a class with an untested student. The best we can hope for is a call from a contact tracer.

Looking back, the university should have continued its commitment to the Safer Badgers app, no matter how expensive it would be to renew its use of the software. For now, UW-Madison needs to be firm with its unvaccinated population, inform the students, faculty and staff that are affected by the presence of unvaccinated students and develop a transparent process to respond to infractions.

We might not have a fall semester if they don’t.

FOR MORE INFO

VISIT US cfli .wisc .edu

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