University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 1892 dailycardinal.com
Thursday, February 7, 2019
VALENTINE’S DAY: salty or sweet?
+SPECIAL PAGES page 4
Personal flood losses uninsured, UW says By Sydney Widell ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
KALLI ANDERSON /THE DAILY CARDINAL
Sodden plaster splatters across broken computers on the fifth floor of Vilas Hall. Professors may not be compensated for personal flood damages.
Plastic mugs, cds, business cards and post-it notes were floating in a foot of standing water inside Sue Robinson’s desk drawer when she was finally able to visit her flooded fifth floor Vilas Hall office earlier this week. Robinson, who teaches journalism, lost countless books, course notes and other teaching resources after a pipe burst in Vilas Hall early Sunday morning. Also destroyed was her easy chair, her wooden desk and her rug. She had inherited some of these things from professors over the years, and some she had bought with her own money or through research grants. Now, journalism professors like Robinson are learning that UW-Madison’s flood insurance will not cover their personal losses. “We are told to ask our homeowners insurance, and I will do that,”
Robinson said. “But I know of people who do not have homeowners or for whom their deductible is very high.” Robinson teaches literary aspects of journalism, and students in her class read a wide selection of creative nonfiction. All of the books she uses in that class — and the notes she had on them — were sitting on her desk when her ceiling collapsed under a torrent of water. Now, she says two years worth of course preparation are “just gone.” Robinson is hopeful that professors like her will at least receive some university compensation for the personal losses they endured in a campus facility, but she’s waiting for further clarification from school officials. The State of Wisconsin SelfFunded Property Program, which is administered by the state Department of Administration, does not cover individual personal property unless reported, authorized and
utilized for the mission of campus, university spokesperson Meredith McGlone said. “We know this is a very challenging time for faculty,” McGlone said. “Staff and students affected by the flooding, both in terms of personal items that may have been lost or damaged and of the disruption to their regular routines.” While classes have been moved and professors may not be able to return to their offices for up to 60 days, Robinson is grateful the situation was not worse and that she appreciates the university’s rapid response to the disaster so far. Other professors believe the university should take more action, and that compensation is in order for those who have accrued serious loss. “I think it’s a problem because a professor’s books are his or her professional tools,” said journalism professor Lewis Friedland. “The university’s attitude seems somewhat
Students of color struggle with mental health, counselors of color offer support By Benita Mathew STAFF WRITER
Reaching out to UW-Madison’s mental health services can be a challenge for students. But when none of the counselors look like you, booking an appointment can be even harder. Being a student of color on a predominantly white campus presents unique ch a l l e n ges— challenges that complicate navigating mental health on campus. People of color make up 16.6 percent of UW-Madison’s student population, according to the fall 2018 enrollment report. Lack of representation and discrimination on campus can significantly impact students’ mental health. In fact, students of color were more likely to have depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation when compared to white students, found a 2016 UW-Madison Healthy Minds study. Seeking to provide more support for students of color, University Health Services hired two additional mental health providers of color last year, making the total providers spe-
cifically hired for students of color now five. Arlyn Gonzalez Castillo is one of these few providers, serving Spanish-speaking students. Although any provider can see a student of color, as an alumna of UW-Madison Castillo said she understands the importance of having a trusted counselor who students can turn to when dealing with the unique experience of being a student of color on campus. “Mental health is definitely debilitating and impactful and something that needs to get addressed, especially for students of color who go through so much more than a white student,” Castillo said. “Identity, sadly, impacts their ability to perform academically, their choice of whether they speak up in class, or whether they’re even going to join an organization because it may be all white and they may not feel comfortable.” UW-Madison sophomore Gregory Francis Jr. experienced firsthand the isolation and lack of belonging students of color sometimes feel at the university. “Being a person of color in Madison is sometimes frightful,” Francis said. “Often, I will find myself isolated in academic and research settings, making it difficult to engage to the extent that I would like. I am aware that I stand out at this institution; I try to be my best self (academically, professionally and socially), to hopefully make more of the population more welcom-
ing to others like me.” The topic of mental health is not always addressed in communities of color. The National Alliance on Mental Illness describes the stigma surrounding mental health in the black community, including lack of trust in receiving treatment and misconceptions surrounding the topic. In an effort to reduce these assumptions, UHS collaborated with the Multicultural Student Center to hold a discussion about the stigma men of color face when accessing mental health care last December. C a st i l l o hopes students will become more comfortable reaching out to resources before they are in crisis. Specifically, Castillo highlighted the need for having both more providers and spaces for people of color to GRAPHIC BY MAX HOLMSTEAD increase their sense of belonging.
mental health page 2
CAMERON LANE-FLEHINGER /THE DAILY CARDINAL
Lawsuit accuses UW Health doctor of sexual misconduct By Jenna Walters CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
A UW-Madison plastic surgeon was accused of sexual exploitation and medical negligence in a lawsuit filed Friday by a female patient who underwent cosmetic surgery procedures last year. According to the lawsuit, when Keri Anne Connaughty of Wausau went to UW plastic surgeon John Siebert for a tummy tuck and breast augmentation surgery, she did not receive the correct implant size because Siebert disregarded her request. She said Siebert implanted silicone breast implants that were 350-375 cubic centimeters when she had asked for implants that were 225-250 cubic centimeters. When Connaughty experienced discomfort after the surgery, including pain, swelling and bleeding of the abdomen, she said she returned to Siebert for help. However, when she arrived to
her appointment, she alleged that Siebert inappropriately touched her shoulders and bare legs, seemingly trying to console her as she cried from the pain of her abdomen wound. In the lawsuit, Connaughty also said Siebert called her “babe” and “sweetie,” names which made her feel uncomfortable. Connaughty, a mother of three, said by filing the lawsuit she is “advocating for others, so no one has to experience what I did.” Before working at UW Health Transformations, Siebert was involved with a sexual misconduct case in New York, where he was found guilty of having a sexual relationship with one of his patients. UW Health spokeswoman Lisa Brunette said they do not comment on pending litigation, but said Siebert has provided “invaluable care to patients” during his time at the hospital.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”