University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Thursday, February 8, 2024
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UW Athletics Canvas observer program raises concerns By Natasha Hicks SENIOR STAFF WRITER
A Canvas program allowing University of Wisconsin Athletics advisors to monitor the educational progress of student athletes is raising concerns about surveillance and privacy in UW-Madison classrooms. Professor Dorothea Salo, a UW-Madison School of Information professor, recently got an email from UW-Madison Vice Provost John Zumbrunnen about a “Canvas Observer Role” in one of her courses. She said the role allows learning specialists from UW Athletics to directly monitor student athletes’ progress in Canvas.
Observers are able to access class assignments, calendars, discussions — including posts from the entire class — and more. Other students in the course aren’t notified there’s an observer in it. Salo said it’s not the first time she has received this email. This, alongside her past Canvas-related research, has her worried about the student athlete observer role and Canvas’ lack of data transparency as a whole. “I don’t love the way that we’re substituting data surveillance for instructors and advisors and students actually communicating,” she said.
The email Salo received said the Canvas observer role is designed to support the academic success of student athletes by giving information to UW Athletics learning specialists. Athletics staff can use the data to conduct “early interventions” for students facing academic difficulties. UW Athletics communications director Patrick Herb said one of the organization’s core priorities is helping student athletes in academic success. Canvas Observer, which launched in 2020, is used by 10% of student athletes to help bolster learning outcomes, Herb said.
TREADING ON THIN ICE
Other academic assistance options provided by UW Athletics include learning specialists and tutoring and mentoring services. UW-Athletics emphasized the importance of student athletes’ privacy, especially while using Canvas Observer. “The privacy of our student-athletes is paramount,” Herb said. He said it is important that both instructors and student athletes are comfortable with Canvas Observer, leading to the inclusion of an opt-out option — which Salo chose to use.
+ Canvas page 4
Tuberculosis case reported in Smith Hall Free tests available for students as university health staff investigate By Bryna Goeking STAFF WRITER
LIAM BERAN/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Lily’s Classic to continue as planned for now despite warnings about ice instability By Kayla Dembiec & Noe Goldhaber STAFF WRITER & COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) will hold its Lily’s Classic hockey tournament and fundraiser as normal on Feb. 17 behind the SAE house on Lake Mendota’s ice despite recent warm winter temperatures, according to a member of the fraternity. This decision could change based on weather conditions within the next two weeks, according to philanthropy chair Sean Kramer. “Right now, everything is going to happen as planned,” Kramer said. “[SAE] will take all the necessary precautions prior to the event, and if we feel like the ice isn’t safe to have the event, we will call it off.” SAE did not immediately share how it is monitoring ice safety or if it has an alternative plan in place. Lily’s Classic consists of a 4-versus-4 “boot hockey” tournament to benefit Lily’s Fund, which supports research
on epilepsy at UW-Madison. This year, Kramer said the fraternity plans to “put a bigger emphasis on the hockey tournament and try to raise as much money for the Lily’s Fund as they can.” Hundreds of attendees typically gather on a frozen Lake Mendota during Lily’s Classic. However, climatology experts and local authorities say ice on Lake Mendota and other local lakes is not thick enough to safely support winter events following a recent string of above-average temperatures. “It is highly unlikely that it would be safe to run [Lily’s Classic] this winter,” said Michael Notaro, climate change expert for the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. With temperatures expected to remain above average for the next several weeks, other events on the ice have been canceled or postponed. The Clean Lakes Alliance canceled all on-ice events at its Frozen Assets
festival last weekend. It’s the first cancellation in the festival’s 14-year history, according to Adam Sodersten, Clean Lakes Alliance marketing & communications director. “I think what it teaches us as event organizers is that we really have to have a plan B from the get-go, which is unfortunate when you are planning large events because you essentially have to plan two events,” Sodersten said. The UW Winter Carnival also moved or canceled all events on Lake Mendota’s ice — including moving its signature Lady Liberty inflatable statue off the ice to Library Mall — citing “thinning of ice and several weak and open spots.” UW-Madison Student Affairs and university police made similar statements Wednesday. In a Twitter post, the police department asked people to stay off the ice and warned “it is not safe.”
+ Lake ice page 3
University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison confirmed a student in Smith Residence Hall during Fall 2023 had an active case of tuberculosis in a recent email to residents. Smith residents received an email Feb. 1 from Jake Baggott, UW-Madison chief health officer, and Andrew O’Donnell, UHS interim director of health services, urging them to get tested for tuberculosis. The email said there is “no cause for immediate concern.” The student with active tuberculosis had not been on campus since December, according to comments UHS spokesperson Sarah Clifford Glapa made to the Wisconsin State Journal. UHS and campus public health officials are offering free tuberculosis tests on Feb. 12 and Feb. 20 for students that may have been exposed. Test results are most accurate 8-10 weeks after initial exposure, per the email sent to students. Tuberculosis is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the lungs that can spread to other parts of the body and be spread by coughing or sneezing. In 2022, Wisconsin reported 52 cases of active tuberculosis while Dane County had 10 active and 464 latent tuberculosis cases in 2023. Tuberculosis is treated with a course of antibiotics. Latent tuberculosis — tuberculosis without symptoms — could become active if not treated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a 1 in 10 chance of latent tuberculosis infections leading to future disease. Students presenting symptoms, including a cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue or unexplained weight loss, were instructed to call UHS as soon as possible. The email directed students who have received the BCG tuberculosis vaccine, have ever tested positive for tuberculosis or have a weakened immune system to speak to a nurse at UHS.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”