Thursday, February 1, 2024 by The Daily Cardinal

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Thursday, February 1, 2024

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Student leaders propose mandatory sustainability Canvas course By Mary Bosch PHOTO EDITOR

Student sustainability leaders want to increase awareness and advocacy for environmental issues by introducing a mandatory Canvas course on sustainability for first-year students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The proposed Canvas course would introduce students to sustainability practices on campus, educate them on UW-Madison’s Indigenous and environmental history and provide resources for further involvement. The course would join a suite of required first-year introduction courses on diversity, equity and inclusion, alcohol safety, and sexual and relationship violence prevention. “The next thing that needs to be established in this list is sustainability, because we are currently destroying the earth,” said Anna Silverman, Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Sustainability committee co-coordinator and co-lead of the Sustainability in Academics campaign. The course would benefit students with different levels of sustainability education and interest, according to Hannah Stahmann, committee co-coordinator and fellow project lead. “There are many students that know the environmental impacts of what they do and don’t care, and there are also a lot that don’t know what they can do,” Stahmann said. Most students currently engaging in courses on climate change and sustainability are those already interested in it, said Mark Johnson, UW-Madison teaching faculty in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. That means “little progress” is being made to connect with those unaware — or skeptical — of the climate crisis and sustainability concerns, something Johnson said reinforces existing attitudes on the topic. Johnson said David Barbier, sustainability coordinator at UW-Stevens Point, presented evidence the UW System is losing students to places like Minnesota and Michigan because those institutions prioritize sustainability in an April 2022 Board of Regents Meeting. Barbier said 78% of students nationwide say a university’s environmental commitment contributes “somewhat, very much, or strongly” to their school choice, up from 63% in 2018, according to a 2021 survey by The Princeton Review. This could make sustainabil-

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ity education an important issue for UW administration, especially when enrollment is down on some UW campuses, he added. “They took that very seriously,” he said. “The State of Wisconsin is getting older. The demography is kind of working against us as really talented young people are leaving.” Other UW System schools have various climate education requirements. UW-Stout established a faculty sustainability course, UW-Eau Claire implemented an optional introductory Canvas course in fall of 2023, and UW-Green Bay has a general sustainability education requirement similar to UW-Madison’s ethnic studies requirement. Student and faculty sustainability leaders across UW campuses meet in a monthly “Sustainability in Academics” Zoom focus group. A similar proposal was made by former ASM Sustainability member Katherine Ackley and president Natalie Tinsen three years ago, but the project never got off the ground, Tinsen said over email. While the proposal was wellreceived in a meeting with UW officials, Tinsen said progress stalled as leaders waited for university approval. What’s in the course? On a practical level, the course

teaches students to recycle and reduce waste, take public transportation and have a sustainable move-in when arriving on campus. The course also pushes students to reflect on their environmental impact by providing ecological and slavery footprint calculators. Showing personal ties to the climate crisis is important, Silverman noted. “People care more about something when it pertains directly to them and affects them,” Silverman said. Leaders hope to keep this course short and effective, using videos and quizzes to maintain engagement. Making sure the project is “actionable” — taking inspiration from professor Wendy Jedlicka’s UW-Stout sustainability course — was a core component of the project, according to Silverman. ASM leaders said they hope to bring more students into sustainability action on campus. The course includes opportunities for further education, giving information on the Office of Sustainability and Nelson Institute as well as degrees, certificates and courses related to climate and sustainability. “It’s a good way to get students motivated and aware right away when they arrive on campus,”

Preboski said. “That way they’re not getting into their junior year and just realizing, hey, sustainability is an issue.” Johnson said there’s “actually tremendous student interest” in sustainability courses, many of which are waitlisted due to student demand. Additionally, the course provides numerous applicable, career-focused options to involve students in campus sustainability organizations, alongside resources to find careers in sustainability. “More and more jobs are embracing this kind of material and these kinds of themes,” Johnson said. “It’s happening all across almost every economic sector.” Can change happen? ASM Sustainability finalized the course draft over winter break and reached out to relevant professors for testing in the 2024-25 school year. They hope it will be a course for all freshmen in fall 2025. However, the program may face an uphill battle to implementation despite support from some administrators, given past opposition to student sustainability education efforts. Nine student sustainability advocates from campuses

across Wisconsin presented their work at a Board of Regents meeting in December, including ASM Sustainability president Christina Treacy. Johnson, who watched the meeting, said both university leaders and the Regents were appreciative and largely supportive of the students’ work. Still, student leaders said they are frustrated with the administration relying on them for progress. Silverman recounted an instance where Sean Nelson, UW System Vice President for Finance and Administration, told her “it is the student’s responsibility to foster a culture of sustainability on campus,” at the UW System Sustainability Annual Meeting. However, the majority of sustainability education progress made on other campuses happened from the top down, Silverman said, such as the faculty course at UW-Stout. Hearing Nelson’s response was frustrating, especially since student environmental activism is usually “bottom-up work,” Stahmann said. “It feels like we’re just shouting into the void and nothing happens,” Stahmann said. “The people at the top don’t want to listen.” ASM leaders also advocated for a general sustainability requirement but were shot down by engineering department heads because “students are already going over their eight semesters,” according to Silverman. “[UW-Madison] isn’t jumping on these syllabi because that costs money and takes time,” she said. “It’s often not an administrative focus.” The “touchy” political nature of environmental activism was another concern, Stahman said. UW-Madison doesn’t want to tell students to go out and do things that are “technically political,” she said, even if she believes environmentalism shouldn’t intrinsically be a politicized issue. Kelly Tyrrell, a UW-Madison spokesperson, said in response that Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and other university leaders “have been engaged with students with respect to sustainability on campus, and in efforts to implement the best ways to raise awareness among and engage students.” Tyrrell shared other ways to get involved in sustainability beyond online programs, including the Office of Sustainability, student organizations and the Green Fund, which awards money to student sustainability projects.

“…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, February 1, 2024

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 133, Issue 19

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News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Drake White-Bergey Tyler Katzenberger

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Democratic bill would ban firearms on UW grounds The proposed bill would mirror other gun-free public spaces amid student and faculty concerns over safety.

By Gavin Escott News Team News Manager Ella Gorodetzky Campus Editor Liam Beran College Editor Noe Goldhaber City Editor Marin Rosen State Editor Ava Menkes Associate News Editor Jasper Bernstein Features Editor Ellie Bourdo

Opinion Editors Franchesca Reuter • Lauren Stoneman Arts Editors Gabriella Hartlaub • Anna Kleiber Sports Editors Maddie Sacks • Seth Kruger Special Pages Editor Annika Bereny Photo Editor Mary Bosch • Raaidah Aqeel Graphics Editors Paige Stevenson • Hailey Johnson Science Editor Madelyn Anderson Life & Style Editors Cate Schiller • Erin Mercuri Podcast Director Honor Durham Copy Chiefs Isabella Barajas • Jackson Wyatt Copy Editors Ava Menkes • Francesca Pica • Noe Goldhaber • Ian Wilder Social Media Manager Rachel Schultz

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SENIOR STAFF WRITER

A newly introduced bill by Democratic lawmakers would prohibit the possession of firearms on public and private university campuses, bringing the institutions in line with other gun-free spaces in Wisconsin. The proposed bill — introduced by Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay — adds public and private college and university grounds to the exempted places where possessing a firearm would be prohibited. “I’m a gun owner [with] a concealed carry permit, and I wanted to make sure that we’re not trampling on those Second Amendment rights but at the same time, I’m also the mom of two kids in college,” Andraca told The Daily Cardinal. “I don’t think that – most people don’t think – firearms belong on campus.” Before 2011, the use of any “dangerous weapons” was prohibited on university grounds or facilities. However, this UW System rule was superseded by Act 35 — a bill that legalized the concealed carry of firearms and other weapons in Wisconsin. While the university is still allowed to post notices on campus buildings that ban concealed carry in campus buildings, it cannot currently ban concealed carry of firearms in outside areas on university grounds. Andraca’s bill would change that to ban concealed carry on university grounds, bringing campuses in line

with concealed carry policies at K-12 schools, police stations and courthouses. “Our proposal would just say let’s make college campuses the same as K-12 schools,” Andraca said, adding that she met with public safety officers from several UW System schools who told her that clarity regarding concealed carry laws would be appreciated. Under current law, any person, including a licensee, who carries a firearm into a posted building is guilty of trespassing and fines of up to $1,000. The bill would increase the penalty for bringing a firearm into a prohibited building to a Class A misdemeanor. Andraca said the change would make people take the law seriously while not imposing “hardcore criminal” laws on “honest mistakes.” The bill was advanced at the request of PROFS, an organization that advocates on behalf of UW-Madison faculty. Terry Warfield, a UW-Madison business professor and PROFS steering committee member, told the Cardinal the organization requested legislative action after listening to gun violence discussions in the Legislature. “When there was an opportunity to address this kind of difference in the carry concealed provision in campus grounds and buildings compared to K-12 [schools], we thought, ‘why wouldn’t we get behind that?’” Warfield said. Jack O’Meara, lobbyist for

PROFS, said recent events

control on campuses.

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like the February 2023 mass shooting at Michigan State University reignited faculty discussions around possible action. Warfield echoed this, pointing to an increased number of mass shootings and the trends behind them — as impetus for action. “A continuation of the pandemic… a combination of stress and student mental health makes us [concerned].” Warfield said. “We hope we can take the right lessons away from these unfortunate events.” Additionally, the bill was cosponsored by Sen. Kelda Roys of Madison and Rep. Sheila Stubbs of Madison, whose districts both cover UW-Madison. In the co-sponsorship memo, the lawmakers indicated polling showing support for gun

According to a 2017 Wisconsin Professional Police Association survey, 71% of respondents opposed allowing concealed weapons on campuses. A national survey in 2021 found a declining support for concealed weapons on campus. “People want us to be more responsible with firearms,” Andraca said. “We’re not talking about anything that’s going to violate Second Amendment rights. We’re just talking about making sure that our college campuses are safe [and] that our professors and staff feel safe doing their jobs.” The bill faces an uphill climb in the Republicancontrolled Legislature, which has opposed gun control measures in the past.

Madison proposes updated street name program By Brynn Mancusi STAFF WRITER

The Madison Common Council proposed updates to the city’s street naming policy on Jan. 23 to recognize underrepresented figures in the city’s history. The proposed updates would edit two policies related to naming city streets. The first dictates how new streets are named and current street names are changed. Proposed changes would create more inclusive criteria and guidelines for name selection. The second regards the advancement of an honorary street naming program that aims to recognize people important to the city’s history who “have not traditionally been recognized.” There is currently only one honorary street named in Madison, Willie Lou Harris Way, declared above Bram Street. The proposals come after the city’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative found racial and social inequities in the current street naming policy. According to the initiative’s findings,

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Madison streets have historically been named after “elite, wealthy white men.” Many current street names appropriate cultures and new streets aren’t being named after people, which the report said was missing an opportunity to expand representation. District 12 Ald. Amani Latimer Burris co-sponsored the policy changes to address these issues with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and District 14 Ald. Isadore Knox, Jr. Latimer Burris said her support for these proposals comes from a strong belief in the importance of rec-

ognizing history and encouraging public curiosity. “It’s not just about slapping a name up, it’s about understanding where we were and how far we’ve come,” Latimer Burris said. If passed, the expansion of the honorary street name program would place approved honorary street names on brown signs above current green-plated street names. Latimer Burris said the signs’ organization would not create confusion but would instead distinguish them and encourage further interest.

“It’ll be effective,” she said. “You’ll pay more attention, you’ll look it up.” Program guidelines state honorary street names should have a “demonstrable connection” to the location of the street, tying passersby to the history resting below their feet. The cost of these changes could come out of the current budget for the preexisting policies, according to Latimer Burris. How the new programs and guidelines can be paid for will be decided as these proposals progress through different committees. Latimer Burris said the proposals are a work in progress and encouraged public participation. Specific dates for public comment are not yet available, but the city will be looking for community input before voting on the proposals on March 5. “This is your city, and you have to participate,” Latimer Burris said. “It’s going to take everybody to stay on course and learn about how important things are for the future.”

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Thursday, February 1, 2024

Where Madison’s Amtrak station might go By Ty Javier STAFF WRITER

The Federal Department of Transportation, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, announced $2.5 million in grants to Wisconsin in December 2023 to study the expansion of passenger rail equally split between five corridors. The corridors to be evaluated include a line from Milwaukee to Green Bay, a line connecting Milwaukee to Minneapolis via Madison and Eau Claire, a line connecting Eau Claire to St. Paul, a line running through La Crosse that connects Chicago and St. Paul and improvements to Amtrak’s existing Hiawatha line running from Milwaukee to Chicago. Madison’s Department of Transportation, working with other agencies, kicked off a study looking for a location to build a station in late 2022. Here’s what we know about the project. Downtown, isthmus could get new train station City officials are considering eight sites for a new Amtrak station, most of which are in or just east of downtown, according to a 68-page preliminary draft of the “Madison Passenger Rail Station Identification Study” released earlier this month. The first round of the study reviewed six corridors as potential passenger rail station locations in Madison, including “Downtown/ Isthmus,” “Airport” and a corridor near the University of WisconsinMadison campus. Unfortunately for UW-Madison students, the campus corridor was not advanced to the next round of the study. Officials said the corridor was “too far off the main rail line, [with] few opportunities for a station building and parking.” The airport and East Side corridors were also eliminated, citing low ridership potential.

Following the selection of station corridors, the study team selected eight specific sites for further evaluation. Four sites were located in the Downtown/ Isthmus corridor, including a site at Monona Terrace. Which location will the city choose? No location has been selected yet, awaiting public feedback and weighting of criteria, but there are some hints in the study. Amtrak prefers the station’s platform to be 700 feet long, according to the study. Proposed stations at Monona Terrace, Johnson Street, Commercial Avenue and Aberg Avenue all meet this criterion. The preliminary report graded a wide variety of criteria when evaluating the sites, including train access, site size, land use and proximity to people, jobs and destinations (PJD). The Johnson Street site is privately owned, but the land is currently for sale. The station would sit north of the intersection of Johnson and First Streets. This site has a high rating for train operation and multimodal connectivity but scores lower on site ownership and proximity to PJD, according to the study. The Commercial Avenue site would be on the west side of the railroad tracks just north of Commercial Avenue. The vacant site is privately owned, but other development possibilities are currently being proposed at this site. This site has a high rating for train access and operation but scores lower on site ownership and proximity to PJD, according to the study. The Aberg Avenue site would be on the west side of the railroad tracks about one block south of Aberg Avenue. The site is privately owned, but the city has a lease on the site. This site has a high rating for train access and opera-

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tion but scores low on proximity to PJD and multimodal connectivity, according to the study. The proposed site at Monona Terrace scored high in proximity to PJD as well as equitable access as it is the most centrally located site, according to the study. The station lobby would be incorporated into the existing Department of Administration Building, meaning the site and the building would be state-owned. However, the site scored moderately on train access and operation. Will this project succeed where others failed? While the project has not been confirmed yet, Elizabeth Callin, a transportation planner from the Madison Department of Transportation, said they are working towards receiving funding for the station.

“The City of Madison looks forward to being a partner with WisDOT, Amtrak and other communities…like Eau Claire, Appleton and Green Bay and will do what we can to support this effort,” Callin told The Daily Cardinal. In 2010, a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee originally proposed by former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson was on the cusp of being built. Federal funding was secured and contracts were signed; however, Gov. Scott Walker canceled the project upon taking office. Callin highlighted the difference between the two projects, saying the new proposal is for a conventional passenger rail with lower speeds and different rolling stock. The project is “a part of a larger effort to bring passenger rail to more parts of the state.”

The Madison station is expected to serve 3-4 trains per day, rather than the six proposed in the previous initiative. If rail lines are added or extended to Madison, the service would not start to run until 2027 at the earliest, according to the study. “We have been inspired by the overwhelming amount of enthusiasm we have heard from Madisonians and residents of surrounding communities who are highly supportive of having more transportation options available to connect to communities around Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond,” Callin said. How can I get involved? The Madison Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to hear the public’s feedback on the proposed sites Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. in the Madison Municipal Building, room 215.

Limnology student researches salt in Lake Wingra By Noe Goldhaber COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR

As Dane County reevaluates salting procedures on Madison roads, limnology researchers at the University of WisconsinMadison are studying how the region’s winter salt usage impacts local lakes. Elizabeth Emch is a secondyear master’s student in limnology, the study of inland water. She works in the Hilary Dugan lab, where she has been studying salt concentrations in Lake Wingra, the small lake bordering the UW-Madison arboretum. “In any places that use road salt, it takes a long time for chloride itself to flush out,” Emch said. “So the number one thing that we try to emphasize is people changing their inputs, because we can’t really change the outflow.” Of all Madison’s lakes, Emch said Lake Wingra has the highest concentration of chlorine. She said this is due to many reasons, but she pointed to two in particular: its proximity to urban land and roads and its relatively small size. “Wingra has the highest

amount of chlorine and since it’s not surrounded by any agricultural land… it’s just us humans,” Emch said. “It’s a really good model.” According to Emch, salt can have several negative effects on the ecosystem. “Invasive species usually have more tolerance to these types of contaminants, nutrients and salt. So they start to overgrow and overpower more than the native species,” Emch said. “There was a study in Ohio where they measured fish length and the fish were growing smaller because of salt in the freshwater.” Salt impacts stretch beyond Madison’s species and lakes. According to the City of Madison, salt infiltration has been observed at five wells. Madison Water Utility estimates water pumped from the well will exceed the taste threshold of 250 mg/L within the next 17 years, the website says. City data indicates the sodium level at well 14 is currently at 45 mg/L. Drinking two liters of this water is equivalent to the sodium levels in one piece of bread, according to the city. Once

salt infiltration has occurred, it is very difficult to remove salt from the ground and drinking water. “I saw a quote from a woman about how limnologists are more interested in protecting the lakes than protecting the roads,” Emch said. “We want to make the roads safe for people, but it’s not two separate things. We’re keeping the lakes fresh and the bodies of water fresh so we can continue living and making sure our habitats are protected.” Emch added that it was important to strike a balance between accessibility and safety while reducing salt usage. Sanding, for instance, can be used to reduce traction in snow and ice, and brine — when applied correctly at certain temperatures — can be even more effective than road salt. “We definitely understand how people that have children need to roll their children in strollers, or that some older folks need to use wheelchairs,” Emch continued. “[We’re] just trying to find that middle area of how to reduce salt usage.” Emch recommended sweeping excess salt and reusing it

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as one example of utilizing salt more efficiently. Although Emch does not currently research Lake Mendota and UW-Madison’s salt policy, she said her research on Lake Wingra could help model effective policies for other regional lakes, such as Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Apart from research, Emch volunteers and partners with environmental agencies such as Wisconsin Salt Wise. The organization is currently advocating for the passing of Assembly Bill 61, which would reduce liabilities for

companies who have completed a training process on methods to reduce salt usage. The Clean Lakes Alliance is hosting its annual Frozen Assets festival on Lake Mendota Feb. 3-4. Emch will be tabling at the event to discuss her research on Lake Wingra and the negative impacts of road salt on local lakes. “The majority of people do know that salting is bad, but it’s like, what should we do?” Emch said. “And so I’ve just been approaching it like, here’s our lake we love dearly. Here’s what we can do.”

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Campaign pushes UW-Madison to reconsider family leave policies l

Employees urged the University of Wisconsin-Madison to join other Big Ten universities in offering paid family and medical leave.

By Nick Bumgardner STAFF WRITER

Despite being one of the top public research universities in the country, the University of Wisconsin-Madison does not offer paid fam+ily and medical leave to all employees. But a growing group of advocates, led by graduate student workers, say it’s time for a policy change on campus. UW-Madison remains one of the few Big Ten schools without a university-wide paid family and medical leave policy, while nine in ten peer universities in the Association of American Universities Data Exchange (AAUDE) offer at least six weeks of paid parental leave for their employees. What’s more, a 2018 study from researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder surveyed 205 research universities in the United States and Canada. It found that 60% of these universities had some form of paid parental leave for their employees. An ad-hoc working group, established by UW-Madison in 2016, recommended the university adopt a six-week paid leave plan. They also found that 90% of universities similar to UW-Madison offer faculty an average of eight weeks of paid leave and 80% offer graduate students an average of five weeks. Under current federal and state laws, most state employees, including those at UW-Madison, are entitled to unpaid leave. While those laws give faculty and academic staff some relief, graduate students and other employees are ineligible. Current university policy only allows graduate students six days of paid leave by using the employee’s sick or vacation days. From there, graduate students are at the mercy of their supervisors, creating what Nina Denne, co-president of the Teaching Assistants Association (TAA), describes as a “scary” situation for her members. According to Denne, graduate students run the risk of losing their tuition remission, health insurance or even their position if they take additional time off. “People have written-in stories saying, ‘When I told my advisor I was pregnant, he laughed at me and told me I would never finish my PhD,’” Denne said. “That can be really scary for folks. So, I think understanding those pieces and how critical it is to have a policy that just works and covers everyone and doesn’t rely on the leniency of an advisor is really important.” For advocates like Denne, the early part of 2023 seemed like a potential opening. In February, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers

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proposed a 12-week paid leave plan for all Wisconsin workers in his 2023-25 state budget. By May, Republicans on the state Legislature’s budget-writing committee stripped paid leave, among 500 other initiatives, from the proposed budget. Evers eventually signed a heavily modified Republican budget without paid leave in July after months of back-and-forth with state lawmakers. Following Evers’ recommendation and the working group’s report, the TAA, United Faculty and Academic Staff (UFAS) Local 223 and other campus labor organizations issued a letter to UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin in the spring of 2023. The letter demanded the university adopt a 12-week paid family and medical leave policy. “The findings of that report were especially damning and really showed that there’s no good excuse to not have this policy,” Denne said. Denne expressed her optimism regarding the campaign’s empathy and collective power in the months since the letter. “The majority of grad students are not parents,” Denne said. “They may never need to take time off for a medical reason, but they still understand that these policies are valuable and necessary for folks who want to be in grad school while also being parents and not having to pick between their family and their career.” The letter garnered hundreds of signatures from students, faculty, staff and other community members. While most signatures are from graduate students, Denne applauded faculty

and academic staff for lending “credibility” to the campaign through their support. One of these academic staff members is Adrienne Pagac, a former TAA leader. She currently serves as UFAS organizing committee chair and managing director of the Havens Wright Center for Social Justice in the UW-Madison Sociology Department. Pagac said standing in solidarity with her coworkers is an obligation, not a choice. “It’s incumbent upon us to push and to use our power on campus to advocate for people who might have less power, and that’s true anytime that happens,” Pagac said. “It’s a duty to advocate for coworkers who might do different work but are just as important to making the university run as we all are.” What’s more, paid leave would be a “boon” for public health and the economy and just makes sense, Pagac said. She believes it’s in the university’s best interest and comes down to their desire to make it happen. A policy in the works? Since 2015, UW-Madison’s human resources department has operated separately from the rest of the UW System. According to Jack O’Meara, a lobbyist representing UW-Madison faculty, this gives the university broad authority to change its employment policies on issues like paid leave. O’Meara said the university has drafted a paid parental leave policy and will release it “soon.” “[The administration is] all on board with supporting strong

paid leave, and somebody like Chancellor Mnookin, who came from UCLA and other universities… recognizes the importance of the competitiveness of it along with it just being the right thing to do,” O’Meara said. Mnookin insists her administration has made “progress” with the UW-System on a paid leave policy and assured the Faculty Senate she will “find a way to do it,” according to Kelly Tyrrell, UW-Madison Director of Media Relations. However, in an October interview with WKOW, UW-Madison spokesperson John Lucas noted there are still complexities that need to be addressed. He said the timeline for implementing the new policy is “uncertain.” Referencing data from employee surveys, Tyrrell confirmed paid leave is a “benefit that our employees have been seeking for some time” and that the university has been looking into solutions for several years. As of now, it’s unclear what the university’s next steps will be. Students helping students In the absence of university policy, students have turned to each other for support. That’s where groups like the Wisconsin Student Parents Organization (WISPO) come in. Founded in August of 2022, WISPO organizes social events, provides parenting resources and advocates for student parents, according to Erin Conley, WISPO’s co-founder. “We were really happy when we saw the TAA letter come out,” Conley said. ”We’re very thankful for the urgency that they’ve placed behind this matter.” As a PhD candidate in

UW-Madison’s microbiology program, Conley has had two children during her time in graduate school. Her program’s principal investigator was able to move funds to give Conley six weeks of paid leave, but she considers herself “privileged” and sees her experience as the “best-case scenario.” “I’ve spoken with so many parents who have not had the experience I have had,” Conley said. “[They] have been put in a very difficult situation, and their families and have lost health insurance, [they] have lost their place in their academic program, have lost funding,” Conley said. Volunteers from WISPO have also been key organizers in the TAA’s diaper distribution program. Volunteers give 100 free diapers, per child, per month, to graduate student families in need, according to Denne and Conley. “The program needed a lot more support, and so we partnered with [the TAA] to kind of revitalize that program and get it to a much more sustainable place,” Conley said. “I am proud to say that that program is doing really well today and actually is growing literally exponentially every month.” As momentum continues to build around paid leave, Conley said she believes Mnookin wants to move forward. However, Conley expressed concern about administrative politics getting in the way. “Everything in academia is wrapped up in so much bureaucracy,” Conley said. “It’s really complex, and I think that unfortunately, it is not going to be an instant fix.”

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Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Bird’s Chirp: Is Hastings the secret sauce? It’s complicated By Ian Wilder SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Hockey fans across Wisconsin hung their heads in absolute dejection as the Badgers’ 2022-23 season ended with a first-round exit in the Big Ten Tournament. But there was hope. With the hiring of renowned former Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings followed by some promising transfers, fans had cautious optimism that Badger hockey would return to its Jeff Sauer or even Bob Johnson glory days. That was supposed to take a few years. Not a few games. The 2023-24 team has come in and surpassed every expectation. They started the season unranked but jumped into the top 10 after sweeping the then-ranked No. 1 Minnesota Golden Gophers in late October. Now, they’re in talks of contending for the Big Ten regular season championship and Big Ten Championship. The Badgers could even make a solid run for all the marbles at the NCAA tournament this April in St. Paul. How does a team go from one of their most disappointing seasons in recent years to one of the most promising seasons in a single offseason? The easiest answer is Mike Hastings. We’ve gotten good looks — although edited and filtered — inside the team with the ‘All-Access’ series on social media. In press conferences, Hastings’ coaching philosophy is clear. He’s changed the environment around this hockey program. He’s prioritizing learning and

making every game — be it a slamdunk win or hard defeat — a learning experience, and he emphasizes returning to practice in the days after, ready to improve. He’s not afraid to admit that the players are on a learning journey and make errors. He embraces it. That goes a long way and allows players to be comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. But Hastings is not out there donning a bucket and wheels and making plays for the team. You can have the best coaching staff in the country, but if they’re coaching mighty mites unlucky enough to find themselves at the college level, you won’t get far. Wisconsin’s guys are playing with grit and putting their bodies on the line twice a week, and they deserve every bit of attention for the team’s success, too. Still, a good part of that comes from the coaching staff. In the immortal words of legend Wayne Gretzky, “hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need each and every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction to be successful.” He’s absolutely right. Every teammate, every coach and every player are integral to each other’s success. Teams are a unit and there’s no doubt that Hastings has been an incredible injection to this team. But give each and every coach and player their credit for the work they’ve put into getting the team. They’ve earned it. I’m not sure there’s been an article I’ve written this season without

McClellan taking center stage. And that’s for good reason. Before a particularly goal-heavy series against Michigan which knocked his numbers down a couple of pegs, he led the league in save percentage, goalsagainst average and total wins. The only reason he’s second in winning percentage is because the goaltender in front of him has played 10 games less than him. Thanks in part to McClellan, the defense limited opponents to 1.88 goals per game, the best in the nation. Wisconsin allowed 3.50 goals per game a year ago, almost double this season’s number. They also led the NCAA in penalty-killing percentage at .917 for most of the season, falling to third at .879 after playing a series against the Michigan Wolverines. But, as Hastings has emphasized, there are “peaks and valleys” for every hockey team. The offensive valleys are deep. They’re 37th nationwide in converting on power plays at .193. The good news is that Wisconsin’s most promising improvement came in the past few games. When the Badgers are clicking, they’re really clicking, They just need consistency. Here’s the hard truth for some Badger fans. Instant success is great, and though they deserve every plaudit for their success to this point, it’s still entirely possible they will walk away from this season with nothing for the showcase. As the Badgers saw Friday in Michigan, hockey is merciless, and it’s not uncommon for top 10 teams to be extraordi-

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narily humbled by the underdogs. Still, the players and the entire coaching staff behind Hastings are doing everything in their power to ensure this team does the best they can in every game. To answer the question: no, Hastings isn’t the secret sauce, he’s an ingredient. His success has been a large part of Wisconsin’s journey toward a season they can be proud of. But sauces only stand out when paired

with a good burger, and Hastings’ success stands out because it’s come on top of growth and grit from players who’ve stuck with the Badgers through times good and hard. The Bird’s Chirp is The Daily Cardinal’s hockey column. Ian Wilder is the Cardinal’s hockey beat writer for the Badger men’s hockey team. What role do you think Hastings plays in the team? Send all comments to ian.wilder@dailycardinal.com

Big Ten on the road: How have the Badgers fared? By John Ernst STAFF WRITER

As the college basketball season trends into February, Big Ten basketball’s highest currency — a road victory — will become even more important. The conference has historically challenged even the best of its teams on the road, with a home court advantage leveling the competition between a team with a losing record and a top-15 team in the nation. This season, even the Big Ten’s top teams have struggled on the road. Purdue rolled into Evanston, Illinois as the No.1 seed in the country before Boo Buie and the Northwestern Wildcats outpaced them offensively and upset the Boilermakers in overtime. Just over a month later, Nebraska dominated Purdue again, blowing them out by 16 in Lincoln. Wisconsin met a similar fate in Happy Valley after starting the season 5-0 in Big Ten play, dropping their matchup by four points to Penn State. The Badgers still lead the Big Ten, sporting an 8-1 record after edging out Minnesota in a key road win last week and handling the Spartans at home. They’ve fared well on the road this season, even taking down Michigan State the first time around in the Breslin Center early in December. Much of the struggle for away teams in the Big Ten roots from

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competition in daunting arenas. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (Indiana), Mackey Arena (Purdue) and the State Farm Center (Illinois) were all built in the late 1960s, designed to keep sound in and amplify the pressure on the visitors. The latter two are designed as circular bowls, with sprawling ceilings that keep any noise contained. One of the surprise trap arenas in the Big Ten last season was the University of Maryland’s Xfinity Center, where the Terrapins went 16-1 overall with five wins against ranked teams. Meanwhile, they disappeared on the road, going 1-9 in Big Ten play before eventually dropping their Round of 32 tournament matchup with Alabama at a neutral site.

Essentially, the location of the game might be more important than the actual team itself. In the second week of January, seven of the top 10 teams dropped their conference matchups on the road, all to unranked teams. College basketball culminates each year in March, when teams’ abilities to win outside their home arena will be tested. A neutral site is a true assessment of each team, when the comfort of their home court and hostility of an away court is removed. Free throws, often the late decider of many games, won’t be shot with silence or utter chaos but rather with a balance between the two fanbases. The Badgers are approaching one of their tough stretches in the next few games, with three of four

on the road and a home date with second-ranked Purdue. How will they fare, and what can that tell us about their future in March? Wisconsin last found themselves at this pace in Big Ten play during the 2014-15 season, when they found themselves in the NCAA Championship game against Duke. That season, the Badgers were undefeated in Big Ten games at the Kohl Center and went 16-2 in conference play. Another consistent feature of both today’s Badgers and their 2014-15 counterparts is the depth of their lineups. Each team boasts three players averaging over 10 points a game as well as sixth and seventh men to complement the starting five. Wisconsin has struggled with

depth in lineups from past seasons, often leading to an early demise in March. During the 2021-22 season, Johnny Davis averaged 20 points a game but was held to 4-17 shooting in their second round matchup. The Badgers only logged 49 points, eliminated by 11-seeded Iowa State. This season, the Badgers are fourth in all of college basketball in offensive efficiency, a statistic tracked by KenPom, which measures how many points a team scores for every 100 possessions. The Badgers have a 121.7 rating, directly competing with top teams such as UConn and Purdue. Much of their success has come from the aforementioned depth and rotation deployed by head coach Greg Gard. John Blackwell has been phenomenal off the bench, averaging 8.5 points and 18 minutes a game. Blackwell’s efforts earned him three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, adding a freshman presence that has been rare on past Badger teams. The true test for Wisconsin lies in February, where the Badgers will spend weeks prepping for March Madness and fine-tuning themselves for the tournament. Road matchups will be more important, culminating with a final away date in West Lafayette for their last game of the regular season.

arts ‘Barbie’ receives shocking snubs in annual Oscar nominations

Thursday, February 1, 2024

By Marit Erickson STAFF WRITER

“Sublime!” This is a word many would use to describe “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s 2023 existential pink sensation. “Barbie” was the highestgrossing film of 2023, making over $1.4 billion at the box office. It also became Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing worldwide release of all time. Those staggering numbers are a landmark victory for a film about feminism in a movie industry built for men. However, after the 96th Oscar nominations were released, it’s clear the Academy doesn’t value the women who made the film great. Although Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera of “Barbie” were both nominated for their supporting roles, two shocking omissions were notable: Margot Robbie, who starred as the iconic doll, and Gerwig, the film’s director, did not receive nominations. Robbie has already been recognized by the Academy for her performances in “I, Tonya” and “Bombshell.” Her shocking snub left many wondering: What made this role different? In an interview with Variety, Ferrera reflected on Robbie’s acting ability. “One of the things about Margot as an actress is how easy she makes everything look,” Ferrera said. “And perhaps people got fooled into thinking that the work seems easy.” Perhaps the Academy takes Robbie’s effortless acting style for granted.

Despite what some may think, playing a character like Barbie is no easy task. Robbie has expressed how difficult it was to prepare for the performance. Her former methods didn’t work for a doll; there were no accents nor childhood memories to cling to as she had for her past work. “She just was invented out of a vacuum,” Robbie said during a Variety interview. Cillian Murphy, who was nominated for “Oppenheimer,” portrayed a real person with thoughts and actions. Arguably, Robbie achieved a much greater feat due to the very little source material to draw from. Maybe you count “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper” as inspiration, but I gather Robbie didn’t. Perhaps Barbie is too notorious of a figure and the film is hindered by this. But does a performance need to seem indie or high-brow for the Academy to view it as worthy of praise? This is the problem with film snobs, the type of people that scare away casual viewers. Loving cinema doesn’t need to be pretentious. Mastering the subtlety Robbie achieves in her depiction of Barbie should be applauded. What really kept Gerwig from her rightfully deserved nomination? Female directors are historically underrepresented at the Academy Awards. Only three have won Oscar gold in 95 years. This makes Gerwig’s omission unsurprising yet still disappointing. Perhaps it is the fact that

Lethal Company shows indie games have a place in gamers’ hearts By Ian Wilder SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Lethal Company was nominated for Game of the Year on Steam in 2023, and while it lost to Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s a major win for indie games and their developers. Why’s that significant? Baldur’s Gate 3 was created by Larian Studios, a video game studio that employs 450 employees across six countries, according to Bloomberg. IGN reported Baldur’s Gate’s budget came in at $100 million. Meanwhile, Lethal Company was designed, programmed and published by a single developer, Zeekers. Zeekers’ Twitter shows they’re a self-taught developer passionate about video game design. Zeekers started by designing levels on Roblox and eventually published four games on Steam that drew a few decent reviews from gamers. The next game he

published was Lethal Company, and it would explode. Lethal Company received 97% positive feedback on 250,000 reviews on Steam from gamers. For reference, the ever-popular Resident Evil 4 developed by Capcom — a major studio — gained the same percentage with just under 80,000 reviews on Steam. Imagine a mom-and-pop grocery store competing at the same level as Walmart, Target, Costco and Pick n’ Save. It’s hard to imagine that case, but Lethal Company has proven that competition in the video game development scene is possible. The significant news here is that there is still a place for indie games to succeed, even if the market is increasingly saturated with major players who can — between all of them — release constant streams of games that compete for players’ time and money. Even more

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many think the “Barbie” movie isn’t for them. Male viewers particularly have refused to understand the point of Baumbach and Gerwig’s writing, arguing it’s “man-hating” or part of the “evil feminist agenda.” Golden Globes host Jo Koy perfectly exemplified this ignorance in his monologue, saying, “‘Barbie’ is about a plastic doll with big boobies.” Koy’s crude humor ignored the film’s massive impact: it connected many of its viewers with heartwarming nostalgia while also addressing mature frustrations regarding patriarchal gender roles. The film was both entertaining and dignifying — two things Koy was not when he opened his mouth at the Golden Globes. To successfully combine serious themes with comedy is an incredible achievement worth recognizing. Baumbach

and Gerwig also managed to create massive cultural movements through the movie’s various viral-worthy moments. The fact that they even got away with making this movie is a triumph in itself — many brands would never allow this kind of publicity. Gerwig, a master of world-building, puts intricate detail into all of her work. For 2019’s “Little Women,” Gerwig did extensive research on Civil Warera costume design, learned about 19th-century dye techniques and gave each character a specific color scheme. In 2017’s “Lady Bird,” star Saoirse Ronan wore no makeup, even after having an acne breakout, in order for her character to seem like a real teenager. This diligence was obvious in “Barbie.” Barbie doesn’t walk down stairs, she just floats off the top floor!

Putting dutiful care into small details is what makes a filmmaker truly spectacular, and Gerwig is a perfect example of this directorial quality. Gerwig received a nomination for the screenplay she wrote with Baumbach and Robbie, and she was nominated in the Best Picture category for her work in producing “Barbie.” These are still honorable awards to win, but they are nominated amongst others, and it would be great to see recognition for their individual — and arguably bigger — contributions to the movie. With only five slots available in most categories, highly talented individuals are left off the Oscar ballot every year. But the director and star of the most popular film of the year deserve recognition, particularly from such a prestigious institution as the Academy.

concerning is the consolidation of games under these companies. Microsoft has been making significant moves on independent developers. In October of 2023, Microsoft absorbed Activision Blizzard — a developer that held the largest-ever market value of any developer at a whopping $67.06 billion — in a record-breaking deal, according to Statista. Nintendo is the second largest behind that, which maxed out at $60.28 billion in 2022. Activision Blizzard is behind franchises like the Warcraft, Starcraft and Overwatch games, all of which now fall under Microsoft’s control. Microsoft had already absorbed Minecraft developer Mojang and a holding company that held developers Bethesda, id Software and Arkane. Bethesda produces the Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series, id Software is known for the Doom games, and Arkane developed the Prey and Dishonored games. Take Two Interactive, known for 2K games and Rockstar Games, of the famous GTA franchise, is the second-largest video game developer by market value, according to Statista. They snagged the secondlargest developer acquisition in history when acquiring mobile developer Zynga, best known for Farmville.

Overall, the consolidation in the it over to an uncertain future with industry has been so fast that gam- one of the ‘big box’ brands. ers may not realize their favorite The good news is that gamers franchises and games shifted hands. continue to reaffirm their love for That’s left an increasingly challeng- indie games. Lethal Company and ing market for indie and indepen- other indie titles — such as the dent developers. 2020 cultural phenomenon Among But indie games stood out in Us — are hit titles that gained fame 2023. Larian Studios of Baldur’s because they are great games and not Gate 3 — which won game of the much else, with little to nothing to year at The Game Awards as well — claim as a marketing budget. is independent, and the staggering At the end of the day, video game success of Lethal Company shows design is an art just like any other that gamers will continue to support form of entertainment out there. indie games and their developers. Late-night sweat and tears go into Of course, consolidation is an their creation, and we should reward issue. Recent activities from the larg- games that try to level up the gaming est developers show that acquisitions experience — regardless of the team are likely to continue in 2024. Some or person behind them. games, developers and franchises undoubtedly benefit from acquisitions — those who lose and struggle to find their feet benefit from being taken under the wing of a stable studio. But for others, it signifies the closing of the ‘momand-pop’ shop that had made the games what they GABRIELLA HARTLAUB & HENRY A. MOORE/THE DAILY CARDINAL are and handing

opinion Don’t give Sister Cindy what she wants

dailycardinal.com Thursday, February 1, 2024

When you give in to the spectacle, you give her a platform. By Blake Martin STAFF WRITER

If you had access to the internet on September 19, 2023, there’s a good chance you saw something about Evangelical Christian TikToker “Sister Cindy” and her University of Wisconsin-Madison visit. If you saw her in person, there’s a good chance you posted about her or texted your friends to ditch class and see “that Christian lady from TikTok that talks about chocolate-covered tampons.” Unfortunately, there’s an even greater chance this is exactly what she wants. Before gaining her status as a TikTok micro-celebrity, Cindy Smock (then Lasseter) studied journalism at the University of Florida, had a passion for disco and even worked for her school newspaper. During her sophomore year in 1977, Smock stood in a crowd of her classmates and laughed “hysterically” at the late campus preacher “Brother Jed.” At the time, he preached nearly the same lessons she does now. At the time, she didn’t take him seriously. But she stayed and listened. Six years later, she married the man she once ridiculed. After the two tied the knot, they founded Campus Ministry USA (CMUSA). CMUSA brings highly confrontational evangelism to college students. According to their website, the organization views college campuses as a battleground and ideological victory

is of the utmost importance: “as go the campuses, so goes the nation.” The first step to winning that battle is getting your attention. CMUSA doesn’t hide its tactics for spreading its message. In 2016, Brother Jed and Sister Cindy uploaded a video to their YouTube channel called “Five Stages of a Crowd.” The one hour, 42 minute video defends their intentionally inflammatory practices and reveals that they are in on the joke. They like it that way. They start by catching your attention with something jarring and ridiculous. For example, wearing a t-shirt that reads “HoNoMo.” Brother Jed claims that, “once hooked, the students [you] use modern social media to draw their [your] friends to the scene.” The couple goes as far as referring to phones as a “trap in the hands of every student.” According to Brother Jed himself, every time you “ask questions, mock, and ridicule…[you] add to the drama of the event.” By engaging with their content, even ironically, you give them a platform. The more people you bring to the scene, the greater chance you bring someone that sticks around. This might sound melodramatic, but remember if this method didn’t work, Cindy Lasseter might not have become Sister Cindy in the first place. At first, it’s natural to not take Sister Cindy seriously. But remember the intention behind the theatrics. CMUSA isn’t a middle-of-the-road organization

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that happens to use unconventional methods. CMUSA takes aggressive fundamentalist stances on sexual morality, queer rights, gender roles, the Islamic faith and evolution. How aggressive are they? In one example, CMUSA doesn’t just oppose the advancement of “gay rights,” or even gay marriage specifically. CMUSA contends that there is no such thing as “gay rights” since “no one has the right to sodomy.” Sister Cindy didn’t say these words on Library Mall, but they were on CMUSA’s publicly available website as crowds gath-

ered, stayed and urged others to join. So, why should you take her seriously? Because she doesn’t want you to. Because she wants you to stand and laugh. Because she wants you to take photos and videos. Because she wants you to bring more people to come and listen. Because to make her point, all she needs is one person to stay. Blake Martin is a junior studying English and political science. Do you agree spectacle lends support to far-right speakers? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com

Farewell, Silver Dollar: Another Madison gem gone The irony of tearing down history to preserve history. By Franchesca Reuter OPINION EDITOR

In the heart of downtown Madison, Silver Dollar Tavern is set to have its final last call on Feb. 3. The iconic bar, located on 117 W. Mifflin St., stands as the oldest family-owned bar in the city and was one of the first to receive a liquor license post-Prohibition in Madison. All good things seem to come to an end, though, as the property was bought by Hovde Properties of Madison. The Wisconsin Historical Society will build the Wisconsin History Center on that same block next door. How ironic. The bar was originally founded in 1933 by Clyde Teasdale and has stayed in the family since. Current owner Chuck Teasdale is the fourth generation to have run the establishment. For the past 90 years, the bar has been a social hub for students and the greater Madison community. The

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wooden walls tell a tale of the bar’s past staff and avid customers, frozen in numerous picture frames, exhibiting the strong sense of community the spot has cultivated over almost a century. All will soon be gone with the inevitable closure. “It’s upsetting that this hidden gem is shutting down. I really wish I would’ve discovered it sooner in my college career,” said Abbie Heidtke, a University of Wisconsin-Madison student. “It has so much history, and it is always a good place to hang out with friends and meet new people. Now, that won’t be here anymore.” Construction of the Wisconsin History Center is set to begin following demolition of the current five buildings on the block, and the center will open to the public in 2027. The project will cost a total of $160.5 million. Randy Guenther, Hovde Properties president, says the demolition is imperative for a safe construction of the new center across the block. There are no future plans currently for what will be developed at the West Mifflin property. While this may be the end of Silver Dollar as its own standing business, the bar is going to be honored on the fifth floor of the Wisconsin History Center. It will be replicated as a fully operational bar with donations by the Teasdale family, including the Silver Dollar’s 43-foot-long wooden bar. “It feels good to know that when we close the doors next month, the 90-year legacy of our family business will live on in Wisconsin history,” Teasdale told the Wisconsin State Journal. Sure, it’s exciting the bar will be included. It’s an essential part of Madison’s history. However, replicating the Silver Dollar kills its charm in a way that cannot be replicated

in the history center. While vintage furnishings will be used upstairs to help design the attraction, you cannot replicate an atmosphere treasured by generations of patrons. The replication in the center is more an acknowledgment of the loss, yet trying to make up for it somehow in a way that will never refill the missing piece of Madison. Dive bars are an essential pillar of Madison’s character. With recent losses like the relocation of Red Shed and a proposal to demolish Vintage Spirits & Grill to build new housing, the city is at risk of losing vital businesses that anchor its culture. “At a time when family-owned taverns are falling by the wayside, it’s fitting that the Wisconsin Historical Society would preserve one of the rare survivors from our state, giving it new life for future generations,” Jim Draeger, an architectural historian and historic preservation expert, told the Wisconsin State Journal. While it is important to recognize the identity and history of Madison with this new informational and creative hub, the decision comes at a sour cost. Construction of the Wisconsin History Center in its future location on Capitol Square may seem ideal to the city and visitors, but the question lingers: could this center of Madison history have not been built where it would not be required to tear down Madison history? It is quite ironic that, in order to preserve this aspect of history, one of the oldest dive bars in Madison must be torn down. As Feb. 3 slowly approaches, the loss of Silver Dollar causes the city to lose an indispensable part of its history. How long will it be until the next legendary and beloved business is next to go on the list? The list of places

that add to Madison’s iconic charm and history are diminishing quickly. “Tears will be shed on February 3, that’s for sure,” UW-Madison student Claire Zimmerman said. Silver Dollar stands today as a testament to Madison and its history, and it should be desperately cherished in its current state for what it is — not demolished and rebuilt. The Silver Dollar Tavern is history. Franchesca Reuter is an Opinion Editor. She is a junior studying Journalism and Communication Arts. Do you agree it is ironic that Silver Dollar to aid construction of the new history center? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com

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science

Thursday, February 1, 2024

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I Just Think They’re Neat: humpback whales

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What is seasonal depression? The science behind ‘winter blues’ By Sydney Spiegel STAFF WRITER

While the winter months begin, the sky is not the only thing getting cloudy as many individuals produce symptoms of seasonal depression. Seasonal depression, formally known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is “a form of recurrent depression that typically starts in late fall or early winter and resolves in the spring or summer,” according to Yale Medicine. SAD is more severe than just “winter blues,” and can be characterized by symptoms similar to depression, including feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, and changes in sleep or appetite. It is always important to consult a healthcare professional to learn more about these symptoms and what treatments may be available if diagnosed. As individuals living in a heavily winter-weathered area, we may want to learn about SAD and understand the neurological mechanisms behind this disorder. Although there is still more research to be done, a few projects have identified important brain regions and signals responsible for SAD. Individuals with SAD tend to have reduced levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger from the brain responsible for mood regulation. This reduction may be due to the reduced amount of sunlight available during the winter months, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), given that “sunlight affects levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels.” Beyond serotonin, sunlight also impacts melatonin levels in the brain. Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep levels. A decrease in sunlight leads to an increase

in melatonin production, and therefore an increase in sleepiness and lower energy. Individuals who live further north are more likely to be diagnosed with SAD. This is due to the earth’s tilt and revolution around the sun. The Northern Hemisphere receives much less sunlight because it is tilted away from the sun during the winter months. Specific brain regions may play a role in seasonal depression. A 2015 Vanderbilt University study located a small region of the midbrain called the dorsal raphe nucleus that may play a part in depressive effects triggered by the seasonal light cycle. The dorsal raphe nucleus houses many of the brain cells responsible for serotonin levels, further emphasizing the NIMH’s association of serotonin levels with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Additionally, when there is a change in daylight, an individual’s biological clock shifts. This clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, regulates an individual’s sleep-wake cycle. Mood, hormones and sleep are affected when there is an imbalance in this cycle, all of which are possible contributors to general and seasonal depression. Although a generalization, the NIMH believes SAD begins around young adulthood, the age of most college students. Still, there is much more work to be done in understanding what Seasonal Affective Disorder is and the mechanisms behind it. SAD can be very serious and become prolonged, so it is important to recognize potential signs of SAD in yourself and your loved ones. Experts recommend consulting a health professional to learn more about these symptoms and what treatments may be available if diagnosed.

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By Lindsay Pfeiffer STAFF WRITER

Two summers ago, I was lucky enough to witness humpback whales feeding in the waters of Alaska. Since then, these majestic creatures have held a piece of my heart. The humpback whale, or Megaptera novaeangliae, can grow up to 62 feet in length and weigh up to 53 tons. Humpbacks spend their summers in the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans feeding on krill and plankton, and they spend their winters close to the Equator for breeding. Their travels can add up to 10,000 miles a year. Humpback whales have large tails that help them swim, which allow researchers to individually identify them. They also have tubercules, or small bumps, dotting their heads with tiny whisker-like hairs to provide sensory information. When you think of a hump-

back whale, you might think of their eerie calls reverberating through the water. But did you know that only male humpback whales “sing?” These songs have a repetitive structure and usually appear during mating season. However, researchers have discovered male humpbacks singing during feeding season as well. There are a couple of hypotheses about this phenomenon, including that male humpbacks are practicing their songs or attempting to impress females even during feeding season. Although many find these creatures fascinating, humpback whales are in danger of going extinct. In 1973, humpback whales were listed under the Endangered Species Act due to illegal hunting, ship strikes and fishing net entanglements. Additionally, plastic pollution poses an extreme threat to these magnificent animals.

One study found that a fishfeeding humpback whale likely consumes 200,000 pieces of microplastic per day. The loss of humpback whales would be devastating to our planet. When humpbacks feed, migrate, excrete waste and dive into the ocean’s depths, they spread essential nutrients through the water. This allows phytoplankton to grow, which contributes to reducing carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere — phytoplankton absorbs about 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions per year. Humpback whales also store carbon in their bodies, which sinks to the ocean floor after death. I will never forget the awe of seeing a humpback whale jump out of the water or seeing their iconic tail slaps. Now that you know how important humpbacks are to our planet, I hope you have a newfound appreciation for these gentle giants.

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