'Go big or go bankrupt' - Volume 53, Issue 5

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021 · VOL 53, Issue 5 · BADGERHERALD.COM

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As the legislature passes bipartiasn proposals, UW students see need for expanded survivor services

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STUDENT PERFORMER HAVEN

With a wide variety of music cultures, UW proves to be perfect place for young artists to thrive

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Philomena Lindquist Erin Gretzinger Arushi Gupta Savannah Kind Anne Isman Shayde Erbrecht Katie Hardie Ken Wang Keagan Schlosser John Spengler Mary Magnuson Nuha Dolby Matthew van Bastelaer Janani Sundar

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EDITORIAL BOARD: UW HAS POWER TO MAKE BETTER ‘NEW’ NORMAL 15 As Omicron makes headlines around the world, UW must implement more instituional support to address students’ continuing struggles — students in return need to uphold their responsibility to protect the Madison community

BADGERS HEAD TO LAS VEGAS BOWL TO CAP OFF FOOTBALL SEASON While Wisconsin fell short of reaching the Big Ten Championship, their bowl game matchup against Arizona State University provides a chance to finish strong 2 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

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‘TIS THE SEASON IN MADISON Amid the stressful end of semester, take a stroll down State Street for a dose of holiday cheer — cherish the last few weeks and good luck with finals, Badgers!

Photos by Abby Cima

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 3

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Wheel taxes in Wisconsin have tripled since 2017, report finds ‘It’s unfortunate that we municipalities and counties are depending on tools such as the wheel tax,’ state senator says

by Phoenix Pham City News Editor

Wheel taxes — the taxes Wisconsin residents must pay annually for owning a vehicle — have tripled since 2017 as municipalities seek ways to increase funding in a state that heavily regulates how they finance themselves, according to a report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

In Wisconsin, residents pay wheel taxes — also known as vehicle registration dues, as flat fees — which by their nature are regressive, City of Madison Director of Finance David Schmiedicke said.

“In terms of percentage of someone’s income, it’s going to be a slightly larger percentage for those individuals of lower income compared to those of higher income,” Schmiedicke explained.

Wheel taxes are one of the only taxes that Wisconsin municipalities can levy at their discretion, Schmiedicke said.

Unlike in some other states, Wisconsin municipalities aren’t allowed to levy a sales tax or income tax.

Instead, they must rely on property taxes and state aid, Schmiedicke said.

But since 2006, Wisconsin has capped the amount municipalities can increase their property taxes annually, according to a 2019 Wisconsin Policy Forum report. The report also found state aid to municipalities has decreased, falling 40.9% between 1998 and 2018.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum is a nonpartisan policy research center that provides Wisconsin policy analyses, according to their website.

As municipalities grow, it becomes more difficult for them to maintain their services, Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, said.

“It feels like we put our local governments in a position where their backs are up against the wall,” Agard said.

“They do need these resources in order to invest in and support the safety, security and prosperity of their communities.

And, unfortunately, there’s not many other venues for them. So this [Wheel Tax] is something that they have many communities in Wisconsin having to do.”

In 2019, the City of Madison raised its wheel tax to $40 — the highest in Wisconsin. Madisonian vehicle owners must additionally pay $28 in wheel taxes to Dane County and $85 to the state, according to the Wisconsin DOT website.

Owners of electric or hybrid vehicles must also pay a $100 or $75 surcharge, respectively, according to a Wisconsin Examiner article.

Wisconsin’s wheel taxes are still low 4 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

compared to other Midwestern states — especially for new vehicles, according to the Wisconsin DOT website.

For example, someone who lives in Milwaukee and owns a 2020 Toyota Camry and drives 10,000 miles a year is estimated to pay $248 a year in gasoline and wheel taxes, while somebody with the same car

Camry in Madison pays an average of $285 a year, they would pay less in Michigan and Minnesota.

Wheel taxes in Wisconsin may keep growing if the state continues to limit other sources of revenue for municipalities, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum report.

Photo - Experts and politicians say the hike in wheel taxes come as municipalities face decreasing options to levy taxes at their discretion Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald in Minneapolis is estimated to pay $467 a year, the Wisconsin Policy Forum reported.

The difference decreases as the vehicle gets older, according to the DOT. Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa base their wheel taxes on the age and make of a vehicle, instead of having a flat fee like in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum report.

So while the owner of a 2008 Toyota

“At the end of the day, I think that it’s really important that we re-establish local control over other revenue sources,” Agard said. “And that would require legislative action.”

One way the state could help municipalities would be closing the “Dark Store” tax loophole, Agard said.

The Dark Store loophole allows retailers to sue municipalities to lower and refund

their property taxes, according to a USA Today NETWORK-Wisconsin analysis.

It stems from a 2008 Wisconsin Supreme Court case in which Walgreens argued that their property tax should be based upon the actual market value of their property, as opposed to how much income the property is taking in, according to the court opinion.

In 2017, Wisconsin municipalities stood to lose $700 million in property taxes due to retailers using the Dark Store loophole, according to the USA Today analysis.

To make up the lost revenue, municipalities could potentially have to raise property taxes for other taxpayers, the analysis found.

Compared to other Midwestern states, Wisconsin municipalities heavily rely on property taxes to generate revenue.

In 2015, Wisconsin municipalities received 42.2% of their revenues from property taxes with only 1.6% from sales and income taxes combined.

Nationally, municipalities used property taxes to get 23.3% of their incomes, with an additional 21.3% from sales and income taxes, according to the 2019 Wisconsin Policy Forum report.

Historically, state aid has compensated municipalities for their lack of revenue diversity, but in the past two decades state aid has been stagnant, according to a 2017 Wisconsin Policy Forum report.

“State aid to cities has actually been reduced over the past 20 years, so not only has it not kept pace with inflation, it’s actually been cut by about $100 million since 2003,” Schmiedicke said. “So there aren’t very many funding options to pay for services in cities in Wisconsin compared to other cities around the country.”

Madison voted to raise its wheel tax in 2019 to $40 to help close an $11 million budget hole, according to a Wisconsin State Journal article. The city used the money to help fund the proposed Bus Rapid Transit, according to Schmiedicke.

The city had also approved a 2020 budget amendment to give 2,500 $40 gift cards to federal Woman, Infant and Children assistance recipients to offset the tax, according to WSJ. The program is still available but doesn’t see a lot of participation, Schmiedicke said.

Agard said she doesn’t foresee the current trend of increasing wheel taxes ending anytime soon.

“Unless we do something drastic, it’s unfortunate that we municipalities and counties are depending on tools such as the wheel tax,” Agard said.

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ASM says BRT off of State Street may reduce accessibility, travel time

‘If you take bus access off of State Street, how will students access State Street from off campus?’ ASM spokesperson says

by Cat Carroll Reporter

After the City of Madison Common Council narrowly rejected a budget amendment last month to consider rerouting the proposed Bus Rapid Transit off of State Street, an ASM spokesperson has weighed in on the BRT’s effects on University of Wisconsin students.

The City of Madison proposed the BRT to improve public transit and reduce travel time across regions, according to CityofMadison. com. Under the BRT system, 60-feet-long buses would connect key activity centers through a combination of dedicated bus lanes and mixed traffic.

The City estimates BRT would reduce travel time by up to 25%, according to the City of Madison Department of Transportation.

Jan. 5, the city council approved a revised Locally Preferred Alternative — called LPA — route, based on feedback from residents in Madison.

The revised LPA proposed a BRT route that will run along East Washington Avenue, around the Capitol, through the UW campus — continuing west on University Avenue and Mineral Point

Road to the West Towne Mall, according to the City of Madison Metro Transit website.

The route would also include building BRT stations on State Street — which some State Street businesses have opposed, saying the stations would affect pedestrian flow and the economic development of the downtown area.

Madison city council President Syed Abbas of District 12, along with District 14 Alderperson Sheri Carter, District 1 Alderperson Barbara Harrington-McKinney, District 18 Alderperson Charles Myadze and District 4 Alderperson Mike Verveer introduced a budget amendment in early November to consider re-routing the BRT off State Street.

In the amendment, Abbas and his colleagues encouraged the city to consider rerouting the BRT to East Gorham Street or East Johnson Street as opposed to keeping the route on State Street.

“It’s important to look at the situation holistically,” Abbas said. “What is the future of State Street? What is the future of the businesses that reside there?”

The amendment introduced by Abbas and his colleagues would eliminate direct access to State Street, according to The Cap Times. Individuals would have to walk from side streets, such as East

Gorham Street or East Johnson Street, in order to access State Street, the Cap Times reported.

Abbas said by keeping the BRT away from State Street, the city could implement a pedestrian mall, which could attract more people, spurring economic growth for businesses.

“A pedestrian mall would open up opportunities for vendors and other businesses outside, at a low cost,” Abbas said. “With COVID, many restaurants have started using outside space on State Street because people aren’t comfortable being inside. The bus not going down State Street will help this outdoor activity continue.”

Associated Students of Madison Press Office Director Tyler Katzenberger said there are many factors to consider when analyzing the alternative BRT routes.

Katzenberger said some of the benefits of keeping the BRT off of State Street include less noise and boosted mobility for pedestrians.

With many restaurants and businesses, State Street is already popular among UW students, Katzenberger said. With less motor traffic, it is likely this popularity would continue with students because of increased accessibility.

Katzenberger also said there were disadvantages to not having the BRT on State

Street — specifically for low-income students who live off campus, where housing is more affordable.

“If you take bus access off of State Street, how will students access State Street from off campus?” Katzenberger said. “It is saying that transportation needs aren’t being met for lowincome individuals.”

“It’s important the City of Madison continue to seek public feedback on the topic,” Katzenberger said.

But overall, Katzenberger said the proposed route serves students well.

“For students without a car, trying to get to West Towne Mall for affordable groceries with the current bus system is about 45 minutes to an hour,” Katzenberger said. “Then students have to spend time at the grocery store, then another forty-five minutes to an hour to get back to campus. With this, you are looking at a two- to three-hour time investment — just for groceries — because Fresh [Market Madison] is so expensive on campus.”

With the BRT, students will be able to access West Towne Mall in about 30 minutes.

Construction for the BRT system is expected to begin in 2023, with a targeted start date of service in 2024.

Grades are not only indicator for future success, UW experts say

‘Once a student is past the first job out of college, grades diminish in importance,’ UW associate vice provost says

by Elise Wiegele City News Editor

Choosing to attend college can be an easy or hard decision depending on the student.

Attending college helps determine one’s future and overall can lead one to their desired career path. But there are many expectations for how students become successful post-undergrad and in the workforce.

One common expectation or belief is that college students need to maintain a high GPA to become successful later in life. Getting good grades and achieving in academics is one of the most important parts of college to many college students, including students at the University of Wisconsin.

While achieving good grades is a common desire for college students, recent research has shown making good grades is not the only factor determining one’s success after college.

According to a research study conducted in 2016, personality predicts success more accurately than almost all other factors. While grades can be a good indicator of a student’s perseverance and self-discipline, they fail to measure emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, leadership skills or comfortability with risk.

Director of the UW Career Exploration Center Jonathon Ferguson said employers look at multiple different aspects when choosing students to hire. In an interview with The Badger Herald, Ferguson said employers often look at students’ leadership experience, general work experience, internship experience, involvement in student organizations and other factors other than grade point averages.

“In fact, the number of employers screening applicants by grade point average is at an all-time low,” Ferguson said.

While other aspects of student success are being evaluated more than ever right now, grade point averages are still a crucial determining factor employers assess when choosing who they want to hire. According to a 2019 survey conducted by Job Outlook, 73% of potential employers have screened job candidates by GPA. Forbes also claims students with higher grade point averages could be more likely to land certain job interviews or prove their qualifications more than students with lower GPAs. Students with lower GPAs often have to restrict their job searches to smaller companies who offer lower salaries.

Based on Ferguson’s experience with advising, maintaining a good GPA goes hand-in-hand with

showing employers students’ interests in their fields of study.

“In my experience working with students, strength of grade point average is directly connected to the student’s level of interest in their program of study and how well the student’s academic talents align with the program of study,” Ferguson said. “I recommend students consider these factors as they make decisions about their program of study as it will support them in achieving a grade point average they desire.”

It is a common misconception that getting good grades determines everything about a student’s post-undergrad career, though. According to Forbes, there is no substantial link between getting good grades in college and earning a high income.

Paige Tait, a sophomore at UW, said the pressure to maintain a high GPA causes her high amounts of stress when thinking about her future.

“I worry about my grades 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Tait said. “It has gotten to the point where I don’t care as much about learning the material as I do about getting a good grade in a class.”

Wren Singer, associate vice provost at UW, agreed with this idea.

“In certain careers that require admission to competitive programs, grades are crucial in

determining a student’s future career success,” Singer said. “In general, good grades won’t hurt but they are far from the only factor. Once a student is past the first job out of college, grades diminish in importance.”

A study conducted by the American Sociological Association found college students’ grades are not as important as the college those students attended. The study found graduates of more competitive universities earn 19% more than graduates who attended less competitive universities or colleges.

UW Director of Career Services at the School of Human Ecology Alicia Hazen said employers focus more on the experience a student has gained during college rather than the grades they have earned.

“Students should perhaps be more concerned with how they demonstrate that they have these essential career readiness competencies more so than a high GPA,” she said. “Experience in a student’s desired field of interest may weigh more heavily when a recruiter is evaluating candidates for a position than GPA, particularly if the student can clearly articulate the skills they learned and applied in each role as they relate to the position and demonstrate how they would add value to the organization.”

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 5

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Increasing survivor advocacy at legislature, UW but more services needed

‘We have opened up more options for people to get an exam done and have evidence collected,’ associate professor says

by Kara Kneafsey Reporter

In steps to streamline systems for sexual assault survivors, the Wisconsin State Senate passed bipartisan proposals for sexual assault kit collection. Meanwhile in Madison, a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin obtained funding for expanded survivor services, and the student government passed legislation to create an anti-violence coordinator position.

In November, two sexual assault kit bills part of a bipartisan proposal passed in the Wisconsin State Senate, which would set a timeline for sexual assault kit collection processing and storage and create a kit tracking system. After partisan strife, the legislation headed to Governor Tony Evers’ desk to be signed into law.

Under the new legislation, sexual assault survivors who want to report their assault are required to go to a health care professional who has to notify law enforcement within 24 hours or send it to state crime laboratories within 72 hours if the survivor does not want to report the crime. Police must also send the kit into the state crime laboratories for testing by the police within two weeks, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

The bill aims to make the process more streamlined to prevent a backlog of untested sexual assault kits across Wisconsin, which was found to be the case in 2014. The backlog of 6,000 untested kits took four years to be eliminated, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

For Madison residents, the Dane County Multi-Agency Center has centralized resources and information for sexual assault survivors making access easier. Their platform helps survivors through vulnerable times as they look for advocacy in filing police reports or finding transportation to the single hospital in Dane country that performs comprehensive forensic sexual exams — Unity Point Health-Meriter hospital in downtown Madison.

For students at the University of Wisconsin, University Health Services started a forensic nurse examiner ’s program in partnership with the Dane County MultiAgency Center. The program was started with money from a two-year grant from the Office of Victims of Crime.

According to Kate Walsh, an associate professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Psychology who obtained the money to expand survivor services and advocacy at UW, other campuses and data show that students are asking for a nurse examiner ’s program at UW. “They don’t want to go to lots of different 6 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

places to get all of their different needs met, they don’t want to have to keep retelling their story over and over again, not knowing how the person on the other end is going to respond to them,” Walsh said.

Starting in the fall of 2021, students could schedule an appointment through UHS where they could be seen by a forensic nurse at the campus health clinic where an advocate will be present to explain and answer questions about the exam and additional resources.

From two surveys conducted at UW in 2015 and then 2019, 1 in 4 undergraduate women said they had experienced nonconsensual sexual contact in their college career, but few reported or sought resources after the crime. Despite the success of Walsh’s programs, she says UW still has low reporting rates.

Walsh and other advocacy organizations on campus are launching an awareness campaign next semester to publicize DaneMAC and the forensic nurses available on campus. Since the program’s soft launch, Walsh saw students make use of the program and many said they would not have traveled to Meriter hospital to get the exam done.

UHS played a collaborative role in implementing the program and has assigned half-time employees to assist the coordinator up if they are seeing another student — ensuring all student needs are met. Walsh said she has been happy with how UW has responded to the program.

“It’s important that when you have a forensic exam, you also have access to an advocate who can help explain the different parts of the exam so that the survivor can choose what parts they want and what parts they don’t,” Walsh said.

The Associated Students of Madison demonstrated its support for survivors on campus by ensuring the long-term role of an advocate at UHS. Additionally, ASM passed legislation Dec. 1 to create an anti-violence coordinator position on campus.

One of the legislation’s co-authors, Rep. Erin Tritz, said UW puts significant pressure on smaller organizations and offcampus resources to do anti-violence work.

Tritz said there should be more people supporting legislative change such as better accommodation systems and advocates for survivors, more survivor services, expanded mental health appointment availability, increased diversity and training for students on how to adequately respond to situations involving sexual violence.

In an email statement to The Herald, UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone said each campus unit working in violence prevention has “incredibly dedicated” staff members

Photo - Hundreds of University of Wisconsin students gathered in November 2016 after the election of Donald Trump for a march to support women’s rights and denounce sexual assault Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald who regularly seek ways to improve and advocate for and with students. Many of these staff members work directly with student organizations, forming partnerships critical to continuing UW’s progress in moving to a violence-free campus, McGlone added.

Reonda Washington, a violence prevention specialist at UHS, conducted Color of Drinking survey in 2018 according to which alcohol is the “#1 date-rape drug” at UW. There is growing consensus that sexual violence is not restricted to business hours and on-campus spaces.

“We’re one of the top party schools in the nation, and we have a serious problem with alcohol culture on campus,” Tritz said.

Students still face barriers trying to access forensic nurses because UHS is not open overnight. In these cases, students still have to go to Meriter hospital — located past Ogg residential hall — rather than UHS. Promoting Awareness and Victim Empowerment at UW, or PAVE-UW, started

an activism campaign this semester for increased funding for survivor advocacy and services at UW. In their petition to the UW administration, PAVE-UW said that with more money, Survivor Services could expand its hours of availability and increase crisis support services.

“I do think that it’s difficult for students to go off-campus and be in this big system where they are not sure what’s going to happen, and I think that a lot of people feel safer staying within the UHS realm,” Walsh said. “We have opened up more options for people to get an exam done and have evidence collected. Things don’t stop here as we need to make sure other pieces of our judicial system are operating well and treating our students well by seeing their cases through to the end.”

Walsh said she hopes her success will encourage UW to allocate more money for these resources. The recent legislation passed

by ASM will also continue to establish longterm resources for survivors at UW.

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‘Antisemitic’ messages chalked on UW Hillel sidewalk on Hanukkah

Chalkings conflate religion with politics, hold Jewish students accountable for Israel-Palestine conflict, UW Hillel says

by Audrey Thibert Digital News Editor

After Jewish students at the University of Wisconsin gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a UW Jewish community space sidewalk was chalked with messages regarding the IsraelPalestinian conflict.

The message read, “Happy Hanukkah & happy day of int’l solidarity with the Palestinian people” with a Palestinian flag and “#Palestine Day” written in color at the bottom.

For UW Hillel, a home for Jewish students on campus, the chalkings conflated religion with politics, centering the Israel-Palestine conflict and detracts from celebrating the holiday.

Hanukkah Hanukkah, or the “festival of lights,” is the eightday Jewish holiday that takes place each winter and commemorates a battle in which a small Jewish army overthrew the Greeks in Israel, according to Chabad. On the first night of Hanukkah, the first of eight candles on the menorah is lit and a blessing is given.

Hanukkah is significant to UW, which houses a community of over 4,000 Jewish students on campus.

According to UW student Rachel Rosen, who is a political affairs head at the Badger Alliance For Israel, choosing to write the chalking on the first day of Hanukkah was “purposeful” and “disrespectful.”

“Given that it was the very first night [of Hanukkah], … they intentionally wrote ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ facetiously to be like, ‘Hey, Jews, like we’re talking to you,’” Rosen said.

In a public statement, UW Hillel said religious celebrations should not be an “opportunity to promote divisiveness.” Attempting to hold the diverse Jewish community responsible for the Israeli government’s actions is a “modern manifestation of antisemitism,” according to UW Hillel.

Additionally, Jewish celebration happening does not mean Israel and Palestine are being discussed, UW student Aly Orvis, who is a Lonnie Dounn Fellow that is a pro-Israel and pro-peace American organization at J Street U, said.

“They’re not innately tied together, and frankly, making that comparison feels antisemitic,” Orvis said.

Conflating religion with politics “They chose to write that in front of Hillel, implying some correlation between a diverse group of Jewish students and the choices of the Israeli government,” UW student Chloe Lipton said.

According to Channel 3000, antisemitic incidents are common at UW, and attacks against Jewish students are increasing.

Rosen said she wasn’t surprised when she got the email about the chalking.

“These sort of antisemitic attacks are trying to disguise themselves as social justice protests,” Rosen said. “Using the language of ‘Free Palestine’ they’re sort of trying to frame it like, ‘We’re not antisemitic, we’re just standing up for what the Israeli government is doing to Palestinians.’ But we can see that if their intention really was to help Palestinians, they would probably be acting differently.”

In their statement, UW Hillel said they are committed to being an “open and welcoming space” for people of all religious, ethnic and cultural

Photo - Messages reading ‘Happy Hanukkah & happy day of int’l solidarity with the Palestine people’ were written outside the Hillel building The Herald Archives

identities at UW and hope others would work to “ensure this campus remains a safe and inclusive space for Jewish students.”

The UW Jewish community has rebounded since the first night of Hanukkah. Rosen said she has seen cohesion in the days following the chalking.

“I think that by targeting a group, you end up bringing them close together because people find unity in the group,” Rosen said. “So if this person’s intention was to weaken the Jewish community in some way, I think it honestly would just have the opposite effect.”

Peter German, who is a member of Madison for Palestine, said he condemns the chalking’s association of Judaism with the Israeli government.

“What we would absolutely condemn is the pure alignment of the Jewish faith with supporting Israeli government policies, which obviously they’re not linked because otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” German said.

In an email statement to The Badger Herald, UW spokesperson John Lucas said UW is aware of the recent chalking at Hillel and has been in contact with the Hillel staff.

“As a university, it’s our goal to create an environment where everyone is at home and feels welcome,” Lucas said. “We encourage respectful and courteous dialogue in our community.”

International Day of Solidarity for the Palestinian People The conflict between Israeli and Palestinian people is an enduring conflict of human and land rights, rooted in over 100 years of disagreement, according to the BBC. Peace talks have been ongoing for over 25 years, but no solution has been reached.

November 29, which coincided with the second day of Hanukkah this year, is significant to some groups on campus and is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

According to the United Nations, the annual event began in 1977 and celebrates the 1947 resolution that partitioned Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with Jerusalem as a separate entity.

The intent of the resolution was for the partition of Palestine to start in 1978 — except it never did.

Local organizations including Madison for Palestine, Palestine Partners, the UW chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and the MadisonRafah Sister City Project flew flags and signs on a footbridge over Campus Drive to celebrate the event, according to RED Madison. These events were part of a nationwide effort organized by the U.S. Palestine Community Network.

German said Madison for Palestine participated in multiple events for the International Day of Solidarity including a flag drop, social media efforts with the U.S. Palestinian Network and setting up flags outside the Capitol.

It is beneficial to have recognition from an international body like the UN of the basic rights and human decency of the Palestinian people because a lot of times, it is lost, German said.

“It is especially useful to have a distinct yearly

day because unfortunately, a lot of student activism around Palestine flares up and dies off,” German said. “I feel like internationally, Palestinian solidarity is a useful reminder that we can’t just turn off the TV and forget that this is continuing to happen and that we need to stand in solidarity.”

German, who is Jewish, said Hillel has been a very useful organization that has done great work for the Jewish community on campus, especially LGBTQ Jewish students. UW Hillel organizes Queer Jews at UW meet-ups and volunteer opportunities for UW students.

German said, however, he feels he would be uncomfortable joining a “pro-Israeli” group like UW Hillel.

“The biggest thing for me is that I want to be able to speak out on Palestine and not feel like I’m betraying other members of the Jewish community, which is a very difficult line to balance,” German said.

Hillel’s goal as an international foundation is to inspire a commitment to “Jewish life, learning and Israel,” according to the Hillel International website.

Despite how some actions conflate Hillel and Israel, Lipton says it is possible to be pro-Israel without condoning the actions of the Israeli government.

“Jews can support the existence of Israel but not agree with all the government’s actions, and it was upsetting to see this separation go unrecognized,” Lipton said.

German said some individual chapters have broken away from that and adopted a more proPalestine approach, but Madison isn’t necessarily distancing itself from that policy. “[The] Birthright trips and some of the actions they [Hillel] have taken have aligned them with the State of Israel, and a lot of times that involves cooperation with the state and government of Israel,” German said. “I occasionally attend the Beth Israel Center, and they don’t organize around Israeli action. They’re not receiving chalkings.”

The consensus, it seems, from both arguments is that it is crucial to recognize the separation of Zionism from Judaism.

Moreover, because the conflict has many complexities to it and spans a number of years, it can be confusing to follow, according to UW sophomore Alison Stecker, who said Jewish students should not be blamed for the decisions of the Israeli government.

“I don’t think anyone truly understands the extent of the issue, and the students here have nothing to do with the events taking place overseas,” Stecker said.

For German, though, it is difficult to navigate his identity as a pro-Palestinian Jew. “There is a diversity of thought and opinion within the Jewish community,” German said. “I’ve had people tell me that if you’re not specifically Zionist, you’re not really Jewish. But I know that’s not true because it’s something I’ve been able to make a core pillar of my identity.”

December 7 2021 • badgerherald.com • 7

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SCIENCE NEWS

Student organizations work to bring solar panels to campus bus stops

Supported by Green Fund, collaborative project aims to inspire social change on campus through environmental work

by Caroline Crowley Science Reporter

In an effort to create social change and to increase sustainability on campus, Helios and Enactus — two student organizations at the University of Wisconsin — are planning to install solar panels on the roofs of campus bus shelters.

The project is backed by the Green Fund, a campus organization that supports sustainability at UW. The panels will power screens displaying bus arrivals and departures, according to Ian Aley, the Green Fund program manager.

Helios is a student organization dedicated to creating renewable energy solutions on campus.

Enactus is another student organization that seeks to make social change in Madison.

The groups hoped to increase the visibility of clean energy on campus,

Photo · The report for the project took 12 months to complete The Herald Archives business lead of Helios Atilla Veyssal.

“Clean energy’s important on campus, because with such a congregate community of students that will be one day entering the workforce, being able to see efforts of sustainable projects around may be inspiring for them,” Veyssal said.

8 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

Helios and Enactus presented their report for the project to UW Transportation Oct. 20, according to Veyssal.

The report took a total of 12 months to complete and the group hopes the installations will begin this spring.

Before the project started, Aley said UW Transportation was interested in adding real-time displays and lights to their bus stops, but traditional electricity services wouldn’t have been practical.

“Running electrical to the bus stops is super expensive because often the bus stop is far away from electrical hookup, so putting solar panels on the roof is the best technology from a sustainability perspective but also from a cost perspective,” Aley said.

To analyze the solar potential of each bus stop on campus, Aley said the groups used a Solar Pathfinder device.

The Solar Pathfinder, a non-electric instrument, measures the amount of sunlight in a location at different times of the day and year.

The group used the data from the Solar Pathfinder to model which bus stops had the greatest solar potential, Aley said. In total, the group identified approximately 60 bus stops that were viable, according to the project manager for the Sol Solutions team at Enactus Tanner Wagner-Durr.

Originally, Wagner-Durr said Enactus came to UW Transportation hoping to work on a project involving solar-powered electric vehicle charging.

The idea was turned down, but UW Transportation brought the idea of solarpowered bus stop displays to the group.

Aley connected Enactus and Helios through the Green Fund to collaborate on the project.

The Green Fund supports student ideas to improve the sustainability of campus facilities, Aley said. Students seeking money from the Green Fund apply by submitting a pre-proposal, an application form, a budget and impact calendar and a letter of support.

The Green Fund looks for projects to support the three pillars of sustainability, including environmental, economic and social impacts, Aley said.

The Green Fund doesn’t just support engineering solutions, though. It supports a wide range of projects related to sustainability, including art contests, reusable takeout containers at athletic dining facilities and more.

Aley hopes these Green Fund projects will increase awareness of sustainability on campus.

Members of Helios and Enactus also

Photo · The project to install solar panels on top of campus bus shelters is backed by the Green Fund, a campus organization that supports sustainability at UW Katie Cooney The Badger Herald hope increasing the visibility of solar panels on campus will inspire UW students.

While the energy savings from the project may not measure up to a corporation’s carbon emissions, the social effects could be even more impactful, the engineering lead of Helios Jack Audi said.

The groups hope the project advances the future of renewable energy solutions by teaching about the technology on campus and spreading awareness for solar power.

President of Helios Simon Brooks said the project was important to him because he believes the use of clean energy is essential.

“It’s the future,” Brooks said. “Period … If we want to create a place that is sustainable and will be sustainable for future generations, we need to immediately start using clean energy and only clean energy.”

Aside from the greater social impacts of the project, the students involved were able to gain valuable experiences, including the ability to build their job skills.

Many team members said the project was their first real-world work experience outside of schoolwork or summer internships. Working and learning as a team provided members of Helios and Enactus with an opportunity for growth.

“I think it was really valuable from an educational standpoint, an engineering standpoint and actually just a general team-building standpoint,” Audi said.

Another value of the project to students was learning more about the technology involved in the renewable energy process.

Audi said the team went into the project with minimal knowledge of the inner workings of solar panels.

Additionally, Wagner-Durr said it was hard to find information about placing solar panels on individual bus stops because the work has little precedent.

“Having that large-scale impact is something that’s really hard to do and we really got to do it at the forefront of innovation, working with those things like curved panel technology,” Wagner-Durr said.

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Scientific disagreement fans flames of public’s mistrust in scientists

UW professor authors paper studying how disagreement, uncertainty in science community drive away non-scientific audiences

by Azul Kothari Science News Associate Editor

One fundamental tenet of science is its embrace of uncertainty.

At its heart, true science understands that one cannot be 100 percent certain of anything.

Scientific facts are living educated guesses — our current best explanation for the reality we live in, backed up with strong evidence.

This doesn’t always sit well with the public, who demand clear and unambiguous truth. Last month, a novel paper looking into the impact of scientific disagreement on the public’s reception and trust in science found just that.

In the first of its kind survey, University of Wisconsin assistant professor of Life Science Communication Sedona Chinn and her colleague at the University of Michigan, Sol Hart, found that incivility and disagreement reduces both the attention people pay to particular scientific research and their acceptance of the results.

The paper also found scientific disagreement decreases people’s trust in scientists and the scientific method.

“Debate is central to producing scientific knowledge. Peer review, peer critique, competing hypotheses — all the way through, it’s foundational,” Chinn said. “But a lot of times people don’t like to make decisions based on debated or uncertain information, which is reasonable.”

The survey, which Chinn conducted in late 2019, had 1,995 respondents read one of three articles on real scientific discoveries, as well as a fictional response by a commenting scientist. The

commenting scientist either expressed agreement with the research or disagreement in either civil or uncivil ways.

After reading the article and response, the researchers asked respondents questions designed to gauge their attention and engagement with the article, their confidence in the scientists’ research quality and their trust in scientists and the scientific method in general.

Though Chinn was unsurprised to see disagreement and incivility leading to lower levels of trust in science and scientists, Chinn didn’t expect to encounter lower rates of attention and engagement as well.

Prior research has shown that when political discussions use ‘uncivil’ emotionally charged language, engagement goes up. Chinn’s research shows that the opposite is true for non-politicized scientific issues.

“I was interested in looking at non-politicized science because I wanted to see if the patterns that we see in political communication around how disagreement and incivility affect attitudes and trust were the same in some non-politicized scientific contexts,” Chinn said. “I found that they were not, and that was really interesting to me.”

Many view science as a means of explaining the world or providing recommendations on how they should live and behave. If scientific information is contested, its utility to nonscientific audiences becomes limited.

People might adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, where they wait for the scientific debate to produce a clear accepted theory. Until then, they disregard the contested information and move on with their lives, Chinn said.

Photo · Prior research has shown that when political discussions use ‘uncivil’ emotionally charged language, engagement goes up on media platforms Courtesy of NBC News

Photo · Social media companies are ill-suited to fend off misinformation because they have a financial incentive to spread it, experts contend Marisa Haegele The Badger Herald In science, disagreement is essential and unavoidable. Competing explanations for reality battle to stand the test of evidence. Better theories are constantly emerging and evolving, approaching absolute truth but never reaching it.

Even if disagreement cannot be avoided, the way science communicators frame it has impacts on how the public receives it.

Economic pressures on the journalism industry as a whole have forced media outlets to resort to sensational coverage in their efforts to draw audience attention, according to Chinn’s paper. This comes at a cost when those who feel alienated or antagonized by such discussions end up even less receptive to scientific knowledge than they were previously, as Chinn and Hart’s research shows.

UW Life Science Communications doctoral student Nicole Krause said people have a tendency to process information in a way that is consistent with what they want to believe. Her research focuses on how people use motivated reasoning to persist in scientifically flawed thinking and on interventions that can guide people in the right direction.

Social media sticks people into “petri dishes of their own views,” allowing individuals with extreme viewpoints to find one another and feel a sense of validation, Krause said.

“It can be problematic where a fringe group’s

opinion about the earth being flat can now start to gain some traction in social media spaces,” Krause said. “That would have been very difficult in the past for all these flat earthers to find each other and have their views reinforced by each other.”

Social media companies are ill-suited to fend off misinformation because they have a financial incentive to spread it, Krause said.

One alternative to self-imposed fact-checking would be to regulate social media companies as information providers.

When it comes to correcting misinformation, one approach that does not work is flatly telling people that they are wrong, Krause said. Doing so can trigger a threatened response and make them more compelled to defend their beliefs.

Instead, it’s far more effective for one to first try and understand the values of a person and then construct an argument using those values rather than one’s own, Krause said, using energy efficient light bulbs as an example.

“There are studies that would show that political conservatives actually become less likely to buy the light bulb because of [a green leaf] on its label... [That’s] pushing a particular kind of value system of reverence for the environment that this person doesn’t identify with,” Krause said. “You’d be much better off saying, ‘this will save you money.’”

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 9

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Female students bolster future of STEM despite underrepresentation

‘I feel like there’s definitely a lack of support for students like me, and I think that has become very deterring,’ UW junior says

by Michaela Kihntopf Science News Editor

There are few disciplines that change as rapidly as science. New research is conducted and published every day, and it takes just one discovery to send years of study into upheaval.

Despite being such a dynamic field, science has managed to maintain a striking trend — the underrepresentation of women.

According to the U.S. Census, in 1970 women held only 8% of the science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — careers in the U.S. In 2019, the numbers rose to depict women being almost half of the workforce but still holding only 27% of the available STEM jobs, showing progress but also a prevailing disparity.

For women of color, representation is incredibly lacking. As of 2017, Black women only made up 2% of the STEM workforce, according to the National Science Foundation. Asian women made up 5%, and Hispanic women also represented 2% of STEM workers.

Lack of access to STEM careers also means lack of access to some of the highest paying jobs available. On a list of 20 occupations with the highest median salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 were in STEM fields including medicine, engineering, and computer sciences.

As a computer science major, UW junior Carla Rose said she has felt these disparities in her classrooms.

“Looking around my class I am the only person of color, the only Black woman,” Rose said. “I feel like there’s definitely a lack of support for students like me and I think that has become very deterring.”

In her time at UW, Rose has worked to create spaces and community for students of color within computer science. During the pandemic, Rose implemented the Multicultural Computer Science Study Table, which provides tutoring and drop-in hours.

Rose also brought ColorStack, a national organization with the goal of providing community to computer science students of color, to UW. “The [computer science] department was really supportive of trying to create an organization for that community. What I did was have to look at different national orgs that had that same mission and same community already started,” Rose said.

“I was able to connect with the ColorStack national organization and now this year we’re able to get everything started to be a registered student org.”

Rose said feelings of inferiority have been a challenge throughout her academic career, however creating her own spaces for community and support along with working with professors and faculty to address the lack of support for students of color has helped her to navigate this.

In an email statement to The Badger Herald, UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone said the Computer Science department offers programs 10 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

Photo · UW junior and genetics major Shailaja Singh works in a geology lab

Photo · Several dinosaur skeleton displays located in the Geology Museum where Singh works on prepping fossils in her lab

Courtesy of Singh

Emilie Burditt The Badger Herald

such as the Wisconsin Emerging Scholars– CS, which provides support for historically marginalized students and those who are new to programming.

In addition, the Wisconsin Science and Computing Emerging Research Stars is a new mentorship program started by CS faculty members to foster research participation among undergraduate students, with a particular focus on students from historically underrepresented groups, according to McGlone.

“We value the work of students who are engaged in the creation of spaces where they can build community, and we strive to support these efforts through advising support and financial resources,” McGlone said.

Through her research in paleontology, UW junior and genetics major Shailaja Singh has experienced working in a white male-dominated field.

“Fields like paleontology, anthropology and archaeology do have their history intertwined with colonialism and white supremacy. And you can’t really separate yourself from that history, it’s important to acknowledge it,” Singh said.

Singh currently works in a geology lab prepping fossils for further study and has been fascinated with paleontology since she first picked up a dinosaur book as a toddler.

“I talked about studying the flipper of the pliosaur, and the bones in their flipper look so similar to human fingers. It just shows we’re all connected.” Singh said. “Through paleontology we

can learn a lot about our climate, where our species came from, and life in general.”

Despite a love for the field, Singh noted the lack of women present. One example is that for onsite digs, most universities do not have a sexual harassment policy in place. Singh said so few women participate in these trips that institutions don’t feel the need to address possible risks.

Despite working on three different research projects, Singh has only had one female PI, a fact she said she is very aware of. Discussions with this PI included recollections of sexual harassment and crude remarks that used to be the norm for female scientists. At least times have changed enough that in theory, an institution would do something about those behaviors today, Singh said.

In fields that lack representation for women and especially women of color, both Rose and Singh are heavily involved in impressive work.

In addition to her advocacy and creation of spaces for students of color, Rose has also worked in the Simulation Based Engineering Lab, completed an internship with Google, and is prepared to go into a career in software engineering. Despite this, she considers her greatest achievement to be solidifying what she wants to do for the rest of her life.

Alongside her extensive research experience in the fields of geology, anthropology and virology, Singh is involved in a stem-cell research student organization and has taken on several writing projects including being an associate director for the

Photo · UW junior and computer science major Carla Rose implemented a multicultural tutoring service Courtesy of Rose publications committee for the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD). When it comes to facing a field with very little representation, Singh only sees it as motivation to succeed.

“You always wonder ‘are they really seeing me as their equal?’ But then another part of me thinks ‘even if they don’t, I’ll just be better than them out of spite,” Singh said.

ARTSETC.

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Rock the 608: Passionate student musicians find community at UW

With wide variety of musical cultures, campus proves to be perfect place for young artists to thrive, grow as musicians

by Kyah Bratz ArtsEtc. Writer

Hot red and white lights pour over the audience in true Badger fashion. On stage, a performer waves at a concert-goer that he recognizes from his biology class, the sound technician chats with his guitarist roommate and the show’s talent buyer enjoys a drink with a student radio show host.

This is common for the University of Wisconsin campus music scene. The performers know the jazz club attendees, who know the house show hosts, who know the music majors.

It’s a small but familiar and tight-knit circle on campus.

The uniqueness of this music scene stems from the wide range of backgrounds and diverse music styles on campus, UW student musicians say.

With more than 45,000 students, the UW campus has become a melting pot of music genres and geographical backgrounds. The young artists live alongside fellow students who come from various genres and talents.

Out of this large population, a creative community emerged from a collection of musical experiences, niche interest groups and diverse influences.

The university has several opportunities to assist students with their creative endeavors by

connecting them with other students, such as The Studio learning community in the residence halls, the WUD Music talent booking club and the WSUM radio station.

Within these groups, student musicians have not only been able to work together on projects — they have made friendships and established lasting communities.

Senior student musician Deryk Gonzalez, also known as Deryk G., is still close friends with the group he met his freshman year in The Studio learning community. He said his musical style has been shaped and inspired by the group he surrounds himself with.

“It’s kinda like the people you’re surrounded by cultivate whatever you’re gonna do later,” Gonzalez said. “I was just surrounded by so many really great people, and that’s like, what happened. I felt like I could do so much more with music.”

Once a student gets involved in the music scene, there is a lot of overlap between the clubs and who they may see out at a show. Gonzalez said that he will see a similar group of people at the jazz jam session at Cafe Coda on Saturday nights as he would spot at his own shows or at the WUD Music meetings, for example.

Gonzalez said students who are passionate about music have searched for, found and built a strong community on campus.

Photo · Ayden Schultz plays at a show he hosted at his residence, which he calls Harrison House, with his band Sex, Fear Kelly Jones Courtesy of Sex, Fear

Photo · Drummer Nicholas Jacobson and guitarist Micah Gehring perform in the basement of Harrison House for Sex, Fear Kelly Jones Courtesy of Sex, Fear “I just wanna play good stuff, give my friends opportunities to play with me and give people that do other forms of art the opportunity to help me,” Gonzalez said. “And — I don’t know — just create a community of people who just are weird like me.”

Gonzalez has played a wide variety of shows on campus, including The Terrace and Der Rathskeller at Memorial Union as well as house shows in local neighborhoods.

One of the house show hosts, Ayden Schultz, a senior who also works for WSUM, has put on two house shows at his residence this fall. At his house, which he calls The Harrison House, Schultz has performed with his band, Sex, Fear and has welcomed a line-up of local, student and out-of-state bands.

Schultz’s latest show hosted around 80 people.

Guests packed into the basement where the band was set up, filed up the stairs and into hallways.

Some attendees even listened from rooms on other floors with the music reverberating throughout the house.

“It’s just a fun way to interact with the music scene in town and make connections that way for my band and for myself,” Schultz said.

The shows Schultz has put on so far have featured similar genres, ranging from indie rock to post-punk. Schultz explained that house shows usually have a consistent genre at most venues. The consistency element draws similar crowds from place to place — resulting in a dedicated group of house-show-goers.

“There’s definitely a concrete house show

community. It’s just a place to be with very cool people who are usually very friendly and just enjoy music,” Schultz said. “It’s like going to a concert but more intimate and communitydriven.”

These intimate, community-driven experiences have grown popular on the campus music scene. The lively city atmosphere and highly engaged music audience encourages the prevalence of these shows.

Tim Anderson of the rock band Able Baker said Madison provides a niche area for this kind of music scene to thrive.

“The size of Madison is really unique,” Baker said. “We’re close to Chicago and Minneapolis, [so] there’s just kind of the atmosphere of a lot of serious music industries and that kind of infrastructure around us, and I think that seeps into what’s going on in Madison.”

Anderson went to school in Minnesota and eventually ended up moving back to his hometown of Madison. On the Isthmus, he has grown his band and developed relationships with different music players in the city.

These interactions and opportunities have shaped Madison and the UW campus into a creative empire, fostering the growth of musical creations and communities on campus for student musicians like Gonzalez and musiclovers like Schultz.

“The smallness, chillness and accessibility of different types of musicians interacting with each other, I think that is definitely something people talk about in Madison,” Anderson said.

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 11

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As factory farms dominate agriculture markets with fast-and-loose production model, family farms falter in Wisconsin

by Ben Baker Print Features Editor

Jim Goodman had high hopes for his dairy farming business.

After spending the bulk of his adult life milking and caring for his 45cow herd outside of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, Goodman wanted to pass his life’s work on to the next generation.

His plans fell through, however, when a young couple reneged on their investment, forcing him to sell his cows for a much cheaper price to a larger farm in 2018.

In the years since giving up his herd, Goodman channeled his frustration into activism and rose through the ranks of the National Family Farm Coalition before becoming the organization’s president.

Still, he remains saddened by the turn of events that preceded his early retirement.

“We could see that it was only a matter of time until our small farm was just not viable,” Goodman said “The cheese factory that we were selling to was losing its market share because of cheaper products produced by bigger companies, and they basically told us they wouldn’t be able to buy our milk anymore. There just weren’t any other options.”

The story of Goodman’s farm reflects a fast-moving shift in American demography — the consolidation of agribusiness followed by the hollowing out and graying of rural communities.

For family farmers like Goodman, the fate of Wisconsin’s rural counties and towns are inexorably linked to the business model for agriculture — a business model that increasingly emphasizes high production rates for foodstuffs and rewards corporate control of farms and their produce.

Competing with Corporations It is no secret that the idyllic image of agriculture — red barns, small herds of grazing cattle and family-owned farm houses — is rapidly disintegrating.

Wisconsin recently recorded the highest rate of farm closures in the United States, losing 69 farms in 2020, a net-increase of 12 from the previous year. In their place, large industrial-scale factory farms now dominate the market.

Factory farms — also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) — gained popularity in the 1960s and are defined as using extreme confinement of a high number of livestock for commercial use.

The practice was designed to generate a high volume of food in a short period of time and often relies on packing thousands of animals into tight quarters for production. The minimum number of cows needed to classify a dairy operation as a CAFO is 700.

These large-scale farming operations are frequently owned 12 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

or directly financed by larger companies. Target, for example, unveiled its own line of produce in 2019. The rapid consolidation of agriculture left small farmers and activists in dismay. Family Farm Defenders Executive Director John Peck said corporate insertion into agribusiness blindsided dairy farmers who are now on the verge of losing their market altogether.

“Some of them have these contracts where they’re providing milk for big cheese makers like Sargento who get their milk from a very small handful of giant factory farms,” Peck said. “Some of the big retailers like Walmart are now even setting up their own dairy farms.

They’re not going to be buying from farmers anymore.”

In addition to their well-documented history of alleged animal abuse, Corporate-contracted CAFOs also pushed smaller farms out of the industry at a breakneck pace. Between July 2020 and June 2021, 48 farms in Wisconsin filed for bankruptcy, exceeding the state with the second-most filings by 17. In ​​ 2019 alone, the state lost 57 farms.

Peck said Wisconsin lost half of its dairy farms since the turn of the century and that large, corporate-contracted factory farms currently control 25% of the market, despite accounting for less than five percent of the state’s dairies. In 1987, the average number of dairy cows per farm was 80. Just 15 years later, that figure reached 275.

The continual decline in family farming is accelerated by an economic structure that emphasizes quantity above all else. The average cow produces roughly seven gallons of milk a day, meaning a farm with 1,000 cows can produce 7,000 gallons in 24 hours, whereas an 80-cow herd can produce just 560 gallons a day.

Peck said companies such as Grassland Dairy are not only turning to factory farms as primary producers, but are also actively propping up factory farming as an alternative means of production.

“Two years ago, Grassland basically cut off 70 or 75 smaller dairy farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin,” Peck said “They basically threw a bunch of smaller dairy farms under the bus, saying that there wasn’t enough demand to keep buying their milk to make butter, but at the same time, they’re pushing for a giant factory farm in southwestern Wisconsin.”

As the corporate takeover of agriculture persists, farmers are presented with a daunting choice — go big or go bankrupt.

Due to their experiences with the hostility of today’s agricultural market, Goodman and Peck were both clear in voicing support for small farmers who grew their herds as a product of circumstance, with Goodman calling a debate between small and large family farms a “false conflict.”

Rep. Davide Considine, D-Baraboo, of the Wisconsin State Assembly said the current economic landscape left many locallybased farms no choice but to scale up their production in order to compete with big agribusiness. Those who can not afford to expand their operations often face foreclosure.

“We have to differentiate between company-owned farms and large family-owned farms,” Considine said. “There are a lot of Wisconsin dairy farms that are really family farms that just grew to support a family.”

Controlling the Market The rapid consolidation of the agriculture market occurred in large part because corporate America was allowed to gain a stranglehold over each step of the supply chain.

After a relaxation of antitrust laws during the Reagan era, companies moved to buy up the production, distribution and processing of dairy, meat and crops.

Today, four corporations own over 50% of the farm to table supply

chain. After the corporate buyout of agribusiness that unfolded as a byproduct of 1980s trickle-down policies, companies became free to pay farmers historically low wages for their products, even as the retail price for milk continues to rise.

Yet, thanks in large part to a limited number of buyers, farmers are often unable to find alternative markets and are forced to settle for low prices.

“If you go to the grocery store, you see thousands of products,” Goodman said. “So people think ‘the system must be working really good because look at the selection I have,’ but there aren’t that many companies producing food. They’re just different brand names that have been bought up. There just is not an option for farmers to market anymore.”

The absence of a diverse market places farmers in a bind. In order to remain operational, family farms often sell their products to a select number of companies who often rely on monopolization and cheap factory farm produce to fund their operations.

“The big meat companies are basically holding their suppliers captive,” Goodman said. “So, they’re really not independent producers.”

Thanks to their aggressive expansion and dominance over the supply chain, factory farms are now too big to fail. As a consequence, larger farms are often given priority for federal aid over family businesses. During the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the top 10% wealthiest and largest farming operations netted the lion’s share of bailout money, earning 60% of federal dollars.

The bottom 10% of farmers, meanwhile, received just 0.26% of

relief funds.

In the pre-pandemic years of the Trump administration, 82 factory farming operations acquired more than $500,00 in stimulus payments while the bottom 80% of farmers received $5,000 on average.

Peck said he knows a farmer who received a single dollar in federal aid.

Leveling the Playing Field President John F. Kennedy once said, “The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at

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In perhaps no other area are the former president’s words more applicable than the dairy industry.

The cost of producing milk in Wisconsin was $22.70 per hundredweight in 2020, yet the price of milk reached as low as 12.95 per hundredweight during the same year.

The decline in milk prices can be attributed in part to the rise of factory farming. As industrial farms pump out thousands of gallons of milk which are then purchased by large companies, the price naturally falls as supply exceeds demand.

The result is a market which is highly profitable for corporate agribusiness, yet leaves small farmers financially stranded.

Nationwide dairy production rose by a factor of roughly 100,000lbs between 2005 and 2018, even as the U.S. lost over 10,000 farms during the same period.

The volatility of the agriculture market leaves producers in a state of perpetual financial uncertainty, as a farmer could receive drastically different prices for the exact same product on a month-tomonth basis.

For all intents and purposes, farming is among the only professions in America that does not guarantee a minimum wage.

To offset the plummeting price of milk, some farmers are calling on elected officials to implement a price floor for agricultural goods. These price floors, which would be adjusted for inflation, are designed to guarantee a minimum price for a given agricultural product and provide a lifeline to farmers like Goodman.

“In the system we have now, prices that vary so widely,” Goodman said “It’s very hard for anyone to make a decent living and plan for the future if they have no idea what they’re going to be getting paid in the next month or a year. I think price floors will give [farmers] some stability about what they’re going to be getting paid, and what things are going to cost them.”

Price controls alone will not alleviate the stress factory farms put on rural economies. A reversal of current trends will likely require a complete overhaul of the agricultural industry and a bottom-up reinvestment in small-scale agriculture.

A potential solution posed by environmentalists and small farm advocates alike is a moratorium on factory farming. Such a moratorium would place a cap on the number of factory farms allowed in the country and facilitate a redistribution of farm aid.

A moratorium could serve as an alternative to growing calls from climate activists to abolish the factory farming industry.

Considine said he is not prepared to support an outright ban on factory farming, but believes a moratorium should be on the table.

Designs by Corey Holl

“In some ways, that makes a lot of sense. Not to say you can’t ever do it anymore, but let’s take a minute and take a pause,” Considine said. “Let’s really study the effects of this [factory farming].”

UW and Big Agribusiness For their part, UW students appear to understand the gravity of Wisconsin’s ongoing farm crisis. Groups such as Slow Food UW make a point to work almost exclusively with small farmers when preparing and distributing their meals.

Slow Food UW is an offshoot of Slow Food — a decades-old organization which prides itself on functioning as an alternative to fast food companies. The organization’s Executive Director and UW senior, Emma Hamilton, said the mission of Slow Food coincides with a commitment to collaborating with family farms delivering fresh ingredients.

“Slow Food aims to make eating good food that is locally sourced and sustainably produced accessible to as many people as possible, and we do that in a lot of different ways,” Hamilton said. “We get as much fresh produce from local farmers as possible.”

In addition to buying ingredients from small farms, Hamilton said Slow Food actively networks with farmers at locally sourced farmers markets. Hamilton described Slow Food’s relationship with local farmers as one which is based in both a desire for community building and respect for those producing food.

“For us, it’s about making connections with the farmers that are at the farmers market, and wanting farmers to know we love supporting them,” Hamilton said “I think having that relationship with farmers is important and just respectful.”

Student-led efforts to invest in family farming may prove to be a pivotal step in shifting away from industrial agriculture, yet Goodman expressed frustration with UW as an institution. Goodman cited research conducted by the university with backing from large corporations which centered around refining the same practices driving locally-based farmers to the breaking point.

Among the top donors to the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research’s Campaign to Secure Wisconsin’s Dairy Future were Sargento Foods and Land O’ Lakes Inc., with Sargento Foods CEO Lou Gentine serving as the project’s co-chair.

One of the major partners of the Marshfield Research Station is the USDA’s Institute for Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management, an organization which specializes in researching milk production and dairy cow performance.

Goodman said he feels as though UW’s current research focus contradicts the university’s stated mission to promote the wellbeing of all Wisconsinites. Goodman said there is a need for research examining topics such as soil and animal health as opposed to studies focused on obtaining the maximum production out of an animal.

UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News Manager Nicole Miller said in an email statement to The Badger Herald that the school has faculty members dedicated to animal welfare as well as federal grants to study topics in sustainable agriculture like dairy farm greenhouse gas emissions.

CALS hosts field days each year to share best practices with the state’s farmers and the Center for Dairy Profitability aids farmers with succession planning by providing guidance on transferring farms to younger generations. “[CALS] is dedicated to supporting all types of agriculture across Wisconsin, the nation and the world,” Miller said. “We are always open to hearing from members of the agricultural community about ways to better serve them, including collaborative research projects.”

Miller said farmers who would like to collaborate with the university or have concerns should reach out directly to CALS. Even with his concerns, Goodman is hopeful UW will chart a new course and shift the focus of its research to encapsulate what he

described as the Wisconsin Idea.

“The university said it’s redefined Wisconsin Idea would center around the general welfare of the entire state,” Goodman said. “I want to see them live up to that.”

Adverse Effects Even as farmers, students and other organizations work to combat the immediate impacts of increasing mass agricultural production, the ripple effects of a consolidated agriculture market can be seen in the sharp decline of rural economic activity.

Between 2010 and 2018, two-thirds of Wisconsin’s rural counties experienced a drop in their populations. According to the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, 12% of rural Wisconsinites experience poverty, and almost one in five children live below the poverty line.

The average unemployment rate for Wisconsin’s rural counties was 6.4% in 2020.

Any hopes of a potential surge in revenue from factory farming appear to be dashed by a continuing decline in labor force size and the number of businesses hiring workers, even as industrial farming expands. Langdale County, for instance, saw a 6.5% drop in the labor force and a 7.9% drop in the number of businesses countywide between 2010 and 2018.

From his perspective in the legislature, Considine described the ongoing trend as a predictable consequence of a truncated market.

While factory farms may support a significant network of employees, Considine said laborers hired from outside of the community fall short of providing the same economic benefits as local farmers.

“In regards to money circulating in the local economy, the smaller farm does a better job of improving our local community and supporting our local businesses, whatever they may be,” Considine said.

For Peck, a dairy farmer himself, the slow death of family farming is a far more sentimental issue.

Peck views the continued loss of small farming as an identity crisis for Wisconsin — a state whose dairy farmers pride themselves on the quality of their products and the ability to support their communities.

“Farmers I know don’t want to get an award for selling the cheapest, lowest quality milk possible, and that’s what’s so sad,” Peck said. “Our entire identity is being destroyed by an industry hell-

bent on being the biggest, baddest dairy producer ever. That’s not our niche in the world.”

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 13

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ARTSETC.

Slow Food UW: Meet the students who are feeding UW’s masses

‘It is unfortunate when people come and we can’t serve them, but running out of food is a good problem to have,’ co-director says

by Katherine Lyons ArtsEtc. Writer

Slow Food is one of a few food assistance student-run organizations at the University of Wisconsin, with a mission of providing good, clean and fair food for all members of the community.

Slow Food UW started in 2011 and has been a powerful and transformative underground community since. Though the organization took a hit during the past two years with the pandemic, Gwen Kelley and Emma Hamilton, upperclassmen students who serve as the codirectors of Slow Food UW, say the organization is back and better than ever before.

The term ‘slow food’ counteracts ‘fast food’, hence why the snail has come to represent their initiative. They prioritize the careful preparation of food with ethically sourced ingredients.

Each week, Slow Food UW puts on two homemade meals, with the freshest of ingredients, that are available starting at $5 and ranging to about $8 total. The meals take place in the basement of the Christian campus ministry on University Ave and the corner of North Charter Street at The Crossing.

Meals made by the organization are intended to be eaten slowly for maximum enjoyment — something our fast-paced, modern society tends to forget. And the dedication to their initiative is apparent in everything the slow foodies do.

Family Dinner Night was the first chapter of Slow Food UW and started out as a monthly event. It has quickly expanded to either a weekly or bi-weekly gathering on Mondays, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Designed to show students that they can eat good, local foods affordably, Family Dinner Nights are a modern approach to the dwindling family dinner tradition. There is a ritualistic sense

of beauty to watch some hundred students and faculty all sitting down at the same time to be served a meal made with love. Family Dinner Night is a three, or sometimes four, course meal featuring a starter or a side plus an entrée followed by dessert.

Hamilton said they usually sell out pretty quickly, which is why it is encouraged to come early — and hungry.

“It is unfortunate when people come and we can’t serve them, but running out of food is a good problem to have,” Hamilton said.

Café Meals are a lunchtime-geared meal served from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Given the central location, it provides the opportunity for students to pop by in between classes. They are also a three-course warm meal and are typically paired with kombucha from the Willy Street co-op.

Wednesday Café Meals serve fewer people than Family Dinner Night, with the goal of making money, hence the a-la-carte method.

Items are priced individually, which in the end contributes to a profit being generated, unlike the breakeven Family Dinner Night feasting.

Each meal offers veg and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. Kelley said it has been part of their mission for a while to provide consumers with options that are catered towards them since they do not want to discourage anyone from attending.

On the topic of meat, not serving it is both more sustainable and more affordable. That’s why the meat they have used in the past has usually been donated by chefs Slow Food has collaborated with.

Nevertheless, meat is still a rare sight to see in a Slow Food meal.

Do not worry if you are unable to make it for a sit-down meal at The Crossing, because Slow Food UW offers a takeaway option. The became the main method of mealtime for the group during

Photo · Students and community members gather at The Crossing to enjoy a Slow Food UW meal made out of locally sourced ingredients Courtesy of Slow Food UW 14 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

Photo · Members of Slow Food UW prepare meals for one of their events called Family Dinner Night, which they host once a week at The Crossing Courtesy of Slow Food UW COVID-19 last year. It is highly recommended individuals bring their own takeout container — otherwise, it is an additional $1 charge.

Mass producing food is not only a timeconsuming task but an expensive and intricate one. Menus are often planned a week in advance, and prep occurs both the day before and the day of mealtimes. All ingredients are locally sourced, so you really are getting a healthy deal while supporting a great cause.

Directors work together with interns and the sourcing team to create the menus in a collaborative process in which members thoroughly talk through ideas beforehand and look for recipes before multiplying the quantities needed to scale up to size. Directors of the respective meals will plan their menu then transcribe it to work with a supplier based on what they need and how much they need.

“We work together every week to plan out what is good and affordable,” Hamilton said. “It is a fun puzzle to see what you can make with what you are given, and bouncing ideas off each other about what to make that is available locally and in season.”

Sourcing for ingredients is mainly accomplished on Saturdays and is largely sourced from the Farmers’ Market, where the team tries to get as much produce as they can.

Whatever cannot be found is supplemented by the co-op or the Monroe Street Farmers Market on Sundays. But budgeting comes with its own risks as it is very hard to plan a meal to be an exact price point. Kelley said communication

is key because ingredients sometimes need to be switched out for more affordable options.

“It’s not a perfect science, which is why we have people look over our menus,” Kelley explained.

“An instance that comes to mind is when we were making a risotto last year and [had] calculated how many mushrooms we would have needed. It ended up being like $400 just for the mushrooms.”

One of the most important factors about Slow Food’s accessibility is its Pay It Forward program.

The organization never wants costs to stand in the way of providing someone with a good meal, so customers can make donations that will directly benefit the community for only a few additional dollars. Anyone can ask a cashier for a Pay It Forward meal absolutely free of charge with no further questions asked.

The money donated for the Pay It Forward program goes into its own reserve and will always be available upon request. Food insecurity is a widely experienced problem that Slow Food intends to combat, it is an area of communication they aim to do more for since it is ingrained in their mission statement.

There are many ways to get involved with Slow Food UW, but a good first step is to be a volunteer first. Kelley said this is how most students get their start before applying for the internship position.

If you have yet to attend a Family Dinner Night or Café Meal, you are surely missing out on some deliciously cheap and locally sourced foods. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the fresh ingredients Madison’s convenient proximity to farmland offers.

OPINION

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Polarizing media trends to credit for increased youth voter turnout Media phenomena like spiral of silence, game framing may have contributed to increases in voter participation in 2020

by Jessica Lewin Columnist

University of Wisconsin student voting increased 7% from 2016 to last November’s election, which one UW professor attributes to antiTrump sentiment and pushes for climate change and civil rights legislation. But are these the only factors causing an increase in voting participation?

It is no surprise after four years of mass hatred toward former President Trump, many people would want to do everything in their power to get him out of office. It is not uncommon for citizens to aspire to change once a presidential term is completed. Oftentimes, voters are illuminated to policies that were not addressed and look for those in another candidate.

For example, after eight years of Obama, many citizens wanted more fiscally conservative policies.

After Trump, many citizens wanted more stability,

kindness and normalcy from their president.

But I don’t agree that pushes for climate change and civil rights legislation were the main factors that drove voter participation up by 7%. Instead, I think increases in voting had more to do with increasing polarization, media presence and students recognizing how impactful their vote is, rather than specific policies on the table.

After the 2016 election, the media had a presence like never before. In a National Review article, writer Charles Cooke discusses how during the Biden campaign, major outlets like the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic and NPR prominently featured any news that could “plausibly hurt President Trump while assiduously refusing to run stories that might have hurt Joe Biden.”

Media presence brings much more urgency to political conversations. Coverage predominantly featuring news bashing one political candidate

Photo · Media presence brings much more urgency to political conversations because their coverage predominantly features news bashing one political candidate Shane Fruchterman The Badger Herald

creates a spiral of silence.

The spiral of silence is a theory that argues the media has a powerful effect on us, making assumptions about what the public opinion on a subject is, which can lead to us silencing seemingly minority opinions. There is a growing stigma around people who choose not to cast their vote in a presidential election. Fear of rejection for not voting could also be a factor driving higher voter turnout.

The spiral of silence theory also claims we might outwardly express opinions different from our internal ideologies. Negative attitudes towards people on each side of the aisle could cause people to cast their vote for an opponent they might not even agree with.

A survey conducted by the Knight Foundation found that out of more than half of the students surveyed, 70% said they’d vote for Biden, compared with only 18 percent who said they’d cast a ballot for Trump. But only around half of those Biden voters had a favorable view of the former vice president. A vote for Biden was not really a vote for him — just a vote against Trump.

Furthermore, polarization could be a cause of increasing voter participation in the U.S. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center during the 2020 election, both Trump and Biden supporters said that if the other won, it would result in lasting harm to the country.

The studies conducted illustrate an “increasingly stark disagreement” between Democrats and Republicans on a variety of issues. Hostile and negative attitudes between both parties can cause people to vote for a candidate from their own political party just because of their hatred for the other side.

The media also uses game framing to construct politics as a “competition or game of strategy between opponents,” a phenomenon described in a study on the Scottish media’s coverage of political events. A similar media trend is happening in the U.S., where profitability leads networks to use divisive journalism that undermines our national identity.

Although media phenomena have had a major impact on our political arena, it is also necessary to recognize that there is a shift in the voter preferences that UW professor Barry Burden cited for the increased turnout. On college campuses, claims about Anti-Trump sentiment motivating college voters are correct. Former President Trump motivated more young people to vote “than any candidate since Barack Obama.”

For decades, voter turnout has been lowest among the youngest eligible voters. But, attitudes have changed in the past few years, and students have been getting more involved in current events through online campaigns which have in turn translated into legislative change. For example, after the aftermath of school shootings such as Parkland, students banded together and led states to pass over 60 gun control laws in 2018.

Photo · University of Wisconsin student voting increased 7% from 2016 to last November’s election Shane Fruchterman The Badger Herald In recent years, it seems that students have recognized how much power they have in the political arena. Students are passionate about a myriad of policies, but for the first time in their lifetime realize they have the power to implement those policies. We must continue to encourage students to vote by validating their voices and challenging them to think deeply about political issues. There are never any consequences for increased voter participation among any demographic.

But it is crucial that we do not push political parties and narratives when we encourage students to vote. We must instead challenge students to think critically about what they value and what change they want to see in the country. All voices deserve to be heard, regardless of what you think about them.

This change might lead to a change in polarization in the country as well. If we encourage people to vote according to their own values and philosophy, then we might be able to shift voting conversations away from political parties.

This would hopefully make minority voices more comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of social isolation, and could potentially cause more compromise among citizens and in politics.

Jessica Lewin (jrlewin2@wisc.edu) is a sophomore studying journalism.

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 15

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OPINION

To solve traffic problems, we need more driverless cars in Madison Madison is 16th in country for having worst drivers, but self-driving cars could help fix issues, bring high-tech to the area

by Fiona Hatch Columnist

Students at the University of Wisconsin know the chaos of campus during rush hour.

When streets are lined with honking cars and increasingly frustrated drivers, Madison crosswalks can become dangerous for college kids attempting to get to class.

With Madison coming in at 16th in the country for having the worst drivers, it is no wonder why the university’s campus has become impossible to navigate safely during periods of intense traffic. Perhaps this is why UW decided to invest in a new strategy for tackling increased traffic incidents.

Last week, the city of Racine, which is about two hours east of Madison, announced plans to experiment with driverless vehicles.

The city’s mayor Cory Mason revealed the new autonomous car — the Racine Badger — will be tested on the Gateway Technical College’s campus in the upcoming months.

This project is in collaboration with UW and comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation designated UW to be one of ten automated vehicle proving grounds for self-driving vehicles back in 2017.

This type of technology has been in the

works for years. Tesla in particular has paved the way for automobile autonomy, with self-driving hardware now present in all of its most recent models.

The potential of these recent developments have been impressive. In 2019, 94% of car crashes were due to human error. A University of Michigan fact sheet estimates that autonomous vehicles could reduce these types of crashes by 90%.

This is something UW is especially keen on working toward on its campus. UW’s Traffic and Operations Safety Lab director David Noyce said the Racine Badger uses sensors involving light detection and ranging to sense other vehicles and pedestrians in its vicinity.

Self-driving vehicles would also widen access to the road and provide drivers with more freedom and independence while traveling. For example, seniors and disabled individuals would be able to exert more independence in their transportation because of the safety net automated cars provide.

This technology could also improve traffic congestion — something sorely needed on UW’s campus during the school year.

So, what needs to be done to make selfdriving cars a more prominent part of the Madison community and cities all across the

Photo · A Madison driver lost control their car in icy road conditions and ended up driving head-on into a tree right outside The Badger Herald office The Herald Archives 16 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

country?

The first consideration is infrastructure.

The New York Bureau Chief Jamie Lincoln Kitman has noted “Many driverless cars require smooth roads, with clearly painted lines, to position themselves. Potholes and other irregularities could become even bigger hazards.”

This means for autonomous cars to be safely integrated into the city, Madison must supply more funds for road construction and repair, especially in neighborhoods directly outside of the downtown area where road care has been neglected and conditions can become especially treacherous during the winter months.

Another more worrying consideration is the potential hackability of self-driving cars.

This is a valid concern, especially during a time in which national security breaches are becoming more and more common.

A troubling article by PurpleSec, a cyber security company, found that cybercrime had increased by 600% since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Wisconsin Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds association has already begun to consider solutions to the hacking of its cars, most notably with blockchain technology that it asserts would make its cars virtually

unhackable. Further funding and testing of this technology is crucial.

Finally, affordability is key in making UW’s efforts successful in the long term and to result in widespread adoption of self-driving vehicle technologies. In a city already known for its lack of drivability and lack of affordable student parking, Madison is facing an uphill battle in encouraging its residents to own a car in the first place, let alone one that may be significantly more costly than other options on the market.

The benefits of autonomous vehicles can only be felt if they are widely adopted by a significant portion of the city, which means they must be financially feasible to everyone.

Despite the practical concerns and need for continued testing and solution-building, the fact remains that self-driving cars could prove to be groundbreaking for UW in its efforts to increase the safety and accessibility of campus.

While it may be many years before cars like the Racine Badger are widely available for public use, this development is promising for the future of autonomous vehicle technology coming to Wisconsin.

Fiona Hatch (fhatch@wisc.edu) is a freshman studying political science and international studies.

Photo · Madison was ranked 16th in the country for having the worst drivers, posing risks for students navigating campus Charlie Gorichanaz The Badger Herald

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OPINION

The Editorial Board: Redefining our ‘new normal’ as COVID-19 continues UW, students must act to stop spread of new variants, maintain support for campus community struggles into the future

by The Editorial Board

While the fall semester saw a wave of new COVID-19 cases as a result of the delta variant, we now see global concern amid discovery of the new Omicron variant, of which little is known.

Since March 2020, UW students have faced uncertainty, fear, frustration and anxiety as we’ve grappled with rapidly changing guidance and restrictions — most of which have been left to the public to decipher. Still, while past semesters saw pass/fail options and increased accommodations, a desire to return to normal has become a push to return to the often-grueling academic climate of the pre-pandemic past.

Though students are undoubtedly anxious to toss their masks away and forget about COVID-19 scares, the understanding and empathy extended by professors and the UW administration over the past year and a half must remain.

But this has not consistently been the case.

Instead, UW leaders have been less than accommodating to both instructors and students who prefer remote or hybrid learning, with both groups facing difficulties during the transition to in-person instruction.

A lack of alternative support from the university is problematic as in-person instruction poses difficulties to students who now find themselves facing new health problems, as well as the existing population of students with disabilities or who are immunocompromised.

This is equally frustrating for students who have suffered COVID-19 infections and continue to experience symptoms, or what has now been termed long COVID. For such students, online classes were a reprieve, which the overarching support for and rush to return to in-person instruction ignores.

As uncertainty persists due to Omicron dominating headlines around the world, now is not the time for the flexibility and accommodations we saw during the pandemic to disappear for the most vulnerable in the UW community. Rather, this is a pivotal moment for UW to show it has learned from the successes seen in these areas throughout the pandemic and apply them appropriately to best ensure students’ academic, mental and physical wellness as we wait to learn more about Omicron.

Beyond classroom delivery, UW as of now has only mandated vaccines for federal contractors, including student employees, meaning there is no universal mandate in place for students to combat waves of cases seen amid delta and new or unknown variants. While 94.9% of students are currently vaccinated, the remaining unvaccinated population, or potentially individuals who choose not to receive a booster, will ultimately decide the fate of the campus and broader Madison community if the COVID-19 virus mutates.

The mutual responsibility we have as students

to protect our fellow classmates and those in the community cannot be understated. If UW wishes to be a leader in the state’s capital and Wisconsin at large, it is necessary that remaining unvaccinated campus members use the education at their fingertips to make the right decision to protect vulnerable communities and ultimately help prevent the senseless loss of life caused by COVID-19.

Without a vaccine mandate at Dane County or UW, we have instead resorted to indefinite mask mandates. While mainly inconvenient, these policies detract from the larger point that widespread vaccination will prevent future COVID-19 waves and put an end to the pandemic — not simply universal mask-wearing. This ultimately begs the question of what a true return to normalcy looks like for vaccinated individuals who feel they have done their part.

A lack of support from the university for those struggling to return to “normal” coupled with a largely vaccinated population of students yearning to return to pre-pandemic life means administrators must truly weigh lessons learned from the past year and a half.

A simple transcript marker of COVID-19 disruption for only a couple of semesters is

the bare minimum when the pandemic’s toll is immeasurable and far from over. Students deserve more institutionalized support to navigate the pass/fail option — which proved to be a “disconnect” in the grading process highlighted by many across the UW community last semester.

As stated earlier, accommodations and flexibility in course delivery should be strengthened to support students through the difficulties of the pandemic. And looking to the future, the university should build the infrastructure for such accommodations now so that some of these successful academic arrangements can endure past the pandemic’s peak. UW has made some positive steps in the right direction, such as the permanent extension of the deadline to drop a class.

In addition to greater support for flexible academic measures that have proved fruitful throughout the course of the pandemic, the university cannot neglect the ever-growing need for better mental health services on campus.

Namely, administrator’s efforts must target UHS’s overwhelmed mental health services and develop standardized remote or hybrid alternatives to courses for students suffering

COVID-19 infections or symptoms.

Studies have already captured the dire impacts of COVID-19 on college students’ mental wellbeing. Given the need for more comprehensive and accessible mental health services was pervasive long before COVID-19 hit campus, UW has an obligation now more than ever to improve these services.

Administrators’ responsibility to address the impacts of the pandemic must go beyond basic health necessities and classroom instruction as well. As the financial, personal and logistical challenges of navigating the pandemic persist for college students across the nation, UW must listen to students’ ongoing concerns.

This means the university has to address student concerns beyond the biomedical — while easy access to vaccines and boosters is an excellent start, acknowledgment of the pain and suffering students have experienced through systemic changes is the only way UW can ensure the campus emerges from COVID-19 with a brighter “new normal.”

The Badger Herald Editorial Board serves to represent the voice of the editorial department, distinct from the newsroom and does not necessarily reflect the views of each staff member.

Photo - As uncertainty persists due to Omicron, now is not the time for flexibility and accommodations to disappear for UW’s most vulnerable students Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 17

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OPINION

Current BRT proposal out of touch with community, business interests

Despite strong support, plan’s federal requirements may hurt small businesses, could fail to live up to its equity claims

by Celia Hiorns Columnist

Madison’s ongoing Bus Rapid Transit program has not been without controversy. Intended to provide more efficient service for a growing population, plans for a BRT system were approved for federal funding in Aug. 2020 through the Small Starts Program.

BRT programs are being implemented in cities across the country to accommodate increasing transportation needs while preserving community and economic interests. Designed with more frequent service, shorter transit times and higher capacity limits, a well-executed BRT system has the potential to significantly improve Madison’s public transit.

On the other hand, implementing a BRT system can bring challenges to a city like Madison.

Reasonably so, concerns have arisen as the community reckons with the integration of a new system into a unique set of geographic and cultural circumstances.

On Jan. 5, 2021, a locally preferred alternative route was approved for the BRT project. This route is about 15 miles long, running from East Washington Avenue, through the University of Wisconsin campus and continuing to West Towne. Controversially, on the way out of downtown, the buses will travel down State Street.

According to the Metro website, bus routes on State Street will help connect the city of Madison to the businesses, increase consumer traffic and boost the local economy. They argue the efficient nature of the BRT system will prevent congestion that could harm businesses. But some State Street business owners and other members of the community see it differently.

Out of concern for the impact on local businesses and culture, community members created the organization No BRT on State Street in opposition to the existing BRT route. The group draws attention to concerns of business owners, such as how larger buses and shelters might disrupt customer flow. No BRT on State Street also highlights community members with worries that the system will change the pedestrian-oriented atmosphere, especially because of its proximity to the UW campus.

Other concerns about the plan focus on whether the implementation of the BRT system will be equitable. The current plan, which is federally funded, has an east-west route. For now, there will be no north-south extension of the system. This means that community members who depend on public transportation in the north and south areas of the city will not see the benefits of BRT for the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, the revised bus routes may result in route changes that limit access for some riders.

Clearly, there is a discrepancy between actual 18 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

community priorities and perceived interests that the city is using to justify its decisions about the BRT system.

Even more frustrating was the failure of an amendment to the project, proposed by City Alders Michael Verveer and Syed Abbas. Originally asking for a complete halt in BRT funding, the updated amendment simply asked that an alternative to the State Street route be considered. The amendment failed by just one vote, so the project will proceed as is. Even though the community has reservations about the implementation of the existing eastwest BRT route, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway maintains that the system in its current form should be implemented as soon as possible.

In fact, she even described efforts to reconsider the controversial plans as a “clumsy attempt to halt the project” in a Nov. 5 press release. She insisted that the implementation of the BRT system would be in Madison’s best interests. But Mayor RhodesConway is misattributing community frustration to the concept of BRT itself.

No BRT on State Street explicitly claims that all

of its members support BRT. While they don’t want the route running down State Street, they believe that it could be an effective way to accommodate growing transportation needs in the city of Madison. This perspective is supported by the success of BRT systems in other cities across the nation.

Many businesses, individuals, and community members agree that Madison has a lot to gain from the implementation of a BRT system, such as faster transit times, expanded access and economic growth. The fundamental disagreements about BRT in Madison seem to relate to implementation rather than the concept itself.

But in this case, implementation is a crucial part of the process. Madison has some unique characteristics, such as being located on an isthmus, home to a university and having a cultural attraction such as State Street. These circumstances should give government officials reason to take their time to create a BRT system that will be just right for Madison. Part of the problem lies in the fact that the project comes from federal funding.

The city has to strike a balance between meeting the criteria of the federal grant and keeping in touch with local needs.

The benefits of BRT are difficult to ignore, but such a radical change to a city’s transportation system should be carefully curated around community input, rather than adapting to fit the requirements of distant, federal standards — even if it means risking funding. Federal funding becomes problematic when local officials lose touch with their constituents.

As the project moves forward, people should be concerned about how Mayor Rhodes-Conway and other officials are handling public backlash to the route proposal. If government officials expect public support for projects that will fundamentally change the city’s infrastructure, their efforts should focus on centering community priorities.

The city must decide if they are willing to risk the successful implementation of the project because of a resentful constituency.

Celia Hiorns (hiorns@wisc.edu) is a freshman studying political science and journalism.

Photo - BRT programs are being implemented in cities across the country to accommodate increasing transportation needs while preserving community interests Joey Reuteman The Badger Herald

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SPORTS

Women’s Basketball: Badgers off to shaky start in non-conference play

Problems on offensive end have led to uncharacteristic losses for Marisa Moseley’s UW team in season’s first month

by Mike Hall Sports Writer

The start of the season has not been generous to the University of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team. Nonconference play has been shaky for Marisa Moseley’s squad and a lot of improvements need to be made to turn the season around.

Wisconsin’s issues were made clear in a devastating 71-63 overtime loss last month to Chicago State, who entered as the underdogs in the match. The Cougars’ win against the Badgers was their fifth victory in the last six seasons.

The look on Chicago State sophomore Ana Haklicka’s face when the buzzer sounded said it all. With tears of pure joy, Haklicka and the rest of her teammates celebrated as if they had just won a national championship. The 0-4 Chicago State Cougars, a program that recorded an 0-14 record with a -22.6 point scoring differential a season ago, shocked almost everyone in the Kohl Center at the Nov. 23 matchup.

Chicago State opened the first quarter on a 12-2 run, holding the Badgers to seven total points and 15.4% from the field after 10 minutes of play. Similar to the Nov. 14 loss

Photo · It has not been the start that head coach Marisa Moseley was hoping for. The Badgers have gotten off to a disappointing beginning in nonconference play Dane Sheehan The Badger Herald

against NJIT, UW-Madison simply could not buy a bucket. Moseley’s group went 2-13 from the floor and 0-4 from deep during the 14-point first quarter deficit.

Junior forward Julie Pospíšilová dominated in the third, notching eleven of her 15 points and hitting on eight of ten attempts from the charity stripe.

With 4:15 left in the third period of play, Wisconsin secured its first lead of the game and ended the quarter on an 18-9 run. Pospíšilová, Brooke Schramek and Lexi Duckett accounted for all 19 Badger points in the third, and Wisconsin entered the final period clinging to a one-point advantage.

Unfortunately for Wisconsin, Pospíšilová picked up her fifth personal foul with 59 ticks to go, effectively eliminating her from the final minute of the match. Wisconsin guard Sydney Hilliard hit on a clutch midrange jumper with 41 seconds to spare, but with the final possession in regulation, the Badgers couldn’t overcome a stingy Cougars defense for a clean look. The game boiled over into overtime.

Chicago State freshman Aaliyah Collins, a Glacier Peak High School graduate and a 2021 Washington FirstTeam All-State recipient, went ballistic down the stretch. The 5’7’’ guard single handedly outscored Wisconsin 12-11 in overtime with three layups and six free throws. At a game-high 25 points, Collins guided Chicago State to its first win in 27 contests and on-the-road victory against a Big Ten opponent.

The loss to Chicago State was the Badgers third straight non-conference loss at the time, putting them in the same spot they were a year ago at last in the conference. Executing on the offensive end and eliminating turnovers are a large part of the issues we have seen with this team so far.

The Badgers showed these flaws again in a Nov. 25 loss to UW-Milwaukee. With 976 fans packed into the Klotsche Center, Kyle Rechlicz and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers defeated Marisa Moseley’s Badgers 79-67 in a high scoring battle.

Despite shooting 50% from the floor, the Badgers could not overcome the highpowered offensive attack of UW-Milwaukee.

Off an efficient 53.6% from the field, Rechlicz’s group accounted for 23 points off turnovers compared to six for Wisconsin.

The game was tied at 42 at halftime, and UW-Madison executed on a remarkable 68.75% of their attempts in the second period of play. Badger forward Sara Stapleton recorded all nine of her points in only 10:13 minutes on the hardwood.

Regardless of a sub-par defensive effort, Wisconsin did not waver during a backand-forth first two quarters.

Moseley’s squad looked almost unfamiliar following halftime, registering

Photo · The loss to Chicago State was the Badgers’ third straight non-conference loss at the time, putting them in the same spot they were a year ago at last in the conference Dane Sheehan The Badger Herald nine total points in the third off 28.57% from the field and 16.67% from downtown.

Thanks to a Hilliard jumper, the Badgers finally secured their first second-half points at the 6:37 mark in the third following a 3:31 scoring drought.

Turnovers and foul trouble plagued the Badgers yet again, as they have throughout non-conference play.

The Panthers reached the charity stripe 8 more times than Wisconsin and notched seven fewer giveaways compared to the red and white.

Though UW-Milwaukee only made 14 of 18 foul-line attempts, the Badgers committed 20 personal fouls during the match — far too many for Moseley’s liking.

Even though the Panthers shot 31.3% from behind-the-arc, Wisconsin’s stagnant offense could not execute down the stretch, chalking up 17 fewer points than their first half total.After coming up short in four straight outings, Marisa Moseley’s Badgers secured their first victory against Gordy Presnell and the Boise State Broncos 60-45 in a dominant defensive effort on Nov. 27.

Moseley’s group turned up the intensity on both ends in this game, forcing nine turnovers in the second period alone. With a spark from freshman Krystyna Ellew, who accounted for two looks from behind-the-

arc and four rebounds in only eight minutes on the hardwood, UW-Madison went 50% on three-point attempts and outscored Boise State 18-11 before halftime.

In 33 minutes of action, Pospíšilová registered a game-high 15 points, eight dimes and seven boards off 42.9% efficiency from three. Hilliard added 11 points, five rebounds and two swipes while forward Schrameck chalked up eight points and two steals of her own in only 20 total minutes.

The Badgers followed up their victory at the Rocky Mountain Classic with a disappointing loss against a strong Colorado team.

CU dominated almost the entire match, holding the advantage for nearly 37 minutes. The Badgers only reached the charity stripe four times, and the Buffaloes forced 18 turnovers.

Overall, it has not been the start that head coach Marisa Moseley was hoping for. The Badgers have gotten off to a disappointing beginning in non-conference play, including losses in games they were really expected to win.

But there is still plenty of time for the Badgers to improve their play, and that will start with execution on the offensive end of the floor.

Dedember 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 19

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Football: Badgers to finish season in Las Vegas against Arizona State

Following disappointing loss to Minnesota Gophers, UW waves goodbye to Rose Bowl chances, accepts bid to Las Vegas Bowl

by Gavin Derkatch Sports Editor

After plenty of speculation about the Badgers’ (84, 6-3 Big Ten) final matchup of the year and where it will be taking place, the destination is official. The University of Wisconsin’s last game will be against Arizona State (8-4, 6-3 Pac-12) in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 30.

The Badgers’ opponent will bring back bad memories for UW fans, as the last time the two faced off Arizona State won 32-30 in an extremely close game. The game will take place at Allegiant Stadium — the home stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders who made their debut right before the 2020 season.

Wisconsin’s defeat against Minnesota in their last conference game of the season sent their bowl dreams into flux, eliminating the possibility of playing in the Rose Bowl and diminishing their chances of a bowl game on New Year’s Day. Prior to the announcement, Las Vegas was the setting for UW’s bowl season, and it seemed the

possibilities were down to Vegas or the Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay. The Outback Bowl would have been a more high profile game for UW as they would have faced off against an SEC opponent on New Year’s Day, but the Las Vegas Bowl is not a bad consolation prize.

The Badgers will travel west to face off against an Arizona State team that finished second in the Pac-12 South in 2021. The team has been solid under the leadership of Herm Edwards — the former NFL head coach who took over for the Sun Devils in 2018.

The team is led by a high-powered offense that averages over 400 yards per game. Jayden Daniels is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who has been efficient passing the ball this season. Paired with the thousand-yard rusher Rachaad White, the Sun Devils offense has the potential to cause issues for a stingy Badgers defense.

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst will look to find an edge for his offense against a defense that lacks the physicality which is commonplace in the Big Ten conference. While Arizona State has had a strong

defense in the Pac-12, they are not used to facing teams that are so committed to running the ball.

Against a strong overall defense, UW will have to attack the weakness of the ASU defensive unit that has allowed nearly 130 rushing yards per game this season. The Badgers could exploit the Sun Devils defense by getting back to the run-first offense that they shied away from against Minnesota. With time available for Braelon Allen to get back to full strength, he should be a major factor for the UW offense in this game.

While the Badgers didn’t end the season in the fashion they wanted to, they have an opportunity against a respected opponent to end their season the right way. Bowl games can be seen as a way for teams to propel themselves into having a strong offseason ahead of the upcoming season, and this is a great chance for UW to do just that.

There are plenty of the Badger starters who will be returning to the team in 2022, and this game gives them something to build off of as they prepare and look ahead.

As the days progress, something to monitor

will be the bowl game participation of Badgers’ NFL Draft candidates for after the season. While this hasn’t had too much of an effect on the UW program in the past, it has become more of a trend around the country in recent years for players to take it easy during the bowl game because they prevent risking an injury. Some players to keep track of in regards to participation are Jake Ferguson, Jack Sanborn, Leo Chenal and Logan Bruss.

The 2021 season did not meet the Badgers’ expectations, with losses coming in pivotal games that eliminated them from where they wanted to be at this time of the year. With that said, their final matchup is a chance for the team to right their wrongs and gain momentum heading into the offseason. Both the Badgers and Arizona will be looking to get its ninth win of the season and finish on a high note, which should make for a competitive matchup.

The Badgers will have a few weeks of rest before venturing West to take on Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 30.

Football: Kendric Pryor has been reliable target over his six-year career Veteran wide receiver from Illinois looks to finish his journey-like career off on a high note in his final game for UW

by Andrew Hall Sports Writer

As the passing attack continues to improve every week, sixth-year wide receiver Kendric Pryor has become more of a focal point for quarterback Graham Mertz and the Wisconsin offense.

Hailing from Hazel Crest, Illinois, Pryor has had quite the journey throughout his career and is part of a Badger team that is looking to finish out his final season in Madison strong.

Coming out of high school, Pryor was rated as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports and the 31st best player in the state of Illinois. He began his tenure at Wisconsin in 2016 and redshirted that season — the Badgers finished 11-3 with an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game and won in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against Western Michigan.

Heading into the 2017 season, Pryor was slated to see his first on-field action for the Badgers.

He played in ten of the team’s fourteen games, including three starts. In those ten games, Pryor posted 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown, efficiently averaging 13.8 yards per catch.

He got involved in the running game with five attempts for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Wisconsin once again found great success in Pryor’s second season on the team, recording a 13-1 record with their only loss being in the Big Ten Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Having established himself as a threat both in the passing and rushing attacks, Pryor got the opportunity to play in every game for the Badgers in 2018, starting six of them.

20 • badgerherald.com • December 7 , 2021

2018 was an up-and-down season for the team, but Pryor was able to improve on his outputs from his first season in action. He caught 23 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns, which is a mark that remains a career-high for any of Pryor’s seasons in Madison. On the ground, he was able to rush the ball 12 times for 116 yards and one touchdown during a Michigan Wolverines game.

The 2019 season was Pryor’s third as an offensive contributor for the Badgers. He appeared in all 14 games, starting 13 of them.

His receiving statistics nearly matched those from his 2018 campaign, besides the touchdown production.Pryor once again caught 23 passes, this time for 278 yards and no touchdowns. He was able to get into the end zone in the running game, however. Pryor rushed the ball 13 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The season was successful for the team as a whole as well, going 10-4, but losing their first bowl game since the Rose Bowl against Oregon.

After improving upon his statistics in every season as a Badger, the COVID-19 pandemic shortened 2020 season was a tough one for Pryor.

The team only played seven games, but Pryor was only able to play in three of them due to concussion issues.In those three games, he started two of them and hauled in 8 catches for 119 yards, a pace that would have smashed career highs in a full season.

With the pandemic and the injury issues, Pryor decided the 2020 season would not be his last for the Badgers and returned for his sixth year with the team.

As a sixth-year senior, Pryor and Danny Davis have become a nice pairing to provide stability for

Photo · The sixth-year receiver for the Badgers could prove pivotal in securing a Wisconsin bowl game win Daniel Yun The Badger Herald the wide receiver core so far this season. During a slow 1-3 start to the 2021 season for the Badgers, Pryor was a bright spot, hauling in 14 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in the first four games.

After the hot start, Pryor struggled with only four catches in his next four games before facing off against Rutgers. The game in Piscataway served as a slump buster for Pryor as he led the team with 72 receiving yards and a touchdown in an emphatic 52-3 win.

As Mertz and Pryor continue to develop their

rapport in the passing game, this may shape up to be one of Pryor’s best seasons in Madison. Having already set a career high in receiving yards, Pryor could also find success with his potential to be involved in running the ball. Pryor will look to cap off his career with the Badgers in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 30.

After this season, the Badgers will miss the absence of their reliable weapon on the outside as Pryor departs and hopes to hear his name called in the 2022 National Football League Draft.

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Men’s Basketball: Player profile of Nebraska native Chucky Hepburn

Known for his solid all-around game, true freshman Hepburn has proven his value to Wisconsin on, off of court

by Logan Ehrlich Sports Writer

In the case of Chucky Hepburn, it’s his solid all-around game that stands out on the Badgers squad.

An example of this prowess was clear in the turning point of the Texas A&M game — when Brad Davison received a rebound, dribbled down to midcourt and passed to Hepburn, who gracefully took one dribble and nailed a step-up 3-pointer.

Down 26–12, Hepburn’s 3-point shot inspired a 25–7 run to end the half against Texas A&M. Flash forward to the next day when Wisconsin faced Houston, the No. 12 team in the country.

Led by star shooting guard Marcus Sasser, Houston has a prolific offense. But Hepburn held Sasser to 11 points, and Wisconsin’s upset victory can be largely attributed to Hepburn’s defensive contributions.

Badger fans, learn the name — Chucky Hepburn. These are the types of plays Badger fans can get accustomed to seeing from Hepburn, a true freshman point guard, who adds a wealth of versatility to the Badgers lineup that is highlighted by his tremendous defensive skills.

Background At Bellevue High School in Nebraska, Hepburn developed into a highly touted recruit, receiving early offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Creighton and Wisconsin, amongst other notable

schools. Hepburn was a four-year starter, leading his squad to the state championship in three of his four seasons. Hepburn committed to Wisconsin in September 2019, before his junior basketball season.

The Badgers were affirmed of their commitment to Hepburn when he had a stellar junior year, where he won the 2020 Gatorade Nebraska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

In addition to his individual accomplishments, Hepburn spearheaded Bellevue High School’s Class A state championship in 2020.

Everyone around Hepburn knows he’s a big-game player, and he has the experience and mentality to prove it. As a senior, Hepburn averaged 16 points, five rebounds, 8.3 assists and 3.8 steals per game. In entirety, Hepburn totaled 1,706 points, 638 assists and 328 steals in his high school career.

Throughout high school, coaches raved about Hepburn’s ability to noticeably impact a game.

Describing himself as a “pass-first point guard,” Hepburn established strong offensive habits including exceptional court vision and high basketball IQ. “Obviously Chucky brings unique gifts in terms of on-the-court things,” said Doug Woodard, his high school coach, when asked by the Omaha World Herald about Hepburn. “Elite vision and instincts, he makes those around him better by getting easy shots for them, extremely strong and a great lane finisher with a very good

Photo · Hepburn was a four-year starter, leading his team to the state championship in three of four years Tien Showers The Badger Herald

Photo · While typically loaded with upperclassmen, Hepburn is one of a few true freshman starters Tien Showers The Badger Herald mid-range game.”

Furthermore, coaches praised his robust leadership qualities, great intangibles and terrific instincts.

The Future When Badger fans saw the starting lineup for their opening game against St. Francis Brooklyn, some may have thought there was a misprint.

Why? A true freshman was in the starting lineup.

Typically loaded with upperclassmen, the Wisconsin program rewards experience and consistency over raw talent. It is not in the Badger DNA to start true freshmen.

This year’s Badgers squad is stamped with a different genetic blueprint, however, as they have one of their younger teams in decades.

Front-lining this trend is Chucky Hepburn, who is the first true freshman to start in the season opener for Wisconsin since Devin Harris in the 2001-2002 opener. Harris, an eventual lottery pick in the NBA, was a star for Wisconsin.

Everyone in the Badger nation hopes and thinks Hepburn can join the esteemed class of Badger greats. After all, Hepburn has the duty to fill in the shoes of the great point guards that came before him — such as D’Mitrik Trice, Bronson Koenig and Jordan Taylor, among many others.

Though he has high expectations, Hepburn can become a Badger legend as he pushes the pace, plays hard and has great leadership qualities. Perhaps his most valuable attribute includes his ability to positively influence the

game without stuffing the stat sheet. It is difficult to quantify what Hepburn means to this team, as he exemplifies the definition of an all-around player.

While it is extremely early in the season, Hepburn has shown flashes of greatness. In the Maui Invitational Championship game against St. Mary’s, Hepburn made an incredible switch off a pick and roll which resulted in an eventual steal.

“Great switch there,” ESPN’s esteemed college basketball analyst, Jay Bilas, praised Hepburn.

“Incredible defense from Hepburn there. He has tremendous defensive instincts for a true freshman.”

On the other hand, the Omaha native still shows flashes of his youth. While early in the season, he has had some shooting struggles and has had instances in which his inexperience leads to turnovers.

Through it all, Hepburn remains humble and hungry, and it is clear he is ready to help the Badgers in any way possible, as he said in an interview after the St. Francis Brooklyn game on Nov. 9.

“I think I came in ready to start but I’ve got to clean up some things defensively and offensively,” Hepburn said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The two turnovers I had I shouldn’t have had.”

The Badgers are off to a strong start and hopeful for a bright basketball future, and Hepburn is sure to play a pivotal role in the Badgers’ success in the years to come.

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 21

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The unspoken, new pandemic on State Street: Freshmen Fakes

An updated, savvy guide for upperclassmen: how to navigate your favorite bars now that every freshmen has a fake ID

by Keagan Schlosser Emeritus Banter Editor

You remember freshman year. Sitting on a futon beneath a bunked bed, sipping questionable merlot that your friend with the most siblings had stashed in their closet since move-in.

It’s Friday. The coldest day in February. And your four hodgepodge buddies who you’re growing to hate half-heartedly sing along to “Sweet but Psycho.”

“Any parties?” someone asks. Suddenly, five iPhone 7s unlock. Thumbs wrestle with Snapchat, shamelessly clicking through stories and messaging Michael from a first-semester Comm B class.

Bone dry.

Looks like it’s just another night of the deathly Flamingo Run icee mixed with raspberry Svedka as you roam Langdon (slash Lathrop if you’re a Lakeshore homie) and hoping — nay, praying — that you’d be welcomed with open arms into a house of five senior finance bros based on the fact that you are female and still have the bone structure of an American Girl Doll.

Fake IDs didn’t riddle your brain. No one dreamt of a sweaty night in Wando’s. Three years and a whole pandemic later, times have changed.

For the worse.

Now, as an upperclassman (one who was robbed of a year-and-a-half of going to bars), you pregame your Thursdays with fear, loathing and absolute resentment for the lines, amount of people and “vodka lemonade please” requests you’re about to witness.

Now that first-years as a species are advancing quicker than normal, your favorite bars — and

even the ones you loathe — are packed with dewy eyes and Shein attire.

Fakes are no longer for Witte, Sellery and the only child who thought it was what everyone got before coming to college. Fakes. Are. Everywhere.

And they’ve infiltrated State Street and beyond.

When even the Plaza Tavern, the “dive bar” for UW’s “indie scene,” has youngins in it — and not the ones who work for WSUM — you know there’s a problem.

If you’re tired of arriving at a nightlife scene at 8:35 p.m. or scared you might get cancelled for flirting with a 17 year old campus visitor, it’s time you try a new bar.

Luckily, Madison has a lot of deep cuts. You won’t see anyone below the age of 37 in these establishments: CARIBOU TAVERN If you’ve ever wanted to make your Uncle Steve who lives with your grandma but enjoys his life as a “professional gambler” proud, look no further than Caribou Tavern.

Taken straight out of your friend’s hometown of BuckFuck, Minnesota, this bar will be sure to confuse, delight and sexually arouse you all within moments of walking in.

The vibes, the drinks the ambiance, once you step foot in the Caribou Tavern you’ll never look back. My pro-tip for first timers? Order the Malort — it’ll make you feel young again.

BUCK AND BADGER Similar, but completely different to Caribou, this bar is what Buffalo Wild Wings and Fleet and

Farm’s love child would look like in my utopia.

Completely smooth paneling and chic decorations, the only thing this bar is missing is one of those fun little hunting games.

The service here is impeccable and the dance floor is almost always open. Grab a whisky on the rocks and chat it up with the bartender — Jett.

Reclaim the night by having a terrible time at any one of these gems.

Thank me later.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE HOUSE So, you’re looking for something a little less Whiskey Jacks and a little more Capitol Square.

Keep your sweater vest and blue light glasses on and hop into Fair Trade, the loudest quaint coffee shop known to any individual in the greater Madison area.

I’ve been trying to convince the masses for years now that this is a serious up-and-coming spot.

Outside of burnt lattes and 40-minute wait service, this coffee shop sells wines galore.

Conveniently located on State and open until 9 p.m., this is an ideal place for seniors who want to unwind after a long, hard day of existing.

ZuZu CAFE ZuZu Cafe is the perfect establishment for one to get absolutely sloshed at. And luckily, the average ZuZu-goer is either a four-year-old child or 47.

With a full bar and full food menu, this place has it all. While a little far, so is Lucky’s. Enjoy your mimosa to the sounds of a lion discontentedly growling and the smells of a fresh gyro being microwaved.

So, uppperclassmen, don’t waste your time and don’t let Freshmen with Fakes™ ruin your life.

Photo · The perfect amount of kick — when Whiskey Jack’s feels like too much, hit up Fair Trade Coffee on State Street Justin Mielke The Badger Herald

Photos · Some scenes from when Heralder devouts gathered together to celebrate the most sacred religious event of them all... our annual holiday party with lovely decorations constructed by our even more lovely PR Director @keagzzzzzz (follow her!!!)

The Badger Herald 22 • badgerherald.com • December 7, 2021

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Hello winter 2021, goodbye need for any form of male validation

Completely call off cuffing season this winter: No significant others needed, a guide for being THAT single girl in college

by Taylor Heinicke Banter Writer

It’s that time of year again …

When the weather gets chillier, attending class seems extra optional and seasonal depression is exacerbated by the worst thing of all — seeing couples in public.

Cuffing season blah blah blah.

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times. We all know it’s the prelude to the commercial love industry’s biggest day of the year. Nevertheless, all of these silly little people getting into relationships around you may have you thinking, should I do that too?

The answer? Absolutely not.

It’s hard for all of us to see the couples walking out of Fair Trade, roaming down State, holding hands and looking lovingly at each other. It might spark something in you that thinks, “I want that.”

No, bestie, you don’t.

Would I mind slow dancing to Norah Jones in my kitchen while the guy of my dreams twirled me around and around? Not one bit. Will I ever do that? Absolutely not. I’m a realist.

No one will give you the cold hard truth about relationships in college. But take it from the only piece of my dad’s advice I have taken since I’ve been here — DO NOT GET A BOYFRIEND. I don’t mean not ever ... I’m not trying to write off the whole institution of love here. I’m

talking about the part where you think you need a significant other this time of year because “everyone’s doing it,” and you’re lonely and you want someone to talk to your family about when they inevitably ask “So, do you have a boyfriend?”

It is the 21st century, isn’t it? We don’t need men to be complete. Make men obsolete.

Be the mysterious one in your family. Be the one who comes home for the holidays, and when the boyfriend question arises, just simply says, “no one serious.” That’s cool. That’s mysterious.

That makes them think you fuck.

Which you do! Which you should! Just because you’re not “cuffed” this season doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the only good part of a relationship — SEX. Have sex all you want, with whoever want. Who makes the rules??? YOU DO!!!!

Plus, the sly reference to your sexual conquests can put an end to all of the questioning from your family regarding your sexuality — if you’re like me and have never introduced a boyfriend to them.

Now that that anxiety is dismantled, let’s focus on all the anxiety a boyfriend would produce.

Especially around the holidays.

You don’t want to have to introduce him to your family at Thanksgiving. You just started dating three weeks ago! That wouldn’t be appropriate. But what about in two months, you think, when it’s Christmas?

Are you giving each other presents? Yes? No? Do you ask? And if you are, what shows you care, but not too much, and definitely not more than him?

Will you even see him over the breaks? How do you make it work when he’s in California and you’re in New York? You haven’t been dating nearly long enough to visit each other and meet the FAMILY! So you don’t see him, and then half of your relationship has been spent apart, longing to be together again. That’s not fair to him, and definitely not to you. That doesn’t let you live in the moment and enjoy the pretty lights and scent of gingerbread wafting through the air. And you’re not even getting what you wanted out of the boyfriend now anyway! No handholding, no loving gazes, no SEX. You don’t need that stress. Don’t do yourself that disservice. You can’t live your life like Carrie from Sex in the City (personally, I’d prefer to be Samantha) if you’re tied down at 20. SO DON’T BE. You’re hot. You’re in college. You have plenty of time to find your husband. Enjoy your time now and live in the present. Have sex in the Monday’s bathroom for a deck of Uno. It doesn’t matter. Just stop thinking about how much you want a damn boyfriend and go make everyone fall in love with you. And normalize single women kissing on weekdays.

Photo · It’s hard for all of us to see the couples walking out of Fair Trade, roaming down State, holding hands and looking lovingly at each other... so don’t be one of those people The Herald Archives

Healthy, non-toxic alternatives to caffeine to up your finals game Sick of normal, boring caffeine that’s just not cutting it for finals week? Try coffee’s new favorite alternative, cocaine!

by Taylor Heinicke Banter Writer

DISCLAIMER: The Badger Herald does not encourage drug use.

My sleep-deprived, barely-functional brain, that knows very little about the things I am supposed to, knows one thing — caffeine is not optional, it is a necessity. And what’s more? It doesn’t work.

My body is so accustomed to the siphoning of caffeine into it, it doesn’t even register it should be used to keep me awake. Throwing back a Snorkel at Chasers at 1 a.m. won’t stop me from passing the fuck out in my bed 30 minutes later.

I drank 600 mg of caffeine a few days ago, and you know what it did? It took five years off of my life and made me shit my pants. It sure as hell didn’t keep my eyes open (or help me convince my friends that, I promise, I’m okay).

Caffeine is a drug. An addictive one. It has become so commonplace to have a caffeine addiction in the U.S. that we hardly recognize it as the substance abuse it is. And let’s keep it that way! On to the upgrades!

Have you ever tried Adderall?? Energy AND focus?? LET’S GOOO. Unfortunately for the suckers like me, Adderall is a prescription drug. Meaning even if I DID get prescribed, I would have to carve out two hours of each month to wait in the fucking East Campus Mall Walgreens line just

to get my study buddies. When faced with a problem, sometimes the solution is looking you right in the face and you just have to open your eyes to see it.

Everybody knows that between school, work, clubs and blacking out three times a week, there’s no time for sleep.

So how can you revive yourself from your burned-out rut and get your body in turbomode 24/7? Easy. The foolproof way to stay awake and have a good time — COCAINE!!!!!

WOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

A couple lines in the morning, a few for lunch and a big ol’ helping before you lock yourself into the Memorial Library cage at night — cocaine is the easiest way to be productive and skinny.

While it might not be the most budgetfriendly option, think about how much money you’d be saving without those $7 Starbucks coffees. In my book, I’d say the savings most definitely outweigh the cost.

Now, I know some people (derogatory) don’t like engaging in activities that could potentially land them a federal offense. (Again, easy solution here — LEGALIZE COCAINE).

For this crowd, I would recommend using your body’s natural means for energy.

Sure, you could work out for a boost of energy and “endorphins make you happy” yeah yeah yeah, but who’s actually trying to wake up even EARLIER to go stand next to a bunch of sweaty heathens at the Nick?

What I propose is something much simpler,

much more exciting. Ever heard of fight-orflight?

While I’m no science girl, I do know that going into fight-or-flight jacks your body up with some crazy chemicals. How can you simulate a fight-or-flight scenario into your daily routine? Simple.

Take a lovely stroll as far down South Park Street as you can with your purse in the middle of the night.

Hang out in Peace Park on the reg so you can be right in the middle of the action for which you may or may not get a WiscAlert.

There’s occasionally a good street fight on State Street. Find a friend in the Hub whose window you can watch from so that you’re ready to jump in on the action any given moment. If none of your friends live off of daddy’s money, the Brats patio is also a viable option.

And finally, for the introverts — what do you need to be awake for anyway if you’re not socializing?

Sure, caffeine may work a little better if we all had a little more sleep. Maybe a few vegetables in our system and a nice call with our grandparents every once in a while.

But this is college. There is no place for a “healthy” or “sustainable” lifestyle here. And more sleep is sure as HELL not going to get us back to the #1 party school.

So find a man on the street, pick a fight or get his plug and do your homework.

Photo · Caffeine is sooo last semester. Do what all the cool kidz are trying out these days — lines of cocaine to up your study game!

Erik Brown The Badger Herald

December 7, 2021 • badgerherald.com • 23