'Movements in music' - Volume 48. Issue 25

STUDENT MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 · VOL 48 ISSUE 25 · BADGERHERALD.COM

Movements in music F r o m t h e Wo m e n’ s M a r c h t o u n d e r g r o u n d f e s t i v a l s a n d c o n c e r t s , M a d i s o n’ s m u s i c s c e n e knows how to get political

Page 14

MADTOWN CRIER

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Tuesday 4/11 Line Breaks Festival Film Screenings at the Chazen Museum of Art, 7 p.m., FREE

Madtown refuses to slow down. Here are some upcoming events The Badger Herald recommends to keep you up to speed.

Thursday 4/13

Friday 4/14

Womxn, Race & Class in the Media: Lilo & Stitch at Student Activity Center, 6:30 p.m., FREE

I Love The 90s Tour at the Alliant Energy Center, 7:30 p.m., $45-$85

Wednesday 4/12 Lit Fest: Spoken Word Open Mic at Der Rathskeller, 8 p.m., FREE

Thursday 4/13 Fin Zipper with Trophy Dad and greenhaus at the High Noon Saloon, 9 p.m., $5

Friday 4/14 Laughs Off The Square at 100state, 6 p.m., FREE

Saturday 4/15 Vundabar with Slow Pulp at Der Rathskeller, 9 p.m., FREE

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Courtesy of Flickr user David Burke

Sunday 4/16 MSC Student Organization Summit at the Multicultural Student Center, 4 p.m., FREE

Saturday 4/15

TransLiberation Art Coalition Art Show at the High Noon Saloon, 12 p.m., FREE

Monday 4/17 Team Trivia at The Sett, 8 p.m., FREE

Courtesy of Kaci Sullivan

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FETCHING SUCCESS 5 University of Wisconsin’s veterinary program helps lower medical costs for dogs serving in law enforcement.

Board of Directors

ART FOR INCLUSION

13

The TransLiberation Art Coalition is holding an exhibition to center transgender and gender noncomforming voices.

NFL HOPES ALIVE, WELL

21

Expert weighs in on top University of Wisconsin players’ draft prospects and long-term career outlooks.

Jason Joyce Davy Mayer Polo Rocha Paul Temple

5 14

NEWS

6

FEATURE

PHOTO PAGE

16

OPINION

10

ARTS

20

SPORTS A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS?

24

DIVERSIONS

26

SHOUTOUTS

16

College Republicans and College Democrats clash on immigration reform within the U.S., weighing safety concerns agasinst traditional American ideals of acceptance.

THANK YOU to The Badger Herald’s Pillars

Mac VerStandig Pew Charitable Trusts Bilal Murad Michael Voss Will Haynes Colin Finan Google

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UW veterinary program helps cut costs for police K-9 units Clinic has reached out to nearly 130 law enforcement agencies around Wisconsin in effort to increase awareness

by Avery Aurand Reporter

Just as regular police officers need medical attention every so often, so do the K-9s that serve alongside them.

University of Wisconsin Veterinary Clinic has partnered with the UW police to aid in the treatment of their K-9 unit, or trained police dogs.

The UWVC started in 2016 and agreed to provide $5,000 worth of care and medications to the UWPD’s K-9 unit for each calendar year, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Hospital Director Ruthanne Chun said. If their expenses exceed that amount during the year, further services will be provided at a 50 percent discount.

UWPD Officer Brent Plisch said the department does not use UWVC for primary care. The K-9 unit goes to UWVC for more invasive or serious procedures.

Veterinarians from around Dane County donate their services to the K-9 unit for

primary care consultations.

Plisch said they usually use the vet clinic in critical situations. The $5,000 they receive for care is a nice buffer for these emergencies.

“From the moment we purchase the dogs to retirement, there will always be some form of financial upkeep to ensure that they are properly equipped to protect our community,” Plisch said. “By having this program, it really relieves our budget.”

Plisch and Odin, his German shepherd partner and K-9 officer, have not yet visited the UWVC this year for any emergency procedures, he said. Other officers in the department, however, have had to use the UWVC. This partnership started when the Capitol Canine organization, a group that supports the Madison K-9 unit, asked UWVC to provide discounted emergency and specialty care to these officers, Chun said.

“We at the School of Veterinary Medicine

felt that we should be able to offer the same benefits to all the law enforcement dogs in Wisconsin,” Chun said.

“It’s important that we have

appropriate care for the K-9 unit, considering the safety they provide to the public.”

Brent Plisch UWPD officer

This partnership is slightly different than what is offered to K-9 units outside of Dane County, Chun said. To those units, UWVC offers a 50 percent discount on

emergency and specialty care. This is due to the anticipation that such units will have easier access to local veterinary care for routine checkups.

“In this environment, where money is so tight, every penny matters,” Felt said.

“From the standpoint of the care the dogs receive, which is first priority, and from an expense standpoint, it’s been absolutely beneficial.”

This service is important to the UWPD as K-9s are very expensive, Chun said. The purchasing price, training and maintenance that contribute to the overall competency of the animals all add up to high expenses.

Chun said UWPD also needs specialized vehicles and equipment for the K-9 unit, which adds more costs.

Chun said providing veterinary care to the animals helps UWPD save money for other areas as well.

“It’s important that we have appropriate care for the K-9 unit, considering the safety they provide to the public,” Plisch said.

Photo · The University of Wisconsin Veterinaty Clinic provides $5,000 worth of care and medications to the UW police and Madison police’s K-9 unit.

Left: Emily Hamer, Right: Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 5

PHOTO

MODA SPRINGS INTO FASHION

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Photo · Student fashion and lifestyle magazine Moda teamed up with School of Human Ecology design students and local retailers to put on their annual fashion show at Union South last weekend.

Michael Lim The Badger Herald 6 • badgerherald.com • April 11, 2017

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Student org seeks to make menstrual products accessible to those in need Co-founders say people are taught to obtain hygiene resources themselves, but that can be impossible, especially for the homeless

by Anne Snyder Copy Associate

A new student organization is trying to get a basic necessity into the hands of those who sometimes have to go without it.

The Accessible Reproductive Healthcare Initiative aims to distribute menstrual products to restrooms throughout campus by 2019, and raise awareness people who buy these resources have to pay sales tax on them.

The Associated Students of Madison this month implemented a pilot program to provide free menstrual products in three buildings on campus by the end of April.

Many take these products for granted, ARHI’s co-founder Kendall Oehler said.

People who do not menstruate may not even think about the topic.

Obtaining menstrual products is a real challenge for homeless and low-income people, Oehler said. It is dehumanizing to not have these resources available when they need them.

Jordan Madden, who also co-founded the organization, said when men use a

restroom, they have the supplies they need.

But women are taught they need to provide menstruation products themselves.

“Since all people with uteruses menstruate, it is kind of a fundamental human need to have access to these products regardless of your economic status,” Madden said.

Madden said people in our culture don’t like to talk about menstruation, so the subject doesn’t get discussed.

What it means to menstruate is different for people who have adequate access to resources than it is for those who don’t, Oehler said.

“It is difficult to imagine what it must be like to not be able to go to Walgreens and pick up a box of tampons,” Oehler said.

These products are taxed as luxury items, which drives up their costs, Oehler said.

ARHI wants to change that. These are not luxuries, but necessities, and should be made available as a basic need, Oehler said.

State Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison,

said she agrees feminine products are not luxuries. She submitted legislation to repeal the luxury tax on feminine products last session.

Sargent is also looking for ways lowincome and disadvantaged people can gain access to these products, Madden said.

ARHI is partnering with the Center for Culture Enrichment in the “BLEEDING LOVE” donation drive (link?), extended through April, Oehler said. The drive is their biggest push for gathering feminine products.

Donations of boxed or loose tampons with wrappers still intact, pads or menstrual cups can be dropped off at many areas around campus. These include any residence hall front desk, the Campus Women’s Center, the Center for Cultural Enrichment in Witte, the Letters and Science Honors Program in Washburn Observatory, the gender and women’s studies department office, Union South and Community Pharmacy.

These products will be distributed to organizations and community centers involved in supportive services to lowincome and homeless people, Oehler said.

ARHI has reached out to other student organizations to help spread awareness, Oehler said.

Madden said he is receiving positive feedback from administration on the Health Care Advisory Committee, of which he is a student representative, as the goals of ARHI relate to the University Health Services.

ARHI was created last year as a special project in housing while he working for the Center for Cultural Enrichment, Madden said. It became a student organization this year.

“You shouldn’t be treated differently because you have a uterus and bleed,” Oehler said. “You need to take care of that and a lot of times for low-income people — especially low-income people — you have to choose between buying menstrual supplies and buying food.”

Asian-American heritage month goes beyond ethnic studies requirement While national event will take place in May, university commemorates groups during April while school is in session

by Peyton David Campus Editor

Using art and culture to ring in AsianAmerican heritage month, the University of Wisconsin celebrates students and faculty representing more than 50 countries across Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Asian-American heritage is celebrated annually on both a local and national level in May. UW students decided it would be more beneficial to celebrate in April, when the student body is still in school. These year ’s theme focuses on arts and culture.

Vice Chair of Hmong-American Student Association Maggie Yang said the dedicating the month this way helps break down barrier and build relationships between communities.

“Besides raising cultural awareness and celebrating the success of our APIA community, it is important that our presence and voices are acknowledged and valued for the diversity that we bring,” Yang said.

Pathways Asian American Campus and Community Liaison Office included Pacific Islander identities in the celebration. These

“It is important that our

presence and voices are acknowledged and valued for the diversity that we bring.”

Maggie Yang Vice chair of Hmong-American Student Association

identities include Hawaii and other American Islands.

Pao Thao, Southeast Asian Student Services coordinator, said this is because though Asia encompasses more than fifty countries, but Americans do not always recognize all of them. Many Asian-American students on campus are of Southeast Asian descent, which includes some Pacific Islanders as well.

The month, Director of the Asian-American studies program and professor of English and Asian-American studies Timothy Yu said, is an opportunity to “highlight AsianAmericans on campus.”

Asian American students make up about 5 to 6 percent of the undergraduate student body. Since UW is a predominantly white institution, it is important to make students more aware of the cultures around them, Yu said.

“It’s important for Asian-American students … to see their identity and culture recognized and celebrated,” Yu said. “For non-Asian students [it’s important] to learn more about Asian-American culture and be aware of the fact that Asian-Americans are a part of the UW community.”

Asian-Pacific Islander American heritage month, along with the Asian-American studies program, is a means for dialogue among the UW student body and a way for Asian-American students to connect with one another, Yu said.

Highlights of the Asian-Pacific Islander American Heritage Month includes a guest-reading by Hmong author Mai Neng

Moua and a lecture by Bee Lo, a licensed acupuncturist and a certified naturopathic medical doctor.

Yu said these events help students go beyond the three-credit ethnic studies requirement. Yang said the celebration looks to provide a “memorable” experience and sense of familial belonging to all attendees.

“Three credits … is enough to get a very basic introduction to some of the issues surrounding race and ethnicity,” Yu said. “It’s not enough to get an in-depth understanding that [UW] hopes students can really get from the ethnic studies requirement.”

The original proposal for the ethnic studies requirement was six-credits. But Yu said it’s hard to get students to do more than just this requirement.

Yu encouraged non-Asian-American students to attend one of the events this month. He said those events could help nonAsian-American students understand some of the issues and challenges Asian-Americans may face.

“This is an opportunity [for non-AsianAmerican students] to learn about some of their peers,” Yu said.

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 7

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Database shows large disparities in UW employee salaries

Pay rates for other major institutions, competition for certain faculty play role in determining salaries for university staff

by Madeline Westberg Reporter

A University of Wisconsin salary database created late last month has led some experts to question pay disparities among university employees.

The Wisconsin State Journal released a database of 2015-16 UW System employee salaries. UW Office of Human Resources and Office of Academic Planning and Institutional Research, addressed how these salaries are decided, how they compare to other major institutions and the disparities within UW salaries.

UW was ranked last out of 12 in fall 2015 for full professor salary compared to other institutions like University of Minnesota, University of California, Los Angeles and University of Washington. The average full professor salary for UW was $129,481 compared to the $145,472 median for other institutions.

Market, background and department factors determine UW employee salaries, Mark Walters, senior director of operations at the Office of Human Resources, said.

Jocelyn Milner, vice provost for the Office of Academic Affairs and director of APIR, said to determine a salary, the department looks at what other faculty members are being paid at other major public institutions.

Based on the supply and demand of hirable faculty in a given role, salaries may fluctuate.

Faculty salaries are set at hiring, Milner said.

UW cannot always match market rates for faculty salaries at other institutions, Walters said.

But the data indicates a general salary range. The budget of the department also plays a role.

“Depending on the position, [APIR] set

the [salary] based on the market as well as the internal equity within the academic department,” Walters said. “That has a lot to do with the experience level of the person that we ultimately hire.”

Based on data from the WSJ database, 2016 faculty at UW who made $300,000 or more included professors in business, economics, engineering, psychology, regenerative biology and biochemistry. Milner commented these departments lend themselves to higher salaries because they have higher-paying opportunities outside academia.

The highest paid nonfaculty employees in 2016 were the athletic director, several athletic coaches, the chancellor, the provost and various deans, according to the WSJ database. Football coach Paul Chryst has the highest salary of any UW employee. He was paid $2.5 million in 2016.

Walters said budgets are tight and UW has been unable to compete with other major institutions in the past. The last state budget cut $250 million from the UW System over two years, for example.

The money paying faculty salaries largely comes from a fund that mixes revenue from the state of Wisconsin and student tuition, Milner said. The 2017 Data Digest found of the 2,018 UW faculty, 1,555 were paid from this fund.

23 were paid from program revenue, 203 from federal gifts and grants and 237 from nonfederal gifts and grants.

“The more specialized the person’s knowledge and skills are, and/or the more responsibilities the job has, the higher the salary,” Milner said.

UW needs to be competitive to get individuals with a more specialized skill set,

Walters said. This competition largely determines salaries between departments and schools. There are concerns with disparity within the more specialized areas of study, but it “comes down to how competitive [UW] needs to be for those jobs to attract and retain top faculty.”

A majority of these roles, Walters said, are limited appointments with contracts that are also based on market data.

“If there’s a basketball coach we’re hiring, we need to see what is the going rate out there,” Walters said.

Both Walters and Milner said they don’t think faculty salary says anything about the value of professors at UW. “Even if your market isn’t that strong, [UW professors are] still going to get a salary that shows [their] value,” Walters said.

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UW researchers move toward better solution for cleaning oil spills Project will allow for better understanding of how such classes of powerful molecules work, degrade chemicals like Toluene

by Doha Awad Reporter

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have made a giant leap forward in understanding the three-dimensional structure and mechanism of an enzyme that degrades Toluene, which could provide a solution to oil spills.

The research was a collaboration between Department of Biochemistry chair and professor Brian Fox and his team. The team included UW students Justin Acheson and Lucas Bailey and UW chemistry professor Thomas Brunold.

This research is a step forward for helping chemists design new chemicals that may lead the way in finding solutions to environmental issues such as oil spills, Fox said.

Fox said they were interested in the 3-D structure of this Toluene-oxidizing enzyme and how it works. Toluene is commonly found in oil and wood. The researchers were recently able to trap the toluene in this oxidation process.

“If you are able to trap something like that it gives you a lot of understanding that you can only guess about,” Fox said.

This research examines the first step in a natural process, known as bioremediation where bacteria utilize an enzyme to consume Toluene carbon atoms.

In this process, iron atoms in the enzyme react with oxygen atoms nature and then surround Toluene molecule.

This allows the exchange of electrons and for the bacteria to consume the molecule.

Bacteria consuming the molecule could clean up oil spills and other chemical spills

involving Toluene.

“I got involved about a year ago as a member of Justin’s thesis committee,” Brunold said. “Justin had these amazing X-ray crystal structures of enzyme intermediates [iron-oxygen intermediate involved in this process]. These structures show the positions of atoms but do not provide unambiguous information about the metal oxidation states.”

The locations of these electrons is important because it influences how the bacteria surround and consume the Toluene molecule, Brunold said. This, in turn, impacts how oil spills can be cleaned up.

This research will allow for better understanding of how such a class of powerful enzymes work, Fox said. “[The enzymes] do everything from making DNA molecules to unsaturated fats

and making antibiotics to degrading toxic chemicals in the environment,” Fox said.

Fox said it took many years for him and his team to map the actual crystal structures of the enzyme’s intermediates before this step in the research.

Brunold said enzymes with similar active sites have evolved to catalyze their reactions at the highest possible rates while also suppressing undesired side reactions.

The enzyme uses a relatively mild oxidant in place of harsher oxidants that are often used, which is one advantage of the enzyme, Brunold said. Using too much of this harsher oxidant could be harmful for the environment and counterproductive to cleaning oil spills.

“We hope synthetic chemists will be inspired to generate structural and functional models of these enzyme active sites,” Brunold said.

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Warm weather doesn’t have to mean warm beer

Replacements for tired, cheap beer are equally transportable, ideal for spring darties, lakeshore picnics

by Ali O’Rouke ArtsEtc. Writer

Warmer weather in Madison means the return of picnics, day trips to Devil’s Lake and, of course, day parties, otherwise known as “darties.”

All daytime college get togethers are guaranteed to have a case of roomtemperature Natty Light sitting on the porch, but subjecting yourself to drinking that all day is something you can avoid. There are other drinks of choice that are convenient on the go and far tastier than beer only sold in bulk. These drinks are perfect to have in tow whether heading to an outdoor picnic or a three-story split level on Mifflin.

Epic Brewing: Lil’ Brainless Raspberries

Grab a six-pack of this raspberry ale, packaged in cutesy pink cans, and you’ve drastically upgraded from cheap light beer.

This seasonal from Epic Brewing is perfectly fruity and summery with a fresh taste that goes great with salads, cheeses or really any backyard picnic food. The cans are an offshoot of the original Brainless Raspberries sold in a 22-oz. bottle, but the canned version is more convenient to transport and doesn’t require a bottle opener.

Milwaukee Brewing Co.: O-Gii

The O-Gii, brewed here in Wisconsin, is a teainfused wheat beer perfect for summer months.

A collaboration between Milwaukee Brewing Co. and Rishi Tea, also a Milwaukee-based company, created a beer that has some Asianbased tea flavors, but also the great taste of craft beer. This beer has over 9 percent alcohol content, so picking up one of their four-packs of 16 oz. cans is enough to keep a steady buzz going all day. The best part about this beer is it can be drunk first thing in the morning without judgement; it has tea in it after all.

Wisco-N-Sin Old Fashioned Mix

Nothing is more Wisconsin than an OldFashioned, and this jarred mix makes having the classic drink so easy even the severely hungover can do it. Though it isn’t quite as simple as just cracking a beer, all you need is this mix; some brandy or whiskey; and a splash of soda. If you’re packing a picnic basket and are short on space, simply drink down some of the mix and fill the empty space with booze. Throw a bottle of soda in with the convenient jarred mix and you’re ready to have Old-Fashioneds all day.

Bandit Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon

Sure, there’s likely to be Franzia at most springtime parties in Madison, but boxed wine can be much more than just slapping the bag. Bandit wines are a step (or two) above Franzia, and are offered in eco-friendly cartons, the older and wiser sister of bulk

boxed wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon is award-winning and a safer choice for those that want to get drunk off red wine, but don’t want a headache for the following 72 hours.

Offered in liter or half-liter cartons, they can be discreetly stuck in a purse or brought to please the masses at any barbecue.

Daily’s Cocktails: Frozen Margarita A relative veteran compared to the other ready-to-go drinks on this list, Daily’s Cocktails are still around because they created what other companies didn’t: a ready-to-drink frozen margarita that required no additional booze. These pouches are perfect to bring on the go and tropical enough to make a day at the lake feel a little beachy. Just remember to freeze the pouches overnight and pack in a cooler or with icepacks, otherwise liquid pouches would be a syrupy boozy disappointment better left at home.

Twiddle uses improvisation, inspiration from other live performances Vermont-based band grows from Kickstarter project beginning, expands fame with release of latest album’s second installment

by Collin Schmidt ArtsEtc. Writer

Madison may be ready for summer, but it’s hard to say if they are prepared for Twiddle. This hilarious quartet of men is making a trip back through the town on their recently announced tour.

Twiddle formed at Castleton State College, Vermont, and captured the eyes of many right away. With the jam-like nature of Mihali Savoulidis (lead vocals, guitar), Ryan Dempsey (keys, organ, synth and vocals), Bill Comstock (bass) and Brook Jordan (drums, percussion and vocals), there was a bright future for the band.

Their new member, Zdenek Gubb, came on board after he received a call from the band. He took over the bassist spot after watching the band perform while he was in high school.

“I didn’t want to lose the interest in music by going to school for it, and watched the band perform for over a year prior to the phone call,” Gubb said.

Now that the band has grown and matured for years, the genre has been a topic of constant conversation. Gubb described it as, “Three10 • badgerherald.com • April 11, 2017

dimensional, there is a fusion melody of reggae, rock and blues.” This is how they classify themselves on Facebook and the fact is most of the live and studio performances involve a lot of improvisation. One of the members went on to give the musical genre the title of “orgasmic fuzzbubble music.”

The band spoke to the fact in a phase of growth, “some luck is involved, but the fan base has been incredible and they will continue to provide fresh tunes.”

Gubb said the band itself was an inspiration for him growing up. Also, bands like Black Sabbath and Rage Against the Machine as well as many other live performances, have played a role in the musician he is today. He reflected on their recent Jam Cruise tour, and the inspiration the band gained from live performances.

“The energy of other great performers like, Kamasi Washington, Lettuce, Survivalist … is great to feed off of and resonate with,” Gubb said.

Each member of the band offers a unique perspective that adds to their sound, Gubb said.

“Mixing and mastering is often done in house or with the full band in the room, along with the fact that food is always involved recently,” Gubb said. “People often would bring in parts they wrote for the whole band to play, but now have moved on to writing their own part and allowing the other members to create another piece of the puzzle.”

They have came a long way since their first few projects were released. Natural Evolution of Consciousness was released back in 2007, and was based a lot on the individuals’ instrumental capabilities. Many of the members have many different instrumental talents along with their vocal capabilities. A few years later, they released their next project, Somewhere On the Mountain, and Gubb went on to explain, “there are a few characters present, and the stories and lyrics became more present throughout the project.”

Twiddle has since put on many live performances and has been working on the second part of their album. The first part, Plump Chapter 1, was released two years ago. This project was funded as a Kickstarter campaign, and was not

widely known. It received great reviews and the touring that came after massively grew the band’s name and reach.

“These songs have meaning and sort of gave people what they wanted ... but play into the fact that the studio albums usually go more unnoticed, and we as a band are capable of much more,” Gubb said.

There has since been a large amount of anticipation for the follow-up project which is conveniently titled Plump Chapter 2. This is described as “a high-energy, and high-involvement album ... we are taking full control of all capabilities and working with the balance of instrumental and lyricism.”

Twiddle will be letting loose this masterpiece on tour, and it is available to preorder on April 14 through iTunes.

Their full album release is April 28, but don’t miss Twiddle in Madison on Saturday, April 15 at the Majestic Theatre. They are performing with Midnight North, who will support most of their tour and are sure to bring high energy.

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Up-and-coming band greenhaus talks quick emergence, songwriting habits Madison-based group channels real-life experiences, periods of sadness to create unique indie, bedroom pop sound

by Celeste Benzschawel ArtsEtc. Editor

Just when you think you are starting to get a handle on all of Madison’s local bands, another one sprouts up. This one sprouted quite quickly, and they are already making a name for themselves around town. greenhaus is an indie group comprised of vocalist/guitarist Halle Luksich, drummer Matthew Norman, bassist Jack Bryant and guitarist Karl Fetsch. The band essentially formed around Luksich, who wrote and recorded their first EP, soft and warm, by herself over the span of two days. She also wrote all of the songs, which detail the hard time she has transitioning between being home and being at school, she said.

After realizing the potential that could come out of the music she’d created, Luksich decided she wanted to turn it into an actual thing, she said. That’s where the boys come in. She first turned to Bryant, who then turned to Norman and Fetsch.

The band has moved with amazing speed — soft and warm was just released Jan. 14, and already they released their second EP, Live @ WSUM late last month.

Not only have they come out with two EPs in the span of three months, they have also already held shows at places like the Nottingham Cooperative and Der Rathskeller.

More impressively, they have landed

a show with local favorites Fin Zipper and Trophy Dad at the High Noon Saloon April 13 — a “local dream team show,” Norman said — and one the next day at Der Rathskeller with The Velveteins, a rock n’ roll band from Canada.

To get where they are now they had to start somewhere, and it started with Luksich. Her writing process is somewhat atypical of most musicians. While lots of musicians are constantly writing songs, she said she only writes songs about twice a year, during times when she is really sad.

Over the span of a week or two, she will have completed around five songs.

Luksich forms the skeleton of the songs with chords and lyrics. From there, the boys add their own parts. At that point, they are all putting something into the music. Bryant said.

“My favorite parts of my songs are not mine,” Luksich said.

When asked about any overarching concepts or themes in the music, their explanation was pretty unanimous — sadness. A lot of it seems to focus on postrelationship angst, Norman said, and the way the words don’t obviously rhyme makes them stand out.

“It’s really sad music, but I don’t think it’s immediately obvious,” Bryant said.

For the first album, Luksich recorded everything in her bedroom on Garageband.

With the help of some of her friends, she

also took contributions and recordings that she either recorded in the room, or that her friends did on their iPhones and sent to her.

For their second album, greenhaus played a live show at WSUM, and used the recordings from that. It was the first live show they had ever played.

The collaboration factor between the band members is what sets the first EP apart from the second, Bryant said. The music is also very different in sound. The first EP is more of an atmospheric sound to set a mood, Bryant said. It’s more obviously sad. Live @ WSUM is more listenable, Luksich said.

Norman said he enjoys having both of the EPs up side by side so people can have a taste of both spectrums depending on what type of mood they are in. If listeners need something to “caress their ears,” soft and warm is where to go, Norman said. If listeners are feeling more angsty or thrashy, choose Live @ WSUM. greenhaus wanted to share some insight into one of their new songs, and Luksich chose to talk about “Friends.” She said it’s about checking her mail, and how when she doesn’t get mail, it’s really sad, but when she does get mail, it makes her really happy.

“It’s about how I miss my friends and how I wish they would send me more

Photo · greenhaus has been gaining quick recognition and momentum in Madison’s music scene after releasing two EPs since January.

Mathew Norman The Badger Herald

mail and everything reminds me of them,” Luksich said.

Now that they have this music up, it’s given other bands a chance to listen to their stuff. The tight-knit music community in Madison has given them a leg up. Other local artists have listened to their music and invited them to play shows.

“It’s been wild how fast we’ve gotten so many shows,” Fetsch said.

Before the summer arrives, the band is going to try and get as many shows as they can before they have to disperse, Norman said.

They also want to try implementing some song-writing from Bryant and Fetsch in the future, Bryant said. While he realized it would add something different, he thinks it would be complementary, he said. It would be less traditional and more experimental.

In the meantime, they are going to focus on live shows. From the shows they’ve played, it’s been great for them to see a positive response from the audience, and to get that affirmation on the projects they had been working on, Norman and Bryant said. It’s also an opportunity for them to be themselves on stage and in public, while at other times they might be more quiet, Luksich said.

“It feels really good to make other people happy,” Bryant said.

ARTSETC.

@BH_Arts

‘Death Skin Sonnet’ offers insight into ‘sinful poverty’ through short prose UW student writer discusses his creative process for storytelling, offers glimpse into original, playful poetry pieces

by Wyatt Warnecke ArtsEtc. Guest Writer

Welcome to StoriesEtc. a place where University of Wisconsin students can share their original works of creative writing with the community, whether it be poetry, short stories or anything in between. As a section dealing with the arts, it feels only natural to create an opportunity for students to share their creative talents.

With that being said, let’s meet this week’s contributor, Wyatt Warnecke: The Badger Herald: Tell us about yourself.

What’s your major? Year in school?

Wyatt Warnecke: I’m a sophomore majoring in English and Communication Arts. I hail from the city of West Bend, which is somewhere north of Milwaukee. There’s not much to do there.

My hobbies include reading, drawing, watching movies, listening to music and making cheap video projects with friends.

BH:

Define your writing, authorship and perspective.

WW:

“Work in progress” is how I’d define it.

I’m still figuring things out, what works and what doesn’t. Some reoccurring elements in my writing are a sense of playfulness, skepticism and sarcasm. Sour, woe-is-me poetry bugs me, so that’s what I hope to avoid. I can still be a downer though, but that’s how poetry seems to go.

BH:

When did you start writing creatively?

I’ve always been creating, but not necessarily through writing. I kept a daily comic strip in my planner that I’d pass around

WW:

12 • badgerherald.com • April 11, 2017 55.MonkeyLung_badgerherald_sq-4c_v1.indd 1

3/27/17 1:39 PM

with classmates in elementary school. Honestly, I did the same thing in high school, too. I started writing seriously around the age of 16 in a creative writing class and it’s been a hobby since. Taking college courses have convinced me to pursue it further.

BH:

Talk about your creative process. What inspires you, and how do you get from an idea to a finished product?

WW:

That’s a tough one. I keep a notebook for ideas or phrases that pop into my head while going about my day. Sometimes a piece can grow out of a notion like that, or sometimes I will try stringing together disparate ideas to see what happens. It’s an experiment. My inspiration comes from places or moods. I admire art that can transport an audience someplace else through tone and atmosphere. That’s a goal I hope

to meet.

Here is an example of Wyatt’s work, “Dead Skin Sonnet:”

Her skin, too tight a glove for bonepoor fingers, stings like skeleton keys, speaks for her as did Aaron for Moses, begs from Pharaoh loans to clothe her children who have grown too tall for hand-me-downs. Buttons and pennies pool from donation, but table scraps cannot atone for sinful poverty. She dreams revenge. To clog solid the rich with ramen, shoot Mercedes screams through bones of passersby, all which seek caressings from her soft cream hands. Kindly put: to be a bitch.

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ARTSETC.

TransLiberation Art Coalition prepares for debut art show at High Noon

by Kristin Washagan ArtsEtc. Editor

The TransLiberation Art Coalition will hold its debut biannual art show on April 15 at the High Noon Saloon to create a safe space and acknowledge the talents of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.

Developed by transgender artist Kaci Sullivan in September, the TransLiberation Art Coalition aims to fight erasure and build community through art shows, online initiatives and celebratory events.

The Badger Herald talked with Sullivan about the development of the coalition, his upcoming art show and his goals for the future of the TransLiberation Art Coalition.

The following interview was edited for style and clarity.

The Badger Herald: Can you tell me a bit about the purpose of the art show event?

Kaci Sullivan: It’s about creating a safe space that creates visibility and empowers transgender and genderqueer people to share their art and their music and their stories and their narratives and their goods, and being able to sort of answer back to a lot of the questions that people are asking them. We see people making a lot of assumptions about the community, in the media, in lawmaking and just socially in general. And trans people aren’t really given a lot of space or room to answer back to any of that, to say, “well no actually, this is how we would define ourselves, this is who we are.”

And a lot of times too, the community comes together for things that are emotionally-taxing, like support groups or protests or vigils. But we don’t really ever come together to celebrate ourselves or celebrate each other, or really take a moment to appreciate how big our community is and how rich our culture is. It’s easy to sometimes feel alone and isolated and “othered,” and it’s so important to be reminded that it just seems that way but in reality, there are so many other people and you are never alone. It’s a very diverse community of talented people who are all capable of taking care of each other.

BH:

You kind of answered this in the last question, but why do you believe events like these are important for our community?

KS:

Because they fight erasure, and they connect to any group putting on the event to themselves. It also creates an opportunity to connect with the mainstream, too. It gives people the opportunity to understand each other. I think for the vast majority, people are good. People want to be respectful, they want to be understanding.

It’s in their nature to be compassionate. But it’s hard sometimes to know what that looks like, or know what support looks like. We don’t really have a culture that talks about how do we best

communicate with each other, how do we best respect each other. Unfortunately, those just aren’t things that in a capitalist society we don’t put a lot of value or effort in forming a culture of asking those questions.

But when you create events and throw people together and you present that content, people pick it up and they have discussions about it and they carry it with them. It expands the way that they think about things and they start doing some of their own work, and ultimately everybody is bettered for it. So I think it’s really important.

BH:

Why do think art specifically is a useful medium in getting these messages across?

KS:

Because art transcends barriers in a way that many other things do not.

I think the same is true of music. Art doesn’t only educate, it helps us to understand what we are not familiar with or have a difficult time understanding, but it’s simultaneously connecting that which we see in everybody, that we see in ourselves. I think understanding is a lot more powerful and a lot more intuitive. I think it’s a good platform to start difficult discussions with.

BH:

KS:

Since you’re the creator of this organization, how long has the TransLiberation Art Coalition held these two art shows a year?

This is our first one. I actually just started building the group in September and getting steam going for our first show. So, this will be our debut biannual show, and then we’ll have another one in fall.

The response from the community has been great. I definitely think people are responding. I think that was definitely a need that needed to be fulfilled; I could see that in the response. People from the transgender and gender nonconforming community, but also a lot of people from the general community, too, are saying, “hey, there are transgender people in my family who I care about. I love them and this is happening, what do I do to get involved?” People do want to be good, and people do want to celebrate others and people want to be a part of improving the lives of everyone. I think most people are for equality.

It’s important to create safe spaces for everyone, safe spaces for people to come and learn and understand and be met with some resources. You do have to educate yourself to be a good ally. You need to feel safe about educating yourself as well. So I’m wanting the event to fulfill that need; creating a space for transgender people to share their art, that’s number one, but also creating a safe space for allies to come and learn and grow, and get that information.

BH:

How did the idea for the event first develop?

KS:

It was a culmination of two things.

The first thing was just on my own, independently. I was wanting to confront with my own internalized transphobia, body-shaming and self-hate issues I had going on. I decided that the most important part of that, for me, was to correct the negative self-talk that I had been telling myself for decades. The best way to undo that is to confront it every time and replace it with positive thoughts. I saw that nude portraits would be a great way for me to do this. I’m going to look at myself—it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be difficult, I’m going to have all these terrible thoughts about myself—and we’re going to work on rectifying those and making it positive and reflecting that in art. It’s really, really effective.

You find blogs and you find people talking about it, but a lot of it’s negative and once again, a lot of it is steeped in those themes of support groups or protests, negativity and resist, but there’s not a lot of celebration or discussion of healing, which makes sense, you know. People get together and their first need is to vent. I’m frustrated, let me air my frustrations, and then the higher needs come out, like needing your visibility, needing to identify yourself and have other people connect with you. Those things come later after you get some of the hard work of what needs support groups facilitate, working on the things that you’re frustrated by.

And then I went to the Trans Monologues, and once again that same discussion was rising up: we only get together for support groups, or we only get together to protest or we only get together for events like this, and I was like, you know what, we need to start doing something about that. It is frustrating that we need more spaces but we need to be going out there and creating those spaces. I felt very motivated and inspired by that. Initially I was just going to find some other trans artists and do this little art show—and I liked that and that had value in and of itself—but the more I developed this and the more I talked to people, the more the idea of the real value of something like this being community and culture. Again, to grow.

Then I wanted to add more to the show. I didn’t want it to just be artists; I wanted there to be musicians, spoken word artists, people who make food, anything creative, and then educational tables, too. It just sort of exploded into all these different ideas. It’s continuing to evolve to form community.

BH:

Can you tell me a bit more about the TransLiberation Art Coalition’s goals and future plans?

KS:

Well, I’m online and building like a library, it’s a tab called “writing,” for now, but eventually I want to attract enough people to donate their content to it., content written by transgender people and for that community: research papers and poems and interviews. I’d like to get even more of those things together. There are people who write and go to school and want to address gender and identity issues, and I think it would be cool to have something like that. A lot of people could benefit from it. Even when wanting to write a scholarly piece about transgender people—I decided I wanted to do that in college last semester, and could hardly find anything.

I spent hours and hours searching all these databases, and there’s just so much that doesn’t exist. What does is just people doing research, but it’s still not from the transgender community. I’m not saying it’s not of value, just that it’d be nice if there were just multiple sources of information. So, we’ve got the library and the idea of curating more information, with the idea that creating access to that information, that content, that culture, that community is an active fight, an act of resistance to the erasure that our community experiences.

There’s the marketplace on there. The idea there is a networked place for businesses that are owned by transgender and gender nonconforming people, or people who are friendly to the LGBTQIA community, so that you have the opportunity to equally support companies that support you. It also gives us an opportunity to promote buying goods from our own community, to help fight that marginalization. It’s not always easy for a person who is outwardly transgender who doesn’t have passing privilege, it can be that much more difficult. So it’s really important for us to be supporting our own community.

We know best what we want. We know what our needs are. It’s very empowering to be creating what you and your community needs. That’s part of taking back your power and taking back your ownership of self and community.

BH: KS:

In your opinion, what is the connection between art and activism?

Art is a message, and I think especially with transgender people, to exist is an act of resistance. To go out of the house is an act of resistance. To demand equality in a time when we’re trying to criminalize being visibly trans in public. I think just going out and being authentic is huge, and your art is very much an extension of that, especially when you have art that’s directly about your trans identity and the validity of that.

That’s not to say that everyone’s art there is, but that’s just a statement. I’m a human being, I make art, this is a very human thing that I am doing that all of you can relate to.

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Madison music scene dives into political activism, social causes Local groups, artists in punk/rock, other genres participate in movements to raise concerns over current events, community issues

by Hunter Reed Contributor

On most frigid January days, just a few people meander to the steps of the state Capitol. But one day after the President Donald Trump’s inauguration, people from across the state came to Madison to speak out in support of women’s rights, the LGBTQ+ community, Black Lives Matter and more.

The sea of pink-hat-clad women and men carried brightly decorated signs as a local Madison punk/rock band, Token Minority, took the stage in front of the Capitol doors.

Shouting the lyrics “This orange-faced elephant will never be my president,” the band stomped and clapped in protest along with 100,000 protesters in front of them.

Formerly known as Skizzwhores, Token Minority headlined the Women’s March in Madison. Alongside Once a Month, lead singer Ash Quinn — Q when they’re on stage — guitarist Noah Green, bassist Angie Remington and drummer Dana Gordon Rowe shared their message to thousands of people.

“I was beyond humbled,” Quinn said. “So surprised with the turnout: 100,000 people. I think I can speak for us all when I say that’s probably the biggest crowd any of us played in front of.”

Token Minority uses their lyrics to criticize society and believe in punk/rock as a past and future agent of change.

Artists from all backgrounds make Madison home and a place to articulate their passion. From hip-hop and rap to punk/rock and folk, artists with a passion for public affairs want to create an outlet to express their individual feelings.

But there seems to be a dominating message bubbling up from the undercurrents of most music scenes: a goal of awareness, equality and change for underrepresented groups of people.

Music as a political movement

Photos · DJ Boyfrrriend aims to create equity for disenfranchised groups in her work. (Top) The GRRRLs Kick Ass Fest honors women in music. (Bottom) Top: Courtesy of Josey Baumberger Bottom: Joey Reuteman The Badger Herald

Punk/rock is one of the most emotional and politically charged genres to establish roots in the Madison music scene. Spawning from an often heated political climate, punk/ rock bands like Token Minority thrive in a tight-knit community with strong beliefs, like Madison.

“I think throughout generations, music is something that is remembered from different time periods,” Rowe said. “It’s kind of integral to social movements.”

Rowe said musicians have made themselves a vocal part of various movements including the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 20th century along with the Riot Grrrl Movement, an

underground feminist punk wave starting in the 1990s — so Token Minority’s political and social stances aren’t new.

While punk/rock may be one of the most politically charged genres, other genres, artists and events also work to create messages of their own.

One of these artists includes Madison native Aarushi Agni, who inserts her personal experiences as a woman of color into both her stand-up comedy and work with her band, Tin Can Diamonds. The latter, whose name is inspired by “finding beauty in unexpected places,” is a folk/rock project composed of Agni, Ben Strohbeen, Mitch Johnson and Dave Janus.

While Tin Can Diamonds’ songs aren’t always, or even usually, explicitly political, deeply critical songs of consumerism like “Make Up Your Mind” make waves with lyrics like, “There’s a campaign to control you that you didn’t read about. Everyone around you wonders why you’re holding out” and “The vultures, taxmen, census, bigots are creepin’ at your bedside: some for kindness, some for sport.”

Inclusivity remains problematic in progressive city

Agni said she faced hurdles like sexism, racial prejudice and alienation while establishing herself in the Madison music scene. She initially struggled to find a group who respected her and her musical talents.

“I had been in other groups before, and I always had issues with sexism in bands

“People booking shows, controlling grant money or participating in any scene as an artist or as a consumer should take a hard look at how often they have booked, attended or supported an allmale or all-white show. Even one is too many.”

Sarah Akawa

that I was in,” Angi said. “I always had people discredit my contributions or treat me differently because I was female or made comments on how I look or how that contributed to our image. Even just having

female vocal chords compared to male vocal chords [was seen] as some kind of detriment.”

Angi’s journey to find and establish Tin Can Diamonds sheds light on the issues that still face marginalized musicians in Madison. While Angi generally believes the music scene as a whole is welcoming, it still has its issues.

Though Madison is often depicted as liberal, openminded and progressive, there continues to be major social problems, which make it harder for oppressed people to enter the music scene or even simply visit venues to watch performances.

Safety and security are often concerns for the LGBTQ+ community in many nightlife spaces. Born out of a frustration with the nightlife scene and lack of visibility, Queer Pressure, an event which aims to create equity by incorporating entirely queer performers and encouraging intentionally separate spaces.

Queer Pressure led by Joey Bee — better known as DJ Boyfrrriend — and Sarah Akawa is one of the few musical entities that use the power of art to make changes in the tumultuous, sociopolitical landscape of American culture.

Queer Pressure seeks to create spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other disenfranchised groups. The event was designed with the intent to be entirely queer and a space where the community could dance without fear.

“People booking shows, controlling grant money or participating in any scene as an artist or as a consumer should take a hard look at how often they have booked, attended or supported an all-male or all-white show,” Akawa said. “Even one is too many.”

Disparity awareness in music scene

For Majestic owner Matt Gerding, the political nature of his company comes in the form of inclusivity and speaking out against policies that challenge the welcoming space he created.

“Live music venues are a place where we celebrate a diversity of music that we bring, which by virtue of that comes along with celebrating the diversity of the crowds that attend them as well,” Gerding said. “We want to always be very welcoming as a venue. When we see things locally or nationally that we feel conflict with that sense of openness and inclusiveness, every now and again, we will speak against it if our ethical code pushes us to want to make a statement about something.”

To help celebrate the diversity of music spaces, the band Bikini Kill and its drummer Dave Bonson moved to Madison searching for something more than his small hometown of Rhinelander could offer. Inspired by the Riot Grrrl Movement, he found acceptance, a thriving punk/rock scene and an outlet of expression.

The GRRRLs Kick Ass Fest, a festival featuring female musicians and performers, was born five years ago from Bonson’s idea to honor his favorite movement and women in music.

Bonson’s upbringing in a small town with a lack of diversity in music inspired him to move to Madison. But creating a festival inspired by the women of punk/rock who showed him new possibilities was always in the back of his mind, he said.

“I ended up finally working my way up through the booking scene [by] knowing the scene, [and] knowing different people,” Bonson said. “I realized I finally have

the opportunity to start a Riot Grrrltype festival.”

All proceeds from the event pay performers and the remainder is sent to the Malala Fund, which works to educate women and girls worldwide.

Over the past few years, Bonson has grown the festival to include a variety of acts, all of which highlight attitudes of equality and badassery. Bonson said he strives to incorporate local, female-driven acts with a platform to perform.

To continue building a nightlife platform, organizers of Queer Pressure, Bee and Akawa push each other and the Madison community for more equity. Incorporating underrepresented music by women, queer people, feminists, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities and other groups and bringing their “perspectives and messages on to the dance floor” is the way Bee incorporates politics in her art.

Both Bee and Akawa said they are perpetually striving to make their shows, and Madison as a whole, aware of the disparities in the country.

“There is no reason we shouldn’t have equal representation in art and music at all levels,” Akawa said.

Photo ·Tin Can Diamonds criticizes consumerism in their music. (Top) Majestic Theatre owner Matt Gerding, said the venue tries to remain inclusive for all artists.

(Bottom) Top: Photo Courtesy of Aarushi Agni Bottom: Herald archive

OPINION

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GOP tightens grip on Wisconsin as 2018 midterms approach

Republicans are well-prepared with experienced candidates while Democrats fumble for options in races for governor, U.S. Senate

by John Graber Columnist

Though the 2016 election ended only months ago, many politicians are already preparing for the upcoming midterms. In 2018, Wisconsinites will vote for governor and U.S. Senate.

It looks like both incumbents — Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin — plan to run for re-election, meaning challengers have to begin now to amass financial and popular support.

Even though we are far from November 2018, there are some early indicators Republicans are far more confident than Democrats when it comes to these races.

It seems Wisconsin Democrats are still suffering from shell shock following President Donald Trump’s victory in the Badger State. Low morale within the party has seemingly deterred Democrats from challenging Walker while encouraging Republicans to target Baldwin.

Consider the last two Democratic nominees for governor. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has been in politics for a long time, and no one doubts his experience.

Barrett was the Democratic nominee twice, in 2010 and in 2012 for the recall.

He failed twice, likely because it was far too easy to point to the dismal economic situation in Milwaukee as evidence of his incompetence.

Secondly, he had no outside appeal

Photo · Following President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election, Democrats in Wisconsin have seemingly lost their steam, and are in bad shape for upcoming midterms.

Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald 16 • badgerherald.com • April 11, 2017

from a traditional liberal base. Part of the reason Walker excelled was because he ran liberal Milwaukee County for many years and his connections in many suburbs in southeastern Wisconsin propelled him to victory.

Former gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke, who ran in 2014, is sort of the opposite of Barrett.

She has spent most of her time in the private sector and was virtually unknown when she ran for office. There was a real opportunity because Democrats could frame their own image of her. But picking someone who is relatively unknown can be highly risky.

Like Barrett, Burke had no major outside appeal from Dane County. In fact, she lost votes in Milwaukee that Barrett had won even though she improved in Madison.

So who are Walker ’s Democratic potential challengers?

First, there’s Mark Bakken.

When I think of Bakken, I instantly am reminded of Burke. Like her, he’s a businessman who has been unknown thus far when it comes to politics. But, perhaps remembering what happened in 2014, Bakken recently opted not to run, deciding he would prefer to stay at his business.

Then there’s state Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, a former state Senate majority leader.

He briefly considered running against Walker in 2018, but now he’s out. He claimed he wasn’t a big fan of the fundraising calls that would have been needed to form a sufficient campaign. Even though Cullen came from somewhere out of the Milwaukee and Madison bubbles, the fact he was disinterested in raising money would have hurt him. And at 73 years old, his age could have also been a factor.

Another supposed option was former Green Bay Packer and current ESPN radio show host Mark Tauscher, but he shut down any rumors about his potential interest in the gubernatorial sweepstakes, and confirmed the “Mark Tauscher for WI Governor” Facebook page is not affiliated with him.

Walker will face a Democratic opponent in 2018, but the lack of interest among many shows that he’s in a strong position for re-election.

As for Republicans challenging Baldwin, the story is entirely different.

Several Republicans are eager to run in 2018. It’s easy to see why they’d want to.

If Republicans in Wisconsin can win at the presidential level for the first time since 1984, then midterm elections should be no trouble.

That being said, Baldwin does have a conventional advantage. More often than

not, the opposition party wins in midterm races.

As the process to approve a state budget moves forward, many legislators are quite

contrasts between the two fields “ofThecandidates are vastly different, but they tell a clear story about politics in Wisconsin.

”

busy at the moment.

There are two who have said they are considering challenging Baldwin.

In the state Senate, Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Leah Vukmir, has said that she might run.

The Brookfield Republican has been in the state Legislature since 2003 and has a lot of experience that can be used just as effectively in the U.S. Senate.

Another Brookfield Republican, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, claimed he’s open to the possibility of running, but is currently focused on the state budget.

He hasn’t been in office as long as Vukmir, but he has been a champion of major reforms and a veteran, which could give him large appeal across the state.

There’s three potential candidates who aren’t in politics. Eric Hovde, a Madison businessman, almost won the 2012 Republican primary for U.S. Senate. This sort of makes him the runner-up against Baldwin and no one doubts he has the money to spend.

There are two other outsiders. One is Nicole Schneider of Green Bay, whose father-in-law built Schneider National.

Schneider National is planning on going public, resulting in $230 million for the family. This would certainly give her the funds for a campaign.

Another is veteran and businessman Kevin Nicholson of Delafield.

Initial concerns the Republican would lack funds have disappeared. He is receiving strong support from GOP donor Richard Uihlein, who has donated $2 million to the new super PAC “Solutions for Wisconsin.”

The contrasts between the two fields of candidates are stark, but they tell a clear story about politics in Wisconsin.

Republicans are stronger, more popular, have wider wallets and are significantly more excited about 2018. On the other side of the aisle, the Democrats are worried and lack optimism. This paves the way for more GOP victories in the Badger State.

John M. Graber (jgraber3@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in history and political science.

OPINION

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Comedians must be cognizant of their role as social commentators Louis C.K., Trevor Noah, others use laughter to persuade audience to think critically about society in non-traditional way

by Lucas Johnson Columnist

How does a societal perception manifest itself? Time? Frequency of exposure? Relevance? What about entertainment value?

Certainly the more gripping the idea or event the more it will circulate. And the more it circulates, the more it attention it will grab at its mention. At face value, this seems ideal in the sense the more eyes and ears you reach, the more we as a society can discuss an issue.

Disappointingly, it’s not that simple.

Instead, entertainment value can become a guiding force — manipulating and sensationalizing current events until the truth is indecipherable.

Moreover, increased viewership results in increased spectrum of opinions to the point where having a coherent societal discussion is nearly impossible.

I’ll admit this is a bleak outlook on our ability as a human race to reach productive conclusions. But I’d argue it’s possible for one thing to unite people with differing views, as well as simplify complex social and political issues.

At this point you’re thinking one of two things: A. That I’m perched on a cloud, blissfully ignorant and idealistic, or B. you’re on the edge of your seat eager to hear the solution to our problems as a society.

If you’re an A person, allow me to finish, and if you’re a B person, I don’t have all the answers but I sure hope to make you think more critically.

This secret serum for societal clarity is

responsibly, comedy can be “anIf used important influence on our social perceptions.” comedy.

Laughter is contagious, yes, but that’s not my focus. Laughter, especially as it relates to social issues, tends to morph into faux entitlement, which morphs into bigotry, which accomplishes nothing.

Neither am I suggesting all comedians are responsible enough to construct comedic social commentary that doesn’t come across as belittling.

Rather, I’m focused on discussing the power of comedy to knife through the noise highlighted by overanalysis, and rediscover the core of an issue.

Historically, social commentary has been at the core of comedians’ material,

and as such it’s pertinent now more than ever to recognize the legitimacy of a comedian’s ability to influence social consensus.

Michael Che, co-host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and talented stand-up comedian, recently released a comedy special on Netflix.

About halfway through his act, once he had the audience warmed up to his style, Che introduced his next topic, the Black Lives Matter movement. His joke lasts for around three minutes and characterizes my previous contention beautifully.

Che first discusses how, as a country, we can’t agree on much, emphasizing the fact we always seem to be in conflict.

Building off that, he points out the absurdity of disagreeing with the movement, hinging on the fact that, by definition, the movement says “black lives matter,” period.

Not more than another race, just that they matter. He goes on to discuss how confusing it is that such a stance is considered controversial, wondering if he can even claim “black lives exist” without facing problems of controversy.

To wrap it up he does something truly beautiful, he takes an issue as complex, nuanced and historically significant as equal rights movements, and disassembles any form of backlash by saying “Can you believe that’s an actual stance you can have? You can be for equal rights? That means there’s people out there saying, ‘I think everybody should have the same rights as everyone else.’ And there’re other people who are like, ‘Nah, son, I disagree.’”

He’s pointed out the absurdity of denying people rights not by pointing out how ridiculous it is to be against equal rights, but by showcasing how ridiculous it is that people have to fight to support equal rights at all.

I won’t pretend comedy it’s a perfect forum for discussion and the sharing of ideas, because it’s far from it, as many comedians cross the line into mockery and belittling of serious issues, but, overall, it has its merits.

Comedy, traditionally, is designed to be an escape from the toils of everyday life, but the likes of Louis C.K., Michael Che, Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart and a multitude of others have hybridized the informal environment, and used it to get people to think critically of our society through laughter.

This is a powerful tool that warrants significant responsibility, so as not to enable disrespect disguised as humor.

But if used responsibly, comedy can be an important influence on our social perceptions.

Take the 2016 election for example,

Photo ·Though nonconventional, comedy can be the perfect means to spark dialogue with both sides of the aisle united in laughter.

Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald comedians took advantage of a scandalladen and polarizing election by uncovering truths through informal means.

Specifically, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah frequently sent one of their correspondents, Jordan Klepper, to rallies for Donald Trump to interview supporters.

What made this idea intriguing and impactful was that Klepper was there to test an immigration tactic Trump supports — “extreme vetting” of refugees and immigrants.

The humor was centered around contradictions in Trump supporters’ claims on American values and their

devout support for the policy.

This video went viral across social media forums and eventually became an informative piece of political advertising for the Democratic Party and featured on multiple Democratic social media accounts.

This evolution from traditional jokes to social discourse makes comedy impactful and provides an informal and, at times, comfortable lens through which political and social issues can be addressed.

Drawing the line between objectively offensive and stimulating is dicy and does not have a finite answer. Rather, recognizing the potential for comedy to be more than just humorous is valuable.

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 17

OPINION

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On immigration: Is payoff worth risk?

College Republicans: Nation without borders is not a nation

College Democrats: Make American land of opportunity again

“Secure your mask first and then assist the other person if you’re traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance.”

In times of decompression, when the changing pressure of an airplane’s cabin becomes unstable, oxygen masks deploy to aid passengers in surviving a dangerous situation. The flight attendants always request you secure your own oxygen mask to ensure your own safety as you’re helping others.

This idea is a key principle behind President Donald Trump’s travel ban: help yourself so you can use your strength to help others.

Many opponents of the travel ban claim the executive order is discriminative against Muslims, and that the travel ban fails to provide aid and shelter to refugees of the humanitarian crisis. But the opponents are missing the reasoning behind this common-sense initiative.

American principles of freedom and safety cannot be upheld if America allows individuals who resent American’s freedom, lifestyle and principles to infiltrate and weaken our country. The outcry against this executive order is detrimental to American excellence and the safety of the country.

The truth is there are those who want to harm America and all it stands for.

Remember the 2015 Chattanooga shooting of five of our honorable military men? Remember the 2015 San Bernardino shooting at a Christmas party?

Remember the 2016 Orlando tragedy — a hate crime against the LGBT and Latino communities where 49 people died?

Finally, who could ever forget Sept. 11, 2001, one of the greatest tragedies in our country’s history, when four terrorists were not properly vetted and killed thousands of Americans.

Most refugees and immigrants are good people, but terrorists take advantage of our vulnerabilities and world crises and then use those situations to launch attacks. To provide refugees with humanitarian aid, we need to make sure we’re defending ourselves first.

The first misconception about this executive order is it discriminates against Muslims. This order has absolutely no language specifically directed at

Not even three months into President Donald Trump’s administration we are already seeing him enact the racist policies he promised during his campaign. His executive orders have called for the construction of a wall along our southern border, a halt to all immigration — refugee or otherwise — from seven majorityMuslim nations and an indefinite ban on refugees from the horrific Syrian civil war seeking haven in the U.S. Trump has ordered the construction of a wall that has been shown by experts to be the most expensive and least effective way of stopping illegal immigration. Deporting 11 million illegal immigrants is not only wholly impractical but also inhumane.

Many of the immigrants Trump targeted came to America as young children and have never known anything else.

Immigrants pay taxes and contribute to our economy. Many go on to college to do great things in various academic fields. Studies show immigrants commit crimes at far lower rates than natural-born Americans. To propose a mass deportation force and a wall before considering options of a path to citizenship, reducing the exploitation of immigrant workers and expanding education opportunities for “Dreamers” is completely contrary to American ideals.

The ban on immigrants is, on the surface, a simple act of Islamophobia and represents a complete lack of compassion for those fleeing unspeakable violence. It is important to note Saudi Arabia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates, all countries from which terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks came from, were left off of the list. The fact Trump has business interests in these countries is concerning at best. Clearly, this ban isn’t solely about American safety.

While Trump has tried to rebrand his

banning Muslims from our country, but rather is directed at states with dangerous tendencies.

Second, it’s crucial to note the six countries that travel from is banned are countries former President Barack Obama’s administration had originally deemed “countries of concern.”

Any member of the judiciary who respects the law and does not seek to replace Congress and the president understands Trump has complete authority to make such an order for the safety of our country. Trump is addressing Obama’s concerns and lack of ambition, and taking action on the issue and safety of Americans.

Trump brought illegal immigration under further scrutiny during the past election season, and a discussion began in both parties to find policy prescriptions.

Illegal immigration is an issue that affects our economy and our security in this country. Trump and Congress are dedicated to stopping the inflow across our borders, deporting dangerous criminals and finding a solution to the millions of undocumented immigrants that live in our nation, working hard to produce in our economy. This will be a breath of fresh air after eight years of purely partisan action from the Obama administration, which only perpetuated illegal immigration and division over the issue, but never solved the problem.

Overall, the idea Trump’s travel ban is discriminative and the idea that his efforts to improve immigration standards are “mean,” are uninformed opinions unproductive for American safety and excellence.

To maintain American safety, and maintain our reputation as the best country in the world, a country that thrives and a country that can help other countries succeed, we need to put on our oxygen mask first, and protect the American people from all forms of terrorism.

Emelia Rohl (gopbadgerscomms@gmail. com) is a junior majoring in journalism and mass communications. She is the communications director of UW College Republicans.

Muslim ban as a travel ban not targeting Muslims, it’s impossible to ignore his tireless calls for a Muslim ban on the campaign trail, and impossible to separate religious discrimination from this ban’s text. Trump is painting it as a way to prevent future terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, but there is little evidence to suggest that any immigrant or refugee from any of these countries will go on to carry out a terrorist attack, not to mention the fact that the U.S. already has exhaustive screening processes in place to come to our country.

There is no doubt the safety of its citizens should be of the utmost concern to the U.S. government, but these measures in no way to make us safer. The Trump administration is turning their back on one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time while ignoring the majority opinion of security experts, advisers and the American people.

Trump justifies these malicious actions with one simple statement: “A nation without borders is not a nation.” Trump is trying to characterize our country with isolation and indifference to the suffering of those who may not look like us.

What Trump attempts to define is not our nation, it is not the great America he is so desperately trying to tear down.

America is a country that welcomes all those who seek to come to its shores.

America is a country that celebrates cultural differences instead of fearing them. America has a proud history of accepting immigrants and refugees from all over the world. We must emulate this bright part of our past and learn from the times we lacked compassion and vow to never again turn away those we are capable of saving.

Eliana Locke (elocke2@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in political science.

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 18

OPINION

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Superintendent Tony Evers is A+ for Wisconsin public schools Principled, steady leadership with emphasis on underserved communities ensures students will thrive amid national education turmoil

by Letter to the Editor

I am the child of two educators, and the product of Wisconsin public schools. We moved around when I was growing up, but I was always able to find a home in the playground at my neighborhood school and the high school band room where my father taught.

I was shaped by compassionate district administration, rigorous curriculum and kind teachers in each of the six Wisconsin public schools I attended.

State Superintendent Tony Evers has been a leader in the Wisconsin public school landscape for the entire time I have been a student, and has been at the helm as state superintendent since 2009. His win on Tuesday secures another four years of leadership at the Department of Public Instruction that will be focused on providing an excellent public education for every Wisconsin student.

Despite my incredible experiences in Wisconsin schools, I do not hold an overly romantic picture of the state of education for all students in Wisconsin.

Our state has consistently been ranked the worst state for students of color, especially

black students, for years. Wisconsin’s K-12 schools have had the highest measured gaps in test scores between white students and students of color; some of the highest rates of suspension and expulsion of students of color; and a persistent gap in graduation rates between white students and all other racial subgroups.

My experiences in our system were great, but they stemmed in large part from my racial and economic privilege, which allowed me access to schools that normalized my identity and could easily fill my needs.

Evers has not been timid about these issues, either. While his policies in the last eight years have not yet been shown to have a dramatic impact, Evers’ leadership has remained principled and steady.

He has always kept our marginalized students in mind by focusing on providing equitable school funding, raising academic standards and responding to the unique needs of both rural and urban schools, Evers has worked to maintain the integrity of our public school system amid attempts at privatization.

By electing to keep Evers at the helm of public instruction, Wisconsin residents have renewed their faith in these policies to create the conditions for a long-term impact for our students.

The consistency and focus of Evers’ leadership is more important in Wisconsin now than ever. Unlike his former opponent, Evers is a proven state leader who can navigate our new political climate with integrity. His experience with bipartisan leadership will help shield Wisconsin from the potentially devastating effects of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ policies.

His progressive values represent the majority of Wisconsinites, and he will fight as he has for years against conservative influences in our schools. Evers has a history of cooperation with Gov. Scott Walker and bipartisan initiatives with Republican legislators, but has also taken a strong stand against the extreme and divisive policies of the far right in Wisconsin.

This balanced, principled leadership is exactly what Wisconsin students need in order to withstand our current presidential administration.

A perfect example of this steady leadership is Evers’ nuanced, appropriate position in the heated debate over the neoliberal privatization of our schools.

He balances the needs of Wisconsin’s most underserved students with unwavering support for the public system, recognizing where school choice efforts can be both

productive for students and destructive for the system as a whole. Evers will be the right leader to bear whatever unintelligible grasps at power will be made toward state leadership from Washington, and whatever well-marketed, snake-oil solutions will be sold to state legislators by American Legislative Exchange Council and its allies.

Evers knows how to keep moving Wisconsin schools forward.

This summer, I will begin a master’s degree program to obtain certification to become a high school history teacher because I want to provide the kind of respect, care and love to students that I was fortunate enough to experience growing up.

I look forward to working for the Department of Public Instruction under the tenure of Evers, whose thoughtful and consistent leadership has been an incredible example to me, and will continue to be a shining light in Wisconsin’s dim political climate for another four years. While I have no clue what school I will end up working in, I know there is no one I would rather have as a boss than Evers.

Katie Biester (biester.katie@gmail.com) recently graduated from UW with a bachelor’s in history and political science.

Missteps on both sides of divestment legislation must be addressed Speakers at open forum resorting to personal attacks halted any potential of productive dialogue, finding common ground

by Letter to the Editor

Like many of the recent authors of various columns and letters to the editor regarding the divestment resolution, I had the opportunity to attend the Associated Students of Madison meeting on the proposed legislation late last month.

I have also spent the past week reading the articles and opinions of my peers, alumni and professors. If we can agree on anything, it is that the tension regarding the ASM legislation did not end with its indefinite tabling. Speakers raised valid points on both sides regarding the impact of the proposed resolution.

Black, Latinx, Palestinian and Native students had legitimate concerns about the control corporations have over the University of Wisconsin and minority groups across the country. The profiteering of American corporations abroad raised questions about the ethics and business practices of many companies. UW’s conduct was no exception to this scrutiny.

Conversely, Jewish and Israeli students also had legitimate concerns about the potential

impacts of the introduction of divestment legislation on campus. The singular condemnation of Israel within the resolution prompted fears campus governance would follow the path of other universities across the U.S., divesting from Israel at a time when Jewish communities are facing increasing instability and anti-Semitism. For a liberal community like Madison, a proposal for increased transparency on campus would hardly be radical.

But last week’s meeting highlighted the challenges of addressing complex international issues within the context of an ASM resolution.

Instead of raising comprehensive concerns, the resolution masked potential divestment within the very relevant and legitimate issues of diversity, racism and oppression.

The open forum section of the meeting was marked by a devolvement from discourse into jeering, cheering and social blunders.

Speakers on both sides of the issue presented damaging claims, whether it was disregarding minority groups with repeated proclamations of “all lives matter,” to holding Jewish students responsible for Israel’s conduct and refusing to acknowledge its right to exist as a nation. The

meeting quickly became a struggle between two sides who could find little common ground.

Watching the speakers resort to personal attacks, while horrifying, did not surprise me.

Increasingly, students on Madison’s campus have refused to acknowledge their allyship should be intersectional. Black, brown, indigenous and Latinx issues are often swept aside in pursuit of mainstream feminism and progressivism. This cannot be condoned.

But this does not excuse the complete dismissal of concerns many Jewish students have raised. Jewish students make up approximately 11 percent of Madison’s student population (link). Though historically a minority group, Jews enjoy some degree of white privilege on campus. A relationship to Israel, however convoluted, does not mean the lack of support for black, brown and Latinx lives. Rather, it highlights the need for minority groups to acknowledge the distinct experiences of their fellow students.

White, heterosexual, middle-class students must acknowledge their privilege. Conversely, non-Jewish students should acknowledge the tightrope American Jews walk daily in regards

to Israel’s existence and the anti-Semitism that continues to rear its ugly head in American political discourse. There are Jews who support Israel, and there are some who condemn it. No experience is unilateral or universal.

Similarly, at Wednesday’s meeting there were those who supported the tabling of the resolution without acknowledging the concerns of minority students or their experiences.

Postponing this specific legislation indefinitely was a necessary decision. But forgoing all future discussion on the topic only serves to increase animosity between minority groups on campus.

Madison needs to find middle ground, or the division on campus will only grow. ASM holds much of this responsibility, but the brunt of it falls upon us, the students. The responses to this resolution in the past week alone indicate many students, community members and alumni are invested in this issue’s existence and continued discussion.

Let’s build on that. We may not agree, or even understand, but it is imperative we start listening to each other.

Julia Brunson (julia.r.brunson@gmail.com) is a April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 19

THIS WEEK IN WISCONSIN SPORTS SOFTBALL 4/7/17

8 1

WISCONSIN IOWA

WIN

SOFTBALL 4/9/17

WISCONSIN IOWA

WIN

SOFTBALL 4/8/17

3 4

WISCONSIN IOWA

LOSS

WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/2/17 0 WISCONSIN 4 MICHIGAN STATE

6 5

LOSS

MEN’S TENNIS 4/8/17

WISCONSIN MICHIGAN STATE

WIN

7 0

WISCONSIN MICHIGAN

4/9/17

LOSS

0 4

SPORTS

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Football: Ramczyk, Watt headline Badgers 2017 NFL Draft 4 of 5 experts from NFL Mock Draft Central say T.J. Watt will be a first-round pick in their most recent mockup

by Brice Schreter Staff Writer

With the 2017 NFL draft fast approaching April 28, ESPN’s foremost NFL draft analyst, Mel Kiper Jr., chimed in on some of the Badgers entering this year’s draft while announcing his latest mock draft last Wednesday.

Ryan Ramczyk Junior offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk has cemented his place as Wisconsin’s top overall prospect in the eyes of many across the country.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound behemoth has been receiving consistent early to mid-first round grades from scouts and analysts across the country. Kiper shared a similar excitement for Ramczyk.

“I’m very impressed with him,” Kiper said. “I hold out hope that he can be a starting left tackle in this league, but at the very worst he’ll be a solid right tackle for a long time.”

He then went on to suggest Ramczyk would be better off landing with a more competitive team toward the latter half of the first round so he wouldn’t be forced to carry too much pressure during his rookie season.

Kiper also mentioned Ramczyk to the Denver Broncos with the 20th pick is an opportunity that could allow Ramczyk to develop, since the Broncos have no high-profile quarterback to protect as well as a veteran, well-established offensive line to surround him.

Corey Clement Senior running back Corey Clement is next in a long line of Wisconsin running backs to enter the NFL, following the likes of Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon III and recent Super Bowl LI champion James White. According to Kiper, backs with latter-round draft stock like Clement are being hindered by the incredible depth and talent of the 2017 running back class compared to previous years.

“This is one of the deepest running back classes in a while, and still I only see two, maybe three, running backs [maximum] taken in the first round,” Kiper said.

Kiper doesn’t see Clement as one of the top three backs, putting him squarely behind guys like former Louisiana State University star Leonard Fournette, Florida State University’s Dalvin Cook, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and even the recent noise made by Joe Mixon of

Oklahoma.

Suspending Mixon’s intolerable off-the-field troubles, Kiper did give his athletic capability a nod, calling him the most talented running back in this class.

For that reason, Kiper gave Clement a latesecond or early third round grade. Even with that said, Clement’s career outlook is far from bleak. Kiper discussed the success of running backs selected in the third round who made an immediate impact, such as David Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite increased depth at running back position in this year’s class, Clement’s future remains bright, and he has shown scouts he has flashes of the talent and ability necessary to excel in the league for a long time, should he enter the right NFL situation.

T.J. Watt Kiper gave outside linebacker T.J. Watt an early second round grade and hinted at a slim possibility he could jump to a surprise selection in the late first round. Kiper substantiated his praised evaluation of Watt with an emphasis on his prolific pass-rushing ability.

Kiper believes Watt’s greatest asset as his defensive versatility to succeed at multiple

positions. Watt can play outside linebacker in a traditional 3-4 defensive scheme, but he also has the proven that — if he puts on a little weight — he can play as bruiser, hand-on-the-ground defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

“It’s obvious that his name and the good character that is known to come with it will only help his stock in this draft,” Kiper said, referencing the fact Watt is the younger brother of two current NFL players.

Vince Biegel Now to the other member of the Badgers’ dynamic duo at linebacker last season, senior Vince Biegel. Biegel was a steady presence in the linebacking core for all four of his years with Wisconsin, making all Big Ten teams in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Kiper gave Biegel a late-third to early fourth round grade and attributed that placement to the draft’s depth at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions. He also mentioned if Biegel drops all the way to the fourth round, he would become an absolute steal for whoever grabs him.

Biegel could make an immediate impact on special teams while developing his pass rush and coverage abilities enough to transform into a successful starter on any NFL defense.

Photo · Professional scouts are salivating over the experienced and balanced talent emerging from Wisconsin this year, understanding just how much the school dominates the NFL. Marissa Haegele The Badger Herald

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com •21

SPORTS

@BHeraldSports

Return of varsity Wis. baseball team could still be reality

While school hasn’t funded Division I squad since 2001, the chances one might return are not completely far-fetched

by Nolan Beilstein and Will Clausen Beat Writers

The University of Wisconsin is home to 23 different sports. Sports at Wisconsin take second to academics, but not by much.

The Badgers are consistently competitive in many of their sports. In just the last four years, the men’s basketball team has qualified for four consecutive Sweet 16s, including two Final Fours and one championship runner-up season.

In the same time span, the football team saw their winningest four years in school history, which featured three bowl wins, including a Cotton Bowl win this last season.

The volleyball team has been experiencing some newfound success with a championship runner up season followed by two Elite Eights and one Sweet 16.

The women’s hockey team has qualified for the Frozen Four six of the last seven years, winning it all in 2011.

The women’s hockey team has qualified for the Frozen Four six of the last seven years, winning it all in 2011.

For a university that knows so much success in the most popular sports in America, UW does not have a university baseball team. In fact, we have not had one since the team was disbanded at the end of the 1991 season.

The team had their inaugural season in 1896, when they played only five games, dropping each one. The Badgers did not see much success in their time, only taking the Big Ten conference crown five times, with the most recent being in 1950. In that year, Wisconsin went 9-3 and qualified for the College World Series, the only time they accomplished such a feat.

From 1965, the first year of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, until the disbanding of the team in 1991, UW had a good amount of players selected in the draft. Thirty-seven Badgers were taken in the draft from 1965-91, with six of those players making it to at least the minor leagues.

Other Badgers were taken in the draft after the baseball team was disbanded, Brooks Bollinger being the most notable one. The team had moderate success at churning out talent that was valued enough to be chosen in the draft. Bollinger athleticism earned him a spot on three separate drafts between three different professional sports leagues (MLB, NFL & UFL).

When the program was ended in 1991, Wisconsin also cut both men’s and

women’s fencing as well as men’s and women’s gymnastics.

The programs were dropped to compensate for a $2.1 million deficit in the athletic department.

None of those programs have been reinstated since. Now Wisconsin is the only team in the Big Ten without a baseball team, though they still have a women’s softball team.

The problem with adding a baseball team to UW lies with scholarships. According to the NCAA and Title IX rules, a college does not have to offer identical sports for men and women, but it does require that “female and male student-athletes receive athletic scholarship dollars proportional to their participation.”

Football results in a lot of male scholarships, which can result in potential Title IX problems.

These violations are prevented by cutting other sports or not adding others to ensure men’s and women’s scholarships are equal and there is an equal chance for male and female participation. In Wisconsin’s case, baseball would not be able to be added without additional women’s sports simultaneously being added to balance out the scholarships. It remains unclear what women’s sports would be potentially added and if there would be enough interest in those sports to remain viable.

That does not mean that fans of the university and the game of baseball have not tried to lobby the university to bring the team back. Multiple petitions have been started on various sites but have not gotten enough signatures or attention to make the university even consider bringing baseball back.

As much as people lobby, petition and beg for UW baseball, its chances of being reinstated seem very slim right now. The scholarship balance seems hard to reconcile and the budget would not be able to support at least two more sports. Bringing back baseball seems to be far from a home run.

Photo · Returning baseball to the University of Wisconsin comes down to scholarships for men and women’s sports.

Herald archive

SPORTS

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Softball: UW rebounds from Nebraska sweep, takes series with Iowa

Through another bout of solid pitching, the Badgers snagged wins they needed to remain solid Big Ten contender

by Nolan Beilstein Beat Writer

After taking a gut punch at the hands of Nebraska last weekend, the University of Wisconsin Badgers softball team aimed to rebound and capture their first home win of the season as they took on the struggling Iowa Hawkeyes (8-21). The Badgers would take a step in the right direction taking two out of three, including a walk-off win to end the series.

In the series opener, Wisconsin prevailed as they jumped on Hawkeye pitcher Shayla Starkenburg. In the second inning, they tagged Starkenburg for three runs.

There was also an RBI double by catcher Taylor Berry, a bases-loaded walk from utility player Kelsey Jenkins and an RBI groundout by utility player Chloe Miller.

In the fifth, with the Badgers leading 4-1, catcher Melanie Cross sent the first pitch she saw over the left field fence for a 2-run homer. Miller added a 2-run jack of her own the following inning, increasing the lead to 8-1— the eventual final.

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Menz picked up the win for Wisconsin, improving to 15-4 on the season. Menz pitched the complete game, allowing only two hits and striking out five batters.

In Saturday’s matchup, Iowa had at least one base runner in each of the first four innings with less than two outs. Starting pitcher Kirsten Stevens had been able to wiggle out of trouble until the fifth inning, when an RBI infield single and RBI sacrifice fly increased the Hawkeye lead to 3-1 and a costly error allowed one more run.

“I think we’ve got to be sharper defensively,” head coach Yvette Healy said.

“I think maybe eight of those 10 singles were in the infield, so to be sharper there would help.”

Wisconsin would not give in. The following inning, with two outs and a runner on second, Jenkins lined a shot to deep left that just cleared the fence for a 2-run opposite field home run, leaving the Badgers down only 4-3.

“I can’t say I was trying to hit the ball out,” Jenkins said. “It’s definitely favoring when the wind is blowing out to left field, because I like to hit the ball that way. Any ball in play was something I was looking for.”

The Badgers did not threaten for the rest of the game, and dropped game two with a final score of 4-3. Stevens was charged with the loss, leaving her with an 8-2 record.

The rubber match on Sunday afternoon offered an exciting and lengthy game. The Badgers walked off in the bottom of the 10th inning for a final score of 6-5.

In the bottom of the third inning, Wisconsin trailed 1-0 but quickly gained the lead on a 2-run home run by Miller, her seventh on the year. In the fifth inning, RBI hits by Cross and Lombardo increased the Badger lead to 4-1.

Wisconsin was six outs away from the win until Iowa came roaring back to tie the game at four on three hit balls that did not leave the infield. Two infield singles and an error mixed with a fielder ’s choice helped the Hawkeyes catch up.

Trailing 5-4 and down to their last strike in the ninth, with only a runner on first, Lombardo singled to center to extend the game. Next up was Gabby Scherle, and it was the Badgers’ turn to have a little luck. Scherle hit into a fielder ’s choice but Lombardo was able to beat the throw to second, allowing Little to score the tying run.

An error and a walk put the Badgers on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the 10th, bringing Wyderski to the plate.

Wyderski sent an 0-2 pitch down the right field line that landed just fair, bringing in Jenkins to seal the walk-off win.

“They’ve got a lot of fight,” said Healy about the two teams. “It shows how good the Big Ten is, they battled.”

Menz picked up the win to improve to 16-4 after going the distance and punching out nine hitters along the way. With the win Wisconsin improved to 25-7 and Iowa dropped to 9-22.

Now the Badgers head to West Lafayette to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (15-26).

The opener for the threegame set will be on Friday and a double-header will be played on Saturday.

Photo · The Badgers were treated to a warm welcome in what was just their second home weekend in an already late season.

Jason Chan (top), Kirby Wright (bottom) The Badger Herald

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 23

WHITE BREAD AND TOAST

MIKE BERG

CALL FOR CARTOONS: The Badger Herald’s diversions page accepts work from cartoonists of all ages!

Send 300 dpi scans of your work to comics@badgerherald. com or jduncan@badgerherald. com. To promote artistic liberty, any size and format is accepted.

A MONSTER’S BAD DAY AT SCHOOL

24 • badgerherald.com • April 11, 2017

STORY BY ANONYMOUS KID, ART BY SAMURAI JACK

A WITCH NAMED KOKO

CLIFF’S NOTES

BYRON LIND

CHARLES BRUBAKER

kookaburracards@verizon.net

April 11, 2017 • badgerherald.com • 25

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the real walk of shame is when you tell ur roommate ur leaving, then 10 secs later walk back into apartment bc u forgot something YUNG PAKORA

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head says library heart says bars

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I played Africa by Toto at a party and a girl literally started yelling to change it immediately. I have never been so triggered Mack Daddy @MackSather

Listening to highway to hell while doing homework describes my life perfectly hamm

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It’s like... I’m only tweeting when I’m drunk Juju

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Drunk Alex gets a bad rep, but three months ago he secretly paid an extra month of rent without sober Alex noticing. He’s good in my book.

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god-king of twit

Me: ok nat I don’t want to get that drunk tonight Nat at bar: can I get two bottles of champagne please Katie Donner

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some drunk kid literally just let himself into my dorm because he thought it was the bathroom

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Rlly struggle doing homework when all i do is sing to my music, get distracted by the squirrel outside, and admire whatever food Im eating

if u ever feel bad just remember that once i drunk texted a guy and said “let’s go to devils lake i’ll drive” like wow cute??? wtf Gab

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lmao the citations page on this paper is gonna be WILD lavender menace @sartrecastic

by Dan Chinitz Banter Editor

Designed by Greta Zimmermann

Act like you actually like the Passover desserts

Re-enact the 10 plagues as accurately as possible Claim this as the last year you use the Maxwell House Haggadahs but don’t follow through (as usual)

Watch all three and a half uninterrupted hours of “The 10 Commandments”

Announce “Elijiah’s here!” every time you enter the house Call out people’s names at the table when the wicked son, simple son, wise son and son who does not know how to ask a question are mentioned

Th itor

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