'SOLIDARITY FOREVER' - Volume 55, Issue 8

‘SOLIDARITY FOREVER’:

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BENNETT WAARA

Board of Directors

NET PRICE OF ATTENDING UW 4 SUMMER SUBLEASES 7

Great Recession continues to drive major choices

Long-term impacts of economic downturn steers students into STEM, away from humanities

by Aiden Mellon News Associate Editor

In the last two decades, the University of Wisconsin has seen a shift in the leading majors of undergraduates, according to data from UW’s Repository of Administrative Data and Reports. From the 2008–09 academic year to 2019-20, computer science surpassed economics as the university’s most popular major, according to RADAR. The change marked a 623% increase in computer science majors from 2008–09.

This comes during a surge in the popularity of economics, with the major seeing a 85% increase in the number of students graduating with a degree in economics since the 2007–08 academic year, according to RADAR.

Also contributing to this trend is the data science major, which has emerged as UW’s fastest growing major. Created in the 2021–22 academic year, data science is already more popular than historically popular degrees, such as English, math, history and mechanical engineering, according to RADAR.

Amidst this growth in STEM majors, fewer students today are graduating from UW with humanities degrees — especially in history and English — than were in the mid-2000s, a trend that is reflected across higher education in the U.S., according to RADAR.

In the 2022-23 academic year, UW awarded 1,810 more bachelor’s degrees than they did in the 2007-08 academic year, an increase of nearly 30%. But over that same period, the number of students graduating with degrees in history, English and political science decreased by 61%, 59% and 35%, respectively.

One likely cause of fewer humanities majors is the financial insecurity caused by the financial crisis of 2008-09, according to UW Associate Chair of History Patrick Iber.

“One of the places that you can clearly see a big change is after the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009,” Iber said. “With the amount of economic uncertainty that people faced for many years after that, there was interest from students — and I also think pressure from parents — to choose degrees that would immediately pay for themselves.”

Iber’s analysis is corroborated both by trends in major selection in popular humanities at UW and by peer-reviewed research.

Many universities have also hiked tuition fees in response to greater demand for enrollment and less state funding in the aftermath of the Great Recession, according to The Annals of the American Academy

of Political and Social Science. Tuition increases at public four-year institutions between 2008-09 and 2009-10 were a sharp 9.3% — compared to 6.6% in 2006-07 — and continued to outpace the rate of inflation in the years following the Great Recession.

The College Board.

UW’s $28,916 sticker price — which has increased 89.5% since 2004-05, outpacing inflation by $4,190 — might now be triggering the same kind of cost-benefit analysis that pushed students out of the

This resulted in an especially large increase in the sticker price of public flagship universities, which, much like private universities, are likely to draw students with a reasonably high capacity to pay, according to The Annals of the American Academy and Social Science and

humanities in the years following the Great Recession, according to UW professor of educational studies Taylor Odle.

“People are so much more in tune with and worried about ROI [return on investment] than they were in previous years, because coming to college today

costs more than it cost previously,” Odle said. “Even though what I would say is, it actually doesn’t cost more.”

Odle said that while UW’s sticker price has been accelerating beyond the rate of inflation, the average net cost of attendance has been declining in recent years, and was just $13,376 in 2021-22, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Nevertheless, more students are choosing to major in computer science, data science and economics than ever before, and these graduates are enjoying high earnings not long after graduating.

The median annual earnings for UW graduate with a bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences is $97,595 four years after graduation, while the median earnings for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in history and English four years after graduation are just $54,182 and $47,090, respectively, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

But, given 42% of humanities majors go on to earn advanced degrees, according to Inside Higher Ed, measuring median earnings just four years after graduation from UW fails to account for the high earnings associated with some humanities careers in the long run. Instead, median earnings after four years indicate the streamlined path toward high earnings to which many STEM graduates have access.

It is also possible some of the declining interest in the humanities is cultural, according to The Cornell Diplomat. There is a “prestige hierarchy” between different majors, with humanities second from the bottom, only above art. Though this hierarchy is weakly correlated with earnings, other factors, including curricular changes and the perception that qualitative fields are less rigorous are also to blame, according to The Cornell Diplomat.

The emphasis on workforce preparation, and thus earnings out of college, realizes only one of the obligations of a public university and fails to account for the other great obligation of state universities — cultivation of the skills that allow people to engage with questions of life and citizenship in powerful ways long after graduating, according to Iber. At UW, majoring in the humanities provides both, Iber said.

“What I would want is for the people who want to major in history to feel confident that they’re doing both things — that they’re preparing themselves as citizens but also preparing themselves for rewarding careers,” Iber said.

The number of University of Wisconsin students graduating with humanities degrees is decreasing.

GABE GERMAIN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Net price to attend UW decreases amid tuition hikes, expert says

Extra tuition funds go toward scholarships, improved facilities for students

by Margaret Shreiner News Associate Editor

Despite recent tuition increases, the net price to attend the University of Wisconsin has been decreasing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In 2022, the average net price to attend UW was around $13,376, compared to $13,484 in 2021 and $14,030 in 2020, according to NCES.

In the 2021-22 academic year, students with a family income of less than $30,000 paid an average annual net price of $3,964 to attend UW, according to UW Data Digest.

The average net price to attend UW has been decreasing, in part due to recent tuition hikes, University of Wisconsin professor of educational policy studies Taylor Odle said. Since UW is receiving increased tuition revenue, more funds can be allocated to scholarship programs, Odle said.

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UW was in a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduates before raising tuition in 2023 and now 2024, according to a 2022 press release from the Universities of Wisconsin. Under the freeze, UW could not allocate money to scholarship and grant programs, Odle said. More low-income students can afford higher education through financial aid and scholarships following tuition increases.

“It allows you to take in money predominantly from people who can afford to pay those prices, so they can get scholarships and grants to students who cannot,” Odle said.

Dollars awarded per student at UW increased 37% between 2021 and 2024, UW Associate Director for Special Awards and Student Engagement Lauren Klink said. The average

dollars awarded per student does not include financial aid, Klink said.

“Oftentimes students can have that scholarship on top of any sort of financial aid that they’re receiving, so it reduces that overall price for students,” Klink said.

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, more than 65% of bachelor’s degree recipients had no student loan debt, the highest percentage of debtfree graduates in a decade, according to UW’s Budget in Brief.

About 16% of resident undergraduate students were covered by Bucky’s Tuition Promise and the Pell Pathway programs, which are funded entirely by institutional dollars and private gifts, according to the Budget in Brief.

Students’ stories have been a major reason for the increase in private gifts toward aid

programs, Klink said. When donors can connect with students, they are more likely to fund scholarships and awards, Klink said.

“Those stories are ways in which donors may connect with a student and see a little of themselves and what that student is sharing, then that inspires them to give — no matter how large the gift is,” Klink said. “I do think students’ stories help to share the message as to why scholarships are important and perhaps can increase scholarships throughout the years.”

Scholarships have facilitated a rise in enrollment among students with lower socioeconomic statuses, Klink said. But tuition increases have resulted in a “sticker shock,” causing students to forego applying to UW, Odle said.

Low-income students might see initial costs and assume attending UW is not an option, Odle said. But most low-income students would qualify for financial aid and scholarship programs like Bucky’s Pell Pathway, zeroing the cost of tuition, Odle said.

Applying for financial aid can be complex and intimidating, causing students to opt out of the process early on, Odle said.

“We want to sit down with them and say, ‘Hey, actually, here’s your financial aid offer letter, here’s what the real price is going to be,’” Odle said. “So the problem is, it’s a very complex process to get to that final number, and if people are opting out of the process early on, they’re never going to know what that [the final number] is,” Odle said.

During the Obama administration, a law existed requiring higher education institutions to disclose possible net cost depending on your socioeconomic background, Odle said. The legislation is not federally mandated, though, and the resulting lack of transparency has increased the complexity of accessing financial aid.

Tuition increases also allow UW to invest in resources for students and admit larger classes, Odle said.

“What they were saying is, ‘if we’re able to take in more money, we can build more residence halls, we can build more facilities, we can hire more faculty,’” Odle said. “So they can let that admissions rate creep up and [let] even more people from inside of Wisconsin in.”

In general, students benefit from tuition increases because they allow for the reinvestment of additional funds into UW, Odle said. But, the lack of communication and transparency regarding the net price for tuition results in lower admission rates, Odle said.

“We have to turn those revenues back into investments in the institution, so that’s why you see so much construction going on ... because we have money to spend on improving facilities,” Odle said. “Many campuses don’t have that.”

Badger Herald archival photo of Bascom Hall.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

New report highlights racial health inequity in Wisconsin

Disparities remain despite growing diversity in Wisconsin medical schools, expert says

by Anna Kristoff News Associate Editor

A Commonwealth Fund report released April 18 revealed health disparities between white and Black populations in Wisconsin. The Commonwealth Fund showed white Wisconsin residents rank in the 82nd percentile for health care performance, compared to Black individuals who rank in the 14th percentile for health care performance — one of the lowest rankings in the country, according to the report.

Researchers assessed health and healthcare performance by examining health outcomes, healthcare access and the use of healthcare services, according to the report.

Many historic policies still influence health disparities in Wisconsin today, University of Wisconsin Collaborative Center for Health Equity Administrative Manager Amy Filut said.

“When it comes to health disparities, there are many facets to consider,” Filut said. “A lot of different systems are informed by the biased, discriminatory and racist practices of the past.”

For example, redlining, established in the 1920s and 1930s, confined certain groups to neighborhoods with poor air quality or close to other forms of pollutants, Filut said.

It is commonly believed that health outcomes are primarily driven by healthy behaviors and clinical care, professor emeritus in the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and founding director of the Wisconsin Center of Health Equity Geoffrey Swain said.

“We say if you behave yourself — that is, you exercise, you eat right, you wear sunscreen, you wear your seatbelt, et cetera — you’re going to be healthy,” Swain said. “The problem with that story is that it’s partly right, and it’s partly wrong.”

These habits account for about half of the modifiable determinants of health, Swain said. The other half is encompassed by social and economic factors like employment, reliable transit, social support and community safety, Swain said.

While healthcare is important, it only accounts for 20% of health outcomes — underscoring a clear distinction between health and healthcare, Swain said.

Expanding diversity within healthcare training could help alleviate health disparities, Filut said. Healthcare workers’ education often focuses on one demographic of patients, but it is crucial that all backgrounds are represented.

“One example is that when you look at your textbook, and you’re looking at pictures of eczema, is it showing eczema on white patients or are they including what eczema looks like on darker skin?” Filut said.

Medical studies often represent white male patients, Filut said. As such, a resulting treatment for eczema — or any other medical condition —

could be effective for white male individuals, but healthcare professionals may not know its effects on people of different genders, ethnic or racial

side and it matters on the provision of care side.”

Future medical professionals can learn about the importance of health equity through the

everyone, Swain said.

Both federal and state governments incur significant costs due to health disparities, Filut

backgrounds, Filut said.

UW’s School of Medicine and Public Health was ranked the 18th most diverse medical school in the country in 2023, according to U.S. News. The rate of enrollment of students from marginalized racial and ethnic groups has increased from about 24% in the fall of 2020–21 to about 39.7% in spring 2023–24, according to the UW–Madison Enrollment Report.

The importance of healthcare workforce diversity lies partly in the necessity for patients from diverse backgrounds to trust and relate to their providers, Swain said. Diversity can also help patients overcome their own unconscious biases, Swain said.

“We get to see that people who are different than us can still be just as competent,” Swain said. “[Diversity] matters on the patient experience

programs offered at UW SMPH, Filut said. Students can apply for the Wisconsin Partnership Program, a funding agency that supports health equity research efforts, Filut said. Additionally, the university offers three professional development programs — Advancing Diversity and Equity in Pre-doctoral Trainees, Advancing Health Equity and Diversity, and Success Together Reaching Independence, Diversity and Empowerment — geared toward improving health equity and diversity, Filut said.

Advancing medical education on diversity and equity is only one piece in reducing health disparities, Swain said. Students at any university should concern themselves with identifying which demographics experience limited access to the social and economic factors that drive health outcomes because these discrepancies affect

said. Racial health disparities in the U.S. lead to about $93 billion in additional medical care costs and a $42 billion loss in productivity each year, according to the American Heart Association.

Students can work to improve health equity by voting in elections for candidates who will support the existing programs and initiatives that address disparities in Wisconsin, Filut said. Health inequity affects everyone regardless of the demographic it directly disadvantages, so all individuals are encouraged to strive for change, Filut said.

“In reducing health disparities, it’s not just helping a single person or single group,” Filut said. “In the end, it helps everyone. If you could play a role in supporting the health of everybody — I feel like that’s a worthwhile effort, and it’s something to be proud of.”

Badger Herald archival photo of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

ABBY CIMA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Debt threatens stability of Wisconsin universities as campuses close

Wisconsin workforce may face shortages as in-state universities close, tuition increases

by Anna Smith News Associate Editor

Seven schools in the Universities of Wisconsin — Green Bay, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville, River Falls, Superior and Whitewater — will amass $254.9 million in debt by the end of the 2028 fiscal year if no changes are made, according to the UW System 2023–28 Strategic Plan.

In response, Gov. Tony Evers released a statement April 12 that attributed the UW System’s financial troubles to disinvestment and insufficient funding from the Wisconsin State Legislature over the last decade. Wisconsin State Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said since 2011 under former Gov. Scott Walker, Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature have been making cuts and refusing to account for inflationary changes in the university’s budget.

The lack of investments has resulted in a decline in the operating of the schools’ functions and will require adjustments to current programs, according to UW professor emeritus of public affairs and applied economics Andrew Reschovsky.

“They have to make some changes and that may be losing faculty, larger class sizes [or] cutting down on some majors,” Reschovsky said. “[The universities] may not be providing some services to students that they previously had. The big picture is that revenues are not growing as fast as spending costs — something has to go.”

Multiple schools in the UW System have felt the impacts of this financial strain. Last fall, UW–Oshkosh cut 200 non-faculty staff and administrators in response to a $18 million budget shortfall, according to an October 2023 press release. Last year, UW–Platteville also eliminated 11 positions and UW–Green Bay laid off nine members of faculty.

Furthermore, multiple two-year campuses in the UW System have faced closure. Most recently in October 2023, UW System President Jay Rothman announced in-person instruction at UW–Milwaukee’s Washington County campus and UW–Oshkosh’s Fond du Lac campus would come to an end by a target date of June 2024. Rothman also announced the UW–Platteville Richland campus would close entirely.

Rothman attributes these closures to declining enrollment at satellite campuses over the past decade. While Rothman communicated that students will be offered enrollment opportunities at other universities, closures may deter students in these communities from pursuing higher education all together, according to Roys.

“The closure of these two-year campuses is going to hit these communities very hard —

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not just now with the obvious loss of jobs and revenue — but long into the future when those educational opportunities have dried up for young people,” Roys said.

Notably, state funding for Wisconsin’s four-year universities is significantly lower

the median level of national funding, it would require the allocation of $440 million in annual investments, according to an April 11 statement from Rothman.

A driving reason for this disparity was the tuition freeze for all UW students, which

than funding other public university systems receive. In 2022, Wisconsin’s public universities received $16,036 in tax and tuition funding per student — $3,350 less than the national average — ultimately ranking 43rd on a national scale, according to a report from Wisconsin Public Forum. For Wisconsin’s universities to reach

started in 2013 and continued for resident undergraduates for a decade, according to Roys.

“It’s important to say that the tuition freeze was unfunded,” Roys said. “So it was just another way to essentially cut funding to the universities under the guise of doing something

that was politically popular. It’s one thing to say we don’t want young people to have to pay a lot for college — I think it’s very reasonable — but then you have to provide the funding for it … they didn’t do that.”

The Board of Regents’ motivation in 2013 for this tuition freeze was to increase price competitiveness with competing university systems and revenue from nonresident and international student enrollments, which ultimately provides more funding to subsidize Wisconsin residents’ tuition, according to a 2013 statement from the Universities of Wisconsin.

An affordability review of the UW System conducted in 2022 found Wisconsin’s public universities were the most affordable in the Midwest, according to a March 28 press release from the UW System. As of 2023, tuition for a public four-year Wisconsin university cost 16.23% less than the national average, according to the Education Data Initiative. But, the rate of international students comprise only 4% of the UW System’s undergraduate population — a rate that trails competing university systems in Minnesota and Illinois, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The Board of Regents voted in March to increase resident undergraduate tuition by 3.75% to keep up with inflation, according to previous reporting from The Badger Herald.

With tuition increases comes concern about recruiting students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Previous efforts to address this concern include Bucky’s Tuition Promise — a program that underwrites tuition and housing fees for first-time students who come from low-income backgrounds. Though there have been pushes made to expand these programs, Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature have not voted to allocate sufficient funds to the UW System to do so, Roys said.

Measures taken by universities to alleviate financial stress is essential to addressing Wisconsin’s labor force shortages in the coming years, according to Reschovsky. In 2023, Wisconsin experienced low unemployment rates and high labor force participation rates, but these trends may stagnate as Wisconsin’s population ages, according to a 2023 report from the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Foundation.

“[UW System’s] initiatives are trying to say, ‘Wait a minute, if we want to guarantee that we’re going to have a labor force in Wisconsin … we need to attract as many Wisconsin residents [to universities] as possible,’” Reschovsky said. “They have to look for students who otherwise are academically qualified but don’t enroll because they don’t have adequate resources, so [the UW System is] going to spend some money to make that possible.”

Badger Herald archival photo of Bascom Hall.

EDDIE KUSTNER. THE BADGER HERALD.

Looking for a summer subletter? Here’s what you should know.

Advertisement, awareness of relevant statutes helps prepare student renters to sublet, experts say

by Sheng Lee News Associate Editor

As summer nears, University of Wisconsin students are creating off-campus sublease listings, seeking tenants to occupy their apartments during the summer break. Despite their efforts, housing experts indicate a recurring trend — an oversupply of available subleases floods the market annually.

UW professor of urban planning Kurt Paulsen said thousands of students leave Madison for the summer, whether to return home, take internships elsewhere or attend summer classes at other universities. This mass exodus each year floods the sublease market with available units.

“When there is high supply and low demand, sublessors have to lower their prices

significantly from the actual lease amount just to find a tenant,” Paulsen said.

One aspect of Madison’s rental market compounding the oversupply of summer units is that most off-campus leases in Madison are for 12 months, despite students often only being in town for the fall and spring semesters, according to Paulsen. This leaves two months of an empty unit that student renters are still responsible for paying.

While the mismatch between academic and lease calendars poses a consistent problem for students, there are limited policy solutions.

The City of Madison and the university have no authority over private lease terms, Paulsen

said. Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 prohibits the government regulation of rental prices for residential properties.

Tenant Resource Center Housing Counseling Program Manager Jeff LeMessurier said Wisconsin’s main legislation on residential rental properties is Chapter 704, which contains a series of regulations related to landlords and tenants.

“We don’t set forth any policy or any recommendations,” LeMessurier said of the work of the Tenant Resource Center. “We are just there to report what the community is experiencing and what we’re witnessing. That way, the people who are in positions to

create policy and different things have that information.”

The main advice related to summer subleases remains educating students on reading lease agreements carefully before signing up, consulting a parent and utilizing tenant help resources if issues arise over damages or responsibilities, according to Paulsen.

“If you talk to private landlords, they would point out that they have 12 months worth of expenses,” Paulsen said. “And so they need to charge a rent that’s going to cover their costs over the full year. It’s unfortunate for students, but it is the terms of the lease that they signed when they signed the lease.”

Some apartments are explicitly marketed to student tenants, such as Lucky Apartments, Paulsen said. These apartment complexes often offer flexible lease accommodation that includes semester, academic or annual leases. The academic lease date is specifically set for the academic year, running from August 2024 to May 2025 for the upcoming term, according to the Lucky Apartments website.

But reaching a wider audience often takes savvy social media promotion or paid platforms students may not know about, Paulsen said. UW hosts a website called the Campus Area Housing Marketplace, which aggregates apartment listings near campus and tenant resources. Paulsen advises students to post listings on the Campus Area Housing Marketplace and to contact potential subletters early in the spring to improve their chances of filling their lease.

There are two conditions that may allow a tenant to end their lease early, according to the Tenant Resource Center. One condition is where special circumstances exist, such as if the rental unit is considered unlivable, or if a clause in the rental agreement is unenforceable.

If no special circumstances exist, a tenant may have the option to break the lease, or the landlord and tenant can come to a mutual agreement to terminate. A mutual agreement to terminate can come for many reasons, such as planned renovations or severe disputes, according to the Tenant Resource Center. These reasons should always be recorded in writing, and the termination should be agreed on by all roommates on the lease in order for the termination to go into effect.

As summer quickly approaches, many students continue the search for summer subletters to avoid paying for housing they won’t occupy. For students stuck with unused summer leases, advertising their sublet — both online and within social circles — is key.

“Most people that I know sublet to friends, or people they knew or friends of friends, so I think a lot of it is word of mouth,” Paulsen said. “[My] advice would be to reach out to people early and maybe advertise it a little bit.”

Badger Herald archival photo of rental housing advertisement on North Randall Avenue.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

Study shows marginalized groups’ views of environmental justice

Practitioners engage members of Black, Latinx communities in policymaking on environmental justice issues

by Naomi Olsen Science News Reporter

In a recent study, a team of faculty and students in the University of Wisocnsin Department of Life Sciences Communication revealed the absence of Black and Latinx communities’ perspectives in policymaking on environmental justice issues. Assistant professor at UW and head author of the study Kaiping Chen said the researchers conducted the studies in October 2022 using public deliberation field experiments and computation text analysis to collect their data. They partnered with two Madison-based non-governmental organizations serving Black and Latinx community members to host a forum and discuss environmental justice issues.

The forum attendees were split into small groups and provided different types of educational materials on three different environmental justice issues, co-author and third-year LSC Ph.D. student Isabel Villanueva said. The information presented to the groups was communicated in three ways — bullet points, marginalized communities stories or

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infographics.

“We wanted to understand how the educational material revealed to the community members during the forum influences the content they share and their civic empowerment,” Chen said.

This study was a quasi-experiment, a method aimed to evaluate interventions tested on a nonrandom group. In this case, the authors were able to give different stimuli to the groups and compare the effects of the materials through their survey responses, Villanueva said.

The educational material and small-group discussion covered three environment-related topics, including energy saving at home, extreme heat and related health impacts, and green spaces as a mode of mitigating climate change effects, Villanueva said. These specific topics played a strong role in unveiling the communities’ nuanced perspectives shaped by education, income and gender.

In analyzing the participants’ written materials

and intersectional identities, the researchers discovered significant differences in how the Black and Latinx communities perceive environmental topics and issues. They found the two marginalized communities have significant differences in what they want to learn and what they care about, Chen said.

“When it comes to environmental issues, it is important to think about how intersectionality perceives such problems,” Chen said. “It is important to look into sub-communities within the Black and Latinx populations rather than thinking of them as a homogeneous community.”

Participants from Latinx communities were more likely to discuss the health consequences of hot weather and differences in home appliances, while participants from Black communities were more likely to talk about ways to save energy at home and the benefits of funding, Villanueva said. Such differences can be linked to varying education levels and socioeconomic status between the two groups.

Throughout the forum, the experimenters asked participants to write down how they perceived each energy-saving topic, Villanueva said. By doing this, the authors integrated computational text-analysis methods to analyze the concepts and words the attendees wrote. This method allowed them to understand how the community members understood the environmental topics at hand and how the groups view issues differently, Chen said.

The researchers discovered the participants wrote a more diverse group of words under the infographic condition, Chen said. The use of infographics revealed the strength of visual information in increasing comprehension and civic empowerment within marginalized communities for these scientific topics, Chen said. This method underscores the importance of comprehension in communication design.

The paper is part of a three-component project funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The project’s overall purpose is to dig deeper into how people approach community engagement to study environmental justice, Chen said.

Chen and co-principal investigator Corey Jackson built a digital website as a means of engaging more Black and Latinx communities in environmental justice issues. This online platform will be used for further engagement within marginalized communities, especially for those who were not able to attend the in-person forum, Villanueva said.

The LSC department at UW plays a strong role in exemplifying comprehensive approaches to public relations and community engagement. In analyzing how intersectionality perceives environmental issues, the authors push for a better understanding of community-engaged research within marginalized communities, Villanueva said.

“As science communication practitioners, it is important to think about how we can make these events have a more positive impact on people,” Chen said.

Hosting in-person events is also used as a means of increasing community engagement, Chen said. While the forum provided hard data to catalyze change, it also allowed the participants to make an impact in their community around environmental issues.

The LSC department at UW is one of the world’s leading science communication programs, according to its website. The research the department conducts translates scientific topics into accessible narratives to empower diverse communities and catalyze future research and policy reform.

“Moving forward, science communication can be used to tailor and work collaboratively with local NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and government officials,” Villanueva said. “Science communication practitioners can uncover differences and communicate the findings to government officials to help inform their policy decisions.”

Badger Herald archival photo of Madison city landscape.

SOREN GOLDSMITH. THE BADGER HERALD.

Biden Administration sets limits on PFAS ‘forever chemical’

New limits set due to human health risks, experts say

by Annalise Sommer Science News Associate Editor

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances maximum contaminant limits for water utility systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act April 19, with the goal of protecting human health.

UW professor and Associate Dean for Education and Faculty Affairs at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Steph Tai said PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals containing fluorine and other chemical elements. The chemicals’ long lives have given them the nickname “the forever chemicals.” Tai said PFAS chemicals are used in non-stick coating for household items like pans and in flame retardant material.

Tai said PFAS chemicals get into drinking water sources like reservoirs and underground aquifers by leaching into the soil. If an item coated with a PFAS chemical — like a non-stick pan or waterproof jacket — ends up in a landfill, the PFAS from the coating will eventually wash away and enter the soil. Objects coated in flame retardants can also contaminate groundwater.

“That [flame retardant coating] is also going to wash away eventually into our groundwater and it doesn’t have to be a lot [leeching] at the same time,” Tai said. “It can be a little bit, but since it accumulates, it just ends up accumulating in our water.”

Tai said water utility systems do not currently have any filtration systems for PFAS, allowing it to enter drinking water resources. The new EPA maximum standard limits water utility systems from carrying water containing between four parts per trillion to 10 parts per trillion, based on the level of risk that a specific PFAS chemical poses.

There are a number of risks associated with an accumulation of PFAS in drinking water. Tai said a high concentration of PFAS can potentially cause neurological issues, infant developmental issues and certain types of cancer.

Tai said PFAS do not affect everyone the same way — especially in populations with underlying illnesses and health risks. All water sources have different levels of PFAS depending on their proximity to both landfills and industries with high uses of flame retardants. Every person will react to the chemical differently and the length of exposure time can also affect health issues.

“As you get older, you get more [exposure to] PFAS,” Tai said. “So, having a lower limit, you’re still gonna accumulate PFAS. But the idea is to set limits where in the course of your lifetime, it’s not going to

create a higher risk.”

PFAS chemicals listed under the new Safe Drinking Water Act are the most researched PFAS chemicals since they have been used

term and must be studied for an extended period of time. Currently, scientists research PFAS by observing populations that are exposed to high PFAS areas versus low PFAS

by many companies, according to Tai. But, it’s difficult to research the effects of PFAS because scientists do not know exactly what type of PFAS is being used by industrial companies, which are protected by trade secret laws in the U.S.

Tai said the health effects are usually long-

areas over the course of several years.

The new EPA standard is going to require public water utility systems to closely monitor PFAS so they can implement reduction solutions when levels exceed four to 10 parts per trillion. Tai said there is about $1 billion available for this infrastructure

and technology to be developed for public water utility system infrastructure. Despite this, UW public affairs professor Manny Teodoro said PFAS chemicals are extremely expensive contaminants to regulate and treat.

Teodoro said Madison has about 28 wells that provide water for the city. Of those, only one has detected PFAS. But, it will cost several million dollars to retrofit the well to the EPA’s new standard of four parts per trillion, Teodoro said.

“I’m concerned about … whether the four parts per trillion that EPA has just set as the contaminant limit is the appropriate limit,” Teodoro said.

PFAS chemicals are everywhere but not always in dense, dangerous concentrations, according to Teodoro. Only when there is a high concentration of PFAS is there a serious health issue. There are other immediate threats to human health coming from the water utility systems, like water main breaks and lead pipes.

Teodoro wonders whether these funds could be spent on more urgent problems in locations where there are lower concentrations of PFAS chemical levels.

Madison has about 200 water main breaks a year, which result when the pipes carrying water between houses and utility systems rupture, causing potential exposure of biological contamination to the public, Teodoro said. Aside from water infrastructure, drinking water safety is also threatened by lead pipes and nitrate contamination from agricultural fertilizers, Teodoro said.

Some nations are researching an appropriate standard for PFAS in drinking water and have decided between 20 and 100 parts per trillion, Teodoro said. Wisconsin and European standards are at 70 parts per trillion. Teodoro said the new EPA standard is much more aggressive and will impact significantly more communities.

There is going to be massive litigation around this rule and privatization of water utilities is going to be an appealing option for many companies, Teodoro said. Water utility bill rates are also going to rise, not just in Wisconsin but across the country. These potential consequences have experts questioning the severity of the new EPA standard.

“What’s the highest and best use of our limited financial resources for drinking water?” Teodoro said. “In some cases, the greatest threat to health is PFAS, but most of the state [Wisconsin] is something else. I just want to make sure that we’re paying attention to the something else.”

Badger Herald archival photo of Lake Mendota.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Study investigates stroke risk factors in Native American population

Researchers emphasized building trust in this community, performing culturally sensitive research

by Dina Cianca Science News Reporter

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health recently had their study on methods of stroke prevention in the Wisconsin Native American population published. This study can help researchers determine which stroke factors are prevalent in Wisconsin Native American populations and examine how education and wellness coaching at both community and individual levels affect the risk factors present in the community.

According to the study titled, “Methods in Stroke Prevention in the Wisconsin Native American Population,” researchers took different levels of measurements — health assessments, cognitive testing battery, detailed coaching program and clinical ultrasound for carotid arteries — to address stroke prevention. Carotid arteries are the blood vessels found on the neck that supply blood to the brain.

This study was possible through the support of different partnerships, especially through the Wisconsin Partnership Program. The initial stages of the study included 120 voluntary participants and focused on people ages 55 and older. But in the future, researchers hope they can expand the scope by adding different age groups, co-author and UW fourth-year medical student Hannah Cress said. With the variety in age groups, researchers can observe how interventions differ between age groups.

UW Native American Center for Health Professions assistant director Melissa Metoxen said the study looked specifically at the Oneida Nation, which is located near Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Oneida Nation has a population of approximately 1,700 people, and is one of the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin, Metoxen said.

Cress said her search for ways to connect with her heritage as a Native American led her to pursue this research.

One of the variables the research team looked at in this study was plaque instability, Cress said. Plaque, in this case, refers to the stiffening of the vessel and lipid deposits in the carotid artery. The instability in plaque can cause microvascular damage in the brain, leading to stroke-like symptoms.

Cress said other measurements the researchers looked at included cholesterol levels, blood biomarkers and blood pressure. These are variables that provide robust evidence of the contribution of plaque formation and stiffening of the arteries in Native American communities.

“One of the challenges when carrying this project is the idea to offer knowledge and expertise on stroke risk factors, but doing it in a culturally sensitive way,” Cress said.

The study employed a wellness coach who works at the Oneida Nation Health Center, Cress said. The research team who was in charge of the

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medical screenings like ultrasounds, enrollments and health screenings were in and out of the community often. But the wellness coach was

more willing participants join the study because they understood health benefits through other lenses and trusted the researchers to help find

a constant contact for the community, which provided the opportunity to gain trust and build relationships with the community.

Metoxen said she is a member of the Oneida Nation and works at the Tribal Engagement Office located in the Community Health Center. There, Metoxen’s role is to advocate for the improvement of the health and wellness of the tribal communities and support Native American students who want to pursue health-related professional programs in higher education.

Metoxen said she also played a role in assisting in the partnership between the university research team and the tribal community. Before any stroke prevention research could be conducted, a series of meetings had to occur to discuss the research and certain protocols had to be followed when working with tribal communities. Since Native

American tribes are sovereign nations, any university faculty member or research team must receive approval via a vote before they develop a research study.

“Whoever is doing research, whether that’s faculty or institutions or whatever it may be, [they must] recognize the sovereignty of our tribal nations and [acknowledge and respect] the process that goes into that,” Metoxen said.

Metoxen said building a trusting relationship between the faculty members and the community is critical. Especially since the faculty members must be willing to understand, acknowledge, listen and respect what tribe leaders decide, as they decide what is acceptable in the community.

According to Metoxen, the community can benefit from prevention programs, but the community often only reaps benefits if involved organizations first establish a trustworthy partnership with it. In this case, the stroke risk factors study of Wisconsin Native Americans had

ways to decrease stroke risk in the community.

Cress said other studies that had interventions with the Native American population are very limited. Her research team used the National Institute of Health Strong Heart Study as a model. This model study researched cardiovascular health in multiple Native American tribes through the University of Oklahoma. Since it is a model study, researchers can use it as a reference to further conduct research with Native American populations.

“Relationship was extremely, extremely important, and continuing to maintain that balance is probably the most important objective of the whole study, data aside,” Cress said. “Having this relationship and being a listener before we are problem solvers is really important. And involving the elderly very early on was really important.”

Badger Herald archival photo of UnityPoint Health Meriter.

AHMAD HAMID. THE BADGER HERALD.

Senior Class President discusses representing 2024 graduates

Stories of students: Read about students making a difference on campus

by Olivia Decker Social Media and PR Associate

Editor’s note: People of UW is a human interest series produced by Badger Herald staff members. The series aims to highlight a student or student group at the University of Wisconsin making an impact on the campus community. These Q&As are edited for length and clarity.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Gracie Nelson. I use she/her pronouns. I’m from Seattle, Washington, and I’m a senior majoring in political science and gender and women’s studies.

What is your role in the Senior Class Office and what are your responsibilities?

I’m the senior class president. The Senior Class Office as a whole has seven members, so myself and my vice president, and then five directors. Each will have different roles ranging from philanthropy to engagement and things like that. Our job as senior class officers … is to accomplish these main three things which is one, to create senior inspired events to celebrate the class; two, to plan winter and spring commencement ceremonies; and then three, to be a liaison between the administration and the student body. So speaking personally, I attend a lot of meetings with upper-level administration, talk with reporters and that kind of thing as well.

What is your favorite part about being Senior Class President?

I’ve had a lot of roles on campus and anytime you’re in leadership with anything I think you see more of the problems that the institutions have. I’ve worked with [Associated Students of Madison] or I’ve been the chair of the Dean of Students Advisory Board and those positions are great, but they definitely can have kind of a critical lens of the institution — which should be there — but it can be a little fatiguing and exhausting to always be so critical. What’s fun about this position is my job is to celebrate the incredible and diverse journeys that our class has. So I find 99% of my job is really fun and feels very positive, which I enjoy.

What inspired you to take on this role?

So you run for senior class president in March the year before. I had thought about the idea a little bit … going into my junior year the summer beforehand. I think what inspired it was I genuinely wanted to celebrate our class. I think COVID taking away high school graduation — people remember that, but they forget that we lost our whole freshman year of college and so we didn’t have any events all together, or we’ve never seen our class all together in one place like you do for the W Project. I really wanted the opportunity to give back to this class that has already lost out on so much. What does the Senior Class Office do?

We created the senior barbecue, which had more than 1,000 people come at the beginning of the year. That and winter commencement, these are the big

events. When I say these out loud, people are like, ‘oh you’ve done four things,’ but I literally work 20 to 30 hours a week on this role. I guess there’s been tangible things you can see — we did the barbecue, winter commencement, we did Abe photos for all graduates who want photos. We also put together

of stuff has really allowed the platform that we have to be this very diverse set of voices in any space that we enter.

On top of that, this kind of celebratory piece has been the focus of our year. Prom was so much fun and I think one of the reasons it was so fun is that

some professional photos. We had prom, which was probably our most fun event I would say. We had over 900 people show up for the prom. It was super fun and kind of giving back those reclaimed experiences like I was talking about. We do the firstgeneration graduation ceremony, so we’re going to have over 650 people attend as we walk firstgeneration students across a stage and celebrate them with their families. We also coordinate and pick the senior class gift, so any donations go to that. What were some of the goals you and the Senior Class Office set for this year and did you accomplish them?

I think that it was one to have a diverse set of voices reflecting our senior class, which I definitely think has been accomplished. A lot of our role is being in these meetings with upper level administration advocating for student needs and just from our office alone, I am the only white student on Senior Class Office which is the first in history. We have two first-generation students, two of us are queer. I know that I’m the first LGBTQ woman in this role. Megan and I are the fifth woman duo ever. And I realize those can just be numbers strung together, but I really think that representation matters. Also, six out of the seven of us identify as women. And so I just think that kind

usually students stay in their little silos. So if you’re having a Sex Out Loud event, only the kids in Sex Out Loud come, or if you’re having a football game you go to different tailgates with your friends. The prom was so fun because it was the most random people in the best way. I saw people from math class and also people I’ve never seen before. You just saw every single kind of representation of the senior class which I don’t ever think happens in our institution. I think we’ve done a really good job of merging together different groups which — especially senior year — never happens. With this upcoming event for the first-generation celebration you’re seeing that too — I’ve been doing a lot of stuff for it and on the response forms you have people who are first generation from Wisconsin to somewhere abroad. And every major represented, every type of person represented. So I think we’ve done a really good job on touching on the diverse stories that make our class and bringing them together even more.

What is the best memory you have of working with the Senior Class Office?

For the barbecue that we put on, it might have been the first day of classes or something along that, we just totally underestimated how many people would come. There had never been an event like

that before. Last year the Senior Class Office hosted a senior bash and only 300 students came. So when I ordered 700 T-shirts I thought I was overdoing it and we were out of T-shirts in the first 35 minutes. It was just so much fun. We were in full panic mode handing out these T-shirts and getting people their hot dogs and their bag of chips and so forth. But it was so much fun. It was a great kickoff for our year together too. We really bonded in that first moment. Just the sheer terror of seeing this line that was never ending.

How can students get involved with the Senior Class Office?

For president and vice president you run the March of your junior year, and then applications go out that April for the officer positions. Applications are now closed, but for any sophomores keep your eye out for that. And I could not recommend it enough. I think it has truly been the best job I’ve had in my four years here. Depending on what director role you’re in your hours can really vary. I definitely do — maybe not the most work, but the most work consistently. Like for the first generation celebration, I’m not leading that, so I know there’s been more done that I haven’t done. But you can really be in a position that’s only probably five hours a week and then up to like 40. It’s been awesome. If you want to get involved in other ways, the Senior Class Office is always looking to collaborate with different orgs, so we have an email that you can email us at. We also have a website that is through the Office of Student Affairs that you can check out what we’re doing and how to get involved.

What are your plans following graduation?

I applied to law school this last semester. I’m going to defer my enrollment no matter where I go. I’ll be in Chicago next year just taking a break. I’m feeling a little bit of burnout. I love this job but it’s taken everything from me, same as applying to law school. So I’m taking a year off and I’ll be starting in the fall of 2025.

Anything final words or thanks?

I’ll shout out again my amazing officers that I’ve done work this year with. I do think that the amount of things that we’ve done have been very unprecedented for the Senior Class Office. Usually they don’t do very much. And so I’m super proud of all of them. I couldn’t have done it without them. And I hope this kind of starts the path of the Senior Class Office has limitless potential. And so I hope that future class officers run with this role as well because I didn’t think prom was going to happen, I had no faith. Actually on the day I was like, ‘oh my God, I cannot believe we made this happen.’ I think that’s a testament to putting yourself out there. And I do think that people kind of underestimate the student involvement that will come from these events. I think every event that we’ve held shows that students are really curious and eager to get involved and break their community lines. It’s been super fun working toward those goals.

Senior Class President Gracie Nelson discusses representing the Class of 2024.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRACIE NELSON.

‘SOLIDARITY FOREVER’: UW takes national stage with pro-Palestine encampment demonstration

Days-long protest continues amid week of final exams

by The Badger Herald

A pro-Palestine encampment was built in the heart of the University of Wisconsin campus April 29, the 205th day of the war in Gaza. Protesters built the encampment as part of a days-long protest on Library Mall, during which hundreds of students and community members denounced the ongoing war in Gaza and called for UW’s divestment from the state of Israel.

The protest, organized primarily by Students for Justice in Palestine UW–Madison, came amid a nationwide wave of student demonstrations in response to the war in Gaza. Students and community members have remained on Library Mall day and night during UW’s final week of classes and exams, displaying their dedicated support for Palestine.

It is a type of demonstration organizers and community members said is reminiscent of past movements on campus. Some drew parallels between the 2024 pro-Palestine demonstration and the Vietnam War protests that occurred on campus during the 1960s.

Community underscores demonstration

From near and far, individuals and organizations expressed their support for the demonstration on UW’s campus. Food and supplies have been donated to protesters, and legal observers were present to advocate and protect protesters’ right to express their thoughts.

On Library Mall, space was made for observant Muslim protesters at the five daily Islamic prayer times. Teach-in sessions were hosted to help protesters continue to understand the fight for Palestinian liberation. And Friday evening, Jewish individuals in support of the pro-Palestine demonstration held a “Liberation Shabbat,” lighting candles and breaking bread alongside protesters.

Each night, the demonstrators celebrated Palestinian culture. Organizers sang Arabic songs, recited poems and performed the traditional Palestinian folk dance, Dabke.

A demonstrator leads Pro-Palestinian chants at Library Mall. May 2, 2024.

A demonstrator performs a call prayer at a liberation Shabbat at the Library Mall encampment. May 3, 2024.

Organizers provide updates regarding negotiations following meeting with administrators. May 4, 2024.

Protester holds Palestinian flag at encampment demonstration on Library Mall. May 1, 2024.

Students and community members create “Community Guidelines” while rallying at Library Mall. April 29, 2024.

UW students and community members remain on Library Mall into the evening. Protesters form a barricade around demonstrators praying to prevent interference. April 29, 2024.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators sing Hebrew prayer during Liberation Shabbat. May 3, 2024.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

Protesters remain steadfast

Counter-protesters appeared at multiple points throughout the week, expressing support for the state of Israel, or denouncing the encampment demonstration. The interactions between counter-protesters and protesters were limited.

On the third day of the demonstration, law enforcement officers came to the site of the encampment and asked protesters to remove tents and camping materials from Library Mall. Under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, tents and camping are not allowed on university property.

Upon removing tents, officers clashed with protesters, injuring some UW faculty members. Once most tents were removed, the officers left the site of the encampment, but in the two hours they were present, 34 arrests were made.

Despite the presence of law enforcement, protesters remained steadfast in their commitment to the demonstration. New tents were erected and the crowd of protesters grew to the largest it had been all week. In the days that followed, the number of protesters present has continued to grow.

The People’s Kitchen at the encampment demonstration. April 30, 2024.

Demonstrators hold rally outside of Dane County Jail in support of arrested protesters. May 1, 2024.

Mx. T Clearwater paints their hand while making a protest sign at Library Mall. May 3, 2024.

Demonstrators and police each hold their lines at the Library Mall encampment. May 1, 2024.

Pro-Palestine protesters stand in solidarity during a Muslim prayer. May 1, 2024.

Police and demonstrators clash at Library Mall on the morning of May 1, 2024.

Protest organizer fixes community guidelines sign hanging on Memorial Library. May 3, 2024.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators light candles during Liberation Shabbat. May 3, 2024.

A cloth that reads “Palestine will be free” lays on the ground at Library Mall. May 1, 2024.

A pro-Palestine protester addresses demonstrators on Library Mall. April 30, 2024.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

JACOB DURAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

PAIGE VALLEY. THE BADGER HERALD.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Collegiate transfer portal causes more harm than good

After multiple Badgers enter transfer portal, discussions around negative impacts of portal itself arise

by Sammie Garrity Opinion Associate Editor

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball guard Connor Essegian decided to leave Madison and enter the transfer portal in March, recently committing to Nebraska where he will play his next season. His decision to enter the portal was followed by former teammates Chucky Hepburn — now committed to Louisville — and AJ Storr, who is transferring to Kansas.

These moves appear amidst recent controversy surrounding the effects of the transfer portal on the culture and authenticity of college basketball, a system that needs to be altered to maintain a higher quality of collegiate athletics.

The transfer portal exists for a reason. Many

14 • badgerherald.com • May 7, 2024

athletes find themselves in a situation where they are being treated poorly by their coach, where they are unable to play at the level they want to or their school environment just isn’t working for them.

Being forced to stay in a toxic situation that a student committed to while in high school, without truly knowing what they wanted, could very easily create immense mental health issues. The transfer portal helps to give these athletes an exit strategy from that environment, allowing them to move to different teams to better suit their skills and desires.

Many student athletes also find they aren’t able to get enough playing time and want to

develop as a player at a school that can give them a better opportunity to actively grow their skills, enhancing competition and allowing the players to elevate and improve their abilities. But while the portal can bring a lot of hope to athletes who need to change their environment, these benefits are outweighed by the misuse of the system and issues associated with it.

With the recent passing of Name, Image, Likeness policies, which allow college athletes to earn money through advertisements and sponsorships, many players have been entering the transfer portal to look for better NIL deals that support them financially.

These transfers, however, put smaller

athletic programs at a significant disadvantage, according to Sports Illustrated. With the portal, bigger, more elite programs are able to poach players from the smaller, more mid-level programs with the appeal of more sponsorships and advertising opportunities. Creating a very unbalanced competition that sets the smaller schools at a severe disadvantage.

For the college athletes themselves, having the ability get NIL deals as well as transfer schools seems ideal. But it is completely changing the landscape of college basketball. Since the NCAA started to allow athletes to transfer one time penalty-free, the number of athletes in the portal skyrocketed from around 9,000 in 2021 to 12,000 in 2023. This opens the door for athletes to transfer after just one year, which both diminishes trust between the coach, the team and the athlete. This makes it challenging for the coaches to be able to develop athletes as players, which could reduce the overall quality of collegiate athletics.

When players enter the transfer portal at the first sign of adversity or only in search of a more lucrative program, this can hinder their own personal growth as a player. It also can prove as a challenge to their academics. Frequent transfers force players to adjust to new programs and schedules with different expectations. This can make staying on track academically difficult, as well as potentially create issues regarding eligibility and graduation.

Constant turnover also negatively affects team chemistry because there isn’t a sense of continuity and trust. Players need time to be able to learn how to work together and play as a team. If people are frequently coming in and out, it creates a disjointed unit that isn’t as effectively able to communicate and learn from one another. There are also additional challenges placed upon the coaching staff. Coaches have to always be managing an ever-changing roster, which is a logistical challenge. They also have to invest immense time in monitoring the portal for transfers which takes away from high school recruits. Since coaches feel more compelled to recruit from the portal, they aren’t always invested in the development of newer players. All of this management and balancing act puts an intense stress and responsibility on the coaches. While the idea of the transfer portal is beneficial for the athletes that need it, the way that it is currently oriented creates more problems than it solves. It promotes instability and over the course of time has changed the way college sports look. The issues it both creates and promotes have wide ranging effects that damage not only the athletes it is supposed to be helping, but also the programs and coaches instilled to support them.

Sammie Garrity (sgarrity3@wisc.edu) is a freshman majoring in journalism.

Wisconsin Badgers v. Illinois Fighting Illini.

SOREN GOLDSMITH. THE BADGER HERALD.

The case for an Election Day holiday

UW student voting rate remains relatively high, but holiday would remove more obstacles for students to make it to polls

by Jack Rogers Opinion Editor

Losing to Minnesota in any capacity sucks. Let’s face it — Bucky Badger is objectively more iconic than their sorry buck-toothed imitation, our cheese curds are better and the University of Wisconsin’s sizable margin over the University of Minnesota in university rankings speaks for itself. Yeah, we might have re-secured Paul Bunyan’s Axe last year in the football game against Minnesota at Camp Randall, but when it comes to events where things really matter beyond a simple question of school rivalry — like voting in elections — Minnesota continues to run away with the hardware.

The Big Ten Voting Challenge, established in 2017, is a friendly competition between Big Ten member schools to measure student voter turnout and participation with the hopes of increasing civic engagement across the conference. To date, Minnesota has won in both the 2020 and 2022 elections — drawing out students at a higher rate than any other school in the Big Ten.

Despite the Badgers’ lack of podium presence at the Voting Challenge, UW students still have impressive rates of voter turnout. According to data from the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement, UW boasted a 72.8% voter turnout during the 2020 election — more than 6% better than the national campus average and up 7.4% since 2016. Reports from the 2022 election have not been released, but there are indicators that student turnout rates remained high.

These commendable statistics are due in large part to the efforts of campus resources and election organizers. Initiatives like BadgersVote are especially instrumental in guiding students through the voter registration process and to the polls. UW junior Laine Bottemiller wrote an article in Forbes highlighting BadgersVote’s impact on drawing out a record-breaking number of young voters out for the most recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

But, barriers to voting for students at UW are significant enough to have a measurable impact on voter turnout. Every year, thousands of voting-eligible students move into on-campus housing for the first time. Many more who already live off-campus move to different apartments or houses before the start of the semester. Each move means voters have to either register for the first time or re-register at a new address. This translates into new polling locations and new elected positions to vote for — just another obstacle that may deter young

college students who may lack an already strong, developed sense of civic duty or political stances.

Beyond the BadgersVote program, UW established an online website that streamlines a comprehensive overview of

Clearly then, institutional support for new voters — or those unfamiliar with election laws in Wisconsin — is critical in boosting turnout rates for UW students.

all things student voting for the campus community. This site remains indispensable in guiding students through the voting process, from jumping common hurdles

in registration, all the way to polling. Yet for UW to beat its own record in student voting something else needs to enter into the equation.

Though the state of Wisconsin does not recognize an official Election Day holiday, the Universities of Wisconsin should break with state policy and cancel classes on Election Day — in the fall and spring. In doing this, UW would join its Midwestern neighbors Illinois, Michigan and Indiana in ensuring students are even less inconvenienced in making a trip to their polling locations on Election Day by canceling classes. Sure, choosing to cancel classes on days that may fall in the middle of the week may cause a minor disruption in professors’ syllabi, but the gains from an increase in voter turnout — for students, staff and faculty — would prove invaluable for our voices to be heard at the ballot box.

For those in the UW community who commute relatively far distances from where they live to attend class or work on campus, traveling to their designated polling places becomes a major headache. Throw in a combination of midterms, class assignments or even poor weather conditions, and suddenly voting quickly falls down on the priority list for many. Canceling class on Election Day would be an easy fix to resolve these potential obstacles to voting.

With the Wisconsin GOP-led attempts to crack down on absentee and mail-in ballots in recent years, expanding accessibility and improving the convenience factor to inperson voting on Election Day becomes that much more important. While UW is already active in promoting these early voting practices, ballots cast in this manner may be less secure than those cast in person in the event of successful Republican political maneuvering that seeks to disqualify mailin ballots.

Democratic veto power in Gov. Tony Evers’ hands is one of the only remaining checks preventing full-scale conservative attacks on early voting. In-person voting then becomes increasingly important for voters throughout the state and here on the UW campus.

By going one step further and establishing an Election Day holiday, university administrators can protect our collective democratic voice and opportunities to get to the polls — and hopefully break Minnesota’s Voting Challenge winning streak in the process.

Jack Rogers (jrogers@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore studying Chinese, economics and political science.

Badger Herald archival photo of students voting.

SHANE FRUCHTERMAN. THE BADGER HERALD.

ARTS

Remembering the legacy of Carson Gulley

‘Top Chef’ episode honors UW chef

by Elsa Englebert ArtsEtc. Writer

The University of Wisconsin’s Lakeshore neighborhood is a sleepy enclave of freshman dormitories, often written off as boring compared to its boisterous east campus counterpart, the Southeast neighborhood. But residents of Lakeshore, many of whom once saw living in Kronshage rather than Witte as the equivalent of the world ending, have grown fond of the neighborhood’s quirks — getting lost in its maze of identical residence halls, walking through a blizzard to do laundry in a separate building and spending countless minutes waiting for the 80 to arrive (it never will). If you have the right mindset, Lakeshore can be heaven for a freshman. But speaking as a former resident, the uphill walks to class never did get easier.

Most of Lakeshore’s inhabitants flock to Dejope’s Four Lakes for meals, but there’s another dining hall in the neighborhood that tends to fly under the radar, Carson’s Market. Located in the Carson Gulley Center, tucked between Slichter, Adams and Tripp, the building has a quaint stone edifice with a red-shingled roof that serves the standard dining hall fare, featuring a dilapidated salad bar and a wall of dry cereal dispensers. It’s frequented by residents who live in that awkward stretch of dorms that are equidistant from Liz Waters and Four Lakes, five-minute walks that can feel much longer on an empty stomach. Carson’s is certainly no Four Lakes or Gordon Avenue Market, but it does its job.

Many students aren’t aware of the dining hall’s existence and even fewer know anything about the man it was named after. Most would likely assume it’s just another university building dedicated to some stuffy professor or wealthy alum, but the Carson Gulley Center’s namesake is neither. He was much more than that.

Carson Gulley, born in 1897, was an accomplished chef, a local celebrity and a civil rights pioneer whose legacy lives on in Wisconsin and beyond. Recently, Gulley crept back into the public eye when his cooking inspired a “Top Chef” challenge, raising several questions — who exactly was Carson Gulley and how does he fit into UW’s Black history?

Gulley’s life is not particularly well-documented by many, but Scott Seyforth, Assistant Director of Residence Life at UW, has devoted extensive research to learning all he could about Gulley’s life and compiling it into an article for the Wisconsin Magazine of History.

According to Seyforth, Gulley’s career at UW began in December 1926, when he was 29 years old.

Originally from Arkansas, Gulley bounced around the Midwest as he developed his cooking skills, working in restaurants and at resorts. In the summer of 1926, the director of University Housing at UW passed through a lodge in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where Gulley was working. The director, impressed by Gulley’s cooking, offered him a job as the head chef at the university.

16 • badgerherald.com • May 7, 2024

In 1936, Gulley would take a short-term leave from the university to develop a two-year chef training course at the Tuskegee Institute, which, Seyforth said, is one of the most important centers of African American identity, culture and community in the United States. Gulley was beginning to make a name for himself and word was spreading.

Gulley developed into something of a local celebrity. In the late 1940s, Gulley was one of

nothing short of revolutionary, one of the only known television programs of the 1950s to feature an African American couple. The public’s range of reactions to “What’s Cooking” was indicative of Gulley’s perseverance — he and WMTV received an excess of hate mail, but the program continued to air for 10 years.

As incredible as Gulley’s cooking was said to be, it wasn’t what earned him a building at UW. Gulley may have been an extraordinary chef, but more

the few African Americans in Wisconsin to be broadcast on the radio. He appeared on Wisconsin radio programs to talk about cooking and he was eventually offered his own cooking program on WISC radio in Madison. The radio show was a hit, with Gulley receiving hundreds of letters from listeners requesting recipes.

His success didn’t end there. He published a cookbook in 1949 and in 1953, “What’s Cooking,” a cooking show hosted by Gulley and his wife, Beatrice, premiered on WMTV in Madison. It was

importantly, he was a vocal civil rights advocate even before the movement began to gain traction in the United States.

The belief the Midwest was a haven compared to the South in the early-to-mid 20th century is poorly founded.

“When Gulley moved up here from the South trying to find a better life for himself, he found an environment very similar to that which he came from,” Seyforth said. “He couldn’t eat in restaurants on State Street, he couldn’t even rent a house where

he worked on campus.”

Gulley faced similar treatment throughout the Midwest. As his fame mounted, cities would often invite Gulley to give lectures, but denied him admission to hotels, forcing him to drive back to Madison late at night. Known as sundown towns, these cities made it quite clear African Americans were unwelcome and Gulley’s celebrity status did not render him immune to this racism.

Gulley struggled to make Madison his home — both figuratively and literally. He and his wife faced a unique set of challenges, particularly while searching for housing. African Americans weren’t wanted in many neighborhoods, leaving the couple in limbo as they combed the city for a place to live. Sometimes, their realtor would send a white couple to arrange a purchase on the Gulleys’ behalf, only for the sale to fall through once their race was discovered. But Gulley didn’t take racism sitting down.

He publicly fought the restrictive covenants that barred him and Beatrice from purchasing property, testifying to the city council in 1950 about the discrimination he faced as a Black man in Madison. Before Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. entered the public eye, before the Civil Rights movement began to unfold rapidly, Gulley was a vocal advocate for social justice.

“It’s important to pay tribute to the people that laid the groundwork that the movement was built on,” Seyforth said.

Gulley was, in short, a trailblazer.

In December 1954, the Gulleys were finally approved to move into a Madison neighborhood, where they were met by hate mail and even a burning cross in their front yard. The passage of a Fair Housing Act in Madison wouldn’t happen until 1963, Seyforth wrote, but the Gulleys’ move was an imperative step for the movement.

Gulley would retire from the university in 1954.

“The only way that I could do that job was to swallow the bitter pill of prejudice, opposition and hatred,” Gulley wrote.

He passed away in 1962. Three years after his death, the Board of Regents renamed the Van Hise Refectory where Gulley worked at to the UW to the Carson Gulley Center, making it the first UW building named after an African American.

The struggles Gulley faced as a Black man — one of high status at that — are reminders of Madison’s history of racism that’s so often swept under the rug in favor of the city’s squeaky-clean image it upholds today. At the peak of his fame, Gulley had devoted fans who held him in high esteem, but those same admirers would bar him and his wife from their gated, all-white neighborhoods.

Gulley was a chef and a pioneer of civil rights whose legacy serves as a reminder of our city’s lessthan-perfect history. He’s remembered both for his fudge-bottom pie and his commitment to social justice, making his legacy one, on the whole, less bitter than sweet.

Carson Gulley Center on the University of Wisconsin campus.

MARIA BRUNETTA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Madison-inspired recipes sure to spice up your summer

Get a taste of your favorite place, Madison, with these recipes

by Jenna Innab ArtsEtc. Writer

With summer approaching as school draws to a close, the anticipation of leisurely days calls us all. With an abundance of time at our disposal, what better way to soak up the summer season than by exploring our culinary side? With Madison’s renowned farmers market at our fingertips, these market-inspired recipes blend local vendors and creativity into your next favorite dish. Keeping meals light and fresh for summer, these meals are perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. We promise these recipes will transport you to the City of Madison no matter where you are this summer!

Summer spring rolls

It would be criminal to not start off with the ultimate Madisonian inspired recipe with a summer spring roll. Taking notes from the iconic spring roll food truck owner, Tuy Anongdeth. This is our greatest attempt at replicating her beloved masterpiece.

The most important ingredients in this recipe are the fresh vegetables. Grab a few ripe avocados, shredded cabbage, carrots and any other favorite vegetable if you have one. Next, you’ll need spring roll wrappers. Unfortunately, we do not know where Anongdeth sources her jumbo-burrito sized spring roll wrappers from, but the standard wrapper sizes will make do. Personalize your spring roll by adding a protein of your choice. Finally, the special sauce elevates this entire dish. While it may not be an exact duplicate of Anongdeth’s beloved sauce, we can be sure to make an attempt at it! You’ll need a few Asian-cuisine inspired ingredients to make this Vietnamese peanut sauce, including peanut butter, garlic and ginger.

Summer galette

Galette season is upon us! Rising in popularity last summer by the beloved Wishbone Kitchen’s heirloom tomato galette, why not make this a sweet recipe? A galette, characterized as a pastry folded around a variety of fillings, is quite honestly the easiest dish to make. Serve it up as an appetizer, dessert or midday snack.

Inspired by the whole grain raspberry scones from the iconic vendor, Chris & Lori’s Bakehouse at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, make this cherry galette with a shortbread inspired base and fruit filling for a lighter, summer alternative. Fruit produced in the summertime marks the beginning of the best season! Pick up your favorite fruit from a variety of vendors at the Dane County Farmers’ Market — or, might I suggest stopping by the iconic Door County vendor for some of their famous cherries. Of course, to level up this galette for summer, might I also

suggest scooping a part of Madison on top with Babcock ice cream?

Cheesy summer charcuterie

How does one make their way to the farmers market without stopping by Stella’s Bakery? It is actually impossible to do. With the smell of Stella’s Spicy Cheese Bread hitting your senses directly upon entering the square, it is a musttry!

The perfect compliment to Stella’s Spicy Cheese Bread is a collection of fruits, cheeses and nuts to make a charcuterie board. This is the ultimate beginner-friendly recommendation. With no cooking skills required, you can even purchase pre-cut fruit to cut down on preparation time.

A charcuterie board makes the perfect compliment to a day by Lake Mendota, an

at-home brunch with the girls or a picnic for that first date, or date night for those in a relationship. With offerings from Hook’s Cheese, choose from a variety of cheeses for your board. I highly recommend grabbing brie and parmesan cheese. Next, stop by one of the plethora of fruit and vegetable vendors to add some color to your board. Of course, no charcuterie board is complete without a stunning cutting board for presentation.

Summer pasta

For those wanting to stick with the light and fresh theme for summer but still wanting a hearty meal, a pasta salad is the perfect choice. With a plethora of fresh herb and vegetable options at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, you might as well step it up and elevate your pasta dish with a homemade pesto sauce.

Ingredients you’ll need include fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese — perhaps you have leftovers from your charcuterie board — and pine nuts. Pick out your favorite pasta shape — bowtie is the cutest for coquette summer! Add any vegetables you like, including tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and bell peppers. Finally, toss everything together with your pesto sauce and top with more parmesan cheese. Enjoy this as a light lunch or satisfying dinner — this pasta salad is the essence of summer in a bowl. Whether you choose to indulge in rolling up a summer spring roll, baking a cherry-filled galette, assembling a simple charcuterie board or tossing together the perfect pasta salad, these dishes inspired by the Dane County Farmers’ Market will make you long for your return to the beloved City of Madison.

Badger Herald archival photo of the Dane County Farmers’ Market.

How boys make TikToks: UW students gain huge internet following

by Paige Valley

Photo Associate Director

If you spot Killian Weston and Jack Couey out and about, you may not notice anything other than average University of Wisconsin students going about their day. While this is true, they also have amassed a collective following of 327,000 followers on TikTok, and they are not stopping anytime soon. Both are freshmen at UW and are cementing themselves as campus micro-celebrities. I spent an afternoon with Weston and Couey to learn about the method

their TikTok madness.

Weston — better known as “K West” — first gained popularity in late 2021 from creating videos humorously mocking the difference between how girls and guys go about everyday activities. While the videos are heavily based upon gender stereotypes, the two inject a sense of ridiculousness that seems to perfectly encapsulates Gen Z’s humor and life at UW.

Couey squeals in excitement in front of the Kohl center while Weston films him for a TikTok. Both are incredibly expressive, which combined with their humor, perfectly encapsulates Gen Z.

Weston films Couey “interviewing” a student for a TikTok video. Though the two typically just film themselves, they will occasionally include friends in their videos.

Left: Weston drops to his knees while Couey films, pleading the University of Madison to partake in a collaborative effort with BeReal. The developers of BeReal reached out to the comedic duo to create a promotional video supporting the idea of a feature that is specific to the UW campus. Right: Weston laughs after filming a clip for a TikTok in front of the Kohl Center with comedic partner Jack Couey. The two often incorporate elements of the UW campus, making their TikToks engaging for fellow students.

Killian Weston (left) and Jack Couey walk down University Avenue as they head to the Kohl Center to film their first TikTok of the day. The two typically film on Tuesdays, but do not come in with a game plan, instead making video ideas up on the spot.

behind

Weston and Couey polish up the editing on their BeReal endorsement video outside of Gordon’s Dining Hall. They frequently laugh at themselves and the lighthearted content they produce.

Left: Weston often includes a short comedic clip at the end of the TikTok promoting his music, which he says is starting to become a more serious project for him. Right: Weston and Couey do not seem to care what others around them think as they film, fully leaning in to odd scenarios.

Weston reaches in to grab his phone out of a freezer at Fresh Market as Couey films. BeReal is featured, with this instance reflecting on the very unfortunate moment “...when your BeReal goes off in the freezer”. The pair’s wheezing laughs are often left in their videos, allowing viewers to laugh along with them.

While filming “The Worst Things About the Grocery Store”, Couey acts flabbergasted over finding his “favorite snack,” at Fresh Market. While you may suspect that such prominent online personalities would get recognized frequently, the duo says they are not approached too often in public.

Couey films Weston as he creates an intro video in front of Madison’s Fresh Market. The two decided on the idea minutes before walking over, and came up with ideas for the rest of the TikTok by walking around inside the grocery store.

Weston ends his filming day by returning home to his dorm room, dubbed the “Squirt Zone.” After a long afternoon of content creation and yelling in public, K-West is ready to enjoy his night.

Football: Wisconsin makes noise in NFL Draft

Bortolini, Allen drafted, others sign in three-day event

by Julien Payen Sports Reporter

April 25, former University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears — kicking off a three-day event held in Detroit, Michigan. The highly anticipated move sees the Bears pick up their quarterback for the future after moving on from Justin Fields this past offseason.

This year’s draft also marked only the fourth time in the modern draft era, since 1967, that three quarterbacks were selected with the first three picks, the most recent being in 2021. Fans across the league are hoping that this year’s group, including Williams, Louisiana State University’s Jayden Daniels and University of North Carolina’s Drake Maye adjust better to life in the NFL than the 2021 trio did.

A string of poor performances from Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence saw them pick up Mac Jones this offseason and the same could be said for the New York Jets’ Zach Wilson, who recently announced his move to Denver. The third overall pick in 2021, Trey Lance, was traded by San Francisco and now sits behind superstar Dak Prescott in Dallas.

This season, three former members of the University of Wisconsin football team were invited to the pre-draft Combine — including offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini, running back Braelon Allen and linebacker Maema Njongmeta. All three athletes were scouted extensively at the Combine, enough for Bortolini and Allen to both receive phone calls from NFL teams.

Bortolini, a Kewaunee native ranked at No. 117 in overall rankings and No. 5 out of all the centers available, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round with the 117th pick. Besides his draft analysis being right on the money, Bortolini joins a young squad led by last year’s fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson and UW legend Jonathan Taylor.

Bortolini was listed by ESPN as a center, but he had experience playing all along the offensive line during his time at UW. He was also the fourth center selected, one ahead of his No. 5 positional ranking.

Allen also went in the fourth round to the New York Jets with the 134th pick of the draft. The Fond du Lac native was ranked by ESPN as the 142nd best prospect, but the Jets saw in him what Badger fans have seen in him during his three years at UW.

The Jets made seven selections in this year’s draft, including Penn State’s offensive tackle Olu Fashanu and Western Kentucky’s

wide receiver Malachi Corley. Jets fans can be excited that Allen heads to New York to compliment fellow running back Breece

the draft ended, the undrafted free agency period began. NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter compiled a list of the top undrafted free

Hall and former Green Bay icons in Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard.

As exciting as draft weekend is, it’s not the only time NFL squads can bolster their rosters with promising rookies. As soon as

agents following the draft — including four former Badgers.

Quarterback Tanner Mordecai, tight end Hayden Rucci, Njongmeta and long snapper Peter Bowden were all ranked among the top

prospects to not hear their names called in Detroit, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get a shot at the NFL.

Mordecai and the UW football program announced on social media that he would be signing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers and fighting for a spot on the roster that currently boasts Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen.

Mordecai had a phenomenal UW Pro Day — recording 40-yard dash times and vertical jumps that would’ve bested any quarterback at the Combine and will continue to prove himself in San Francisco.

Rucci followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps in signing an NFL contract. Rucci’s grandfather, Thomas Gilburg, won a national championship with Syracuse before playing for four years for the Baltimore Colts. Rucci’s father, Todd, played for eight seasons in New England, eventually being named to the All-1990s team.

Rucci announced via social media that he would be signing a contract with the Miami Dolphins, led by all-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and breakout star De’Von Achane. He spent four years playing for UW after redshirting his first season — leading the Badgers’ tight ends in receptions and receiving yards last season.

Njongmeta wasn’t selected on draft weekend, but still did enough to earn his spot on an NFL roster, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. He joins former Badger Kendric Pryor on the squad and will continue to display his strengths to UW and Bengals fans alike.

The final Badger on Reuter’s shortlist is Bowden, a long snapper from San Diego, California. After redshirting his first year at UW and playing for four years, Bowden will be staying in Wisconsin after signing with the Green Bay Packers. A special teams specialist, Bowden strengthens a Packers lineup that upset the Dallas Cowboys in last year’s playoffs.

Even after the draft and after free agency, there are still pathways for prospective NFL players to get their shot at the big league.

First reported by NFL analyst Ryan Fowler, former Badger cornerback Travian Blaylock was invited to participate in the Chicago Bears’ minicamp, a three-day training session for rookies that gives them a chance to work with teammates and learn the team’s playbook.

Following this year’s draft period, UW fans could see a flood of former Badgers joining NFL rosters in the near future. After storied college careers, this unit is sure to do all they can to realize their dream of playing at the highest level.

Badger Herald archival photo of the UW football team.

SOREN GOLDSMITH. THE BADGER HERALD.

Elevation of high school baseball provides UW with untapped resources

Division 1 commits scattered across Badger state, but UW can’t capitalize

by Maddox Durst Sports Editor

Simply put, high school baseball in the state of Wisconsin has never been better.

According to Prep Baseball Wisconsin, there are 40 prospects in the 2024 graduating class attending a Division 1 university in the fall. It’s a testament to the elevation of play within the state, as competition increases and players improve, despite not being able to get on to an outdoor baseball field for all 12 months of the year.

The trend has expanded in the 2025 class, who stand as juniors in high school right now. In the Badger state, there are seven commits to Big Ten universities to date, as more make their final commitment in the next year or so.

Pete Schlosser — after a storied career at Oconomowoc High School — originally signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Wisconsin in 1991. Unfortunately for Schlosser, he never got the opportunity to do so, as the baseball program shut down its operations in that same year.

He remained heavily involved with the university and still is today. His daughter, Molly, currently plays on UW–Madison’s softball team, which sends him and his family to Goodman Diamond for multiple weekends in the spring.

When he’s not in Madison, Schlosser is surrounded by the high school baseball scene. He is one of the owners at GRB STiKS Academy in Waukesha — one of the top travel baseball programs in the state — in addition to being around the Oconomowoc baseball program, both of which are with his son, Luke.

Since baseball has not been reinstated at the university, prospects from high schools, GRB STiKS Academy and other organizations throughout the state miss out on the chance to represent the UW–Madison.

The former baseball star has witnessed and helped with the development of these young, rising stars and realized the maturation of baseball in Wisconsin. The in-state talent being produced could bode well for UW–Madison in the future.

“The University of Wisconsin has a true opportunity to be a really strong program in the Big Ten, as these kids have raised the level of play so tremendously in the last 10 to 15 years,” Schlosser said.

Eli Bryant, a junior out of Beaver Dam, is committed to go play baseball at Kent State University — presenting enough talent as a twoway prospect to make some noise in the Big Ten, too.

Bryant is one of those athletes at GRB STiKS Academy taking advantage of the coaching and resources he has been provided for multiple years now. The two-way prospect has to play with and against some of the state’s top competition, recognizing its emerging stars.

“We have a very, very talented group of baseball players,” Bryant said about the state’s competition. “I’d say my class, the class above me and below, definitely.”

But UW–Madison doesn’t provide a Big Ten baseball program to its campus.

“It’s a challenge sending these great players to our nearby schools in the Big Ten, and not having the opportunity of sending them to Wisconsin, when I know a lot of these kids would love that opportunity to play,” Schlosser said.

The club baseball team at UW–Madison has

There is only one Division 1 baseball team in the state, located in Milwaukee at UW–Milwaukee, which competes in the Horizon League and holds a 10-27 record through their first 37 games. It’s the former home to Daulton Varsho, who has played in nearly every game for the Toronto Blue Jays in the outfield.

It proves talent can be provided by the state, but many are forced to look at out-ofstate avenues to find their niche at Power Five universities, including the Big Ten.

enjoyed multiple successful seasons with the work of head coach Jeff Block — incorporating a winning culture and a push to see the university bring the sport back to competing on the Division 1 stage.

Block has provided the lone opportunity to play baseball while in school at the university. The state continues to pump out quality prospects in the meantime.

In 2022, nine players who played prep baseball in Wisconsin made contributions on the Major

League Baseball stage. It’s a list that includes standouts such as Gavin Lux of Kenosha Indian Trail, JP Feyereisen of River Falls and Owen Miller of Ozaukee, just to name a few.

More prospects are littered throughout the minor leagues as of right now — working through the multiple levels on a long journey to the biggest stage in the sport.

The point being, the talented, powerful lefthanded swing from Lux, Miller’s all-around skill set or Feyereisen’s quality arsenal on the mound never had a chance to blossom at UW–Madison. While they may not have chosen to be a Badger if the university had a program, there is always a possibility they would have if the opportunity was there.

While high school prospects continue to elevate their status in the game, a similar sport in softball keeps gaining popularity at UW–Madison. The season may not be playing out how the Badgers intended this spring, but its young talent and veteran fan favorites draw students and the public to games every other weekend.

Schlosser is able to witness it first hand with his daughter and her presence in Wisconsin.

“[Molly] has had a number of youth teams that have come to watch her almost every weekend, which is so cool to see,” Schlosser said. “It’s such a neat thing to see these young kids coming to see these girls.”

The Madison Night Mares just announced their team mascot a couple of weeks ago — increasing the interest in the game of softball throughout Dane County, in addition to the work of the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League. Baseball can continue to provide that spark into the conclusion of the school year for all of campus, in a similar fashion to the softball team. Head coach Yvette Healy and her coaching staff have taken over recruiting in the state, as their roster already boasts six Wisconsinites with more coming in the 2024 class.

Why couldn’t a college baseball program do the same thing?

“It could be an incredible overall experience, not only for the students at the university, [but] the university in general as well as the public,” Schlosser said.

With the expansion of the Big Ten Conference this upcoming fall, UW–Madison will be the lone university without a baseball program out of the 18 teams. It points to a potential loss at television revenue and more publicity Madison and the Badgers could gain from having a baseball team, which could possibly guide for more considerations to bring the sport back.

Regardless of UW–Madison’s status, the high school talent in the state is prominent. Its longevity and prowess has evolved into contributions to some of the highest levels of baseball, and Wisconsin’s prospects have created a hotbed for talent on the diamond.

College baseball commit Cashton Jones currently plays at Vel Phillips Memorial High School.

MADDOX DURST. THE BADGER HERALD.

Assessing worth of contract extensions for UW coaches

Extensions through 2029 signify leadership faith in current coaches

by Dani Savin Sports Editor

The realm of collegiate athletics is not merely about winning games — it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, teamwork and growth. At the University of Wisconsin this ethos is epitomized through the dedicated efforts of its coaching staff. Recently, UW Athletics approved contract extensions for several coaches, signaling a nod to their impactful contributions. In this analysis, we delve into the significance of these extensions, evaluating the coaches’ impact on UW sports and forecasting their potential future endeavors.

Marisa Moseley: Shaping a new culture in women’s basketball

Since assuming the role of women’s basketball head coach in March 2021, Moseley has embarked on a mission to instill a winning mindset and foster a new culture within the Badgers’ program. With her contract extension through May 31, 2029, UW Athletics underscores its faith in her vision and leadership.

Moseley’s emphasis on pillars such as integrity, selflessness, communication and legacy has resonated throughout the program, yielding

tangible results. The Badgers’ upward trajectory under her guidance is evident, with notable achievements including the most Big Ten wins since the 2010-11 season and remarkable individual player performances.

Greg Gard: A stalwart in men’s basketball leadership

Gard’s tenure as men’s basketball head coach has been marked by consistency, excellence and postseason success. With his contract extension through May 31, 2029, Gard’s role in shaping the Wisconsin men’s basketball program’s identity is solidified.

Gard’s accolades speak volumes about his coaching prowess, including Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and multiple conference championships. His ability to navigate the rigors of postseason play, evidenced by Sweet 16 appearances in his initial seasons, underscores his strategic acumen and leadership.

Looking ahead, Gard’s contract extension through May 31, 2029, represents a vote of confidence in his ability to continue leading the

Badgers to success, despite critics of the team’s last performance. With his proven track record and unwavering dedication, Gard is poised to further elevate the program and leave an indelible mark on UW athletics for years to come.

Yuri Suguiyama: Elevating swimming and diving to new heights

At the helm of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, Suguiyama has orchestrated a resurgence in UW’s prominence within the Big Ten and on the national stage. His contract extension through May 31, 2029, acknowledges his pivotal role in the programs’ success.

Under Suguiyama’s tutelage, the Badgers have produced NCAA champions, garnered AllAmerica honors and shattered numerous school records. The program’s consistent presence in postseason competitions underscores Suguiyama’s ability to cultivate a culture of excellence and achievement.

Mike Hastings: A new era in men’s hockey leadership

Mike Hastings’ arrival as men’s hockey head coach heralds a new era of excellence for Wisconsin’s storied hockey program. With his contract extension through May 31, 2029, UW Athletics signals confidence in Hastings’ ability to uphold the program’s legacy of success.

Hastings’ track record of consistent excellence, highlighted by NCAA tournament appearances and conference championships, positions him as a formidable leader in collegiate hockey. His experience and proven leadership are poised to propel Wisconsin hockey to new heights in the coming years.

Mark Johnson: A trailblazer in women’s hockey coaching

Mark Johnson’s tenure as women’s hockey head coach has been nothing short of legendary, with numerous NCAA titles and conference championships to his name. His contract extension through June 30, 2029, reflects his enduring impact on UW’s women’s hockey program.

Johnson’s ability to recruit and develop top talent has cemented Wisconsin’s status as a powerhouse in collegiate women’s hockey. His dedication to excellence and player development bode well for the program’s continued success in the years ahead.

Chris Bono: Revitalizing Wisconsin wrestling

Since assuming the role of wrestling head coach in 2018, Chris Bono has spearheaded a revitalization of the Wisconsin wrestling program. His contract extension through May 31, 2029, underscores his commitment to elevating the program to national prominence.

Under Bono’s leadership, Wisconsin wrestling has experienced a resurgence with notable achievements including NCAA Championships and All-American honors. His focus on player development and excellence sets the stage for continued success in the highly competitive landscape of collegiate wrestling.

Evaluating the worth of contract extensions

The contract extensions for UW coaches represent more than just a commitment to continuity — they symbolize a recognition of their invaluable contributions to their respective programs. Moseley, Gard, Suguiyama, Hastings, Johnson and Bono have each left an indelible mark on UW athletics, shaping the lives of studentathletes and fostering a culture of excellence and achievement.

These coaches are poised to build upon their past successes, further elevating their programs and solidifying UW’s position as a competitive force in collegiate athletics. Their unwavering dedication, leadership and vision exemplify the essence of coaching and serve as a testament to the enduring impact of sports on campus and beyond. As such, the extensions granted to these coaches are not only worthwhile but essential in ensuring continued success and growth for UW athletics.

UW hockey coach Mark Johnson talks to a referee.

BENNETT WAARA. THE BADGER HERALD.

Women’s sports at UW benefit from ‘Day of the Badger’ fundraising

Scholarship fund results from decades of advocacy, excellence in women’s sports

by Max Kappel Sports Associate Editor

The University of Wisconsin held its annual “Day of the Badger” April 16. Running for exactly 1,848 minutes in celebration of UW’s founding in 1848, “Day of the Badger” is a time for giving. Donors can support professors, experiential learning and student scholarships.

“Day of the Badger” raised over $1.7 million this year, with $5,060 of that amount going towards the Women’s Sports Scholarship Fund. UW’s “Day of the Badger” website states that “All gifts raised through this initiative will fund women studentathlete scholarships.”

The benefit of these gifts may not be tangible on the court or playing field, but it’s seen across campus and throughout the Badger community.

Madison has a deep relationship with women’s sports. UW’s own late Edwina Qualls, who coached the women’s basketball team from 1976 to 1986, was a crucial figure in the development of women’s sports on campus.

Together with Kit Saunders, Qualls worked tirelessly to ensure Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sexbased discrimination and essentially fostered the creation of women’s sport programs, was respected at UW.

Qualls didn’t let inequalities in athletic scholarships, coaching staffs and transportation go unnoticed. While the men’s teams could dish out hefty scholarships, hire fuller staffs, and take planes, not buses, to away games, Qualls filed complaints and made her voice heard.

Gender equality in sports continues to evolve, and today, scholarships and NIL deals add an extra layer of complexity.

Though NIL is running rampant in some sports, the longstanding exchange of scholarships for a player’s services is still at the basis of college athletics. The Women’s Sport Scholarship Fund helps ensure Badger women’s athletics can not only function but thrive.

And thrive they have.

Madison’s deep relationship with women’s sports has continued into the 2020s. UW has been home to dominant and still growing volleyball, women’s hockey, women’s soccer, and women’s tennis programs.

The women’s hockey team has won seven NCAA National Championships since 2000. The volleyball program has won its own National Championship amid a stretch of 19 NCAA Tournament appearances.

The women’s soccer team competed in the NCAA Women’s College Cup as a 4-seed

after finishing as high as 12th twice during the in-season coaches poll. They came in 19th in the final poll in December.

And, the women’s tennis team is poised to make noise at the NCAA tournament this May. They take on William & Mary May 3

thrive, but it’s important too for Madison to have strong female role models.

This can be true at the individual level, like when someone watches Olympics-bound Phoebe Bacon cruise past her competition in the 200 meter backstroke at the NCAA

of someone’s life, but they can be a hub in which someone grows, develops, and battles through hardships.

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, now a member of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, has been making headlines for years. While her stellar play always garnered attention from those packing into stadiums, she also changed the game for TV networks and social media outlets. Clark, the NCAA’s leading scorer in both men’s and women’s D1 basketball, is necessitating TV coverage of women’s basketball games.

Prior to her ascension and draft selection, most WNBA teams would only televise a handful of games. Clark’s Fever are set to televise 36 of their 40 regular season games. For the networks hosting these games, money will follow.

Volleyball, especially in Madison, is learning the same thing. With more than double the televised matches since 2015, college volleyball saw well over a million viewers tune in for Badger games. 1.19 million viewers watched the 2021 NCAA championship between UW and Nebraska, while 1.66 million watched the Badgers host border-rival Minnesota on FOX in October, 2023.

Volleyball doesn’t allow for the same individual superstardom that other sports can, but it’s growing nonetheless. In addition to being home to a prestigious college program, Madison is preparing to house its own professional volleyball team as part of League One in the fall.

Former Badger star Lauren Carlini is returning to Madison to be that team’s “Founding Athlete ‘’ as LOVB tries to make it easier for fans to attach themselves to individual players. The already record participation nationwide in high school volleyball may only grow as the sport develops its professional and college ranks. Being able to see athletes and aspire to be like them, or at least be able to celebrate an athlete that is like them and understands them, is priceless.

While the Women’s Sports Scholarship Fund does not have a direct impact, it serves an important purpose in women’s athletics. Donations can’t fast-track the growth of women’s sports on campus, but they form the foundation of everything they stand for.

after being named the 33rd best team in the country in official polling.

These teams aren’t the only UW women’s programs enjoying recent success, and team success is far from the only important factor in sports. It’s fun to tag along to watch a team

Women’s Swimming Championships. Observers can strive to be like Bacon, but they can most importantly reap the benefits of athletics should they be inspired to pursue them.

Athletics don’t always become the basis

As the official UW twitter stated, the fund “ensures equal opportunities for Badger women in sport and life, now and beyond.” It’s a piece of a larger puzzle.

Women’s sports have come a long way since Qualls was dismissed by UW athletics director Elroy Hirsch, and they’ll continue to grow.

Badger Herald archival photo of the women’s volleyball team.

SOREN GOLDSMITH. THE BADGER HERALD.