University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Monday, November 24, 2014
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Campus Food Pantry caters to ‘invisible’ student population By Emily Gerber THE DAILY CARDINAL
Amid the thousands of UW-Madison students gearing up for the trek home to indulge in their Thanksgiving dinners, there is a commonly overlooked campus population focusing their attention on a much realer subject: where they will find their next meal. “To an extent it’s kind of an invisible problem: you can’t really look at somebody and see where they sleep at night or whether or not they’re able to feed themselves,” said Associated Students of Madison Vice Chair Derek Field. Field, along with ASM Chair Genevieve Carter, recently pushed for funding in the student governing body’s 2015-’16 internal budget to establish a campus Food Pantry, aimed to help food-insecure stu-
dents on campus have access to consistent food sources.
“I want my university to look at me, to recognize me and to be proud of me in respects to the things I’ve accomplished with the lot I’ve been given.” Brooke Evans student UW-Madison
The student-run pantry will be housed in the Student Activity Center and will begin organizational planning to be operational come August of next year, according to Carter. One such student who said she will benefit from the pantry’s existence is Brooke Evans, a 23-year-
old who has been homeless since 2010. “There are students here that struggle more than you think they do,” Evans said. Over the past five years, Evans said she has struggled to balance two to four jobs a semester in order to stay afloat and keep the goal of receiving a college degree a reality. However, having financial resources from the university’s administration is something Evans said she feels is not always readily available or at the forefront of university-wide discussions. “You see Melvin Gordon in the newspapers all of the time, and that’s great and he’s great on the field but there are a billion other Melvin Gordon’s in their own fields,” Evans said. “Some of the
pantry page 3
UW journalism student passes away from unknown cause over weekend A UW-Madison journalism student passed away over the weekend from an unknown cause, according to an email sent to journalism students from UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication Director
Hemant Shah. The identity of the student has not been released, pending notification of family. Anyone in need of counseling or crisis support is urged to contact University Health Services Counseling and
Spellbound
Lord of the Fly and Me eN You perform at UW Madison’s 5th annual Yule Ball in Memorial Union last Friday. The Harry Potter-themed bash was put on to benefit the Dane County Human Society in Madison. + Photo by Roberto Leon
GO GREEK
+ARTS, page 5
With University Theatre’s performance of “Helen”
Local comics cultivate unique brand of edgy fun, audiences approve By Julia Gilban-Cohen THE DAILY CARDINAL
Consultation Services, located at 333 East Campus Mall, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If students need immediate assistance they can call the UHS Crisis Line at 608-265-5600, option 9.
THE GREAT HALL
EMILY BUCK/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Chris D’elia, who performed at the Orpheum Oct. 17, exemplifies the type of renowned comedians increasingly drawn to Madison.
With YouTube, Yik Yak and Netflix, the art of comedy extends far past performance venues in large cities or rural areas. But center in on Madison, Wisconsin: a small yet progressive city where ambitious amateurs and more renowned comedians can share the same spaces. Dave Chappelle performed at the Orpheum just last month, and although he represents a particularly high level of stardom for Madison, local comedian Stacey Kulow said she thinks more renowned artists could perform at local establishments more regularly in the future. Larger venues such as the the Majestic Theatre, the Barrymore Theater and the Orpheum are what attract more distinguished comedians, according to Kulow. In turn, Madison inhabitants become more aware of the comedy scene, which ultimately promotes smaller venues such as the Comedy Club on State and even local improv troupes. “Madison is no New York, LA, or Chicago,” Kulow said. “It’s still a town for just a few hundred thousand people. So while the size of the city may not support a big, fancy comedy show every night of the week … the comedy scene is still growing.” Its comedic history may not be as robust as those larger cities, but Kulow said Madison still maintains an easily identifiable culture. “Madison is unique, because it is a smart, educated, liberal town,” Kulow said. “The people that come
to the shows generally get smart, edgier jokes.” Eve Paras, the general manager at the Comedy Club on State whose self-proclaimed “obsession” with comedy stems from the family business, said just as every city embodies its own comedy culture, every comedian conveys a “hometown style” in their art. “You can tell where a comedian comes from by their acts sometimes,” Paras said. “There’s a New York comic, there’s a Chicago comic, and there’s definitely a Minneapolis comic.” Paras’ considerable experience in the industry provides her with an eye for such details in a comedian. She said of Madison comedians: “They’re really creative and they like to bring something new to the audience every time they perform.” That energy is reciprocal; being a college town creates highly receptive audiences for a wider variety of comedy in Madison, according to Kulow. “Madison is one of the biggest drinking towns in the country,” Kulow said. “University or not, Wisconsonites like their beer and booze and are ready to have a good time.” The same performance venues that host national names also provide forums for less distinguished comics to develop their own voices, while drawing inspiration from others. Just as with more renowned comedians, amateurs face the challenge of constantly setting themselves apart from the pack, accord-
comedy page 3
Talk birdy to me
The DC’s guide to the art of talking dirty +ALMANAC, page 2
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”