Weekend, October 30-November 2, 2014 - The Daily Cardinal

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Weekend, October 30-November 2, 2014

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Protestors sing in solidarity on Bascom Campus union groups protest for living wages By Dana Kampa THE DAILY CARDINAL

THOMAS YONASH/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Two groups of protestors converged to support sexual assault victims and a living wage.

Ralliers support sexual assault victims By Andrew Bahl THE DAILY CARDINAL

UW-Madison students and supporters of sexual assault victims marched on Bascom Hill Wednesday to protest what they consider to be an inadequate university policy regarding sexual assault. UW-Madison senior Sarah Healy organized Carry that Weight Day of Action as part of a series of protests on college campuses nationwide. The events were inspired by Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz, who resolved to carry her dorm mat-

tress around campus until the school expels her rapist. “This is to show our solidarity with rape victims on campus,” Healy said. “There is a culture here that means that we don’t talk about [rape and sexual assault], and there is a lot of mishandling by the UW administration. We want to call attention to these things.” Healy pointed to the lack of administrative response after one of her friends was sexually assaulted as an example of what she considers to be weak university policies. “After my friend reported the

WILL CHIZEK/THE DAILY CARDINAL

assault, they came back to her and said that the perpetrator seemed really sorry and that they wouldn’t pursue [investigating] it,” she said. UW Extension employee and 2012 alumna Lydia Roussos, one of the roughly 50 protesters, also criticized the administration. “It is important that the administration know that the way they take care of issues involving sexual assault is unacceptable,” Roussos said. “They want to brush victims of sexual assault under the rug for appearance and business reasons.” 2012 alumnus Brandon Clementi, also a UW Extension employee, said he sees the issue as important for both sexes. “If only women stood up for equality, that wouldn’t accomplish anything,” Clementi said. “This is an issue that affects everyone, not just women, and should be supported by everyone.” Director of University of Health Services Sarah Van Orman said in a phone interview she supports the protesters but defends the university’s strategies to combat sexual assault. “I am supportive of the continued awareness of rape and sexual assault and am happy to discuss the work done here on campus,” Van Orman said. “We are committed to meeting the needs of survivors, holding perpetrators accountable and hearing from students about what we can do better.”

Protesters from multiple campus unions marched on Bascom Hill Wednesday to advocate for all university workers’ wages in the All Campus Rally for a Living Wage. Michael Billeaux, co-president of the on-campus graduate employee labor union Teaching Assistants Association, said the protesters hoped to put pressure on the administration to begin considering a serious campuswide living wage for all employees by holding the event. “Everyone who works for UW needs a raise, particularly the blue-collar workers on this campus who haven’t seen a real wage increase for six years, and many of whom don’t make a living wage by any measure,” Billeaux said. Billeaux said some UW-Madison workers make $12 an hour, less than the Madison living wage of $12.62. He also criticized the administration for claiming its hands are tied by state regulations and budgetary issues, saying it is really an issue of power. “We want to make sure we are high on [the administration’s] list of priorities,” he said. More than 400 UW classified staff do not make the city of Madison living wage and more than 900 make under $15 an hour, according to the unions. Student Labor Action Coalition member Megan Phillips said during the march they are trying to obtain higher wages for students so they don’t graduate with an “unbelievably high” amount of debt. “We’re leading the [Associated Students of Madison] side of the living wage campaign … from the perspective that there’s a gap in the cost that students are able to pay on part-time jobs and the cost of tuition,” Phillips said. The protesters then marched to Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s office in Bascom Hall to deliver trick-or-treat bags for living wages and sing songs of protest. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Darrell

Bazzell said in a statement Wednesday the university has not been able to pay all employees the living wage because it has not had control over pay programs and policies. Bazzell then said a new personnel system from the HR Design initiative will be launched July 1 and allow the university to give all classified employees a living wage. However, the university made a similar claim in 2011 on a webpage describing living wages. “While a complete redesign will take a few years, the university wants to bring all currently classified staff up to at least the City of Madison living wage starting on July 1, 2013,” the webpage states.

ALAYNA TRUTTMANN/THE DAILY CARDINAL

ALAYNA TRUTTMANN/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Coca-Cola vice president, UW-Madison alumnus named as Winter Commencement speaker UW-Madison announced Wednesday Coca-Cola Vice President and School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumnus Ben Deutsch will be the commencement speaker for the Dec. 21 win-

ter graduation ceremony. Deutsch will discuss the “massive” opportunities within reach of UW-Madison graduates supported by his personal experience, according to a UW-Madison press release.

“This university means so much to me,” Deutsch said in the release. “It has everything to do with whatever kind of success I’ve had, personally and professionally.” Deutsch started at Coca-Cola

in 1993 as a public relations manager and gradually advanced to his executive position. In the release, he mentioned the prestigious reputation a degree from UW-Madison has with employers worldwide, including Coca-Cola.

“When a UW graduate comes across our radar, people pay attention,” Deutsch said in the release. The two hour-long Winter Commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at the Kohl Center.

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”


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