University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Monday, April 28, 2014
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ASM strives for improved diversity plan By Emily Gerber THE DAILY CARDINAL
KOHL CENTER
Bump it with a trumpet
The University of Wisconsin-Madison ‘Varsity’ band performed their 40th annual spring concert Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center. They played Wisconsin favorites including James Bond, The Beatles and The Phantom of the Opera. + Photo by Tommy Yonash
Despite the April 23 Associated Students of Madison vote against the proposed Diversity Plan Framework, students are still working with the draft to ensure the future implementation of enhanced diversity efforts on campus. In 2012, the University of Wisconsin-Madison charged an Ad Hoc Diversity Planning Committee with creating a new diversity plan, a task that had not been addressed since the university’s Plan 2008, the previous campus diversity plan. With the aid of campus engagement sessions and input from various shared governance groups, the committee compiled a working framework that outlined potential areas of implementation.
Ron Kind announces plans to reduce student loan debt U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., announced Thursday his plan to reduce student loan debt at a press conference at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The outline calls for congressional approval of five separate pieces of legislation introduced by Kind and other representatives. Kind said in a statement the legislation would solve a growing economic problem in the U.S. “Wisconsin students graduate from college and enter the job market with over $28,000 in debt on average, creating a huge financial strain that can last for years,” Kind said in the statement. “More than ever, we have an immediate need to reform student loan repayment programs so that students aren’t punished for seeking higher education.” Kind said in the plan he introduced a bill to direct federal profits from student loan programs into Pell Grant programs, adding that
the federal government should not profit from student loan debt. The plan includes legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., that would allow students to refinance loans for higher education when interest rates drop, similar to the framework allowing homeowners to refinance mortgages. Kind’s plan supports the Investing in Student Success Act recently introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Petri, R-Wis., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., which would allow individuals or organizations to provide funds for students’ education and be repaid with a percentage of the students’ income for a predetermined amount of time. In addition, the plan includes measures to reduce interest rates for student loans and increase the minimum tax deduction for student loan interest for low and middle-income families. —Andrew Hahn
ASM Chair David Gardner said despite encouraging progress for change, he and other Student Council members were discouraged by the lack of a solidified campus plan. By only establishing a “framework” of recommendations, Gardner said there is not enough strength in support of the committee’s initial charge to enact concrete changes. “This plan needs to have teeth. It needs to really impact our campus in a way that’s clear and specific,” Gardner said. The students’ approval of the plan hinges on the addition of seven areas ASM felt needed a place in the document, including the cre-
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STUDENT PROFILE
Reveling on Levin’s level: preparing for music festival By Adelina Yankova THE DAILY CARDINAL
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH LEVIN
UW-Madison sophomore Josh Levin serves as executive director of Revelry Music and Arts Festival.
Though he usually puts in long hours as Revelry Music and Arts Festival’s executive director, University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore Josh Levin occasionally gets a break. Earlier this month, for instance, he had what he described as a “light week” consisting of 13 hour-long meetings. As the leader of Revelry’s executive planning committee since September 2013, Levin’s main responsibilities include managing various subcommittees, overseeing marketing and logistics and collaborating with a talent-buying company to book all performing acts for the festival. Levin has been involved with Revelry since its inception last year,
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Madison police still searching for teenage suspects in cell phone theft incident Thursday An 18-year-old Madison man lost his cell phone to a teen suspect in a theft scheme Thursday morning. The victim told Madison police he was walking down Ash
Street at approximately 11:15 a.m. when the suspect approached him. The teen told the victim he needed to borrow a cell phone to “call his mother,” according to Public Information Officer Joel
Danny Brown at Majestic Madman, sensitive introvert at the +ARTS, page 4 same damn time
DeSpain in an incident report. When the victim attempted to retrieve his phone from the suspect, a second teenage suspect interfered. The Madison man told police the other suspect reached into
a backpack and pulled out what he believed was a gun. The victim decided not to pursue his phone any further and backed away from the two teenage suspects. Madison police encourage
Cardinal victorious, again Helps Herald finish its keg
+ASS WAXING, page 8
citizens to call the Madison Area Crime Stoppers hotline at (608)266-6014 with any information on the suspects. Descriptions of the suspects were not provided.
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