Thursday, October 26, 2023 by The Daily Cardinal

University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Thursday, October 26, 2023

UW-MADISON’S SELECTIVITY PROBLEM

FICKELL’S BIG TEST

In-state students pay the price.

The Ohio State game that serves as measuring point.

+ OPINION, PAGE 8

+ SPORTS, PAGE 5

Local leaders vote to Ron Johnson makes sur- increase Madison Public prise appearance during Market funding UW-Madison class By Ella Gletty-Syoenc STAFF WRITER

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By Gabriella Hartlaub ARTS EDITOR

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson joined University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin for a discussion with students about civil discourse during a class hosted by the La Follette School of Public Affairs. The discussion, moderated by La Follette School Director Susan Webb Yacke, came as a surprise to students in the class. Johnson and Mnookin spoke about a wide range of topics, including student debt, free speech and the COVID-19 vaccine. The pair came up with the idea for a student discussion when they met in Washington, D.C., and they hoped the discussion would set an example of civil discourse. “We’re not a naturally divided people,” Johnson said. Mnookin said UW-Madison must “walk a tight line” on free speech issues as a public university. She noted that she finds it “challenging” when people take what she called the “freedom of speech for me but not for thee” approach to the issue. “With reverse effects, how should we think about that?” Mnookin asked Johnson. Free speech has been a hotbutton issue on the UW-Madison campus. Last May, a video circulated of a white UW-Madison student saying racial slurs and violent remarks directed toward Black people, with students calling for the expulsion of the stu-

dent in the video. In a statement, Mnookin responded to the video and student demands from The Blk Pwr Coalition. She did not address all the student demands, but apologized for the pain caused by the video. Additionally, speakers such as Matt Walsh, a self-described “theocratic fascist,” have come to UW-Madison despite concerns over transphobic rhetoric. And antisemitic graffiti and chalkings on the first day of classes in fall 2022 created student unease. Johnson described a set of rules that every group on campus should follow when it comes to addressing speakers on campus. “No matter what the political persuasion, you end up protecting the speaker,” Johnson said. “It’s complex, but the real solution lies in everyone’s heart,” he added. A student asked Johnson why he didn’t vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed through the U.S. Senate in 2021, which included funding for climate change policies and environmental policies such as providing clean water for struggling communities. “What climate legislation would you vote on?” the student asked. “Since you’ve talked about being pro-life… I think having a livable future for everyone is something you would agree with.” Johnson responded by saying that he is not a climate change denier or a climate change “alarmist.” He said the U.S. is currently

overspending on ineffective climate change policies. Another student asked about disinformation, including claims made by Johnson that vaccines cause AIDS. “You’re spreading disinformation right there,” Johnson responded. “That’s not factually accurate.” Johnson has floated the baseless assertion that the COVID19 vaccine “may cause AIDS” on other occasions. In May 2022, Johnson did an interview with anti-vaccine advocate and attorney Todd Callendar on conservative streaming platform Rumble. Calendar asserted that the COVID-19 vaccine gave countless people AIDS. “Everything you say may be true,” Johnson replied to Callendar. Johnson then discussed his “great relationship” with the vaccine injury community, referencing those who claim that they have been injured by receiving vaccines of any kind. He told students doctors he has talked with are not listened to by the scientific community. He also mentioned that he believes doctors are being manipulated by false research into believing that the COVID vaccine works. “There is nothing I have said that has been proven false,” Johnson said. “The things that make people think I’m a conspiracy theorist, those have all been proven true.”

Madison’s long-awaited public market is back on track after local leaders approved plans to close a budget deficit that previously put the future of the project in doubt. The Dane County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $1 million on Thursday to fund the Madison Public Market project in a 30-3 vote. The approved increase in funding follows a 15-3 vote by the Madison Common Council to borrow $1.6 million for the project. The city’s funding, introduced by District 17 Ald. Sabrina Madison at the Oct. 3 Common Council meeting, will address the budget gap left after construction bids came in higher than expected in September. The project has been in talks for almost two decades and has faced multiple roadblocks relating to funding and location. The lowest construction bid came from Joe Daniels Construction of Madison at $15.2 million, about $1.6 million over the amount city officials originally approved for construction. With newly approved funding, the project will move forward as planned, with doors set to open in the summer of 2025. The Madison Public Market’s website estimates the project will generate $16 million in local sales each year. The project, located at the corner of East Johnson and First Streets in the current City Fleet Services building, promises to be “a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where new entrepreneurs and long-established Madison favorites will grow their businesses,” according to the Madison Public Market

project’s website. The market will open up retail and restaurant spaces for over 130 local businesses. “What I absolutely love about the market and where it’s going to be located is that it’s very walkable,” Ald. Madison said. “It is right on the bus rapid transit line. It’s really easy to get to.” The location will be served by 220 buses per day, is situated next to multiple city bike path routes and is within walking distance of 3,500 Madison residents, according to the project’s website. The project previously received an additional $4.5 million in funding in the 2023 city budget passed in November 2022. Dane County also provided $1.5 million from the 2023 county budget late last year. “It gives a place to shop, to eat, to gather, to bring our families,” Ald. Madison told The Daily Cardinal. Ald. Madison, who selected entrepreneurs for the public market as part of the Market Ready Advisory Committee, said she has been a “staunch supporter” of the project for years. Ald. Madison said the project provides a valuable opportunity to establish an inclusive environment for business owners and entrepreneurs of color, groups she said are underserved by city and county investments. The public market creates a permanent space for entrepreneurs of color to increase sales and grow their customer base, she added. “I’ve gotten to see right up front … how entrepreneurs of color have had a very low investment [from] our community,” Ald. Madison said. “It is only recently that we’re seeing this drive to really invest in entrepreneurs of color.”

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“…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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An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 133, Issue 12

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Editorial Board Graham Brown • Tyler Katzenberger • Em-J Krigsman • Franchesca Reuter • Priyanka Vasavan • Drake WhiteBergey • Ethan Wollins

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Jewish leaders on campus offer support for UW-Madison students Jewish leaders explain the variety of support UW Hillel offers for UW-Madison students. By Ellie Bourdo FEATURES EDITOR

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Jewish leaders at UW Hillel are offering support for University of Wisconsin-Madison students. Following terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, Israel declared war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been categorized as a terrorist group by both the European Union and the United States. UW-Madison Jewish students have since held various events to show their support towards Israel. Jewish students on campus expressed the immense emotions they have been feeling throughout this time and how the Jewish leaders and communities on campus have been a beneficial outlet to receive support. Hadley Giesser, a freshman at UW-Madison, explained her struggles and how the Hillel has been a source of support and community in times of need. “It’s isolating and it’s a difficult time to be Jewish on campus, and I think if you’re not Jewish you don’t really understand that,” Giesser said. “It’s just hard, and it’s really valuable to have Hillel for its support.” While facing struggles throughout this time, UW-Madison freshman Rachel Shela noted the variety of support options offered by Hillel, spanning from UHS mental health appointments, communication between leaders and students and more. Shela said events such as the conversation event with David Makovsky and Ghaith Al-Omari on Tuesday are also especially beneficial as they allow students to come together. “It’s easy to feel isolated or alone,” Shela said. “Events like these just help bring the people that are interested in this together, which I found to be really important.” Sophie Shapiro, the student life associate at Hillel, expressed how students are processing emotions differently during this time and often need different means of support, and that it can be difficult to navigate.

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She noted that the support offered by Hillel varies between students. Hillel’s main approach is to support students through whatever will benefit them the most. “Obviously it’s very difficult to navigate because everyone has such different statuses in terms of where they’re at emotionally, where they’re at in wanting to take action,” Shapiro said. “So I think it’s meeting each student where they are. Each student goes through their own line of those emotions.” Zoe Levine, the senior program director at Hillel, also expressed the importance of offering a variety of support options for students to choose from in an effort to accommodate all students. Levine noted the importance of educational opportunities, similar to the event that took place last night, that allow students to gain a better understanding of the events occurring and how to grapple with them. “It’s really meeting students where they’re at and providing a breadth of different options of how to digest and really take in everything,” Levine said. “It’s supporting students that are planning vigils or fundraisers for Israel … or if it’s educational opportunities like we have here tonight or more in a small group setting with students where it’s really like, ‘Okay how do

we learn about what’s happening in the context of everything.’” Shapiro also stressed the importance of educational events as a way of supporting students. She explained how educational opportunities allow students to gain a better understanding of how students can engage in conversations regarding the Israel-Hamas war and offer varying perspectives. “There are people that are looking for a distraction, there are people that are looking for action and there are people that are looking for education and so many things in between,” Shapiro said. “I think this provides a perspective of how do you be in conversation around this topic, how do you actively participate in your community and with other people.” Andrea Steinberger, senior rabbi at Hillel, expressed how she continues to support students through conversations about their feelings as well as offering opportunities to take a break from the stress they may be experiencing. “I have been celebrating Shabbat with students, which is a respite,” Steinberger said. “It’s a time to take a break and to rest and to let go of some of their worries. I also have several activities every week of baking and cooking that I do with students which is a more informal way to check in with each other.”

For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com. MORGAN WINSTON/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Steinberger also said how she wants to be someone that students can depend on to guide them throughout their college years and support them during other struggles that they may experience during this time. Giesser expressed her appreciation for the Jewish leaders within Hillel and recognized how they are experiencing struggles while maintaining a supportive relationship with students. “Just maintaining normalcy and remaining a community space for students,” Giesser said. “You have to imagine that the leaders here are among some of the people suffering the most or are more connected to Israel than probably most of the student body. So for them to keep the environment that they’ve always maintained is really important and valuable.” Shapiro said Hillel has received a large amount of positive feedback from students and parents, thanking them for the work and support they have provided. She also mentioned that students approach leaders and provide suggestions for future endeavors. Levine also elaborated on how Hillel takes criticism into consideration as they continue to work to do the best they can for students. “It is ongoing feedback and it’s not only net positive,” Levine said. “But all the feedback we get, if it’s criticism or an ask like ‘Hey, can you actually talk through this?’ just different things like that is really important.” “For us, it’s a win when students come to us and provide that feedback, and it helps us know what we can do and will work better,” Levine added. Anika Feinsilver, a UW-Madison freshman, explained her overall appreciation for the support and opportunities that Hillel has offered her throughout this time. “It is about learning, it’s about furthering our intellect and our hearts and opening it all beyond just having physical space or having community through people,” Feinsilver said.

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Thursday, October 26, 2023

What a manicure means to Chicago baker, activist Maya-Camille Broussard By Kate Eaton STAFF WRITER

Society defines success in numerous ways. For some, it’s financial status. For others, it’s how many people know your name. Maya-Camille Broussard, baker and owner of Chicago’s Justice of the Pies bakery, takes a less conventional view: success, to her, is when she can get and maintain a manicure. Broussard said she has always been very insecure about the appearance of her hands, as the hard work and dry ingredients involved with baking made her hands dry and cracked. Moving up in the world of business meant treating herself to a longer manicure. “I could maintain a manicure long enough because I was not in the kitch-

“My goal is just to give them the self-sufficiency and the skill set to feed themselves, to be able to create something for themselves.” Maya Camille-Broussard Owner Justice of the Pies

en as much — I was now doing administrative work.” Broussard, who spoke on Tuesday at Union South as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture Series, described a lifelong passion for baking she never thought would turn into her career. Broussard previously owned Three Peas Art Lounge, a Chicago art gallery and bar, before opening her pie shop. Broussard created the gallery as a welcoming space for people from all walks of life to attend, designing the space with her clients in mind. By making her studio accessible for wheelchairs, people with impaired

vision and people who experience hearing loss, Broussard was able to create an environment safe and convenient for everyone. Ease and accessibility are close to Broussard’s heart, as she experienced the loss of 75% of her hearing at two years old. Broussard’s loss of hearing allowed her to toughen her other senses, including her taste and smell, but also forced her to adapt to a different way of life that relied on taking extra steps to fit into society. “I’m a person living with a disability, so when I started building out my bakery, one of the things that was important to me was how do I make this space as accessible as possible,” Broussard said. When opening Three Peas Art Lounge in 2010, Broussard wanted to “create a space that was made and built for people with the various degrees of disabilities to come.” The lounge was open until 2014, when it permanently closed due to a flood. Though Broussard described the flood as a terrible incident, she said she now sees it as a blessing in disguise. The flooding finally allowed her the time to grieve the death of her father, who passed a week before the lounge was opened in 2010. After the lounge closed, Broussard decided to open up a pie shop on Chicago’s South Side with support from her family. Despite Broussard’s fondness for pound cake, she chose a pie shop to honor her “pie aficionado” father. Her father worked numerous jobs throughout his life, including working as a scuba instructor and a defense attorney, the latter of which inspired the name of the business. Because of her hearing loss, Broussard has a self-proclaimed “bionic nose” that allows her to smell and taste at an unrivaled level. This “superpower” is what Broussard cred-

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its with allowing her to invent beautiful combinations of sweet and savory pies in honor of her father’s memory. As implied by the business’s name, Justice of the Pies works to create beautiful pies while giving back to the Chicago community. Broussard has collaborated with multiple nonprofits to benefit young underprivileged communities in Chicago since starting her first business. Broussard started her own nonprofit in 2022, the Broussard Justice Foundation. The organization raises money to build more kitchens where she can teach young children how to sustain themselves. Chicago’s South Side is a foodinsecure neighborhood, according to Crain’s Chicago Business, which means issues with access to food — specifically nutritious food — are common for all residents. Broussard is trying to change that. In fact, it was the South Side’s “bad reputation” for crime and poverty that compelled Broussard to open the first Justice of the Pies there to promote visibility and viability for the neigh-

borhood and its residents. “My goal is just to give them the self-sufficiency and the skill set to feed themselves, to be able to create something for themselves,” Broussard said. Broussard shared her entrepreneurial advice in an interview with The Daily Cardinal: when starting a business, have a “why.” “If you understand your ‘why,’ everything else will make sense in terms of the work that you’re doing,” Broussard said. She discouraged young people from going into the business world to make “the big bucks” without a greater reason. Without a “why,” Broussard said, the appeal of work goes away, and you are left as a “miserable rich person who’s lonely at the top.” The maintenance of her manicure is Broussard’s evidence that she is no longer tied to the kitchen but is now running the business. She emphasized the subjectivity of success and urged her audience to define it in their own way, reminding them that personal success is not for others but for themselves.

The fight for America’s dairyland to title a state microbe By Jasper Bernstein ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

Wisconsin has a state bird, flower, tree and even a state pastry. But what about a state microbe? The Catalysts for Science Policy (CSP) hosted a gala Tuesday in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Discovery building to celebrate the significance of Lactococcus lactis, an essential component of cheese, while pushing for its adoption as Wisconsin’s state microbe. Several influential individuals in the field of agricultural sciences spoke at the gala, addressing a crowd of students, faculty and cheesemakers alike. Natalia Rosario-Meléndez, UW-Madison graduate student and CSP co-president, kicked off the gala with a speech explaining her group’s mission. “CSP works to educate members in the many facets of science policy,” RosarioMeléndez said. “We always try to engage with campus, local and national policymakers in all the work that we do.” CSP headlined awareness

efforts for the introduction of the state microbe. Rosario-Meléndez introduced Jo Handelsman, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery director and for-

mer science advisor to former President Barack Obama. Handelsman, who has advocated for a state microbe for over a decade, also served as professor and chair of UW-Madison’s

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Department of Bacteriology from 2007 to 2009. “One of our staff said, ‘I think we should have a state microbe,’” Handelsman said. “Turned out she was kidding, but I thought it was a great idea.” Upon realizing there was such a vast variety of state symbols, Handelsman and her team thought it would be fitting to add the microbe that is responsible for much of Wisconsin’s notoriety — cheese — to the state symbol lineup. “Wisconsin’s economy is essentially a microbial economy. It is hard to find a large sector of our economy that isn’t based on microbial life,” Handelsman said. “There would be no cheese without [Lactococcus lactis].” Handeslman’s idea made it to the state Legislature, where it passed the Assembly in 2009 but stalled in the Senate. Still, 16 years after her bacterial brainstorm, Handelsman is throwing new life into her movement with the help of student organizations like CSP. Glenda Gillaspy, dean

of UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, addressed several key indicators of Lactococcus lactis’ importance. “Wisconsin agriculture brings in almost $105 billion, and our state economy is about three times that,” Gillaspy explained. “Bacterium is super important. It’s a third of the state’s economy.” Gillaspy couldn’t help but share her enthusiasm for cheese itself, bragging about Wisconsin’s role in the American cheesemaking pantheon. “We make about 25% of the cheese in the U.S.,” Gillaspy said, noting that Wisconsin has over a million dairy cows in the state. Lawmakers haven’t taken up the issue in over a decade. But Handelsman said the fight for a statewide recognition of Lactococcus lactis isn’t over yet and used the gala as a launchpad for renewed advocacy. “Get [Lactococcus lactis] where it rightly belongs along with the other state symbols. We’re looking at all of you to help launch that campaign,” she said.

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Demonstrators hold second week of rallies for Israel, Palestine By Anna Kleiber SENIOR STAFF WRITER

In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that reignited the Israel-Hamas war, campus groups at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have continually organized to show their support for those affected. Badgers Against Hate, a pro-Israel organization on campus, held a candlelight vigil and events for the Jewish community to come together and support one another. For Palestinian students and others impacted by violence in the Gaza Strip, groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and Madison for Palestine organized rallies and events to denounce Israel’s response to Oct. 7 attacks. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 5,000 people, according to the United Nations. The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said official Israeli sources estimate around 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, a majority of them in the Oct. 7 attacks. Foreign aid to Gaza has come gradually, though responders say it’s an insufficient amount, especially as Israeli officials are

resistant to any fuel deliveries into the territory, according to the Associated Press. The deliveries are key for restoring and maintaining electricity in Gaza. Numerous groups advocate for Palestine Over 200 people gathered at Library Mall on Oct. 17 to show support for Palestine before marching up State Street to the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Speakers at the event called for Congress to take action to support the Palestinian people and criticized President Joe Biden for his statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The event was organized by the Madison branch of Students for Justice in Palestine, a nationwide student organization promoting “justice, liberation and self-determination for Palestinian people,” according to the group’s Instagram profile. At the event, attendees took turns speaking about the Palestinian experience in the Gaza Strip and expressed how they had felt on campus in the aftermath of the initial attack. Event organizers said they plan to march to the Capitol and Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy

Baldwin’s office until Congress takes action to support Palestinian people affected by conflict in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Students show solidarity with Israel Badgers Against Hate organized a “Shabbat in Strength” event on Library Mall to show solidarity with Israel on Friday, Oct. 20. Students performed songs and gave speeches supporting Israel, the Israel Defence Forces and their family and friends during the event. Alex Shohet, a UW-Madison freshman and speaker at the event, emphasized community and solace for people affected by the conflict. He has been to Israel before and spoke of the need to “keep [his] head up” despite the ongoing conflict. “We have all lost a lot of things,” Shohet said. “There are hundreds of people who understand what you are going through. You’re not alone.” Speakers used this event to express frustrations and fears about family, friends and the Jewish community. “Here in Wisconsin, we are committed to standing not only in solidarity with Israel, but stand-

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ing on the right side of history,” Jacob Bigelman, a UW-Madison junior and event organizer, said. “People always talk about how history repeats itself, and I’m afraid we’re seeing that again right before our eyes.” In an Oct. 11 statement, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin

stressed the importance of coming together as a campus community and supporting each other. “Difficult times can fray our connections and exacerbate our differences,” Mnookin said. “Let us focus on the values that we share.”

Q&A: ASM student leaders represent UW-Madison at sustainability conference By Mary Bosch STAFF WRITER

Members of the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Sustainability Committee and Office of Sustainability attended the University of Wisconsin System Sustainability Annual Meeting earlier this month. The meeting, hosted from Oct. 12-13 at UW-La Crosse, consisted of presentations by sustainability staff, students and organizations as well as working groups where students could connect on issues they are most passionate about. Christina Treacy, ASM sustainability chair, and co-coordinators Anna Silverman and Hannah Stahmann shared their experience in an interview with The Daily Cardinal. What new policies did you learn about? SILVERMAN: Representatives from a company called Trane talked to us about the different ways that they are incorporating energy efficiency and renewables into operations on campuses. They talked about bringing people from the left and the right together because the people on the right want money and the people on the left care about their kids. TREACY: There is a requirement to incorporate sustainability standards into new buildings. [UW System facility coordinators] have compiled a list of guidelines to be followed when implementing that policy on a broad scale. SILVERMAN: Within power purchase agreements, universities collectively can contract with another company like Madison Gas & Electric to build a solar farm or to build a wind

farm or any kind of renewable source of energy that is off campus. They will be a part of the electricity grid without putting it on their campus directly. What new UW projects did you learn more about? STAHMANN: There’s an agrivoltaics project happening at the Kegonsa research center. Agrivoltaics is a solar field working in with already existing agriculture, so you can use the land for growing food and producing energy at the same time. SILVERMAN: One of our current projects is the Two Creek solar project that we do in conjunction with Madison Gas & Electric, which is a 150-megawatt solar energy facility located in Manitowoc County. What were the most valuable interactions to you? TREACY: The working groups are very valuable for finding actions and establishing actions that the [UW] System could take, but also finding things that other schools are doing or that the system is doing that we could work on, more specifically within campaigns in our committee. What did UW-Madison put forth into the conference? TREACY: Maya Barwick presented about the sustainability goals and actions report from the Social Sustainability Coalition, and then Malia Nguyen presented on the food insecurity and food sustainability. Evie Sellers also presented on CLEAN [a student coalition pushing for 100% clean energy usage at UW-Madison]. There was also a presentation on our solar project happening at the Kegonsa Research Center by Josh Arnold [the Office of Sustainability

Campus Energy Advisor]. What new projects are you most excited about? SILVERMAN: Everyone’s really passionate about sustainability education: a Canvas course [and] a gened requirement. UW-Green Bay has a gen-ed requirement. UW-Stout has a Canvas course but also one for staff, which is another thing we could look at. Everyone was very interested in the same things. There were a lot of fruitful conversations that happened around the working groups. TREACY: We talked to Hayden Hendersen, one of the system sustainability coordinators, about data collection. She went into a lot of detail about the work that she is doing to collect data: sustainability data, energy use data. She’s hoping to get food waste data in the future. What will have the most system wide impact moving forward? TREACY: We talked to students about potentially passing legislation on a systemwide scale, so we are planning on coordinating with those students to pass legislation on a wider scale and show the system that students care about [sustainability]. With the state cutting budgets, sustainability is oftentimes one of the first [fields] to go because it’s not seen as necessary, so [legislation] would definitely send a message to the system. Just mobilizing all of the students behind a piece of legislation, I think, is really powerful for uniting our universities. Is there anything you wish was different at the conference? TREACY: I think there weren’t as many students as I anticipated, but

what really made the conference successful was because students were there. That’s why we want to do a student sustainability conference because we were so much more productive when we were having conversations with students. SILVERMAN: There was a lot of energy which is a bit farther fetched than what we do, which was kind of like, “Oh this is so cool,” but there were no actual discussions that give students a way to get involved. TREACY: A lot of the sustainability initiatives at the system level are operations oriented because sustainability in the UW System framework falls under the Office of Capital Planning & Budget.

There’s only so much you can do at the facilities level. At the end of the day, the things that we are working on as students and things that we can impact as students are more of the small-scale campaigns. What did this conference teach you? There’s something to be said for the power that students have in advocating for goals. The [former] Chancellor of UW-La Crosse, [Joe Gow], came to talk to us, and he said there wasn’t a sustainability position until a kid advocated for it and got it. There’s something to be said for the students pressuring the administration to create these positions, create these opportunities and work towards these goals.

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Thursday, October 26, 2023

Badgers women’s hockey preserves undefeated record with series sweep By Marco Squtieri STAFF WRITER

The No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team continued their undefeated start on Friday and Saturday with back-to-back wins over the Bemidji State Beavers. The victories build on the exceptional momentum the Badgers are amassing across the young season as the team continues to show their championship pedigree. Although Friday and Saturday’s contests produced wins for the Badgers, there are scarce similarities in how the results were achieved. Throughout Friday’s game, Bemidji’s intense defensive philosophy slowed down the nation’s top scoring offense in a way yet to be seen this season. The Badgers found themselves stuck in a scoreless tie as the second period concluded despite outshooting the Beavers 34-6. “Bemidji was doing such a great job of parking the bus in front of the net and not letting us get into the dirty areas,” Wisconsin senior forward Casey O’Brien said in the postgame press conference. A two-on-one rush early in the third period brought the Badgers their biggest scare of the game. Two prime chances for Bemidji State winger Hailey Armstrong seemed destined to break the tie had it not been for an outstanding save by Wisconsin goalie Jane Gervais.

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The Badgers looked energized following the stop, immediately taking the puck back up the ice and pressing hard. Wisconsin sophomore Kirsten Simms spun Bemidji State goalie Abbie Thompson around with a shot, giving O’Brien an open net to bury the game’s eventual deciding goal. The Badgers scored three more times in the third to solidify a hard-fought 4-0 victory. Still, many Badgers fans left the game feeling uneasy as WCHA preseason player of the year Caroline Harvey left the game with a lower body injury. “It’s gonna be a while,” head coach Mark Johnson said when

asked about Harvey’s potential return. Johnson expected more details in approximately two weeks but said there could have been worse scenarios. Saturday’s game was far different than Friday’s slow, gritty struggle. It took over 40 minutes for the Badgers to score their first goal on Friday but just 42 seconds for Badgers senior captain Britta Curl to snatch the lead Saturday by deflecting a blue line shot past the Beaver goalie. Despite grabbing an early lead, the first period of Saturday’s game was the most competitive of the series. This culminated with Hailey Armstrong equalizing for the

Beavers off a juicy rebound with five minutes to go in the period. The Beavers’ momentum was short-lived. Less than three minutes after losing the lead, senior forward Maddi Wheeler sliced down the left side of the offensive zone before gliding to the middle of the ice and slotting the puck in blocker side past the goalie. “[I] just tried to shoot it back where the goalie was coming from [and] use the defense as a screen,” Wheeler said about the go-ahead goal. The momentum from Wheeler’s late goal carried over to the second period, where the Badgers unleashed

an offensive barrage that delighted fans and stunned the Beavers. The Badgers scored five times in the second period, including a second goal from Wheeler and two from Simms. The Badgers’ 8-1 final score was a return to dominating form. The series against Bemidji State concluded a six-game homestand where the Badgers beat their opponents by a combined score of 44-6. The nation’s top-ranked team moves on to an equally long stretch of road games where they will face some of their toughest tests of the season, including series against ranked conference opponents St. Cloud State and Ohio State.

Major checkpoint for Luke Fickell arrives as Badgers host Ohio State By Dylan Goldman STAFF WRITER

The date is October 16th, 2010. The No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers are hosting the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in a packed Camp Randall Stadium under the lights. David Gilreath takes the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. With Scott Tolzien under center, James White in the backfield and J.J. Watt on the defensive line, the Badgers downed the top-ranked Buckeyes in a pulsating 31-18 victory. The Badgers have not defeated the Buckeyes since that night. Wisconsin has lost their last nine games to Ohio State. That includes some very forgettable matchups, including a 59-0 loss in the Big Ten Championship. There was also a 38-7 loss in 2019. And most recently, the 52-21 drubbing in Columbus last year that served as a reality check for Wisconsin and was part of the losing streak that led to the firing of Paul Chryst. It hasn’t been completely bleak in this series for the Badgers. They narrowly lost the Big Ten Championship 27-21 in 2017 and put up a good effort in a 34-21 loss in the championship game in 2019. But those only amount to moral victories. In the category that matters — wins — the Badgers have not toppled the Buckeyes since Barack Obama’s first term. Back then,, Kesha’s “Tik Tok” topped the charts and “Avatar” was the

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best-grossing movie. Suffice to say, it has been a while since Wisconsin defeated Ohio State. As the Badgers and Buckeyes line up Saturday night, head coach Luke Fickell finds himself squarely in the spotlight. Fickell has a rich history with Ohio State, recording a school record 50 straight starts at nose tackle for the Buckeyes back in the mid ‘90s. He then served as a coach for Ohio State in various capacities, including defensive coordinator and interim head coach. Fickell’s alma mater will serve as his first major checkpoint since arriving in Madison.

To date, the Badgers are 5-2 with a 3-1 record in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is off to a solid start, but the time for waiting is over. Fickell’s first true test has arrived, and the subject won’t be an easy one. The Buckeyes have been the top of the class in the Big Ten for a better part of the last decade. Ohio State is the only Big Ten team to win the national championship in the College Football Playoff era and has participated in four other playoffs since their 2015 triumph. They also won the Big Ten four years in a row from 2017-

20. And even though Michigan has won the Big Ten the last two years, the Buckeyes still won the Rose Bowl in 2021 and lost in the dying seconds to eventual national champion Georgia in the Peach Bowl last year. Ohio State has picked up right where they left off, starting this year 7-0 and entering Camp Randall Saturday as the No. 3 ranked team in the country. They have already bested No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 7 Penn State just last week. Ohio State has ten five-star players on their roster, behind only Georgia and Alabama.

It is clear that the Badgers are facing quite a challenge on Saturday night. Though they boast a respectable record, they lost starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai to a hand injury a couple of weeks ago. Braedyn Locke filled in admirably last week against Illinois, throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns while engineering a 14-point fourth quarter comeback in the process. There is no question that, regardless of the result Saturday, Fickell is still entitled to patience to get results. However, this is not a totally hapless team that Fickell coaches. They are in first place in the (albeit very weak) Big Ten West, and Fickell was brought to Madison to break the status quo. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin called Fickell a “transformative hire.” A win against Ohio State on Saturday would certainly be transformative. This game serves as a measuring stick in how far the Badgers are from the top. Are they capable of avoiding last year’s rout? Can they pull off a 2010-style upset? Or are they somewhere in the middle? It’s often said that “in order to be the best, you have to beat the best.” The Badgers will get their opportunity under the lights Saturday night to make a statement or show that they have a ways to go to prove Fickell’s hire was truly transformative.

arts l

Thursday, October 26, 2023

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Third annual Midwest Poetry Fest includes UW alumni, other local artists By Rebekah Irby STAFF WRITER

Every year, the Madison Arts and Literature Laboratory hosts the Midwest Video Poetry Fest, a two-day event featuring local and international artists. This year’s event, which sold out its first night, showcased 29 video poems and four live performances from filmmakers and poets that included Madison locals and European imports. Audience members participated in a Q&A with the artists after the show. The Midwest Poetry Fest selected diverse works from both artistic mediums, including Dawn Westlakes’ “For the Skeptical,” a video poem with a hip-hop feel, and Pamela Falkenberg’s and Jack Cochran’s silent demonstration of “Hypnic Jerk,” add summary here. Although the event exhibited the talent of poets and filmmakers alike, its uniqueness came in the collaboration between the two mediums. By pairing artists with one another, the Arts and Literature Laboratory was able to provide an experience that allowed audience members and creators to enjoy two art forms simultaneously. Aaron Granat, filmmaker for Dana Maya’s poem “Hallways,” emphasized the power of the combination of film and poetry:

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“The two can create this symbiotic relationship where they synthesize something that’s greater than the sum of their parts,” Granat said. The event also exhibited work from University of WisconsinMadison alumni Michelle Kelley,

who completed much of her film “Davenport” at UW-Madison. “I wouldn’t have made this film without UW,” Kelley said. “Had I not been in the program and had instructors that encouraged me to pursue a really grueling, pain-stak-

ing, challenging workload, then I wouldn’t have done this.” Other artists found similar creativity and inspiration from their homefront. Milwaukee native Gabrielle Cisneros, creator of film, “Gaps,” said her artistic exploration led her to find

ingenuity in the Midwest. The Midwest feels “existential,” Cisneros said, joking that “the slowness of the Midwest just leads to too much thinking.” It’s something that can be pretty useful as an artist, she added.

DJ ZHU brings acclaimed “Grace Tour” to Madison By William Folbe STAFF WRITER

Steven Zhu, better known by his stage name ZHU, performed at The Sylvee on Oct. 11 as part of his nation-spanning Grace Tour. ZHU, a San Francisco native, is a true tour de force when it comes to live performances. ZHU embarked on the Grace Tour, which is set to include a staggering 24 stops across North America from Toronto to Hollywood, to promote his latest EP “Days Before Grace.” The tour intends to create anticipation for his new album, which will release on Jan. 19. Charismatic Los Angelesbased house and techno DJ Noizu came along for the ride, accompanying ZHU for his Madison performance. Noizu started off the night with house music mixes as the floor slowly filled with fans. His calming stage presence, combined with flashy on-stage visuals and lighting, immediately captivated the crowd. Even those buying merchandise or drinks couldn’t help but bop their heads or move their feet to the floor-shaking bass and snare hits. Everyone from the older audience to a small child in attendance could not stop dancing. Noizu was a great opener who introduced everyone to the house, techno and EDM music that dominated ZHU’s act. Shortly before ZHU went on, the lights shut off and red letters illuminated the screen.

“On May 23, 2023, Steven Zhu started to record his fourth studio album in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco,” the letters read. “He went back to his hometown to find inspiration for his next mission. He wanted to share some of these moments with you tonight.” The mention of a church meant the show would have a religious undertone or contain religious imagery. Shortly after these letters faded away, figures in monk robes walked on stage, one of which donned a “matrix-esque” leather coat and glasses. What ensued can only be described as midnight mass meets rave. Flashing lights and lasers illuminated The Sylvee as ZHU and his band effortlessly enthralled the crowd, the backdrop adorned by images of stained glass. ZHU’s setlist, which consisted of his hit songs like “Cocaine Model,” “Faded” and “In the Morning,” was a mix of dubstep, house, techno and R&B. ZHU effortlessly transitioned through each genre, likely due to his skilled band consisting of a saxophonist, drummer and guitarist. The instrumentals complimented every song that evening. For one of the tracks, ZHU and his band took a step back and let the saxophonist take center stage for an impromptu solo. Although this may seem like an oddity, it added a unique jazz flair to the “in your face” nature of EDM music.

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The production of the show was nothing short of spectacular. The mixing was incredible, and ZHU’s vocal mixes perfectly accounted for his particularly high register. The band’s instru-

ments also shined through in spite of the booming 808s and sparkling synthesizers. All in all, ZHU is a performer that left everything out on the stage. His sheer

effort was evident in everything from stage production to musical talent. He is an artist who radiates talent and is capable of conquering various musical genres with ease.

life & style

dailycardinal.com

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Self-care products may be doing you more harm than good. Here’s why. By Hallie Albert STAFF WRITER

It is a common belief that money can buy happiness. This belief comes from the world we live in today. People feel if they raise their incomes, their wealth will enable them to buy the latest and greatest products. They often feel these items will cure their unhappiness by providing joy when feeling down. While materialistic items may bring joy, it is short-lived. Buying products with the intention to make you happier temporarily fills the void, but it does not solve the root problem. This dangerous cycle, known as the “hedonic treadmill,” will eventually repeat itself. Business owners and entrepreneurs see this cycle as an opportunity to increase profits and expand their companies. I mean, can you blame them? Sadly, these business tactics have spilled over into the wellness industry. I took the University of Wisconsin-Madison course “Consuming Happiness” taught by Christine Whalen. This course was based upon the question of whether money can buy happiness, which

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Money can buy nice skin-care products, but can it buy happiness? brought me to further research these topics, specifically the wellness industry. So, what is the wellness Industry? The wellness industry is all the industries from personal training to skincare products that advertise people practicing “healthy habits” in their day-to-day lives. While these products may have cool packaging and a sleek website, they must be bought.

The wellness industry has turned into a booming business. It has made me wonder why the world has turned into a place where self-care has become too expensive for many people. After researching the wellness industry, it is clear there has been an obvious shift in the concept of self-care. In the article “Self-Care Culture is Evolving,” Rina Raphael explains the differences between health basics such as sleep, move-

ment, illness prevention, friendships and all the extra things that are now marketed as self-care. For example, pretend you’re scrolling through Instagram and see an ad for stress-relieving eye patches. While these eye patches will probably feel nice on your skin, they are not going to relieve your stress altogether. Things like this are more for fun rather than self-care. Using a face mask is not going to cure

Seasonal depression: Too soon? By Alexandra Malatesta STAFF WRITER

Autumn, for many, is a cherished and widely adored season. Fall brings me joy, whether it’s sipping on Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte along State Street, witnessing the leaves transform into stunning displays of orange, yellow and red, or feeling the pleasantly brisk yet not overly cold breeze in the air. However, this joy is short lived if you call Madison home. Winter has never been my forte. I am from San Diego, where “winter” means 60 degrees and a hoodie. We trade the beautiful leaves and gray atmosphere for pumpkin spice and decent beach weather. The sudden shift in temperature seems insignificant. But for me, it’s significant. To trade the year-round coastal breeze for the harsh Midwestern winter takes some getting used to. The crisp

autumn air quickly transitions into something colder and less forgiving. The winter chill sets in with unwavering determination, seemingly unbothered by the protests of newcomers. Although it might be too soon to say that “seasonal depression” is in full effect,it’s always important to keep your head up. The transition from the vibrant and invigorating days of summer to the cooler and darker months of autumn and winter indeed bring about a sense of melancholy. It’s not uncommon for motivation levels to wane as the days grow shorter and colder. However, even during these challenging times, there are small steps we can take to combat the encroaching gloom. Allocate just 15 minutes of your day to carefully plan and organize your tasks, whether it’s for the week ahead or just the day at hand. This

seemingly modest time investment can work wonders to dispel the overwhelming feeling that often accompanies season changes. As I create a clear plan and set achievable goals, it helps me regain a sense of control and purpose, which can provide a much-needed mood and motivation boost. In these moments, it’s essential to remember your mental wellness is just as important as your physical health. By proactively managing your tasks and focusing on the positives that each season brings, you can ward off the looming shadows of seasonal affective disorder and ensure a more balanced and contented state of mind. Even as the leaves fall and the temperature drops, remember to keep your head up as well as embrace the beauty and opportunities each season offers.

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your problems or give you flawless skin, but it might make you feel a little better. Psychologists and authors worldwide have published many self-help books and programs promising consumers happiness. These books do contain advice that can be beneficial, but it’s generalized for thousands of people to read. Everyone has their own journey in this crazy life we live, and everyone needs advice tailored specifically to them. One book or seminar will not make your issues magically disappear. This can be diminishing for consumers who pay for a promise that will not come true. I am not telling you to stop buying your favorite face mask or put down your book about self-care. I am telling you to slow down, to be mindful of your resources and how you are using them. In the world we live in today, it’s important to be educated on these shifts in the wellness industry. There is no cookie cutter way to experience genuine happiness, and we are all on our own personal journeys. We are all doing the best we can. Let’s keep it that way.

dyciass ity ubmdi-

opinion

Thursday, October 26, 2023

dailycardinal.com

Freakfest’s death is an effort to stop drinking culture. It will backfire By Ella Dunnigan STAFF WRITER

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In-state students pay price for UW-Madison’s selective admissions By GL Sacco STAFF WRITER

Less than one-third of American adults say that a college degree is worth the cost. Yet, college enrollment rates continue to soar to all time highs. Across the country, universities have launched campaigns to increase incoming class sizes, including at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2023, UW-Madison admitted its second-largest class of freshmen in school history, bumping its total student enrollment above 50,000 for the first time. At the same time, UW-Madison has become increasingly more selective with the student body they admit. The university’s acceptance rate has fallen from 67% to 49% in the past decade. This number takes an even steeper drop when you take into account the out-of-state acceptance rate falling to roughly 18%. This trend is not unique to Madison. Public universities nationwide — such as Michigan, Texas, Alabama and University of California schools — have become much more competitive. Places like Alabama used to be notorious for extremely high acceptance rates, but now, while still no Harvard, the acceptance rate has fallen significantly. So how can class sizes rise and acceptance numbers fall? Numerous factors play into the complex game of public college admissions, ranging from the success of athletic programs to universities’ incapability to expand classes as applicant numbers rise. For example, Deion Sanders’ “Coach Prime” craze among mainstream sports media has

already had direct effects on the University of Colorado Boulder’s applicant rates. Applications have come in at a higher rate than the growth of the incoming class, making Colorado a more competitive school to attend. Moreover, Sanders’ program has brought in a new revenue stream for the university, allowing the school to create more attractive facilities and programs for potential applicants. This activity, the “Flutie Effect,” named after former Boston College Heisman winner Doug Flutie, describes the phenomenon that a more successful football program increases applications by nearly 20%. But there is also social change occurring within public university systems. For a long time, private universities were considered to be the “selective ones.” Now, there are public colleges with acceptance rates nearing the single digits, such as the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina. This has ignited a culture change among other universities and created the idea that there is nothing stopping public colleges from competing with private universities in terms of selectiveness. Wisconsin is following suit, looking to perhaps be the next University of Michigan in the Midwest. Given the current trend, this is a legitimate possibility. However, this culture change comes at a cost. Public colleges have steadily increased recruitment aimed at out-of-state applicants while in-state acceptance rates drop. This has shown to make schools more competitive, and it could also

lead to a policy headache for state governments that have a commitment to their constituents to make public education accessible. As college becomes a more realistic possibility for more Americans, the landscape of college admissions will continue to evolve. Sooner or later, state governments will have to take action against selective admissions to ensure in-state applicants are adequately prioritized for admission. As UW-Madison continues to become more competitive to attend, so will the job for admissions officers, who will have to make difficult decisions between prioritizing accessible, high-quality education for Wisconsinites or chugging along toward the goal of a lower admission rate. Furthermore, as UW-Madison continues to become more competitive, this will undoubtedly affect many other facets of the university and the city on a broad scale. A more competitive school in the heart of Wisconsin’s capital has the potential to lead to economic growth. With more students, specifically more soughtafter students, the city of Madison has a new, almost endless stream of high-quality talent. This talent translates into highly skilled workers, new innovation and more attractive opportunities for students to stay after graduation. Public universities play a large role in educating the next generations of residents in their state. It’s baked into the ethos of this university — The Wisconsin Idea. Carrying it on will require the university not to forget its contract with Wisconsinites.

Freakfest, the infamous Halloween party on State Street and largest Halloween festival in the Midwest, has been canceled every year since 2020. Although the reasoning began in 2020 with COVID-19, both the 2022 and 2023 festivities were canceled because of difficulties with funding and support. The monstrous festival turned State Street into a jampacked block party filled with intoxicated college kids from the University of WisconsinMadison and other schools around the Midwest. In 2005, over 100,000 people were in attendance, and over 400 people were arrested for assault, vandalism, arson, property damage and more. Following that year, the city of Madison took over and began selling tickets in an attempt to gain control of the event. Though the event lost a bit of traction, the city still sold between 20,000-50,000 tickets a year and raked in revenue while supporting a city-wide drinking event. In this case, Madison got a lucky break with COVID-19 and was able to cancel the event with good reason. Prior to this, the only thing they could do to control the city on a night like Halloween was to sponsor Freakfest, which cost the city over $700,000 in damages some years. The city knew rambunctious college students would still host the event, only in that case it would be unmonitored and difficult to control. The only way to turn this event into anything positive for the city was by succumbing to partyschool culture. UW-Madison is considered a top party school in America with its vibrant bar, block party and Greek life. Its reputation still stands today, but the city and university have cracked down on underage drinking in recent years at bars, football games, the Mifflin Street Block Party and more. Last year, a popular State Street bar for underage drink-

ing was raided, citing 137 underage kids out of the 143 patrons in attendance at the time of the raid. The police fined the bar nearly $15,000. As a city that doesn’t require bars to have ID scanners, Madison has a fair share of bars that can be considered hotspots for underage kids. With increasing police presence on State Street, it’s becoming significantly more difficult for students to keep up with the binge-drinking party school culture Madison is infamous for, and it’s exactly what the city and university want. In an attempt to redeem Madison’s image and UW-Madison’s reputation, both entities are cracking down on problematic binge-drinking, party-school culture. Madison is an incredible university and city that is often overshined by its party scene and drinking culture. UW-Madison and the city have decided to polish their reputation, whether the students are on board or not. Although this ended as a city-sponsored event, it started as a student blowout with no organization or control. With Mifflin as the event in the spring, there’s bound to be a year when students decide they’ve had enough and it’s time to bring back an event in the fall with as much, if not more, foot traffic as Mifflin. Is Mifflin next? The MPD has been trying to put a stop to the Mifflin block party for years, but as a student-run event for all ages, the police and university have had very limited success controlling it, and hopes of canceling it are impractical. With that in mind, the university or city would be wise to get ahead of students taking over Freakfest again and should plan it themselves, allowing the city to bring in revenue and avoid costly mishaps.

Ella Dunnigan is a junior studying political science and community and nonprofit leadership. Do you agree that Freakfest should come back to Madison? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com

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