PREPARE YOURSELF Fake News Friday examines the state of UW-Madison’s disaster readiness
+PAGE TWO
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Laugh out loud
Demetri Martin dishes on his past in our preview of his Friday shows at the Barrymore. +ARTS, page 4
Complete campus coverage since 1892
l
dailycardinal.com
Weekend, February 10-12, 2012
Report: State faces $143.2 million deficit Jack Casey
The Daily Cardinal
Stephanie Daher/the daily cardinal
Several UW System chancellors told the Board of Regents Thursday they are seeing the impacts of funding cuts.
Regents discuss how to handle tight budgets, governing boards By Anna Duffin The Daily Cardinal
With the UW System facing over $300 million in budget cuts from the state, the Board of Regents convened Thursday to discuss how institutions throughout the state should be structured and more efficiently use their resources. UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mike Lovell said the Wisconsin community needs to consider if it is willing to forfeit the quality of higher education institutions for a lower price. “There always comes a point where if [funding] is low enough, you can’t become any more efficient; you’re going to offer less quality. I think we’re approaching that point now,” Lovell said. “On my campus, I’m not sure
what else I can do to make sure the quality isn’t degraded.” Regent David Walsh asked if there would come a point where UW institutions would have to limit enrollment to preserve educational quality. “You can’t keep being cut,” Walsh said. “At some point, you make a decision that the quality of the education isn’t fair to students.” UW System President Kevin Reilly said while the question is at the forefront of many conversations, he does not know the answer. Lovell said faculty and staff compensation is perhaps what suffers most from budget cuts. While they are asked to increase enrollment in their courses because of other courses being
regents page 3
Wisconsin will face a $143.2 million projected state budget deficit for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, a release by the state’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau revealed Thursday, adding another dimension to the possible recall elections this spring or summer. According to the bureau, the budget deficit comes because of decreases in several revenue-generating areas. The biggest factor on the deficit is a shortfall in the estimated tax collection, which is projected to cause a loss of $272.8 million dollars compared to what they thought it would be. The deficit has raised questions about the possibility of another budget repair bill. However, Gov. Scott Walker released a statement denying that he would seek such measures. Instead, he said he
remains confident that the state will finish the next two-year cycle with a balanced budget. “As we have done in the last year, we will continue to manage the Wisconsin taxpayers’ money well, so we can keep the state’s fiscal house in order,” said Walker. But with a potential recall election looming, Walker opponents said he has not followed through on his campaign promise to balance the state’s budget. One criticism came from Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, who issued a statement saying Walker’s economic plan “is not working.” “[The report] illustrates how Gov. Walker’s irresponsible budgeting and lack of serious focus on jobs and the economy have left Wisconsin fiscally unsound and caused us to fall farther behind on the road to
economic recovery,” said Barca. Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, who chair the Joint Committee on Finance, released a statement touting the economic achievements since Walker took over and defending him from Democratic politicians who see his economic initiatives as unsuccessful. “When Republicans and Governor Scott Walker took over, we rolled up our sleeves, made tough decisions and got our state headed in the right direction without raising taxes. We erased a $3.6 billion deficit and held the line on property taxes,” the legislators said. Despite the controversy, Walker said in his statement, “When compared to the past and to other states Wisconsin is heading in the right direction.”
Third accusation against Chadima surfaces For the third time in a month, a man reported to the UW Police Department that he experienced “sexual impropriety or abuse of power” by John Chadima, the senior associate athletic director who resigned last month after a student employee claimed Chadima sexually assaulted him. Similar to the second allegation that surfaced three days ago, UW Chancellor David Ward did not release any details about the report, but said in a statement Thursday that the UWPD “deems the allegation to be credible.” Reports of misconduct by Chadima began in late
December, when a student alleged that Chadima sexually assaulted him at a Rose Bowl party. In the report that detailed the student’s claim, university investigators said alcohol was present at the party, which involved several athletic department staff members and students, some of whom were under 21. The report also said the alcohol was purchased with money donated to the athletic department. After another man reported inappropriate behavior by Chadima two weeks later, Ward announced the university would launch a second investigation, led by Judge Patrick Fiedler, into
Chadima’s behavior. Fiedler also headed the team that reviewed the original incident that occurred at the Rose Bowl party. The university has not released any additional information about the investigation. Ward said he continues to urge victims and people with information regarding inappropriate behavior by Chadima to report to the UWPD. People can reach the department by phone at (608) 262-2957 or by email at uwpolice@mhub.uwpd. wisc.edu. Because the investigation is still open, UWPD decline to comment Thursday. —Alex DiTullio
Trend continues with low turnout at ASM town hall Despite representatives’ attempts to “pump up” the atmosphere with pop music, only around 15 students showed up for the Associated Students of Madison’s Spring Town Hall Thursday. Representatives acknowledged low turnout to ASM-sponsored events seems to be a trend. “We’re just not that sexy,” ASM Rep. Mudit Kackar said. ASM representatives said to change the low-turnout pattern, they could host more casual events that might stir more student interest. UW-Madison freshman and prospective representative Maddy Schmid said she hopes
ASM can change its reputation as the “silent, ambiguous thing, that isn’t really definitive until you’re like ‘hmm, what is that?’”
“We’re just not that sexy.”
Mudit Kackar representative Associated Students of Madison
Despite the low turnout, ASM members discussed campus issues like achieving smaller class sizes, making college more affordable,
and preparing for the after-college entrance into the job market. ASM Chair Allie Gardner reminded those present of the importance of “making sure that the student voice is heard, listened to, and acted upon.” Diversity Committee Chair Niko Magallon said he wants to make diversity more of a priority on campus by implementing a campuswide requirement for students to take a class that discusses current cultural differences throughout the country. “We are going to be a proactive agent of change on campus,” said Magallon. —Mckenna Kohlenberg
Aevyrie Roessler/the daily cardinal
ASM leaders said they hope to gain student interest although few students showed up for their town hall.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”