Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn evoke legends on some, lack luster on most ARTS
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
THE GRATEFUL RED RISE FROM THE BED Men’s basketball tickets sell out before the break of noon
Complete campus coverage since 1892
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009
By Kelsey Gunderson THE DAILY CARDINAL
Campus organizations promote clean energy Various campus organizations provided UW-Madison students with food and information about conserving energy, protecting natural resources and appropriately disposing waste Tuesday at a “Smart Cookout” on Library Mall. Nathan Pinney, a UW-Madison Ph.D. candidate and director of UW Energy Hub, who co-sponsored the event, said the goal of the cookout was to unite student organizations on environmental, energy and conservation issues at UW-Madison. “We are all promoting sustainable behaviors, sustainable consumer choices and, for this event, local food,” he said. Along with providing information at the event, organizers provided free sweet corn and locally grown apples to advocate purchasing locally grown
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UHS implements ‘surge plan’ to combat marked increase in H1N1 cases
STEPHANIE MOEBIUS THE DAILY CARDINAL
THE DAILY CARDINAL
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dailycardinal.com
Members of various campus organizations provided students wtih free food on Library Mall Tuesday.
By Kayla Torgerson
SPORTS
food, which organizers said would cut fuel and production costs and play a role in energy conservation. Organizers encouraged event participants to dispose their corn husks and apple cores in compost bins rather than traditional garbage cans as a better way to eliminate waste. Powered Green, a local business in support of wind farms, was also present at the cookout to spread awareness about their company, along with other environmentally friendly groups on campus. Brandon Gador, a UW-Madison alum and co-founder of Powered Green, said the company has been in business for one year and has already offset 1.2 million pounds of CO2 through the sale of various Powered Green merchandise. Gador said UW-Madison students can easily support the program by purchasing the company’s T-shirts and
other Powered Green products. “[Buying] Powered Green products is a really easy way for people to get involved and make an impact, but more importantly, show that they are a part of something,” he said. Michael Hoffman, a UW-Madison junior who was present at the event said it is important to be conscious about saving energy and recycling. He also said the cookout was a great way to inform others about the importance of buying locally grown produce. “I have always been into buying fresh, amazing produce from local places,” he said. “I just wish I knew more outlets and places I could do that.” Organizations like WE CONSERVE, UW Engineers Without Borders and Rethink Wisconsin also took part in organizing and sponsoring the event.
University Health Services implemented its “surge plan” Tuesday in response to a continued increase in the number of students reporting influenza symptoms across campus. According to UHS epidemiologist Craig Roberts, UHS will now place restrictions on the availability of routine appointments as part of the surge plan to keep pace with the growing numbers of influenza cases. He said although UHS has seen higher than normal numbers of influenza cases this fall, it still remains unclear whether this trend will continue throughout the school year. “We can’t predict if this increase will continue,” he said. “It could continue to increase, it could stay like this all semester or it could have just came early this year ... it’s impossible to tell.” “[The number of flu cases] could continue to increase, it could stay like this all semester ... it’s impossible to tell.” Craig Roberts epidemiologist University Health Services
According to the UHS website (uhs.wisc.edu), UHS evaluated 198 UW-Madison students with reported influenza symptoms as of Sept. 5. Roberts said preliminary lab results show that it’s likely about
90 percent of these cases are positive for the H1N1 strain. He said although these numbers are high, they still cannot provide a concrete answer for the impact of the H1N1 on campus. “That’s really only the tip of the iceberg and should be thought of as a marker,” he said. “There are certainly more students on campus with influenza who have not been in contact with UHS.” “[Influenza] seems to be very widely distributed ... It’s not any particular group of people.” Craig Roberts epidemiologist University Health Services
According to the website, 94 percent of the cases occurred in undergraduates, with a fairly even split between class years. “It seems to be very widely distributed,” Roberts said. “It’s not any particular group of people.” Roberts added the virus seems to be more prevalent in off-campus housing rather than the residence halls. According to the UHS website, no patients have been hospitalized for the virus. It also said patients have reported sudden symptoms that last 3 to 5 days but respond well to self-care. Although the symptoms of the virus have been mild, UHS still urges students to self-isolate since the virus is highly contagious and spreads fairly easily.
Awareness groups focus on suicide prevention By Anna Bukowski THE DAILY CARDINAL
In accordance with Suicide Prevention Week, several awareness groups called attention to the prevalence of suicide both nationally and in the Madison community Tuesday along the steps of the City County Building. Safe Communities and Helping Others Prevent and Educate about Suicide were present, along with speakers who offered condolences to families affected by suicide and depression. Gail Scott and her son PJ Chamberlain shared their experiences. Chamberlain, now a student at Madison Area Technical College, had previous suicidal crises, and they both presented their outlook on suicide and its related prevention.
Awareness of the situation is not always enough, Scott said. “I was very aware PJ was having problems but I was unable to stop everything,” she said. Scott praised the technologies of cell phones and text messaging, and noted their importance in helping her son, who sought help from her via texts. “I communicated at his level and he was able to reach out to me,” she said. Chamberlain strongly urged students to take action if they notice a friend or roommate who seems depressed. “Don’t worry about what to say, just have the conversation,” Scott said. The ways to respond to someone who is potentially suicidal vary, but Scott stressed the need to be quick and to not sit around in
denial of the situation. HOPES co-founder Pat Derer said the organization strives to give the public information it needs to help their loved ones. She called attention to the importance of removing the stigma associated with mental health and depression. HOPES travels across the state teaching people the symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide. Suicides in Wisconsin outnumber homicides, and Derer said the media focuses more heavily on homicides. Derer, however, said awareness needs to be at the forefront of community concern. Safe Communities and HOPES will present the third annual suicide prevention summit October 2.
GRACE FLANNERY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Suicide Prevention Week began with awareness groups educating the community outside the City County Building about suicide.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”