University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why a humanities degree is more important now than ever despite political threats.
+ OPINION, PAGE 5
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Pilots best Badgers in 1-0 home clash, falling to a 2-2 record to start the season.
+ SPORTS, PAGE 6
By Annika Bereny & Ella Hanley CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR & COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR
Controversial conservative media personality Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, who was 31, rose to fame for his debates with college students and for being a close supporter of President Donald Trump. He visited the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus last fall on a debate tour.
Kirk visited Library Mall at UW-Madison as part of his “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour, which had planned stops at college campuses across the country last September.
Turning Point USA, the conservative youth activist organization founded by Kirk in 2012, advertised the tour as a means to “empower and educate college students with the prin-
Kirk additionally appeared near campus in late October 2024 at a tailgate hosted in conjunction with the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. The Kollege Klub also hosted The Nelk Boys, a rightwing podcast group who promoted Kirk as a guest, but he did not attend.
ciples and tools they need to challenge leftwing indoctrination on college campuses.”
Over 100 people crowded around Kirk’s tent to hear him debate students and community members at UW-Madison, and roughly 150 voters were registered during the event, according to Turning Point Action Harley Field Representative Sadie Roach.
Multiple chalk drawings were spotted around the UW-Madison campus after Kirk’s death was announced by Trump.
Kirk is one of several social media figures associated with the growing conservatism among
aims to bring Science Hall “up to modern standards.”
By Madison Moris
University of Wisconsin-Madison officials are planning to renovate one of the university’s oldest and most historic buildings in 2027. Science Hall — built in 1887 — will undergo a renovation to upgrade its interior and add a rear common space.
More than $160 million from the 20252027 state budget has been approved for “critical” renovations to Science Hall, which will “restore the building’s historic character while improving accessibility, addressing deferred maintenance issues and adding an atrium.”
Renovations include an addition to the back of the building in the form of a study or lounge space, a brick pathway
on the rear side of the building, roof replacement and potential additions for storm windows and a green roof.
Insite Consulting Architects, an architecture firm based in Madison and Washington D.C. that specializes in historic buildings, and Chicagobased Canon Design will lead the rehabilitation of the building. The project aims to preserve the historical significance of the building.
Science Hall currently houses campus’s oldest university lecture hall still in use, as well as the Geography Department, the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the state cartographer’s office.
Isabella Lubotski, a master’s student in the Nelson Institute, has mixed feel -
ings about the proposed renovations.
“Half of the building does not have AC and the elevator is broken,” Lubotski told The Daily Cardinal. She said while improvements are needed, she is unsure how the modern style will look alongside the historic architecture.
Ald. MGR Govindarajan, whose district covers the UW-Madison campus and who graduated from the university in 2023, is glad another study space is planned for the building. “It is exactly what we needed,” he said. “Students want more study spaces [with] more vending machines and microwaves.”
However, Govindarajan is not a fan of the proposed look. “I would appreciate [it] if it kept to the historical vibe,” he said.
college-aged men.
“We are saddened to learn that Charlie Kirk, a father, husband and founder of TPUSA, was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University,” the UW-Madison College Republicans wrote in a press release Wednesday. “His work has injected life into the conservative movement and made free thinkers on campus feel that they are not alone.”
By Alaina Walsh ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
A federal funding cut has put the future of three popular Wisconsin STEM camps for autistic students at risk, leaving families and educators worried that a rare space for hands-on, inclusive science learning could soon disappear.
The camps, run through the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Climatic Research, have drawn middle and high school students from more than 35 communities across Wisconsin and Illinois since 2022. With sensory-friendly, nature-based activities ranging from NASA citizen science projects to outdoor exploration, the programs aim to foster neurodiversity and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
“This isn’t just about science,” Michael Notaro, director of the Center for Climatic Research and founder of the camps, told The Daily Cardinal.
“Families have told us their children feel safe, welcome and excited to learn — it’s heartbreaking to think of losing that.”
The three programs — “Sky’s the Limit” in Beloit, “Nature’s Navigators” in Wisconsin Dells, and “Zoo Explorers” at Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo — were largely supported by a National Science Foundation grant, which was terminated earlier this year. The federal government denied a request for supplemental funding when the parent grant ended.
For now, the camps are operating on the remnants of a UW-Madison Wisconsin Idea grant and a private donation from the Recogly family. But Notaro said those funds will not last beyond this year’s camps. Notaro is currently floating external funding opportunities to keep the programs afloat.
Notaro, whose wife and son are autistic, said the loss of federal support reflects a broader shift in research priorities away from neurodiverse learners and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“Research shows autistic learners often have a strong interest in STEM, but far fewer end up in those fields because of the barriers they face,” he said. “These camps help break those barriers down.”
Despite the uncertainty, Notaro said he is determined to keep the programs alive. He is seeking new grants, partnerships and donations that could sustain the camps in the short term while also expanding them into other Wisconsin communities.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
Editor-in-Chief Noe Goldhaber
By John Ernst FEATURES EDITOR
The Yahara River watershed and Dane County’s other lakes create the lifeblood for farmers, residents and Wisconsinites. With increasing threats such as runoff and pollution amplified by climate change, local partners have taken steps to keep Dane County’s lakes clean, preserving the valuable resource they offer.
On Sept. 9, organizers from local environmental nonprofits, UW researchers and Madison officials spoke during the Capital Times Idea Fest virtual panel to explore challenges to Dane County’s lakes such as nutrient pollution and salinization and discuss potential solutions.
“Here in Dane County our lakes are really strongly shaped by the water and the land that drain into them,” Hilary Dugan, an associate professor at the UW-Madison Center for Limnology, said. “Over the last 150 years, we’ve seen them transform from these clear water, sandy bottom lakes to what we refer to as eutrophic lakes, lakes that have basically too much algal biomass.”
Dugan, who’s extensively studied how climate change has exacerbated environmental consequences in lakes, noted that one of the biggest stressors facing the lakes was nutrient pollution, specifically phosphorus and nitrogen.
Fertilizers, manure and soil erode into lakes during big storms, which cause algal blooms which pose severe health risks and can reduce water clarity. Dugan said when climate change is factored in, this process can accelerate, overwhelming the existing buffers and causing poor water quality during summertime.
Another challenge mentioned was the presence of road salt during long Madison winters, used to keep roads safe with ice and snow cover. Dugan said that many Wisconsin species aren’t adapted to saltwater. As a result, increased salinity in water could be toxic to aquatic invertebrates, which comprise the basis of the food chain.
In response, Wisconsin Salt Wise, an organization dedicated to decreasing salt usage,
Kirk CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Wednesday event in Utah was the first stop on Kirk’s “American Comeback” tour, where Kirk visited college campuses to “equip students with tools to push back against leftwing indoctrination in academia and reclaim their right to
worked with Madison officials and other private partners to reduce the amount of salt distributed on roads without compromising safety. Dugan said the city’s salt use numbers have dropped in recent years, both decreasing total usage and switching to a liquid brine instead of rock salt.
Other local nonprofits including the Clean Lakes Alliance work on advocacy regarding nutrient pollution.
James Tye, the Executive Director of the Clean Lakes Alliance, spoke to the economic purpose and importance of
tion on how to plant, manage and remove cover crops, researching more effective ways to apply manure and helping install buffers along wetlands and farmlands.
Additionally, rural land owners can help in the effort by planting cover year round, and Dane County is working to provide incentives for farmers and landowners with spending limits.
“In Dane County, we have a lot of rural land owners that rent to farmers,” Hicklin said.
“We want to provide an incentive for them to participate in
the Dane County lakes during the panel. Tye explained the lakes bring $220 million a year in economic value into the community, primarily through the county’s beaches.
Laura Hicklin, the third member of the panel and director of the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, explained an ongoing project called Dane Demo Farms, a network and collective of farmers working together to improve water quality and soil health in Dane County.
Dane Demo Farms ran numerous projects with local farmers, providing informa-
free speech.” UW-Madison was not one of the stops.
“We are disgusted to hear about the shooting of Charlie Kirk,” the UW-Madison College Democrats wrote in a statement on Instagram. “Political violence has no role in democracy, and it must be denounced in the strongest terms possible.”
this program to increase water infiltration, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, build soil health, increase wildlife habitat, sequester carbon and diversify production practices.”
She said the county has also been working one-on-one with farmers, helping share best practices for water conservation and preserving soil health. These programs and subsidies can help maintain the farm’s lasting impact while also protecting the county’s natural resources.
“We can hopefully help [farmers] purchase new equipment through the soil
The shooting comes months after the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in her home in Minneapolis. Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot, though both survived the attack. In July 2024, a gunman attempted
health equipment program and we can get them involved in Dane Demo Farms so that they continue to learn and grow over time,” Hicklin said.
Dane County and the Clean Lakes Alliance also partnered to restore the Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton. Purchased by the county in 2019, the conservancy is adjacent to other public lands, and according to Hicklin, serves as a buffer between Middleton’s urban, suburban and farming areas. The Clean Lakes Alliance and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy collaborated during the wetland restoration and now are undertaking a “platinum prairie restoration,” as coined by Hicklin.
“We wanted to make sure that the prairie that was restored was particularly diverse, so we have over 75 plant species located in this prairie,” Hicklin said. “It’s going to serve as a seed bank for other restoration projects.”
Through this collaboration, Tye and other leaders have been able to host weekly volunteer workdays at Pheasant Branch to bring the community into the restoration project.
“We need to be in touch with our land because everything that ends up on the land can end up in the lakes,” Tye said. “[We’re] really thankful for Dane County realizing the importance of volunteerism and really nurturing that to let more people get involved.”
For homeowners, Tye said the effort could be as simple as keeping curbs and gutters free of leaves in the fall to prevent any extra phosphorus from seeping into the lake. Dugan said that sitting in on UW classes or getting involved with workshops or volunteering could be another way for community members to get involved. The fight for clean lake water will be ongoing.
“I think we all think that this is a really modern problem. But we’ve had poor water quality for a long time in these lakes and they are not the worst that they’ve ever been,” Dugan said. “I think it comes down to [water] monitoring, which then instills confidence… I think Madison’s the type of community that should get behind that.”
to kill then-candidate Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally. Last fall, Kirk blamed female hiring initiatives in the Secret Service for the assassination attempt on Trump.
Trump has ordered all U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff through Sunday in response to Kirk’s death.
By Stella Morton STAFF WRITER
The League of Women Voters Of Dane County held a public forum Tuesday to address Dane County immigration issues. Gail Bliss, a League of Women Voters for almost 20 years, moderated the event.
The league hosted a panel of three immigration experts in discussion: Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founding Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera and Voces de la Frontera Action, UW-Madison Professor Armando Ibarra and Aissa Olivarez, Managing Attorney at the Community Immigration Law Center.
“I think it’s really important to understand that immigration is fundamentally a class issue,” Neumann-Ortiz said at the forum.
She elaborated on the adversity immigrants face by discussing how detained immigrants working in federally-supervised detention centers are making “near slavery wages” of $1 an hour.
To solve these problems, Neumann-Ortiz proposed “broad,
simple and affordable immigration reform.” “At the state level, we need driver’s license registration, state bills to keep families together, and a judicial warrant standard,” she said.
Professor Armando Ibarra articulated the importance of this issue within Dane County, saying “there is a higher percentage of naturalized immigrant citizens in Dane County than in the state as a whole.”
Immigrants paid $2.2 billion in federal taxes and $1.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2023, according to Ibarra. “They are right at the center of economic activity and their contribution to the economy is enormous,” Ibarra said.
Olivarez discussed the expansion of the constitutional protections of immigrants.
Olivarez denounced Monday’s federal supreme court ruling, which ruled Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Agents can stop individuals solely based on race, language or occupation.
Olivarez emphasized how critical this time in history is and the need for more legal representa-
tion for immigrants.
“There are about 60,000 people in detention nationally right now. In 1996, it was only 9,000. Only 30% of these people are represented by a lawyer,” she said.
The forum was then opened up to questions from community members in attendance who asked about keeping immigrants safe, dairy workers and information on how ICE is operating in Dane County.
How can we help keep immigrants safe?
“Refusing to answer questions of ICE, and refusing to share what your status is, because you have the right to remain silent,” Olivarez said. Ibarra followed up with the importance of holding our elected officials accountable, and not just volunteering, but investing in these conversations, adding, “just be on top of what is going on.”
What’s the resistance to creating year round visas to dairy workers, how can that be changed?
If we continue to lose workers and we don’t get immigration reform, prices are going to go up.
“We have to draw the right conclusions and get together to get the reform we want and that is the goal, that is our goal,” said Neumann-Ortiz.
What is the best way to stay current on what ICE is actually doing in Dane County and
how can we help?
“Encourage people to become Voces de la Frontera members where you gain information on upcoming events and strikes,” Neumann-Ortiz said.
Olivarez highlighted the importance of sharing and reading verified information as to ICE’s whereabouts so people can make accurate decisions for their families on what to do next.
‘We aren’t prepared to deal with them as people’: Faculty share concerns over student well-being at fall meeting
By Joseph Panzer SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Faculty on the university committee discussed challenges to student wellbeing this academic year amidst executive orders and changing student involvement in a meeting at Bascom Hall Monday.
The key issue at Monday’s meeting was how to best serve students in a post-COVID landscape in both their educational and personal development. Professor Bob Mathieu described this as acknowledging students both as academics and people, a task he feels faculty is not equipped to tackle.
“We aren’t prepared to deal with them as people,” Mathieu said. “Students come into our offices many times not looking for that help, but needing that help.”
Students in middle and high school during the pandemic saw increased prevalence of mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, which can persist for years and greatly affect how one deals with stress and frustration, according to the National Institutes of Health.
During the meeting, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor made an appearance to discuss the efforts UW-Madison has taken to serve students’ personal and professional needs through identity services.
Previously, identity-based services were handled by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) until DDEEA was eliminated in July, causing some diversity programs focused on student well-being to be reorganized into Student Affairs. Students reacted negatively to the change through ASM’s Justice, Equity & Belonging Committee releasing a statement Sept. 2 lambasting the university’s decision to cut funding for diversity programs.
Reesor asserted that nothing fundamental about financial aid programs had changed after the future of former DDEEA programs was left in limbo following the division’s elimination and recounted telling a student frightened over the future of diversity programs that “the goal is that your experience and program is continuing, and you are going to be served in the same ways.”
During the meeting, ASM Chair Landis Varughese voiced concerns over changes to diversity policy, saying the university’s assertion that financial aid changes wouldn’t adversely impact students felt moot, as some noticed their funds had been revoked.
The University of Wisconsin-
Madison University Committee is the executive committee of the Faculty Senate, serving as an intermediary between faculty and shared governance groups like the Associated Students of Madison (ASM). Its six elected members serve three-year terms, with two new members joining every year. Those chosen represent the four faculty divisions. The Committee often invites other university faculty and administrators to speak at meetings about issues affecting faculty operations.
The Committee itself acts as a shared governance group — representing faculty members at UW-Madison — and can make policy recommendations, offer advice to university administration on
their behalf along with possessing the ability to be involved in the creation of other shared governance bodies by appointing faculty members to fill vacancies in other faculty committees when the need arises.
Varughese said multiple students he’d spoken to relying on diversitybased programs for financial aid could not access websites or physical offices to find out more about the program’s future, creating confusion.
The University Committee did not respond to this as Varughese left the room shortly after making his statement.
The next University Committee meeting will take place Sept. 15, with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin in attendance.
By Vanessa Gavilan CITY NEWS EDITOR
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and several alders announced new housing proposals to encourage residential development at a press conference Tuesday.
The latest proposals would soften zoning requirements and permit new forms of housing if referred to a vote at the Sept. 16 common council meeting, aiming to increase density and help affordability in Madison.
Rhodes-Conway said the latest round of proposals focused on removing barriers to development of new housing by “untangling regulations and making our rules more straightforward and easier to follow,” during the press conference.
The first proposal would increase the maximum height allowed for multi-family homes in some residential zones. This would lead to additional space in new build-
ings depending on the current height requirements of neighboring districts.
“This will allow for more homes to be built without compromising the height limits in any given neighborhood,” Rhodes-Conway said.
The second proposal would allow for two Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — also referred to as a “backyard cottage” — to be detached from a given building.
Rhodes-Conway said these units may be a cheaper option for homeowners.
“These structures provide opportunities for residents to age in the neighborhoods they love, gives more people the option to supplement their income with rental properties and opens up new opportunities for young people trying to own their first home,” Rhodes-Conway said.
The third proposal would reduce lot sizes for residential homes with the goal of encouraging new developments in open areas.
Three more proposals endorsed by Rhodes-Conway and several alders that would affect zoning regulations and new housing developments are to be introduced at the October Common Council meeting.
District 8 Ald. and Common Council Vice President MGR Govindarajan spoke in favor of
the new proposals at Tuesday’s press conference, saying these changes “can mean the difference between a project being feasible, affordable and built, or not happening at all.”
“Whether you’re a student renting your first apartment, a young family hoping to buy your first home, or someone
looking to downsize later in life, Madison should have opportunities available for you,” Govindarajan said.
The Madison Common Council meets Sept. 16 to introduce these housing proposals along with a public hearing on the 2026 Executive Capital Budget.
By Shane Colpoys SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
The legal battle over Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline moved to Madison in a multi-week hearing beginning Sept. 3, with experts and individuals voicing opposition over long-term wetland devastation while supporters stressed the project’s economic benefits.
Clean Wisconsin, along with other Midwest environmental groups, challenged the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), questioning if state laws were followed when issuing permits in November to allow Enbridge Energy, a Canadian pipeline company, to re-route 41 miles of their Line 5 pipeline through northern Wisconsin.
“Line 5 at this location puts the health of the river, wildlife, Bad River sloughs, Bad River community and Lake Superior at risk for the catastrophic and irreparable harm from an oil spill if it was to be exposed through these natural processes,” a report from Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department, an environmental group associated with the Bad River tribe, said.
Line 5 runs from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, passing through several parts of Northern Wisconsin, including its Upper and Lower Peninsula. Enbridge is proposing to reroute the 70 year-oldpipe prone to leaks around Wisconsin’s Bad River tribe.
Line 5 leaked at least 29 times and spilled more than a million gallons of oil into the environment over the last 50 years, according to Clean Wisconsin.
In the coming week, an administrative judge will review evidence and public testimony to determine if Enbridge Energy can move forward with the proposed construction plan.
Opponents say they are concerned the proposed re-route poses a significant risk to Wisconsin’s waterways, land and natural resources. According to Clean Wisconsin, Enbridge would have to cut across nearly 200 waterways, clear trees, blast through bedrock and fill wetlands during construction.
Geologist Joseph Bonin testified
Monday, criticizing the DNR’s assessments of the risks of construction on groundwater and water resources. He said the DNR inadequately surveyed the site when it issued permits, and Enbridge had missing or confusing data.
“Blasting is going to have a larger impact than the expert reports discussed and the reason for that is the already fractured bedrock was not taken into consideration in the reports,” Bonin said in his testimony Monday. “The effects of blasts, especially on fracture networks, may be permanent.”
Along with experts, members of the public testified at the hearing.
“In the long term, this would look like crude oil spills that could contaminate the entirety of the watershed within a matter of hours, threatening the health and lives of all beings,” Tabitha Faber, a graduate student studying Plant and Agroecosystem sciences at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison said.
She also said the pipeline will threaten the sovereignty of protected tribal lands and pose risks to endangered species, adding that the construction would force species to relocate, accelerating erosion, increasing habitat fragmentation.
Line 5 currently runs across the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation in Northern Wisconsin. But, rights to allow Enbridge to pass through tribal land expired in 2013. While the re-route plans to cut around the reservation itself, Faber said the tribe will still be impacted.
“All impacts of the construction will walk into the Bad River band’s tribally held lands, threatening their own community’s resources,” Faber said. “This is a clear threat to tribal sovereignty.”
Supporters say the pipeline will bring economic and labor benefits to Wisconsin farmers.
Connor Kaeb, an associate manager of government relations for Growmark, an agricultural cooperative, testified about the critical role of the pipeline in supplying propane to farmers in Wisconsin. He said Line 5 supplies about 65% of propane to the Upper Peninsula, with farmers relying on propane for “essential operations,” including irrigation and livestock heating.
“The loss of Line 5 would strain the regional propane system significantly, impacting both the industry and communities it serves,” Kaeb said. “Losing it would have devastating impacts on the propane industry and its ability to keep people warm and safe, but also negatively impact Wisconsin.”
Legal proceedings over whether Enbridge energy can move forward with the construction of its Line 5 pipeline will continue in Madison and Ashland, Wisconsin, through Oct. 3.
By Safa Razvi OPINION EDITOR
Students often struggle to find their place on campus, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The most stressful aspect of college is making friends. Even staying instate, I found it difficult to meet my people until I started joining extracurriculars.
Whether it’s panhellenic, sports-related or religious, the opportunity to find your people lies in the student organizations you join. Putting equal effort into making friends as you do in classes can lead to amazing outcomes. This includes reducing stress. It can provide a much needed mental break to pursue other things. Most of the time, completing hobbies is therapeutic, offering a way to break free from the stress college can put on you.
Beyond stress relief, clubs also provide a sense of community, threading the line between feeling lonely and
By Paul O’Gorman
OPINION EDITOR
feeling at home.
Additionally, it makes meeting like-minded people much easier! While you can find people in your classes, one of the best ways to lean into your major and get hands-on experience is through clubs.
Networking and making connections is another aspect of this. Most clubs have opportunities to build up your resume, connect you with successful industry professionals and offer you ways to gain internships and job opportunities. These experiences can build soft skills employers will appreciate such as teamwork, leadership and public speaking.
Clubs also improve your grades. Studies show that leadership roles and involvement in student orgs often earn higher GPAs. For example, as a journalism major, my involvement with The Daily Cardinal has allowed me to practice my writing skills, giving me a chance to grow alongside, and sometimes ahead of, my
coursework. Similarly, there are many clubs on campus that do the same across disciplines. This helps expose students to people from different majors, backgrounds and interests, sparking interest in things they may not have considered before.
You don’t even have to join clubs you were involved in during high school. As you get older, your interests may shift, and the best part of college is that you can explore those changes. While you may not have been artsy or creative in high school, you can try it out in college. Likewise, you can join club sports teams to explore whether it’s something you want to pursue further. College is the rare time in life where trying new things carries little risk. Despite your background or skill level, many clubs welcome beginners and those who are new to fields.
Involvement matters. The way attendance to a class is vital, showing up for clubs and putting
effort into your interests does too. By doing all of these things, you build yourself up into a professional. Hands-on learning is the biggest benefit of student involvement. It makes you go from a student to an experienced individual. Even if you’re a transfer, upperclassmen or just changed your mind, involvement can boost your confidence. Always remem-
ber: better late than never! Joining clubs isn’t just beneficial, it’s absolutely essential to your time on campus for it to be successful and worthwhile. Chances are, most people are just as nervous as you are, but taking the first step to joining a club can lead to life changing friendships and experiences that’ll stay with you forever.
Classical education, or a more traditional liberal arts curriculum, was the status quo for college students for decades. In recent years, however, fields of study associated with the arts and humanities have been challenged, while professional and STEM fields have yet to face the same scrutiny. This has been echoed in recent cuts made by the Trump administration to university funding, which has had a major impact on the humanities and social sciences budget here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Clearly, both the university and students struggle to see the value in liberal arts, and it’s not hard to imagine why this is the case — a degree in finance or mechanical engineering has apparent and easily definable skill sets in a given career. However, many students have overlooked or simply haven’t been informed of the plethora of benefits and abilities a degree in liberal arts can produce. Comparative analysis, writing, discipline and a well-informed understanding of society as a whole sets those with a classical education apart.
Whether you’re a political science or psychology major, the work you’re often tasked with completing almost always involves analyzing and comparing differing arguments. The challenge of evaluating clashing social theories, historical accounts or interpretations of a text challenge students in the arts and humanities to read critically and develop a well informed opinion that is defendable. Peters Stearns, a writer for the American Historical Society, said studying a humanities field like history “provides opportunities to engage in debate and achieve perspective,” a useful skill in any career.
A quick personal aside before we delve deeper into why the ability to read well and frequently (as most liberal arts majors can) is important. While being interviewed for a job as a tutor for the MCAT, my brother’s colleague was asked by an employer for the Princeton Review, “are you reading.” The applicant gave a response that attempted to appeal to the posi-
tion, listing medical research journals he had been trying to keep up to date with.
The interviewer then shot down this response, saying “No, I mean are you reading anything at all? Novels, short stories, I mean anything.”
But why should an MCAT tutor be a diligent reader? Because reading constantly expands one’s horizon of knowledge. This builds the discipline to learn new ideas and perspectives no
course will assess a student’s knowledge is through writing, specifically essays. These assignments’ aim is not to simply have students regurgitate the information they learned in lecture or through readings, but to make a defendable hypothesis and introduce a new point of view. This goal is evident in the origin of the word essay, which comes from the middle-French word assai meaning “to test” or “to weigh.”
matter what field or genre they belong to, constructing a well-informed and identifiably educated person. This goal is exactly what those teaching arts and humanities courses seek to achieve through their course work.
The primary way an arts or humanities
This focused style of writing and expression makes a master wordsmith and speaker out of the classically educated student, traits any profession would keep their eyes out for. In an interview setting, someone with a humanities
degree can easily detect the goal of an interviewer’s question and answer it both concisely and wholly.
Classical education builds discipline. The constant reading and mode of instruction requires students to stay focused on the task at hand and remain on top of things. Understanding Homer or Seneca isn’t easy. There’s no one answer as to why ‘The Iliad’ or ‘On the Happy Life’ is important and worth reading. We can’t ask Virgil why he wrote ‘The Aeneid.’ The job of the classically educated student is to figure that out for themselves and explain how they got to that conclusion. These tasks breed creativity. They make liberal arts majors more apt to come up with new and challenging ideas built upon discipline.
But allow me to step off of my soap box for a moment and provide you with expert opinions on how arts and humanities majors perform in professional settings. The Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences writes that “humanities concentrators are employed in a wide variety of occupations including arts & entertainment, business & finance, sales, leadership roles, and more.”
Furthermore, two years ago at Arizona State University, US News and World Report revealed that the major with the most amount of students hired to graduate internships was English. Clearly, jobs understand and appreciate the diverse skill set a classically educated student can bring to the table as an employee.
I want to finish up by stating a personal belief of mine that has been impressed upon me throughout my life: there is real beauty in studying the classics, arts, and social sciences that can’t be found anywhere else. Interpreting a plethora of real human accounts, each with their own unique perspective on the ways of the world, opens the door to a beautiful and equitable outlook on society. Gaining knowledge on the many ways in which people can express themselves shows the classically educated student just how thoughtful and eloquent human beings are. A classical education is freeing. It pushes you to create and contemplate the complexity of human creation, and that is something few other majors can offer.
By Otto von Sothen STAFF WRITER
The Wisconsin Badgers men’s soccer team fell to the Portland Pilots 1-0 at home Sept. 1 in their fourth nonconference game of the season, falling to 2-2 on the season.
The Badgers opened their season with a home loss to North Florida but bounced back with back-to-back wins against Bradley and Western Michigan. The game against Portland marked a great opportunity for the Badgers to stay on a positive trajectory and stack up wins before facing Big Ten competition.
Not much action occurred in the first half for both teams. Wisconsin’s best opportunity to score came at the start of the half on a cross which trickily bounced out of the hands of Portland’s
goalkeeper. Unfortunately for the Badgers, they were unable to convert on the error.
The first half ended with both sides scoreless, with Wisconsin failing to record a
single shot on target.
It wasn’t until the 67th minute that Wisconsin presented a threatening attack, coming from a combination on a free kick that resulted in a header that was
saved by the Pilot’s goalkeeper.
Only a minute later, Wisconsin goalkeeper Matisse Hebert added to his incredible day, making a huge save on his line to keep the Badgers in the game. Throughout the game, he was one of Wisconsin’s best players, making crucial saves and interventions throughout both halves.
A few minutes later, Wisconsin’s Cristobal Porter, a sophomore from Chile, dribbled past Pilot defenders, and as he cut in, made a pass to star forward Bart Muns who managed to get a shot on goal. Still, it wasn’t enough to open the score.
In the 71st minute, Portland concluded a great counter attack with a cross to David Ajagbe who made a superb touch with his chest and hit a volley that left Hebert no chance to save it.
Trailing, Wisconsin did not manage to create many more chances over the game’s final 20 minutes.
The Badgers finished the game with only two shots on goal and no corner kicks, whereas Portland accumulated six shots on goal and six corner kicks. These few stats sum up the game for the Badgers, who experienced another frustrating loss.
The Badgers will have an unusual 11-day gap between their loss against Portland and their next contest. Their scheduled match against Marquette University on September 6th, was canceled due to the passing of two Marquette men’s lacrosse players.
Wisconsin will look to avenge its loss Friday, when they take on Maryland at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
‘Tale of two halves’: Badger offense erupts in second half to beat Middle Tennessee
By Tejas Rao STAFF WRITER
The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 42-10 Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, overcoming an uninspiring first half performance to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
“To be honest with you, it was a tale of two halves,” Head Coach Luke Fickell told reporters at a postgame press conference.
Middle Tennessee didn’t take long to find the scoreboard. After a successful 34-yard pass from quarterback Nicholas Vattiato to wide receiver Nahzae Cox, kicker Jacob Hathaway nailed a 27-yard field goal, completing a 68-yard drive to lead the game 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Badgers were stumped early by two quick defensive stops from the Blue Raiders. Wisconsin found it unexpectedly difficult to penetrate the Middle Tennessee defensive line with their rushing attack.
Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes’s playbook prioritized the passing game. The Badgers’ offensive line struggled to keep pressure away from their running backs and create gaps for them to find, which forced Grimes to adjust and call quick pass plays for O’Neil.
The first two touchdowns — off drives that were only possible because of quarterback Danny O’Neil’s consistent passing from start to end — made the score to 14-3, helping the Badgers create some breathing space. Slot receiver Tyrell Henry and running back Dilon Jones brought home the scores.
Despite the jump ahead, Wisconsin’s offense faltered with two minutes left in the half. An unlucky clash between Jones and left guard Joe Brunner knocked O’Neil’s throw out of Jones’s hands and resulted in an interception by Blue Raider defensive tackle Damonte Smith, who was brought down at Wisconsin’s 11-yard line.
A quick 7-yard gain brought Middle Tennessee to the 4-yard line and
Vattiato’s pass to tight end Hunter Tipton made the score 14-10 — all within two minutes to halftime.
“In the first half, we didn’t execute even close to the way we prepared,” Fickell said.
“But the truth of the matter is, I like
understanding some of the things we have to do to grow.”
By the end of the first half, Wisconsin’s receiving yards outnumbered their rushing yards by 80 (127-40), making it clear rushing was not the Badgers’ forte in the first half of regulation.
The second half for the Badgers saw improvements on both ends of the field. The defensive line kept the Blue Raiders’ rushing limited and were able to convert crucial stops, between failed 4th down conversions and three-and-outs.
From here on out, it was smooth sailing for Wisconsin. Finding an offensive groove, O’Neil tossed the ball back to slot receiver Trech Kekahuna on a reverse handoff who took it for a long 61 yards to the end zone, making the score 21-10.
After making it back within the opposition’s 50-yard line, O’Neil’s combination of passing and rushing led to a fourth Badger touchdown. Another reverse handoff call led to a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Vinny Anthony II.
In a display of explosive passing, wide receiver Jayden Ballard created space for himself on the edge of the sideline and was found open by O’Neil for a 58-yard passing touchdown. The Badgers got their fifth touchdown on the board and Ballard’s first for Wisconsin.
With the scoreline now 35-10, Wisconsin running back Cade Yacamelli led the rushing attack to the Middle Tennessee 18-yard line. There, O’Neil found tight end Lance Mason for a 17-yard touchdown pass to put the Badgers up 42-10.
O’Neil, in his first game as a starter for the Wisconsin Badgers, ended up with an 85% pass completion rate, 283 yards and three touchdowns.
“He fits in well [with the team]. We knew he was going to go into the game with confidence and he did exactly that,” Ballard said about O’Neil’s adaptability to the new situation and team.
Now, the question remains whether O’Neil will start against the Badgers’ next opponent: No. 19 Alabama. Wisconsin’s opening day starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. seems to still be recovering from a left knee sprain he sustained in week 1, and as his status for week 3 remains skeptical, it will be something for the Badger faithful to keep an eye on.
By Isabella Barajas GRAPHICS EDITOR
The most-watched Netflix film of all time — viewed 266 million times, featuring an original song with over 500 million Spotify streams — centers around a Korean pop girl group fighting a demon boy band with a magical song in order to save the world.
Sony Pictures Animation’s “KPop Demon Hunters” released directly to Netflix on June 20, 2025 has since become a nearly inescapable part of popular culture. But does this neon-colored, anime-inspired film about K-pop stars fighting demons really deserve its success?
Critics of this film will write it off as childish, conceptually confusing and a visually and musically overstimulating experience. But “KPop Demon Hunters” thrives in its unrelenting optimism, unique worldbuilding and creative Korean flair in its songs and animation.
The film’s most obvious triumph is its striking animeinspired animation. The film is visually dynamic, with each scene featuring bold lighting and color palettes perfectly matched to the tone of the moment, from fiery oranges and deep reds during the climax to soft blues and purples during romantic moments.
2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” also created by Sony, is most often credited with the popularization of incorporating 2D techniques and unique visual styles into 3D animation, which became relatively onesize-fits-all in the early 2010s.
Since then, films like “Puss
in Boots: The Last Wish” and, of course, “KPop Demon Hunters” have proven that animation is a medium, not a genre and this medium’s greatest strength lies in its potential to create something completely unique.
Apart from its stunning animation, the film features seven original songs, which all manage to create unique identities for themselves while remaining unified by their K-pop roots.
“Soda Pop” received the most attention online thanks to its upbeat and catchy lyrics, which thematically tie into the Saja Boys’ desire to steal K-pop fans and their souls using irresistible earworm songs.
However, I personally believe the soundtrack’s strongest showing comes in the opening with “How It’s Done.” This energetic fight song serves as the perfect introduction to the excitement of the film and its protagonists.
The rap segments are clearly crafted with care and a blast to listen to, even outside of the film. The Korean lyrics are integrated seamlessly without condescending English translations, much like a song from a real K-pop group.
The close-knit and passionate ‘stan’ culture surrounding K-pop groups is simultaneously parodied and honored by the protagonists, who are always kind and appreciative to their fans and how their passion is what ultimately keeps the demon realm at bay.
The distinct personalities of the primary K-pop group, HUNTR/X, is another strength of the film. While main pro -
tagonist Rumi has the most time to shine through her romantic subplot and secret demonic heritage, her bandmates aren’t left in the dust. Zoey is bubbly and sassy while Mira is cool and rebellious, yet they both show clear insecurities and a desire to hold onto their found family. Their group chemistry serves as a powerful example of supportive female friendship, tying into the primary theme of the film — that learning to accept all parts of yourself and being vulnerable with those you love is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Jinu’s character is equally strong, serving as both a romantic interest and character foil for Rumi, who begins to see through him that demons are manipulated by the main villain, Gwi-Ma, and that while they made selfish mistakes, these mistakes are not all that
defines them. They ultimately learn from each other how to accept their demon identities and embrace selflessness.
Jinu’s Saja Boy bandmates do not have as distinct of personalities as he does, being boiled down to ‘the one with abs’ or ‘the baby one,’ but they still invite the viewer to choose favorite band members and enjoy their onscreen interactions, much like a real boy band.
No, the film isn’t perfect. Gwi-Ma, for instance, is a one-note evil force. The other demons are given equally little substance, which muddles the idea of Rumi being able to see demons as more than pure evil. Especially when she and her friends spend the climax slaying them, including the other Saja Boys, without a second thought.
The ending itself is a little weak, with the power of friend-
ship and song ultimately saving the day. Although, if any film deserves to use this resolution, it’s a film where music is established to hold magical demonslaying properties.
The film also suffers from a third act band breakup when Rumi is revealed as a demon, undermining the film’s messaging about not hiding things from the ones you love because they will be understanding. And, considering how quickly Rumi is forgiven, it feels that this plot beat could have been written out easily in favor of a more mature and subversive reaction.
While “KPop Demon Hunters” is not immune from the occasional cliche or plot hole, the clear passion and energy poured into every frame of animation, each line of song and the heartfelt message at its core should be reason enough to justify this film’s success.
‘Harvest’ tells a story of mistrust in a rural village
By Lorelei Dittl STAFF WRITER
Arthouse drama film “Harvest” made its debut on MUBI, an arthouse and independent streaming service, in August 2025 after a worldwide run in film festivals, including the 81st Venice National Film Festival where it competed for the highest prize.
The film follows Walt (Caleb Landry Jones), a widowed village worker, as he watches his village become increas-
ingly divided with waves of migration slowly dismantling his community’s way of life.
The breakdown starts when Mr. Earle, the chartmaker hired by Master Jordan, starts to be included in the village’s sacred traditions, and a trio of travelers are caught and blamed for the burning of a rookery. Both Walt and his best friend since childhood, Mayor Charles Kent (Harry Melling), lost their wives in the last five years.
Mayor Kent inherited his late wife’s land and must watch over the villagers who live there.
Nature is a recurring motif in this movie, in particular its symbiotic relationship with man. This is exemplified by the many touching moments in the beginning of the film, as Walt prances through a grassland and gently holds a butterfly and kisses it.
Walt’s character is quiet and observant but does not act even when he wants to. He is paralyzed by a fear of hurting people. He has trouble expressing his emotions and standing up for himself, which in turn slowly crumbles the village’s trust in him.
Despite being hardworking and gentle, he is ostracized. This goes for the other two scapegoats of the film as well: Mr. Earle and travelers from a nearby village.
The villagers have a xenophobic lack of trust in outsiders. The three travelers arrive on shore, and although the villagers surround them violently, the travelers lower their weapons to attempt to communicate peacefully.
This doesn’t work in their favor, however, because of a recent fire set to Kent’s rookery of doves. There are a couple of boys in the village who Walt knows like to burn things, but he says nothing and lets the villagers blame
the travelers.
Master Jordan, the brother of Mayor Kent’s late wife, has come to reclaim the land and has hired Mr. Earle to chart it so that he can gather a workforce to reap the most wealth from the next harvest.
As a non-native Black man, Mr. Earle is immediately distrusted. However, Walt becomes good friends with him, bonding over their shared love of nature and art. Mr. Earle listens to him and allows him to be himself, something Walt doesn’t often receive from others
The film handled the concept of colonialism gracefully, in a way that creeps up on the audience, even though the signs were all there. Walt’s paralysis to the situation is relatable and tragic; his avoidance and fear stimulates the division and displacement by Master Jordan. The camera work is largely 16mm long shots of faces and nature, showing the sameness between grit and beauty.
The film is full of both subtle and overt motifs and themes of scapegoating, ownership, nature and paralysis. The unique setting and circumstances lay the groundwork for a story that differs in pace from that of the usual film, perfect for people who enjoy history, exemplary camera work and a slow burn.
By Kaylie Wiedmeyer
& STYLE EDITOR
Many college students have one thing on their mind: saving money. Amidst the cost of rent, going out, groceries and tuition, it can be hard to find a break in your budget to spend on stylish clothes.
There’s a few ways students can find ways to dress well on a budget, from shopping at local thrift stores or with a goal and investing in quality staple pieces.
Aside from your typical Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul or Plato’s Closet, Madison has a few unique thrift stores that bring some diversity to the fashion scene.
From the outside, Happy Hours would appear to be a regular house on Mifflin. Inside, it’s full of all sorts of secondhand items selected by the owner.
Re-Threads, located on State Street, is committed to eco-friendly and sustainable clothing and functions as a buy-sell store. Re-Threads has been known to stock name-brand clothing, like Gucci and Chanel, among other vintage and collectible brands.
Singlestich is a Madison thrift store that sells recycled vintage clothing. It’s great to achieve an edgy or streetwear look, with pieces ranging from graph-
ic t-shirts, to denim and funky jackets. They also have vintage, recycled UW-Madison merch for students to wear on game day!
Shopping with a goal
Another way for students to stay stylish on a budget is to avoid fastfashion trends. Social media often promotes the rapid cycling of clothing trends. To avoid this, students should create mood boards that emulate their own unique styles or ones that prove to be more versatile.
Mood boards can be helpful because they provide us with a clear vision. We’ve all walked into a clothing store before and walked out with more pieces than we needed or wanted. Having a clear list of clothing items and accessories before shopping can help you narrow your focus when you’re skimming the clothing racks. This way, you can say “no” to items you don’t love and ultimately save money.
Investing in good staples
One of the best hacks to dressing on a budget, especially as a busy college student, is to invest in good staple pieces. You only need a few versatile and functionable pieces to obtain several
different outfits throughout your week.
For pants, it’s always good to have two or three good pairs of jeans. Mix up the styles and washes. This will ensure that you have a pair of jeans no matter the top, occasion or mood.
Neutral colored tops — black, white and gray — are key to maximizing your wardrobe. Whether it be loungewear, clothes for class or going-out tops, these colors are easy to mix and match. While these may seem plain, the key to elevating any outfit is accessories. Accessories add character and personality to an otherwise simple outfit. Thrift stores are a great place to find affordable accessories like belts, jewelry, hats and bags.
By Madison Moris LIFE & STYLE EDITOR
There is no better way to get to know someone than by cooking, hiking, learning and sleeping next to them in a tent for three weeks. That is what my environmental ethics program with Wild Rockies Field Institute entailed.
Sleeping in a tent was new for me, nevermind the fact I was next to a stranger. While my first night’s sleep was not the most restful experience, I knew after the first day I made a good decision.
The people I met on and off the trail was one of the best parts of this course. Not only did we have the opportunity to speak with those working to address climate change, but I
also had two amazing and knowledgeable instructors and got to make new friends from all across the country.
The community I formed in this course is amazing. I will never forget backpacking in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, staying up until midnight to watch the stars deep in the backcountry or playing spoons under the light of my friend’s headlamps.
Learning in nature was extremely impactful, but it required being unplugged for three weeks. All of my coursework was printed out beforehand and assignments were handwritten.
As cliche as it sounds, our parents might have been right about our phones. Before the course, I consid-
ered myself mindful about my phone usage, but this trip opened my eyes to how engrained phones are in our everyday lives. While it was a struggle not listening to music for three weeks, it allowed me to connect with my peers and my environment on a deeper level. It was strange seeing how much I missed being 1,000 miles away from Madison. I found out about the death of Ozzy Osbourne a week late, missed a friend’s birthday and my cat. Coming back to Madison was a shock. Even though my study abroad experience kept me in the country, adjusting to front country life was a challenge. I went from being outside
24/7 to being inside at work under fluorescent lights eight hours a day. The constant bombardment of media was overwhelming to say the least, but I am slowly getting back into a routine. I learned a lot about myself professionally and personally. The course confirmed my desire to get a master’s degree in environmental education in hopes of one day teaching a course like this.
When my blisters finally begin to heal, all I will have left from this course are the memories, the friends I made and some incredible photos from Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.