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N e x t w e e k The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
R acqueT
Volume 102, No. 36
FROM THE EDITORS: TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUDDY. . . PAGE 3 UW-L SENDS FIVE ATHLETIC TEAMS TO WIAC . . . PAGE 7
BREAKING MORE THAN JUST BREAD . . . PAGE 3
w w w.t h e rac q u e t . n e t
T hu r s d ay, N ove m b e r 10 , 2011
8 Pa g e s
S i n g l e Co p i e s Fr e e
Alternate side parking shifts into gear By Hannah Kepros Staff Reporter
It is that time of year again, when the leaves start falling, snow’s on the way in, and parking becomes overly complicated. Alternate side parking begins every Nov. 1 and many find this recurring ordinance confusing. To ease the complication, residents should remember that at night vehicles must be parked on even-numbered sides of the street on even numbered calendar dates and on odd-numbered dates. This rule is in effect between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. According to the City of La Crosse web site, parking is normally permitted only on one side of the street, and vehicles may be parked on that permitted side every night. UW-La Crosse students living on and around campus may be free from this ordinance. A program that began two years ago allows students to continue to park on both sides of the street overnight during the designated
time periods, except when the city has declared a snow emergency. It was designed because students have limited parking and are receiving numerous violations for not moving their vehicle. Students can visit Parking and Transportation Services on campus if they have any questions or concerns on alternate side parking for specific streets.
It was designed because students have limited parking and are often receiving numerous violations for not moving their vehicle. Lindsey Harreld, a resident of La Crosse lives off campus without off street parking.“It [alternate side parking] is an inconvenience, because you have to Please see PARKING, page 3
Kelli Ponce The Racquet
A police officer chalks tires on 15th Street just after noon, which is typically the busiest time for student parking near campus. Proposed changes to alternate side parking rules will mean drivers in
certain parts of the campus area will observe the rules only when the City declares a snow emergency.
Orderly Oktoberfest? Looking for options in women’s health care By Gretchen Zishka Senior Reporter
By now, everyone is aware that some UW-La Crosse students, as well as people from other institutions and the community, caused disruptive behavior this Oktoberfest. This included throwing dead squirrels and flipping a car. Dr. Nicklaus, Director of Residence Life at UW-L, and RHAC Senator Olivia Boerschinger spoke last week about a new regulation aimed at reducing the trouble associated with Oktoberfest weekend, especially for the oncampus community. This would likely go into effect next fall, though some details still need to be worked out. The new regulation would not allow any overnight guests in the dorms over the first weekend of Oktoberfest, typically the last weekend in September. “I think [the rule] will provide a safe and secure environment for all our students,” said Nicklaus. The idea behind this rule is that it will reduce underage drinking, policy violations, vandalism and messes in the residence halls. Some say the regulation would be difficult to enforce. “Unless you give RAs permission to go into people’s rooms and check, the policy is impractical,” said Sophomore dorm resident Alex Nelson. But some students are in favor of it. “It’s a good idea. It would prevent too many people being in one room or on the campus.” said Betsy Collins, a resident of Drake Hall.
231 & 232 Cartwright Center 1725 State Street La Crosse, WI 54601
Dr. Nicklaus, RHAC and other bodies involved with this regulation are looking into enforcement procedures. According to Nicklaus, these would include putting extra RAs on duty during the entire weekend with patrols both inside and outside the buildings, requiring an ID to enter the buildings, and more hall programming as an alternative to drinking. Guests would be asked to leave if it was late or they were being disruptive, and students might have to show their student IDs to RAs on duty. But these procedures are still decided on. “They’re looking at how best to enforce it well, so nothing is finalized yet,” said Boerschinger. Nicklaus said that UW-L used to have such a rule in the 1990s, then as Oktoberfest disruptions became less of a problem, they backed off. However, the past one or two years have seen an increase in problems for the campus and community, so he thinks rules are needed again. UW-Madison enforces a similar rule for its Halloween weekend festivities. “I look at this as a way to protect students, not a punishment,” said Nicklaus. But recent student misbehavior was a major factor in making the regulation, and such negative behavior has to be curtailed”, he said. The need for a rule in the first place, speaks to a “culture that promotes alcohol consumption” at UW-L said Nicklaus, which can have many harmful effects. This also extends to other UW schools, but the rule is a way to take responsibility over the culture.
By Krista Martin Staff Reporter
Last week, six health proposals aimed at health clinics, such as Planned Parenthood and Options Clinic in La Crosse, were given the green light, all within a two day period. Through these advancements, the public’s access to services such as birth control, contraceptives and cancer assessments could be reduced, widespread sex education curriculums may diminish procedures like abortion and fertility treatment could perhaps be restricted or outlawed. These aggressive plans entered Wisconsin’s governmental agenda through the GOP leadership. These proposals appear to be made in order to
minimize the state’s financial troubles by means of cutting out what may be seen by some as unnecessary or non-vital services. Considering that organizations like Planned Parenthood rely on the administration of these services to promote society’s overall health and to assist people who may be in dire sexual or physical situations, its staff is deeply disturbed at the thought of these proposals becoming a reality. “By looking at the long list of antiwomen’s health bills that advanced in the Wisconsin Legislature this week, you’d think that we were in the midst of a sex education, birth control and abortion catastrophe, instead of a jobs crisis,” says Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. “It is astonishing that during a time of economic distress,
anyone, much less our elected public servants, would spend time advancing policies that will reduce individual’s access to essential information and affordable health care services.”
“There are threats to drop 53,000 low-income Wisconsin citizens from Badgercare programs.” Erin Behlen Options Clinic Manager While it is true that these modifications to the health system Please see HEALTH, page 3
Election Results: 95th District Billings defeats Drews with 71 percent of votes By Racquet Staff
According to the La Crosse Tribune, Democrat Jill Billings defeated David Drews in the state's 95th Assembly District on Nov. 8. Billings received 71 percent of the votes in all 19 precincts. Her campaign was focused on creating jobs, education, and fair taxes.
Word of the Week Nyctophobia Definition: An abnormal fear of night or darkness. The honeybadger stayed indoors during the winter due to his nyctophobia
According to the La Crosse Tribune,Drew's campaign revolved around small government and the changes brought with Gov. Scott Walker. This year has followed history. According to the La Crosse Tribune, Democrats have represented the 95th Assembly District since 1974.
Index
News. . . . . . . . . . ... 1-4 Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . .5 Features . . . . . . . . .....6
Sports. . . . . . . . . . .7 Grin Bin. . . . . . . . .8
Billings
Please recycle