Student NewsLink
September 3, 2008
The News
Martin anticipates challenges as chancellor
The values that Carolyn "Biddy" Martin carries into her job as the next chancellor will help define the university as it faces the challenges of the 21st century.
UW-Madison responds to student deaths
The campus community is mourning the deaths of three of its students in a Midvale Boulevard car accident Aug. 27. Students interested in crisis support as a result of this or any other situation are encouraged to call University Health Services Counseling and Consultation Services, either during business hours, or through its 24-hour crisis line. The number for both is 265-5600.
University urges 'Safety 24/7' with new Web site
The university is making an added effort to raise the level of safety education and awareness during the start of the fall semester with the launch of a new Web site. The site contains a wide range of information about personal safety, off-campus living, sexual assault and domestic violence prevention, emergency preparedness tips and information on how to sign up for WiscAlerts-Text, the university's new emergency text-messaging system.
Big Ten Network, Charter come to agreement
Charter Communications and the Big Ten Network have reached an agreement-in-principle on terms of a multi-year distribution agreement in which Charter will carry the Big Ten Network and related programming throughout Big Ten territory, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Northern Illinois.
Living & Learning
Bring out your badger with The Red Shirt
Badger alumni, students and fans are kicking off the season with style and substance by wearing The Red Shirt, created to reflect the UW-Madison tradition of spirit and giving back. Sales of the shirt, a one-of-a-kind, collectible T-shirt developed by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA), will benefit student scholarships and programming under WAA's mission to serve alumni and students.
New initiative provides students with timely textbook information
The Office of the Registrar and the Division of Information Technology launched a cooperative textbook project on Aug. 18. As a result, textbook information will display to students in their My UW-Madison Student Center. The goal of the initiative is to help students get timely information about textbooks and help them manage their textbook costs.
New Wiscard fulfills ID, debit, access, meal plan functions
The new Wiscard sports a new look and will simplify matters for students, faculty and staff by performing four functions in one card: It will serve as a campus photo ID, offer secure building access, and work as a debit and meal plan card.
Athletic Department kicks off recycling, sustainability campaign
Along with starting their season, this past Saturday, Aug. 30, the football team kicked off a recycling and sustainability campaign called "Wear Red. Think Green. Badgers Recycle." As part of the campaign, the Athletic Department has committed to improving its recycling and sustainability practices, not only on game day at Camp Randall Stadium but at all of its facilities throughout the year.
Around Campus
Campus invited to ice cream social
As the fall semester gets under way, faculty, staff and students are invited to greet each other and new Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin at a university ice cream social on Bascom Hill. The event will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. All university employees and students are invited. Bucky Badger will be on hand, and Babcock ice cream will be served, including a new flavor — Strawbiddy Swirl — named in Martin's honor. Babcock Dairy Plant Manager Bill Klein says the flavor has a vanilla ice cream base with strawberry slices, strawberry marble and dark chocolate flakes in it, and it should taste like chocolate-covered strawberries. Klein credits Joanne Poniatowski, a student employee in the Babcock Dairy Store office, for coming up with the ice cream's name. Klein and Poniatowksi jointly chose the ingredients. Dietary alternatives also will be available at the event. There will be a limit of one dish per person, while supplies last.
Multicultural Center hosts campus get-together
Welcoming people of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds, the Multicultural Orientation and Reception (MCOR) is a long-standing campus event that brings together students, faculty and staff to celebrate the multicultural experiences that make UW-Madison great. This year's theme is "Mind, Body & Soul: Making Every Experience Count." From singing to dancing to spoken word, enjoy this showcase of the cultural fabric of the university community while making connections on campus. 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, in the Wisconsin Union Theater and the Memorial Union's Great Hall.
Get in gear for Fifth Quarter celebrations
The Fifth Quarter is one of the campus's most exciting traditions, involving unique Wisconsin dances and cheers after every home football game. This event offers a fun chance to rehearse all the songs and cheers so Camp Randall sings as one after every home game. Get started with a Badger-style cookout at Engineering Mall and then head off to a celebration in Camp Randall with the Spirit Squad, Bucky and the Marching Band. Attendees will leave as Fifth Quarter veterans. 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, Engineering Mall and Camp Randall.
Cinematheque kicks off season with musical, politics
The Cinematheque kicks off its fall season with two screenings this weekend, including a newly restored print of "Singin' in the Rain" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, and "Primary" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. "Primary," which is the first film in this fall's series "American Politics on Film," documents the battle between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey for the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination. Both films will be screened in the Cinematheque, 4070 Vilas Hall.
Sendoff event for Wiley has student performers, funds scholarships
A very special event to honor outgoing Chancellor John Wiley's many years of service to the university is planned for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, at the Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St. "An Evening of Celebration" will include music, drama and dance performances by students, and proceeds support student scholarship funds. Tickets start at $15. For tickets or to make a donation to the scholarship fund, call 262-9646 or visit http://www.uwalumni.com/eveningofcelebration.aspx
Special Union event welcomes new transfer students
Join fellow transfer students, university staff and continuing students in this fun and engaging evening. This is one of many opportunities to learn about campus resources, be formally welcomed into the campus community by a faculty representative and begin making connections in a new home. Free food and prizes await from 7-9 p.m. today (Wednesday), Sept. 3, TITU Memorial Union.
Notable
Sign up for emergency information via WiscAlerts
The philosophy behind WiscAlerts is to send a consistent set of messages across all platforms in an effort to reach as many members of the campus community as possible, in as short an amount of time as possible. The university has four main notification systems, each able to reach different subsets of the campus community, depending on the nature of the emergency, including e-mail, text messaging, voicemail and 'reverse 911.'
Video: Chancellor's Convocation
Anyone who missed out on the speeches at this year's convocation can still take part, thanks to an online video posted on the chancellor's Web site. Also included is a transcript of the chancellor's speech.
Alternate space available while State Street Podium out of commission
Due to construction, the State Street Mall and Podium area, a popular place for students to gather and have rallies and performances, will be unavailable for reservation until November. During this construction period, a nearby location at the 700 block of State Street, with electric hookups, will be made available for reservation Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m., and weekends from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Also, the 800 block of State Street, from Murray Street to Park Street, will be available for reservation, but with no electrical hookup. For information on how to organize a community event in the downtown area, city streets or city parks, visit the city's parks page.
Registrar: Deadlines coming for enrollment, dropping classes
Friday, Sept. 5, is the last day to enroll without paying a late fee, and Wednesday, Sept. 10, is the last day to drop classes without receiving a mark on transcripts.
Opportunities
Get involved at the Student Organization Fair
Take the opportunity to talk personally with group leaders from a variety of areas, including academic groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, recreational sports, political and advocacy groups, service organizations and much more. 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Kohl Center.
First-year students: Audition to appear in 'College Life'
UW-Madison alumnus David Wexler is creating a documentary television series called "College Life." Wexler hopes to identify first-year students who would like to document their lives during their freshman year. The subsequent material will be used for a weekly half-hour show on a major cable network. Students selected for the documentary will be issued a digital video camera and paid for their work. Please note that this is not a UW-Madison project but an independent project being undertaken by an alumnus. Casting begins Thursday, Sept. 4, and continues through Friday, Sept. 12. For more information on taking part in "College Life," call casting director Loreen Stevens at (917) 603-5886 or collegelife@chomet.com
Find your organizational match at 'Student Org Speed Dating'
In a twist on the usual organizational fair, student organizations will be on hand at this event to offer a personalized information session for interested students. 3-6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, Library Mall.
Learn about opportunities to study abroad
Attend this fair to learn about UW-Madison's more than 150 study-abroad programs, including programs for all undergraduate degrees and majors, as well as programs for first-year students, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Also get answers to questions and talk with past participants. 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Great Hall, Memorial Union.