Student NewsLink
Sept. 9, 2009
The News
UW-Madison entrepreneurship programs ranked 11th
Entrepreneurship programs at the Wisconsin School of Business rank among the best in the nation, according to a recently published survey conducted by the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine.
WiCell donates $1 million in gear to UW-Madison labs
Four advanced pieces of scientific laboratory equipment with a total value of approximately $1 million are now available for use by UW-Madison stem-cell scientists and other researchers at several campus departments and centers due to a donation by the private nonprofit WiCell Research Institute.
Fewer clinic visits in third week of UW-Madison outbreak
The number of students contacting University Health Services (UHS) about flu-like symptoms decreased in the third week of the semester. In the week of Sept. 13-19, UHS evaluated 168 students for influenza-like illness (ILI). ILI visits made up 12.6 percent of the total visits to the primary care clinic for the week.
Living & Learning
Diversity efforts to focus on 'inclusive excellence'
The idea that the inclusiveness and excellence of an institution are fundamental and linked to one another form the bedrock of UW-Madison's approach to diversity following Plan 2008. A campus forum, to be held from 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Memorial Union, will address these issues, with the theme "Seeding Inclusive Excellence."
Smaller isn't always better: Catalyst simulations could lower fuel-cell cost
Imagine a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions. While vehicles like this won't be on the market anytime soon, UW-Madison researchers are making incremental but important strides in the fuel-cell technology that could make clean cars a reality.
Around Campus
Author to visit campus for Go Big Read program
Michael Pollan, whose book "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" is the focus of the Go Big Read common-reading project, will give a free public talk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Kohl Center. No tickets are needed to attend, and the doors open at 6 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 25, at 3:30 p.m., a panel discussion on the book will be held at the Wisconsin Union Theater. The panel, which features Pollan with alumni and faculty from a range of fields, highlights thoughtful critical engagements from "In Defense of Food."
USDA chief economist to speak at department centennial
The USDA's chief economist, Joe Glauber, will speak at an event celebrating the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics' centennial. 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, Biotechnology Center Auditorium.
Nobel Prize-winning chemist to give Bernstein Lectures
Renowned chemist Ahmed Zewail will give two lectures as part of the Richard B. Bernstein Lectures on Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29. Zewail, the 1999 Nobel laureate in chemistry and a current member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, will give his Monday lecture, "Time and Matter-Bernstein's Vision," at 3:30 p.m. and his Tuesday lecture, "Exploring at the Interface of Physical and Biological Sciences," at 11 a.m. Both lectures will take place in 1315 Chemistry.
Arts Enterprise Forum spotlights prominent arts and culture leaders
The Arts Enterprise Forum offers an opportunity for the Madison community to hear and interact with three nationally respected leaders who are reshaping arts and culture. The first lecture is by MacArthur Fellowship winner Elizabeth Streb, who will discuss "Where Art and Audience Collide: Smashing Assumptions about Arts Venues." 7 p.m. today (Sept. 23) in the Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 201 State St.
Panel discusses censorship as part of ACLU Banned Book Week
A panel of experts will discuss current issues in censorship, including book challenges, net neutrality and free access to the Internet, and youth free speech rights. 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, SLIS Commons, 4207 Helen C. White Hall.
Black Music Ensemble performs first concert of the year
Director Richard Davis leads the 15-piece ensemble in a performance of popular music from the 1930s to the 1980s, including three vocal soloists and a variety of instrumental improvisations. 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, Morphy Hall, Mosse Humanities.
Notable
Campus building boom continues with multiple projects
If building construction is a sign of vitality, UW-Madison continues to thrive, with improvements under way across campus.
Seasonal flu options available for students, faculty, staff
Many local health care providers and community clinics have started offering vaccinations against seasonal influenza -- the "regular" flu shots that many people get every year. Seasonal flu shots do not provide any protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus that has been linked to the current outbreak on campus. However, they are formulated to protect against other strains that may circulate later this year.
Registrar: Last day for tuition adjustment on dropped classes
Friday, Sept. 25, is the last day for a 50 percent tuition adjustment on dropped classes. Friday is also the last day for undergraduates to apply for pass/fail or to convert from credit to audit.
Opportunities
Volunteer Fair offers numerous ways to get involved
Students can meet with more than 60 nonprofit agencies to learn about their missions and current volunteer opportunities, and to find a volunteer or service-learning opportunity that matches their majors, passions or career goals. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, Great Hall, Memorial Union.
Information session helps students get ready for IdeaFest
Students interested in participating in the entrepreneurship competitions held later in the school year can learn what they are all about at this information session. The top prize is $10,000. 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, Main Lounge, Sellery Hall.
Huffin' for Habitat 5K run/3K walk benefits Habitat for Humanity
Huffin' for Habitat is an annual 5k run/3k walk that starts near the Lakeshore dorms and runs along Lake Mendota, and there are individual, group and gender prizes. All proceeds from the race directly benefit Habitat for Humanity and its mission of building safe, affordable, simple homes locally and internationally. 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, Natatorium.