Student NewsLink
February 25, 2009
The News
Students vote 'no' on new ASM constitution
By a margin of 61 percent to 38 percent, UW-Madison students voted down a proposed new Associated Students of Madison (ASM) constitution.Turnout was strong relative to other recent elections, with 15 percent of the student body (or 6,000 students) participating. The result keeps ASM's structure in its current form.
Cautious optimism on domestic-partner health insurance
University administrators are expressing cautious optimism about the inclusion of domestic partner health insurance benefits in Gov. Jim Doyle's biennial budget plan. In his Feb. 17 budget address, Doyle unveiled a provision that would allow domestic partner health insurance for all state workers, including all UW-Madison faculty and staff.
Researchers cite President Obama's role in reducing racism
President Obama spurred a dramatic change in the way whites think about African-Americans before he had even set foot in the Oval Office, according to a new study by the psychology department's Patricia Devine and E. Ashby Plant of Florida State University.
Chancellor invites campus to participate in reading project
Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin has invited students, faculty, staff and the community to take part in a common book project.
Living & Learning
Antarctica's IceCube telescope is Wisconsin-made
When it's completed in 2011, the South Pole neutrino observatory, Ice Cube, promises to open a new window on otherworldly events happening across the universe, such as colliding galaxies and black holes. In the meantime, though, it's producing some decidedly down-to-earth results for Wisconsin.
State building commission clears new Union building project
The State Building Commission has unanimously approved plans for the new south campus union.
New history course on U.S. 'grand strategy' reaches out to modern military leaders
A new summer course by the history department's Jeremy Suri will examine the successes and failures of America's foreign policy "grand strategy" during the past century. What makes the course unique is its target audience: current and future U.S. military leaders.
Around Campus
Dance Program concert showcases student compositions
Emerging choreographers in the Dance Program create and present original work for this professionally produced, all-student concert. Two works shown in the concert will represent the university at the American College Dance Festival's regional conference in March at the University of Minnesota. 8 p.m. daily from Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 26-28, Margaret H'Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall. Cost: $10 students and seniors, $15 general ($5 student discount Feb. 26).
Israeli Film Festival does five themes in five nights
The Israeli Film Festival includes five evenings of films on the themes of Women and Ethnicity (March 1), Contemporary Life in Israel (March 2), The LGBT Scene (March 3), The Quest for Identity (March 4) and Golden Days, Nostalgic Nights (March 5). All screenings are in the Chazen Museum of Art, and the first film each day begins at 6:30 p.m.
Charity Ball benefits domestic violence shelter
This year's NSCS Charity Ball proceeds will go to UNIDOS, a local shelter fighting domestic violence. The dance theme is decades, and attendees are invited to dress in their favorite decade's gear. A raffle and other prizes will be awarded throughout the night, and snacks and refreshments will be available. 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, Great Hall, Memorial Union. Cost: $5 suggested donation.
Seminars explores Wisconsin's response to climate change
How is climate change affecting Wisconsin, and how can the state adapt? A series of free public seminars beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, will address those questions. "Bracing for Impact: Climate Change Adaptation in Wisconsin," is the theme of the nine-part series, to be held in room 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center Building. Each seminar will start at 7 p.m. and last about an hour. Most will feature two speakers. All but one will be held Thursday evenings.
Seminar assesses inequality around the world from Rome to now
Jeffrey G. Williamson, Harvard University, will present a paper that explores two questions: Is inequality largely the result of the Industrial Revolution? Were pre-industrial incomes as unequal as they are today? This paper infers inequality for 29 ancient, pre-industrial societies using what are known as social tables, stretching from the Roman Empire 14 AD, to Byzantium in 1000, to England in 1688, to Nueva España around 1790, to China in 1880 and to British India in 1947. 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 8417 Sewell Social Sciences.
Distinguished Lecture Series hosts atheism advocate Dennett
Daniel Dennet is regarded as the most prominent American advocate for atheism and evolutionary biology. He speaks as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, Wisconsin Union Theater. A reception and book signing follow. Cost: free to students, faculty and staff; see the DLS Web site for ticketing info.
Wisconsin dance marathon kicks off this weekend
Open to the public and students, the Wisconsin Dance Marathon will begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and run all the way through 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Shell. For a $20 donation at the door, attendees gain entry to the marathon for two hours and can dance with friends, watch the entertainment and get a taste of the tradition that is becoming the Wisconsin Dance Marathon. Proceeds benefit the American Family Children's Hospital.
Notable
Graduate student wins national leadership award
Tessa Lowinske Desmond, a doctoral student in Afro-American studies and English, received the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award from the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The award recognizes doctoral students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education and commitment to developing academic and civic responsibility in themselves and others, and whose work reflects a strong emphasis on teaching and learning.
Four faculty awarded prestigious Sloan Fellowships
Four faculty members are among 118 scientists, mathematicians and economists from around the country who have been awarded prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowships. The $50,000 grants, which are awarded to promising young researchers in the early stages of their careers, have been won by Shuchi Chawla, computer science; Karsten M. Heeger, physics; Song Jin, chemistry; and Tehshik Yoon, chemistry.
Opportunities
UW students to get prepared for life at Financial Independence Seminar
Students looking to prepare for life, from first-year students to seniors about to graduate, are invited to get expert financial advice at this exclusive weekend event. The Wisconsin Alumni Student Board and the Wisconsin School of Business are hosting the annual Financial Independence Seminar from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Grainger Hall. Students can pick and choose the sessions they want to attend, staying for half or all of the seminar.
Learn the ins and outs of working for international organizations
H. Stephen Halloway, United Nations Industrial Development Organization and International Law Institute, discusses the ins and outs of working for international organizations. 4 p.m. today (Wednesday), Feb. 25, 4151 Grainger Hall.