University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank and Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez are making another effort to address concerns regarding the sportsmanship of a student section chant at Badger football games.

In an opinion column published in the Wisconsin State Journal Thursday, Blank and Alvarez announced a plan to work with UW students to resolve issues with the chant. To promote collaboration, the Chairman of the Athletic Board Dale Bjorling appointed an ad hoc committee comprised of four UW students to look into the atmosphere at Camp Randall and the chant itself, UW Athletics spokesperson, Justin Doherty said.

“In general, [Blank and Alvarez] are trying to create a positive atmosphere at Camp Randall,” Doherty said.

Doherty said the statement was not a result of increased complaints, but an effort to create an atmosphere where all Badger fans feel comfortable.

“Honestly Alvarez and Blank both receive regular communication from people who are embarrassed by it or don’t like it or they bring their families to the game and don’t know what to tell their kids,” Doherty said. “I think also part of the reason for the statement was also to reiterate for people that we’ve done a lot of things to engage the students to chant something else or not at all.”

In addition to messages on the scoreboard, emails from the director of athletics, discussions with student leaders on campus and incentives not to chant and requests from football players, Doherty said the athletic board is working to engage the students in a conversation about the chants through the ad hoc athletic board committee.

In their statement in the Wisconsin State Journal, Blank and Alvarez explained the goal of the student-led athletic board committee.

“We are committed to collaborating with our students when they’re ready to channel their competitive spirit in new and less offensive ways.”