As classes once again draw to a close, we look back and recount the events that shaped Spring 2006 for the University of Wisconsin. To be sure, this term had its ups and downs, but, on the whole, we believe the semester brought a positive turn in what has been a troublesome year for UW.
It seems we're now seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the long, dark tunnel that has been the Paul Barrows debacle. By no means does this drawn out saga look to be close to an end, but at least the justice process appears to have overcome its initial hiccups.
This semester also saw the school make leaps and bounds of common sense. A new faculty discipline policy will help curb excessive privileges that should be enjoyed by no state employee. Rationality prevailed in the selection of Patrick Farrell to succeed Peter Spear as UW's provost. And free speech reigned supreme in many instances, including the revision of a dorm policy regarding sexual harassment.
Similar strides were made on a broader scope, as the UW System acted to reverse a UW-Eau Claire policy that limited free speech for resident assistants. Even more encouraging, the UW Board of Regents finally took proactive steps — via the establishment of a Regent-Legislator "buddy system"– to end an era of bad blood between the two ends of State Street.
Unfortunately, while UW has experienced positive twists of fate over the past few months, certain unfortunate events have prevented a more complete restoration of the school's image.
Regrettable instances like the hate crimes allegedly committed in Ogg Hall have shown that the campus community is far from harboring the harmony we'd like to believe it does. Students have also continued to suffer from an illegitimate, incompetent student government. The Associated Students of Madison proved itself incapable of handling its duties once again this semester, as voters were treated to three consecutive election fiascos in the span of two weeks. Further, to the disadvantage of the student body, all true attempts to reform this government met failure, leaving the status quo in place. Perhaps most unfortunately, even the checks that do exist to counter ASM have been unable to demonstrate much merit, as the concept of 'viewpoint neutrality' has remained an inhibition.
Although it would be easy to dwell on the more disheartening happenings of the past semester, we believe that, overall, UW has taken a turn for the better. Of course, there is much room for improvement, but in comparison to the previous term, we've come a long way. Nonetheless, this university remains a great place for an education.
The Editorial Board ([email protected]) consists of four seniors, two juniors and a doctoral student who may or may not have ever gone to high school. They major in journalism, political science, economics and rhetoric, though they all share a fond affinity for '80s song lyrics. Well, almost all of them. In reflecting on the semester that was, they have many thoughts, opinions and memories, including — but not limited to — lecturing on gender equality in higher education, protecting the First Amendment and, well, umm, yeah, passing Playboy around the room and giggling like a bunch of fourth graders on a lost canoe (well, again, almost all of them). In leaving, they want to thank everybody for reading — though they realize very few of you are actually processing this piece of italicized beauty — and exit by noting, "Regrets, we have a few. But then again, too few to mention." Yeah, going out with Sinatra. Cliché? You bet. But we've spent every frickin' night trying to find appropriate headline lyrics, so it seems only fitting that we end with some decent ones. And Vitamin C was way out of the question. Seriously. Though it is worth noting that as we go on, we will remember. Doh!
