As the semester comes to an end, this editorial board's tenure together will also expire. From Kevin Barrett to Halloween to the student election fiasco, and despite fundamental disagreements, we have managed to make it out alive.
The semester began with UW's decision to keep controversial lecturer Kevin Barrett on staff despite opposition from numerous corners. We believe students can draw their own conclusions concerning questionable academic theories. Despite all of Mr. Barrett's antics — his presentation sponsored by the UW Folklore Department for example — Mr. Barrett added to the marketplace of ideas at UW. The discussion he raised, at the very least, made for a thought-provoking semester.
Violence is something that can be expected in all growing cities, and Madison this year has been no different. While a spate of crimes left students, campus and city officials scrambling to find a solution, we called for the Madison Police Department to reallocate and expand their police presence, and refocus their efforts to downtown safety. We support Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's budget allocations to bolster police forces but we recognize much more needs to be done. We also encourage students to be mindful of their own safety at all times — especially during late night study sessions during final weeks.
Ending four years of pepper spray and vandalism, Halloween weekend went down without serious incident. Although we criticized aspects of the mayor's original plan, the amended version alleviated many of our initial concerns. We applaud both the students who attended peacefully and the city officials who executed the plan gracefully. We hope students continue to weigh in on future Halloween plans and realize their input really can affect city policy.
Last year's botched Associated Students of Madison elections foreshadowed what was to come this fall. While ASM did complete an election this time around, it was marred by low voter turnout and questionable ballot practices. Worst of all, both the Living Wage and the Student Union Initiative referendums passed on the third attempt, socking students with a nearly $200 million tab to fund the renovation and reconstruction of Memorial Union and Union South. As it stands, students for the next 30 years will be burdened with an additional $200 per year in segregated fees. Furthermore, the Living Wage referendum — which was overturned by the UW administration — proved to be irresponsible and inappropriate for a student ballot.
The Nov. 7 elections brought an encouragingly high student voter turnout. The most talked about issue for students and university administrators was the gay marriage amendment. Much to our dismay, the referendum passed, diminishing the university's ability to recruit and retain the highest quality faculty and further blurring the lines between church and state.
Despite the various challenges we have encountered this semester, the spring looks to be an opportunity for additional improvements and changes to the university. Stay tuned.
We consist of one genetics and life sciences communications geek, an information systems super geek, a political science codger, a journalism diaper-dandy, a Spanish chiquita and an Ugg-wearing legal studies coastie. When our powers combine, we are The Badger Herald Editorial Board, fighting the evils that be, including free-speech stiflers, Truthful lecturers, orange plastic fencing, Student Union Misinformation, the BCS, creepy politicians with cold-fish handshakes and strict bathroom regimens, any number of confused student organizations, season-ticket holders, and those who don't follow AP Style. We encourage applications to our newly formed I Got Punk'd by The Badger Herald Editorial Board support group, and we promise growth prospects for the future have never been brighter. Thanks to the flood of loyal Muckraking podcast listeners, we have been forced to expand our efforts beyond the four episodes we churned out this semester and have increased our bandwidth at badgerherald.com to meet the overwhelming demand. It may have been a semester full of death threats, New York taunts, and a general disregard for the UW Greek System and the environment — who cares, anyway? (Oh, wait… Carolyn) — but it was all worth it to see a mistaken and delusional member from DeForest don white trash garb and a molestashe for Halloween. We all enjoyed a Chris Matthews laugh after that one. Our productivity levels have been reaching an all-time high at 700 words, so see you next semester.
