A lot has happened at UW-Madison over the past semester. From the highs of record election turnout and the proposed new line of funding for stem cells to the lows of more announced budget cuts that could result in hundreds fewer students attending our fine institution, there have been major changes to the makeup, the mission and the appearance of the university.
In the coming semester, we are sure to see many more developments that might further change the university, and in the face of a continuing budget crisis, we realize many of those changes will inevitably be for the worse. But while we realize adding classes and drastically increasing pay scale for faculty may seem like reaching for a pie in the sky, there are nonetheless many smaller achievements we think the administration might attempt. In that light, we have compiled a holiday wish list of actions the administration might take over the course of the coming semester in order to change UW-Madison for the better.
u Over the past several weeks, an alarming number of sexual assaults have occurred on or near campus. There are several simple steps the university might take, in conjunction with the City of Madison as well as the state, to reduce sexual assault as well as improve the general safety of students.
Adding more emergency contact boxes around campus would allow crime victims to reach help quicker and would also act as a deterrent for potential perpetrators. In addition, we would like to see the police around campus change their priorities and focus on major crimes rather than petty things like underage drinking. We feel a moderate increase in underage consumption is a fair trade for a marked decrease in the number of violent crimes.
uWith the demolition of University Square and its movie theater drawing ever closer, the Wisconsin Union should endeavor to show more films. Furthermore, an increase in events such as student art shows and concerts, if staffed by volunteers, could go along way in increasing cultural awareness on this campus.
uWhen Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Paul Barrows resigned last month, it dealt a blow to attempts to diversify campus. Though his post was ostensibly filled when Elton Crim Jr. was hired as interim associate dean of students this week, many of the diversity projects Barrows was in charge of are in danger of falling by the wayside.
It is vital that the university keep these projects alive. Greater diversity on campus would improve campus climate and enrich students' experiences. Rather than just throwing money at groups like the Multicultural Student Coalition, the administration should take an active role in promoting diversity on campus.
Major change is inevitable. But if it is accompanied by some of the minor changes we are looking for, next semester will be that much brighter.
