Still grumpy because your dream political science class is full again? The school has something more to offer: UW-Madison just launched an iTunes page last week, featuring a series of podcasts and videos, including a political science talk show. For an institution of global ambitions, there couldn't be a better way to extend its outreach.
Since the onset of the financial crisis, the school has been called ""mercurial"": shrinking into the shell of state university when it comes to academic funding drain; bulging into a world-class research institute as construction work multiplies among clouds of dust. Educational outreach, however, expands far more slowly than the cranes peppering our campus. Last semester, I was shocked to find that Psych Out (for Psychology 202) was the only series for a class labeled under UW-Madison, with 24 tracks. In contrast, UC-Berkeley already compiled over 3,000 tracks in its channel, covering campus life, courses, events and features. The Computer Science folder alone had 784 tracks spanning different course levels. No wonder UC-Berkeley remains one of the most popular colleges on iTunes.
Luckily, now Psych Out has a bunch of new friends. The UW-Madison page currently has 10 series. Although right now most topics are still under construction, the whole iTunes U page delivers an important message: UW-Madison will not just extend a warm embrace to its own students but also to anyone eager to learn. This is exactly the core of a ""world-class"" university—sharing knowledge with the global community.
Apart from serving educational purposes, the iTunes page will also help broadcast a more positive image of UW-Madison, especially after MTV's ""College Life"" disappointed diligent Badgers and confused incoming students. All of this could be curbed by accessible official opinions from the university itself about the show. Granted, the school has been trying to make its voice heard, but just through verbose e-mails and annoying fliers. In a community of iPod users, nobody should ever underestimate iTunes as a versatile communication platform. Not sure what the heck the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates does? Check out Chancellor Biddy Martin's addresses. They probably offer more than a $250 charge on your tuition next year. Whether or not you agree with the administration, you could become a more informed student. For prospective students, the iTunes page provides a thorough overview of Wisconsin compared to the lifestyle of drinking and sex glorified on ""College Life.""
The iTunes page emerges as a promising gesture of UW-Madison, an ""internationally recognized"" institution. Still, more outreach tactics can be explored. Our university doesn't yet have its own channel on YouTube whereas any subscribers to Carnegie Mellon University's channel could easily watch Randy Pausch's famous ""Last Lecture.""
UW-Madison could even bring some renovations to its own text-heavy website: Thinking about majoring in journalism? There could be an upbeat documentary featuring the department director, alumni and peer students sharing their visions. No clue about what to explore on campus? We could have a video series called ""Best Moments in Madtown."" It would include video clips from the Distinguished Lecture Series, road trips during Alternative Spring Break or even ice fishing on Lake Mendota.
A world-class university should be an open and accessible institution. ""Learning beyond the classroom"" is not merely a slogan dangling on top of our iTunes page, but a definition of UW-Madison. Now that the school has taken a small step toward this ideal, I'm expecting huge leaps in the near future. As for you, my fellow Badgers, stay iTuned for better content coming up.
Qi Gu is a freshman intending to major in journalism. We welcome your feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
