In Depth - The Daily Cardinal

Overwhelming life changes come along with being in college, but UW-Madison students have access to various resources to ease the transition.

IN-DEPTH

Finding your place on campus

By Grace Wallner | Sep. 5, 2018

The transition into college can have major effects on students' mental and physical health, but there are resources on campus to help.

UW Madison’s new Bucky’s Tuition Promise will provide free tuition and fees to low income families starting this year.

IN-DEPTH

So, what does Bucky Promise?

By Grace Wallner | Aug. 13, 2018

Many potential college students are worried they won't be able to afford an education. Bucky's Tuition Promise is new a program meant to help solve the problem.

Students and faculty spread the word about campus mental health, resulting in an increase in campus meetings, trainings and information sessions.

IN-DEPTH

UW-Madison students, faculty break the silence about campus mental health

By Grace Wallner | Jun. 12, 2018

UW-Madison students and faculty are fighting to eliminate stigma and raise awareness about mental health on campus.

The number of students with McBurney Disability Resource Center VISAS soared over 10 years, causing the center to embark on mental health awareness initiatives.

IN-DEPTH

McBurney Center encourages equity, wellness as number of mental health cases climb

By Channing Smith | May. 8, 2018

The number of students registered with the McBurney Office who suffer from mental illness has skyrocketed since 2008, when there were only about 15 cases, according to Mari Magler, the director of the McBurney Disability Resource Center. Last year, 4,672 students sought mental health services at University Health Services.

UW-Madison and statewide policies, including altering the payment of segregated fees, resulted in several protests hosted by UW-Madison's Teaching Assistant Association calling on the university to alter financial changes.

IN-DEPTH

Grad workers speak out about policy changes leading to financial struggles

By Grace Wallner | Apr. 30, 2018

Under a proposed change, graduate workers will be required to pay segregated fees before receiving any paychecks from the university. If a graduate worker cannot pay, an installment plan is offered for an extra charge.

IN-DEPTH

Lack of information discourages faculty from reporting academic misconduct incidents

By Sonya Chechik | Apr. 26, 2018

The number of formally reported cases fluctuates from year to year. It rose from 107 to 177 from 2010-’11 to 2013-’14, only to drop back to 126 by 2015-’16. In 2016-’17, it was back to 152, according to the Academic Integrity Annual Report.

In 2017, significantly less waste was recycled than taken to the landfill as trash. UW-Madison attempts to move away from this toward a sustainable campus in part by relying on students to drop waste in the correct bins.

IN-DEPTH

University grapples with trash disposal as it moves toward zero-waste goal

By Erica Gelman | Apr. 19, 2018

Significantly fewer items are usually recycled than thrown away. In comparison to 5,165 tons of trash sent to the landfill in 2017, 3,010 tons of materials were recycled. This means the university has not yet accomplished its goal of zero waste. Additionally, trash disposal still costs more than the extra revenue that recycling adds.

IN-DEPTH

Asked and answered, ‘What is the future for Wisconsin’s agriculture?'

By Answers compiled by Nina Bertelsen | Apr. 12, 2018

The Daily Cardinal asked a student, farmers, an expert and the Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture what they think is the future of Wisconsin’s agriculture.

In dairyland, unsurprisingly, some of the most active and influential political groups in the state are those that represent the agricultural industry.

IN-DEPTH

Money and influence in America’s Dairyland

By Andy Goldsein | Apr. 12, 2018

In dairyland, unsurprisingly, some of the most active and influential political groups in the state are those that represent the agricultural industry. In the last two decades, agriculture lobbyists alone have shelled out about $7 million in political contributions, behind only financial institutions, business and real estate groups in their efforts to influence policy.

IN-DEPTH

Urban agriculture program helps UW-Madison students take farming to the city

By Allison Garfield | Apr. 12, 2018

Urban agriculture is a very specific term defining a very broad field: agriculture, from gardening to raising livestock, in a city or suburb surrounding an urban space. It is a practice that has spread over time — but it all started in Madison.

Members of Circadian Organics, pose on their farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin.

IN-DEPTH

Young farmers opt to scale back growth for economic, environmental sustainability

By Sydney Widell | Apr. 12, 2018

In January, Matt Kronschnabel, who graduated from UW-Madison in 2016, and three friends signed the deed to a four-acre organic farm in Viroqua, Wis. — in a region that saw the nation’s highest rate of farm bankruptcies last year, according to federal court data.

Milked twice daily by a milking machine — which is operated by student workers — the cows produce anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds of milk per day.

IN-DEPTH

Student-run dairy farm offers hands-on experience in production of Babcock Hall dairy

By Kayla Huynh | Apr. 12, 2018

Though UW-Madison is well-known for its Babcock milk and ice cream, many students don’t know where their dairy products come from.

Hemp, a plant similar to marijuana but without any psychoactive qualities, was banned from cultivation in the U.S. in 1970 when Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act, grouping hemp with marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug.

IN-DEPTH

The state has turned to hemp as a potential new crop, but snares exist

By Jon Brockman | Apr. 12, 2018

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is now accepting applications for farmers to participate in a research pilot program for industrial hemp after the state Legislature approved the program in November 2017.

In a couple of years, students who apply to the agriculture college at UW-Madison may see fewer majors and departments, while students applying to other UW System schools could see new options available to them.

IN-DEPTH

Reorganization at UW campuses prompts talks of department consolidation

By Samantha Nesovanovic | Apr. 12, 2018

In a couple of years, students who apply to the agriculture college at UW-Madison may see fewer majors and departments, while students applying to other UW System schools could see new options available to them.

Across Wisconsin, economic downturn means farms like the Bauman's are shrinking. In 2017, the number of farms in the state shrunk, but their average area increased — indicating that many have consolidated.

IN-DEPTH

Historical struggles deter next generation of farmers

By Sydney Widell | Apr. 12, 2018

Watching her parents grapple with relentless financial insecurity driven by low commodity prices, coupled with ever-increasing costs of input, swayed DeGolyer against following their path.

Based in urban Madison, it can be hard for the university’s research to reach the far-flung areas of the state where farming and agriculture comprise the greatest share of the economy.

IN-DEPTH

Off Campus: Extension’s agricultural agents spread university research and resources to every corner of the state

By Cameron Lane-Flehinger | Apr. 12, 2018

Based in urban Madison, it can be hard for the university’s research to reach the far-flung areas of the state where farming and agriculture comprise the greatest share of the economy. UW Extension faculty members, who have the same academic training and background as campus faulty but live and work in the communities they serve, are well-positioned to bridge that gap.

When asked how he would describe the relationship between the city of Madison and the surrounding farms in a single word, Dane County Food Councilman Carl Chenoweth answered with just one word: “Opportunity.”

IN-DEPTH

Community, business, opportunity: Madison’s urban and rural culture meet in the middle

By J. Adam Wigger | Apr. 12, 2018

When asked how he would describe the relationship between the city of Madison and the surrounding farms in a single word, Dane County Food Councilman Carl Chenoweth answered with just one word: “Opportunity.”

“Not only do women make great farmers, but they also bring innovation, new ideas and hard work into this industry,” said Association of Women Agriculture Media Relations spokesperson Emily Matzke.

IN-DEPTH

Women agriculturists may be the answer for dwindling farm industry

By Robyn Cawley | Apr. 11, 2018

“Not only do women make great farmers, but they also bring innovation, new ideas and hard work into this industry,” said Association of Women Agriculture Media Relations spokesperson Emily Matzke.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin, formed through a partnership between the UW Extension and Easter Seals of Wisconsin, provides assistance to an estimated 38,740 Wisconsin farmers with limitations or disabilities — including chronic illnesses, agriculture or non-agriculture-related injuries, and mental health issues.

IN-DEPTH

For Wisconsin farmers with disabilities, AgrAbility is a viable solution

By Grace Wallner | Apr. 11, 2018

Farmers rise with the sun, sometimes as early as 3 to 5 a.m., labor in the fields or work with livestock for the entire day, and end their day around 8 p.m.

Larger farms have caused large environmental problems for water contamination and soil health, most presently caused by the huge quantity of manure in this state.

IN-DEPTH

As conservation concerns grow, some farmers are taking the lead towards a more sustainable future

By Jessica Lipaz | Apr. 11, 2018

However, this advancement has caused large environmental problems for water contamination and soil health, most presently caused by the huge quantity of manure in this state.