News

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UW-Madison freshman retention, graduation rate increase

More than 95 percent of Badgers returned to campus this fall after their freshman year at UW-Madison, an increase from the previous academic school year. The Office of Academic Planning and Institutional Research at UW-Madison released fall 2015 enrollment numbers, which showed the university had a freshman-sophomore year retention rate of 95.8 percent, an increase from 95.3 percent the previous year, according to a UW-Madison release. UW-Madison’s average time to degree is the lowest in university records at 4.13 years, decreased from last year’s data of 4.16 years. “These metrics are viewed as indicators of quality of the educational experience and represent a focus on student success by all of the faculty and staff who work with and teach undergraduates,” UW-Madison Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf said in the release.

Board of Regents Education Committee approves raise in nonresident enrollment

Coalition forms to help promote smoke-free properties

In honor of National Fire Prevention Week, a statewide initiative to promote smoke-free housing properties is taking action in Madison this week, according to a Thursday City of Madison press release. Clear Gains Initiative, Public Health Madison and Dane County, the Madison Fire Department and the Tobacco Free Columbia-Dane County Coalition, or TFCDC, are combining efforts to encourage Madison property owners to implement smoke-free environments. Nina Gregerson, assistant coordinator for the TFCDC, discussed the goal of the movement in the release. “The TFCDC is committed to reducing the impact of smoking-related fires and their potential to cause property damage and loss of life,” Gregerson said, adding that smoking-related fires accounted for 88 percent of all property losses in Madison between 2005-’11. The Clear Gains Initiative is a statewide organization, and said in the release it hopes that its success in Madison will inspire the rest of the state to follow suit in enacting these policies.

Feathered visitors flock to campus

They’re here. They’re not for dinner. Get used to it. Thanksgiving tidings have been spreading through the UW-Madison campus this week thanks to a few new avian visitors.

UHS seeks student input on alcohol education initiatives

The Associated Students of Madison Student Council met with University Health Services representatives during its meeting Wednesday to discuss survey results regarding drinking habits on campus compared to national averages.

Proposed bill would place gender restrictions on school bathrooms

Transgender students would be required to use the bathroom or locker rooms that correspond to their biological sex under a bill circulated for co-sponsorship late Tuesday.

Students voice support for bill to refinance loans

UW-Madison students packed a Senate hearing Wednesday to support a bill that would allow them to refinance student loans at a lower interest rate.

Assembly Republicans announce proposal to replace elections board

Assembly Republicans proposed a bill Wednesday that would split the board that regulates Wisconsin’s elections into two separate agencies.

Violent altercation at Wando’s leads to arrest

After a violent exchange at Wando’s Bar & Grill early Wednesday morning, Madison police arrested a 21-year-old Madison woman on two counts of battery, along with disorderly conduct and damage to property.

UW-Madison, UW System propose increased nonresident enrollment cap

The UW System and UW-Madison will present a proposal to the Board of Regents Thursday, that would to increase the nonresident student enrollment cap for the next four years.

UW-Madison researchers innovate a better way to detect cancer

UW-Madison researchers found a better way to detect and treat cancer by utilizing two markers instead of one to target a common brain cancer, according to a Wednesday university news release.

Soglin announces 2016 operating budget

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin released the second half of his 2016 budget Tuesday, which he stressed contains no layoffs. “Layoffs have been avoided,” Soglin said of his budget.

Common Council votes against time limit on public benches

Madtown Hopper expands safe-ride service

App rewards students for paying attention in class

With the first round of midterms under way, and libraries beginning to fill with anxious note card flippers and coffee-fueled all-nighters, many students are just now feeling the sting of getting distracted in class, as they realize all they missed while their eyes were glued to their phone screens. Pocket Points, an app launched this semester at UW-Madison, aims to eliminate that problem by rewarding students for keeping their phones locked during class.

WARF announces four-part innovation discussion series

This upcoming October and November, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation will host a four-part discussion series that explores the cycle and advancement of innovation, according to a university release.

UW-Madison receives $10 million to research the well-being of youth

The UW-Madison School of Education and the UW Center for Investigating Healthy Minds received a $10 million gift Tuesday from 1958 UW-Madison alumna Dorothy “Dottie” Jones King and husband Robert “Bob” Eliot King, who made the donation to recruit faculty that focus on children and their well-being. The university, which is a front-runner in research on mental training strategies and cultivating the healthy minds of children, said it plans to use this money to recruit experienced faculty and continue the research of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds. Chancellor Rebecca Blank said she understands the importance this gift has on not only the university, but the state of Wisconsin. “The University of Wisconsin-Madison has long been involved in research to improve the lives of children, and this gift helps us continue to pursue groundbreaking research in this area,” Blank said in a university news release. The King’s gift will support the matching gift set up by John and Tashia Morgridge.

Civil service reform opponents swarm senate hearing

A bill that would streamline and reform many aspects of the state’s civil service system was given its first public hearing in the Senate Tuesday, drawing the ire of the state’s public sector unions. The proposal, authored by state Sen.

Community members explore how to end pattern of sexual assault

Community organizer Dayna Long met with area residents Monday to reflect on the “Take Back the Bike Path” protest that took place just over two weeks ago.

Residents question location of homeless resource center

Residents of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood have expressed concerns over an accepted offer to purchase a property on the 1300 block of East Washington Avenue to open a permanent day shelter for the homeless.