The UWM Post News Blog

By Kevin Lessmiller
News Editor

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed legislation today that will ban smoking from public places, including restaurants, taverns, and indoor workplaces, beginning next summer.

The comprehensive smoking ban will take effect July 5, 2010.

“It’s time for every person in Wisconsin to breathe freely at restaurants, taverns and workplaces across the state,” said Doyle. “A smokefree Wisconsin will save money in health care costs, improve public health and save lives.”

Anybody who attempts to violate the band will first be given a warning, and then will be subject to a $100-250 fine for each subsequent violation. Doyle said that he wishes the bill would take effect sooner.

“I wish the ban would be implemented sooner, but I am proud the state is embracing the healthy direction the world is going,” he said.

By Kevin Lessmiller
News Editor

Jay Burseth and Mike Zahorik have defeated Tyler Kristopeit and Kristi Anderson in the Student Association (SA) presidential and vice presidential race. The vote count was 1,317 for Burseth and Zahorik to 728 for Kristopeit and Anderson. The total vote count was 2,045.

“A lot of things that happened during this election were unprecedented and so was the outcome,” Burseth told the Post. “It’s really exciting for all of us and for UWM.”

Kristopeit congratulated the winners Friday.

“I congratulate Jay, he ran a good campaign. Obviously I think we ran a great campaign as well,” said Kristopeit. “I had a lot of great supporters, so I’m very indebted to them. But you win some, you lose some - that happens.”

Kristopeit is the current SA Speaker of the Senate, and Anderson is the current Vice President. Burseth and Zahorik are both not current SA officers. The Post will have extensive coverage of the election in Monday’s issue.

UPDATE 2:48 PM: Students voted “no” to UWM changing its name to the University of Milwaukee in a 1,486-690 vote. Students also voted for UWM to remain a member of the United Council of UW Students in a 1,022-977 vote.

By David Acker
Assistant News Editor

As swine flu, or the H1N1 influenza, is gradually spreading throughout the country, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is monitoring the situation.

Of the 30 potential cases that were reported in the state, all of them have tested negative for the new strain of the influenza virus.  The DHS will release updated reports every week on their website http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov.

The virus, which is typically found in pigs, now has the capability to spread from human to human and has already been confirmed in 11 countries.  Specifically in the United States the swine flu has been located in California, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio and New York.  So far there has been one death in the United States and reportedly over 160 deaths in Mexico.

The World Health Organization has elevated the pandemic threat level from three to four on a scale in which level 6 would mean a full scale pandemic.

By Kevin Lessmiller
News Editor

Following his decision to remain at UW-Milwaukee, Chancellor Carlos Santiago sent an e-mail to all students yesterday regarding the choice.

Santiago was one of two finalists for the president of Florida International University (FIU) late last week. He decided to withdraw his candidacy early Saturday April 25, just hours before the FIU Board of Trustees was to make a decision.

“Over the past several days, I was searching for answers about my own future by exploring the presidency at Florida International University,” wrote Santiago. “In the end, I decided I could make the biggest difference in service to others at this time by remaining right here at UWM.”

Santiago said that he and his wife Azara were “deeply moved” by messages of support from members of the UWM community while Santiago was in Florida interviewing for the job. He said what was most impressive was that the messages spoke about UWM’s ongoing initiatives, like the campus Master Plan.

“While the personal words of encouragement were heartening, what impressed us the most was the fact that all of the individuals who contacted us said it was critical to continue UWM’s initiatives,” Santiago said in the message. “I am determined to see that happens.”

Mark Rosenberg, a long-time FIU professor, was chosen as the university’s fifth president.

By David Acker
Assistant News Editor

The UW-Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center has started a “Safe Space Training” program.

The program was created to highlight the importance of having an open and welcoming environment for everyone on campus.  Organizers hope to assist students, administrators, faculty and staff in showing that they are a friendly contact for LGBTQ students to be safe around.

According to the LGBT Resource Center’s website, the “Safe Space Training” hopes to “promote inclusivity and advocacy for LGBT students and Allies” on campus.

Two types of sessions are being offered by the center.  One called LGBT 101 aims to teach participants the meaning of LGBT and understanding of sexuality and gender identities.

The second course is titled “Ally Development” and it is a continuation of the LGBT 101 class.  Upon completion of both courses, participants will be given a ‘Safe Space’ card that they can display in their workspace.

Students who wish to take part in the sessions can contact Warren Scherer at wschere@uwm.edu.  UWM staff can sign up on the My Development site.

By Kevin Lessmiller
News Editor

UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago is one of four finalists for president for Flordia International University, according to FIU’s website.

13 finalists were announced last week. The number was cut to four Monday, and is expected to be narrowed to three at some point today.

A finalist selection is to be made Saturday April 25. The position pays $680,000 — Santiago currently makes $300,500 as UWM Chancellor.

By Marly Fink
Assistant News Editor

From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. today the official kick-off to Earth Week 2009 will begin in Pangaea Plaza (the area between Lubar and Bolton by the Union) with these participating student organizations: Sierra Student Coalition, League of Conservation Voters, Students for a Democratic Society, WISPIRG, Alliance for Animals, Democracy Matters, GIS Club, Engineers without Borders, Ecotone, Alternative Power and Energy, the Cycling Club and the student-run U Bike program.

These organizations will be sharing what they have done in the last year to help maintain a greener planet Earth.

The results of the Recyclemania contest that UWM participated in earlier this semester will also be announced.

UWM Vice Chancellor for University Relations Tom Luljak released the following statement this morning in response to reports that Chancellor Santiago has been named a finalist for the position of president of Florida International University in Miami.

“Chancellor Santiago is proud of the progress UWM has made in recent years and greatly enjoys living and working here in Milwaukee. While he has found his position to be immensely satisfying, the opportunity at Florida International University is one that he feels he needs to explore. Previously, he has turned down many invitations to be a candidate in other searches, but FIU leads the country in awarding bachelors and masters degrees to members of the Hispanic community - where Chancellor Santiago has focused much of his academic research. Chancellor Santiago and his wife, Azara, also have many relatives living in South Florida. So, when he was approached by the firm handling the search for the presidency of Florida International, he agreed to allow his name to be entered into consideration.”

By Jonathan Anderson
Editor in Chief

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting this morning that UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago is a candidate for the job of president of Florida International University in Miami.

The Miami Herald on Friday released the names of the candidates.

In January of last year, Santiago told the Milwaukee Press Club at a luncheon that he was not planning to leave UWM anytime soon.

Santiago has ties to Miami — he received his bachelors degree from the University of Miami in 1973.

We’ll have more updates later this weekend and in Monday’s issue.

By David Acker
Assistant News Editor

A group of protesters gathered at the state Capitol today to speak out against increases in government spending and a rise in taxes.

Republican Representative Paul Ryan of Janesville spoke to the crowd.

“They just want you to pay up, and shut up,” said Ryan, “Your patriotic duty is to pay more and more taxes, because your government is smarter than you are.”

Ryan described the tax hike as being the largest in the history of the country.

“It’s not inevitable that these things must happen,” Ryan said, “If you believe in the principles that founded and built this country, join us.”

Many did join in the cause across the United States as the protesting was timed with the April 15 tax deadline.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Joe Wineke called the rallies a “tea bag party” that was funded solely by conservative organizations.

“While the right-wing is busy playing with tea bags and supporting the trickle down economics of the past, the rest of America is supporting President Obama and his agenda for change,” stated Wineke.