Since you’ve been gone: 9 things that changed on campus this summer
A lot can happen in four months.
While you’ve been off traveling the world, working at an internship or binge watching Netflix at your parent’s house, some pretty big changes have happened in Madison. Here’s what you need to know.
To prepare for demolition and reconstruction, the Southeast Recreational Facility closed Aug. 18.
During the transition, Phillips Lounge at Ogg Hall has been converted into the Ogg Fitness Center, which houses fitness and cardio equipment. The Nat and the Shell will also have expanded hours to accommodate exercisers.
To learn more about the changes, check out the Rec Sports website.
Near-West Recreation Fields now open
The Near West Fields are located just west of the Natatorium. Rec Sports
The first project of the Rec Sports Master Plan is now complete. The Near-West Recreational Fields are ready for play.
Students will be able to play a variety of sports, including baseball, softball, flag football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby and more. Plus, the outdoor facility with synthetic turf will mean fewer cancelled games, longer seasons and more opportunities for the campus to stay active.
While the fields are fenced, they’ll be open for daytime pick-up game activities by students, UW–Madison affiliates, and other community members just as they historically have been.
Free produce refrigerators now on campus
You can now get free vegetables and other produce at fridges across campus as part of the Campus Food Shed program, which was started by a student. There are four different fridge locations: the Student Activities Center, Science Hall, the Allen Centennial Garden and the Horticulture Building
All of the food is donated by agriculture researchers or local area farmers, and they’re periodically refilled. The goal of the project is to reduce food waste at agriculture research sites and make campus healthier.
Undergraduate Hannah DePorter officially welcomes people to help themselves to refrigerator-stored produce during the grand opening of the UW Campus Food Shed at 333 East Campus Mall. Photo: Jeff Miller
New bag policy at Camp Randall
To enhance security measure at football games, Wisconsin Athletics has adopted a clear bag policy at Camp Randall Stadium. Each ticket holder is allowed one large clear bag one small clutch purse (6.5″ x 4.5″).
To learn more about the new policy watch this video or read about the changes.
Hagenah Fountain now up and running
Hagenah fountain is located between the Wisconsin Historical Society and Memorial Union. Nate Moll
The fountain in Library Mall reopened this summer, for the first time in six years. Named after William Hagenah LLB1903, a former head of the UW Foundation, the fountain has been on campus since 1958.
Now instead of looking at an empty circle, Library Mall passers-by can look into the water or toss coins into the fountain.
This past June, an 80-foot mural by American artist Jim Dine was unveiled at the Chazen. The work, which took two years for Dine to create, was made specifically for the Chazen’s ancient gallery.
The mural was transported from Paris by a crew of museum staff, engineers and expert art handlers. It will now be on display permanently at the Chazen.
Drone course now being offered
On June 2, 2017, Chris Johnson, associate lecturer in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, talks about drone technology and a new summer course he is teaching on flying unmanned aircraft systems. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW–Madison) Photo: Bryce Richter
This summer, the UW–Madison College of Engineering offered a new course that taught students how to fly drones and the practical applications of drones. The course, called Unmanned Aircraft Systems, is also being offered this fall and in future semesters.
There is a waitlist to enroll this fall, but whether you’re in the course or not you should get ready for more drones at UW.
Witte Residence Hall construction well underway
Contractors have been hard at work this summer making progress on the Witte Residence Hall renovation. They focused on constructing the connection tower, adding the new eleventh floor and window replacements.
The construction will have a number of impacts on Witte residents this semester. Read more about them here.
Construction on Alumni Park is well underway. Over your break it was announced that this space between Memorial Union and the Red Gym will be opening Oct. 6. The park will feature displays and sculptures recognizing prominent alumni.
Are there any other changes students should be aware of this semester? Let us know at theweekly@uc.wisc.edu