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What changed on campus this summer

August 28, 2019 By Molly Miller

It’s been an eventful summer for campus, with plenty of additions and subtractions. If you’ve been away, here’s a quick summary of what’s new and what’s gone since spring.

What’s new:

  1. Electric bikes: Another addition that will help Badgers soak up the last few moments of summer are the brand new electric bikes available at BCycle bike share stations around Madison. It’s like biking, only easier, as the electric power provides an assist when you pedal. They’re available for rent for $5 per 30 minutes. 
  2. “Both/And – Tolerance/Innovation” sculpture: It’s hard not to notice the bold new
    Photo: A new public art piece on library mall.

    “Both/And – Tolerance/Innovation,” a new public-art sculpture at the end of State Street at Library Mall. Photo: Jeff Miller

    sculpture on Library Mall. The statue by artists David Dahlquist (a UW–Madison alumnus) and Matt Neibuhr of Des Moines, Iowa, intends to show the ideas of diversity and coming together at UW–Madison.

  3. Ropes course: Who doesn’t love team building? Now you and all your friends can hit the ropes course and put your relationships to the test. The course in Stoughton features a catwalk 40 feet in the air, a rock-climbing wall, a zipline and more. It’s run by Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs), which organizes adventure-based teambuilding workshops.
  4. New Bucky sculpture: The newest Bucky on campus is a solid one. Across the street from Camp Randall Stadium on Monroe Street now sits a 10-foot-long bronze statue of a badger that people will be able to touch and sit on. This addition to campus will be perfect for taking pictures with on game day. 
  5. Tong Family Marina: One of the biggest additions to campus this summer is the new marina at Memorial Union. Work has been underway for years, but it’s almost complete now. As part of a $5 million reinvestment in the lakefront and the community, the new marina will increase access to the water for boats of all kinds. Taking advantage of this addition can also serve as the final activity on your summer bucket list by scheduling a sailing lesson or renting a kayak.

What’s gone:

A construction crew from JP Cullen removes the Nails’ Tales sculpture on Aug. 21. Photo: Bryce Richter

  1. Nails’ Tales: The unique form of this sculpture near Camp Randall Stadium inspired plenty of opinions. Fortunately for fans of the obelisk, UW–Madison is working with the artist, Donald Lipski, and campus stakeholders to find a new site for the artwork in the next year. 
  2. DoIt Tech Store: Gone but not forgotten is the DoIt Tech Store. Thankfully, the help desk will still reside at the 1210 W. Dayton Street location. Now Badgers will have to go to the bookstore to purchase all of their back to school electronics. 
  3. Some trees on Bascom Hill: The utility dig on Bascom Hill involves removing some trees near Lathrop Hall and South Hall. After work is completed, replacement trees and shrubs will be planted and other aspects of the landscape restored.