The Spectator

Petition aims to give Chip E. Wa a chance

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Students are taking action by using Facebook to protest the Blugold mascot survey because they feel Chip E. Wa was slighted. Over the last few years, students may have spotted the mythical bird, Chip E. Wa, walking around campus, at sporting events or giving out some extra momentum on those early Monday mornings.

Students receive e-mails regarding downloading

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Last Thursday, students received two mass e-mails from Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Beth Hellwig concerning copyright compliance and illegal downloading on campus. The messages were sent in compliance with the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, which includes a clause that states universities need to inform students of the laws regarding illegal downloading, according to the most recent mass e-mail.

Faculty wants vote on collective bargaining

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

UW-Eau Claire faculty could be among the first in the UW System to form unions, followed by UW-Superior.

Plan for beach launch rescinded in favor of lookout point

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Water Street Business Improvement District (BID) has rescinded an initial proposal for a 5th Avenue Beach Launch and opted for a 5th Avenue River Lookout Point.

New Environmental Endeavors Commission approved by Senate

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Student Senate approved a new commission on Monday that will focus on environmental sustainability. After two amendments were made to the original bill, the Environmental Endeavors Commission was unanimously approved.

Blugolds finish strong at nationals

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

UW-Eau Claire was well-represented last weekend, as members of the men and women's indoor track and field teams were some of only 300 athletes who earned All-American honors at the NCAA Division III national competition in Greencastle, Ind. The Blugolds surpassed the top-eight finishing requirements in the two distance medley relays and the pole vault to earn the elite status.

Featured Freshman: Sarah Bingea

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Freshman Sarah Bingea had a big impact on the women's basketball team this season. With 254 points scored - second most on the team - she made the transition from high school to college hoops with finesse.

Which teams will make it?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

As March Madness begins, staffers make their choices for the Final Four.

Overtime

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Nick claimed the victory by beating Ashley 4-3. The difference maker? Nick correctly picked the Bucks to beat the Utah Jazz, which they did 95-87. This week, Nick hopes to pick up another weekly win to tie Ashley in the semester standings.

Campus organization promotes National Athletic Trainer's Month

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Because March is national Athletic Trainer's Month, the UW-Eau Claire Student Athlete Training Association (SATA) is trying to inform students about the occupation. Posters and an ad on the campus TVs provide information about athletic training - particularly how it differs from personal training, SATA Vice President Laura Vick said in an e-mail.

Great debate: Downtown versus Water Street

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Walking through downtown Eau Claire is like walking through a different city entirely. Quaint yet somehow chic, the sidewalks of the downtown area transport you to anywhere but the northern Midwest.

Toilet talk

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

What elevates a bathroom from practical to pleasant? For Danielle Ryan, the key contributing factors are odor, openness and person-to stall-ratio. Brian Miller just likes a functional atmosphere and some decent toilet paper. Together, they rate the 'johns' around town.

It's not your mother's Shel Silverstein

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

An assortment of the lesser-known works of Shel Silverstein will be performed by the BareBones Ensemble Theatre at 7 p.m. March 18-20 at the Grand Little Theatre, 105 W. Grand Ave.

Ask anything

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

the student mentor for my FYE course started hitting on me this week, which is my dream come true because I have such a monster crush on him. However, my lab partner told me that he dated three of the girls in our class, one of whom broke up with him yesterday. And, to top it off, she's having lattes with him at Racy's at 8 p.m. tomorrow night! Then today, he asked me if I wanted to meet him - get this - at Racy's at 9:30 for a café miel. What should I do?

In review: The Wicker Man

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

It seems nowadays a movie that contains a couple of musical numbers and a number of naked women dancing around just isn't that eerie, spine-tingling or scary. To give the film some credit though, it is still hard to shake off considering how poor its production quality is and how odd and weird it is for the most part.

Politicians are like pop stars

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

If there was one change President Barack Obama actually brought to this country, it is a change in how the media portrays our first-in-command, and not necessarily because he's doing an 'A+' job. For the first time in a long time - or at least as long as I can remember - features on our president are light-hearted and portray hope instead of failure. Kids want to grow up to become the president again, and the president's face grins on posters and window clings in homes, not black T-shirts that read "Not my president."

Outing lesbian sgt. is suspicious, wrong

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The fact that the military fired a lesbian sergeant after she was "outed" by a police officer represents the inequality homosexuals still experience today - especially in the military. But even beyond gay rights and the antiquated "don't ask, don't tell" policy, this issue speaks to police corruption in the country.

Going vegetarian is easy

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Since I've made the step to stop eating meat, I've found a lot of foods that I would never otherwise have known existed. I like the taste of meat, which is why it was so hard for me to take this step in the first place, but I've found products that taste almost exactly like the meats they are meant to replace.

Bottled water not best

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

One very easy way to help the environment is to not buy bottled water. In 2004, people drank 154 billion liters of bottled water, according to the Earth Policy Institute. The world's leading consumer, the United States, drank 26 billion liters. At as much as $2.50 per liter, bottled water costs more than gasoline. This is crazy, because the last time I checked, water is free from a tap, while fuel isn't.

The grind: Texan textbooks take turn for worse

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

If journalism is said to be the first draft of history, then textbooks should be among the final drafts. But the Texas Board of Education voted 10-5 last Friday to approve changes to the state's history and economics textbooks.

Americans slain, drug-war unrestrained

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico - (MCT) The slayings of three people attached to the U.S. Consulate underscore the failings of Mexico's military offensive against drug gangs despite a steady flow of troop reinforcements and personal attention from President Felipe Calderon.

Democrats under pressure to support health care bill

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON - (MCT) As a historic vote on sweeping health care legislation nears, Democratic moderates in the House of Representatives face relentless pressure as they juggle personal pleas from President Barack Obama, a multimillion-dollar ad barrage and constituents who are fed up with the congressional process.

Finding her niche

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Harris is a busy and successful student actively involved in research. However, just three years ago, Harris was working the overnight shift at a local nursing home after being suspended from UW-Eau Claire for poor grades.

Overboard

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Eau Claire Police and Fire department was dispatched to the Chippewa River for a report of a boat capsizing and a person in the water. As a UW-Eau Claire Police officer was talking on his cell phone, a man came up to his vehicle and began pointing downriver toward Putnam Trail. The man said he saw a person floating in the water past the Putnam Rock area.

Thirsty thief

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Saturday, March 13

A police officer was assigned to investigate a possible theft in Hibbard Hall. The officer spoke with the custodial supervisor on campus, who called the possible theft in. He reported that earlier that day he noticed loose milk containers in the Café a la Cart station.