Alex Zank is a senior journalism major and News Editor at The Spectator.
Alex Zank, News Editor
May 9, 2013
Filed under Opinion
It seems like every semester around finals week I get this strange, glowing feeling. I feel like there is nothing else left for me to know; it’s as if everything in the world makes sense and I understand all there is to know. I feel comfortable with the world and myself, and everything seems... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
May 9, 2013
Filed under Currents
The nation has been living larger than ever before. U.S. Census data show that the average size of a new home in 2010 is 2,392 square feet, compared to just 1,660 square feet in 1973. This worries some, including Graham Hill, founder of the environmental blog TreeHugger, who now is working... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
April 17, 2013
Filed under Opinion
I was driving on Highway 53 Easter Sunday, avoiding congested interstate traffic and had the chance to see some of the Western Wisconsin landscape, with which I grew up surrounded by. It was sometime then I realized I no longer have any good stories to tell the world. I’m not talking about... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
April 4, 2013
Filed under Student Life, Top Stories
Senior nursing major Abigail Buechner recalled an event that really showed the trust the immigrant farm workers had in her group of nursing students. She said they were asking the man basic questions they asked everyone. When asked if he smoked, he responded not only with a “no” but with... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
March 28, 2013
Filed under Campus News, Top Stories
There are concerns held by several current and former student senators as well as some students about the way things are being run in the 56th Senate session. The concerns started last fall, but have been building until recent events caused some to publicly vocalize them. The recent resignation... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
March 17, 2013
Filed under Campus News
A recent panel discussion at UW-Eau Claire that featured Rep. Dana Wachs gave students a chance to ask him about the recently proposed state budget and how it will affect them. The panel that took place March 8 in the Centennial Room of the W.R. Davies Center was put on by the newly re-vitalized... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
March 15, 2013
Filed under Sports
The UW-Eau Claire swimming and diving team is again offering swimming lessons to serve two purposes: to offer lessons to people ranging from children to more advanced swimmers, and to raise money to help alleviate some of the team’s individual fees. The sessions start in April, and several... (more...)
Alex Zank , News Editor
March 7, 2013
Filed under Opinion
There has been much time devoted at UW-Eau Claire to look for a way to reform what classes we take as students. This has been happening as far back as I can remember since starting to attend Eau Claire. A more recent issue on this topic is the possibility of eliminating the minor requirement. Although... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
March 3, 2013
Filed under Opinion
Governor Scott Walker recently proposed his plan for the state’s next biennial budget, which contains a serious lack of fiscal logic on the administration’s part. The part I’m bringing into question specifically is the small tax cut and a weak investment in the state’s... (more...)
Alex Zank, New Editor
February 21, 2013
Filed under Currents
Milk. Sandwich meat. Cereal. Macaroni and Cheese. These are staples in many college students’ diets, and once again they can all be bought right on upper campus with the reopening of the convenience store in Hilltop Center. The convenience store, which was shut down around the same time... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
February 8, 2013
Filed under Sports
The Blugolds ended up 24th out of 29 overall at the Wheaton Invitational, a tournament lasting Friday and Saturday. Head Coach Jon Ames said the overall place does not reflect the team’s performance, as they were not wrestling with a full roster. “We only sent six guys down and pretty... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
February 5, 2013
Filed under Sports
The Blugolds ended up 24 out of 29 overall at the Wheaton Invitational, a tournament lasting Friday and Saturday. Head Coach Jon Ames said the overall place does not reflect the team’s performance, as they were not playing with a full roster. “We only sent six guys down and pretty much... (more...)
Alex Zank, News Editor
January 24, 2013
Filed under Campus News
The United Council of UW Students is planning on releasing a formalized response to Student Senate concerns with the organization, according to several senators, and a commission has been put in place to evaluate the response and decide appropriate action. At this point the commission is waiting... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
December 13, 2012
Filed under Campus News
The debate over the bill in support of a referendum to eliminate student court and giving its responsibilities back to Student Senate’s proved to be the longest and most heated of the semester. The debate ended more than an hour after the bill’s passage by a roll call vote of 24-6. With... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
December 12, 2012
Filed under Currents
Everyone has a gamer in the family – for many this may include a sibling or significant other. And what’s not to like about video games? You can shoot aliens, play as your favorite basketball player, or even pick up rare alchemy ingredients from fallen foes. So, what if you do have that... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
December 6, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Students will have two choices to make at next spring’s student senate elections if two bills proposing referendums are passed at the next Senate meeting on Dec. 10. The possible referendums include changing eligibility requirements for student to be able to serve on senate, while the other... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
December 5, 2012
Filed under Opinion
For those who have not had a class with me, I am really big into the participation aspect. There is a reason I do it. My philosophy is that if I’m paying over $4,000 a semester to take classes and learn things, then I better make sure I comprehend the material. The best way for me to do that... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 29, 2012
Filed under Campus News
The Student Senate passed five pieces of legislation on Nov. 26 with little discussion and minor amendments. At the Nov. 19 meeting, the Monday before Thanksgiving, Senate also passed a bill establishing the mobile printing kiosk pilot program and a resolution concerning the Confluence Project. The... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 15, 2012
Filed under Campus News
In a short Student Senate meeting on Monday, a bill was introduced in hopes of adding a mobile printing service to campus in response to consistent student requests for such a program. The bill introduced is a special allocation request to make possible a pilot program for a mobile printing... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 8, 2012
Filed under Currents
It was an accident that I watched “Drive” in the first place. But as the late, great Bob Ross was once said, we never have mistakes; we just have happy accidents. This is one of those instances. This film is easily the best being played at this semester’s UAC film series, and for... (more...)
Alex Zank
November 7, 2012
Filed under Campus News
The relationship between Student Senate and the United Council of UW Students has hit a bit of a rough patch this semester, but this is not a new topic. It all started well before this semester, with the referendum that took place in Oct. 2011 when students decided they wanted to stay in United... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 7, 2012
Filed under Campus News
“A wise man once said let no great opportunity slip away.” Finance Commission Director Bryan Larson, who also may or may not have taken credit for being the “wise man,” said this of the resolution in support of Eau Claire’s bid to host an organization’s annual conference on Monday. In... (more...)
Haley Zblewski
November 1, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Last year, students paid more than $4 million in student segregated fees. For the 2012-13 year, each student is paying $419 in student segregated fees. These fees are allocated to various organizations, activities and services by the Student Senate. The specific group within the Student Senate... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 1, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Patrick Martin, student body vice president, said the resolution brought before the Student Senate on Monday was already a compromised piece of legislation, with the original being much more “fire and blood.” This did not stop debate between senators on the resolution, though. “The way... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
November 1, 2012
Filed under Student Life
Election Day is near. The nation soon will decide who will be our commander-in-chief for the next four years. And as the media always say, the people have a big decision this time around. But for one American Government class, their “big decision” does not come once, but twice in the month... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 25, 2012
Filed under Campus News
A large surplus in the Readership Program on campus resulted in a shift from its carryover account to the student senate carryover in a bill proposed and passed on Monday. The Readership Program’s carryover exceeded $125,000, which resulted from over-allocation in the past to the program. The... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 17, 2012
Filed under Campus News
The proposed bylaw changes to the Intergovernmental Affairs commission had several student senators speaking with excitement at Monday’s meeting. “This … is the next big, great thing in student governance statewide,” Tyrel Zich, chief of staff, said about the bill during the meeting.... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 17, 2012
Filed under Opinion
On Oct. 10, a partial draft of Egypt’s constitution was released and those working on the document requested public feedback. Two controversial articles were left out, both of which deal with treating religious and state law as one. Looking at what Egypt’s constitution could become, it... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 11, 2012
Filed under Campus News
A student group seeking funds for aiding in financing a trip to their statewide conference received the first grant of special allocation money of the semester from Student Senate Monday. Students for Health Adventure and Physical Education (SHAPE) requested $1,480.67 from Student Senate, and... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 11, 2012
Filed under Currents
Each week, a Spectator staff member gives you a head’s up on a few things you can test out over the weekend, from new movies to restaurants you may not have tried yet. Movie: Taken 2 I saw this movie on opening weekend. I was not expecting much from it, and it certainly did not surpass these... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 4, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Student Senate goals broken down by each commission will soon be on display in the Senate office for the entire student body to see. In a brief meeting to open the month of October, Vice President Patrick Martin said during his report that the Senate will be trying something new that will make... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
October 3, 2012
Filed under Opinion
For me, this weekend was so much better than just Homecoming, Oktoberfest, and a Packers victory. On Sept. 28 there was also a debate between Governor Tommy Thompson and Representative Tammy Baldwin that aired on TV. And after watching it, I have firmly decided who I would like to support.... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 27, 2012
Filed under Sports, Uncategorized
It is a hybrid between Frisbee throwing and golfing, but without the polo shirts and white belts. Disc golf (aka frolf) is a sport, that anyone can play according to students and officials at UW-Eau Claire and is indeed an activity enjoyed by a large number of students and community members... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 19, 2012
Filed under Campus News
The UW-Eau Claire student senate passed a bill establishing a special commission designed to investigate the current Student Health Service program being provided to — and paid for by — Eau Claire students. The program is one of the largest Student Senate funds, student body vice president... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 19, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Vice President Joe Biden’s speech was a great opportunity for students at UW-Eau Claire. He brought up plenty of topics that were important to the student body and community members, and it is good that we were able to gain a better understanding of them. But a topic that was for the most... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 13, 2012
Filed under Sports
The Blugold cross country team kicked off the season – which is shaping up to be a promising one, players say – with an alumni event on Saturday, Sept. 8. Cross country starts off every season with an alumni meet like this one, senior runner Conor Rafferty said. “Our team competes with... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 13, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Amendments to the finance commission bylaws were introduced at Monday’s Student Senate meeting for the purpose of establishing auditing procedures for student organizations. Supporters say this will be an appropriate step to hold organizations more accountable as well as ensure student... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 6, 2012
Filed under Campus News, Top Stories
As a result of multiple construction projects occurring simultaneously, much of UW-Eau Claire’s lower campus will be closed off to students for the coming months; but, according to one university official, the current headache will definitely be worth it in the end. Assistant Chancellor for... (more...)
Alex Zank, Chief Copy Editor
September 6, 2012
Filed under Campus News
It was 11 a.m. on Labor Day; there were hardly any people in the new Davies Center. On the second floor, in the dark, expansive (and still mostly empty) Student Organizations Complex where Student Senate offices are located, were three senators — including Student Body President Corydon Fish,... (more...)
Alex Zank
May 10, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Wisconsin is in a unique situation. I guess it doesn’t help the state is often considered a swing state anyways, when it comes to presidential races. It is that time of year again, and it is not the only election the state has to worry about. In case anyone was not already aware, we have... (more...)
Alex Zank
May 3, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Student loans have played an important role in junior Charlie Erickson’s decision making. “I was at Milwaukee for architecture and it’s a seven- or eight-year program,” Erickson said. “One of my friends (in the program) got a job in Chicago. She’s making something around $35 to... (more...)
Alex Zank
April 5, 2012
Filed under Campus News
There is an apparent low bidder for the construction of the new education building, a process that took place on March 15. Miron Construction, out of Neenah, will now enter into negotiations with the Division of State Facilities to enter a contract to build the new education building, according... (more...)
Alex Zank
April 2, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Last week, the Supreme Court began hearing arguments for and against the incredibly controversial Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known by some as “Obamacare.” Although they have come to a decision, it’s estimated we won’t be informed of their decision until June. I hope the decision... (more...)
Alex Zank
March 29, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Rising tuition costs and decreased funding for education have been controversial issues in Wisconsin in recent memory. Soon, voters will have a chance to make their voices heard in the April 3 Republican primary election.UW-Eau Claire Sophomore Miranda Pagenkopf said that when choosing a presidential... (more...)
Alex Zank
March 10, 2012
Filed under Sports
Extended interview: Players talk about the importance of returning to NCBA Showcase. Spring break for many students means a chance to get away from everything university-related; but for the UW-Eau Claire club baseball team, spring break offers them a much different opportunity. The team... (more...)
Alex Zank
March 1, 2012
Filed under Opinion
Immigration is one of the many issues that American citizens need to understand before they vote this November. The problem with immigration versus the way it is covered by national media is that there are many dimensions to immigration. There is no way the issue can be explained fully through... (more...)
Alex Zank
February 22, 2012
Filed under Currents, Multimedia, Video
McIntyre Library at UW-Eau Claire hosted a “Harry Potter” reading marathon and costume contest on Feb. 21.
Alex Zank
February 16, 2012
Filed under Sports
Thursday marks the start of the biggest competition of the swimming and diving season for UW-Eau Claire, where both the men’s and women’s team will compete with the other schools in the conference. At the end of the season, the annual Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s... (more...)
Alex Zank
February 9, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Completing tax returns can be tricky, confusing or downright terrifying to some. However, there are opportunities being provided by the UW-Eau Claire Department of Accounting and Finance to help students and staff fill out their returns, including a program offered on campus. According to... (more...)
Alex Zank
February 2, 2012
Filed under Currents
By Alex Zank Students love saving money, especially when it comes to the end of the month, and they know that big rent check is about to be taken out of their bank accounts. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’re hungry for something other than Ramen noodles. Now, with AroundCampus.com,... (more...)
Alex Zank
January 27, 2012
Filed under Campus News
Anyone trying to access the English version of Wikipedia on Wednesday, Jan. 18 saw something a little unusual: Wikipedia was blacked out for a full day, as well as countless other websites. This was a reaction to the SOPA and PIPA bills in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. SOPA and PIPA, also... (more...)