The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
All content by Andee Erickson
At UW-Eau Claire, Student Senate determines the dollar amount of the fee full-time students pay in their tuition to fund certain organizations and activities on campus. On Thursday, April 6 the Joint Finance Committee removed an item from Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal that would have made this fee optional, meaning the $129 fee Student Senate approved is here to stay for now.

Legislators remove choice to ‘opt out’ of student segregated fees from state budget

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
April 13, 2017
Betsy DeVos before the US Senate Committee on Health, Education and Labor Pensions during her hearing on Jan. 17.

Betsy DeVos is secretary of education. What do those vested in public ed have to say?

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
February 9, 2017
Student’s hold up signs supporting immigration at Trump’s pre-election visit to Eau Claire in 2016.

[Photo] Eau Claire community members react to Trump’s executive order

Story by Graham Rowe, Staff Writer
February 1, 2017
Rick Perry, former Texas governor and President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Energy Department sat before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources last Thursday.

Rick Perry said he would work with states interested in renewable energy. What does this mean to Wisconsinites?

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
January 26, 2017
The Office of Interdisciplinary Programs was introduced in the fall of 2015 bringing four programs under the same support staff: the watershed institute, American Indian studies, Latin American studies and women’s studies.

Watershed Institute after sitting on foundation of cuts

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
December 14, 2016
The Office of Interdisciplinary Programs was introduced in the fall of 2015 bringing four programs under the same support staff: the watershed institute, American Indian studies, Latin American studies and women’s studies.

Where interdisciplinary programs stand after budget cuts

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
December 8, 2016
Senior social work student Diosa Marie Withington listens to speeches before the peaceful protest Thursday evening. Withington participated in both events and said they served different purposes.

Post-election demonstrations bring community together

Story by Lara Bockenstedt and Andee Erickson
November 15, 2016
Great Debate

Great Debate

Story by Brian Sheridan and Andee Erickson
November 8, 2016
Left: Bill Ingram, R-Durand, is running for 91st Assembly District and worked for UW-Eau Claire police for 17 years, while also filling the role of sergeant. He's running against incumbant Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, who has been representing the 91st Assembly District since he was elected in 2012. Wash is also a practicing trial lawyer.

Candidates for 91st Assembly District on higher education

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
November 3, 2016
As people lined outside Zorn Arena waiting to get into the Donald Trump rally on Tuesday UW-Eau Claire students, faculty, staff and community members protested or stood in solidarity outside Hibbard Humanities Hall. Some professors cancelled their afternoon classes in Hibbard so students wouldn't have to walk through the lines that stretched from Garfield Avenue back along Putnam Drive behind the Nursing Building.

Students verbally assaulted while Trump rally was on campus

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
November 3, 2016
UW-Eau Claire Women’s Volleyball team and their head coach Kimberly Wudi huddled during Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament.

Women’s volleyball wins two of three matches in memory of Sandy Schumacher

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
October 19, 2016
To create another source of revenue, Dr. Alan Rieck, the leaving chair of the music and theater arts department, said they implement a $35 fee to students each semester to use the practice rooms. “That actually saved us because it created the possibility for us to maintain some of the things we would have lost otherwise,” Rieck said. Vocal performance student Ian Rucker practices piano in a practice room on the second floor of Haas Fine Arts Center. To him the fee is worth it.

Where the music and theater arts department stands after budget cuts

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
October 6, 2016
Blugold Roast sells four coffee blends. Light roast and medium roast sell for $12.99, while decaf and dark roast, or the “Chancellor’s Blend” sell for $13.99 (Kelsey Smith).

Fledgling student business unveils coffee blends

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
October 5, 2016
The $5.5 million one-time distribution will be used to fund financial aid, a faculty compensation plan, the strategic plan and employing temporary instructors while hiring tenure seeking professors (Andee Erickson)

UW-Eau Claire receives $5.5 million from the UW System

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
September 22, 2016
Clinton at a Spring 2016 UW-Eau Claire rally.

[Photo] Pneumonia detracts from the Clinton campaign

Story by Deanna Kolell, Copy Editor
September 20, 2016
Erbert and Gerbert’s Bistro in the Marketplace of the Davies Center now opens at 10 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m., while The Cabin opens an hour later due to low morning demand, Christian Wise, resident district manager and executive chef for Sodexo Campus Services said.

Student meal plan decreased $200 on average

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
September 14, 2016
Erickson shares her solo travels in a map to show others that travelers who go alone very much exists and to tell herself that the more she shares this passion of hers the easier it might be able to exist for those around her, hopefully.

Empowering women to ‘go alone’

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
September 7, 2016
UW-Eau Claire students enjoying a stop at Vernon Falls on a three hour hike up to Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. The group is part of a Domestic Intercultural Immersion Trip where they spent most of their time in the park. Isabella Meyer, back row and second from right. Alex Kleinschmidt, front row on right.

Blugolds in national parks over summer break

Story by Andee Erickson, Projects Editor
September 8, 2016
Gov. Scott Walker celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week as he announces the 2015 impact tourism has had on Wisconsin’s economy on April 29 at Visit Eau Claire.

Governor Walker promotes tourism

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
May 12, 2016
Some UW-Eau Claire professors have been teaching on campus for longer than students have been alive.

[Photo] Professors reflect on their time at UW-Eau Claire as it celebrates its centennial year

Story by Angel Vang, Copy Editor
May 11, 2016
Mascot Coordinator Eric Schreiner introduced a bill Student Senate passed Monday night in the Woodland Theater to prevent Blu the Blugold from choosing sides in Senate campaigns.

University Senate and Student Senate disagree

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
May 4, 2016
Coordinator of Outreach and Inclusivity Ashley Sukhu and Director of Campus Affairs Colton Ashley will serve as student body president and vice president 2016-17.

The Ashleys take the election

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 28, 2016
Student Senate begins its 60th Session and swears-in the 30 elected Senators as they perform the oath of office.

Student Senate appoints new senators

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 27, 2016
Director of Academic Affairs Mathew Riedel introduced the bill Student Senate approved to continue funding Blugold Differential Tuition.

Student Senate approves over $10 million to fund high impact experiences

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 20, 2016
tudent body Vice President Jordan Mabin and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Katy McGarry will be on the ballot for the 2016-2018 president and vice president position.

Student Senate presidential candidates debate as election nears

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 14, 2016
SENATE DEBATES: Student Senate discussed the pros and cons of holding a referendum to ask if UW-Eau Claire should become smoke and vapor free.

Students will vote on smoke and vapor free campus policy

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 13, 2016
Senator Ethan Fuhrman introduced a bill to Monday night to hold a referendum addressing the campus policy for tobacco use.

Survey results in favor of tobacco-free campus

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
April 7, 2016

Four presidential candidates rallied for votes in Eau Claire

Story by Andee Erickson, Lauren French, and Thomas Hensen
April 4, 2016
eachers fight back against the UW System for their right to tenure policies.

Board of Regents approve tenure changes

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 31, 2016
Student Senate heard from the co-chairs of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Implementation Team about the current state of the plan.

Student Senators discuss a more equitable future on campus

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 30, 2016
Student Senate passed two bills Monday night. Senators approved revisions to Student Office of Sustainability bylaws as well as a $2000 special allocation to fund the Hmong Student Association’s Culture Core held March 7.

Student Senate adds a non-Senator position to the Student Office of Sustainability Commission

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 16, 2016
The Hmong Student Association presented the 26th annual Culture Core Saturday in Davies. Speeches and entertainment were held in the Ojibwe Ballroom.

Hmong Student Association presented 26th annual Culture Core

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 10, 2016
Senators exchange cards with their suggestions for the 2020 strategic plan and rank each idea from one-to-five to prioritize.

Senators table a bill to require more outreach during election process

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 9, 2016
Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig spoke about the faults of in the U.S. government on Wednesday in Schofield Auditorium.

Onetime presidential candidate delivers the facts behind the corruption of Congress

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 4, 2016
Student Senate heard from the co-chairs of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Implementation Team about the current state of the plan.

Giving students an option more affordable than the i-clicker

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
March 2, 2016

Student Senate supports budget outlining a portion of the segregated fee for next academic year

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
February 24, 2016
Bottom to top: Four-year-old William, 6-year-olds Henry and Abbott after participating in the Kids Klub contest of the Jig’s Up ice-fishing event Saturday on Lake Altoona.

Jig’s Up and nothing’s biting

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
February 18, 2016
The Black Student Alliance presented the Black History Month dinner reception Feb. 5, which honored African American veterans. BSA executive members Laura McDew, left, and Kiana Veal engage in conversation at the reception.

Black History Month recognizes African American veterans

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
February 11, 2016
Director of Finance Mary-Laura Samples introduced the organized activities budget. Student Senate approved at the 6 p.m. meeting Monday in Dakota Ballroom. Tweet: Student Senate set a $1.17 million organized activities budget with a $131 organized activities segregated fee.

Student Senate allocates $1.17 million to organized activities

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
February 10, 2016
Sites of Richard Wunsch’s photographs from The Midwestern Landscape exhibit according to the GPS coordinates his camera recorded.

The Midwestern landscape represented through paint and photograph

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
February 10, 2016
President Jake Wrasse highlighted the details of his and Vice President Jordan Mabin’s trip to D.C during the first Senate meeting of the semester on Monday.

Student representatives from the UW System met with legislators at the nation’s capitol

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
January 28, 2016
UW-Eau Claire alumnus John Raymond performs with his jazz band, John Raymond & Real Feels before teaching a masterclass open to students and the public Monday in the Haas Fine Arts Center.

John Raymond & Real Feels share advice and a jazz performance with Eau Claire music students

Story by Andee Erickson, Copy Editor
January 27, 2016
From left to right: senators Paul Solier, Ashley Sukhu, Ryan Bell, Steven Witzeling, Alec Putnam and Nicholas Bursaw at a Student Senate meeting held at 6 p.m. every Monday.

Student Senate approved $1.1 million in student technology budget

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
December 10, 2015
Eau Claire City Council member, Catherine Emmanuelle, is seeking re-election in April 2016. In April 2014 Emmanuelle spoke in the Davies Center to UW-Eau Claire students on getting out the vote.

Engaging students in local politics

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
December 10, 2015
UW-Eau Claire student Devin Dawson uses their involvement as a Peer Diversity Educator, Peer Haven mentor, PRIDE president and Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center intern to help and educate other students.

A walking safe space

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
December 2, 2015
From left to right: senators Paul Solier, Ashley Sukhu, Ryan Bell, Steven Witzeling, Alec Putnam and Nicholas Bursaw at a Student Senate meeting held at 6 p.m. every Monday.

Student Senate approves new deadline, conditional standing for student organization constitutions

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
December 2, 2015
Student Senate met Monday night in the Woodland Theater to approve legislation recognizing the life of former student body President Timothy Lauer and another resolution recognizing the approval of a Hmong Studies Program.

Student Senate supports creation of Hmong Studies Program

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 24, 2015
Dave Simonett, lead singer for Minnesota band Trampled by Turtles, performed Saturday night Nov 21 at The Cabin after opener D. Janakey.

From big name festivals to a solo performance at The Cabin

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 24, 2015
From left to right: senators Paul Solier, Ashley Sukhu, Ryan Bell, Steven Witzeling, Alec Putnam and Nicholas Bursaw at a Student Senate meeting held at 6 p.m. every Monday.

Senate’s liaison between student government and the student body

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 19, 2015
Students, faculty and staff donated food items to the Helping Hands Across America food drive hosted by Blugold Dining.

Blugold Dining’s annual food drive to help feed those in need

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 19, 2015
The Badger Singers singing group performed while college mentors and their mentees from Blugold Beginnings and students from College Possible out of the Twin Cities looked on at the powwow in Zorn Arena Nov 7.

Shaping lives with inclusivity

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 12, 2015
Senator Colton Ashley dressed as Elvis Presley and singing his music with live karaoke band Jenny and the Jets at The Plus on a Monday night after a Student Senate meeting.

Student Senator sings karaoke after meetings

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 12, 2015
Women’s hockey wins first game of the season

Women’s hockey wins first game of the season

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 5, 2015
Student Senate working to create an inclusive campus community

Student Senate working to create an inclusive campus community

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
November 4, 2015
Student Senate opposed resolution in favor of dry residence halls on campus

Student Senate opposed resolution in favor of dry residence halls on campus

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 29, 2015
The Blugold mascot poses on a motorcycle at the community event, National Night against crime, held in Owen Park.

Training program required before Eau Claire’s mascot can suit up

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 29, 2015
Student Senate discussed its role in opposing state legislation

Student Senate discussed its role in opposing state legislation

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 22, 2015
Jonathan Leuthe of SpinVision wears a headset he created that transforms a 360 degree video on his iPhone into a virtual viewing experience.

Eau Claire bike trails soon to be in a virtual world

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 22, 2015
Senate reconfirms support for bill on student loans

Senate reconfirms support for bill on student loans

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 15, 2015
Eau Claire band Rivers performs on Eau Claire-Stream stage at a writer’s conference in Minneapolis.

Eau Claire-Stream and local talent intend to travel Midwest next year

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 14, 2015
Little Niagara River Restoration Project

Little Niagara River Restoration Project

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 9, 2015
Local Store sales associate, Jaden Devine greets customers while managing the outdoor sales table at the Night Market.

Friday Night Market hits Dewey Street

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 7, 2015
Mass media’s role in policing

Mass media’s role in policing

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 1, 2015
Renewing Dining Contract

Renewing Dining Contract

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
October 1, 2015
Student Senate passes Farming Hope

Student Senate passes Farming Hope

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 23, 2015
Chancellor Schmidt updates Student Senate on budget info.

Beginning with Budget

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 17, 2015
Walkers hold up their Promise Garden flowers to show their support.

A relentless fight

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 16, 2015
A view of the summit after storm clouds pass.

Humbled by the Storm

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 9, 2015
WEB_StudentSenatePreview_AndeeErickson

The year ahead

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 3, 2015
In Defense of the Factory Job

In Defense of the Factory Job

Story by Andee Erickson, Staff Writer
September 2, 2015
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