Saturday, May 4, was the first “Unofficial Mifflin Street Block Party” in Madison, and there was not much of a party to be found. Instead of a celebration for students by students (with the city’s assistance), all there was to be found was police, police, and, you guessed it, more police.

The police presence at this year’s celebration was absurd. At times, police even outnumbered the student partygoers.  On the infamous street known for being packed with students both local and commuting, Madison was attempting to send a message about Mifflin this year. The amount of police that crowded intersections and patrolled the fabled haven of outlandish celebration made it apparent that the city has declared the party over.

Some students and community members  may scoff and say, “So what?” In contrast, students, alumni and Madison residents have to say, “What now?”

Mifflin is so much more than just an excuse to act lewd, drink to excess and wear neon clothing. It is a celebration of what all students have accomplished in the past year and lauds the hard work, dedication and sleepless nights that every student has experienced. The Mifflin Street Block Party was a gathering of community, old and young, that became a tradition and a rite of passage –  a rite now left void.

What the city is left with is “Mini Mifflins” that have sprung up all over the city. From Langdon St. (which was closed May 3) to Doty St. and everywhere in between, students could be seen carrying on the spirit of the party despite the police crackdown.

So what is the issue?

While it is great that the spirit did not die this year, as students from around the state continued their “last hurrah” before finals, the party was not consolidated and the overall magic was lost. Instead of standing open invitations into back yards, where your peers from across the United States have come to celebrate and congratulate, all that remains is no trespassing signs and a sense of nostalgia usually reserved for alumni or reflecting on the 90s.

Mifflin was not perfect, it was not always safe, and it cost the city money. Despite the flaws and detriments, Mifflin was a way to bridge the gap between classes, colleges and even states. It fostered a sense of community and gave students something spectacular to look forward to before the drudgery of finals set in.

Perhaps, there will be a time when The Mifflin Street Block Party can return, and until that day, many will try in vain to fill the void. Until then, memories, stories and photos will have to suffice until our rite is reinstated.

R.I.P. Mifflin; you will be missed.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a predominantly Republican sector of Wisconsin government, accused UW System and System President Kevin Reilly of stockpiling money and of a lack of transparency in how the money will be spent.

The Bureau has said it will seek to freeze tuition for the next two years and possibly revoke $181 million in funds set aside for UW Systems in Governor Walker’s budget.

In addition to a possible tuition freeze and revocation of state funds, UW System will also face yearly audits according to a memo from Joint Audit Committee members Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Samantha Kerkman to State Auditor Joe Chrisman.

“In Feb. 2013, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee unanimously introduced legislation relating to the statutatory requirements and responsibilities of the Legislative Audit Bureau.  Included in 2013 Wisconsin Act 8 was a statutatory requirement for an annual financial audit of UW System,” the memo said.  “The decision to create this statuatory requirement was based on concerns that UW System’s administration of its payroll and benefits process and a need to ensure ongoing oversight of UW System’s financial management.”

In a memo from UW System’s Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning Freda Harris and Associate Vice President for Financial Administration Julie Gordon to Legislative Fiscal Bureau supervisor Dave Loppnow and Bureau member Emily Pope, UW Systems state the balances are below those of other institutions.

“The National Association of College and University Business Officers, which supports the business practices of the higher education industry, recommends a reserve level of 40 percent, which is on the high end of reserve recommendations,” the memo said.

“The Government Finance Officers Association, which promotes appropriate financial management of government organizations in general, recommends a 17 percent reserve.  Because higher education operates in a more business-like market than traditional government agencies, this recommendation is low.  A ratio of approximately 25 percent may be more appropriate for the UW System, and would be more in line with what we understand to be the reserve policies of other higher education systems.”

University of Wisconsin-Platteville chancellor Denis Shields said in a campus-wide email that UW-Platteville, which has an appropriation balance of $24.5 million, has been extremely transparent in its budgets and financial planning.

“The characterization that this university is sitting on extra money is not accurate; rather, we have been diligent in planning for the future financial needs of the university,” Shields’ email said.  “UW-Platteville did end the 2011-12 fiscal year with approximately $24.5 million in fund balances.  This is money maintained in anticipation of UW-Platteville fiscal needs and has been pointed out in a number of campus-wide budget presentations since August.”

If the Bureau goes forward with the tuition freeze, many of the plans UW-Platteville had made will need to change, business and accounting department chair Susan Hansen said.

“If you carry out the $24.5 million, it is only sufficient to make sure we cover our obligations,” Hansen said.  “The plan to meet our obligations included a tuition increase.  If the state freezes tuition, we will have to change those plans.”

Hansen, who is also a member of the University Academic Budget Commission, said the appropriation fund balance pays a variety of obligations, such as attracting and hiring new faculty.

“When we hire a new professor and plan to tenure that professor, the university has many years of obligations to that professor in terms of salary,” Hansen said.

UW System schools have seen a 5.5 percent tuition hike during the last two years.  Vice chancellor Rob Cramer said the current model for the 2013-14 academic year predicts a three percent increase in tuition at UW-Platteville.

“In terms of UW-Platteville, the state provided about 22 percent of revenues to the university this year and students, both on campus and online, provided about 75 percent (versus the 22 percent), so it’s important that the university work with student government on financial planning,” Cramer said.

Cramer said it is important that students understand that the balances have accumulated over several years, not just one fiscal year.

United Council member Jonathan Predaina said he has read about the appropriation balance in the news and said tuition freeze could be a good thing for students.

“I think it would be fair to say all students would be happy to see the tuition cap being discussed come to life,” Predaina said.  “We haven’t gone a year without a tuition increase since before I started at Platteville.”

Both Shields’ email and Cramer encourage students to stay abreast of the topic.

“The issue of university finances will continue to be debated through the state budget process in May and into June, so I would encourage students to continue to pay attention,” Cramer said.

For more information about UW-Platteville’s budget and balances go to uwplatt.edu/budget/presentations.html.  For information on UW Systems budget and balances go to wisconsin.edu/news/2013/r130426.htm.

Saturday’s double header began with a 9-6 Pioneer loss.  The Pioneers had built a 5-1 lead after two and a half innings, helped by a two-run home run by junior first baseman Zach Demmon.  The Titans answered with two, two and four runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, respectively.

The Pioneers were aggressive on the base paths, tallying three stolen bases.  However, their bats went quiet after the fourth inning, and the Titans’ reliever Brock Guetzke racked up seven of the nine Pioneer strikeouts.

Senior starting pitcher Bill Oppriecht continued his tough season, dropping his record to 2-7 after giving up nine runs–six earned–in his four and two-thirds innings of work.

Freshman designated hitter George Jester III had the worst day at the plate for the Pioneers, leaving five runners on base in an 0-4, two strikeout game.

Saturday’s second game was a tightly contested affair in which the Titans edged out the Pioneers 4-3.

Both teams scored a run in the third inning, followed by the Titans scoring two runs in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.  The Pioneers tied the game in the seventh on a two-RBI single by leadoff hitter and junior centerfielder Ryan Duva.

Pioneer senior pitcher Adam Theis was on the bump for the Pioneers and was keeping the Titans’ hitters off balance.  However, one of his few mistakes ended up being the nail in the coffin for the Pioneers, as Titans’ left fielder Bobby Kachel drilled a home run to left field, giving the Titans the lead for good.

Sunday saw much of the same for the Pioneers.  Game one was a 10-0 shutout in seven innings for the Titans, as Pioneer starter junior Shane Murphy allowed five runs, including two home runs, in two and a third.

UW-Oshkosh starter Joe Pavlovich kept the Pioneer bats silent in the game, scattering just five hits in his complete game win.  Titans’ shortstop Michael Polcyn hit two two-run home runs in the game.

The Titans offense was quick to score in Sunday’s game two, scoring five runs in the first two innings, including a three-run home run by Kachel.  The Pioneer offense responded with three in the fourth inning, two runs coming on a bases-loaded fielding error by Titans’ second baseman Michael Swift.

UW-Platteville tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by senior catcher Topher Scheeler and another Titans error two batters later.  The Titans rallied right back at the Pioneers, scoring five runs in their half of the sixth on the strength of five hits, including a two-run home run.

After scoring an insurance run in the seventh, the Titans held on to the 11-9 lead despite an error-ridden ninth inning in which the Pioneers scored four runs.

The Pioneers will finish their regular season schedule with a double header at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Wednesday.  With their 10-28 (5-17 WIAC) record this season as of Tuesday, their chances of making the WIAC Tournament are slim.

The team improved as a whole through this season after finished fifth at the WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships Feb. 23.

“We’ve had more time to practice outside, and that’s helped us,” Hrubes said.  “And, personally, the coaching I’ve gotten from coach (Chris) Rotzenberg has helped me run faster than ever.”

Hrubes, a sprinter from Madison, took second place in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, trailing champion Thurgood Dennis from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire by 0.26 seconds in the 100, and 0.39 seconds in the 200.

“Thurgood Dennis has been Eau Claire’s powerhouse this year,” Hrubes said.  “I knew I was going to have to work hard to earn the spots I did.”

The 4×100-meter relay team of Hrubes, senior Jordan Olp, senior Casey Goffinet and freshman Caleb Mertens seized the WIAC title in 41.13 seconds, edging out University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s team by 0.21 seconds.

“That was the best we’ve ever run,” Hrubes said.  “We’ve got a good set up with our anchor spot (Mertens) now, and our handoffs have been great.”

Moving forward, Hrubes plans to stop competing in the 100- and 200-meter races in order to rest for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 23-25.

However, Hrubes and his team are considering forming a team for the 4×400-meter race, in which case the squad would need to compete in upcoming meets to attempt to make the national qualifier list.

Spangenberg took second in the pole vault, falling just one-tenth of a meter short of the winning jump of 4.92 meters.  Freshman Malachi Romportl was close behind Spangenberg, taking fourth place at 4.72 meters.

Junior T.J. Valley took second place in the 110-meter hurdles, and the 4×800-meter relay team of sophomores Matt Kocak, Joel Walden and Jason Henkins, along with freshman Darren Hudziak, finished in second place as well.

The women’s track and field team garnered eighth place at the championships.

Freshman Emily Kjos won the javelin throw in her first outdoor championships, besting the next closest competitor by nine inches.

“It was one of those days that the weather was going to determine how well we could do,” Kjos said. “None of us at the meet threw our best, but I was able throw the best on the day.”

Kjos’ performance is even more impressive in that she just began throwing last month.

“I walked in and felt like I really wanted to try (throwing). With the help of my coaches I was able to get to this point. I’m pumped for what the future holds,” Kjos said.

Junior Lynea Axelson continued her successful outdoor season with a third-place showing in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:13.26.

Freshman Alyssa Iserman took sixth in the high jump, just two inches away from the winning leap.

Athletes from both the men’s and women’s teams will either head to the Dr. Keeler Invitational at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., or to the La Crosse Open this weekend.

The Eagles started quickly in the first inning, scoring six runs in their first at-bats of the game on the strength of timely hits and two Pioneers errors.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville scored twice in their half but allowed two runs in the top of the second as the Eagles pushed their lead to 8-2.

The Eagles scored five runs in the fifth inning and put the game away early.

UW-Platteville used five pitchers in the contest.  Starter senior Zach Ryan lasted just one-third of an inning, allowing six runs with only two earned.  Pioneer relievers struggled as well.  Freshman Shane Sosinksy came into the game in the third inning and allowed five runs in three and a third innings of work.  Sophomore Trevor Hall pitched the eighth and ninth, allowing five runs.

Leading the Eagles’ offensive outburst was right fielder Marc Ostrowski, who went 2-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored.  For the Pioneers, freshman designated hitter George Jester III went 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

After months of hard work and collaboration from multiple organizations, Campus Programming and Relations brought together one of the biggest events of the year.

“We took the student center, which people usually use for practical purposes, and we turned it into a really fun area so students can kick back and have fun before commencement and finals,” CPR lead event producer Kim Cordova said.

“CPR, (the Segregated University Fee Allocation Commission), Dining Services staff and the Markee student staff and professionals have been working on (Late Night) preparations since the beginning of the semester,” David Nevins, programming and special events coordinator, said.

Nevins said in previous years, the Late Night event has brought in well over 1,000 students.

The night started off with the performance of hypnotist Jim Wand, who has over 25 years of experience.  Wand began with an introductory talk about hypnosis and then was joined on stage by a handful of student volunteers.  The volunteers were hypnotized as a group and engaged in a number of skits that can be viewed on the PSC’s Facebook page

For the first time, two local bands, Atlantice and The Start Up, performed live.

“We decided we wanted to have student bands this year,” Cordova said.  “We really want to highlight the local talent and get the student body involved.”

Jake Riniker, DJ and former UW-Platteville student, continued the entertainment with his entertainment company Riniker Rhythm LLC.

Activities like laser tag, an oxygen bar, aqua massages, a bungee run and a velcro wall were provided for participants.  A Pinterest room filled with craft supplies was also new this year.

To ensure the best social and recreational entertainment for its UW-Platteville students, CPR asked students to fill out surveys throughout the night.

“(CPR) looks at surveys taken by students the previous year and uses that to determine what will be brought back and what we’ll try new,” Cordova said.

CPR representatives said student feedback is greatly appreciated and plays a pivotal role in shaping next year’s activities.

“Last year’s surveys led to the hiring of a balloon artist magician and his accompanist who walked around doing slight-of-hand tricks to entertain those waiting in long lines,” Nevins said.

The activities were spread out to give everyone an opportunity to do everything they wanted.

In addition to the activities, the Dinning Services staff and Markee student staff hosted a “food frenzy.”  This allowed students to use meal plans and points to buy tickets to spend on items that are not generally offered.

“This event is a great way to continue to get connected to Platteville. It shows Pioneer spirit and helps build the UW-Platteville community”

The next CPR event will be “Stuff Swap”, where students will be able to swap clothes, books, movies and other items for vouchers that can be traded for other items.

Approximately 40 active members in the club brought their cars to the show. Most of the cars are ones club members drive on a regular basis but were all cleaned and placed on display for the public.  All car owners displayed freshly-cleaned engines at the show.  Most of the cars belong to members of the club, but there were also cars from Platteville residents and from outside of Platteville as well.

Dallas Seevers, vice president of the Automotive Enthusiasts Club and senior industrial technological management major, said he works on his car at least 40 hours a week year round.  Seevers compared working on his car to having a full time job.

There was a wide variety of cars on display, including a mid-1980s Pontiac Firebird the club has been working on as a project. The Firebird is not street legal, so it is trailered to the club’s events.  The club has raced the Firebird throughout the year and worked on it at their weekly meetings, according to Seevers.

Jeremy Kinderman, president of the Automotive Enthusiasts Club and senior industrial technological major, said they have members with interests in cars, motorcycles, off-roading, drag strip racing and autocross.

The show is held twice a year each semester at Country Kitchen since the restaurant is one of the main sponsors of the club.  The club uses Facebook to let members and the community know about the club events.

Membership in the club has doubled to 40 in the last year.  According to Tom Krenz, a senior industrial technological management major and club member, anyone interested in the club is welcome to join.

“It’s a great way to be able to work on cars and show your enthusiasm for everything related to automotives,” Krenz said.

The club holds weekly meetings at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in the computer lab of Engineering Hall.

Kliebenstein’s family members wanted to combat the problem of the growing vegetation problem before the two acre pond was no longer recognizable.  To do this, the family looked to a handful of different consultants, including the University of Wisconsin-Platteville biology department.

For the past four semesters, assistant professor of biology Rebecca Doyle-Morin’s has had over 100 students from the fundamentals of biological investigation and invertebrate zoology classes partner with the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement to conduct research to determine how to clear the algae from the Kleibenstein’s pond.

The algae and overwhelming vegetation in the pond were caused by agricultural runoff, resulting in the bottom of the pond being covered in feet of dredging–nutrients that are unnecessary for the pond that need removal.

“Hundreds of years of runoff have changed the pond,” Kliebenstein said.  “We would really like to see how the aquatic center could be changed without harming the natural habitat for the organisms that live there.”

Doyle-Morin’s students have been working during each semester and over the summer to determine how to combat the problem.  Currently, the classes have been experimenting with barley straw.  The chemical composition of barley straw recently has been proven to break down algae and inhibit unnecessary vegetation growth without harming the natural habitat.

One of the problems the students have seen with working with barley straw is that it takes a long time to decompose and release the necessary nutrients.  The classes then tried other forms of barley like pellets or barley straw extract, but these are not cost effective for the owners of Gooseberry Hill.

“I love how my students have the ability to see both sides of the scientific process,” Doyle-Morin said.  “They are able to do experiments as well as see the economic side that relates to the partners.”

Since the students have to find less expensive alternatives to the barley straw, the next round of students are going to be working with hydrogen peroxide, which is released by barley straw, rather than use the whole plant.

Hydrogen peroxide is highly available, cost effective and breaks down algae.  The students will determine if the chemical will be harmful to other organisms that live in the pond.

Kayla Krager, junior biology major, is a current student in Doyle-Morin’s FBI class.

“We specifically tested the effect of hydrogen peroxide on Scenedesmus, beneficial green algae, and Anabaena, a harmful type of cyanobacteria, aka blue-green algae,” Krager said.  “I hope that our research has pushed this goal one step closer to being used for the recreational purposes it is intended to provide.”

“I like to see the benefits the students get from leaving the classroom,” Kliebenstein said.  “Running their own data allows them to experience science from the field.”

“Being able to use skills from a course here at UW-Platteville to come up with a solution to a real world problem was very rewarding,” Matthew Grieser, junior biology major, said.

Doyle-Morin said that the students love to present their work on PACCE poster day.

“This allows the students to interact with the partners and describe their findings,” Doyle-Morin said.  “It gives them the chance to explain the information to the non-scientist community.”

Although the Pioneers have lost their last six games, the players said it is the memories and legacy of the seniors that will be remembered in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball program. After going 22-20 in 2010, the Pioneers went 11-29 in 2011 and 2012.

Pitcher Bill Oppriecht and infielder Tyler Jacobson were the only players on the 2010 team that made a run to the playoffs and lost to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the first round.

“I think I have had a solid career wearing the orange and blue,” Oppriecht said.  “Making the conference tournament during my freshman year is a memory I will never forget.  Also, making first team all-conference as a junior is a big highlight.”

The other seniors joined the squad as the years went on and were able to contribute a variety of their talents to the team.  The group came together from all across the nation, ranging from such states as Utah, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

“I have gotten to know these guys better than any other teams I have been with,” Jon Lewerke, an infielder who joined the team after playing two years at a community college, said.  “(I) have formed great relationships with everyone which will last after I graduate.  These seniors have been great.”

Other seniors on the team include pitchers Zach Ryan and Adam Theis and catchers Bobby Patton and Topher Scheeler.

Dealing with several losing seasons, the seniors were able to take away some advantages and life lessons that go along with playing the game, Lewerke said.

“I think the biggest thing is dealing with adversity. Obviously in baseball, you fail more than succeed and have to learn to deal with failure and not let it get in the way of success,” Lewerke said.  “Also teamwork; I’ve learned to work with different people all with different personalities and backgrounds.”

The life of a student-athlete is busy with class schedules, games and practices. However, Oppriecht said he enjoyed the challenge.

“Playing an athletic sport at any level is a huge time commitment, but I wouldn’t change anything,” Oppriecht said.  “I learned a lot of skills from playing baseball that I will be able to apply later in life. Hard work, time management and learning to build relationships with different personalities will benefit me greatly in my future.”

A small contingent of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s track team competed at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, finishing eighth in the 4×100-meter relay Saturday with a time of 41.47. The time was just 1.5 seconds off the winner. The sprint medley team also finished eighth in three minutes, 28 seconds.

The rest of the UW-Platteville team ran at the Loras Open in Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday. For the women, sophomore Kelsey Reed won the 400-meter dash in just over one minute. Freshman Kiera Depies won the 1500-meter run in just under five minutes. Sophomore Emily Kjos won the javelin throw with a 125-foot, four-inch throw.

For the men, five athletes won events, including sophomore Joel Walden in the 800, senior Jacob Dailey in the hammer throw, junior Patrick Kessenich in the 400-meter hurdles, freshman Alex Nagorsen in the high jump and junior Jon Petrie in the shot put.

The Pioneers compete Friday and Saturday at the WIAC Championships, hosted this year by University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

McWethy reaches deal with Browns

Former Pioneer football free safety Ryan McWethy is close to signing a free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns. McWethy and the Browns agreed to a deal less than an hour after the completion of the 2013 NFL Draft. McWethy must pass a physical before a contract can be signed.