Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and city officials are working to create a commuter rail system that could include electric streetcars that would run through downtown or trolleys.
The latest plan, which would cost $52.8 million, would run diesel trains on current rail lines and alongside traffic on new railroad tracks. There would be 10 stops on the route, including one at Camp Randall. Supporters of the plan say it could take up to five years to get the rails running.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said Dane County has not promised funding for the project, but added there are state and federal programs that could grant money to local governments for such projects.
\Imagine a train system that provides an alternative to congested auto travel for countywide commuters and serves as a downtown streetcar for residents and the daily Madison work force,"" she said in a statement announcing the program with Sup. Scott McDonnell, District 1. ""This is it.""
-The Wisconsin State Journal contributed to this report.
UW-Madison's student-athlete discipline policy underwent some significant changes this summer, which will go into effect for the 2004-'05 school year.
The original policy, which came into being last August, included a five-member appeals committee, of which head football coach and Athletic Director Barry Alvarez is a member, that heard from those student-athletes arrested or charged with crimes involving drugs, gambling or violence.
Student-athletes are immediately suspended from practice and competition but may appeal their suspension. Under the old policy, these appeals had to be made within 72 hours of their suspension.
The amended policy now includes a six-member appeals panel, as well as a representative of the Dean of Students office. In addition, the time limit for appeals has been dropped, as UW-Madison officials felt the time limit put too much pressure on the student-athlete, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The policy was used three times last year, in cases involving football players Ernest Mason and Dwayne Smith and basketball player Maurice ""Boo"" Wade.
-Eric Reinert
