News 04.10.18
10 April 2018 News
The financial troubles that have landed the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation in Chapter 11 bankruptcy are leading to changes at similar nonprofit foundations associated with UW campuses. The Legislative Audit Bureau has recommended more stringent accountability rules for the organizations, saying university campuses should have chancellors file annual financial statements and foundation reports should be independently reviewed by certified public accountants. UW System spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says the changes are meant to increase transparency. Republican state Sen. Robert Cowles, who co-chairs the Legislature’s Audit Committee says legislation may be needed to ensure transparency and separation as to how money is used and where it comes from. Wisconsin’s public university foundations are nonprofit organizations that are primarily funded through private donations and investments. The UW-Oshkosh Foundation is $14.5 million in debt following five development deals that included an alumni welcome center, a sports complex, a hotel and two bio-digesters that turn farm waste into energy. The UW system has declined to fill the budget hole. Two former officials are facing civil lawsuits for alleged improper financial transactions. Both sides expect the case will eventually end up before the state Supreme Court.
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Authorities say one person is dead and another critically injured after an apartment fire in Beaver Dam. The fire broke out early Saturday at the apartment building known as The Executive. A news release Sunday from Beaver Dam Fire and Rescue says one fatality is confirmed and one of the five occupants taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries remains in critical condition. The name of the victim was not released. Beaver Dam Fire Capt. Paul Hartl says the apartment building is in an older structure that did not have a sprinkler system. The building’s owner, Christopher Kuranz of Milwaukee, says a recent fire inspection found no violations or concerns. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
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The Green Bay Packers estimate more than 60,000 people used the Titletown District park in its first few months of operation. The 45-acre Titletown District launched in late November. The 10-acre park and plaza includes a full-sized football field, an ice-skating pond, a snow-tubing hill, a 40-yard dash course, playgrounds and an activity strip with horseshoes, shuffleboard, table tennis and a bean-bag toss. Officials may change the prices and ticketing options for some attractions based on feedback from visitors. The park has received requests for season passes, which were not available this year. There were some days where some of the attractions had to be closed because of the weather. The Packers didn’t program events during the inaugural winter season as officials observed the ebb and flow of the park, but there will be events scheduled this summer and next winter, officials said.
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A new Wisconsin law says nutrition instruction in school health classes must be based on guidelines that are updated every five years by federal agriculture and health officials. While many school districts have updated their health curriculum, the law updates a statute that hadn’t been updated in more than 70 years. The statute previously required school boards to have instruction on the vitamin content of food and the health value of dairy products. Christina Lemon is a registered dietitian and president of the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She says there’s more to nutrition than that. The federal government recommends limiting added sugars and saturated fats, reducing sodium intake and eating nutrient-dense foods. The guidelines are meant to help people maintain a healthy weight and prevent disease.
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