The Marquette Tribune campus news since 1916
Volume 109, Number 2
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
www.marquettewire.org
Academic program cuts unknown
MU has not disclosed possible terminations By Sophia Tiedge
sophia.tiedge@marquette.edu
It’s been almost a year since Marquette first announced it would be looking to terminate or modify 15 academic programs.
However, the university hasn’t released a list of those programs to the Marquette Wire. When the 15 programs were mentioned at a University Academic Senate meeting in January 2024, the Wire requested a list but was told that the process was ongoing and the programs were identified due to low enrollment. The Wire asked
for the list a second time last week and was told only the Medical Laboratory Science Program has been officially terminated. What information is known right now? In September 2024, the university said it did not want to make the full list public to prevent affected faculty from finding out through a university document;
but rather wanted deans to be in charge of relaying the information. It’s unclear to what extent faculty and students are aware of possible terminations. The Wire is also aware that the German and classics programs were suggested for termination, based on communication with Sarah Gendron, chair of the department of languages,
literatures and cultures. Both programs opposed termination and stated their cases to the University Board of Undergraduate Studies last semester but haven’t heard anything since. University spokesperson Kevin Conway said each program up for termination will have a teach-out plan See CUTS on page 3
Democrats propose campus gun prohibition
Photo by Clay Ellis-Escobar clay.ellis-escobar@marquette.edu
Colleges and universities in Wisconsin, like Marquette, can post signs banning guns from specific buildings, but there is no law to prohibit firearms campus-wide.
Bill would make state universities firearm-free By Mia Thurow and Maeve Heeney
mia.thurow@marquette.edu maeve.heeney@marquette.edu
Wisconsin Democrats have proposed legislation to prohibit firearms on college and university campuses in the state. Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and Rep. Brienne Brown, D-Whitewater, introduced the legislation at an Aug. 27 press conference. Current law allows individuals with licenses to conceal carry in public or private university buildings. Under the proposed legislation, college campuses in Wisconsin would become gun-free zones, like K-12 campuses. It would be a
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Class A misdemeanor to have a gun on university property — even for those with a permit — with a penalty of up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Roys told the Marquette Wire she was previously unaware of the different regulations on college campuses. She said all students should have the freedom to learn at school without the fear of gun violence. Currently, colleges and universities in Wisconsin can post signs banning guns from specific buildings, but there is no law to prohibit firearms campus-wide. Marquette University has signs posted on campus buildings like academic offices and residence halls. Wisconsin is one of 11 states that allow conceal carry on public college campuses. In surrounding Midwest states
like Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota, the decision is up to the institutions. In Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, campus carry is prohibited. “This legislation aims to change that and bring Wisconsin into line with the other states who recognize that our colleges and universities are places for learning, for the free exchange of ideas, for deepening your knowledge and advancing your careers, and not for weapons,” Roys told the Wire. Marquette maintains a no weapons allowed policy, but the university cannot restrict the licensed possession of weapons in outdoor areas, student apartments, buildings leased from the university or parking lots and structures. However, Marquette can restrict the way weapons are carried and stored in these areas to
ensure security. The Wire reached out to the Marquette University Police Department for further details and is awaiting a response. Universities don’t have the capacity to take care of firearm regulations by themselves, Brown said. She hopes Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans can work together to pass legislation that protects college students from gun violence. The Wire reached out to State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Wis., for comment about changes to state legislation and did not receive a response. Stricter laws could prevent firearm deaths In addition to increased college campus safety measures, Roys said, Wisconsin needs a red flag law. This law permits a state court to order the temporary seizure
of firearms from a person believed to be dangerous. As of 2024, 21 states and the District of Columbia have some form of red flag laws in place, including Midwestern states Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. “States that pass responsible gun safety regulation see an absolute decrease in firearm injury and death,” Roys told the Wire. “These measures work, just like safety measures across any other public health problem.” According to the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, data shows that the states with the highest gun death rates tend to be in the South or Mountain West, which have weaker gun laws and more gun ownership. The
Index
News
Sports
Arts & Entertainment
Soccer teams unable to use locker rooms, other pavilion facilities
Molly Keiper wants to bring intentionality into her final season
Blue Star Café is a family-owned Milwaukee restaurant
SPORTS.......................................................5 OPINIONS..................................................9 FUN & GAMES......................................10 A&E................................................................11
Valley Fields flooding PAGE 2
A year of 'gratitude' PAGE 5
See FIREARMS on page 3
An East Side staple PAGE 12