By Tony Galli - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
MADISON (WKOW) -- UW-Madison officials are investigating the presence of a stripper at a university-sanctioned function involving dozens of medical school students.
"This is not consistent with our school, our campus, our profession," UW School of Medicine Associate Dean of Students Patrick McBride told 27 News.
Officials and students said the incident took place at Great Hall at the Memorial Union April 17 during an annual social event dubbed The Black Bag Ball.
The event was staged by the UW Medical Students Association with financial support from the UW School of Medicine Alumni Foundation.
Officials and attendees said approximately 150 students, guests, and, at times, faculty were present for an evening of dinner and dancing.
Medical school students, who asked not to be identified, told 27 News they have confirmed arrangements were made for a stripper to perform at the ball. They said the strip show took place in a secluded section of Great Hall and was attended by a handful of people.
"We've identified students involved in planning [strip show]," McBride said.
Memorial Union spokesperson Marc Kennedy told 27 News facility staff were onsite during the ball but were unaware that a strip show had taken place.
"Had anyone seen anything, that would have been it immediately."
Kennedy said the presence of a paid strip show performer at the Union would have been grounds to end the event as a violation of the terms of reserving the facility's space.
"It violates state statutes for state buildings, university buildings and union decency codes too."
Kennedy said some groups reserving Union rooms are required to hire security. Kennedy said the strip tease took place in a room adjacent to Great Hall that event-goers briefly closed.
McBride said UW Dean of Students Lori Berquam is also investigating the incident. Berquam and UW Medical Student Association student liaison Bob Zemple have been unavailable for comment.
"We take this very seriously," said McBride, who did not attend the ball.
McBride said it's expected a faculty committee will review the results of the investigation and discipline against medical students is possible.
Stripper incident stokes stereotypes, on Inside Scoop: http://addins.wkowtv.com/blogs/scoop/
