Campus Connection

‘Most Accessible’ faculty, staff, department honored at UW-La Crosse

A UW-L student organization will honor faculty, staff and a campus department for helping students with disabilities.

UW-La Crosse sets Winter Festival Concert

UW-L’s Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will present a Winter Festival Concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center. Three large works will be featured in the performance. Also trombonist Scott Bean sets master class and recital at UW-L.

A new look: sabbatical provides new perspective

Associate Professor of Art John Ready sees his artwork — and other work around him — a little differently now thanks to a sabbatical during the 2010-11 academic year. But the year away from teaching and administrative work was anything but a vacation.

Pole barn builder to display artifacts he has found at MVAC show

Dan Maas has discovered thousands of artifacts — some 6,000 to 8,000 years old — while building pole barns in the La Crosse area. Maas, owner of La Crosse Building Systems LLC., says he keeps his eye out after the excavation process

UW-L students study more — abroad

UW-La Crosse students participate in study abroad activities more on average than all other students who took the National Survey of Student Engagement.

UW-L Continuing Education and K-12 partner for success

Continuing Education and Extension recently partnered with the De Soto School District to develop a Response to Intervention credit course. Continuing Education works with 42 school districts to offer professional development based on the specific needs and goals of districts

UW-L Alumni Association makes gift to Drake Hall students

Helping out displaced Drake Hall residents continued last week when the UW-L Alumni Association offered all residents from Drake a $25 Visa gift card, a total of $6,775  

Students organize flash mob to celebrate therapeutic recreation

[caption id="attachment_10170" align="alignnone" width="770" caption="Assistant Professor Stephen Lewis, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, photo right with backpack, and students in Therapeutic Recreation 252 teamed up in Murphy Library to talk about the flash mob event they created in the Recreational Eagle Center Feb. 23. Their goal was to raise awareness during National Therapeutic Recreation Month of persons with disabilities and special needs.  "][/caption]     University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Flash Mob Feb. 23, 2012    

Students make connections and more at spring career expo

[caption id="attachment_10057" align="alignnone" width="770" caption="More than 50 employers met students and discussed employment opportunities  at UW-L’s Spring 2012 Career Expo Feb. 22 in Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition. Pictured, right, UW-L senior AJ Smith, an accounting major from Dodgeville, talked about career goals with Acuity Human Resources Specialist John Krechel and Commercial Lines Underwriter Laura Wagner, a 2005 UW-L alum."][/caption]

University Bookstore to hold leap day sale

To celebrate leap year, the University Bookstore is running a one-day sale Wednesday, Feb. 29. Customers will receive a 25 percent discount on these items:

• Hooded sweatshirts — includes all emblematic men's, women's and children's hoodies
• Sweatpants — includes all emblematic men's, women's and children's sweatpants
• Outerwear  — includes all emblematic jackets
• Cold weather accessories — includes all gloves, mittens and knit caps
• Thermafleece (polyester fleece) — includes MV Sport promo Thermafleece, Champion Furry fleece
• Clearance Merchandise — additional 25 percent off all clearance merchandise in apparel, gifts, school supplies, computer products and general books

Become an ally, training sessions begin March 1

Become a better advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, asexual and ally (LGBTIQQAA) community by participating in ally training. Plan to attend one of these spring training sessions:

• 6 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in 263 Cartwright Center
• 11 a.m. Monday, March 26, in 257 Cartwright Center
• 6 p.m. Thursday April 26, in 263 Cartwright Center

For more information or accommodations email pridecenter@uwlax.edu. Sessions are sponsored by the Pride Center.  

Open forums to meet director of School of Education candidates set for Feb. 27 and March 5

The campus community is invited to meet director of the School of Education candidates at open forums from 2:15-3:15 p.m. in 337 Cartwright Center. Finalists and dates include:

• Marcie Wycoff-Horn, Interim Director, UW-L School of Education — Monday, Feb. 27
• Robert Dixon, Director, UW-L School Psychology Program — Monday, March 5

Learn more about each finalist here.

iServiceDesk training session to be held March 2

Faculty and staff are invited to learn more about UW-L's new iServiceDesk at a training session from 1-2 p.m. Friday, March 2, in 15 Wing Technology Center. Kelly Potaracke, Physical Plant, will give an interactive presentation on the new system, including live demonstrations of how to submit and track work orders and perform other tasks with the online system. This session is the fourth of the Division of Administration and Finance Spring 2012 Training Series. faculty and staff are welcome.

Spotlight on Jethro Tull at March 3 Album Encounters, dinosaurs on March public program

Join Concert Choir on trip to New York City May 16-21

UW-L's Concert Choir tour to New York City runs from Wednesday through Monday, May 16-21, and there's room on the plane and motorcoach for five or six  non-singing faculty, staff and students to join the tour, says Gary Walth, Music. The choir will perform at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and at the Church of St. John the Divine as well as at a master class with Choral Conductor Craig Arnold. The $1,660 price includes round trip airfare from Minneapolis, five nights in a Manhattan hotel, one Broadway show and two meals per day. Other tentative activities include New York City tours and attendance at a New York sporting event after singing the national anthem. Two free afternoons and evenings are planned for those who want to explore the "Big Apple." For more information, contact Walth at 785.8414 or gwalth@uwlax.edu.

Get answers on technology at Tech Tuesdays

Get answers to tough technology questions at Tech Tuesdays. Academic Technology Services (ATS) and Information Technology Client Services will answer technology questions from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in 130 Wing Technology Center every Tuesday for the rest of the spring semester. Stop in any time during the two-hour sessions. No appointment is required. For more information email ats@uwlax.edu. Save the date! ATS will host another Passport to Technology event during the afternoon Friday, March 23. Watch the Campus Connection for more information. [caption id="attachment_10133" align="alignnone" width="770" caption="Members of the UW-L Alumni Association Board of Directors posed with contributions for the Helping Our Own food pantry. From left, front: Janie Spencer, Laurie Maloney, Lisa Butterfield, David Wambach, Kris Cvikota. Row two: Keli Highland, Ken Schmocker, Tom Lynch, Kristina Rynes, Lore Vang, Trish Harman, Amy DuPont and Jackie Strutt. Back: Jeff Bryant, Dave Peterson, Kelly Nowicki, Chris Bowron, Corey Sjoquist and Anne Grayson."][/caption]

Alumni 'Helping Our Own'

by Alumni Association Volunteer Kelly Bryant Join alumni in helping students in need. Donate to the UW-L Helping Our Own food pantry! UW-L alumni are being asked to donate non-perishable food items at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center for UW-L's Helping Our Own food pantry. Drop off donations from 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at a bin in the Alumni Association Office. The resource allows students to receive food items at no cost, which many use during tough economic times. “I work a part-time job at Kwik Trip in order to subsidize the loans I’m forced to take out if I want a college education," says Jordan Raether, a UW-L student majoring in microbiology with a minor in chemistry. "The money I save on food helps me focus on paying my tuition and not compromising a casual meal for further debt or hunger pains.” Numerous organizations also provide assistance to the pantry including: Roncalli Newman Center, the Hunger Task Force and Chartwells. This year the Helping Our Own Food Pantry has seen a 38 percent increase in use and has increased to approximately 100 users each semester. “I can always have peace of mind knowing there is a safety net out there for students like me as a result of the UW-L Food Pantry, " Raether continues. Some of the most needed items include cereal, pasta noodles, canned meat, pasta sauces, peanut butter, desserts and snack food. Other items include granola bars, instant oatmeal, Pop Tarts and quick meals like Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni and Lipton side dishes. “Some days I will stop in and grab a week's worth of canned grocery items and other days I will stop in for a meal I can make in-between classes such as mac and cheese," says Raether, who has been using the food pantry about six months. He explains that it’s very important for alumni to help contribute and says, “I encourage you to stop by the UW-L food pantry and watch the students as their eyes light up being able to pick out a week's worth of groceries and the weight on their shoulders miraculously disappears.” The food pantry is located in the Leadership & Involvement Center, 221 Cartwright Center, and is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday while school is in session. The pantry opened on campus in fall 2006. “We give special thanks to Kelly Bryant for spearheading the alumni food drive project,” notes Alumni Association Executive Director Janie Spencer. "This is a great way for alumni to provide an important service to our students in need. "Working on this project has allowed me to understand the importance of the UW-L food pantry both within the campus and La Crosse community," states Kelly Bryant. For more information on how you can contribute to Helping Our Own food pantry, contact Kaye Schendel at kschendel@uwlax.edu or 785.8869 or Spencer at jspencer@uwlax.edu or 785.8495.    

UW-L trio serves as ambassadors at French-Canadian festival

[caption id="attachment_10135" align="alignnone<br" width="400" caption="Three from UW-L who are part of the La Crosse/Oktoberfest Fest Family traveled to the 43rd annual Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Mannitoba, Feb. 17-19 to participate in the celebration of French-Canadian culture. The three included, from left, Mrs. Oktoberfest Florence Aliesch, University Communications; Festmaster Gerry Kember, Communication Studies; and Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Kate Gorman, a UW-L communications major. Friday evening was the traditional torch light walk parade and the opening ceremony of Festival, a 10-day event celebrating French-Canadian culture."][/caption]   Sharie Brunk, Academic Advising, presented "First Year Students Expanding Their Boundaries Internationally" at the 31st Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience in San Antonio Feb. 17-21. Betty DeBoer, Rob Dixon, Joci Newton and Russell Vaden, all Psychology, presented "Curricular Modifications: Emphasizing the Practitioner in Future School Psychologists" at the Trainers of School Psychologist Annual Meeting in Philadelphia Feb. 21. The faculty also presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention in Philadelphia Feb. 22-25. Dixon was the lead author on two projects: "Assessment Literacy and RtI" and "Advancing Teacher Development and School Psychology: The State of Practice in Wisconsin." DeBoer was the lead author on "Addressing Emotional Issues in Traumatized Children Within the RTI Model." Newton participated in a panel on early career development of school psychology faculty. Ten graduate students from the school psychology program presented their individual capstone research projects. Cecilia Manrique, Political Science/Public Administration, had her review of "Facebook for E-moderation: A Latin-American Experience" published in the Dec. 28, 2011, issue of Computing Reviews. UW-L's men's swimming and diving team placed second behind 16-time champion UW-Stevens Point. UW-L student Joel Knuesel was named a Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete for his outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments. Read more here. UW-L's women's swimming and diving team won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WIAC) conference championship Feb. 18. This is the 12th time — the third in the past five seasons — that UW-L's team has won the WIAC title. Coach Rich Pein was named Women's Coach of the Year. Find out more here. Gary L. Willhite, Educational Studies, presented research on teacher educator standards as professional development at the annual Association of Teacher Educators conference in San Antonio Feb. 13. Willhite, along with Romena Holbert, Wright State University, Ohio, have been named co-chairs of the national Association of Teacher Educators Task Force on Teacher Educator Standards.  

Notification of drug free workplace policy

In compliance with federal and Wisconsin laws, UWSA policy and UW-L policy, employees are reminded that UW-L complies with Drug-Free Workplace regulations. The unlawful possession, use, distribution, manufacture or dispensing of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on university property or as part of university activities is prohibited. Employees convicted of violating a criminal drug statute at UW-L must notify their dean, director or department chair within five days of the conviction, if they are employed by UW-L at the time of conviction. The dean, director or department chair will immediately notify the Human Resources Office for review and possible action. All employees are required to abide by the terms of the policies as a condition of continued employment. For additional information visit www.uwlax.edu/hr/employment/drug_free_workplace.htm. Chancellor Joe Gow approved the required biennial report Sept. 14. To view the report and related resource materials see www.uwlax.edu/hr/DrugFreeAct2010-2012.pdf. To request a copy of the report and policy, contact Susan Hauber, Human Resources, in 144 Graff Main Hall.

Employment opportunity

UW-L's Academic Advising Center seeks an academic adviser. The adviser will report to the director of Academic Advising Center and Career Services and will work as part of an advising team to serve students who are undecided about their major and career options. Responsibilities include working with students to assist and assess academic needs and performance, planning and presenting outreach programs, developing educational materials and partnering with advising staff and faculty. Other special projects may be assigned in accordance with the mission and goals of the AAC. This is a full-time (100 percent) 12-month appointment with an anticipated start date of April 2. Applicants must currently be employed at UW-L and have a master’s degree and 0-2 years of experience in advising/student services. Experience advising undeclared students and knowledge of WINGS is preferred. Current UW-L employees interested in applying should contact Deanna Kabliska at 785.8629 or dkabliska@uwlax.edu for the position description and application information. Application will require a resume, cover letter and names and contact information of three references. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. March 12. The Academic Advising Center and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse are committed to being an inclusive and supported learning community. We encourage applicants who enhance our commitment to these goals.

New employee

Kayla Olson, USA 2, Admissions, Feb. 27        

Pro/con viewpoint resources available

Opposing Viewpoints in Context is the newest Murphy Library resource. It uses credible sources to examine both sides of controversial issues. Opposing Viewpoints is funded by students through UW-L Academic Initiatives. Opposing Viewpoints contains more than 14,000 pro/con viewpoint essays; more than 5,000 topic overviews; hundreds of primary source documents, biographies of social activists and reformers, and court-case overviews; 5 million periodical articles; and nearly 6,000 statistical tables, charts and graphs; and much more. Recent topics include a thorough exploration of the Occupy Movement, the development of green cities worldwide, illegal immigration and current controversies related to rebuilding the World Trade Center site. Find Opposing Viewpoints temporarily featured on the library home page, in the library's A - Z list of resources, and in various library subject guides. Or go directly to http://www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/events/oppview.html.  

For sale

Rosetta Stone German Levels 1-3, complete set of discs, manual and keyboard sheet in original box. Headphones not included. Only disc one has been used, and just a few times. Asking $200 ($400 new). Call 507.458.4587 or email shelleg@gmail.com. --