Campus Connection

 

Nobel Prize Winning physicist to give public lecture David Gross won the Nobel Prize in Physics for a discovery that brought scientists a little closer to what’s considered the “holy grail” of modern physics — formulating a unified theory of physics — one that explains all of nature in a single theory. Gross will discuss whether such a unified theory is even possible during a public lecture at UW-La Crosse at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at UWL. Read more »

In this issue: Announcements & Notices Be Well @UW-L Campus Kudos UWLDining In The News Classifieds

Program with Pakistan builds cross-cultural understanding, more Sania Sajjad had long held the stereotype that Americans are not family oriented. So the international student from Pakistan was shocked to see the thousands of American students moving into UW-La Crosse residence halls with help from their families. Read more »	Open house celebrates new department A new department on campus is opening as the only one of its kind across the country. The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology is unique in the U.S., says Department Chair and Archaeology Professor Timothy McAndrews. Read more »
New institutional economics, economic history conference Major economic and political issues in the world today — such as the Iran nuclear deal or Greece’s recent economic crisis — are complex at their core. People can better understand these and other issues by looking at a society’s long-term economic history and new institutional economics. A conference on these topics will be Friday, Sept. 25, at UWL. Read more »	History events planned for Historic Downtown Day UW-La Crosse students continue to make history in downtown La Crosse. Students will add a second historical game for families during this year’s annual Historic Downtown Day, Saturday, Oct. 10. Read more »
Eagle Battalion hosts adventure course and cookout Team-building exercises, competitions and pure fun were all part of an annual “Welcome Back” ropes course leadership lab for the UW-La Crosse Army ROTC Eagle Battalion Saturday, Sept. 12, at the UWL Adventure Ropes Course. Read more »

Weekly peace vigils resumed Sept. 17

The weekly peace vigils by Women in Black have resumed on campus and are taking place from 11:30 a.m.-noon every Thursday by Hoeschler Clock Tower. Women in Black is an international network of women promoting peace, and work to end war and other forms of violence. The vigils are silent and non-confrontational. They are designed to encourage people to think about the ways violence affects lives and how to live more peacefully. Join us for part or all of any vigil. For questions, contact Deborah Buffton at 608.785.8359 or dbuffton@uwlax.edu.

Academic staff to honor Maren Walz Sept. 21

Maren Walz, University Communications, will receive the 2015 Academic Staff Excellence Award during the annual Academic Staff Council Kickoff Meeting from 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the Cameron Hall of Nations, Centennial Hall. Friends and colleagues are welcome. The UW-La Crosse Academic Staff Excellence Award is given to an academic staff member who has excelled in performance and service. Excellence in performance is the primary criterion, but outstanding service to the campus community and beyond enhances a nomination. Award winners receive $750 in professional development funding. Recipients are selected by a committee of peers.

UWL farmer’s market Sept. 21

Find great produce, flowers and more while supporting local vendors at the farmer’s market from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, between Wittich Hall and Centennial Hall. Cash accepted only.

Campus blood drive set for Sept. 21-23

LC Hip Hop dance team tryouts Sept. 21-23

LC Hip Hop is a noncompetitive dance team on campus that performs for halftime basketball games and other campus events. All tryouts will be held at 103A Mitchell Hall dance studio and are mandatory. The dates and times are:

• 8-10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21
• 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 
• 9:30-11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23

Tryouts are open to men, women and all grade levels. Contact Kelsie Bolstad at bolstad.kels@uwlax.edu with questions.

Ugetconnected Volunteer Fair Sept. 22

Rent $Smart presentation Sept. 23

Thinking about moving off campus? Looking for a better apartment? Know your rights as a tenant and tips when choosing a roommate. Rent$Smart begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the Ward Room, Cartwright Center. For more details, visit http://www.uwlax.edu/It-Makes-Cents/Events/.

Farewell for Saundy Solum Sept. 24 

Saundy Solum, ITS, is starting a new adventure and a new career at UW-Madison. Solum's last work day at UWL is Friday, Sept. 25. Join her for an informal farewell between 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Eagles Nest.

Kinesis Dance Theatre auditions Sept. 25

William and Yvonne Hyde Colloquium Presentation Sept. 25

Kicking off the English Department 2015-16 William J. and Yvonne Hyde Colloquium Series, Rob Wilkie will present "Animated Monsters: Class and the Nonhuman." Wilkie will examine some of the core theoretical and class assumptions of the nonhuman turn and will propose a more historical and materialist approach to the relations between the human and the nonhuman. The presentation is at 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in 113 Wimberly Hall. The event is free and open to the public. For disability accommodations, contact english@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8295.

Wilco's 'Star Wars' to be featured at Sept. 25 Album Encounters

The next Album Encounters multimedia light and laser show will feature Wilco's "Star Wars" at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in 20 Cowley Hall. Admission is $5. For more information, contact Bob Allen at allen.robe@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8669. See more about the Planetarium at www.uwlax.edu/planetarium.

'Writing in the Sciences' free workshop Oct. 1

The UWL Writing Center will offer a free workshop, "Writing in the Sciences," for all students from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in 153 Murphy Library. Transitioning from General Education classes in the humanities (English, History, etc.) to classes in the sciences, writing style and habits have to adapt. This workshop will offer a panel discussion with faculty from various scientific disciplines (such as biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, mathematics and statistics) to get specific advice and answers about how to adjust one's writing for a range of genres and styles. Registration is required through the Writing Center website. For more information, contact writingcenter@uwlax.edu.

Enterprise CarShare available

Reserve the car on your phone any time of the day and unlock with your membership card. Gas is even included.

Strategic planning: The graduate summit and the future of graduate education at UWL

The 2015 Summit on Graduate Education was held Sept. 2 in the Cleary Center. Along with last year’s self-study and external review, the meeting was the third step in the strategic planning process for graduate education on campus. Attended by over 50 university members and facilitated by Robert Augustine of the Council of Graduate Schools, the Summit included a series of small group discussions about the future of graduate education and the Office of Graduate Studies at UWL. The long list of recommendations from the small groups (e.g. organizational structure, faculty training on best practices for graduate education, links between graduate and undergraduate programs, interdisciplinary efforts at the graduate level) now will be the starting point for a 2015-2016 leadership group charged to develop an action plan for graduate education. A highlight of the Summit was the deep commitment that the participants have for graduate education.

System unveils new accountability reporting

Dashboard provides details from across the state Those looking for answers about UW System have a new tool. The UW System unveiled its new accountability dashboard at the Board of Regents meeting Friday, Sept. 11. “It's a robust set of metrics about the UW System and UWL,” says Natalie Solverson, director of UWL Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning. “It allows us to compare UWL's progress on various metrics to peers within and outside the System." The new report responds to recent legislative requirements. Users can more easily compare key performance indicators — such as graduation rate, retention, faculty workload and more — among UW institutions. The site also details trends over time. The dashboard includes the following topics:

• Access
• Progress & Completion
• Cost & Efficiency
• Undergraduate Experience
• Faculty & Staff
• Economic Development
• Institutional Highlights
• About the UW System

See the dashboard at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/accountability/

Students strutting their dance-walking could earn big bucks

 

Last chance to sign up for biometric screening

Biometric screening is available to adults enrolled in the State of Wisconsin group health insurance program as part of the $150* Well Wisconsin incentive program. Click Optum flyer for details.   Samuel Cocks, Philosophy, and Steven Simpson, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, published "Anthropocentric and Ecocentric: An Application of Environmental Philosophy to Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education" in the Journal of Experiential Education, 2015, Vol 38(3): 216-227. James Longhurst, History, was interviewed for a Capital Times Question and Answer in "Bike Battles" published Sept. 13. Dawn R. Norris, Sociology, was a panelist at the workshop "From Dissertation to Book" at the American Sociological Association annual meeting in Chicago, Aug. 22. The workshop is featured on the University of Minnesota's The Society Pages at http://thesocietypages.org/feminist/2015/08/13/asa-workshop-from-dissertation-to-book/.  

Dining Services is hiring

Where are the eggs?

The Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak reported in December 2014 has caused an egg product shortage throughout the United States. Egg laying birds have had to be euthanized which in turn has constrained egg production. In response to egg product shortages, Dining Services has re-engineered menus to reduce the dependency on eggs. The culinary team, led by Chefs Robb, Eric and Chad, have devised different menu strategies to make breakfast as fulfilling and fun. Alternative options include ordering from the pancake bar, French toast bar and breakfast sandwich bar. As the egg supply becomes more available, the culinary team will bring back the eggs and the omelet bar. Share suggestions for an egg less menu for breakfast with the Chartwells team.