New history course will document personal tales in downtown La Crosse
A new UW-La Crosse class is open to anyone interested in uncovering the untold, personal stories that make La Crosse’s history rich.
Read more » |
In this issue:
Announcements & Notices
Athletics
Campus Kudos
Communications Corner
UWLDining
Human Resources
In The News
Organization for Campus Women
Physical Wellness
Remembering
Classifieds |
Students embrace new policy and REC expansion
UW-L students overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new campus policy related to underage drinking and an expansion to the Recreational Eagle Center.
Read more » |
UW-L student employee of the year recognized![Student of the Year Emily O'Connor posting with Associate Vice Chancellor in Academic Affairs Fred Pierce.](/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/imported-from-wordpress2/studentyear-cc.jpg)
UW-L student Emily O’Connor was named not only the university’s student employee of the year, but she also received the top honor among student employees statewide.
Read more » |
Scholarships announced as part of international celebration
UW-L’s international presence on campus will be getting more support in coming years, noted Jay Lokken, UW-L director of International Education. At the banquet, Lokken announced a new UW-L Foundation campaign to raise $100,000 to offer two new student scholarships.
Read more » |
UW-L graduate shares research at national conference
UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen is paving the way for better communication between American and foreign students.
Read more » |
UW-L jazz bands to perform
Greg Balfany, who retires this spring as a UW-L music professor after 34 years, will be featured as a saxophone soloist during an upcoming concert as part of Jazz Appreciation Month
Read more » |
Help MVAC find new archaeological sites
Volunteers are invited to help the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center explore new archeological sites. An archaeological survey of local fields will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3.
Read more » |
Festival shines a light on the ‘world of play’ and much more
Theatre Arts Costuming Shop Manager Michelle Collyar, right, demonstrated techniques to make costumes come to life from drawings during "Costuming: Creating the World of the Play” — an event on Wednesday, April 16, at UW-L’s Creative Imperatives Festival. Theatre Arts Professor Joe Anderson used a tablet with Adobe Photoshop to draw and create costumes. Theatre Arts alumna and instructor Kris Peterson demonstrated techniques to make props and masks. The event was part of the first ever
UW-L Creative Imperatives Festival April 13-16. It brought together UW-L students, faculty and distinguished guests to lead workshops, perform, lecture and stimulate thought and creativity. The festival highlighted UW-L’s School of Arts and Communication.
See more photos.
CBA’s spring newsletter offers updates
A new campus initiative that’s working to bolster the state’s economy. An alum who is helping students pave the way to success. A business "ed-venture."
Those are just three of the feature stories you’ll find out about in the
CBA’s spring issue of “Building Bridges.”
Refer story ideas and comments to Bruce May, CBA Dean, at bmay@uwlax.edu.
Short story competition April 25
Can you write a short story given only five minutes and three words? Anyone interested in the challenge can participate in the UW-L English Club’s Flash Fiction Face-off from
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at 337 Cartwright Center.
Participants will be given five minutes and three words to write one short story. The stories will be typed on a computer that is connected to a projector screen so audience members can watch the writing in progress.
English professors will judge the stories. Prizes from Gaming Generations, Pearl Street Books, Culvers, Toppers, The Root Note and more will be awarded to those with the best and most creative stories. Those interested in competing can email the English Club at englishclub@uwlax.edu. About 15 students will be able to compete, so register soon. Walk-ins, space permitting, are welcome as well. Audience attendance is encouraged. The event is free for both participants and audience members. Snacks will be provided.
Neighbors Day needs volunteers April 26
Volunteers are needed for Neighbors Day from
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Neighbors Day is an event organized by the La Crosse Jaycees designed to help elderly and disabled individuals in the City of La Crosse spruce up their homes for spring. Volunteers help rake yards, trim shrubs, turn gardens and wash windows. Financial donations are also welcome. For more information or to volunteer visit the
city's Neighbor's Day website or contact neighborsday@yahoo.com.
8 – 9 a.m. Light breakfast and registration
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Yard “sprucing”
Noon – 2 p.m. Light lunch at Black River Beach Neighborhood Center
[caption id="attachment_32882" align="alignleft" width="206"]
![Image of Mitali Perkins speaking to a group in front of a screen with the words "Good Stories."](/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/imported-from-wordpress2/mitaliperkins_026-206x300.jpg)
Author Mitali Perkins[/caption]
‘Rock star’ in children’s literature visits Murphy, meets Emerson students
UW-L played host to a national “rock star” in the field of Young Adult literature on Tuesday, April 8. Mitali Perkins, author of eight young adult novels, translated into several languages and sold worldwide, was the guest speaker at the 8th Multicultural Children’s Literature event in Murphy Library.
Michele Strange, retired librarian at Murphy, started the multicultural series in 2007 as a collaborative project with the School of Education for teacher candidates to engage with multicultural literature for children. The series has hosted experts from various cultures including Hmong, Native American, Latino/a, African American, Muslim and most recently, Indian.
Read more.
‘Jeans Day’ is the last Friday of every month
UW-L is one of many local organizations that participate in the monthly “Jeans Day” sponsored by the La Crosse Tribune. In return for $1 (suggested donation), UW-L faculty and staff have the privilege of wearing jeans. One or two local charities or organizations are designated each month to receive the Jeans Day donations.
Jeans Day is a wonderful excuse to dress casual on Friday, April 25, but people can contribute even if they don’t wear jeans. This is a small way to join together and give back big to the community.
In March the campus raised $89. The charities receiving the April contributions are: the Family & Children’s Center and Catholic Charities.
Building Contacts:
- Cindy Curran, 212 Cartwright
- Laurie Collison, 4206 Centennial Hall
- Karen Ott, 2004 Cowley Hall
- Carol Beckerjeck, Eagle Hall
- Debra Gerke, 105 Graff Main Hall
- Jeanne Voss, 124 Mitchell Hall
- Chandra Hawkins, 220 Morris Hall
- Ingrid Iverson, 107 Murphy Library
- Ann Reman, Physical Plant
- Karen Kindschy, Student Health Center
- Vickie Bain, 120 Wimberly Hall
- Josh Kraft, 162 Wing Technology Center
For those without a building contact, forward donations to Vickie Bain, Jeans Day Coordinator, SBDC, 120 Wimberly Hall. To volunteer to help with this worthwhile cause contact Bain at vbain@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8646. Being a building contact is easy to do and doesn’t take much time. It would be great to have one or more collection spots in each building on campus.
Ceremony to honor School of Education students, graduates and mentor teachers
A “Celebration of Education Recognition Ceremony” will honor students admitted to the School of Education, teachers in their first years of teaching and pre-service mentor teachers for their outstanding work. The reception starts at
9:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. The UW-La Crosse School of Education and the Student Wisconsin Education Association are hosting the event. Admission is free. RSVP by Thursday, April 17, by calling 608.785.8134 or email lbutts@uwlax.edu
View film ‘Rape in the Fields’ and engage in discussion April 23
A PBS documentary “Rape in the Fields” will be shown at
4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, in 1404 Centennial Hall as part of the event “Justice for Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault in the Fields of California, Iowa and Washington.”
After the film, participants are encouraged to engage in discussion from 5:30-8 p.m. with the two lead attorneys from the cases profiled in the documentary, Sonia Parras-Konrad and William Tamayo. The attorneys will discuss the cases and the immigrant victims as well as what people can do to prevent a similar situation from happening again. Tamayo is the regional attorney of the San Francisco District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Parras-Konrad is of the Law Office of Sonia Parras, PLLC & ASISTA, Des Moines, Iowa.
“Rape in the Fields” is a Frontline investigation of rape on the job for immigrant women. The story unveils the struggle to undocumented women who are working hard to provide for their families while falling prey to field bosses and other male co-workers, according to the Frontline website.
Nominations accepted for the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award through April 23
Take a moment to nominate a UW-L faculty, staff member, student or active community member for the UW System Dr. P.B. Poorman Award. The award recognizes excellence in advocacy, research, teaching or service on behalf of LGBTQ communities. The most recent person to win the award from UW-L was Will VanRoosenbeek in 2010. The deadline for nominations is
5 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. Nominate someone for this award online.
[caption id="attachment_33101" align="alignleft" width="550"]
![A painting by Jim Bennett of a hay field.](/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/imported-from-wordpress2/02_bennettweb.jpg)
Jim Bennett: “Amish Harvest Series #3 - The Barn” oil on canvas.[/caption]
Student art show set at UW-L
Students in an advanced UW-L art class will show their work in an upcoming exhibit.
“Eclectic: Artwork from the 399 Professional Practices and Problems Class” opens
Tuesday, April 22, and runs through Friday, May 2, in the Student Gallery, 340 Center for the Arts. A reception runs from 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 25. Regular hours for the Student Gallery, 340 Center for the Arts, are noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
The exhibit features the work of Art Associate Professor Jennifer Williams Terpstra’s eight students from UW-L’s Professional Practices course. The collection showcases a variety of media from paintings to digital work.
Students participating include:
· Brechtje Bennet
· James Bennet
· Julie Downing
· Molly Duggan
· Ashlee Gordon
· Allecia Kruser
· Kayla Lambert
· Shelby Phillips
![Faculty-Technology-Institute-Logo](/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/imported-from-wordpress2/faculty-technology-institute-logo.png)
2014 Faculty Technology Institute coming in May
The second annual Faculty Technology Institute
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. May 21-22, at Wing Technology Center will focus on effectively planning, creating, editing, using and sharing media in teaching and learning.
Faculty and instructional academic staff are eligible to register for this intensive, hands-on series of workshops being presented and hosted by UW-L Information Technology Services.
Topics covered will include media planning and development, video creation and editing, My Mediasite and the My Mediasite Desktop Recorder, using videos in D2L, sharing video via social media and much more.
Registration is limited to 40 faculty and instructional academic staff, so register early. Registration for both days is required. Lunch will be provided both days.
View the full 2014
Faculty Technology Institute schedule.
Register for the two-day event.
‘Do The Math’ is environmental film to be shown April 23
Explore environmental issues in the U.S. and the world through a UW-L film series. “Do the Math” will be shown Wednesday, April 23. All films are free and begin at 7 p.m. in 1309 Centennial Hall. Students for Sustainability is hosting the festival. The remaining film in the six-week festival “Waste Land” will be shown Thursday, April 24.
Paul Simon featured at April 25 Album Encounters
The next Album Encounters multimedia light and laser show will feature Paul Simon’s “Graceland” at
8 p.m. Friday, April 25, in 20 Cowley Hall. Admission is $5.
The Planetarium’s Public Program for April is “Explorers of the International Space Station.” The talk, followed by a multimedia audiovisual presentation, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
Admission is $3 for students, seniors and children, and $5 for others.
For more, contact Bob Allen at allen.robe@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8669. Visit the
Planetarium website.
Hackman to discuss social justice issues
A social justice advocate will bring her message to UW-L. Heather Hackman will speak on “Climate Change and Identities” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.
Hackman is an expert in and teaches courses on social justice, multicultural education, heterosexism and homophobia in the U.S.; race and racism in the U.S.; and oppression and social change. At UW-L she will focus on environmental social justice issues. She has consulted on issues such as racism and white privilege, and LBGT and power issues in education.
Admission is $2 for UW-L students and $5 for others. Admission increases $2 the day of the show. The lecture is part of the Campus Activities Board series. For tickets or more information visit uwlax.edu/CAB or call 608.785.8873.
Public meeting announcement: Proposed West Campus Chilled Water Plant
A public meeting to present the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed UW-L West Campus Chilled Water Plant project will be at
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at 340 Cartwright Center. Parking is free in nearby Commuter Lot C2, located adjacent to the UW-L Veterans Memorial Stadium at the intersection of East Avenue and Pine Street.
Project architect, Ring & DuChateau, and the environmental consultant, Ayres Associates, will present a description of the project and potential project impacts. People will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to identify both orally and in writing any support, issues or concerns they believe should be addressed as part of the Final EIA process for this project.
The Draft EIA was prepared in accordance with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), Wisconsin Statutes 1.11, and UW System Administration (UWSA) guidelines. The project manager is the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Facilities Development (DFD). The proposed project will construct a new west campus chilled water plant to augment the capacity of the existing campus chilled water system. Two, 1,200-ton electrically powered centrifugal chillers will be installed in a new approximately 5,985 square foot building that will be constructed on an existing surface parking lot between the Health Sciences Center and Angell Hall. The building has been sized to accommodate a third 1,200-ton chiller or a thermal storage system to satisfy potential future loads. The estimated total project cost of $8,433,000 will be funded using $4,638,150 from General Fund Supported Borrowing and $3,794,850 from Program Revenue Supported Borrowing. Construction is anticipated to start in March 2015 with substantial completion by April 2016.
The purpose of the Draft EIA is to relay to the public any potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, social and economic environments. The Draft EIA is being made available to the public for a 15-day review period beginning April 22, 2014. Copies of the document are available at the UW-La Crosse Murphy Library and the City of La Crosse Public Library and on the project website at
http://www.ayresprojectinfo.com/UWL-WestChilledWaterPlant-EIA.
Comments and inquiries received regarding the Draft EIA will be used to develop the Final EIA. The UW System will then evaluate the comments received, and if appropriate, issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) as part of the Final EIA.
If you are interested in this project or have any relevant information, your comments and suggestions are welcome. You are invited to attend the Draft EIA public meeting noted above or submit written comments no later than at the close of the meeting on May 6, 2014, to: Dean R. Free, PE, Ayres Associates, 3433 Oakwood Hills Parkway, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, or FreeD@AyresAssociates.com.
News and upcoming events
Eagles All Access Radio Show
Wednesday, April 23, 5:30 p.m. at the Eagles Nest
A weekly radio show sponsored by the L-Club and highlighting UW-L Athletics, is broadcast from the Eagle’s Nest Wednesday nights from 5:30-6:30 on Classic Rock 100.1
More information about Eagles All Access is available here.
Softball vs. Saint Mary's
Wednesday, April 23, 3 p.m. at North Campus
Free fan waver to the first 100 fans
Audra Bena Day
Find ticket information
Free schedule poster giveaway
Softball vs. Dubuque
Thursday, April 24, 3 p.m. at North Campus
Fan Frenzy
Find ticket information
Free schedule poster giveaway
Eagle Eye Open Golf Outing
Monday, June 16, at the La Crosse Country Club
Featuring UW-L teams at each hole
Register today
Eagle Kidz Klub memberships now available!
Find more information
Join the L-Club today and become part of the UW-L Athletics tradition
2014 L-Club Brochure
Find more information about the L-Club and upcoming events
Follow your Eagles anytime online and through social media
uwlathletics.com
Facebook
- La Crosse Eagles
- UW-L Maroon Platoon
Twitter
- UWLEAGLEFAN (UWL EAGLE FAN)
- Follow the Athletic Director on Twitter: @UWLAXAD
Eaglez Kidz Klub |
Group Outings |
Get Involved |
Maroon Platoon |
Mascot |
Tickets |
Events & Promotions |
L-Club |
Donate
Gerry Cox, professor emeritus, Sociology/Archaeology, presented "Caring for the Caregivers" at the Midwest Sociological Society, April 3-6, in Omaha, Neb. He also serves on the Long Range Planning Committee.
Patrick Barlow, university assessment coordinator, presented two sessions related to assessment in higher education at the Professional Development Institute for the Wisconsin College Personnel Association Friday, April 11, in Madison.
Tony Docan-Morgan, Communication Studies, presented “How to Build a Communication Center” at the 2014 National Association of Communication Centers conference. His panel was a collaboration with colleagues from North Carolina Central University, Carlow University and the University of Maryland. Learn more about
UW-L’s Public Speaking Center.
University Communications:
the go-to communications resource for advancing UW-La Crosse
115 Graff Main Hall (the southeast corner)
Get started with your faculty/staff online profile page
All UW-L employees can create a profile page on the new uwlax.edu website.
Profile pages are used for directory information and can serve as a vehicle for employees to share more information about themselves, including areas of expertise, current courses they're teaching and other professional experiences.
To kick things off, schedule an official portrait with News & Marketing.
News & Marketing takes official staff and faculty portraits during these scheduled studio times throughout the year:
First Wednesdays of the month (coming up May 7)
- 11 a.m.-noon
- 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Third Thursdays of the month (coming up May 15)
Schedule appointments for portraits with Sue Lee at least three days prior to the scheduled studio times at
slee@uwlax.edu. For quickest turnaround time, departments should schedule photo appointments together in a block of time within the scheduled studio times.
What to wear:
- 1) Modest clothing (do not wear clothing that reveals too much skin such as low-cut tank tops)
- 2) Colored tops (white or light-colored tops will make you blend into the white background)
- 3) Plain tops (nothing too busy)
- 4) If you wear a light color or a busy top, wear a darker sweater/jacket/blazer over it
What’s Happening In Dining Services
Stop in to try the week’s featured limited time offers
Cartwright Center Galley:
- Chef’s Table (Tuesdays and Thursdays): Peanut Chicken Stew with Okra
- Cyclone Salads: Asian Steak Salad
- Slice of Life: Ricotta, Leek & Olive Pizzetta
- Original Burger Company: Bauru-Brazilian Steak Sandwich
Whitney Center Residence Dining:
- Mindful Wednesdays at 360 for dinner: Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Did you know …
Earth Day Happenings
- Tuesday ... Join us at Chef’s Table for lunch in Cartwright and Magellan’s in Whitney for dinner where we will be featuring 100 percent locally grown entrées from local suppliers, Black Earth Meats, Black Earth and Fifth Season Cooperative, Viroqua.
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday… Join us at Whitney during lunch to partake in the icommit sustainability challenge. What sustainability initiative do you commit to?
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday … Stop by our table at Whitney Center to check out UW-L Dining’s sustainability efforts and enter to win one of six Apple iPad Minis along with $15 App Store Gift Cards. Also pick up your free Sustain UW-L water bottle (while supplies last)
Campus Closeup on Friday ... be aware there will be 500 plus potential future students and parents in our dining areas from 11:30a.m. – 1 p.m. Students may want to adjust their dining schedule to avoid a large crowd. Join us in welcoming the participants to UW-L.
Get a Beverage Loyalty Card today at Starbucks, Murphy’s Mug and Einstein Bros Bagels. Buy nine and get the 10th free. Any size, hot or cold … including coffees, espresso creations, teas and hot chocolate. Excludes pre-packaged beverages. Use at one or all three of coffee shop locations. Purchase a UW-L Dining Eco Mug at Einstein Bros Bagels, Starbucks or Murphy’s Mug for $5 and receive 10 percent off every drink refill at those locations.
Stay in the loop …
Check out the Dining Services website at
www.uwlaxdining.com for dining hours, menus, promotions and more.
Like Dining Services on Facebook at
facebook.com/uwlaxdining to be a part of what’s happening in Dining Services.
Sustainable Eating
Celebrate Earth Day this week by taking steps to make your diet more earth-friendly. The three tenets of sustainability — reduce, reuse and recycle — can be put into practice in many ways. You can also make specific choices about the foods you eat to reduce the impact on the environment.
Eat locally. Growing your own food means fewer resources are spent on food production and transportation than if you buy vegetables from across the country. If you can’t grow your own, buying foods grown close to home by local farmers is the next best thing. One study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that if the typical American family purchased local foods, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by as much as 5 percent as a result of fewer emissions from production and transportation.
Eat organic. Reducing the use of pesticides by choosing USDA-certified organic foods reduces pollution in the air, soil and water.
Eat lower on the food chain. Plant-based diets have a healthier impact on the environment than diets that rely heavily on meat. The United Nations estimates the meat industry generates one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change. The water needs of livestock are far above those of vegetables or grains. And on average about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the United States (compared to 2.2 calories of fossil fuel for plant-based protein).
Eat fewer processed foods. The processing and transportation of packaged foods is much more energy and resource intensive than buying fresh ingredients and cooking from scratch. Processed food also comes in packages that end up in landfills.
There are many other ways to incorporate earth-friendly eating into your life. Purchase local foods at a Farmer’s Market or by participating in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group. Carry a reusable water bottle to avoid plastic bottled beverages. Compost your waste. University Dining collects organic waste for the university vermiculture program and invites patrons and Whitney Center to compost as well.
How will you commit to making sustainable choices this Earth Day?
Welcome, new employees:
Kent Orr, Security Officer 3, Police Services
Getting a Wellness Assessment? Don’t eat or drink for 8-12 hours
Reminder: For anyone who made an appointment for the Wellness Assessment on Tuesday, April 22, in 339 Cartwright Center, it is recommended that participants do not eat or drink (other than water) for 8-12 hours prior to the Wellness Assessment. Watch for an email from the plan sponsor with more information. Employees who haven’t made an appointment can still do so. The next on-campus date for Wellness Assessments is from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Register online.
UW-L in the news
A summary of some of the stories about UW-La Crosse spotted in the news.
"UW-La Crosse Art Dept. starts its own Compassion Project (with video)," WKBT, April 14. It's a topic that's coming up more and more around our community: what is compassion? The art department at UW-La Crosse is joining in on the conversation by holding workshops for people to express what compassion means to them ...
"UW-L students planning 'bio-blitz' at county landfill (with video)," WKBT, April 15. A pair of college students is looking for help with a "bio-blitz" at the La Crosse County Landfill. That's essentially an inventory of all the plants, birds, animals, and basically any other living thing in that area ...
"Student mural artists exhibit work," WXOW, April 15. Have you wondered what that mural planned for the west wall of the Pump House will look like? You'll still have to wait two mon
"Kiln burns hot during demonstration at UW-La Crosse," La Crosse Tribune, April 16. Seeing the wood-fired ceramics kiln in action was too good an opportunity for Ryan Farkas to pass up. The hut-size kiln at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse burns only wood once a year, but it was on display Tuesday for students and area residents ...
"UW-L's Gow 'disappointed' by Walker's tuition freeze proposal," La Crosse Tribune, April 11. Keeping tuition flat could hurt salaries and future growth at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a top official said Friday after Gov. Scott Walker’s call for extending UW System tuition freezes through the next budget cycle. “Every penny that we raise, we have a purpose for that,” UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow said ...
"UW-L mumps case is first in county in seven years," La Crosse Tribune, April 17. A case of the mumps confirmed at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is the first in the county in seven years, according to a health official. Two other students are suspected of contracting the viral illness, said Christine Gillespie, a public health nurse with the county health department ...
"La Crosse County organizes 'BioBlitz' to study wildlife at landfill," Wisconsin Public Radio, April 16. ...When University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student Christa Booman first toured the La Crosse County Landfill, she was surprised to find a diverse ecosystem, and not just piles of waste ...
OCW seeks nominations for steering committee
UW-L’s Organization for Campus Women (OCW) holds elections each spring, as terms expire or individuals resign, for campus representatives. Representatives serve three-year terms. For spring 2014, the nominating committee is accepting nominations from the campus to fill the following positions:
- Classified staff representative: two positions
- Academic staff representative: one position
- Faculty representative: two positions
To become involved with the Organization for Campus Women and be considered for nomination to the above positions, contact OCW Elections Chair Melissa Bingham at mbingham@uwlax.edu by Monday, April 28.
Free health assessments
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple way for men and women to estimate body fat based on their height and weight. From the BMI, it is possible to determine someone’s healthy weight range.
One of the limitations of BMI is that it can over predict overweight or obesity in people who are lean and muscular. For instance, someone who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds, with 12 percent body fat, would be considered obese based on BMI standards. Obviously, someone with 12 percent body fat is not obese.
The scientists who developed the BMI guidelines readily admit to this limitation. But their rationale is that most Americans are not lean and muscular and so for most people, the BMI is an accurate assessment of body fat and increased health risk.
It is important to know that people who are classified as overweight or obese can still be healthy as long as they are fit. In one well-known study, fit people with BMIs that classified them as overweight or obese were healthier and lived longer than unfit people who were at normal weight.
The BMI, for the majority of Americans, is the most up to date and scientifically sound method available for determining healthy weight.
Stop by the Strength Center in the REC and assess your BMI and Body Fat.
What is deydration?
Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. You must replace lost fluids to avoid dehydration.
There are many causes of dehydration, including intense diarrhea, vomiting, fever or excessive sweating. Not drinking enough water during hot weather or exercise may also cause dehydration. Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are most at risk.
You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment. The safest approach is to prevent dehydration in the first place.
Monitor fluid loss during hot weather, illness or exercise and drink enough liquids to replace what is lost.
Symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration include:
- Dry, sticky mouth
- Sleepiness or tiredness — children are likely to be less active than usual
- Thirst
- Decreased urine output for infants — no wet diapers for three hours
- Decreased urine output for older children and teens — eight hours or more without urination
- Few or no tears when crying
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Symptoms of severe dehydration, a medical emergency, can cause:
- Extreme thirst
- Extreme fussiness or sleepiness in infants and children, irritability and confusion in adults
- Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes
- Lack of sweating
- Little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be dark yellow or amber
- Sunken eyes
- Shriveled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn’t “bounce back” when pinched into a fold
- In infants, sunken fontanels — the soft spots on the top of a baby’s head
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- No tears when crying
- Fever
- In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness
What thirst really means
According to the Institute of Medicine, “the vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide.” Thirst is actually a cue of dehydration. Athletes, military in hot environments, people who are ill, the elderly and infants are special populations because “the sense of thirst (or the ability to communicate it) is not an adequate reflection of their water needs.” A better indicator is the color of your urine: clear or light-colored urine means you’re well hydrated, whereas a dark yellow or amber color usually signals dehydration.
When to see a doctor:
If you are a healthy adult, you can usually treat mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, such as water or a sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade, or CeraLyte). You can help prevent dehydration from becoming severe by carefully monitoring someone who is sick and giving fluids, such as an oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte) at the first sign of diarrhea, vomiting or fever and by encouraging children to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
Treat children and older adults with greater caution. Call your health care provider right away if your loved one:
- Develops severe diarrhea, with or without vomiting or fever
- Has bloody stool
- Has had moderate diarrhea for three days or more
- Can’t keep down fluids
- Is irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual
- Has any of the signs or symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration
Remembering Gerald 'Jerry' J. Kuipers
Gerald "Jerry" J. Kuipers, the husband of former UW-L Chancellor Judith L. Kuipers, died April 10. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program, La Crosse Administrative Building, 400 Fourth St. N., room B70, La Crosse, Wis., 54601. Read the obituary at
http://lacrossetribune.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/gerald-jerry-j-kuipers/article_cfc89960-f7e5-5e48-831e-51a8e0d1d899.html
For Sale:
Hobby farm/country home on more than four acres near Pickwick, Minn. Beautifully situated in great valley about 17 miles from La Crosse with southern exposure and multiple garden areas. Totally remodeled four-bedroom, two-bath home with high efficiency furnace and air, 100 amp. electric service, two-car garage, two decks, barn and shed. New septic system November 2013. $219,900. For more information visit
Pickwick Hobby Farm online or email jrindt@uwlax.edu.