From the President Of OCW

On behalf of the Organization for Campus Women (OCW) Steering Committee, welcome to UW-L’s 2009-10 academic year! As this year’s OCW president, I look forward to hearing your thoughts about women’s issues on campus.

What’s happening this year?

OCW is involved in a number of events this fall that promote research and awareness of breast cancer. On Saturday, September 12, OCW’s team walked in Gundersen Lutheran’s third annual "Steppin' Out in Pink" walk for breast cancer. Our team raised about $500. In addition, we will be coordinating a campus-wide jeans day in November, with all proceeds split evenly between Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp in support of breast cancer research.

Our monthly book club discussions provide an opportunity for readers on campus to meet and discuss books over the noon hour at Murphy’s Mug. This fall, we’ve discussed or will be discussing Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen on September 30, and The Way Things Are; A Living Approach to Buddhism for Today’s World, by Lama Ole Nydahl. Look for announcements about future books in the Campus Connection.

The annual OCW holiday social will be held this year on Thursday, December 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Cartwright’s Port O’Call. Come by and relax with colleagues, enjoy music, snacks, and door prizes! Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank.

In the spring, we will award the Jean L. Foss and Norene A. Smith OCW Scholarship. We will also end the year with a picnic for campus women and their families that has become an annual tradition. Opportunities for other events throughout the year will be announced on our website and through the Campus Connection.

Won’t you join us? In OCW, you have one of the few opportunities to participate in a community with campus women from all walks of campus life. Personally, it has been a privilege being a part of OCW and meeting so many really terrific women outside my own little corner of UWL. I urge each of you to join and enjoy the company, camaraderie, and support of classified staff, academic staff, faculty, and graduate student women.

OCW membership for October 2009 through September 2010 is $10 for faculty and staff, $8 for LTEs, and $5 for graduate students. Your dues support OCW service, social activities, and most importantly our scholarship! Just send a check made out to: OCW through campus mail to me (Economics Department, Wimberly Hall).

We are also looking for individuals to help on various OCW committees. If you are interested in helping out a little or a lot, the following committees are looking for your assistance:

• Social (Michele Strange),

• Symposium (Becky Yoshizumi/Carmen Boortz),

• Newsletter (Donna Anderson),

• YWCA Tribute (Susan Butterfield),

• Honors/Scholarship (Maureen Wilson/Sharie Brunk), and

• Website (Galadriel Chilton).

Please contact the individual listed next to each committee for further information or to volunteer.

Won’t you join us?

Have a great year!

Donna Anderson
anderson.donn@uwlax.edu
OCW Steering Committee President, 2009-2010