General Information

ACCREDITATION

MISSION

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM BOARD OF REGENTS

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

UW SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

UW-LACROSSE:  A PROFILE

LOCATION

THE SCHOOL YEAR

Accreditation

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is accredited by:

— AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

— Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

— Accreditation Review Committee on Education of the Physician Assistant

— American Chemical Society

— Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

— Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education

— Council on Accreditation of the National Recreation and Park Association/American Association for Leisure and Recreation

— Council on Education for Public Health

— Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Radiation Technology

— National Association of Schools of Music

— National Association of Sport and Physical Education/North American Society for Sport Management

— The Higher Learning Commission     (phone 312-263-0456)

— Program in Nuclear Medicine Technology is accredited by the Joint Review Committee of Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology through affiliated hospitals

— Program in Clinical Laboratory Science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences through affiliated hospitals.

approved by:

— American Association of University Women

— National Association of School Psychologists

a member of:

— American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

— American Association of State Colleges and Universities

— American Council on Education

— Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions

— Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

— Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences

— Council of Graduate Schools

— North Central Association

— Service Members Opportunity Colleges

— West Central Wisconsin Consortium

— Wisconsin Campus Compact

Mission

The System Mission

   Each institution of the University of Wisconsin System shares in the mission of the System.

        The mission of this System is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses, and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural, and human sensitivities; scientific, professional, and technological expertise; and a sense of value and purpose. Inherent in this mission are methods of instruction, research, extended education and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the System is the search for truth.

The Core Mission

As an institution in the “University Cluster” of the University of Wisconsin System, UW-L shares the following core mission with other universities of the cluster. Each university in the cluster shall:

a.   Offer associate and baccalaureate degree level and selected graduate programs within the context of its approved mission statement.

b.   Offer an environment that emphasizes teaching excellence and meets the educational and personal needs of students through effective teaching, academic advising, counseling, and through university-sponsored cultural, recreational, and extracurricular programs.

c.   Offer a core of liberal studies that supports university degrees in the arts, letters, and sciences, as well as specialized professional/technical degrees at the associate and baccalaureate level.

d.   Offer a program of pre-professional curricular offerings consistent with the university’s mission.

e.   Expect scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavor that support its programs at the associate and baccalaureate degree level, its selected graduate programs, and its approved mission statement.

f.    Promote the integration of the extension function, assist the University of Wisconsin-Extension in meeting its responsibility for statewide coordination, and encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach activity.

g.   Participate in inter-institutional relationships in order to maximize educational opportunity for the people of the state effectively and efficiently through the sharing of resources.

h.   Serve the needs of women, minority, disadvantaged, disabled, and nontraditional students and seek racial and ethnic diversification of the student body and the professional faculty and staff.

i.    Support activities designed to promote the economic development of the state.

The Select Mission

In addition to the System and Core Missions, UW-L has the following select mission:

The primary purpose of UW-L is to provide education leading to baccalaureate and selected graduate degrees supplemented by appropriate research and public service activities as further detailed in the following set of goals:

a.   The University shall emphasize excellence in educational programs and teaching.

b.   The University shall provide a broad base of liberal education as a foundation for the intellectual, cultural, and professional development of the students.

c.   The University shall offer undergraduate programs and degrees in the arts, letters, and sciences; education; health and human services; health, physical education, and recreation; and business administration.

d.   The University shall offer graduate programs and degrees related to areas of emphasis and strength within the institution.

e.   The University expects scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavor that support its programs at the baccalaureate degree level, its selected graduate programs, and its special mission.

f.    The University shall support studies related to the environment, culture, heritage, institutions, and economy of La Crosse and the surrounding Upper Mississippi Valley region.

g.   The University shall serve as an academic and cultural center, providing service and professional expertise, and meeting the broader educational needs of the region.

 university   administration

Office of the Chancellor

Chancellor - Douglas Hastad 

Provost & Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs - Elizabeth Hitch

Vice Chancellor, Administration & Finance - Ronald Lostetter

Assistant Chancellor, Advancement - Kenna Christians

Assistant to Chancellor, Affirmative Action and Diversity - Alfred Thompson

Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Provost/Vice Chancellor - Elizabeth Hitch

Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs–Vijendra Agarwal

Chief Information Officer/Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology -John Tillman

Dean of Student Development and Academic Services - Petra Roter

College of Business Administration

Dean - William Colclough

Associate Dean - Bruce May

College of Liberal Studies

School of Arts and Communication

School of Education

 Dean - John Mason

 Associate Deans - Ruthann Benson; Charles Martin-Stanley                   

College of Science and Allied Health

 Dean - Michael Nelson

 Associate Deans - Karen Palmer McLean; Keith Beyer

The University of Wisconsin systeM BoarD OF regents

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. The Board of Regents       as of April 2005:

— Toby Marcovich, Superior, President

— David Walsh, Madison, Vice President

— Roger Axtell, Janesville

— Mark Bradley, Wausau

— Elizabeth Burmaster, Madison

— Eileen Connolly-Keesler, Oshkosh

— Danae Davis, Milwaukee

— Guy Gottschalk, Wisconsin Rapids

— Gregory Gracz, Milwaukee

— Jose Olivieri, Milwaukee

— Milton McPike, Mazomanie

— Charles Pruitt, Milwaukee

— Gerard A. Randall, Jr., Milwaukee

— Beth Richlen, Madison

— Peggy Rosenzweig, Wauwatosa

— Jesus Salas, Milwaukee

— Brent Smith, La Crosse

UW System Administration  

— Kevin P. Reilly, President

— Cora B. Marrett, Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs

— Donald J. Mash, Executive Vice President

— Deborah A. Durcan, Vice President, Finance 

UW-La Crosse: A Profile 

UW-L is a public institution of higher education. In 1909 La Crosse Normal School opened its doors as a teacher training school. It became a state teachers college in 1927, a state college in 1951, and a state university in 1964. In 1971 the university became part of the University of Wisconsin System.

      UW-L has 8,700 students, 600 of whom are graduate students. The students are from 35 states and 45 foreign countries; more than five percent are from racially under-represented groups. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors in 30 disciplines, plus a wide array of minors, emphases and other programs. There are over 350 full-time faculty and instructional academic staff, 82 percent of whom hold terminal degrees.

      The average ACT score of the 2004 freshman class was 24.9, second highest in the UW System. Eighty-six percent of the new freshmen ranked in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. The first-to-second year retention rate is 86 percent. There are many opportunities for students to participate in and benefit from the $9.9 million in grant funding awarded to faculty and staff annually.

      Upon graduation, 98 percent of bachelor’s degree graduates in the job market found full- or part-time employment within six months of graduation in 2002-03. (most recent data available)

      The 118-acre campus has 33 buildings, including 19 used for instruction, academic support, and administrative purposes; 11 residence halls and three student centers.

Location

The campus is in a residential section of the eastern part of the City of La Crosse (city pop. 51,818; metropolitan area pop. 107,120). A major point of interest on the “Great River Road” that winds north and south through 10 states along the Mississippi, La Crosse is on the east bank of the river below towering bluffs separated by steep-walled ravines known as coulees. The Seven Rivers Region is famous for its exceptional natural beauty. Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide a year-round invitation to those who enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, fishing, skating, riding, camping, and hiking. The community is at the western end of a statewide network of bicycle trails.

La Crosse is on direct transportation routes between Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. It is served by Amtrak (The empire builder to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and westward) and bus lines. Scenic highways (Interstate 90 in particular) connect La Crosse with Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Rochester, and the Twin Cities. American Eagle, Northwest Airlines/KLM/ Continental  Airlines and Skyway Airlines provide regular passenger service to major Midwestern air terminals.

The School Year

The academic calendar is based on semesters. Semester I (September through mid-December) and Semester II (January through mid-May) each contain 14 weeks of instruction plus one week of final exams. The standard class period is 55 minutes. Additionally, J Term provides an intensive three-week term in January. Numerous workshops and special courses are offered throughout the year and may meet in an abbreviated time frame. Grades can be posted after a course has ended; however, official grade point averages are updated at the end of the term only.

Summer term consists of three four-week sessions, beginning in late May and ending in mid-August. The university provides many courses ranging from General Education offerings to specialized courses for majors. There also are undergraduate and graduate level certification and up-date courses for school professionals and others. Undergraduate degree-seeking students are encouraged to use the summer session to work out irregularities in their programs, to add courses beyond minimum requirements and to make up deficiencies. Complete graduate programs are available for those who wish to attend in summers only.

A select number of programs require year-round attendance.

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