About University Centers
Mission Statement
The primary goals of the college union must be to maintain facilities, provide services, and promote programs that are responsive to student developmental needs and to the physical, social, recreational, and continuing education needs of the campus community.
The college union is a center for the campus community and, as such, is an integral part of the institution's educational environment. The union represents a building, an organization, and a program; it provides services, facilities, and educational and recreational programs that enhance the quality of college life.
Through the work of its staff and various committees, the college union can be a "laboratory" where students can learn and practice leadership, programming, management, social responsibility, and interpersonal skills. As a center for the academic community, the union provides a place for increased interaction and understanding among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Educational Goals
To foster the development of students, both in terms of tasks accomplished and maturity. Development is fostered through a series of challenge and support interactions between students and university personnel.
To expose students, faculty and staff to a diverse environment in which the dignity of individuals is respected and individual differences are cherished.
To expose students, faculty and staff to a variety of social, cultural, and educational opportunities in a safe environment in which individuals may experiment with different roles.
To develop leadership skills in students, faculty and staff.
To foster a sense of community, at the university and within the community, through the teaching of and exposure to civic responsibility concepts and providing opportunities for students to recognize the interdependence of people.
Philosophy
University Centers serves as an integral part of the University Community. There are three primary functions that describe University Centers. The primary functions of Student Activities and Centers are service, support, and education.
Service:
Customer service is essential for satisfaction. This includes all interactions between our customers and
everyone employed within the operation. It is important that we always explore methods of assisting the customer. This includes finding the information they need when the information is available outside of our department, or allowing a student or staff member to disagree with you. The customer may not always be right, but we should not make them feel wrong. Understand what they are saying even if you disagree with them. Every individual's viewpoint is important. Good customer service means going out of your way to provide assistance. It also means admitting errors and correcting them.
Support:
University Centers supports the educational program, including providing studying space for students, and for the student life and development program at UW-La Crosse. Support occurs through providing textbooks or art supplies. Support we provide is proactive. This involves the initiation of contacts with various units and departments. It includes soliciting their ideas to determine how we can assist other areas in the accomplishment of their goals. We keep in touch with our constituencies and support their efforts. This results in the accomplishment of more goals while affecting more individuals.
Education:
Education is the primary focus of our organization. All areas contribute to the educational mission of UW-La Crosse. Education occurs through textbooks, interactions with staff and students, workshops, committee involvement, and attendance at events. Education is especially prevalent in planning and implementing student programs. Students learn planning skills, and leadership skills. Students are the focus of much of this education, however, a proactive approach can also occur with other members of the university. This includes education on how to program or how to work/interact with students.
Staff
Employment
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
There are over 100 student employee positions within University Centers - in addition to approximately 150 positions with Chartwells Dining Service. Watch for information about University Centers Hiring Fair in the spring. University Centers is an equal opportunity employer.
UNIVERSITY CENTERS GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Campus Activities Board (CAB) - Campus Activities Board is a programming board whose mission is to provide fun and educational activities for the campus and community, such as small and large concerts, comedians, coffeehouse acts, performing arts - theatre, music and dance, lectures, etc. The positions assist in the overall advisement of this board, including event planning and contracting, strategizing marketing plans, recruitment and training of board members and volunteers, working with budgets, and assisting with program evaluations for the following areas: Mainstage, Regional, Local and Student Talent, Publicity, Public Relations, Performing Arts, Lectures, and Special Events.
Dining Services - This position coordinates the Clean Plate Project, writes the dining newsletter, assists with the Recipes from Home Program and the Meal Plan Waiver Committee, and advises the Dining Services Committee. This position assist with special projects (late night dining), conducts assessment, helps to monitor the meal plan contract, and works with any special programming that occurs as part of the meal plan program. Additionally, this position assists with the meal plan sign-ups at the beginning of each semester.
Graphics - This position will oversee the Graphics operation within University Centers. Emphasis will be on assisting student organizations with design and creation of publications. In addition, this position will work with the Social Marketing Campaign.
Greek Advisor - This position advises Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council and is responsible for assisting in the coordination of Rush and other educational and social programming. Responsibilities include assisting in the planning of leadership training retreats, facilitating officer transitions, and assisting with the planning of leadership training retreats, facilitating officer transitions, and assisting with the planning of Greek Week and other special events. Also provides support to chapters and facilitates President's Roundtables.
Celebrate UWL - This position incorporates elements of a traditional Homecoming and Family Weekend. It is UWL's fall celebration including family, friends, and alumni. Duties include organizaing and running meetings for the campus-wide members, communicating volunteer and financial needs to campus offices and organizations, directly advising the students on the Executive Board, and any othe logistical functions related to planning and organizing the event.
Involvement Center - This position is responsible for the operation of the Involvement Center, which seeks to inform support and promote the concept of volunteerism and involvement on campus and in the La Crosse community. Responsibilities include the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of the peer advisor staff. Other responsibilities include overseeing the center's budget, setting operational goals, developing marketing strategies, assisting with major center events (Blood Drive, Volunteer Fair, Celebration of Involvement and leadership, etc.), and attending a variety of community meetings as needed.
Cellar Programming - Responsible for all facets of marketing and scheduling the use of The Cellar by student organizations. This position also includes presenting a program one Thursday evening per month. Communication and collaboration with both the executive group from Campus Activity board and University Scheduling is an essential part of this experience.
Leadership/U Lead - This position is responsible for organizing ULEAD, and assisting in the development of a Leadership Plan for Student Activities. This position will also maintain resource materials on leadership for student use. Additional responsibilities include, budget development for leadership programs, assisting with services to student organizations and co-advising the Celebration of Involvement and Leadership.
Pride Center - This position maintains the overall vision of the PC through supervision and outreach programming. Supervision of the GLBTIAQQ peer educators will include the recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation of staff. Outreach programming includes development and implementation of programs to be offered to the campus community and providing assistance with National Coming Out Week, Gayla Week, Ally training and all other programming areas of the Pride Center. Additionally, this position will do goal setting for the office, oversee the student payroll, maintain the resource inventory, and work with the PC budget.
Racquet - Racquet is UW-L's student newspaper, which is published weekly throughout the academic year. This position provides advisement to the Racquet Staff and will work to organize the advisory board.
Student Association - This position assists in the advisement of Student Association. This person advises the Student Senate Exec. Board, the Organizations Committee, assists with convening all sub-committees, advises the committee chairs on responsibilities, and advises and coordinates training sessions for Student Senate.
Sample the City - This position will provide advising for this special event, which occurs in September. This event encourages community businesses to market their products and services to UWL students in an exhibit hall setting.
Student Employment - This position will develop a comprehensive fall and spring training program for all Cartwright Center student employees, work with area supervisors to coordinate Student Employee of the Year nominations assist with the recognition program, advise the student employee advisory board and newsletter, and work with the Cartwright Center Spring Hiring Fair.
Student Organizations - This position is responsible for planning the "All Student Organizations Meeting" once per semester. In addition, this position assists University Centers in communicating with the over 140 recognized organizations and advisors, assisting with providing services to student organizations, and advising the Student Organizations Committee.