Campus Connection - Nov. 23-29, 2009
- Students doing undergraduate research on the rise
- Rotary lights open Nov. 27-Dec. 31
- UW-L Fair Trade sale is Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
- Campus game show 'Blizzard of Bucks' to appear at UW-L
- Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' to be staged at UW-L
- Holiday luncheon set for Dec. 9
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Announcements & NoticesEvents and meetings
The Campus Connection is no longer publishing a calendar. For events, see the UW-L Campus Calendar at http://mastercalendar.uwlax.edu/MasterCalendar/ For meetings, go to http://www.uwlax.edu/meetings/. For questions on submitting department and open meetings, contact Bob Hoar, Provost Office, at hoar.robe@uwlax.edu or at 785.8159.
- Class schedules change this week
- Reminder: Campus power outage is Friday
- New assistant chancellor for University Advancement position listening session planned for Nov. 30
- Academic Advising Center fall newsletter online
- Campus Kudos
- CATL
- Writing objective tests
- HUB Spokes
- Human Resources
- In the news
- Students vote to increase fees, save programs online
- Murphy Library Notes
- Thanksgiving recess library hours
- OCW
- Sustainability
- Classified ads
- Getting information into the Campus Connection
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| VJ Agarwal |
Much more than books, class and exams
Students doing undergraduate research on the rise
Major research projects in college used to be saved for graduate school. Not anymore.
Undergraduate research at UW-L continues to increase, jumping 7 percent in funded proposals and 21 percent in the amount of projects funded from 2007-08 to 2008-09. This academic year, nearly $150,000 is available to deserving undergraduate student researchers.
“Our motivated students are always looking for challenging projects to do and research is certainly one of those,” explains VJ Agarwal, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. “We are seeing more undergraduate research proposals being submitted and funded each year.”
Agarwal says a successful undergraduate research experience opens many doors for students going to graduate or professional school, or even for those planning to enter the workforce right after college. “While being mentored by our faculty and staff, they develop meaningful professional relationships leading to strong recommendation letters and more,” says Agarwal. “Research also helps them with their critical thinking, analytical ability and just becoming more mature thinkers and researchers in their own right.”
Katelynn Williams, a senior from Madison majoring in economics and finance with a minor in French, travelled overseas last spring to research “The French Response to the United States’ Financial Crisis: An Economic and Social Perspective.” Williams followed French and American newspaper and journal coverage of the unfolding crisis during her semester abroad in Rennes, France. She developed a characterization of France's societal and economic response to the unfolding events.
Williams says the experience has impacted her. “The research experience not only gave me an in-depth understanding of my topic, but also introduced the skills of article searching, succinct summarization, critical analysis of findings and writing for research dissemination along with the dedication necessary to conduct an individual research project,” she says. “The experience provided an excellent base for research skills I will use in the future as a graduate student.”
Williams encourages other students to pursue similar grants. “The projects teach an invaluable lesson in personal learning and allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of a specific area of interest that is hard to come by in the classroom,” she explains.
Associate Vice Chancellor Agarwal says the type of undergraduate research being done speaks highly of faculty-student collegial relationships on campus. “Excellence at UW-La Crosse is not an accident, but it is in part due to the serious engagement of our faculty and students in research and many other things,” he says. “A recent campus accreditation team found that UW-L faculty members first challenge their students and then help their students achieve those expectations. I have no doubt that our consistently high retention and graduation rates are in part due to this serious engagement in undergraduate research, internships and other scholarship endeavors.”
Once students complete their research projects, they can share their findings at the campus research celebration, the UW System Symposium or national conferences, such as the one held at UW-L in April. “Being able to become a co-author on a published paper is truly significant for students,” notes Agarwal, who mentors students. “Research experience also adds to their resume.”
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Rotary lights open Nov. 27-Dec. 31UW-L volunteers help with Rotary Lights fundraiserVolunteers from 17 UW-L affiliated organizations are helping more than 2.6 million lights shine in La Crosse's Riverside Park Nov. 27 through Dec. 31. The Rotary Lights Display began in 1995 and has grown tremendously since because of the enthusiastic support from the greater La Crosse community. Nearly 200,000 visitors per year enjoy the holiday tradition while driving or walking through the park. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to make voluntary contributions of cash and/or food as they exit the park. Eight area food pantries have shared the more than 1.4 million food items that have been donated. More than $350,000 has been distributed to 148 area non-profit agencies that have supplied the "people power" to make Rotary Lights possible. UW-L groups helping to light the Midwest's largest holiday display include:
To find out more, go to www.rotarylights.org/. |
Fair Trade backgroundFair trade is an organized social movement and market-based model of international trade which promotes the payment of a fair price, as well as social and environmental standards, in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine and fresh fruit. Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. It also aims at empowering them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and actively play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade. |
UW-L Fair Trade Sale is Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Student organizers of the UW-L Fair Trade Sale urge the campus community to shop responsibly this holiday season by shopping at the Fair Trade Sale from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, in Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.
The Fair Trade Market provides products that are 100 percent socially responsible. The Fair Trade Market guarantees fair wages for the worker, quality products, community development and sustainable environment. There will be an extensive array of fairly-traded products available for sale from Concern America, Ten Thousand Villages, Heart of the Sky, Kickapoo Coffee, Beehive Collective and more.
Vendors are a part of a worldwide movement striving to practice fair trade. Ten Thousand Villages is one of over 300 international trade fair for environmental technology (IFA) members in 70 countries. IFAT members agree that fair trade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a trading partnership aimed at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by raising awareness and by campaigning.
The IFAT key principles of fair trade include:
- Opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
- Transparency and accountability
- Capacity building
- Payment of a fair price
- Gender equity
- Good working conditions
- Care for the environment
The event is sponsored by UW-L's Progressives, Environmental Council and the Native American Student Association. The sponsors hope to spread awareness about the fair trade movement and how each purchase counts toward the welfare of others in impoverished countries.
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| The campus game show “Blizzard of Bucks” takes place at UW-L Nov. 30. |
| If you go— What: Campus game show “Blizzard of Bucks” When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 Where: Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition Admission: Free |
Campus game show 'Blizzard of Bucks' to appear at UW-L
The popular campus game show “Blizzard of Bucks” is coming to UW-L. Join the fun at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.
“Blizzard of Bucks” is a two-hour game show in which contestants compete in a variety of wacky games, hoping to ultimately win the grand prize of standing in a glass cylinder as up to $500 blows around them for the taking. The show promises to make audience members and contestants feel as if they are part of an actual game show with its use of sound, lights and Hollywood-style background.
Admission is free as a part of the Campus Activities Board Series. For more information, contact Cartwright Center Information Counter at 785.8898 or visit www.uwlax.edu/cab.
If you go— |
Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' to be staged at UW-L
Charles Dickens’ well-loved holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” will take the stage at UW-L.
Performances run Dec. 4-5 and 10-11 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 and 12-13 at 2 p.m. The production is in Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts.
Once again Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future journey through time and memory to find the true spirit of Christmas. Can goodwill and holiday cheer change Scrooge’s “Humbug!” to a “Merry Christmas?” Dickens’ London comes to life in this Christmas tradition that has enchanted audiences for generations.
For the performance, the Department of Theatre Arts welcomes two guest designers— lighting designer Jared Clarkin and scenic designer Billy Clow. Clarkin, a UW-L alum, is currently production manager for First Stage Children’s Theatre in Milwaukee. Clow, former chair of the UW-L Department of Theatre Arts and scenic and lighting designer, is dean of Fine Arts at the University of Montevallo.
Tickets for A Christmas Carol go on sale at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30. Tickets are $5 for UW-L students; $12 for other students, senior citizens and children; and $14 for others. For reservations, call the box office at 785.8522.
Holiday luncheon set for Dec. 9
UW-L faculty and staff are invited to attend the Chancellor's Holiday Luncheon from 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Tickets are $7.25 each and are available through Friday, Dec. 4, at the Cartwright Center Information Counter or by calling 785.8877. Lunch tickets are available on a pre-paid basis only.
The luncheon includes entertainment and is sponsored by Chartwells and University Centers.
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Campus Connection deadline moves to noon Tuesday for Thanksgiving week
The deadline for the Nov. 30 Campus Connection is noon Tuesday, Nov. 24, because of the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 26 and Friday furlough Nov. 27. Submit information for the Connection to connectx@uwlax.edu.
Class schedules change this week
Remember that the schedule for classes changes this week. Students should plan to attend Thursday classes Tuesday, Nov. 24; and Friday classes Wednesday, Nov. 25. The Thanksgiving recess begins 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Classes resume Monday, Nov. 30.
Reminder: Campus power outage is Friday
There will be a planned power outage for the entire UW-L campus (except for the Health Science Center) from approximately 7 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov.27. Xcel Energy will be making adjustments to the campus power supply and performing electrical maintenance during this time. Before leaving your work area or room space for the Thanksgiving Break, be sure to unplug all electronic devices to minimize any potential equipment or programming failures when the power is restored. This includes computers, printers, copiers, TVs, DVDs, stereos and other electronic equipment.
The UW-L Physical Plant staff will be on campus during the power outage and will ensure that all campus buildings are returned to normal as quickly as possible. Your cooperation and assistance with this electrical maintenance is very much appreciated. For more information about the scheduled power outage, contact Hank Klos, UW-L’s director of Physical Plant, at klos.henr@uwlax.edu or at 785.8585.
New assistant chancellor for University Advancement position listening session planned for Nov. 30
UW-L is launching a search for an assistant chancellor for University Advancement. Search consultant, Richard Allen, of RPA Inc., has been enlisted to assist in the process. Allen is holding a listening session from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center to hear input from the campus community on the position and the search process.
Academic Advising Center fall newsletter online
The fall 2009 issue of "Peerspectives," the Academic Advising Center newsletter, is now online at www.uwlax.edu/advising/peerspectivesFall%2009.pdf.
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Alexa Carroll, Clinical Exercise Physiology graduate program student, published her thesis data, "Wii Fit — or Just a Wee Bit?" in the November/December 2009 issue of ACE Fitness Matters Journal. Her faculty advisers and co-authors on the paper were Carl Foster and John Porcari, both Exercise and Sport Science.
Eric Kraemer, Philosophy, presented “Free Will Revisionism Reconsidered” at the annual meeting of the Iowa Philosophical Society Nov. 14 at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Steven Simpson, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, published “Riding the Dewey Merry-Go-Round” in the most recent volume of the Journal of Experiential Education, 32(2): 178-181.
Matt Vogel, Student Affairs and Health Education/Health Promotion, along with other professionals, presented “Schools, Education, and the Drug War" at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference Nov. 12 in Albuquerque, NM.
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The Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning Colloquium Series will present a workshop on writing objective tests from 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, in 161 Wing Technology Center. The session focuses on how to write sound objective test items in a multiple choice format. It will include principles of writing good test items, tips on overall test construction, how to analyze and improve test items that have not been working well, and ways to write multiple choice items that test complex thinking. Presenters include Bill Cerbin, Deb Hoskins and Kristin Koepke. To register, go to https://uwlacrosse.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_9oWWAY38QQRULAw&SVID=Prod
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HUB Spokes
Effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, Health Insurance benefits are available to Domestic Partners and adult children to age 27. If you have added a non-tax dependent to your coverage, either a domestic partner or an adult child up to the age of 27, you will have imputed income and your tax withholding will increase and this will decrease your earnings.
Why and how does this happen?
The Fair Market Value (FMV) of insurance coverage provided for an individual who does not qualify as a dependent is taxable for employees. Therefore, the FMV of the health insurance benefit must be added to an employee’s earnings as imputed income.
The monthly imputed income amounts vary by health plan and are provided for either one non-tax dependent, or two or more non-tax dependents. See links below for the imputed income amount:
- State — Active Employees
http://etf.wi.gov/publications/dc_content/dc_2010/imputed_income_2010_state.pdf - State — Graduate Assistants
http://etf.wi.gov/publications/dc_content/dc_2010/imputed_income_2010_grad.pdf
Below are two calculators to use to get an idea on how the imputed income will impact earnings. It is recommended that you have a current earning statement available when you use the calculator.
Classified employees (paid once every two weeks), visit www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/2010/documents/Imputed_Income-Biweekly_Pay_Calculator.xls
Unclassified employees (paid once a month), visit www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/2010/documents/Imputed_Income-Monthly_Pay_Calculator.xls
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Retirement
Mary Borland, carpenter, Physical Plant, to retire Jan. 4, 2010.
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"Students vote to increase fees, save programs online," La Crosse Tribune Nov. 19 article. A vast majority of UW-L students voted Wednesday to pay more tuition to save certain student programs and 11 campus positions. See article at www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_93dce43c-d4c8-11de-98d1-001cc4c03286.html.
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Thanksgiving recess library hours
- Wednesday, Nov. 25: Open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 26-28: Closed
- Sunday, Nov. 29: Open noon-midnight
The library catalog and information databases will be accessible as always from off campus. Many databases require a login for off campus use, which in most cases is the same 8.4 username and password used for UW-L e-mail. For more information, visit www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/ezproxy/instructions.html.
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OCW hosts holiday social Dec. 3
All UW-L faculty and staff women are invited to the OCW holiday social from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in Port O' Call, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.
The social includes a quilt raffle, refreshments, goodies, music and door prizes.
The drawing for the quilt will be held at 12:30 p.m. For more information, see www.uwlax.edu/ocw/OCWQuiltRaffle.pdf. To purchase tickets, visit www.uwlax.edu/ocw/steeringcommittee.html. Proceeds from the quilt raffle will go the OCW Scholarship Fund. The quilt was assembled by Kathy Ring, Human Resources.
Consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to the campus food pantry and books for a book exchange.
One hour of release time to attend this function has been granted to classified staff. Arrange for office coverage if necessary.
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UW-L has sustainability Web site
UW-L has a Web site devoted to sustainability at www.uwlax.edu/sustainability. The Joint Committee on Environmental Sustainability (JCES) established the Web site in 2008 as a clearinghouse for sustainability news, events and initiatives on campus. Features include:
- Information on how students, faculty and staff can become involved in UW-L’s sustainability efforts
- A blog featuring news and stories about sustainability issues on campus, in the region and beyond
- A Google calendar listing events relating to sustainability and the environment
- The goals of the three JCES working groups — ecological literacy, institutional ecology and outreach and partnerships
- Information about the Environmental Sustainability Reserve (Green Fund)
- Sustainability resources
JCES is working to raise the sustainability awareness on campus. To add news, events or stories to the site relating to sustainability at UW-L or in the region, contact Larry Sleznikow at slezniko.larr@uwlax.edu. Submit questions, comments and suggestions via the online form on the sustainability home page.
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Lost
Gold hoop earring with eight small diamonds. Contact Vickie Bain at 785.8646.