Briefs

UW-L participating in 'The Herons of La Crosse' project

Heron with artists
Thirty-five herons are on display in La Crosse as part of "The Herons of La Crosse" arts project. UW-L Art Student Association students who worked on the UW-L's 'Found Object Heron' included Erin Woida, photo left and Nichol Schoen, right, as well as Patty Bindley, Beth Crook, Carly Dilworth and Meagan Rhodes.

Join others in the city's "Hunt for Herons." Thirty-five herons, each more than six feet tall, are on display as part of “The Herons of La Crosse,” the first public arts project to promote arts and tourism in La Crosse. UW-L's "Found Object Heron" arrived on campus April 14 at the corner of State and 16th streets. The herons will be on display through late October or early November.

Maps with the location of all 35 herons are available Monday, April 21, at The Pump House. Visit www.thepumphouse.org. The UW-L Foundation donated UW-L's sponsorship fee.

Read more about the project in the April 11 La Crosse Tribune article "Thirty-five colorful statues aim to promote arts and tourism." Visit www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/11/news/z02herons11.txt

Artists' statement on "Found Objects."

Our heron was inspired by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. He is known for his trencadis structures throughout Spain. Trencadis is a type of mosaic made from broken tiles. Gaudi used this technique to cover irregular, curved surfaces with tiles. He is most famous for projects in Barcelona’s Park Guell.

Our “found objects” were mostly broken ceramic plates purchased from Goodwill that we spray painted.  Our spray technique involved different layers of harmonious colors. First, the plates were painted whole and then broken with a hammer. The pieces were next mortared to our heron. Finally we grouted our mosaic pieces using white unsanded grout. We did not want to cover our entire heron in a mosaic; as a result, we completed our heron using vivid acrylic paint.

Briefs

UW-L Centennial Campaign shifts into high gear

UW-L's Centennial Campaign is in full swing and, by day's end tomorrow, all current and emeriti faculty and staff will have received an informational packet that outlines the details of the comprehensive effort. The fundraising appeal includes six initiatives: the new academic building, annual fund, faculty awards and development, scholarships, stadium/sports complex, and undergraduate research. Al Trapp, vice president of the UW-L Foundation, says each of these elements is essential to our mission.

"If UW-L's tradition of providing a top-rank education to our students is to continue, we must make the necessary investments in the people who are committed to advancing our mission. Each component of this campaign is critical; none can stand alone," Trapp said. Perhaps predictably, the informational packet also includes a pledge form.

"Our most pressing need is to raise $6 million in private gifts - $3 million by August 31 - for the new academic building," Trapp said. He notes that UW-L has already received a $1 million contribution from Alumnus Duncan Cameron and is quick to acknowledge that strong participation from faculty and staff will make it easier to approach off-campus donors. The goal for the campus appeal is 100 percent participation. A strong, shared commitment from UW-L faculty and staff will send a clear message to prospective donors of the urgent need to support all the components of the campaign, Trapp said.

A letter is also being sent to emeriti faculty and staff introducing the campaign we can! An Emeriti Spring Social is set for Monday, April 28, in the Ward Room. A 3:30-5 p.m. pre-social is planned for emeriti and fund holders to enjoy cookies, punch and informal conversation with their colleagues, Foundation staff and Campaign Leaders. A more formal social follows from 6-8 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, a woodwind quintet and a short program about the campaign, specifically the academic building.  Chancellor Joe Gow will speak and campaign leaders will be introduced. A Wednesday, May 7, campus event is also being planned.

If you did not receive an informational packet, contact Natalie Olsen at 785.6803 or olsen.nata@uwlax.edu.

In the news

Select summaries of news stories and links for on-line articles of interest to the UW-L community that appeared during the previous week on the UW System e-Clipsheet Web site: http://www.wisconsin.edu/clipsheet/index.htm. Articles are free to access through the following links, except where indicated. Full text for some articles may be available through university libraries.

Local/on campus

"KJ Lang: Students raise funds for cures," La Crosse Tribune, April 18. Thirsty? Now that the weather is warming up, a nice, tall glass of lemonade sounds pretty spectacular. Some University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students in the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority are making this thirst-quenching beverage a little bit sweeter by collecting donations for the fight against pediatric cancer at some lemonade stands in the community and on campus, starting this weekend. Full story: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/18/columnists/lang.txt

"Gow: UW-L needs stadium funding guarantee," La Crosse Tribune, April 19. UW-L officials said Friday they will not move forward with the new stadium project unless the UW-L Foundation guarantees it can cover all funding for the initial phase of construction. Full story: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/19/news/00lead0419.txt

See more comments: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/19/news/00lead0419.txt#READ_COMMENT

Campus Climate

Celebrate administrative professionals

Don't forget. Administrative Professionals' Week is always observed annually during the last full week in April. This annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National Secretaries' Week" by the National Secretaries Association. This Wednesday, April 23, is Administrative Professionals' Day. Be sure to recognize support staff for all the work they do. "A consistent theme that emerges from our assessment data is that we don't do enough recognition on this campus," says Campus Climate Coordinator Beth Hartung.

And we are not alone. In a Harris poll of several thousand workers, it was found that the three things people want most in a job is a good salary, job security and recognition for a job well done. In fact, articles across the Internet that focus on team building in the workplace clearly reveal that companies and organizations have a tendency to underestimate the importance of recognition, and, therefore, don't practice this art of appreciation enough. In these times of budget concerns, let's take advantage of a valuable resource for employee retention that comes at little to no expense to all of us ... the power of "thank you."

To learn more information about Campus Climate, visit www.uwlax.edu/campusclimate

UW-L graduates finding work

More than 98 percent employed within six months of graduation

Most UW-L graduates looking for jobs after college are finding them. Just over 98 percent of the 2006-07 graduates found work within six months of graduation, according a survey by Career Services. That's nearly identical to the previous academic year. Nearly 89 percent of all graduates getting a job found work related to their major. Almost 23 percent of graduates headed to graduate or professional school.

Tim Tritch, senior student services coordinator in the Career Services Office, says the slowing of the economy didn't impact graduates of the past year, and has yet to impact job recruiting this spring. "We expect that the strains on the economy will negatively impact the job market, however we have not yet seen an obvious decline in the number of jobs coming in or the number of employer inquiries we are receiving," says Tritch. "This may in part be due to the relative strength of the job markets in the Twin Cities, Madison and Chicago."

Tritch says demand for accountancy, computer science and information systems graduates continues. "The job market in healthcare remains strong nationally, but localized surpluses in some fields arise periodically," he notes. "Public health related positions seem to be on the rise, especially related to emergency preparedness issues and related to the interest in healthy lifestyles- especially for children and the growing older population." Demand for teachers regionally remains competitive, but is higher elsewhere. "The job market for teacher candidates continues to be tight in most of the upper Midwest, however, our education graduates do well if they are willing to go to where the job growth is," Tritch says.

Starting salary averaged $36,125, up modestly from $35,385 a year earlier. The highest paid graduates were those earning degrees in health-related fields. Complete results can be found at the "UW-L Employment & Internship Statistics" link at: www.uwlax.edu/careerservices.

Human Resources

Transfers

Rich Moilien, from custodial services to groundskeeper in landscape services, April 13.

James Hurlbert, from Residence Life to groundskeeper in landscape services, April 13.

Transfer opportunities

UW-L has the current transfer opportunities:

Academic Department Associate A/B, 100 percent, exercise and sports science department. This position is in pay schedule and range 02-10/11.
IS data services senior, 100 percent, in Information Technology-Enterprise Computing. This position is in pay schedule and range 07-03.
Interested individuals at or above the pay ranges indicated may apply by contacting Kathy Ring at ring.kath@uwlax.edu or 785.6499. For additional information including a full position description, visit www.uwlax.edu/vacancies. Deadline to sign up for transfer is noon Monday, April 28.

Staff Benefit Statements arriving soon

Staff Benefit Statements are expected from Madison later this month. They will be sent to employees via campus mail late April to early May. The statements contain all data relating to the various benefits that the employee is currently enrolled in, including the benefit and corresponding amount of coverage. Keep the statement in an accessible place for future reference. The statements are useful when working with financial planners, updating information with them or as reference regarding benefit questions. For any questions or concerns regarding the benefit statement, contact Human Resources at 785.8013.

Retirement Statements arriving soon

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Annual Statements of Benefits will be distributed in late April to early May. The statements are for all active employees who had Wisconsin Retirement System contribution balances as of Jan. 1, 2008. Employees should carefully review their benefits statements and read all the enclosed materials. If employees believe they should have received a statement but did not; or with questions regarding the service, earnings and/or employment category reported for UW-L employment, contact Human Resources at 785.8013.

Campus technology priorities report findings available online

The Joint Information Technology Committee has consolidated their findings from the listening session on campus priorities for technology. To review the results, go to http://itsurvey.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/JointITSListeningSessions.pdf

Classified

Give away

The biology department has a variety of ink cartridges for printers. The printers have been surplussed to Campus Stores and the following are available upon request:
HP 29 - four
HP 33 - six                 
HP 41 - five                 
HPC1816A - one
HP 51633M - two                    
HP 51641A - two         
Canon 15 - BC 15 Black - three
Epson T018 - three                  
Epson T017 - two        
Mac Stylewriter Ink Tanks - M8041G/C - four
M3329G/A - one
M3330G/A - one
Contact Shirley Shufelt at 785.8238 or shufelt.shir@uwlax.edu.

For sale

Moving sale: medium-sized oak dresser (cabinet top above, three drawers below), wrought-iron antique-style queen bed frame, Amish-style cherry cedar chest, wrought-iron patio set (large table/ four chairs), TREK 7500 mountain bike (men's 56 cm. silver). All items like new. Too heavy to move (except the bike). Make an offer. 787.7790/785.6922.

Wanted

The English as a Second Language Institute seeks native English-speaking volunteers to be conversation partners with ESL university students this summer. The conversation partner program runs from Monday, June 16, to Thursday, July 31. Conversation groups are held from 2:45-3:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to participate in two 45-minute conversation sessions each week. E-mail Summer Conversation Partner Program Coordinator for the ESL Institute Angie Armstrong at armstron.ange@students.uwlax.edu. Someone to help with flower garden clean-up and mulching gardens. Call 608.483.2278, leave a message.

Non-teaching academic, classified staff feedback wanted
The Joint Information Technology Committee would like feedback from non-teaching academic and classified staff in an online survey about the Information Technology department. To participate, follow the directions at the wiki site http://itsurvey.wikispaces.com/