Campus Connection - July 20-26, 2009

Young scholars on campus July 13-17

Students in robotics class. Student in robotics class

Young scholars in Kenny Hunt's robotics course learned autonomous robotics by building sumo wrestling mobile robots, says Hunt, computer science. Two robots are placed on a round plywood arena, approximately 3 feet 6 inches across. The first robot to have any part touch the floor off the arena loses. Students Sam Yoshizumi and Michael Vandervennet, from left in photo left, are testing an early version of Plow King, their sumo wrestler. Student Rick Reinholdt, photo right, is building his robot.

For more photos and video clips on the robotics class, visit http://charity.cs.uwlax.edu/YoungScholars/ and http://picasaweb.google.com/sueellenlee0/Robotics716091044AM?feat=email#

Student entering grades five through nine were on campus July 13-17 in UW-L's Young Scholar program. In the week-long program, students interact with each other and with university instructors in hands-on learning experiences in UW-L labs and classrooms. Student are challenged to think creatively to solve problems and experiment with ways of accessing, interpreting and applying knowledge unique to a variety of subjects, from the arts to the sciences. Scholarships are available for financially disadvantaged students.

This year's classes and instructors included:

  • Mixed Media Painting, Linda Steine, Continuing Education in the Arts
  • Mysterious Microbes, Bernadette Taylor-Winfrey, microbiology
  • Hidden Messages and Media Smarts: Unveiling Real Meaning in Media, Margarita Refugia Olivas, communication studies
  • Amazing Chemistry — It's All in the Superstore, Sandra Koster, chemistry
  • Fun with Physics, Robert Ragan, physics
  • Amazing Body, Melissa Sprain, exercise and sports science
  • Climbing Wall, UW-L Adventure Programs Staff
  • Making Your Home on the Web, Saundra Solum, Information Technology
  • TV Production, Patricia Turner, communication studies
  • Robotics, Kenny Hunt, computer science

Find out more about this program and other UW-L Continuing Education and Extension programs, at www.uwlax.edu/Conted/.

East Avenue road closure slated for July 21

Centennial Hall Construction map updated

East Avenue between Pine Street and Cartwright Center (see map below) will be closed Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22, because of construction work providing upgraded electrical service to campus. It will be restricted to one lane of travel Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24.

Watch Centennial Hall construction progress online at www.uwlax.edu/edtech/centennial-hall. To download a PDF of the updated July 16 construction map, visit www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/images/2009/summer/june/CentennialHallConstructionMap.pdf.

Demolition of Wilder Hall. Construction map July 16 update.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mick Miyamoto
Mick Miyamoto

Miyamoto farewell reception set for July 24

A farewell reception will be held for UW-L's Assistant Dean of Students Mick Miyamoto from 2-4 p.m. Friday, July 24, in the Diversity Center, 42 Cartwright Center. A program is set for 2:45 p.m. Miyamoto leaves UW-L at the end of July to become dean of students at the University of Dubuque.

Miyamoto earned a bachelor's degree in art education at UW-L in 1979 and a master's degree in student affairs administration in 1985. Miyamoto has been a staff member at UW-L since 1989. In addition to serving as assistant dean of students, Miyamoto taught in the Student Affairs Administration Program and chaired several master's theses committees. He also was an assistant football coach for 10 years and advised many student organizations. In 2006, he received the UW-L Staff Member of the Year Award from the Residence Life Awards Night.

Miyamoto helped garner more stable funding for UW-L's Campus Child Center and improved facilities. He also chaired the student and staff memorial committee which brought the gazebo to campus and helped develop the UW-L 100 orientation course.

Commuter parking lots now patrolled and ticketed until 7 p.m.

Effective July 1 commuter parking lots are now patrolled and ticketed until 7 p.m. Previously, they were ticketed until 5 p.m. For more on parking, permits, vehicle registration, regulations and enforcement, contact the Crosse Parking Office at 785.8061 or visit www.uwlax.edu/parking/generalinfo.htm.

Campus Kudos

 

 

 

 

Mark W. Chavalas, wrote "Power Struggles: Kingdoms at War" in S. Bourke, ed., "The Middle East: The Cradle of Civilization Revealed" (Lane Grove: Global Book Publishing and London: Thames and Hudson, 2009), 104-157.

Human Relations

 

 

 

Furlough planning info now available on Web site

A new resource to help plan furlough time has been added to the Human Resource furlough Web page. Go to "Other Resources" at www.uwlax.edu/hr/furloughs.htm.

Updated classified time sheets online

Updated classified time sheets are available on the Human Relations Website at http://www.uwlax.edu/hr/forms/Payroll/Time Sheets/timesheets.htm. The time sheets have been updated to accommodate the Governor Doyles' mandated furlough plan. Furlough hours taken should be entered under the "Other" column and Furlough Time Off (FTO) should be entered in the adjacent column labeled "Reason." For more information, contact Deb Hanson at 785.6498.

In the news

 

 

 

 

"The student voice: An Advocate for Education While Enduring Cuts," La Crosse Tribune, July 13. Erik Kahl didn’t campaign for student association president by making a lot of promises. “I’ve seen a lot of things promised not get done over the years,” he said. “I wanted to be realistic." Full story: www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2009/07/13/news/01kahl.txt.

"Obama plans new funds for colleges," New York Times, July 14. President Obama plans to head to hard-hit Michigan on Tuesday afternoon to announce a $12 billion infusion for the nation's community college system, part of his efforts to ease the considerable pain of the still-sagging economy. Full story: www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/us/politics/15obama.html?ref=education.

"Consultant's rates for UW project raise eyebrows," Associated Press, July 17. Four employees of a consulting firm billed more than $200,000 apiece in five months for work on a University of Wisconsin System information technology project, according to a review by The Associated Press. Another 10 employees of Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group charged at least $100,000 during that time for services on the project to install a new payroll system, which is behind schedule and over its planning budget. Full story: www.madison.com/tct/mad/latest/458694.

Murphy Library

 

 

 

Catalog system upgrade to impact universal borrowing and catalog

Murphy Library's entire catalog system will be upgraded from mid-July through mid-August affecting system-wide Universal Borrowing and the local Murphy Library catalog.

From Wednesday through Thursday, Aug. 5-6, the library catalog will be in "read only" mode. This means the catalog will work as usual, except for personalized features, such as viewing items recently checked out, placing holds, renewing materials, placing items in the online book bag for later review and saving searches for later use.

From Monday, July 27, through Monday, Aug. 17, Universal Borrowing will be unavailable. Patrons should use Interlibrary Loan instead.

The catalog will be fully functional by the beginning of fall semester. new features and updated design elements will be tested and gradually implemented.

Oral Defense

 

 

 

Stephanie Fall, master's candidate in the College of Science and Health, "Athletic-Care for Coaches: Providing Appropriate Prevention, Recognition and Management of Athletic-Related Injuries and Conditions," 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 102 Wing Technology Center. Adviser: Keely Rees, health education/health promotion.

Sara Richie, master's candidate in the College of Science and Health, "Communication in Sexual Relationships: A Guidebook for Teens and Young Adults," 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 102 Wing Technology Center. Adviser: Keely Rees, health education/health promotion.

Amanda M. Miller, master's candidate in the College of Science and Health, "Injury and Violence and the Relationship to Prematurity and Low Birth Weight: A Pilot Study," 1-3 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 104 Wing Technology Center. Adviser: Keely Rees, health education/health promotion.

thanks

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who attended my retirement party. Thanks for the cards, well wishes and gifts. Also, thank you, Educational Technologies, for the picture and cake, especially Jim Jorstad for the PowerPoint presentation.
— Retired UW-L Senior Photographer Paul Currier

Classified

 

 

 

For sale

1999 Toyota Rav4 L, AWD, silver, moon roof, automatic transmission, one owner, lovingly maintained, dependable, everything works, good tires, no rust. Bluebook $5,200. Call Sandi between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at 507.482.6689.

2002 Subaru Forester L, AWD, automatic transmission. Dependable, new tires and brakes. $7,300. Excellent maintenance history available. Call Kelly between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at 608.385.2816.

2008 Chevrolet AVEO, five-speed manual hatchback, Cosmic Silver. One owner, 5,100 miles, remaining warranty, excellent fuel economy, fun to drive. $8,495/OBO. Call Liz at 785.8501 or 792.5744.

Three-bedroom condominium with two and one-half bathrooms. Access to tennis court and indoor swimming and Jacuzzi pools. Updated floors and countertops and a new h20 heater and softener was installed this past January. Located in Seminary Park condominiums just three miles from campus. Asking $134,900. Contact Mick at 608.397.7038 or 785.8932. For photos and more information, visit www.ghrealtors.com/Listings/0/67375/WI/La-Crosse/3444-EAST-AVE-S.aspx.

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