Eagle Connection - A weekly newsletter for students

- September 3, 2008

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Eagle Connection schedule

This is the first Eagle Connection for the 2008-09 school year. You'll receive it via e-mail Wednesdays when classes are in session. The deadline to submit information for the Eagle Connection is noon Mondays preceding the Wednesday edition. Contact Eagle Connection Editor Sue Lee to have information included. Call 785.8497 or e-mail connectx@uwlax.edu. If you are interested in being a writer or photographer for the Eagle Connection, contact Lee.

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Navigate to the news

Navigating to the Eagle Connection from UW-L's home page is easy. Click "More News" at the bottom of the home page to the "Campus News Resources" page. From there, click on "Eagle Connection." Note that the Racquet, a newspaper for and by students; along with the student-produced blog Eagle Connection blog, is on the Campus News Resources page.

You can also go to the URL addresses:

Eagle Connection • http://www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/eagleconnection/
Eagle Connection blog • http://eagleconnection.wordpress.com/
The Racquet • http://www.theracquet.net/

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Campus directory info due Sept. 15

Make sure your correct phone, address are in the book!

If your campus or permanent (home) address/phone number has changed since last semester, you need to correct the information to be listed correctly in the official 2008-09 UW-L Student & Staff Directory. It’s where your friends will be looking for your phone number!

Change and verify your information at: https://talon.uwlax.edu/webRegistration/LoginServlet. Changes are due 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.
If you do not want to be listed in the directory, visit Records and Registration, 117 Graff Main Hall, by the 4 p.m. deadline Sept. 15.

The 2008-09 UW-L Student & Staff Directory will be distributed free in October. Residence hall students will receive copies in their halls; special distribution days on the campus mall are planned for off-campus students.

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Chancellor Joe Gow turned over the mic to Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance Bob Hetzel, left, to talk about financial matters as UW-L looks ahead to the fall semester.

Academic year welcome

Chancellor Gow cites ‘good news and challenges’

The university’s jump in the U.S.News & World Report's ranking led a list of “good news” Chancellor Joe Gow shared with faculty and staff at the annual chancellor’s address Aug. 27.

UW-L now ranks No. 17 among all master’s degree-granting colleges in the Midwest, and is tied for No. 2 among public institutions — both are increases over last year’s rank. “We’re the only UW comprehensive to be in the Top 20,” noted Gow. “This is very nice external recognition of the fine work all of you do.”

Gow says the university ranks well in other measures too. According to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association, UW-L student-athletes have the highest GPA average at 3.198. That’s above the 3.140 general student body GPA at UW-L, also the highest among the nine UWs in the WIAC. And, the 374 student-athletes with a GPA of 3.0 or above was at the top of WIAC schools.  “With our mind-body emphasis, I think we’re doing well,” he said.

Also, UW-L landed in the 96th percentile of all undergraduate institutions in a national collegiate learning assessment. Students also came in well above national averages in a study of student campus engagement. 

Among challenges, Gow pointed to never-ending state budget woes and the university’s inability to offer competitive salaries. He also mentioned the UW-L Foundation’s challenge of raising $6 million of the $44 million new academic building. “This is an opportunity for us to show our commitment to this university,” he noted. Gow announced he and his wife, Betsy Valentine, have pledged $30,000 to the building project.

See also: "Gow offers praise, presents challenges in address to UW-L," La Crosse Tribune, Aug. 28. www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/08/28/news/01gow28.txt

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The Screaming Eagles Marching Band performed for international students Aug. 29 at an ice cream social to welcome them to campus. About 400 international students from 49 countries are expected on campus this fall.

Centennial Campaign update

International education, a cornerstone of the new academic building, 'Centennial Hall'

"'Centennial Hall' will be where we are training global citizens for the next 100 years," says International Education Director Jay Lokken. To help support and bring attention to "Centennial Hall," which Lokken says will bring a critical element to the campus. He and Ken Riley hosted a fundraiser for the Centennial Campaign in their La Crosse home Aug. 23. Nearly 100 from the community and campus who have touched UW-L's International Education program attended, he says.

Lokken says the International Education Office will be a cornerstone of the new building with offices on the first floor. It includes a new international resource center, offices for study abroad, international admissions, English as a Second Language, international and scholar services and office space for visiting international faculty and staff. The centerpiece of the new academic building is the "Hall of Nations," which will serve as a gathering place for speakers, events, concert organizations and international delegations.

La Crosse has Sister City relationships with six cities, including Bantry, Ireland; Dubna, Russia; Epinal, France; Førde, Norway; Friedberg, Germany; and Luoyang, China. For more information on La Crosse's International Committee and Sister Cities, see www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.asp?nid=566. See also: www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/USA/WI

For more information on the campaign, go to www.uwlax.edu/campaign.

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Comedy Central comedian to perform on campus

A comedian who has performed on Comedy Central and has toured with the Comedians of Comedy Tour will take the stage on campus. Sheng Wang, who has appeared on the cable channel’s “Live at Gotham,” performs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Cellar in Cartwright Center. Admission is free as part of the Cellar Thursday Series sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.

For more information, visit www.uwlax.edu/cab or call the Cartwright Center Information Counter at 785.8898.

If you go— Who: Comedian Sheng Wang What: Cellar Thursday Series When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 Where: Cellar, UW-L Cartwright Center Admission: Free as part of the Cellar Thursday Series sponsored by the UW-L Campus Activities Board.

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Auditions set for UW-L Choral Union

Area singers are welcome to join UW-L's Choral Union this fall when it sings “Gloria” by Francis Poulenc and “Chandos Anthem #9” by George Frederic Handel. The concert will be Sunday afternoon, Nov. 23, at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse.

The UW-L Choral Union includes 90 UW-L students, faculty, staff and adult singers from the greater La Crosse area. The ensemble rehearses from 7-9:15 p.m. Mondays in 58 UW-L Center for the Arts.

To schedule an audition, contact director Paul Rusterholz at 608.784.4497 or rusterho.paul@uwlax.edu. Auditions, held in 134 Center for the Arts, will be scheduled through Sept. 5.

If you go— Who: UW-L Choral Union What: Auditions When: Through Sept. 5. Where: 134 Center for the Arts Schedule an audition with: Director Paul Rusterholz at 784.4497 or rusterho.paul@uwlax.edu

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Part-time and seasonal job fair planned

A part-time and seasonal job fair for area college students runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Students looking for part-time employment can meet with employers who have part-time jobs. Employment opportunities will include a mix of both on- and off-campus jobs. Admission is free. The fair is sponsored by the UW-L Career Services and Financial Aid offices.    

Employers can still register to attend the event at www.uwlax.edu/careerservices. Refer questions the Career Services Office at 785.8362.

For more information, see www.uwlax.edu/careerservices/downloads/2008PartJobFair.pdf

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Barack Obama Campus Campaign Kick-Off set Sept. 10

A Barack Obama Campus Campaign Kick-Off is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Speakers include Graham Clumpner of Campus Democrats; La Crosse County Supervisor Tara Johnson; Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Joe Winecke; and a representative from Congressman Ron Kind's office. There will be a voter registration and sign-in at the door. For more information, contact at clumpner.grah@students.uwlax.edu or 920.220.9521.

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New Website feedback

The Murphy Library Website has undergone a major redesign and now uses the new UW-L templates designed by ITS. The underlying structure of the site has remained the same in many respects, maintaining separate pages for online forms, faculty resources and subject resources. As with any Web redesign, things may not always be where expected. Bookmarks or links to specific pages may need to be updated. Library staff can help with navigation and updating links. Contact the reference desk at 785. 8508 or refemail@uwlax.edu or use the online Web team suggestion box at www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/forms/suggest2web.html.

Voting resources

Did you know that seven people are still officially running for president of the United States? You can learn who they are and what their platforms are at the Murphy Library Voting Resources page. The Voting Resources page is also an excellent resource to prepare for next week’s partisan primary. The page brings together an excellent variety of resources from our area and beyond, providing information about candidates and parties, sample ballots, polling places, and much more.

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Cartwright Center projects update

Two major projects were begun in Cartwright Center this summer: the Cartwright Center roof project and the Cartwright Center dishwasher project. The Cartwright Center roofing project addressed the leaks in Cartwright Center’s roof. This project was completed as scheduled.  

Due to the delays in the dishwasher project, the Cartwright Center Galley was open for business with modifications Tuesday, Sept. 2. The Cartwright Center dishwasher project was to replace the dishwasher, the conveyor belt and the floor in the Cartwright Center dishwasher room. The project was designed to stop the leaking from the dishwashing room to the lower hallway within Cartwright Center. The leaking in the lower level and the maintenance on the dishwasher and conveyor belt were reaching a critical point. The new dishwasher is designed to be more energy efficient, utilizing less water and less electricity.  

Much of the dishwasher project has been completed. Unfortunately, shipment of the actual dishwasher and conveyor belt has been delayed. Shipment of both is expected during the last week of September. A smaller dishwasher is being leased from Reinhart Food Service, which will allow utensils and pans to be washed; however, in the service area there will not be trays or china. Instead, disposable products will be used.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as this project is completed.

— Director of University Centers Larry J. Ringgenberg

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American Cancer Society Relay for Life of La Crosse Colleges seeks participants

One Day. One Night. One College Community. One Fight.

Planning for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of La Crosse Colleges has started. This year’s Relay is Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6-7, 2009, at the Recreation Eagle Center. The event offers all an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. The event is organized by students and faculty for the American Cancer Society. Organize a team of colleagues, friends, research partners and others. The Relay for Life Kickoff Celebration begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in 100 Cowley Hall.Get information, questions answered and team captain tips. Representatives will also be available at the Involvement Fest Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. To find out more, e-mail relayforlife@uwlax.edu or contact Kathryn Murphy at the American Cancer Society at 877.423.9125 x102 or Mike Abler, biology, at 785.6962.

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Applications sought for $6,000 research grants

Up to $6,000 per project is available for undergraduate or graduate research projects dealing with solid waste management. Students from varied disciplines are encouraged to apply. Students who received funding last year had the following majors: soil, geography, biology, engineering, multimedia digital arts, accounting, and sustainable community development.

Students interested in applying should contact Eileen Norby, the research program's manager during proposal development, at proposalenor@uwsa.ed. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 3. For application materials visit www.uwsa.edu/oslp/em/swrp/.

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Women in Black Peace vigils to resume on campus

All campus women are invited to participate in weekly Women in Black Peace vigils at the north entrance to Cartwright Center. Women in Black is an international network of women who stand in silent vigil to protest all forms of violence, including war. The day and time for vigils this semester has not yet been set. If you are interested in participating, contact Deborah Buffton, history, at buffton.debo@uwlax.edu or 785.8359. 

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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
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