Featured Articles

UW-Eau Claire students contribute significant dollars to Chippewa Valley economy

Employers continue to seek out UW-Eau Claire graduates

Orientation sessions wrap up

Dennis Warner to present free family concert on campus

Internet dial-up access will continue

New federal tax rates impact withholdings

Bernard Duyfhuizen named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Bernard "Duffy" Duyfhuizen has been appointed interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UW-Eau Claire, Provost and Vice Chancellor Ron Satz announced last week.

Duyfhuizen will assume his new responsibilities Aug. 3 upon the departure of Dean Ted Wendt, who has accepted a position as associate vice president for faculty affairs at California State University-Stanislaus. Full story.

UW-Eau Claire students contribute significant dollars to Chippewa Valley economy

UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson

Erberts & Gerberts on Water Street is one of numerous businesses in the Chippewa Valley that benefits from UW-Eau Claire students.

Students at UW-Eau Claire are contributing significant dollars to the Chippewa Valley economy each month by spending money on items ranging from entertainment to transportation to food and clothing, according to a recent study completed by the UW System.

When the median dollars spent in each of the 11 categories included in the survey are added together, they total $265 a month per student. With about 10,000 students, the survey suggests that UW-Eau Claire students as a whole spend more than $2.6 million a month - or $23.4 million during the nine-month academic year - on the expenses included in the survey.

"This survey doesn't tell us specifically where the students spend their money, but it's safe to assume a majority of those dollars are being spent in the Chippewa Valley since most of our students live in Eau Claire, at least during the academic year," Chancellor Donald Mash said. Full story.

Employers continue to seek out UW-Eau Claire graduates
For the second straight year, 98 percent of UW-Eau Claire graduates responding to a Career Services survey have indicated that they are either employed or continuing their education a year after graduation.
Sixty-nine percent of 2001-02 graduates responded to the survey.

Eighty-four percent of respondents reported they were employed full or part time, and 14 percent reported they were continuing their education. Less than 1 percent reported they were seeking employment.

"Employers keep coming back to UW-Eau Claire because of the outstanding reputation of our graduates," said Jeanne Skoug, Career Services director. "I hear over and over from employers that our graduates enter the work force with excellent communication skills, the ability to work as effective team members, leadership qualities and a sound work ethic." Full story.

Orientation sessions wrap up
New freshmen leave orientation confident and prepared

UW-Eau Claire photos by Rick Mickelson

"To say [we] were impressed with last week's session would be an understatement. The entire process, from check-in to departure, left us with the impression that UW-Eau Claire deeply cares about its key stakeholders: the students." Paul Markland, parent of incoming freshman Jessica Markland, in a letter of appreciation.

Campus was bustling with activity as UW-Eau Claire's incoming freshmen, some transfer students and many parents attended orientation sessions throughout June and in early July. A final orientation session is scheduled for Aug. 27 for those who could not attend during the summer.

The 2003-04 freshman class will number about 1,900 students, said Kristina Anderson, interim executive director of enrollment services. The group's average ACT score is over 24, and their average high school class ranking is in the top 25 percent. "This certainly is one of the most academically talented classes UW-Eau Claire has ever had," Anderson said.

As in past years, the sessions had two programs running throughout the day, one for students and one for parents.

Many of the small group activities for both students and parents were led by one of 18 orientation assistants. Senior Jacque Petroni found her experience as an orientation assistant to be fulfilling.

"Some of the freshmen come in afraid to ask questions, but then we click with them," Petroni said. "When they leave I can see in their faces and their attitudes that they're feeling part of the university now."

For more information about orientation and about the admissions process for future undergraduate and graduate students, visit UW-Eau Claire's new student orientation and admissions Web sites.

Dennis Warner to present free family concert on campus
A free outdoor family show by Dennis Warner will highlight UW-Eau Claire's Summer Session Programs for the week of July 7.

His concert will begin Monday at 7 p.m. on the Central Campus Mall (rain: Schofield Auditorium). Refreshments will be sold. Audience members are invited to bring blankets or folding chairs for lawn seating.

Blending acoustic folk-country music and humor, Dennis Warner presents upbeat, up-tempo kids and family concerts popular in well over 100 cities each year - from small village gatherings in Alaska to huge auditoriums in Florida. His credits include hosting "Jammin' with Dennis Warner," a special live radio show broadcast by National Public Radio affiliates, and featured spots on NPR's "Great Acoustics Live!" and "River City Folk." He has been invited to perform at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. More free Summer Session programs on campus.

Internet dial-up access will continue
As of July 1, DiscoverNet, an Internet service provider, began administering dial-up access via the UW-Eau Claire modem pool. UW-Eau Claire's contract with DiscoverNet allows members of the university community to gain access to university resources at a reduced rate. The basic service plan includes 10 hours of access per week at a cost of $14.95 for three months. An expanded plan offers 50 hours of access per week at a cost of $26.95 for three months.

Users will continue to use their current UW-Eau Claire user names and passwords. Additional options for departments and individuals also will be offered. As these plans become available, DiscoverNet and Computing and Networking Services will provide more information.

Users may subscribe to this service by filling out an online form or by calling DiscoverNet at 830-1500. Questions may be directed to the CNS Help Desk at 836-5711.

New federal tax rates impact withholdings
As a result of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which was signed by President Bush in late May, workers began taking home larger paychecks this month. The new law reduces tax rates above 15 percent: 25 percent (instead of 27 percent), 28 percent (instead of 30 percent), 33 percent (instead of 35 percent) and 35 percent, the top rate (instead of 38.6 percent). All of these tax rate cuts apply retroactively to Jan. 1, 2003.

UW-Eau Claire employees are encouraged to review their tax withholding status to make sure they're meeting their withholding objectives. The W-4 Form can be downloaded from the Human Resources Web site.

Summer Bulletin
Published weekly during the summer session by the UW-Eau Claire News Bureau. News items and notices should be sent to the News Bureau, Schofield 201, by 10 a.m. Monday for publication in the following week’s issue. E-mail submissions to Liz Wolf Green at greenew@uwec.edu are encouraged. Faculty/staff news items are published on a space-available basis.