Does UW-EC have wifi? I know they have the Ethernet internet connection in the rooms but if I wanted to sit outside and work on a paper, could I access the internet?

UW-Eau Claire does have wireless internet access outside. The majority of campus is covered by wireless access and all of the academic buildings have wireless (the residence halls do not have wireless). This map has the wireless areas highlighted: http://www.uwec.edu/techservices/coverageMap.htm (if the link does not work, try copying and pasting it into the address bar on your browser).

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

How do I get a parking spot??

Information about parking spots can be found at http://www.uwec.edu/parking/lottery.htm. Parking spots are granted through a lottery and there is no guarantee of a parking spot. Applications for the lottery are due at the end of July. There is more information about this in your white student binder you received at Orientation in the Parking and Transportation section.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

What clubs are available to join?

There are over 250 campus organizations. A list of these organizations can be found on page 126 of the parent/guest binder and on page 132 of the white student binder. More information on campus organizations can be found by visiting http://www.uwec.edu/studentorgs. The Blugold Organizations Bash held early in the fall also gives students an opportunity to learn more about various organizations and about how to get involved.

I do not understand how to earn credits in the foreign language department. If we tested into a higher foreign language class and get a certain grade, do we then get four credits for each of the classes that we tested above in addition to the credits for the taken class?

Here is the paragraph regarding retroactive credits from http://www.uwec.edu/admissions/facts/forlang.htm:
"Students may obtain credit for previous non-college language experience by taking a "confirming course." Based on the results of the foreign language placement test and previous language study, the student enrolls in the appropriate UW-Eau Claire course. If the student earns a grade of B or better, he or she can receive credit for work at the levels lower than the confirming course."

In other words, if you placed into Spanish 201 and you earn a B or higher in the course, you would receive 4 credits for Spanish 101 and 4 credits for Spanish 102 (on top of the 4 credits you would receive from passing Spanish 201). So you would have a total of 8 retro credits added to your transcript from the courses that you didn't have to take.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

I am currently living in a hotel off campus and I'm still a little confused about what is happening. How many students are going to be living in the hotel? When do we get moved into dorms? And what do we need or not need for the hotel/"dorm"?

At this time, we anticipate housing approximately 225-250 students in two hotels for the Fall 2009 semester. Our goal will be to move all students back on campus for the Spring 2010 semester. Students currently living in the hotel will be given priority consideration for open spaces on campus second semester. More information regarding that process will be provided to students before Thanksgiving.

Hotel rooms will have two double beds, two desks, two dressers and two hanging clothes racks. The hotel will also provide a TV with remote control and a microwave/refrigerator unit. They will also provide the sheets, pillows, pillow cases and will have a weekly clean linen exchange. Students will be responsible for bringing their own bedspread, blankets and towels.

Shelli Manning
Housing & Residence Life

How do I sign up for my meal plan? My bill from orientation says that I am already signed up for the All Access Meal Plan. Can I still change that?

Meal plan information is available at http://www.uwec.edu/dining/mealPlan/index.htm. On that page, there is a link that lets you choose your meal plan. Meal plans can be changed through the first week of each semester.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

How do you sign up for having our beds lofted before you come?

You can have your beds lofted prior to moving in by visiting: http://www.uwec.edu/housing/NewStudents/index.htm

The form needs to be submitted prior to August 1st to ensure that your furniture will be arranged before you move in when you arrive to your residence hall.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

I was confused by the $100 available to use on the basic food plan, can that money be used for laundry, printing, pop machines etc too, or do you need seperate funds for that? Is there just one blugold card for everything?

There is only one Blugold card. However, there are various accounts attached to the Blugold card. The $100 that is available for use as part of the food plan can only be used at dining locations on campus. However, additional money can be placed in another account that can be accessed through the card (known as the Blugold account) that can be used for laundry, vending machines, the bookstore, Residence Hall front desks, and many more.

Do we have to re-apply for reciprocity every year?

Once you apply for reciprocity, it renews annually and automatically until graduation as long as you are a continuous student at UW-Eau Claire. If you take a semester off or switch schools, you have to reapply for reciprocity.

For more information about reciprocity, visit www.getreadyforcollege.org under 'Paying for College'.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

If you are in a sport does that count as your wellness credit?

Participating in athletics does count as part of your physical activity credit- however, participating in sports does not count as part of your wellness theory. Your coach will be able to handle specific questions about this.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Are there theater productions during the year and are they open to anyone to audition for?

There are theatre productions all through the school year and they are open for participation to all students.

Are commuting students guaranteed access to parking permits?

Commuting students are eligible to purchase 'S' permits from the Parking Office (Schneider 106) starting August 3rd for $105. The office sells an unlimited amount of these permits, so all you need to do is stop in the parking office on/after August 3rd to purchase a permit.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Is there a fitness center?

There are two different fitness centers on campus. There is one located in the Crest Wellness Center (http://www.uwec.edu/recreation/FitnessCenter/index.html) and one located in McPhee (http://www.uwec.edu/recreation/MSPC/index.html). You can join a single location for $74 for the academic year. There is a dual membership option available for $94. The dual membership option will give you access to both facilities during the academic year.

How do I get the money for my loans?
This is a question that can be directed towards the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uwec.edu or 715-836-3373.

I hope this helps.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

I forgot to pick up my blugold card after getting my picture taken during orientation. Can it be mailed to me?

We cannot mail your Blugold card for security reasons. However, the Blugold Card office will keep your card until you come back in the fall (You shouldn't need your card until then). If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at 715-836-5053.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

Still some questions about housing and dorm rooms. Can students cover over existing drapes? Any limitations on refrigerators, lamps? Are there shower curtains in the bathrooms during the school year (girls bathrooms)? How often are the halls checked for fire safety??

Existing drapes should not be removed, but if students would like to place something over them, they could do that as long as it did not damage the drapery or rods.
Acceptable refrigerators are mini/micro-fridges. Generally around 1.5 to 2 cubic foot.
The buildings are formally inspected by the fire department twice a year and we conduct a fire drill each semester.
Energy efficient lamps are encouraged. Halogen lamps are prohibited.
There are shower curtains in all of our bathroom showers.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Deborah Newman
Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life

Can we go online to place money on our daughter's Blugold card with a credit card?

Online deposits can be made online by visiting the Blugold Card Office page at http://www.uwec.edu/blugoldcard/index.htm You can use Master Card or Visa to make the deposit.

Malinda Hebert
University Centers

I did not have time to visit the Cashiers Office to see why our reciprocity is still pending...can you forward my question to them?

UW-Eau Claire does not receive a file from MHESO with all the cumulative Fall 2009 reciprocity recipients until late June. In the meantime, we are able to access MHESO's web site to determine eligibility. Until MHESO file is received and processed, the best we can do is a pending adjustment on the bill.

An updated bill with the actual costs and with the reciprocity adjustment will be emailed to the student the evening of August 6th.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any further questions concerning billing and due dates.

Ann Statz
Financial Specialist
Cashier's Office, Schofield 108
UW-Eau Claire
P.O. Box 5000
Eau Claire, WI 54702-5000
phone: 715-836-5907
fax: 715-836-4818
www.uwec.edu/busoff

When should the students pick up their books? My daughter asked if we should look for her books in the bookstore when we were there. But I didn't think they would have them yet and it wasn't mentioned as far as I know. Then we found out from another student that was there on a different day, that when she was in the bookstore, they asked her if she wanted to pick up her books -- and she did.

Students can pick up their books when they come back for the fall. There is no rush to pick up books early. The bookstore even offers a service where they will package up all of the books so they are ready for pickup when her daughter comes back (that way she doesn't have to search for all of the books on her own). If this interests you, you can visit www.whywaitforbooks.com to have the bookstore package the books so they are ready when she returns in the fall.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

John Reichert
New Student Orientation

I saw on a checklist sheet about Parent Weekend in September. I assume from that we should plan to be there and book hotel for both Friday & Saturday nights. Is there any additional information on it yet?

I am hoping we can get the rest of our info out on the housing website next week. We will have local hotel information on our website and advertising any deals they may have for the parents. We will also be sending out registration materials to the parents in August!

Hope that helps!

Maigan Wipfli
Student Programs Coordinator
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
wipflim@uwec.edu
(715)836-4438

Related Links:

Orientation for Freshmen

FAQs from the Orientation Evaluations

Athletics

Blugold Card

Books

Campus Organizations

Financial Aid

Fitness Center

Foreign Languages

Internet

Meal Plan

Parent Weekend

Parking

Reciprocity

Residence Halls

Theatre