Blugold Nuggets - May 2008
May is a month full of excitement at UW-Eau Claire. It can also be a stressful time. We hope this newsletter helps encourage your Blugold to take advantage of the fun and manage the stress.
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Emergency Notification
The campus community recognized the first anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings on April 16th, by remembering the students and faculty members who lost their lives that day.
The Virginia Tech shootings and the subsequent shootings at Northern Illinois University are powerful reminders that every campus must be prepared to handle emergencies of any kind.
Among the lessons learned from these tragedies is the importance of quickly communicating, in multiple ways, with our campus community.
With that in mind, we have implemented an emergency notification system that will enable us to alert you in the following ways:
- A pop-up message that will appear on all university-owned computers, including those in offices, labs and classrooms.
- E-mail to all students, faculty and staff.
- A unique ring tone and accompanying text message sent to all campus voice-over- Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones.
- Announcements posted on the UW-Eau Claire home page.
- Cell phone text message
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cell phone notification |
The cell phone notification system is now available to all members of the campus community. This system sends a brief text message with information about an emergency. All students are urged to subscribe to the cell phone notification system.
Subscribing is simple, quick and free. Information about how to subscribe can be accessed from the university's enhanced emergency information Web site, which now has a link in the left column of the UW-Eau Claire home page.
There may be a nominal charge (5-15 cents) for receiving an emergency text message, depending on your telecom provider and contract. The cost will be minimal since the service will only be used for emergencies or to test the emergency notification system.
No one tool or communication strategy can guarantee that we will reach every member of our campus community under every set of circumstances. We will use multiple tools and strategies to maximize the number of people we do reach in a timely manner in a crisis situation. Students can help the effort by subscribing to the cell phone notification system.
The crisis communication plan – while extremely important – is just one part of our emergency planning and preparedness efforts.
While it is impossible to plan for every possible scenario, we have and will continue to review and revise our emergency procedures to ensure that we are prepared should tragedy of any kind strike our campus. .
While we hope to never have to use any of the procedures outlined here, they are necessary. 
Learning that Matters
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Don Christian Dean of Arts and Sciences |
What matters most in a university education? What skills and knowledge do graduates need to succeed in a knowledge-driven, relentlessly changing, and interconnected world? What kinds of citizens and leaders do our communities and the nation need to assure a robust democracy and strong, thriving societies? There is a growing consensus about these questions among policy leaders, employers, and members of the academic community, as shown by research and discussions led by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), an organization of about 1,100 member institutions including UW-Eau Claire. It is useful for students and parents to know about that consensus. In one recent study, business leaders were shown a definition of a university education that included:
- broad knowledge in varied areas;
- in-depth knowledge in a specific major or field;
- development of a sense of social responsibility;
- development of intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study (communication, analytical and problem-solving capability);
- demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Nearly all (95%) business leaders thought that such an education was very (69%) or somewhat (26%) important. Business leaders were asked what universities should emphasize even more. The most frequent responses are illustrative:
- current developments in science and technology;
- teamwork skills and collaborative ability;
- ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings through internships or other hands-on experience (such as research);
- ability to communicate orally and in writing;
- critical thinking and analytical reasoning;
- global issues and developments and their implications.
There is no indication that ultra-specialization in a narrow field is highly valued, nor is there a “magic” major that will assure immediate and long-term success. To a large degree, breadth of knowledge and intellectual/practical skills may be developed through the study of any major. This is consistent with the finding that many UW-Eau Claire graduates find employment outside of the content knowledge of their major. Importantly, some careers – such as nursing, accounting, teaching, or computer science – require specific coursework and experience. Otherwise the choice of a major probably should not be a student’s primary focus – beyond choosing an area that he or she has interest and passion about.
Parents can help by encouraging students to embrace the opportunities they have to produce such learning, including things that some students complain most about – general education courses, writing assignments, group or team projects, service-learning. All of these elements help develop the above knowledge and skills, and are not merely “academic hoops.”
Of course, while job and career are foremost in the minds of many students and parents, a university education is not “vocational training.” The very skills and knowledge that are in high demand for “livelihood” also contribute to “life,” including living a rich “life of the mind” as well as being an engaged citizen.
Students and parents seeking more information may want to access the AAC&U web site (http://www.aacu.org/advocacy/leap/index.cfm) or contact Don Christian, Dean of Arts and Sciences at UW-Eau Claire.
Alcohol Survey Question
Last month we asked you how often your student drinks alcohol. This is what you told us:
- Never = 28% (57/201)
- 1 or 2 times per month = 14%(28/201)
- 2-3 times per month = 19% (38/201)
- 1-2 times per week= 33% (66/201)
- >2 times per week = 6% (12/201
Interestingly, your answers match closely our survey findings reported by our students in the February 2007 Wisconsin System Survey. What we know from that survey is that 23% of our student body has not drank in the last 30 days and that number is 30% for those under 21. Since 2004 this group has increased from 17%.
Most of our students (75%) drink 0-4 drinks in any given week.
"Binge drinking" is defined as 5 or more drinks in a sitting for men and 4 or more for women. Using this definition only 6% of our students do this 3 or more times per week.
In several populations the majority of students never "Binge Drink". These groups are:
- Female Students
- Students living in the residence halls
- Freshmen
- Sophomores
One of the other things we know about our students is that they overestimate the amount fellow students drink. We all like to fit in and in an effort to achieve this goal some students drink to a level they think peers drink. Research shows that when students have accurate information they drink closer to the actual norms which are lower than those perceived. Please see the graphic below:
2008 Commencement
UW Eau Claire Commencement will be Saturday, May 19. Listed below is important information for parents and graduates-
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Seating for guests
Doors to the arena will open at 8:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. respectively for guest seating. Tickets are required for all guests, including babies and small children.
Students should visit the Activities & Programs Office to make arrangements for special needs seating. A musical prelude begins a half-hour before the ceremony.
Remote site broadcast
There will be a remote site broadcast of the ceremony in Davies Theatre. Davies Theatre is located in the W. R. Davies Center, just across the campus mall from Zorn Arena and provides a particularly comfortable space for elderly guests and those with small children. No tickets are required for the remote site broadcast. Refreshments available at this site.
Arrival of graduates
Candidates should arrive NO LATER THAN 8:40 a.m. or 1:10 p.m. respectively. Enter at the door to the arena marked "Graduates Only." Belongings may be stored in Kjer Theatre near the Information Table. Please do not leave purses, wallets, or other valuables in the theatre.
Photographs
Professional photographs will be taken of all graduates as they receive their diplomas . Proofs will be emailed approximately three weeks after the ceremony. No standing at the front for photos during the ceremony. Personal photos may be taken on the platform following the ceremony.
Diplomas
Graduates will receive only a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to graduate's permanent address 4-8 weeks after commencement.
Recessional and Reception
Stay seated as the platform party and faculty exit the arena. Graduates do not march from the arena, so make arrangements for a meeting place with guests beforehand. A reception will take place immediately following the ceremony on the campus mall lawn or in the Spruce/Tamarack Room of Davies Center, depending on the weather. All graduates and guests are welcome.
For more information about Commencement contact Dr. Beverly Soll, Commencement Coordinator, at 715-836-4833.
Residence Hall Closing - move out information
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Studying for finals, packing, and planning for move out day can be stressful. Blugolds can reduce the stress by planning ahead. Students will be required to sign up for a checkout time with their resident assistant. This time must be designated 24 hours before your student plans to move out. Your student can sign with his or her Resident Assistant.
Failure to check out will result in a $25.00 fee, plus room damages.
The check out process requires that the following things be completed:
- open drapes so screens, windows, and drapes can be checked.
- remove stickers, stars, tape residue on ceilings, walls and doors
- sweep and mop floor
- dust and clean every shelf including inside drawers
- have all drawers open to be check
- mattress pads should be neatly folded on bed
- mirrors and windows should be cleaned
- the hall space outside room should be cleaned
- desk and dresser tops should be cleaned
- wastebaskets and recycling bin should be emptied and cleaned
- all personal belongings should be out of room
- TV cables should be coiled, secured with a twist-tie provided by the RA and placed on a dresser.
- forwarding address card should be completed and given to the RA
The Housing & Residence Life Office provides cleaning supplies. Supplies will be located on each floor and available starting May 2. Touch up paint and supplies are be provided for your student and are already available from the front desk of each residence hall. Students can begin painting now to avoid the rush during finals week.
Bicycle owners are responsible for removing bicycles from campus at the end of the spring semester. At the end of the academic year Parking & Transportation will collect bicycles not displaying a valid summer permit and donate them to a charitable organization.
Text Book Rental Returns
Spring 2008 text book rental materials must be returned no later than Friday, May 16, 2008. The University Bookstore will have extended hours throughout finals week. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The University Bookstore will remain be open from 7:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. on May 18. All rental transactions require a valid student Blugold Card.
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Books may be returned at any time before May 16, and may be brought back one at a time. A fine will be assessed on each book not returned by May 16 at 7:30 p.m. The late fine will be $1 per book, May 19 - May 23. On May 26, the fine will increase to $5 per book.
Rental books not returned by four weeks after the term ends will be assessed an additional handling fee of $20. At that time the borrower forfeits the right to return the overdue book, and book will no longer be accepted at the University Bookstore. All fines and fees, as well as the full purchase price of the book, then become due and payable at the University Business Office.
Students will be required to pay for any lost, damaged or misplaced rental book. Encourage your Blugold to contact the University Bookstore about any lost or damaged books by May 16 to prevent late fees and additional charges.
Summer Tuition, Financial Aid & Fall Registration
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Paying Tuition - Summer Session - Informational electronic bills will be emailed to all students to their University of WI-Eau Claire email address on May 7th. Payment is due in full on your first day of class or June 9, 2008, whichever comes first, to avoid a $6 per credit administrative service fee. Students can also review their account or obtain a bill anytime on MyBlugold.
Financial Aid Disbursement - Summer Session - If the student's financial aid exceeds their University costs, refunds will be disbursed on or after their first day of class from 8:00a.m. through 4:00p.m. at the Cashier's Window, Schofield Hall 108. For classes beginning May 19th, refunds may be delayed approximately a week while Spring Semester academic progress is being reviewed. If the student wishes to have their financial aid refund check mailed to them when their class(es) begin, please complete the instruction at this web site: http://www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff/refundAuth.htm.
Fall Registration Deposit - Fall Priority Registration continues through May 2, 2008. A $100 registration deposit is required prior to registering for classes.
For more information about billing go to http://www.uwec.edu/bussvs/busoff/index.htm
Blugold Parent/Family Teleconference
On Thursday, April 24th we had our first Parent/Family Teleconference - about 20 Blugold Parents took part in the conversation. The parents agree that a blog or forum of some type would be a great way to learn more about the university, ask questions and connect with other parents. Campus security, orientation, and Honors Week among other topics were discussed. We received some great feedback about the Nuggets and we will continue to keep you all up to date on what's happening on campus!
Overall the parents agreed that having a parent organization on campus will be beneficial, The Blugold Parent/Family office will be busy over the summer exploring ways to keep the group connected. Thanks to all how took time to call in and participate!
One recommendation from the meeting was to help families connect with other Blugold families in the area. The idea came forward to host "send off" parties for families sometime in August. These events will allow parents, new students, expert parents, and hopefully alumni an opportunity to connect for information, shared rides, etc. The Alumni office has agreed to provide some refreshments for these event and we're looking for locations in the Twin Cities, Fox Valley, Madison, Eau Claire, and Wasau areas to start with. If you have a suggestion or would be willing to be an expert participant please email family@uwec.edu.
UWEC’s Parent Perspective and Student Health
Your May issue of Student Health 101 and The Parent Perspective are now available here at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire!
You’ll find the shorter Parent Perspective online at:
http://issue.sh101digital.com/showmag.php?mid=fwftt
In the May issues...
- Face the Facts About Caring for Your Skin
- Get the Most Out of Your Summer Job or Internship
- Take Our Birth Control Refresher Course
- From MySpace to Your Place: When Online Relationships Get Real
- Traveling Abroad? Take These Health Precautions
- And much, much more!
The Parent Perspective is the parents-only short summary of Student Health 101 Newsletter delivered to our students. We believe that the Parent Perspective can be a valuable resource in understanding the health and wellness decisions that face college students today.
You are also invited to read the May Student Health 101 issue - covering these same topics from the students’ perspective, online at:
http://issue.sh101digital.com/showmag.php?mid=fqhpg
And if you missed it – here’s the link to the April issues of the Parent Perspective and Student Health 101:
April Parent Perspective
http://issue.sh101digital.com/showmag.php?mid=dtrgt
April Student Health 101
http://issue.sh101digital.com/showmag.php?mid=dprgt
I encourage you to read and review each issue to better understand the health and wellness concerns of today’s college students.
