Thursday, July 26, 2012

Garfield Avenue footbridge ramp to close July 27

Repairs on the UW-Eau Claire footbridge over the Chippewa River will require the temporary closure of the bridge's south-end ramp along Garfield Avenue beginning July 27. The ramp is expected to reopen late the week of July 30-Aug. 3. During the closure, access to and exit from the bridge will be via the steps located opposite the ramp. Bicyclists will need to carry their bicycles up and down the steps during that time. Students, faculty and staff unable to access or exit the bridge via the steps due to disabilities may arrange for conveyance van service by calling 715-836-2544. More information about the conveyance service is available on the Parking and Transportation website.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

New Davies to open doors July 30

UW-Eau Claire's new W.R. Davies Student Center will open for business at 8 a.m. Monday, July 30. Building hours for the rest of the summer will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and hours during the academic year will be from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

"We are grateful to all the students who have made this building possible," said Dr. Beth Hellwig, vice chancellor for student affairs. "In addition, thanks go out to everyone who has contributed to planning, designing and constructing the new W.R. Davies Student Center — our new campus living room."

Interim Chancellor Gilles Bousquet and student body president Cory Fish will enter the new student center at 8 a.m. July 30 as the building's first official visitors. Bousquet and Fish will be on hand near the Service Center to make some initial comments and greet students, faculty and staff. They will proceed to The Cabin, where they will be the first customers to order coffee.

Access to the building should be via the southeast entrance, which faces the Phillips parking lot, or the northwest entrance, which can be reached via a north-south sidewalk that runs to the west of the Old Library and McIntyre Library

The facility's opening will be a "soft opening," meaning some services will still be limited and finishing work will continue throughout the building.

The Service Center, University Bookstore and University Centers offices will be open July 30. Limited food service consisting of "grab and go" fare, including coffee and other beverages, sandwiches and salads, will be available in The Cabin. Additional food venues will open over the next few weeks, the U.S. Bank office is expected to open Aug. 7, and U.S. Bank and RCU ATMs will be available soon.

Student-led tours of the new building will be offered July 30-Aug. 3. Tours, which will last from one hour to 90 minutes, will depart from the Service Center at 10 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily. No advance reservations are needed. Individuals planning to take a tour are asked to wear closed-toe shoes for safety reasons, as final construction work continues in some parts of the building.

"We thank people for their patience during our soft opening," said Charles Farrell, director of University Centers. "People will see some finishing touches and other work still going on and furniture arriving in some areas in the coming weeks. Our plan is to be up and fully ready to go by residence hall move-in day on August 30."

A student celebration of the building's opening is being planned for the start of the fall semester, and an official ribbon-cutting and grand opening event will be held during UW-Eau Claire's homecoming weekend in late September.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Investment counseling to be offered July 31-Aug. 1

A TIAA-CREF consultant will be available to discuss financial matters with UW-Eau Claire employees from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1 in Room 3013 of McIntyre Library. Call 866-843-5640 to schedule an appointment. More information.

Flags to be flown at half-staff through sunset July 25

As directed by President Barack Obama, the flag of the United States will be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the United States until sunset July 25. This will be done as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on July 20 in Aurora, Colo. More information.