SECC campaign continues

The State Employees Combined Campaign is a workplace giving campaign that offers employees the opportunity to donate to one or more of 350 charities via payroll deduction, check or cash.

Campaign pledges can be made online through the SECC Web site. Login instructions are as follows: 1) Click on link for university employees; 2) Username: First and last name as they are displayed on your earning statement (use all caps with no spaces between words). Example: JOHNDOE; 3) Password: Last four digits of your social security number.

The campaign runs through Nov. 27. For more information, contact Barb Bowers at bowersba@uwec.edu or 715-836-3871.

Energy alert: Guidelines support strategic goals

The UW-Eau Claire strategic plan has identified stewardship and sustainability as campus values. The university’s recently released carbon neutrality report concludes that use of electrical power and the burning of fossil fuels for heat comprise by far the largest percentage of UW-Eau Claire carbon emissions.

To conserve energy, reduce the campus carbon footprint and help UW-Eau Claire comply with state mandates, university employees and students are asked to cooperate with the following guidelines:

• Do not use electric space heaters to warm areas above the state-mandated 68-degree level.

• Wear warmer garments or bring a wrap with you to the university, if necessary.

• In an office setting, arrange furniture to have one’s desk away from windows and exterior walls. Thermostats are placed on interior walls and, if operating correctly, will maintain the temperature at which it is set, at that location. In the winter, it will be colder next to the exterior wall.

• Turn lights off in classrooms, labs, offices and other spaces when not occupied.

• Where multiple switching allows for more than one light level in a space, consider using less than the maximum level. Keep in mind that fluorescent lights take a short time to reach their full brightness; wait a few minutes to evaluate how adequate lighting is at a lower setting before increasing the level.

• Turn off copiers and other office equipment overnight or when they will not be used for extended periods of time.

• Unplug any block transformers that may be used to charge electronic equipment or convert them to AC operation. These transformers can draw electric current even when no device is connected or turned on.

• Turn off computer monitors (especially CRT-type monitors) each night or whenever the computer will not be used for extended time periods. Turn off computer processors during weekends, holidays, vacations and other periods when they will not be used for several days.

• Minimize the use of microwaves, coffee brewers and other electrical appliances.
  

Please direct any questions regarding UW-Eau Claire’s energy conservation guidelines to Terry Classen, Facilities Planning and Management, at 715-836-5278 or classetl@uwec.edu.

Updated Wisconsin Retirement System interest rate projections

The new Department of Employee Trust Funds Web site contains the most recent resources about investment returns and information to help employees considering retirement in 2009 or early 2010. The organization also released a statement regarding the most recent investment returns and core interest rate projections. Additional information, including material titled "Impact of Current Market Conditions on Your WRS Account" can be found on UW System Web site.

Proposed changes in College of Arts and Sciences

Following are proposed changes in the College of Arts and Sciences. If you have questions or concerns, contact Gary Don at dongw@uwec.edu or 836-4216 within 15 days of this notice, posted Oct. 23, 2009.

Major: Physics, Liberal Arts Dual Degree Engineering Emphasis (Code 230-206).
From: Page 161 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue.
To: From the third sentence, delete "485 or a senior design course from Madison or Minnesota which is on the list of approved engineering capstone courses that can be obtained from an adviser." Also, delete the first NOTE.

Graduate curricular changes in College of Education and Human Sciences

The following graduate curricular changes were approved by the College of Education and Human Sciences Academic Curriculum Committee Oct. 2, 2009, and are to be effective with the 2010-11 academic year. If you have questions or concerns, contact Larry Solberg at solberlc@uwec.edu or 836-3671 within 30 days of this notice, posted Oct. 23, 2009.

• View curricular changes.

Curricular changes in College of Education and Human Sciences

The following curricular changes were approved by the College of Education and Human Sciences Academic Curriculum Committee Oct. 2, 2009, and are to be effective with the 2010-11 University Catalogue. If you have questions or concerns, contact Marie Stadler at stadlema@uwec.edu or 836-4186 within 15 days of this notice, posted Oct. 23, 2009.

From: Major, English, Teaching (Code 540-210), Page 108 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue.
To: Delete Engl 480 English capstone from core courses.

From: Comprehensive Major, English, Teaching (Code 540-006), Page 108 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue.
To: Delete Engl 480 English capstone from core courses.

IRE E-Bulletin available online

The October E-Bulletin of the UW System Institute on Race and Ethnicity now is available online. The issue highlights the following deadlines:


▪ Oct. 23 — Call for proposals for UW System 34th Annual Women's Studies and Fifth Annual LGBTQ Conference.
▪ Nov. 4 — Call for proposals for UW System President's Summit on Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
▪ Nov. 9 — Call for proposals for IRE campus reading seminar grants.

For more information, contact Tom Tonnesen, IRE associate director, at tonnesen@uwm.edu or 414-229-4700.

Connections magazine focuses on equity, diversity, inclusiveness

The 2009 issue of Connections, a publication for College of Education and Human Sciences alumni and friends, now is available online. The issue focuses on promoting equity, diversity and inclusiveness and features the following:

▪ Forever changed — Immersion experience opens students’ eyes to Native American culture.
▪ Cultural immersion — Students teaching abroad gain global view.
▪ International collaboration — Education reform focus of Fulbright recipient’s field research in Chile.
▪ Beyond diversity — Grant supports cultural competency training for area teachers, university faculty and students.
▪ College of Education and Human Sciences Annual Report, 2008-09.

If you would like a printed copy of Connections, e-mail the College of Education and Human Sciences or call 715-836-3264.

Reminder: Benefits fair is Oct. 13

Each year employees enrolled in one of the state group health insurance plans have the opportunity to change from one health insurance carrier to another or to add eligible family members who are not currently covered. This year, the It’s Your Choice (previously Dual Choice) enrollment period is Oct. 5-23. The effective date of any change is Jan. 1, 2010.

A benefits fair will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 13 in the Tamarack Room of Davies Center. Additional information about It's Your Choice and the benefits fair is available through Human Resources News.

2010 freshman orientation dates announced

Freshman orientation dates for 2010 are as follows: Jan. 21, June 14–18, June 21–25, June 28–July 2 and Aug. 23. For more information, contact Jacqueline Bonneville at bonnevjk@uwec.edu or 715-836-3487.

Proposed changes in College of Arts and Sciences

Following are proposed changes in the College of Arts and Sciences. If you have questions or concerns, contact Gary Don at dongw@uwec.edu or 836-4216 within 15 days of this notice, posted Oct. 9, 2009.

Major: English (All liberal arts emphases)
From: Pages 107-108 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue
To: Delete Engl 480 English capstone from core courses

Major: English, Liberal Arts, Linguistics (Code 540-205)
From: Page 107 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue
To: The fifth bulleted item is revised to read: six credits from Anth 315; CSC 257, 311; Engl 225, 420; Phil 322; Psyc 378.

Major: English, Liberal Arts, Literature (Code 540-206)
From: Page 108 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue
To: The eighth bulleted item is revised to read: six to nine additional English credits.

Proposed changes in College of Business

Following are proposed changes in the College of Business. If you have questions or concerns, contact Bob Sutton at suttonr@uwec.edu or 715-836-4187 within 15 days of this notice, posted Oct. 9, 2009.

It was moved and seconded to modify the college admission requirements as follows:
(See page 177 of the 2009-2010 catalogue)

From:
▪ Complete the following five courses with at least a 2.20 GPA: ACCT 201, ACCT 202,
ECON 103, ECON 104, IS 240.
▪ Present a 2.30 or higher GPA in all undergraduate work completed prior to admission.
▪ Complete 54 credits.
To:
▪ Complete the following five courses with at least a 2.20 GPA: ACCT 201, ACCT 202,
ECON 103, ECON 104, IS 240.
▪ Present a 2.30 or higher GPA in all undergraduate work completed prior to admission.
▪ Complete 54 credits.
▪ Complete the Student Professional Development Program workshops.

From: Pages 198 and 194 of the 2009-2010 undergraduate catalogue:
To: Add MKTG 425, Marketing in Service Organizations, to the list of electives for the marketing major (all three emphases), the marketing minor and the BSAD major.

Wisconsin Archives Month open house: Preserving Your Precious Memories

In observance of Wisconsin Archives Month, the Classified Staff Professional Development Committee and McIntyre Library's Special Collections invite all UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff to a “Scrapbook Wisconsin” open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library 5022. View scrapbooks from the historical collections of the archives and from UW-Eau Claire scrapbookers. Also hear guest speaker Tina Morning from noon to 1 p.m. Morning, a UW-Eau Claire alumna, has been her family's archivist for more than 10 years and operates a home-based Creative Memories business. Light refreshments will be served and drawings for prizes will be held throughout the day. More information.

Recent IRE announcements

Joint women's studies and LGBTQ conference — As part of the UW System's Inclusive Excellence initiative, the UW System Institute on Race and Ethnicity again is cooperating with the Women's Studies Consortium and the Inclusivity Initiative to co-sponsor the 34th Annual Wisconsin Women's Studies and Fifth Annual LGBTQ Conference April 16-17, 2010, at UW-Whitewater. The IRE is sponsoring a specific conference subtheme of "Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality." More information, including a proposal submission form, is available online. The deadline for submitting proposals is Oct. 23.

President's Summit on Excellence in Teaching and Learning — The IRE is collaborating with a number of programs within the UW System Office of Academic Affairs to present the UW System's "2010 President's Summit on Excellence in Teaching and Learning." The event will be held April 29-May 1, 2010, at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club. Information about the conference is available online.

ORSP workshop set for Oct. 6

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will sponsor a workshop titled "Funding Searches 101" Oct. 6 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in McIntyre Library 1033. Faculty and staff are invited to attend the workshop to learn how to find funding opportunities for research or creative activities. Many options are available, including UW-Eau Claire internal programs; funding databases with federal, state and private funders; and automated funding searches. Travel funding also will be covered. For more information, e-mail Melissa Castillo at castilmd@uwec.edu.

Reminder: Proposals for undergraduate domestic intercultural immersion projects due Oct. 15

UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals for undergraduate domestic intercultural immersion projects. Jodi-Thesing Ritter, Student Affairs, in collaboration with Susan Turell, Academic Affairs, received differential tuition funding for 2009-10 to support implementation of domestic intercultural immersion experiences for UW-Eau Claire undergraduates. Projects also will be supported by a generous contribution from the UW-Eau Claire Foundation.

Projects may focus on issues, themes and locations with historical significance, or current events and issues in the United States or on its borders. Funding can support staff and faculty for student recruitment; development of the learning experience/curriculum and outcomes; travel costs for faculty, staff and students; and student worker stipends.

The first deadline for projects was July 15, and three projects were funded this past summer. Project funding will range from $31,000 to $41,000. The total number of projects funded depends on the number of applicants and proposal quality. Proposal guidelines and additional information are available online. Proposals, due Oct. 15, should be sent by e-mail to Jan Sloan at sloanj@uwec.edu.

Authors Celebration set for Oct. 1

UW-Eau Claire will recognize the hard work and self-discipline it takes for university faculty and staff to bring scholarly work to the level of publication or performance with an Authors Celebration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Tamarack Room of Davies Center. The work of approximately 30 UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff authors will be featured, but the event celebrates the publishing accomplishments of all university staff by highlighting representative successes. Faculty and staff are invited to join their colleagues for conversation and celebration. The event is sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. For more information, contact ORSP at orsp@uwec.edu or 715-836-3405.

Living Well program to be offered through Counseling Services

Do you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, arthritis or fibromyalgia? Learn how to deal with the fatigue, pain, frustration and other symptoms caused by a chronic health condition by enrolling in Living Well, a program provided by UW-Eau Claire's Counseling Services and the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County. The class will meet from 1-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 6-Nov. 10, in Counseling Services (OL 2122). The free class is open to all UW-Eau Claire employees through the Employee Assistance Program. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 836-5521. All information is kept confidential.

Meeting to discuss new student center environmental impact

A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding the new UW-Eau Claire student center project will be presented at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Alumni Room of Davies Center at UW-Eau Claire. The purpose of the draft EIS is to identify potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, social and economic environments. The draft EIS is available to the public and to appropriate federal, state and local agencies for a 45-day review period beginning Aug. 31 and concluding Oct. 14. The draft EIS and comment submission form can be downloaded online at http://www.ayresprojectinfo.com/UWEC-Davies Center Replacement-EIS/. Read the official meeting notice.

Proposed changes in College of Arts and Sciences

Following are proposed changes in the College of Arts and Sciences. If you have questions or concerns, contact Gary Don at dongw@uwec.edu or 836-4216 within 15 days of this notice, posted Sept. 15, 2009.

Comprehensive Major: Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts (Code 370-001)
From: Pages 66-67 of the 2009-10 University Catalogue
To: For each individually-designed major, at least 39 of the 60 credits must be from College of Arts and Sciences course work.