Campuswide emergency notification test set for Sept. 25

UW-Eau Claire will conduct a campuswide test of its emergency notification system between 9 and 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The test will include the following notification methods:

• a text message to cell phones that have been registered in the new cell phone notification system 
• a pop-up message on all university-owned computers, including those in offices, labs and classrooms
• an e-mail to all students, faculty and staff
• an announcement on the UW-Eau Claire home page.

The test will help university officials determine how an alert will impact the campus and communication infrastructure. Following the test, faculty, staff and students will be asked to complete a brief Web survey to provide feedback regarding the emergency notification system.

UW-Eau Claire faculty, staff and students who have not yet subscribed to the emergency cell phone notification system are encouraged to do so before the campuswide test. See the Emergency Information Web page for information about how to subscribe.

Upcoming ORSP events

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will host the following presentations in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in Old Library 1142:

Faculty/Staff Forums

• Sept. 24, 12:10-12:50 p.m., Dr. Abby Hemmerich, communication sciences and disorders, "The Wavering Voice: Vocal Tremor Assessment and Treatment"
• Oct. 1, 12:10-12:50 p.m., Dr. Phil Ostrander, music and theatre arts, "Trombone Thievery: Music Stolen and Rearranged for Trombone Ensemble"

Condolences

Condolences to Jane Linstedt, University Centers, whose husband, James Linstedt, passed away Sept. 16 in Chippewa Falls. Full obituary.

Investment counseling to be offered Sept. 23-24

TIAA-CREF consultant Jim Soholt will be available to discuss financial matters with UW-Eau Claire employees Sept. 23 and 24 in the Oneida Room (320D) of Davies Center. Register online or call 1-800-732-8353 to schedule an appointment.

UW System offers guidance on political activities

UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff are encouraged to review the UW System guidelines on political campaign activities at system institutions. The guidelines are available on the government relations page of the UW System website.

Flags to be flown at half-staff Sept. 11

As directed by Gov. Scott Walker, the flag of the United States and of the state of Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the state beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset Sept. 11 — Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. This will be done to honor and remember the individuals who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. More information.

McIntyre Library offers voter registration through Oct. 8

Individuals who must register to vote before the November election may register at McIntyre Library through Oct. 8. Voter registration is available at the library's reference desk from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. More information is available on the McIntyre Library voter registration page.

McIntyre Library tours to be offered Sept. 8-Oct. 2

McIntyre Library staff members will conduct 30-minute library tours Sept. 8-Oct. 2, briefly describing services, assistance and collections. Tour times are varied (see schedule below) and are designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. While the tours are student-focused, others also are welcome. Tours will begin in the 24-hour study area just outside the library entrance during the following days and times:

• 5 p.m. Mondays
• 3 p.m. Tuesdays
• 10 a.m. Wednesdays
• Noon Thursdays

For more information about the tours, call the library's Reference Desk at 715-836-3858 or email library.reference@uwec.edu. To schedule a library instruction session, contact your library liaison.

UW-Eau Claire to host American Mathematical Society meeting Sept. 20-21

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) Central Fall Sectional Meeting will be held Sept. 20-21 at UW-Eau Claire. The meeting is expected to bring 300-400 mathematicians from around the United States to campus.

The AMS, which helps further the interest of mathematical research and scholarship nationally and internationally, provides avenues by which to communicate and promote mathematical research, encourage math understanding and skills and support mathematical education at all levels.

For more information about the AMS meeting, contact Dr. Dandrielle Lewis, assistant professor of mathematics, at lewisdc@uwec.edu or 715-836-4821.

Eau Queer Film Festival set for Sept. 24-28

The Eau Queer Film Festival (EQFF) returns to UW-Eau Claire for its fifth year Sept. 24-28. The festival, which will be held in the Woodland Theater of Davies Center, offers audiences a wide cinematic range, from feature length comedies and dramas to documentaries and short films. All films and discussions are free and open to the public.

Founded by Ellen Mahaffy, associate professor of communication and journalism, and Pam Forman, associate professor of sociology, the festival stands out as one of a small group of university queer film festivals remaining in the U.S. The content of the EQFF is completely student driven. Students learn valuable skills in event planning and public relations — and use the power of cinema to build bridges between the UW-Eau Claire campus and local communities.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to consider listing the EQFF in their fall semester course syllabi.

For more information, contact Jerrika Christianson, EQFF director, at eqff@uwec.edu or 715-836-4762.

Parking changes beginning Aug. 18

As of Aug. 18, the parking stalls near the Haas Fine Arts and Phillips loading docks that previously were designated as "lights or flashers required" have been converted to "permit required" loading zone stalls. All stalls will now require loading zone permits; please watch for updated signage. For questions on obtaining a permit, contact the Parking Office at parking@uwec.edu.
  

UW-Eau Claire Blugold Breakfast, opening meeting set for Aug. 26

Chancellor James Schmidt has invited all UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff to attend the all-employee Blugold Breakfast and academic year opening meeting Aug. 26 in the Ojibwe Grand Ballroom of Davies Center.

Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 a.m., and the opening meeting will begin at 8:15 a.m. Employees are welcome to come and go during the meeting as their schedules require.

During his state-of-the-university address at the opening meeting, Schmidt will discuss faculty and staff shared goals for the year. He also will present the annual faculty and staff excellence awards.

A live Web video stream of the event will be accessible during the meeting (video stream link will be "live" during the opening meeting Aug. 26).

University offices will remain open during the breakfast and opening meeting. Departments should make arrangements for student employees or designated staff or faculty members to provide office coverage while the meeting is in session.

An agenda for the opening meeting and a schedule of other campus activities for the opening days of the academic year can be viewed online.

Open forums set for director of Advising and New Student Initiatives candidates

Open forums have been scheduled for candidates for the position of director of Advising and New Student Initiatives at UW-Eau Claire. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the forums. Candidate curricula vitae and links to feedback forms will be available on the director of Advising and New Student Initiatives position Web page.

Following are the candidates and their open forum dates, times and locations:

• Julia Diggins: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2-3 p.m., Centennial Hall 2304
• Andrew Cseter: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2-3 p.m., Centennial Hall 2304
• Dr. Russel Potter: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2-3 p.m., Centennial Hall 2304
• Randa Hodges: Friday, Aug. 22, 2-3 p.m., Centennial Hall 2304

The candidates will respond to the following prompt and answer questions:

UW-Eau Claire is putting renewed emphasis on increasing our four-year graduation rate, which means we have to retain students. At the same time, we want students to engage in high-impact practices and be prepared for getting a job or going to graduate school. How can advisers help with these goals? How would you go about working with faculty and professional advisers to make sure students graduate in a timely manner while still taking advantage of high-impact practices and meaningful academic experiences?

Note: The open forums will be recorded and posted online following each session. A link to the recordings will be available on the director of Advising and New Student Initiatives position Web page.

Condolences

Condolences to Gretchen Hutterli, College of Business, whose father, Conrad Hutterli, passed away Aug. 11 in Eau Claire. Full obituary.

Condolences

Condolences to Dr. George Stecher, physics and astronomy, whose wife, Kay Stecher, passed away July 15 in Eau Claire. Full obituary.

On-campus writing retreat set for Aug. 4-8

The UW-Eau Claire Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) is offering an on-campus writing retreat from Aug. 4-8 for faculty, staff and administrators. The retreat will be held in the CWE in McIntyre Library 2003A from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-noon Friday.

The retreat will provide a quiet space on campus for participants to establish an individual workspace and write among other focused, productive faculty and staff. Participants should bring all materials needed for their projects (including laptops and data) and spread out at tables in the CWE. This is not an opportunity for research; in fact, the CWE recommends that participants turn off their phones, disconnect from WiFi and just focus on writing and revising. This is not a workshop, although opportunities for individual support will be available during the retreat.

During the first morning, the group will convene and individuals will describe specific goals for the day. Participants will write until lunch and then break to eat and socialize. At the end of the day, participants will reflect on their progress and report to the group. Resources on writing and individual afternoon consultations with CWE director Dr. Alan Benson (who will be writing as well), will be available. At the end of the week, individuals will report, reflect, celebrate their accomplishments and devise ways to sustain productivity beyond the retreat.

Register online by July 31. Registration is limited to 30 participants.

For more information, contact Dr. Alan Benson, CWE director, at bensonat@uwec.edu.

Finalists for university budget and resource planning director position to interview on campus

Finalists for the position of university budget and resource planning director at UW-Eau Claire have been invited to interview on campus. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the finalists' open forums.

The finalists and the dates of their open forums are as follows:

• Michael Baer: July 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Council Oak Room (260), Davies Center.
• Kristen Hendrickson: July 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Ho-Chunk Room (320E), Davies Center.

More information about the position and finalists as well as links to feedback forms are available online.

Condolences

Condolences to the family of Dr. Rodney Johnson. Johnson, UW-Eau Claire professor emeritus of education and former dean of university's School of Education, passed away June 8 in Eau Claire. Full obituary.

Call for 'Meals with Honors' presenters

UW-Eau Claire faculty and academic staff are invited to present a topic and lead a discussion for the University Honors Program's "Meals with Honors" series during the 2014-15 academic year. "Meals with Honors" provide 15-20 interested Honors Program students with an opportunity to learn from faculty and academic staff on a wide range of topics through presentation and discussion over a meal.

Breakfasts are typically held Tuesday or Wednesday mornings from 7-7:50 a.m., and include coffee, juices and baked goods. Lunches and dinners usually feature pizza or sandwiches, with lunch held from noon-12:50 p.m. Dinners can begin anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

If you are interested in presenting, please email the information requested in the form below to Pam Golden at goldenp@uwec.edu. If you are unsure of specific times or dates, please indicate your preferences for presenting: time of year; at breakfast, lunch or dinner; and which day(s) are best for you.

For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Vahlbusch, Honors Program director, at vahlbujb@uwec.edu or 715-836-4490.

Temporary parking changes in Phillips lot

From June 23-July 31, 2014, a portion of student S-permit parking in UW-Eau Claire's Phillips lot also will be open to faculty and staff with F permits. The temporary conversion involves 34 stalls in the southeast corner of the lot; new signage reflecting the change is in place. Hours of enforcement will remain unchanged. For more information, contact Becky Shannon, parking coordinator, at shannora@uwec.edu or 715-836-2726.