Investment counseling sessions to be offered Nov. 18

A retirement specialist from T. Rowe Price will be available to discuss the UW System's Tax Sheltered Annuity (403 (b)) Plan with UW-Eau Claire employees Nov. 18 from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. in the Badger Room of Davies Center. Employees may register for an individual session online or by calling 800-922-9945. More information.

Blugold Dining to offer local food buffet Nov. 12

Blugold Dining invites faculty, staff, students and the public to its local food buffet from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Nov. 12 in The Dulany of Davies Center. The cost is $8.50 per person. Call 715-836-5261 for reservations. The buffet menu is available online.

Faculty and staff invited to participate in WHE gift project

For the past 17 years Women in Higher Education has sponsored the Holiday Gift Program, which assists UW-Eau Claire's low-income, nontraditional-age and traditional-age students with families. Last year's project reached 133 children, representing 63 families. In addition, more than $3,900 in cash was collected for grocery gift certificates.

WHE recently sent a mailing to nontraditional-age students inviting them to place their names on a gift "wish" list. The project also is open to traditional-age students who are parents, so WHE welcomes assistance in obtaining names of such students. Students who respond are asked to provide the ages of their children and their choice of gifts (a toy, article of clothing, up to $20 per person.)

If you would like to participate in the WHE gift giving project, or if you know of any students needing assistance this holiday season, contact Linda Spaeth at spaethlj@uwec.edu or 836-3019; or Kim Wellnitz at wellnik@uwec.edu or 836-3487 by Nov. 13. If you would like to make a donation, checks (payable to Women in Higher Education) may be sent/brought to Linda Spaeth, Academic Skills Center, Old Library 2112.

Summer 2010 orientation advisers sought

Faculty and teaching academic staff members are invited to apply to become 2010 summer orientation advisers. The positions are 37½ percent summer positions.

Training sessions will be held June 7–11, 2010. Fifteen one-day sessions will be held during the first three weeks of the eight-week summer session, June 14–July 2, 2010. In addition, advisers will be involved in one-day orientation programs for new students Aug. 23, 2010, and Jan. 20, 2011. Advisers new to orientation will be required to attend one training session in April.

Individuals selected for these positions must be current members of the faculty or teaching academic staff who have a commitment to advising, a "track record" of good advising and a real interest in working with first-year students. Those chosen also must have currently assigned advisees within their departments. Advisers must be available for all of the dates listed above and may not teach during the three-week or the first four-week summer session.

Additional information, including application forms, is available online. Applications are due Nov. 23.

Reminder: Nov. 9 deadline for IRE campus reading seminar grant proposals

The deadline for submitting UW System Institute on Race and Ethnicity campus reading seminar grant proposals for the 2009-10 academic year is Nov. 9. Grants support reading groups and scholarly exchanges on subjects dealing with race, ethnicity, diversity, equity and inclusivity by making funds available for the purchase of books that focus on such themes. Participants in campus reading seminars may include faculty members, academic and classified staff, students and community members. More information.

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.