Monday, September 30, 2013

Actors Wanted! (and more), by Shelby Jacobson


Local director Reuben James Steindorf is looking for students to be actors, extras, and behind the scenes help. These positions are for his upcoming movie Sycophant and TV series, tentatively titled Talia Amore Cosmetics.

The movie Sycophant is still in its fundraising stage, according to Steindorf. The plot is based off of a true story. The genre is both thriller and horror. The main female actor, Jordan, is forced into the middle of a mob drug deal. The drug deal turns quickly into obsession.

Three lead actors are needed in Sycophant. An African American female who has some interest or a background in performing arts, dance, or modeling , a Caucasian male with blond hair and blue eyes, as well as a Hispanic male are needed to complete the lead roles. Each needs to be athletically built, photogenic as well as between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two.

Steindorf’s describes his show, Talia Amore Cosmetics, as “young female assassins in a small Midwestern town going after those who get away with crimes. The assassins have learned how to work the system to their benefit.”

Steindorf is looking for females between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two. These women need to be athletically built and photogenic. No experience is needed.

Steindorf is looking for extras in both Sycophant and Talia Amore Cosmetics. No experience is necessary.
Reuben James Steindorf is a former Central High School student. He has done advertisement for The Discovery Channel as well as Gundersen Lutheran. Central High School also used his short movies he created years after he graduated.

If interested contact Reuben James Steindorf through the Facebook page “Sycophant Movie Fan Club.” https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sycophant-Movie-Fan-Club/169660246541490?ref=br_tf.


Friday, September 27, 2013

UWL Students Participating in Fest/City Pageant, by Ellen Barrett

The Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Pageant usually includes many UW- LaCrosse students as well as neighboring college students attending Viterbo or Western Technical College. The organization provides over $16,000 in cash, scholarships, and gifts to its contestants.

“You definitely have to be intelligent,” says Alexandra Seitz, a Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest contestant and UW-L sophomore, “All the women involved have to be goal orientated. This isn’t just a beauty pageant.” Seitz went on to explain how preparing for the pageant while remaining a full time student was not only a large time commitment, but required a lot of dedication and hard work: from memorizing the history of La Crosse’s Oktoberfest, to remaining updated on current events, to developing a strong opinion and sense of self.

Seitz is currently pursuing a major in communications. After graduating from Central High School in La Crosse, she took a year off to pursue modeling in the talent industry. For a year she then attended Western Technical College and decided to transfer to UW-L this fall. She enjoys singing, hiking, and snowboarding when she isn’t doing school work or working her 3 jobs at Moka, Howie’s, and La Crosse Parks & Recreation. Although Seitz did not place in the competition, she gave an outstanding performance and plans to run again in 2014.

This past Saturday, the 52nd annual Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest was held in the Fine Arts Center at Viterbo University.  This scholarship program is a preliminary program to Miss Wisconsin and Miss America. Those of the UW-La Crosse attendees who placed in the competition included the next Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Christa Brehm and second runner up Sarah Newton.

As stated at oktoberfestusa.com, “This is an organization focused on community service, heritage, and empowering young women to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals.” The scoring of the pageant consisted of 35% talent, 20% interview, 25% lifestyle and fitness, 15% evening wear, and 5% on stage question.


For more information about Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, visit http://www.oktoberfestusa.com/aboutus/misslacrosseoktoberfest.aspx

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Us News v. Pres. Obama, on "Rating" Universities, by Mikaela Kornowski


The US News rating of UW-L comes just weeks after the emergence of President Obama’s suggested scorecard system for universities.

When compared, U.S. News ranking and the President’s systems differ. The scorecard system was created as a response to rising costs of tuition.

The system Obama would like to implement is a review of schools based on average tuition cost, average student debt, grad rates, grad students who received Pell grants, and average earnings for graduates.  The main purpose is to ensure that students get the education that they pay for by considering the outputs.

The ratings of U.S. News is largely input based, considering the test scores of entering students and the ability of the institution to cater to them while they are in school. It does not address whether or not students graduate any “smarter” than when they entered.

Matthew Yglesias of slate.com says that universities should not be graded on their input, but rather on their output. He says that students and parents are looking for schools that are difficult to be accepted into, have well-known professors, and have low teacher to student ratios. He states, “That means spending money on merit-based scholarships ... and student services. What it does not mean is investing money in cost effective teaching strategies.”

Universities received US News scores based on many categories, including average freshman retention rate, 6-year graduation rate, classes with fewer than 20 students, classes with 50 or more students, student-faculty ratio, Fall 2012 acceptance rate, peer assessment, undergraduate academic reputation, graduation and retention rank, predicted graduation rate, overperformance/underperformance, faculty resources, percent of faculty that is full-time, student selectivity, SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile, freshmen in top 10% and 25% of high school, financial resources, and average alumni giving.

Recently UW-L was ranked 3rd overall in public institutions by U.S. News. The university was ranked 26th in the combined public and private category.

Yglesias and Obama’s scorecard suggest that universities should not be judged on the talents and capabilities of their entering freshman. But schools should rather be assessed on their ability to teach and prepare students for the workforce.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Outside Groups Can "Trespass" Campus, by Nicole Anderson

 
            Permission is required for presence of non-students on University of Wisconsin  campuses. 

The  chancellor of each institution or the chief security officer has the authority to restrict the

presence of persons on campus, including those convicted of crimes.

An individual can be charged with trespassing if entering or remaining on a government-owned property without proper authorization or after being banned from the premises. Depending on the circumstances regarding the arrest, individuals can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

              Solicitations and political groups must even obtain permission, or can otherwise be reported to the chancellor for possibility of removal.

                UW-L student Kallie Schell thought a Pro-Life supporters’ demonstration in Fall 2012 was “wildly inappropriate and out of hand.” Last year this caused a campus-wide outrage, “The pro-life demonstrators had huge posters, of which I can only describe as publicly inappropriate, displaying violently mutilated fetuses. As you can imagine, I was disturbed. Why? Because I had an eight-year-old girl yelling these claims at me.”

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 2012 Annual Security Report and Policy Statement says that “In accordance with §36.11(2), Wisconsin Statutes, UW-La Crosse is staffed by police officers that have the power to arrest and bring before the proper courts those persons who violate the law on university property.”

Under Statute 36.35 Misconduct and Campus Security, Wisconsin State Legislature allows that any person convicted of any crime involving danger to persons and property, or impairs activities authorized by an institution, can result in suspension or expulsion from the institution. Such offenses can result in fines up to $500, and/or imprisonment up to six months.

General access and use of the facilities of UW-La Crosse is governed by Chapter UWS 21, Wisconsin Administrative Code and Institutional Policies, on file in the office of the Assistant Chancellor for Business Services.  Documented university police calls, statistics, and more information can be found at http://www.uwlax.edu/studentlife/securityreport.htm.

Dorm Crowding Also Means Dorm Discount, by Shelby Jacobson


 This increase in freshmen and transfer students this 2013-2014 academic year is being accommodated by Resident Life though several techniques used in the past. Residential students are being housed on campus in study lounge conversions and so-called three person doubles.
 
UW La Crosse’s website, www.uwlax.edu/reslife, states that two person dorms cost $2,250 per semester, with a $25 fee for Coate, Laux, and White first year halls, or double the cost per year. Students who choose to be a part of a three person double or a study lounge are being given “an approximate $300 discount per semester,” says Paula Knudson, vice chancellor.

 In the past, Resident Life also has made arrangements with landlords near campus for student housing despite the financial loss this causes UWL. According  Knudson, there has been a surplus in students for the past thirty years.
Knudson explained the dormitories are meant to accommodate 3,266 students. The last application count completed on August 19 estimated to have 3,544 students. The 278 additional students are housed either through three person doubles or in four to five person study lounges. Presently there are 114 three person doubles.

When dorms open up the price for students switching from a study lounge or three person double is pro-rated.  By example, at the quarter of the semester students who switch would be discounted $150 rather than the approximate $300.
Knudson has a five or six year plan to create additional housing for UW La Crosse Students. This plan is looking to budget a new residence hall of 300 rooms across from Whitney Center.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fall Illness & Health Center Info, for Those Who've Never Used it, by Crystal Oravis


            Back to campus means back to the cold and flu aisle for many students. There has already been a large amount of illness at UW-L.

Students should take as many precautions as possible to avoid becoming part of this statistic. Cliché things such as washing hands constantly, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and even trying to take in as much vitamin C as possible will greatly reduce the risk of getting sick.

All students on campus should know that the health center on campus is a very valuable resource. The student health center is free to enrolled students and can prescribe a number of medications such as cough medication, sinus decongestant, Mucinex, and much more. All of these medications are at a low cost and can be added directly to student bills. The health center is open Monday through Friday by appointment, with the urgent care office open Monday through Friday as well. The health center is closed for weekends and holidays.

The health center offers urgent care services such as acute care, allergy injections, minor injuries, and radiological services. Appointments are required for routine things such as counseling, consultaion and referral, gyneocogical and reproductive services, HIV and STD testing, immunization services, laboratory services, medication dispensary, medical evaluation and treatment, minor surgical procedures, nutrition, physical therapy, and primary care.

Many students are unaware that many services are free to them. Other than additional medications, and procedures such as X-rays, all visits are considered included in the student fees.  This center makes routine and minor required visits very easy to accomplish while working around busy school and work schedules as well as being in a very convenient location right across from the Whitney center. More information, as well as specific office hours, can be found on the university website.

Monday, September 23, 2013

"TV Monitors" Installed in Hallways, by Erich Schnell


The University Information Technology Service now has TV screens in buildings across campus.  The screens can be seen in the academic buildings as well as Murphy library and Mitchell Hall. 

The goal of the screens is to “improve the communication of events on campus," says Dr. Mohamed Elhindi, the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer for the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse.

The events displayed on the screens will be updated regularly. New posts will be added and old posts taken down promptly.

Campus events from various clubs, athletics, and CAB are set to be posted already. Other events can be submitted for review at the Eagle Help Desk in Wing Technology Center or the ITS webpage under “self service ticket system.”   Elhindi encourages campus clubs to submit their events. 

The screens run during the buildings’ regular hours of operation.  This means that the screens do not run on the weekends or after class hours.  

The funding for this project is taken from the general fund and is part of UW-L’s priority to improve communication.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Who Wears a Bike Helmet? Not Students, by Hannah Moseson

      
             LaCrosse, as a college town, has many bicyclers, but not necessarily helmet wearers. 

            It is easy to notice a pattern:  adults and children bicyclers generally wear helmets, while teens and college students (LaCrosse’s largest bicycling demographic) seldom wear head protection.  On any given weekday, hundreds of students ride up to Carl Wimberly to lock up their bikes, coming and going throughout the day; over the course of several hours, chances are less than ten will be seen wearing helmets.
            “I know helmets are a good idea, but there’s not any traffic on campus and I don’t want to have to carry a helmet around all day.  I hardly ever see anyone else wearing them either,” says Emily Krause, a UW-L junior. 

There are a variety of reasons helmets aren’t being worn: some students dislike the look of helmets, some don’t want to have to carry them around, and some people are put at ease by the limited amount of traffic on campus.
            While it’s true that campus is mostly traffic-free, many student bicyclers bike because they are coming from off-campus housing, where there is traffic in abundance.  If students do not want to carry around a helmet, they can lock them up with their bikes. 
              Students worried about hair or appearance could weigh those concerns against their wellbeing.  Last year there were 12 bicycle related deaths in Wisconsin alone.   

Thursday, September 19, 2013

President Proposes University Scorecard, by Mikaela Kornowski

President Barack Obama would like to create a system by 2015 to directly link the amount of student aid a school receives to the grade it earns

The system would ultimately implement what is being called a “scorecard” for institutions. The scorecard would require universities to come up with a good report  to receive an acceptable amount of federal student aid. The grade is decided by average tuition cost, average student debt, grad rates, grad students who received Pell grants, and average earnings for graduates.

The Obama Administration states that tuition cost has increased 250% over the past 30 years. Likewise, average family income has only increased 16%. The average student graduates $26,000 in the debt.

The President says,“Higher education is still the best ticket to upward mobility in America, and if we don’t do something about keeping it within reach, it will create problems for economic mobility for generations to come, and that’s not acceptable.”

More than half of the top 30 fastest growing jobs call for a higher education. Currently, the United States is ranked 9th in the number of what is considered “young adults” in college.

On August 22, President Obama spoke at the University at Buffalo. In his address he stated, “Colleges that keep their tuition down and are providing high quality education are the ones that are going to see their taxpayer funding go up. It is time to stop subsidising schools that are not producing good results and reward schools that deliver for American students and our future.”

Students may be glad to hear that their university may be getting its own report card for a change. However, the debate of the possible scoring system is just starting.

It may be some time before any act of administration will be able to have some control over tuition cost.

Check whitehouse.gov for a copy of the scorecard.


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

UWL Is LaCrosse Loggers Sponsor, by Sean Eaton


For $40,000 a year from UW-La Crosse, the Eagles baseball team will in turn be able to begin playing their games at the LaCrosse Loggers’ Copeland Field in 2014.  UWL is already a game sponsor and has a “guess his major” promotion each home game.

Through the partnership, the University along with the Loggers are attempting to raise $600,000 for the necessary improvements to Copeland Field. As of this point, due in large part to a $300,000 donation from Festival Foods, the Loggers, along with UW-La Crosse, are well on their way to their goal. Josh Whitman, UWL a.d., has stated that none of the financial responsibilities of this partnership will at any time fall on the students.

In 2012, the Athletic Department announced a partnership with the local semiprofessional baseball team. The Loggers approached UW-La Crosse with an idea for a sponsorship deal. The idea was centered around a fund raising effort by the Loggers to be able to pay for a new video scoreboard, new batting cages, and new dugouts.

The partnership stemmed from 2010, when the University of Wisconsin La Crosse athletic department was faced with some difficult financial decisions surrounding its baseball team. With little funding, and a list of needs, the program was forced to cut the part of the budget that paid the $35-40,000 of salary owed to the head coach. This cut made the head coach’s salary come entirely from fund raising. “I didn’t think it was fair to ask our coach to go out and raise money for his own salary,” said  Whitman.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

LaCrosse Trash/Recycling Rules, Changes Next Year, by Ellen Barrett


Entering the 2013-2014 school year, it is important to stay updated on La Crosse’s waste management policies.

For those who live off campus: Bagged trash must be placed in a plastic/metal container weighing no more than 50 pounds. Cardboard must be broken down and placed next to the garbage receptacle (no pizza boxes.) Large items are picked up every two weeks on the area’s designated collection day. (Limit is 4 large items, each under 200 pounds.) To view an area's collection dates, visit www.cityoflacrosse.org

A designated, green recycling bin should also be issued to tenants. If lost, bins are available for $8 at the City Hall Public Works office. La Crosse incorporates dual recycling. This means newspaper must be separated from the other recyclables in the bin with a cotton tie or placed into a paper bag. Other acceptable materials include glass jars and bottles (lids must be removed,) empty steel cans, aluminum cans, and plastic #1 and #2. All food residue must be removed prior to recycling.

For those who live on campus there are more recycling opportunities: Garbage and recycling receptacles are located outside of dormitories and inside the main buildings. Acceptable materials within the co-mingled receptacle include empty aerosol cans, aluminum containers, glass bottles and jars, plastic #1 through #7, and tin or bimetal cans. Acceptable materials within the paper receptacle include books, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, notebooks, and much more. The remaining trash may be placed in the garbage receptacle. For the complete list of acceptable recyclables on campus, visit www.uwlax.edu/fpm/recycling/resources.htm.

Note: La Crosse is currently in the process of changing the recycling standards for the 2014 year.

Monday, September 16, 2013

New Security in Oak Grove after Vandalism, by Shelby Phillips

Cameras have been installed and are currently in operation at Oak Grove Cemetery after it was vandalized.  On the night of August 10th around 60 headstones were knocked down from their pedestals. 


 
“The cameras are up and functioning,” says Gene Phillips, secretary of the Board of Trustees at Oak Grove Cemetery.  He says they are scattered all around the cemetery and have already detected an early-morning trespasser.

It seems necessary to remind the public—and especially the college students across the street—that trespassing on cemetery grounds after hours is a finable offence.  Standard cemetery hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with special daylight hours from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Though Oak Grove has insurance it does not cover the cost of the felled markers.  These stones are owned by the families of the deceased and considered personal property.  After the crime family members were contacted.  It is expected that each family’s homeowner’s insurance will possibly cover part, if not all, of the damages.

It took a crew of six around sixty hours of labor to put the monuments back in place. 
The monuments weigh anywhere from 500-1,000 pounds.  This draws officials to believe that a group of individuals is responsible for the distinct line of downed headstones.    

Oak Grove Cemetery is located on La Crosse Street, across from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Campus.  The grounds act as a popular place to walk and jog for students in the area. 


There is a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism.  Contact Crimestoppers (608)784-TIPS with any further information.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Cost for Off-Campus Living, by Carly Vail


Students off-campus are trading in meal plans for cable bills and resident assistants for landlords.
Off campus, students have to pay rent, cable/internet bills, electricity bills, and any additional services that are not provided by their landlord, such as garbage, every month. According to FindTheData.com, the average rent in La Crosse is $608 per month. The site doesn’t specify if that is per person or per household though. The cost of rent usually increases if a student decides to live in a house rather than an apartment or decides to live alone as well.
According to the UWL website, the cost of living on campus ranges from $1,750 to $2,675 a year, depending on which hall the student chooses to live in and how many roommates they have.
With the exception of Reuter, it is required that every student has a meal plan while living on campus. Depending on the meal plan a student has, it can cost between $620 and $1346 a year. Students pay room and board every semester, not every month, which could be a convenience factor for some.
Although some students decide to opt out of an off campus meal plan, they are still spending money on groceries or are going out to eat. According to College Confidential, the price range is about $60-$200 a month on food per person.

 If a student can budget  money well and find a cheap place to live, living off campus could be cheaper. But, it is not really the cost of living students are concerned about when they move off campus. Many students just want the freedom and experience on living on their own.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Literacy Volunteers Needed in LaCrosse

Three groups in LaCrosse are aiding the Wisconsin Literacy campaign, by asking for and training volunteer tutors to work with adults. The "1200 Tutors in 12 Weeks" campaign is underway, beginning Sunday, Sept. 8, Interational Literacy Day, running to Dec. 1.

In LaCrosse, the Clara Fields Multicultural Literacy Program, the Hope Academy, a program of the Family & Children's Center, and the Coulee Region Literary Council are participating. In all, there are 65 agencies assisting Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. The 1200 new tutors goal includes reading and math instruction.

According to the 2010 Census, 384,463 adults over 25 in Wisconsin had not completed high school, and another 173,568 report speaking English less than "very well."

Less than 10% qualifying for literary services actually receive them, according to Wisconsin Literacy. Most tutors volunteer just one-to-three hours per week.

Contact information for LaCrosse groups, and a full list of agencies participating, is available at wisconsinliterary.org.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

September Is National Preparedness Month

The end of Summer means back to school, raking leaves, and starting to plan for Winter weather emergencies.

September is "National Preparedness Month," according to Wisconsin Emergency Management. University students in new apartments should add this to getting settled.

One important step, according to WEM, is to be informed about specific, possible emergencies, and the landlord or other tenants could be a useful source.

People "need to be self-reliant and prepared for days without utilities such as electricity, water and phone service," says WEM. Renters particularly need to know whether to call a landlord first, or utility company or contractor for repairs. This may affect their own cost or return of security deposit.

Gas stations, supermarkets, and other sources of supplies should be planned in advance. The Ready Wisconsin website, readywisconsin.wi.gov, has information for creating emergency plans and a supply kit.

The City of LaCrosse may announce snow removal periods and prohibit on-street parking even in areas exempt from the alternate side parking rule. Check cityoflacrosse.org.