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Study to look at design of UWRF campus
UW-River Falls has initiated a design study of the campus mall, extending from South Third Street near the Agricultural Science building to South Sixth Street near Centennial Science Hall.

During the study, consultants from the design firm of Johnson, Johnson and Roy will lead the University through exercises to determine the problems that need to be solved.

Design workshops will also be held to obtain ideas from participants on design opportunities in the campus mall. The first workshop will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 1 in the Willow River Room of the University Center.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend. For more information, contact Campus Planner Dale Braun at dale.k.braun@uwrf.edu.

Meeting to discuss Cascade Avenue project

A public informational and input meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 30 in Conference Room C located in the UW-River Falls Regional Development Institute Building to discuss plans for Cascade Ave.

The meeting is part of an effort between River Falls and UWRF as well as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to develop a design plan for Cascade Ave. from Spruce Street to Wasson Lane.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend the meeting. For more information, contact Campus Planner Dale Braun at dale.k.braun@uwrf.edu.

Student receives new service award

UW-River Falls student Sarah Ressel was awarded the new Robert G. Sievert Student Employee Service Award.

Ressel is a veteran of UWRF Student Services and Programs, serving as a StuCrew desk assistant and building manager. She has also worked as a residence hall desk assistant, a conference services assistant and a campus reservations assistant.

Ressel received the award from Bob Sievert in the newly dedicated Robert G. Sievert Fireplace Lounge located in the University Center.

The award was established after Sievert’s retirement in honor of 35 years of devoted service to the University. It is given to a University Center student employee who demonstrates dedication to the University.

Event displays campus community research

UW-River Falls will host RSCA Day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. May 1 in the Riverview Ballroom in the University Center.

The event celebrates student research, scholarly and creative activities and provides faculty, staff and students the opportunity to share their work with colleagues, visitors and friends.

Students display posters chronicling their work, ranging from scholarly activity in theatre, English, chemistry and horticulture.

The event is free. Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend. For more information, contact UWRF Grants and Research Office at 425-3195.

Reception held to honor science professor

A retirement reception for Tony Jilek will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 3 in the Alumni Room located in South Hall.

Jilek is an animal and food science professor. The reception will celebrate Jilek’s 26 years of service at UW-River Falls including collaboration with international agricultural universities.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend. Contact Doreen Cegielski at 425-3704.

Wisconsin tax may be added to soft drinks

A group of several Democrats and two Republican legislators want to put a tax on soda in Wisconsin to pay for dental care for the poor, according to the Pierce County Herald.

Sen. Mark Miller is the lead sponsor of the bill, which would place a 21 cent tax on every gallon of bottled soft drinks sold in Wisconsin in any given year.

It would also include powders for ready-mix drinks and would place a $2 a gallon tax on soft drink syrup. The money would then be put into a dental access trust fund, which would be used to reimburse dentists for patients using the state’s medical assistance program.

Currently, few dentists across the state accept medical assistance patients because of the state’s low reimbursement rates, which means fewer low-income patients are being seen.

Sen. Dan Kapanke said that between the additional revenue and current state funds, the state should be able to come up with the money without additional taxes.

Administration postpones position search

The search for the assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs position was postponed April 13 after all the candidates withdrew their applications.

Provost Charlie Hurt said he hopes to fill this position soon. In coordination with Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mary Halada, Hurt said he believes they can raise the offered salary slightly. The money will come from the excess money brought in from tuition. As enrollment increases, excess tuition is allocated and used for situations like this.

The provost will be contacting the former candidates with the new salary aspect to see if anyone is still interested. If none of the candidates accept the position with the change in salary, Hurt said the

University will implement an interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs through the summer or until they determine how best to proceed.