October 2006 Counselor's Update

Angie Birschbach joins UW-Fond du Lac Student Services

Hello! My name is Angie Birschbach and I am the new Student Services Coordinator at UW-Fond du Lac. I am extremely pleased to be a new member of the UW-Fond du Lac Community!

I recently graduated from the Counselor Education program at UW-Oshkosh and have a Master of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education. I had previously worked in the insurance industry for nine years, however, my goal had always been to obtain a Master’s degree and work in a counseling role. I am very excited to begin my new venture in Higher Education here at UW-Fond du Lac!

To tell you just a little bit more about myself, I am married and have two children, Benjamin and Brooklyn. I have grown up and have lived in the Fond du Lac area all of my life.

Throughout my college years and beyond, I have always loved the feelings of independence, challenge, and personal growth that are inherent on all college campuses. I already feel “at home” here at UW-Fond du Lac which is a great feeling to have when you are a newcomer!

I am currently in the midst of scheduling visits with all of the high schools in the area. I am very much looking forward to meeting and developing relationships with you and your students! If there is anything that I can do to help you serve your students and their families better regarding their college questions and plans, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Sincerely,

Angie Birschbach
Student Services Coordinator
UW-Fond du Lac
Phone: 920-929-3606
Fax: 920-929-3626
Email: angie.birschbach@uwc.edu

Campus Preview at UW-Fond du Lac to be held November 2

Area high school students and their families are invited to attend a Campus Preview at UW-Fond du Lac on Thursday night, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Those attending will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, and students through brief presentations, a student question and answer panel, and personalized campus tours which feature meetings with individual faculty members who represent a variety of the programs of study offered at the College.

Information on admission to UW-Fond du Lac, scholarships and financial aid, programs of study, and the Guaranteed Transfer program will be discussed.

Students and their families who are interested in attending this program can register online through our web site or by calling the Student Services Office at (920) 929-3606.

Important Updates Shared at Counselor’s Luncheon

New Forms of Financial Aid Available for Some College Bound
The cost of a college education continues to stretch the resources of many families and to exceed the resources of some. At the same time our developing knowledge economy anticipates a dearth of qualified professionals, particularly in fields for which a strong math, science, and/or languages background is necessary.

In response to both critical needs, financial and capturing the talents of our best and brightest, the Federal Government has instituted two new Academic Grant Programs. The grants are reserved for needy students with evidence of strong performance in an academically rigorous high school program.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for the freshmen-sophomore studies, the SMART Grant is available for the junior-senior studies in selected majors only. In each case, the money is tied to strong academic performance and is administered through the Federal Student Aid program (otherwise known as Financial Aid).

To assure eligibility for your students, the new programs have significant implications for high school curriculum development and advising students appropriately at the high school level. Please see www.ed.gov  or call 1-800-USA-Learn for detailed information.

The “Holistic” Admissions Controversy

If you have been reading the papers recently you are aware of the (mostly) political discussion surrounding UW System’s review of admissions policy for all of its member institutions.

The background for this review is the Supreme Court decisions in two Michigan cases which reinforced the demand for universities and colleges to provide a comprehensive review of every student’s admission application, rather than using a particular GPA or test score as a qualifying criterion for file review.

The UW System is currently formulating policy to implement the Supreme Court decision. The proposed policy will be reviewed at the December Regents meeting.

How will this impact you and your students? You may expect a change in the UW System admission application for Fall 2008 (distributed August 2007). The change will include more explicit ethnic/race categories to fine-tune student self-identification and an expanded essay section where students will detail their school and community activities with commentary as well as be asked to state how the qualities they have will contribute to the excellence of their chosen institution.

When final language and a sample application are available I will make sure to share it with you so you are prepared to answer students and coach them toward acceptance by the college of their choice.

-Linda Reiss

Fall Semester High School Visits

UW-Fond du Lac art students built a "pirate ship" which the physics students attempted to sink by building a launcher using potatoes as ammunition. The students were participating in the international "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19. In addition to on campus events, several UW-Fond du Lac students and staff read pirate-themed books with the youth in the Boys and Girls Club after school program at Fahey School.

Contact Us:

UW-Fond du Lac

400 University Drive

Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Phone:

Student Services-

920-929-3606

Fax:

929-929-7640

E-mail Student Services:

Dr. Linda Reiss, Assistant Campus Dean for Student Services

linda.reiss@uwc.edu

Angie Birschbach, Student Services Coordinator

angie.birschbach@uwc.edu 

Jackie Morgan, Returning Adult Advisor

jackie.morgan@uwc.edu

Placement Test Dates

Mark Your Calendar

Ongoing
Registration for Winterim Continues

October 19
Placement Tests
 

October 30
Final Partial Payment Plan Payment Due

October 23
Hot Topics for College Students - Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Facilitator: Patti Wise, Prevention Specialist for the UW Colleges, LGI Room (UC-113), 11:00 a.m.

October 27
FDL Chamber Singers Concert
Mostly Mozart
A concert highlighting the music of Mozart in this anniversary year of this birth in 1756, directed by Patricia Eby. Prairie Theater, 7:30 p.m. Adults $5, area students $2, UW-Fond du Lac students free.

November 2
Campus Preview
Area high school students and their families are invited to attend this annual event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Pre-registration requested: 929-3606.

November 6
Meet Our Faculty Lecture Series
Topic: Working with GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Presented by Dr. Michael Jurmu, geography and geology professor and Gail Roberts, UW Extension. Learn about GIS and about an exciting collaboration between the UW Colleges and UW-Extension. LGI Room (UC-113), 11:00 a.m.

Nov. 8-11 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 11 & 12 at 2 p.m.
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” by Neil Simon. Prairie Theater, individual tickets are adults $10, area students $5, UW-Fond du Lac students $5. Information: 906-6350.

November 9
UW Night for Adult Students
Hear presentations from UW four-year schools that offer bachelor’s degrees right here at UW-Fond du Lac, C-241, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Pre-registration requested: 929-3606.

November 20
Music Department Concert
Prairie Theater, free admission, 7:00 p.m. Information: 929-3600.

UW-Fond du Lac Online Calendar of Events

includes information on upcoming performances, athletic events, lectures and more!

Web Site Resources

Click here to view a web page with links to information on admissions, financial aid, campus visits and more!