Holocaust educator honoredDarryle Clott receives Ellis Island Medal

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Football and dance teams uniteT hu r s d ay, M ay 5, 2011

The football players dance to the song “California Girls” by Katy Perry at the 5th Annual Rob Wagner Cancer Dance Benefit Show. Proceeds benefited Brock McMullen, a UW-L football player who was diagnosed last December with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Mollie Verdick The Racquet

Y o u r s c h o o l . Y o u r h o m e . Y o u r v o i c e .

Volume 102, No. 26

Let’s face it. Most of us by now are elbows deep in final research papers, cumulative finals and des-peration. For those who attended the 5th Annual Rob Wagner Cancer Benefit Show last week, all of those other tasks seemed to take a halt thought the laughter and tears.

The show on April 29 and April 30 consisted of the UW-La Crosse Dance Team, the UW-L football team, and other area dance groups performing to some of today’s (and yesterday’s) favorite tunes. This fundraiser raised both hope and money for former UW-L football player Brock McMullen though ad-mission sales and t-shirts.

McMullen was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last De-cember. For all of the non-biology

majors, Non-Hodgkin’s is a cancer of the lymphoid tissues. It attacks lymph nodes, the spleen and other organs associated directly with the immune system. The illness is very painful and very costly, which is why the teams decided to support McMullen this year.

Not a seat or dry eye was spared. UW-L students, faculty and staff along with other community mem-bers from the area crammed into Graff Main Hall to support this be-loved young man.

The show started with a tear jerking slideshow of McMulen and ended with roaring laughter. Best friends and roommates of McMul-len sent in letters they wrote for McMullen along with pictures and videos of him.

One roommate wrote that Mc-Mullen can “bring a smile to anyone and any situation.” Most every let-

ter written to McMullen ended with “oh and the Bears still suck” to keep things light.

The night was hosted by MCs Nate Ward, Blake Roemer, Nick Matthews and Derek Dresher. Dur-ing costume changes the audience was graced with everything from Three Stooges-like antidotes to cross dressing and even a hysterical rendition of the popular YouTube sensation “The Evolution of Dance”.

The dance moves weren’t just mechanical Dance Dance Revolu-tion-like; both dancers and foot-ball players alike used professional moves including flips and tosses. Some popular performances by the teams included everything from “Mony Mony”, with one of the men in impossibly tight snake skin pants, to “California Girls” and

By K.C. PowersStaff Reporter

The annual Cardboard Village, in association with Habitat for Humanity, was held again this year on Drake Field on Friday, April 29. Afternoon rain did nothing to stop people from coming to show off their skills in building houses out of cardboard to raise awareness of the economically disadvantaged . See page 2 for more about the event.

Amanda Zenk The Racquet

WORLD OF CARDBOARD

Thanks to her contributions in teaching about the Holocaust, UW- La Crosse alumni Darryle Clott has received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

The medalists, honored by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO), are said to be “America, at its best”, according to Nasser Kazeminy, NECO Chairman. NECO’s goal is to “inspire future generations who will continue to preserve and build upon the legacy that each of our cultures has contributed… Our Medalists’ influence and achieve-ments truly inspire and touch the lives of people everywhere.”

The medal is given to citizens who contribute to their communi-ties and support the diverse tapes-try that is America.

Since its inception in 1986, it has included people from all walks of life, from Presidents to enter-tainers to Nobel Prize winners.

Clott has been a prominent member of the La Crosse commu-nity for years and is described in glowing terms by nearly everyone she has come into contact with.

Having graduated at UW-L in 1966 with a double major in Eng-lish and History, Clott continued her education, getting her Masters in 1971, the program in which she first heard about the Holocaust. In that time period, the Holocaust simply wasn’t brought up in normal

By Nick KammersSenior Reporter

Please see Holocaust, page 3

Clott

Please see Dance, page 3

The School of Education and ITS have embarked on a series of workshops and seminars to help faculty integrate new and engag-ing technology into their teaching and learning. The initial series is entitled Technology to Engage Stu-dents and Teachers (TEST).

The most recent workshop consisted of session on “Now We Have Smartboards, What’s Next?” The second segment offered work-shops on “The Exciting World of Google Apps and More” by Lar-ry Sleznikow and Cari Mathwig Ramseier, and a session “The iPad in Education,” presented by math profesor Bob Hoar.

Marcie Wycoff-Horn, interim Director of the School of Education (SOE) said, “Our goal is to get tech-nology in the hands of our faculty so they can appropriately train our future teachers. As we accomplish this we can effectively be prepared for the 21st century classroom. This is an excellent example of collabo-rating with our campus technology experts, our faculty and our stu-dents.”

The workshop series has be-come an important collaboration between the SOE and ITS. Jim Jorstad, Director of Academic Technologies at UW-La Crosse, said, “This has become a very dy-namic collaboration with faculty. We can work hand-in-hand with faculty to introduce new technolo-gies, train them on effective use, and help them incorporate it into a wide variety of courses.” In ad-dition, Jorstad said, “What is really impressive is to see faculty help-ing other faculty and seeing SOE

students showing faculty how they use Smartboard technology in their own projects and student teaching. It is a great learning opportunity for all of us.”

A group of faculty, led by math professor Jon Hasenbank showed examples of how Smartboard tech-nology is used in a variety of dis-ciplines. Barb Gander and Ann Esptein, both from Educational Studies, demonstrated how they

use the technology in the prepara-tion and management of their cur-riculum and in their teaching.

UW-L students Jena Kolb and Amanda Faust showcased Smart-board applications they download-ed and others they created them-selves which they have utilized for projects and student teaching in the field. Kristi Mally, faculty in Exercise Sports Science provided an interactive and highly engaging presentation in how she combined the Smartboard with active physi-cal demonstrations.

The Smartboard allows users to interact with a screen by using ei-ther a “digital pen” or simply their fingers. The presenter advances slides, reveals information, plays

From old school to new school

By Jill BagniefkiStaff Reporter

UW-L faculty, students about Smartboardtechnology

Please see SMARTBOARD, page 2

“Our goal is to get technology in the hands of our faculty so they can appropriately train our future teachers.”

Marcie Wycoff-HornSchool of Education Director

Habitat for Humanity builds an entire village out of cardboard despite weather difficulties to raise awaremess of local poverty... SEE PAGE 2

Need a last minute finals survival guide? We have you covered with tips to keep you cool, calm and collected... SEE PAGE 8

Player profile on UW-L’s most positive tennis starKatie McDonald. See what this team player hasto say about graduating ... SEE PAGE 11

“We need more state support, and the state keeps reducing that support,” said UW-L’s Vice Chancellor for finance last week at the Student Senate meeting.

This was said as he and Dr. Paula Knutson discussed the 2011-2013 biennium budget for UW-L. In particular, the focus was on tuition and fee increases. Tuition for next year will increase 5.5 percent, and segregated fees will increase by just over 3 percent.

Due to a negative economic climate and Wisconsin governor Walker’s controversial budget repair bill, Vice Chancellor for Ad-ministration and finance Bob Hetzel said these increases are necessary. Part of the bill included decreased funding by the state to higher education. This means that UW-L is set to lose another $2 million in state funds as a result.

In order to maintain it all UW-L has to of-fer and offset this. Two positions will be lost, some reserves will be used and it is proposed that transfer student enrollment be increased. Also, the class registration deposit of $100 that is normally “gotten back” by a deduction on one’s student bill might change. UW-L may keep back 15 dollars of that to increase revenue.

UW-L is trying to absorb these cuts with-out adversely affecting quality of education or costs. Hetzel said, “I’m doing the best I can to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.” But as the UW system has lost $493 million in state funding already in the past, there is not a great deal more to cut. Ten years ago, Wisconsin funded 60% of the costs of its UW schools. Now it is closer to 40%.

But the Walker-backed budget does bring slight advantages for student wallets. Because of a requirement that employees now contrib-ute more to their pensions and health insur-ance, UW-L does not have to pay those costs any more. This gives the university $300,000 “back” from its academic faculty and staff, $370,000 from Residence Life and related ar-eas, and $100,000 from dining services. This money will be used to update the REC and Cartwright, make repairs, and avoid increas-ing room rates by 8 percent for next year.

The senators discussed the tuition and fee increases, especially the changes to registra-tion, for over an hour. As students themselves, they did not want to pay any more than they had to, but understand the reasons behind the new financial plan. In the end, the sena-tors generally approved the plan. They also called for transparency in the process and fee increases-wanting all students to share an eq-uitable fee burden.

This budget plan may also be subject to change, depending on a few factors that could change between now and the next academic year. Whether or not UW-Madison splits from the systemnaffects UW-L’s budget too, and with recall efforts and Walker’s bill being held up in court, the politics involved are also unsure. The plan assumes the financial worst-case scenario;UW-L is prepared.

By Gretchen ZishkaStaff Reporter

“I’m doing the best I can to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.”

Bob HetzelVice Chancellor for Administration and

Finance

CampusNewsPage 2 Thursday, May 5, 2011

Pocketbook pain

BY THE NUMBERS:UW-L TUITION

-5.5 percent tution increase expected

-3 percent fee increases

-$15/semester of increased registration costs per semester

Last Friday Habitat for Humanity was joined by other organizations to create the fourth annual cardboard village in the mid-dle of campus. This event was trying to raise awareness for substandard housing in the La Crosse area.

Everything started at three in the after-noon with the building of the cardboard houses. There was a truck full of cardboard used and it was all donated by Wettstein’s ap-pliance store in La Crosse. Each house was constructed only with cardboard, newspaper, duct tape, paint and creativity.

All the houses turned out great. People really got creative and made windows with shades, insulation and even a mailbox.

Throughout the school year, Habitat has been selling paper bricks to go on the outside of the cardboard houses. The bricks cost one dollar, but many people donate more when they purchase the brick. According to Josh Despies, the Habitat fundraising coordinator, about $140 were raised this year. There were even some donations at cardboard village.

There were several organizations that par-ticipated along with Habitat for Humanity. One of the organizations there was JC’s Vil-lage, a Christian Campus Ministry. Intervar-sity Christian Fellowship was also there.

The community serviced fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma, joined in the festivities. Circle K International, a student volunteer organi-zation, also came to show support.

Later in the evening 1, 2, 3...Walrus put on a fun show for the event. “The band has been here for the last three years,” said Sara

Strudevant, the president of Habitat, “I knew the band from living in Wentz and they agreed to play for the event.” Many people passing by came to listen and enjoy the mu-sic. The band even learned a special song just for the event called “Box”. It was about a man who lived in a box and was fun and fit the theme well.

Participants enjoyed a cookout for dinner, followed by some games and just hanging out with good company. “Even though it got a bit chilly, it was a great night making new friends while supporting a great cause,” said Amy Feuling, a member of Habitat.

As darkness came, the light-up Frisbee came out. Some people left for the night, but many stayed to try to spend the night in their cardboard house. Tarps came out to try to be prepared if it rained. Everyone huddled together and played cards by flashlights and swapped stories.

Sadly, as the night went on, the wind pro-gressed and caught some of the houses. Some were able to be restored their houses, but oth-ers had to find new sleeping arrangements. They all agreed that it is difficult when you don’t have a warm, safe home to go to every night. Participants realized the struggle that some families have to go through and are grateful that they can try to help to change the lives of these families through Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.

Participants woke up bright and early to finish off the event with breakfast. Panera donated seven dozen bagels and Mocha, for-mally known as Java Detour, donated coffee. Even with a couple minor setbacks, the event was very successful and fun for all who par-ticpated.

Putting substandard housing into perspective

By Heather GageStaff Reporter

Houses made out of carboard surrounded Drake Field on April 29. The all-day event brought awareness to sustain housing in the La Crosse area.

UW-L faces deep financial cuts

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Sarah Jackson performs with accompaniment at the Cellar’s Open Mic Night April 28th sponsored by CAB

Michael Westberry The Racquet

videos or uses resources on the Internet to help students learn and become engaged in the learning process.

UW-L currently has eight Smartboards in-stalled on campus, with plans for another sev-en to be deployed in the upcoming months. In her opening comments, Wycoff-Horn said that in addition to prevalence of Smartboards in area K-12 schools, the School District of La Crosse is planning on purchasing between 300 and 400 iPads in the coming months. UW-L is also beginning to make academic investments in iPad with plans of nearly 100 units to be ordered.

More sessions are planned through the

summer and next school year to help faculty become more acquainted with a wide variety of technologies.

From SMARTBOARD, page 1

SMART technology

Amanda Zenk The Racquet

CABIN FEVER ART SHOW

Michael Westberry The Racquet

The Cabin Fever Art Show and Sale showcased the work and vision of twenty one established and emerging artists from the Seven Rivers Region.

Courtesy smart.com

Habitat for Humanity lives in cardboard village

“She’s a guardian angel, always where she’s needed.”

Mary RostadEllis Islan Medal Recipient

history classes at a lower education level. It had only been a bit over 20 years, and while fresh in the minds of survivors, hadn’t re-ceived prominent academic attention. How-ever, this immediately caught the attention of Clott.

“I couldn’t believe anything could have happened in modern history,” she said, know-ing that eventually she would teach on the subject at La Crescent High School. For years her English class taught a comprehensive Ho-locaust unit. She retired in 2004, yet her work was just beginning.

Clott is a member of multiple Holocaust educator organizations ;she does not confine her contributions simply to the La Crosse area.

In 2001 she went abroad to Israel and Po-land to attend an institute focused on Jewish resistance and studies. She has been among a

select group of educators that were select-ed to study Holocaust pedagogy by the Polish embassy, and she has taken part in seminars in New York City. Clott continues to teach classes and lead workshops on Holocaust education at Viterbo University.

Despite already being decorated for her work, receiving honors that include the YWCA Tribute to Outstanding Women Trail-blazer award, Clott feels “overwhelmed” and “humbled by winning an award of this stat-ure”.

She was nominated for the award by inau-gral Ellis Island Medal winner Mary Rostad, who was honored this past Sunday, Holocaust Remembrance Day, at the Sons of Abraham Synagogue, an event at which Clott spoke on her behalf.

Rostad herself was a member of the Bel-gian resistance during World War Two. Op-

erating under the codename “squirrel”, Mary served as a courier and did whatever she could against the Nazi occupation, even if the act was simply pouring sugar into gaso-line tanks to sabotage German vehicles. She hadn’t even turned 18. Marrying a U.S. sol-dier and moving here, she has become close to Clott who has used her often in her lectures and has heard Rostad speak over fifty times. Rostad referred to Clott as a “guardian angel, always where she’s needed”.

Clott considers it her mission to bring Holocaust survivors to the area. As a teacher, Clott feels that their stories are particularly import to her teenage students, who are often upset with what they don’t have. Hearing the survivors speak helps give them a perspective about the depths life can reach while inspir-ing them to persevere. They give people hope.

Albert Einstein once said, “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” Clott’s moti-vation comes from a similar place. She feels learning about the Holocaust can lead to ac-ceptance of people’s differences and is a tool to fight the callousness of indifference. The enduring lesson of the Holocaust is that trag-edies don’t happen without bystanders, and Clott’s recognition for her work in teaching La Crosse about the Holocaust is well-deserved.

Page 3Thursday, May 5, 2011 News

Lauren SeidlNews Editornews@theracquet.net

THE RACQUET IS HIRING FOR

FALL 2011. APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.

THERACQUET.NET AND CLICK THE

“JOIN OUR TEAM” LINK, OR STOP BY ROOM 232 FOR AN

APPLICATION.

CAMPUS CALENDARMannerchor. 7 p.m. in Annet Recital Hall, Center for the Arts. A perfor-

mance by UW-L’s Men’s Choir headed by Dr. Gary Walth.

05/06 Dracula (play). 7:30 p.m. in Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts. The UW-L Theatre Department will present a chilling and suspenseful adap-tation of Bram Stroker’s classic novel to end the spring season.

LAST DAY OF CLASSES.

UW-L Music Concerts. Wind Ensemble: 2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Symphonic Band: 4 p.m. in the Center for the Arts

05/09 FINALS BEGIN.

River To Ridge Run/Walk. 9:00 a.m. walkers begin, 10:00 a.m. for runners. This event consists a five mile trail from La Crosse Riverside Park to the blufftop view of the Mississippi River Valley.

05/05

05/06

05/07

05/14

NEED A BREAK FROM STUDYING FOR FINALS?

Relaxation Extravaganza. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Port O’Call. Pet ther-apy dogs, free massages, coloring activities, great music and healthy food will be available for students to escape studying for a bit.

05/05

Spring Concert: Jason Derulo. 05/06

UW-L gets optimistic

Do you ever find that you are volunteer-ing because you have to? Volunteering should not be a monotonous activity that you have to do to build a resumé. Yes, of course this is a legitimate concern for any college student who is planning on living in the fast pace and competitive world that we will soon enter, but a lot of the time we, as students, have lost sight of what volunteering really is. That is why a group of girls decided to bring a new club to the UW-La Crosse that promotes al-truism and optimism, while providing a fun-oriented environment.

Andrea Vivian and Rachel Novotny began the Optimist Club. Both are current co-pres-idents of the club. They got the idea from the Optimist Club International. This club’s mis-sion is “Bringing out the Best in Kids.” The girls have been working with this nationally acclaimed organization in order to create a club that is affiliated with Optimist Club In-ternational, but is geared more towards col-lege students.

“We wanted to start a club for students so that they could have volunteer opportuni-ties more specifically geared towards helping their peers and youth in the community,” said Vivian.

Joining this club would mean that not only would you have access to volunteer op-portunities, but you would also be registered

with a nationally known club. This it is both good for the heart and the resumé.

The club is currently trying to get on its feet as a well-known campus club, so it needs student support and enthusiasm. Viv-ian and Novotny have already gone through the process of getting the club recognized by UW-L and have found a faculty advisor, Ja-son Bertrand. The club had its first meeting on Wednesday, April 27, which was primar-ily attended by those who had heard about it through word-of-mouth. The meeting was lively and excitable.

Possible upcoming volunteer opportuni-ties include: Teaching a cooking class, help-ing with a move-in, providing free back mas-sages and helping clean people’s rooms in the residence halls. The club is always open to

ideas of different volunteer opportunities and is also willing to help members with taking a certain volunteer opportunity in their own direction.

Meetings are planned to be held about once a month and will almost always have free food. The joining fee is predicted to be about $10 for the whole year. This yearly fee paired with fundraising within the club will pay member dues for both the UW-L Opti-mist Club and Optimist Club International.

“Anyone and everyone is welcome. You can’t pass-up sweet treats and a friendly, op-timistic environment,” says Vivian. Support this new club on campus by attending meet-ings, showing your support, and bringing new ideas to the table.

By Erica GullicksonStaff Reporter

Local Holocaust educator wins prestigious medal From holocaust, page 1

“Walk Like an Egyptian.” There was even a performance to Katie Perry’s “Firework” by Couch Dettwiler and his four-year-old daugh-ter Ava that got everyone to awe out loud. The crowd’s favorite seemed to be a “Risky Busi-ness” performance of Tom Cruise’s infamous white button up and underwear dance.

About halfway through the performances the MCs called to stage some random audi-

ence members and had an impromptu dance off to “Teach Me How to Dougie” for gift cer-tificats from the Freight House and Rudy’s.

Everyone seems to know someone who has been affected by cancer, and the MCs said it best when they said, “This program is for everyone who has been touched by cancer. You alone, and all together are making a dif-ference.”

From DANCE, page 1

Dancing for a cure

New campus organization hits scene

Katie TuckerCity Editorcity@theracquet.netCityNews

Page 4

Courtesy Audrey Gant

Thursday, may 5, 2011

This summer one of La Crosse’s most popular attractions will be closed. Starting late May, the Granddad Bluff overlook will be shut down for a million dollar renovation.

The project will stabilize the south slope of the bluff, restore the shelter to its original 1932 appearance, resurface the overlook, and restore native vegetation. Plans include upgrading the entire site to be more handi-capped accessible, replacing the current fence with new railings and seeding authentic na-tive prairie grass.

Aesthetic updates are also planned. The primary overlook will have a cantilevered table top and amenities such as permanent benches will be installed.  According to La Crosse Park and Recreation Superinten-dent Garland Amunson, provisions are be-ing made to adapt to the UW-La Crosse “L” so that it will be more visual pleasing than it’s current placement on the roof.  Minne-sota Public Radio has moved their antenna to Minnesota and old radio towers adjacent to the parking lot along worn down cement building have already been removed. Accord-ing to Amunson, this makes the site less clut-tered.

The La Crosse Park and Recreation De-partment feels this project could not be com-ing at a better time. On April 27, a chunk of the south side portion of the overlook col-lapsed due to erosion. The eight foot section of foundation gave away and fell to a ravine below. The main lookout was also closed about two years ago due to severe erosion.

“Erosion has taken its toll on the faces of the bluff. Its time that the outlook should be updated and made more accessible,” Amun-son said. No major upgrades or renovations have been done to the site since 1931.

According to the State of Wisconsin Tour-ism Group, the Grandad Bluff lookout is ranked as the second most popular outlook in the state. The outlook is also the number one tourist attraction in the City of La Crosse.

“Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project is that it will make the city proud of their facilities. The upgrades will add enjoy-

ment for the citizens of La Crosse, their visi-tors and other tourists from all over the world. The completed project will be well worth the wait,” Amunson said.

Despite the overlook closure, there are still plenty of spots to view the Coulee Region scenery. Bikers and motorists can travel along Wisconsin's Great River Road that stretches 250 miles of Wisconsin's western border. The road is nestled between the river and the bluffs.  The Wisconsin DNR maintains the Great River State Trail, which runs through Onalaska and Trempealeau. The 24-mile trail that was built on an abandoned railroad line travels through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley. The trail is suitable for walkers and bicycles, as well as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Amunson’s favorite lookout spot includes the view from County Road FA, across from the weather ball.

The renovation project is being paid for through grants and city funds.  The City of La Crosse Parks and Recreation received a $450,000 grant for of Urban Park Develop-ment through the Department of Natural Resources. The bluff is expected to be closed through the end of October.

Grandad Bluff overlook to close later this month

By Katie TuckerCity Editor

WHERE’S THE BLUFF?

With Grandad closed, explore what else La Crosse has to offer.

-Pettibone Park: Beach, disc golf course, paved walking paths-La Crosse, Black River: Rent a canoe or kayak from the Outdoor Connection for a day to explore one or more of the regions seven rivers-Hixon Forest: Stroll, hike, or run through 720 acres on 13 different trails- La Crosse Logger summer baseball-Self-guided Historic Walking Tour: Pick up a map at the La Crosse Visitor’s Bureau and learn the histories of over 20 local buildings

La Crosse advisor reveals truth about Xcel Incinerator

Plastics 1 and 2 are the only numbers that the city of La Crosse recognizes to be adequate for their recycling system, the rest, numbers 3-7 along with garbage is sent to the Xcel Energy Incinerator on French Island where it is burned for energy. On campus, through the help of things like the green fund and work done by Student Associa-tion, UW-L recycles plastic numbered 1-7 and paper. The Xcel Energy Incinerator has to appeal to certain permit limitations as far as the amount of toxic chemicals, such as Dioxin, Cadmium, HCL, Benzene and Formaldehyde.

Guy Wolf, a passionate environmentalist and advisor in the Office of Multicultural Student Services, had been chasing garbage across the country trying to prevent com-panies from burning it before he began to investigate the Incinerator on French Island. After doing some digging, with support from the Midwest Environmental Advocates, Wolf found that the Incinerator was violating the Clean Air Act and determined that a lawsuit would be the best way to invigorate change.

Wolf, alongside several students who felt passionately about how this was effecting the environment, hit the streets and collected signatures for a petition to show the com-munity’s concern and also testified in court. The fight against the Incinerator began back in the 1990’s and now the story is being expressed through a film, “Crossing the Line: Defending Wisconsin’s Environmental Com-mons.” The film premiered on April 19 in Madison and will be shown in Milwaukee on May 12. Wolf hopes to have a film screening on campus next fall so that more students can attend and learn what is really going on. “The Incinerator is like a landfill in the sky and awareness needed to arise because the poor quality of air was severely affecting the people living near the Incinerator on French Island,” Wolf said.

In 2001, a settlement was announced that demanded Xcel Energy and La Crosse

County to pay millions of dollars to go towards the plant for pollution control equipment and to pay fines. Wolf explained that $1 million was given to construct the La Crosse County Household Hazardous Mate-rials Program, which allowed them to build a site where people could bring hazardous materials to their location on State Hwy 16, just north of Onalaska.

“People had know where to go with hazardous materials before this was built and were forced to throw it away as garbage, which would then be led to the Incinerator,” Wolf said, “That building provides such a great resource for the community.” Wolf ’s work to try and stop polluted air from reach-ing the La Crosse area has led him to speak in UW-L classes about the certain ways that students can reduce their overall carbon footprint. “Reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce is at the top of the list and the most important thing is to inform students of things they can do to create less waste so that it doesn’t have to go to the Incinerator in the first place,” Wolf said.

Two students who are pursuing environ-mental studies minors, Melissa Clawson and Mandi Jorgensen have passionate feelings about the actions of the Incinerator. “The Incinerator is an extreme health hazard to everyone living within the La Crosse area,” Clawson said. “We live in one of the most beautiful places in the state of Wiscson-sin, yet we are damaging the environment around us by allowing the Incinerator to burn garbage and also plastics that the city should be recycling,” Jorgensen said. La Crosse county is the only county in the state of Wisconsin that does not recyle plastics 1 through 7.

Wolf ’s gratitude goes out to the students because he feels they are the whole reason why change has occurred and will promote the change that needs to happen in order to protect and conserve our environment. To stay informed on household and personal products that are chemical free head to the web site www.ewg.org/skindeep for more information.

By Julie SchneiderSenior Reporter

Runners participate in the 3rd annual La Crosse Fitness Festival, which took place April 30-May 1. The two day festival provides an opportunity for people of all ages and athletic abilities to get out and do something active. Events included a 5K run, 5K walk, a full and half marathon along with cycling and children’s events. The weekend didn’t produce any unusual weather for La Crosse this year; Saturday was rainy and Sunday was a brisk 40 degrees. The wet spring season and flooding caused for a change in some of the festival’s routes. The starts to the half and full marathons were moved to a vacant parking lot across the highway from Pettibone Park rather than in the park itself, and the routes for the 5K and cycling events were changed as well. About 2,660 people participated in the La Crosse Fitness Festival this year, with proceeds going to St. Clare Health Mission, Youth Enrich-ment Association and Special Olympics of La Crosse.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH

Million dollar renovation beginsGuy Wolf helps create new environmenteal film

Page 6

Viewpoint Thursday, MAY 5, 2011The voice of the campus community is printed here

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EDITORIAL BOARDKelli Ponce | Editor in Chiefkponce@theracquet.net Isaac Lindahl | Managing Editor ilindahl@theracquet.netLauren Seidl | News Editor news@theracquet.netKatie Tucker | City Editorcity@theracquet.net Emily King| Features Editorfeatures@theracquet.netMeghan O’Connor | Assistant Features Editormoconnor@theracquet.netTaylor Fagerburg | Multimedia Editor photo@theracquet.netHannah Henderson | Viewpoint Editor viewpoint@theracquet.netMegan Fallon | Online Editor online@theracquet.net

NEWS REPORTERSKC Powers powers.kath@uwlax.eduGretchen Zishka zishka.gret@uwlax.eduJill Bagniefski bagniefs.jill@uwlax.eduClara Johnson johnson.clar@uwlax.eduNick Kammers kammers.nich@uwlax.edu Julie Schneiderschneider.juli@uwlax.eduHeather Gagegage.heat@uwlax.eduErica Gullicksongullicks.eric@uwlax.eduAshley Atkinsonatkinson.ashl@uwlax.edu

FEATURES REPORTERSPhilippe Meistermeister.phil@uwlax.eduDylan Santeesantee.dyla@uwlax.edu

VIEWPOINT REPORTERSOlivia Mercer mercer.oliv@uwlax.edu Caleb Brown

brown.cale@uwlax.edu

SPORTS REPORTERSRyan Pomereningpomereni.ryan@uwlax.eduBrent Binderbinder.bren@uwlax.eduAllen Knappenbergerknappenb.alle@uwlax.edu

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6 Skills Employers DesireTHE VALUE OF OUR SAFE RIDE

We’re in college. What’s more, we are college students in La Crosse, Wiscon-sin. We live in a city notorious for its drinking habits which is made apparent by the plethora of bars peppered about the streets. And that’s a thick spread. Under La Crosse’s Wikipedia page ‘Bars and Taverns’ are the first subsection under ‘Culture.’ Insert pat on back here.

We have Oktoberfest, Riverfest, Irish Fest, Weinerfest, Downtown Mardi Gras and the Beer, Wine and Cheese Festival just wrapped up. And if that’s not enough we have an entire area down on 3rd and 4th streets devoted to nightlife that is hopping every weekend. We like to drink, we do it without shame and we’re damn good at it.

But we do something else really well too; something far more important. We get home; thanks to Safe Ride. The sta-tistics can be thrown around, like how Safe Ride has been credited for decreas-ing the amount of OWIs in La Crosse by 28% or how it gives over 10,000 impaired folks a ride home every year, but it is truly invaluable. And it’s funded in part by our student fees here at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and those at Viterbo. Insert less sarcastic pat on back here.

We who enjoy stumbling around downtown on the weekends are extraor-dinarily lucky. There are three ramps

for us to park in for as long as we like and we live in a pretty safe town so we don’t have to be too concerned with a trek home. The Safe Ride, however, is unbeatable. It circulates Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays all throughout the school year and runs a long route all the way up and around campus and back downtown every 15 minutes.

When it comes to downtown she-nanigans the worst-case scenarios are endless and seemingly boundless when reviewing tragic events of the past. Safe Ride is there to lessen the degree of these events. To appreciate the value of this service all you have to do is review some of the perhaps questionable decisions you have made, count your lucky, blurry, drunken stars and promise yourself you will take the bus next time. It’s what it’s there for.

Safe Ride is free and if you are an occasional or frequent inhabitant of downtown, chances are it has saved your ass a time or two. Not wanting to get stuck being the designated driver or wait an hour and a half for a taxi because we decided to call at bar time is a com-monality. Thanks to this program you never have to do either of these things. Take advantage of this service and don’t forget to slur out a thank you to the bus driver as you stumble down the stairs and to your comfy bed.

FROM THE EDITORS

Saving drunks one stop at a time

School and finals will be over before anyone can even begin muttering the word “work.” For many of you readers, you will be returning back to your hometown and working at your short term place of employment, whether it be a waitressing or lifeguard-ing position. But maybe your original place of employment has closed, does not offer enough money, or you are wanting a new, different experience. Whatever the circumstances, it leaves many of you students unemployed for the summer and wondering where you could obtain such a summer job. Several of you may have acquired a need, or want, to stay in the La Crosse area for the summer term and are in need of work. And, finally, many of you students will be graduating within the next week or two, ready to find an occupation or a career path to embark upon.

Nonetheless, employment is on the brain. Job seekers always seem to wish they could unlock the secret recipe for sealing the job deal. According to many seniors, the economy continues to make applying for future occupations more difficult. Therefore, an ex-ceptional resume and application is absolutely essential.

For most, filling out an applica-tion is nothing new- nearly second nature. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

Employers look for great work history and references. Be sure to put down individuals who know you well as a reference. Professors and former (or current) supervi-sors at work make great references to your abilities and your poten-tial.

In addition to adequate refer-ences and a great previous work evaluation, be sure to take the time to list qualities that set you apart from the rest. Mention any type of additional training you may have acquired. If you are organized and work well with technology, do not hesitate to state that on an application.

Every employer is waiting for an individual with an excep-tional blend of values and skills. Employers look at this section of an application or resume to find the individual best suited for their workplace. An application is not a time to be modest. Be confident in the qualities you possess and bear them proudly. Freshman Molly Kastner, who has worked at five different places within the last five years, is a firm believer in executing your talents through words on applications. It allows the employer to know whom they are considering hiring for the po-sition and gives leeway for initial respect for the hired.

Most sought after are solid

communication, research, com-puter, management, leadership, and problem solving skills. The most mentioned skill demanded by professionals is communica-tion. Most employers are seeking individuals who can listen and speak effectively.

According Vice President of Hankscraft Motors, Joe Hen-nessy, “Effective and exceptional communication skills are the first thing an employer notices during an interview. It allows me to make initial judgement calls. It also lets me know how seriously prepared an individual is for the interview. Communication skills are a must.”

Employment skills and values are the most critical traits to per-form and showcase when applying for a job. Whether a new sum-mer job or a potential occupa-tion, showcasing these abilities is praised by employers. It makes you not only qualified but unique.

Are you connected?Text messaging: A connecting tool or a distracting device

When was the last time you left home without your phone? Have you ever? If you can answer yes, it probably wasn’t intentional.

Cell phones have practically become part of our anatomy. We would be lost without them. As all things technological go, the cell phone has changed over the years, as has its usage. A phone is so much more than that now. We check our e-mails, update Facebook, check the weather, and of course, we text.

Does anybody actually call any-more? Yes we do, but truth be told cellular communication has become largely dominated by the text message. We call when we really want to talk to someone in a one-on-one conversa-tion, but the rest of the time we just text.

On the one hand this makes sense. A text is a quick and convenient way to get a hold of people. Need to know what your assignment was in the class you missed? A text can solve the problem. Meeting someone downtown and you need to know where they are? A text is the answer. But texting has become so much more than this too.

Nowadays people have entire con-versations through text. And because of how discreet texting is, nothing has to stop the conversation. You can text in class, while you hang out with friends, and texting multiple people at the same time isn’t even a big deal. Indeed, you can talk to someone for hours and never say a word. Its amaz-ing how far technology has brought us...

Here is the catch. Obviously, a text message is a very primitive form of communication. The messages are usually brief (most phones have character limits) and often involve shorthand. More to the point, a large chunk of the information that gets passed between two people who are talking is non-verbal, but in a text message all we get are the words, and sometimes not even those. Bottom line, a text lacks much of the necessary context that accompanies other forms of communication.

And this is nothing new or uncom-mon. Most of us have experienced miscommunications due to this. You get a text and you are not sure if the person who sent it is mad or joking. You send someone a “K” and they think you are blowing them off. Even when we use devices like “lol” and “:-)” to indicate our tone, the intent still isn’t always clear.

Even the discreet nature of the text has its drawbacks. Like I said before the conversation never has to stop, so if someone doesn’t text you back right away, you might get annoyed. If they have their phone on them (and you know they do) there is almost no reason they can’t text back. Needless to say a simple text can cause a lot of stress in a relationship.

But it goes beyond this. If we are talking to multiple people at once or texting while in class or hanging out with someone else, how much atten-tion are we really paying to any of it?

We live in a world where we are pressured to stay connected and updated on everything that is going on around us. But are we really more connected by all this or simply more distracted?

By Olivia MercerStaff Reporter

By Caleb BrownStaff Reporter

How to make yourself stand out in a job hunt

YOUR OPINION How do you feel about the Safe Ride? Visit www.theracquet.net and take our online poll today!

43% Yes! It’s the only way I know which professors to take!

36% Sometimes, but only for classes I feel are important.

21% No, I prefer to listen to the opinions of my friends who have already taken it.

0% Never! People lie.

This non-scientific poll had a total of 14 respondents.

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“Effective and exceptional communication skills are the first thing an employer notices during an interview.”

Joe HennessyVice President,

Hankscraft Motors

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There is a chance that we may see history repeat itself and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) could strike if their demands cannot be met in a new collective bargaining agreement soon. This scenario is very reminiscent of the 1982 and 1987 seasons where the player’s share of the league’s revenue came under fire.

In the case of the 1982 season, the season was shortened from 16 to nine games and that year the playoffs included eight teams from each conference in an attempt to make up for the lost games and give everyone their fair chance. During the 1987 season one week was lost and three games were played with replacement players.

The 1987 season also became the inspiration for “The Replacements” which was loosely based on the Washington Redskins who went 3-0 with their fill-in players that year. The Redskins won both Super Bowls during the strike seasons so maybe this current controversy bodes well for them, but based on the team’s recent success (or lack thereof) I would guess probably not.

The stand-off this time around involves how the NFL will split up revenue of approximately nine billion dollars this year. Underneath their previous contract the players saw 53.3 percent of that money, but now the owners would like to cut the player’s share down to 46.7 percent of the total revenue and extend the season to 18 games.

The NFLPA counters this by saying that the change will shorten the average number of seasons an athlete lasts in the NFL and it will lead to an increase in injuries. The players union believes that they deserve increased compensation, not reduced, if the owners and the NFL decide to lengthen the season.

In the event of an 18-game season

players will see the average career duration drop from 3.3 years to 2.8 years. Falling underneath the 3-year threshold is significant however because players are eligible for free agency after their third year and players are not eligible for post career healthcare through the NFL until they have completed their third season.

The league, owners and players all stand to lose out though if an agreement cannot be reached. In the event of a work stoppage all parties will collectively lose one billion dollars over the course of summer and the pre-season with an additional 400 million lost for every regular season week missed. It is in the best interest of all those involved to come to some sort of agreement and do so quickly.

The players will not be the only ones to lose out in the event of an NFL lockout as all football fans will be forced to forfeit a great American pastime. Our very own Green Bay Packers could be on the verge of a dynasty and the lost time could be detrimental to the young team. The NFL and NFLPA need to come to an agreement so we can witness the Pack putting Steeler Nation in its place for the second consecutive year.

Say good-bye to an American pastime

By Jake GietmanPublisher Each year, hundreds of students line up

to see if they can land an internship. For some, it is required while others are just after the experience. Whatever the case may be, anyone would rather be paid than work for free. Nevertheless, each year many students end up doing just that. The first thought that comes to mind is that this is not fair, and further more, how can it be legal?

In recent years the U.S. Department of Labor has done a bit of cracking down on how employers use unpaid interns. Fact Sheet #71 (issued April 2010) listed six criteria for the employment of interns in unpaid positions. Two criteria stand out.

Number three in the list states that, “The intern does not displace regular employees...” At first glance this may seem to be aimed at protecting paid employees, and it is, but it also ensures that an intern isn’t doing a full time job for free.

Continuing this idea is that the training should provide “no immediate advantage” to the employer.

“That’s where it gets really gray,” said Tim Tritch, the Associate Director of Career Services here at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. The interpretation of immediate advantage could depend largely on the employer.

And at any rate, according to Tritch, his office is not concerned with policing employers for this. After all, their mission statement explicitly says, “Our goal is to help students choose a meaningful career that reflects their values, interests and abilities,” regardless if it is an internship experience or a permanent position.

Despite the fact that unpaid internships

may seem overly prevalent, this is not always an issue. The truth is, most internships, at least those that go through Career Services, are paid.

According to Career Services’ 2009-2010 annual report, 60% of the internships they processed were for a salary in some form or another.

Tritch also said, “We make the pitch for paid positions.” He said that his office tries to work with what the student needs. If they can get you a paid internship they will, but, “Most programs we [Career Services] work with are optional experiences,” said Tritch.

Point being that even if the students are not getting paid, they chose to participate in the program. It is not as though they necessarily have to work for free.

Outside of the UW-L Career Services office, it is quite a different story. Many majors do require some sort of internship in order to graduate. These work study programs may be called different things but it still boils down to the student gaining a portion of their education in a real life work environment. For some of these programs the students cannot be paid.

In some cases, the accrediting authority, the board that decides what is required to get your degree in a particular field of study, disallows pay to students if the work is to count for credit. And this is the case with some of the health professions, among other departments on campus. But that’s not to say this goes for all majors. All of this varies, of course, depending on which department a student is in.

Internships can be a great opportunity to gain experience in a field you are interested in. Even better if you can get into one that pays. Either way, just keep in mind, everyone has to start somewhere.

By Caleb BrownStaff Reporter

Who wants to work for free?The reality of unpaid, and even paid, internships

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Finals are upon us. Dun dun dun. Some of us have been cuffed in the face with four cumulative finals all in the 7:45 a.m. slots Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Some of us have also been blessed by the miracle that is a vacant finals week. Ev-eryone else falls in the middle somewhere. Now, beyond the notion that we probably should all have an equally rigorous finals schedule is something else; enter those who will bitch about the unavoidable. Seriously, complaining about finals is like grumbling about the weather; it is not going to do any-thing for you. So, to all the students who whine incessantly: most of us have finals too, we know you’re tired, you’re all bam-boozled by the material and you are really mad about missing wristbands. But please, for the sake of everyone in earshot, put your ear buds firmly in, fill your stomach with Monster and shush. I have to study.

As if I didn’t have enough worries last Sun-day night. It was 12:30 a.m. before I real-ized that my Art Appreciation final project was due the next day bright and early at 8 a.m. In a mode of sheer panic I ran to my car with my roommates on the classic late night Wal-Mart run. After stocking up on random craft goods that I guessed I could make a project out of; we hopped back into the car to get started. I turned onto La Crosse St. to make my entrance into my

parking lot across from the REC. As soon as I turned on my blinker to enter campus I saw it. Cherries and berries blinking in my rearview mirror. Awesome, as if I didn’t have enough on my plate. It wasn’t too long before there was a tap on my window ask-ing for my license and my motive for being out this night. After that, the polite gentle-men informed me that I was speeding. Really? Funniest part of this story you may ask? I was pulled over by campus police. Do they even have speedometers? Maybe I’ll never know, because I was let go with a “verbal warning.”

Bikers. Need I say more? No, but I have more to say. I understand that the weather is getting nicer, and you all feel compelled to dust off those wintery wheels and get them rolling yet again. But, do you really need to bike from Wimberly to Cowley? Or from the CFA to the library? Lazy. That’s what’s it’s called. Use the legs that were given to you and walk over there! Don’t take out poor, innocent pedestrians in an attempt to arrive somewhere 20 seconds earlier than if you walked. Be conscien-tious of your fellow classmates and don’t give them bruises from your handlebars as you whiz past them without so much as an, “I’m sorry.” How about you dust off those walking shoes and save the bike for the trails.

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YOUR OPINION How do you feel about unpaid internships? Visit www.theracquet.net and take our online poll today!

In the case of the 1982 season, the season was shortened from 16 to nine games and that year the playoffs included eight teams from each conference in an attempt to make up for the lost games and give everyone their fair chance.

Page 8 Thursday, may 5, 2011

Get creative with your search. While some volunteer opportunities may seem like they aren’t related to your field, the benefits are just below the surface.

LifeEtc.Emily KingFeatures Editorfeatures@theracquet.net

It’s that time of year again: time for the sun, the sand and the beach. While the first thing on most of our minds is some much needed rest and relaxation over summer break, it’s also a great opportunity to gain some valuable experience for the future. Here are three things you can do in just three months that can have a huge impact on your employability after graduation.

In today’s economic climate, the job market is very competitive. Having a summer internship on your résumé shows potential employers that you are motivated and have practical skills in your field. According to Karolyn Bald, member of UW-La Crosse Career Services, employers believe “past behavior predicts future behavior.” If you’re willing to put in the extra work now, it will make you a more competitive candidate in your future job hunt.

When looking for an internship, think about what you want to learn from the experience. Try to find one that will give you lots of opportunities to learn and grow in your field through hands-on work. Also, “if you want to do more, let your employer know. They love to hear your ideas,” said Bald. Employers see interns as regular staff members, and “once you see yourself as a professional, you will start to act like one.”

Check out UW-L’s Eagle Opportunities, where you can search for internships. You can also upload your résumé and apply with just a click.

Volunteering is another great way to gain some work experience. Non-profit organizations are always in need of help, and you can feel good about donating your time to a worthy cause. Many nonprofits also have a paid staff, anvolunteering there can be a good way to get your foot in the door for a future internship or job.

Get creative with your search. While some

volunteer opportunities may seem like they aren’t related to your field, the benefits are just below the surface. Volunteering shows that you are passionate and motivated. According to Bald, volunteering can be a very valuable experience to employers, “as long as you can talk about it in an interview.”

Highlight the skills you’ve gained as a result of your volunteer experience.

A great place to start looking for volunteer opportunities in the La Crosse area is the Leadership and Involvement Center’s Community Agency Guide.

Is there something in your field that you’re passionate or curious about? Believe it or not, you can turn that into an individual project and earn credit toward your degree for researching something that interests you.

An individual project is a great thing to be able to show to potential employers. Once your project is complete, you will have concrete evidence of your abilities that you can add to your portfolio or share in a job interview. Bald cautions, “don’t just write ‘Project’ on your résumé. You need to sell that experience.” Be sure to detail all the skills you gained from that project.

Individual project requirements differ between majors. Check with your advisor for more details.

A lot can happen in just three months. With a little extra initiative, you can have a great summer vacation while significantly enhancing your résumé and making you a more competitive candidate for future jobs. Now is the time to take advantage of all the opportunities at your fingertips. Whether it’s an internship, volunteering or individual project, employers will be impressed by all of the skills you’ve learned through your experiences.

For résumé help, visit the friendly Career Services staff at 54 Cartwright Center.

Résumé need a facelift?Three ways to get a professional edge over the summer

By Kelsey KoppAssociate Reporter

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LifeEtc.Meghan O’ConnorAssistant Features Editormoconnor@theracquet.net

Tips on staying focused and organized

Wouldn’t you like to build your résumé this summer just by talking, hanging out and relaxing with some friends? Volunteering as an ESL conversation partner gives you that exact opportunity, and the only requirement is to exercise your vocal chords.

From May 23 until July 14, international students and native English speakers will meet up to simply chat. Jacob Krueger, the Summer Coordinator for the program, ex-plains that all international students must pass an English exam before being able to fully pursue credits toward a major or mi-nor. Those students who need to improve their English are enrolled in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program and then are gradually introduced into mainstream classes.

The Conversation Partner Program is just one of the many courses that ESL students participate in. Conversation partners will meet Monday through Friday in the after-noon on campus for 45 minutes. It is sug-gested that volunteers come to two sessions a week.

“It’s super informal and casual,” said Krueger, who is currently a conversation partner. “The goal is for ESL students to practice casual conversation with their peers.”

Besides the obvious goal of bettering their English, this program helps the international students integrate into campus culture. “It gives them people to recognize on campus and helps with their interactions with na-tives,” said Krueger.

The benefits of the program don’t only go to the international students, however. As Krueger notes Education students gain prac-tice working with multicultural students in an educational setting, and Teaching English

to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) students are able to get internship credit. Volunteers can be in any field of study, and all will gain a unique experience of getting involved on campus to add to their résumé.

Making friends with international stu-dents can have its perks. It provides con-nections when traveling abroad. They are the best resource for advice on their home country when planning a foreign excursion.

Chatting with transnational friends of-fers everyone involved a new perspective. “It’s surprising what you learn,” said Krueger, a Spanish major and TESOL minor. “You learn so much about differences and simi-larities between countries.”

People can become conversation partners at any time throughout the program, but those wishing to participate as volunteers are encouraged to contact Jacob Krueger by May 15 in order to prepare for a meeting on May 19. For more information or to sign up, Krueger can be reached via email at krueger.jaco@uwlax.edu.

Becoming an ESL conversation partnerVolunteering with your voice box

The home stretch is in sightBy Meghan O’Connor

Assistant Features Editor

With the dreaded final exams just days away, it’s time to buckle down and push through. Because when all is said and done, summer vacation awaits us. This is traditionally a very stressful time in a student’s career, but with the right stress relievers and study tips, hopefully it won’t seem so overwhelming.

Just remember that your world will not come crumbling down if you do poorly on an exam. Keep everything into perspective and just put your best foot forward. Excessive stress will make you go crazy and result in poor results on your exam. Just keep calm.

Time Management: We’ve all heard this before, but it really is all about planning! Set up a “To Do” list for every day to help minimize your daily stress. Just remember to stick with the schedule! We all know how

rewarding it is to cross something off that list!Study Breaks: Make sure you schedule

study breaks into your planning. You will go crazy if you study non-stop for five days. Give your body and your mind a break. They will need it.

Eat: This may seem like a minial task, but it really does make a difference in how you study. If you are on a diet, forget it for finals week. Eat whatever makes you relaxed and comfortable.

Take advantage of study sessions and study sheets: Be careful with these; they aren’t there to replace studying, but they are there to provide extra help. Put in the extra time and work, and it will pay off.

Prioritize: You need to decide which class needs to be your priority and which class is going to need the most attention. Consider this when you start your finals study schedule.

Exercise: Students at UW-La Crosse

are known for exercising, so don’t cut this out of your schedule during finals week. It helps to relieve stress and in preventing any unforscene freakouts that may occur due to high stress situations.

All-nighters are no-brainers: Especially if it is the night before the exam. Refrain from staying up all night. Sleep deprivation will hurt you cognitively, causing concentration, reaction time and decision skills to become weakened (All necessary tools when taking an exam). An all-nighter will result in poor test performance.

Avoid excessive caffeine: Some side effects of caffeine are restlessness, rambling flow of thought and speech, gastrointestinal disturbance, nervousness and muscle twitching. The rebound let-down and fatigue actually make you feel more tired.

There is a best time to sleep: You need a minimum of three hours of sleep each night, and the best time is between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Your body heat is lowest from 3 a.m. to 4a.m. You are drowsiest then, and your memory retention is extremely poor. Sleep helps the mind absorb and retain the information you learned while studying.

Form a successful study group: Making a study group with fellow classmates is extremely beneficial when approaching finals. But be conscious of who you ask to be in your study group. Make sure that it isn’t a group of your closest friends because the chances of actual work getting done is slim to none.

Finals are a difficult time in the semester, especially when summer is sitting at the finish line. Use all of your resources and don’t hesitate to meet with professors; they will be more than willing to help in any way. Remember, they want you to succeed! Try some of these tips and hopefully you will see the results you want.

At a Glance: What: Become an ESL conversation

partner

Who: Native English speakers, any major

When: May 23-July 14, 45 minute sessions

Contact: Jacob Krueger, krueger.jaco@uwlax.edu

Your guide to failing an exam

2. Show up to the exam wearing slippers and a

bathrobe.

5. Try to get everyone in the room to do the wave.

4. Every five minutes stand up, collect your things and

move to another seat to continue the exam.

7. Bring with you your “lucky” stuffed animal, and pray to it occassionaly during the

exam.

10. Wear a gorilla costume and pass out bananas prior

to the final.

8. Finish the exam in 20 min. and talk about how easy it

was on your way out.

9. Get deliveries of pizza, candy and flowers

throughout the exam.

1. Make a paper airplane out of your exam, and aim at

your instructors face.

11. If the exam is for English, answer with numbers and

equations, if it’s math write in essay format.

12. Have an alarm set on your phone every five minutes.

13. Throw things around the classroom whenever possible. Blame it on the

person next to you.

14. Right before you turn in the exam rip it up in front of the professor and run away.

15. Bring a wad of gum and proceed to blow huge

bubbles throughout the course of the exam.

By Ashley AtkinsonStaff Reporter

19. Draw a picture on the exam.

20. Bring cheerleaders to boost your confidence.

2+2= 4

6. Shout obscenities every five minutes.

3. Use Crayons or markers to complete the final.

16. When the instructor finishes passing out the

exams, eat it.

When you’re going into a final knowing that you’ll be back in the fall, the last thing you want to do is take that exam. Let’s have

some fun.

17. Fall asleep within the first five minutes and snore

loudly.

18. Bring a Game Boy and play on maximum volume.

Disclaimer: The Racquet is not encouraging students to act in an obnoxious manner during finals week. The purpose of this list is to provide a laugh for students during a

stressful week of exams.

The Racquet’s special 16 page graduation magazine issue can

be found on stands May 12.

Increase name recognition on campus and at the graduation ceremonies, attract

visitors to your business, and gain that ever-crucial edge over your competition.

A business that doesn’t advertise to students might as well just

lock its doors for good. Contact sales@theracquet.net

“Like” our page on facebook! We’re so close to 700!

www.facebook.com/theracquet

Page 10 Thursday MAY 5, 2011

LifeEtc.

Tim Harris and Dan Radke rehearse one of the play’s nine scenes. Almost, Maine will be performed at the La Crosse Community Theatre every Thursday-Sunday Jan. 28-Feb. 13.

Making the world better One couch at a time

Norway and South Africa may be short on commonalities at the surface level, but a closer examination can reveal something more. Each country contains hundreds of CouchSurfers. Perusing the grand expanse of the world wide web, one is almost guaran-teed to stumble across the oddities that are our fellow human beings, but on occasion we find a connection that goes beyond wires and screens. Thanks to CouchSurfing.org you can find these bonds all across the globe as you bounce from couch to sofa, from sofa to divan, and from divan to chesterfield.

CouchSurfing is just how it sounds. Peo-ple sign up on the web site and then search for the country or state they would like to visit and browse through the many individ-uals who offer up their furniture. Not only that, there are options to of course offer your couch, but the populace of this organization can also say you’ll meet up for a coffee or a drink. There are 835,005 couches avail-able according to the most current statistics, and 601,676 members are up for a trip to a bar or coffee shop. There are also 523,761 CouchSurfing members who are traveling at the moment.

This organization is an international non-profit network that unites explorers to locals in 230 countries and territories. The mission of CouchSurfing is to create inspir-ing experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating. These experiences take many forms. Couch-Surfing’s initial focus was on hosting and “surfing” (staying with a local as a guest in their home). Alongside these core experi-ences, they now also facilitate a growing ar-ray of activities and events. They have a vi-sion of a world where everyone can explore and create meaningful connections with the people and places they encounter. Each CouchSurfing experience shared by their members brings them closer to that vision.

CouchSurfing is not just about finding a free place to crash. It was created with the true intention of generating connections between folks who would otherwise spend their entire lives not knowing at all. It is also about breaking cultural barriers and enrich-ing lives through the experiences of cultural exchanges.

Kyle Westbrook, a CouchSurfer in La Crosse, said, “I joined CouchSurfing be-cause traveling is awesome! Seeing new places from a local person’s point of view is a great experience. Going to tourist attrac-tions in different places is neat, but having someone familiar with their city or area that can show you all the unknown restaurants and parks and nightclubs is much better in my opinion. Those same reasons are why I love hosting travelers. I also really enjoy hearing about where other people have been and getting to know new people.”

CouchSurfing is completely funded by donations. Some CouchSurfers choose to get verified, which is an identity check that includes a donation. Others make indepen-dent or additional donations to the organi-zation. One positive experience between members costs only 24 cents in CouchSurf-ing operating costs.

Westbrook said, “My most memorable experience is definitely the 2010 Organic Farming Conference. I had five CouchSurf-ers that weekend. Unfortunately, the ceil-ing in my living room had a massive leak from the apartment upstairs and furniture and floors were soaked for days. So we had a mass slumber party in my bedroom with the five CouchSurfers, me and a couple cats. It was a blast!”

CouchSurfing is run by people all over the world. Casey Fenton, their current Ex-ecutive Director, launched the site in Janu-ary 2003 with the help of a few co-founders. They measure their success level through statistics. Since 2004, over 3.2 million suc-cessful CouchSurfing stays have been re-corded between its 2.8 million surfers and over 3.2 million new friendships. Members had reported over 5.1 million positive expe-riences, which is 70 percent of all Couch-Surfing experiences.

With that said, many people may won-der if this is a safe venture. The members of this organization stay with strangers and let strangers stay with them. CouchSurfing describes this as a tight-knit community full of people who help protect themselves and sharing information. The creators de-scribe it as something that is more akin to meeting a friend of a friend since you are able to gain a lot of information about them beforehand and are quick to remind us that we will know more about these folks than those we meet on a train or in a hostel. They have a variety of features that allow mem-bers to leave comments about those they’ve stayed with and are able to vouch for their honesty. CouchSurfing provides as much information as they can to ensure the great-est amount of safety for its members.

Westbrook said, “Most college students don’t have a ton of extra cash laying around for traveling, and CouchSurfing is a great way to travel for cheap. Staying at some-one’s house is definitely cheaper than hotels, and you get to make new friends and maybe cook an awesome meal together. Several people that I’ve hosted have come back to stay more than once, and it’s so great to get to spend more time with them and get to know them even better. It’s also great for college students because you can get to know places that you might end up living or working in after graduation. It’s stress-ful enough to move and start a new job, so knowing the area ahead of time will defi-nitely make it easier.”

The average age of a CouchSurfing mem-ber is 28 and most are between the ages of 18 and 24. So if you are looking for a fun and meaningful experience over the summer but don’t have the funds for a plane ticket or a swanky hotel, go to CouchSurfing.org for more information or to start a profile.

All St r Lanes

Now Hiring Bartenders - Call Daron at 608-788-7827

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Buck Nights$1 Games, Shoes,

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By Emily KingFeatures Editor

Top 10 Couchsurfing

Cities

1)Paris2) London3) Berlin

4) Istanbul5) Montreal

6) Vienna7)Argentina

8) Buenas Aires9) New York

10) Barcelona

Top 10 CouchSurfer

Spoken Languages

1) English2) French

3) Spanish4) German5) Italian

6) Portugese7) Chinese8) Russian9) Dutch

10) Polish

Courtesy myspace.com/mhoganphoto

Top 10 Couchsurfing

Countries

1) United States2) Germany

3) France4) Canada5) England

6) Italy7) Spain8) Brazil

9) Australia10) China

THE RACQUET IS HIRING! E-MAIL

EDITOR@THERACQUET

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE POSITIONS.

Page 11Thursday, May 5, 2011

SportsSpotlightIsaac LindahlSports Editorsports@theracquet.net

By Allen KnappenbergerStaff Reporter

Player Pro� le: Katie McDonald

Are you a sports fanatic?

The Racquet is hiring sports reporters!!

apply online at theracquet.net, or pick up an application outside

of room 231 Cartwright.

By Ryan PomereningSenior Reporter

Tennis. Just another sport for a rainy day when nothing good is on television. � is thought crosses every sport fanatic’s mind when they can’t seem to � nd their � x of high scores and daily smack-downs. But if one takes a closer look at the UW-La Crosse Women’s Tennis team, they may � nd more than they expected.

� is past week the Women’s Tennis team placed second at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Automatic Qualifying Tournament at UW-Whitewater. No one on the team is disappointed with this � nish. In fact, some are very excited about how they did in the tournament and with the season.

“Our record this season is 21-5, and we set a school record this year,” senior Katie McDonald said. It’s hard to be upset with a second place � nish when the team set a school record and obtained a winning season.

With a 21-5 season, one has to wonder what the team atmosphere is like. “� e atmosphere is great. � e whole team gets along really well and everyone is really supportive of each other. We have a lot of fun together,” McDonald said. Having teammates like this would make anyone want to work hard and do their very best.

Team camaraderie doesn’t just happen inside practices and matches. It happens outside, away from school, away from classes, and away from coaches. “� e team is very close and we hang out quite a bit outside of tennis. Before meets, we usually get together the night before and have dinner,” McDonald said.

True friendships and unbroken bonds are formed when you become a UW-L tennis

player. Spending time together in and out of practice has proven to be worth the time and energy. McDonald has taken all four years of her collegiate career and dedicated them to this sport. It paid o� greatly in one season when she took � rst place in the WIAC tournament at the number three spot; her greatest accomplishment to date.

For those who want to try out,

McDonald has some advice. “It was an awesome experience and I am so glad I decided to play. It really made my college experience better and the team is really great at welcoming incoming players. It was a very rewarding experience and I would highly recommend trying out for this team if you love playing tennis. Everyone gets along great and is very supportive. � e entire team is really hard working and we have a lot of fun together.”

Hard work is no stranger to McDonald. She is a Biology major with a biomedical concentration and a Spanish minor. With demanding schoolwork she found the time to play tennis and be great at both.

Even though McDonald will be graduating in two weeks, she has a strong prediction for the team.

“I think the team will be very strong next year; we have a great group of girls and they are all very hard-working and dedicated to playing their best each and every match. I wish them the best of luck next fall!”

� is positive focus from a team leader is what drove the team to such a successful season. Support is the game and these girls know how to serve it.

McDonald had a few parting words she wanted to leave with the team.

“� ese last four years have been a great experience and lots of fun. � ey [the team] have the skill and determination to win every match that they play, no matter how hard the other team is. � ey are very talented and always give 100 percent when they play. It has been so much fun getting to know all of the girls this year, and they have made my senior year really great. All of the girls on the team are awesome, and I wish them the best of luck this coming fall season!”

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Part time

True friendships and unbroken bonds are formed when you become a UW-L tennis player.

It was yet another chilly spring day when the Eagles baseball team took the � eld last Wednesday. � e conference match-up against UW-Superior also acted as Senior Day for four members of UW-La Crosse’s squad.

In what ended up being two very di� erent games, the Eagles managed to split the series, giving away the � rst one 8-3, but coming back in game two to win a 1-0 shutout.

� e � rst game started in UW-L's favor, as they scored three runs in the � rst two innings. Tim Verthein was on the mound for UW-L and maintained a shutout through the � rst two innings. But Superior found their stride in the third inning, scoring two runs to cut UW-L's lead to only 3-2.

From that point on the game was all Yellow Jackets. Verthein was pulled from the mound in the � � h in favor of junior Garrett Scray. � e Eagles' fortunes did not improve a� er the pitching change, as they gave up � ve runs, with three of them being earned. Little production came from the o� ense a� er the fast start, producing only three hits in the last six innings and no runs.

Key performers for the Eagles include 2-4 days from Jay Fanta and Adam Cordova.

Garrett Scray would take the loss for UW-L, falling to 3-3 on the season. � e loss would mark only the fourth loss in the last 21 meetings the Eagles have had against UW-Superior.

In second game, UW-L pitcher Bryant Rude was anything but polite in the way he handled the Superior o� ense. � e senior had 13 strikeouts in the contest with no walks, and he scattered six hits in eight strong innings of work for the le� -hander.

Superior was able to match the e� ort early on, turning the game into a true pitching

duel between UW-L's Rude and Superior's Nate Bursik. UW-L o� ense was paced by lead-o� man Cole Cefalu, who went 2-4 for the day, with the game's only RBI.

During the seventh inning, a� er third baseman Brett Jacobson led o� with a single for the Eagles, right � elder Connor Krohn made a sacri� ce bunt to move Jacobson to second.

A� er a pop-up to the shortstop by Cory Geary, Cefalu came up with the clutch single that would drive in what would end up being the game-winning run.

A� er a quick eighth inning, head coach Chris Schwarz made the call to the bullpen to bring in right-hander Zach Lauersdorf to close out the game. � e junior would pick up his sixth save of the season, working a � awless inning and striking out one.

� e Eagles return to action Friday, May 6 at UW-Whitewater starting at 1 p.m.

Nothing but “Rude” to UW-Superior Yellow Jackets

Event info › What: Softball vs WIAC Tournament

› Where: TBD

› When: May 6 & 7 at TBD

› What: Men’s & Women’s Track at WIAC Outdoor Championships

› Where: UW-Platteville

› When: May 6 & 7 at Noon

› What: Men’s & Women’s Track vs. UW-L Invitational

› Where: Veteran’s Memorial Sports Complex

› When: May 13 at 4 p.m.

› What: Softball vs WIAC Tournament

› Where: TBD

› When: May 6 & 7 at TBD

McDonald

Rude

“It was a very rewarding experience and I would highly recommend trying out for this team if you love playing tennis.”

Katie McDonaldSenior Tennis PlayerSenior Tennis Player

Eagles split double-header with UW-Superior

GrinBin Thursday, MAY 5, 2011Page 12

$5Large Sub

After 2PM

SuDoKU: CHALLENGE THYSELF

+/- Props to Easter candy going on clearance the day after Easter. Drops to eating entire bags of robin

eggs and feeling sick!

+/- Props to Topperstix for only being $5 this week. Drops to only having 16 quarters and a dime

to buy them.

+/- Props to keystone for being so delicious. Drops to it being a whole $13.

+/-Props to Mifflin. Drops to AT&T for providing awful service.

+/- Props to winning. Drops to oh my god can’t handle it.

+/- Props to going to Campus Candy on State Street in Madison. Drops to spending $16 on a bag

of candy.

- Drops to having to take down my own loft bed.

+/- Props to moving out of Coate Hall. Drops to not getting into Eagle and having to live in Sanford

next year.

+/- Props to joining intramural softball. Drops to spraining my ankle during the first game.

+ Props for not having any actual finals during finals week.

+/- Props to getting discounted Milwaukee Brewers tickets from a rep. Drops to overdrawing my

checking account for it.

+ Props to only having one final during finals week.

+/- Props to getting to Madison late Friday night, but still having enough time to go out. Drops to the only parking garage that was open charging $5 an

hour.

CrOsSwOrD CrAzY

Across1 "___ La Douce"5 Flower part10 Wound reminder14 Blessing15 "Zorba the Greek" setting16 Italian man17 Overstate19 Actor Kristofferson20 Former place for executions

in London21 Fortifications23 Mother of Apollo25 "The Mask" star26 Ore analysis29 Game with tiles31 Look sullen32 Agent, for short33 Woodwind player36 Boston Bruins legend37 Official reprimand39 Opus ___40 Verb-turned-noun42 "No ___, ands or

buts!"43 Fido's reward44 Sherry type46 Encloses47 Assemble, as

troops48 Self-pleased50 Italian noble

woman52 Wild parties56 Mineral deposit57 Outline59 Junkie60 All done61 Bristle62 Resting places63 Portals64 Eliot Ness, e.g.

Down1 "A likely story!"2 Classic theater name3 Biblical land4 Not curved5 Bloodhound's trail6 "To ___ is human ..."7 Juicy fruit8 Tack on9 "Six Million Dollar Man" star10 Indonesia's first president11 Island in the Philippines12 Friendship13 One of TV's Friends18 Western writer Zane22 Deep-space mission24 Portent26 Sleep like ___27 Achy28 Encircled30 Orbital point32 Set right34 Dispatch35 Binds37 $100 bill38 Alien craft41 Heavy coats43 Largest45 "Twelfth Night" duke46 Esteemed teacher47 Elk49 States of mind50 Cudgel51 Ray of films53 Account entry54 Blues singer James55 Actor Connery58 That woman

Last week’s Answer

Look online for this week’s answers at

www.theRacquet.net