Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 Now you know An extensive survey of low-income families in seven western Wisconsin counties show they face significant challenges in access to health care, reliable food supplies, transportation with insufficient income being the pervasive, underlying cause. West CAP, the West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc., based in Glenwood City, commissioned the survey through a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation. Some 930 households responded to the "Community Needs Survey," which was conducted by the Survey Research Center at UWRF. Residents responded from Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Piece, Polk and St. Croix counties. Coordinating the survey were West CAP's senior planner Patrick Pesek-Herriges and social assets director Robyn Thibado. In one of the most comprehensive surveys of challenges faced by low-income families, the SRC created a "hardship index" that measured problems in housing, transportation, legal issues, health care, child care or food and nutrition. According to the survey results, some 74 percent of low-income households experienced difficulties in at least one of these areas in the past year, with 18 percent reporting multiple problems. For more information about the survey, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/pa/2007/ 0712/1217072.htm. For a copy of the survey results, visit http://www.westcap.org/index.htm.          Falcon Daily:          recognized for          excellence by         Submit an item to Falcon Daily Subscribe to Falcon Daily Feedback on Falcon Daily  Visions and Values Web site. Strategic Planning Web site. Academic Affairs: • Excused class absences • Class cancellations • Faculty/staff searches • Retention, promotion, tenure notices • Governance committee meetings • Grants information • Graduate exams UWRF home page UWRF News Source "Perspectives," a column in the River Falls Journal by Chancellor Don Betz. UWS in the News "Doyle outlines plans for $150 million initiative to help expand bio-fuels and manufacturers," Rivertowns.net, Dec. 18. "University faculty, staff push for collective bargaining," Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Dec. 18. "$175 million gift for college grants," Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 18. "Municipalities' group to tackle state problems," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 17. To see news about the UW System from around the state, visit System’s clip sheet site to read the stories or to subscribe to the daily briefing. On Wisconsin The following is a digest of links to critical news and information sources for UWRF employees: The Wheeler Report. This is a daily listing of all news stories, editorials, and press releases affecting public issues in Wisconsin. WisPolitics.Com State public policy news with a political interpretation. WisconsinEye News. Wisconsin’s version of C-Span, with live coverage of the Legislature, with the State Supreme Court and Executive Branch soon to follow. UW System Board of Regents Audio. The Regents web cast their monthly meetings held on the first Thursday and Friday of each month. UWS/UWRF Budget. A handy index to the UW System executive and legislative advocacy information on our budget proposals, analyses, and maps, charts and graphs to support our positions. Wisconsin Legislature. This site contains legislators’ profiles, committees, bill digests, hearing schedules, and links to Web casts of floor and committee discussions.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."                                             -- Anne Frank Jerome presented Outstanding Service Award Chancellor Betz stands with Alumna Mary Ella Jerome who was presented the Outstanding Service Award during commencement on Saturday in Knowles. A 1974 UWRF graduate, Jerome's philanthropic efforts have allowed the music department to restore 12 Steinway pianos. Jerome’s continued dedication and service to music led her to create five scholarships awarded annually to UWRF students in music, agriculture or education. For more photos by Jens Gunelson, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/photo_archive/. Announcements Classified employees/supervisors:  All classified time sheets must be turned in by noon on Thursday, Dec. 20, for processing before the upcoming holiday. Late time sheets will not be processed until the following pay period. Thank you for your cooperation. The Information and Instructional Technology Council will meet Friday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Trimbelle Room 231, UC. The agendas, approved minutes, and more information about the Council and its activities can be found at http://www.uwrf.edu/iitc. The University Of Wisconsin Shared Financial System (SFS) will be down from noon  Feb. 8 until Feb. 19, 2008. SFS will be going through a significant program release/upgrade that will require that the system be down. During this time no payments or other transactions will be processed in SFS. This includes travel expense reimbursements, invoice payments, transfers, etc. Revenue deposits will continue to be accepted at the Cashier’s Office. In order to minimize the effects of the downtime, please make sure that current items that need to be processed are received in the Accounting Office no later than Feb. 6, 2008. WISDM will be available during the downtime, but no new information will be updated to WISDM. We will continue to communicate any additional  information regarding the proposed downtime as we get closer to Feb. 8.  Faculty and staff: Celebrating Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement 2008 (CRSCA) is quickly approaching. There will be limited time once classes resume in January to get your submissions in. Visit the CRSCA Web page for complete details and to submit your work. The CRSCA reception will be Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Davee Library atrium. The reception includes exhibits of scholarly and creative work produced by UWRF faculty and staff throughout 2007, live music and refreshments. We hope to see you there! Need help getting ready for FalconFile? Drop in to a Clean-up Clinic! More clinics are scheduled. Visit http://its.uwrf.edu/support/training/ for dates, times and location. Falcon Daily will  be taking a break over the holidays, too! It will publish on the following dates only: Thursday, Dec. 27; Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008; Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008; Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008; Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008;  and Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. It will resume daily publication on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. Upcoming Events Thursday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Abbott Concert Hall, KFA, Pizza and Obama. Join the Obama for America Campaign and the Black Student Union to learn about the political process and support Senator Barak Obama Democratic Nominee for President. Learn about the issues, get updates on the Democratic primaries, learn how you can get involved and make your voice heard! The Pizza is on us, Obama is for all of us! Visit http://www.barackobama.com/index.php. For updates on the UWRF event visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/UW-RiverFallsStudentsforBarackObama. Don't Forget Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., St. Croix Room 321, UC, Holiday and Winter Safety Training. Mike Moody and Pauline Williams from the River Falls Fire Department will provide tips for families on fire prevention during the holidays and winter months.  Blake Fry will also outline steps individuals and families need to take to be prepared for winter emergencies at home, in the car, and in the community.  All are welcome to attend. Contact Connie Smith at ext. 3344. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2 - 4 p.m., second floor, CSH, Sheue Keenan Retirement Reception. Please join us for refreshments to celebrate Sheue's 30 years of service to UWRF. Contact Kathy Sumter at ext. 3523. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 9 - 11 p.m., Riverside Commons, UC, Chancellor's Late Night Breakfast. .