Students will be back on UW Oshkosh campuses this fall
Students will return this fall to University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campuses at Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Fox Cities. With new safety precautions in place, the new semester will begin as planned Sept. 9.
UW Oshkosh campus a beautiful place to live and learn
We know campus life has been on hiatus at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh since March, but that’s going to change before long. It was announced in early June that students will return to the three UW Oshkosh campuses in the fall. To remind us what we’ve been missing, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite photos of UW Oshkosh looking sharp.
Click the image below to view photos from all three UWO campuses and all four beautiful seasons.
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Clash in action: UW Oshkosh mascot keeps Titans riled up
Students will return to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus in the fall and Clash the Titan, the face of UW Oshkosh Titans athletics since 2009, is ready for all the adventures a new school year brings.
Click the image below to view photos of Clash working hard to rally the Titan faithful around campus.
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Research gives students the opportunity to think and create outside the classroom
At the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, scholarly research and creative activities help hone students’ critical-thinking skills and contribute to their professional and personal development. Students who engage in this important work—work that allows them to think and create outside the walls of a classroom—can improve their information literacy, enhance their writing and communication skills and reap the benefits of collaboration.
Click the image below to view photos of UW Oshkosh students conducting and showcasing research.
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Students thank donors who supported Titans Rise campaign
When we asked our donor community to help support our students as they navigated the financial crisis presented by COVID-19, we were blown away by the response.
Our students needed help, and the Titan community rose to the occasion.
Because of our donors, the Titans Rise campaign raised $84,000 and has helped more than 250 students so far. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to say thank you.
If the powerful words of these students inspire you to make a gift to the Titans Rise campaign, please know that your contribution is needed and appreciated. Applications continue to arrive daily and nearly 500 students remain hopeful that they, too, will receive a grant.
Dear Class of 2020: A message from UW Oshkosh faculty and staff
On commencement day, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh faculty and staff typically gather at Kolf Sports Center to celebrate with the myriad of graduates, their friends and families. Even though a global pandemic moved the ceremony online and prevented us from being together in person, we’re still bursting with pride and ready to honor all that our graduating Titans have accomplished.
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Alumni share positive messages for UWO students
In this time of uncertainty and change, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni wanted to let current Titans know they are thinking of them and sending positive vibes their way.
UWO police captain develops mobile wellness app for law enforcement, hopes to save lives
A leader with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Police Department has developed a mobile application designed to help law enforcement officers who are impacted by the significant stresses of the job.
Capt. of Police Chris Tarmann said the free app he developed will provide a listing of mental health services for law enforcement professionals across the state, available at any time of day or night.
Tarmann created the mobile app through a partnership with AppArmor Safety as part of a personal project as a member of Class No. 7 of the Wisconsin Command College—a nationally accredited leadership and management development training program offered through the Wisconsin Department of Justice and University of Wisconsin. He expects the app to go live this fall.
Tarmann said his mission is simple: save law enforcement lives.
“When a person signs up for a position in law enforcement they’re making a lifestyle change,” Tarmann said. “It’s not a job, it’s not a career—it’s a new lifestyle. Police officers, correctional officers, probation and parole agents, deputies and so many others who work in this field ‘own’ everything they experience and they think they can’t show weakness or people will question whether they can handle the stress of the job.
“The app is a bridge built to connect law enforcement personnel to vetted and trusted resources 24/7/365 and it’s being built by a team of law enforcement professionals and partners who work closely with law enforcement,” he said.
Set to go live this fall, the app will have information and resources specifically meant to support police personnel and expand as a resource for anyone in a law enforcement field. It will provide ways to connect directly to peer support resources, chaplains and mental health professionals. Proactive wellness resources specifically geared for law enforcement personnel are built directly into the app focusing on nutrition, physical wellness, stress, sleep and spirituality.
“This generation of officers and their families are facing unprecedented challenges,” said Wisconsin Law Enforcement Death Response (LEDR) team coordinator and Appleton police chief Todd Thomas said. “If we don’t take care of the caregivers, they can’t take care of the rest of us. This app will give this generation immediate, free, reliable and confidential resources at the tip of their fingers—something they are accustomed to having.”
Law Enforcement personnel work around the clock and it’s often difficult to schedule appointments with wellness providers because they are working during the week or on third shift when it’s nearly impossible to get connected to a resource.
According to bluehelp.org there have been 819 law enforcement suicides in the U.S. since 2016, with 2019 being the highest year at 228 deaths.
Thomas said the app will be a “game changer” for law enforcement because the majority work for agencies that can’t afford or don’t have access to proper resources. The LEDR team will have oversight of the app and donors can go to LEDR to fund the app going forward.
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UW System introduces online behavioral health tool
The University of Wisconsin System introduced Aug. 3 a new online behavioral health tool,
SilverCloud, that offers self-guided programs for anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and resilience.
The tool is now available to faculty, staff and students at any time, on any device, and at no cost.
“While the behavioral health of our students, faculty, and staff has always been a high priority for the UW System, the current COVID-19 pandemic has put those needs into even sharper focus,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “We are working hard to find ways to provide these vital services to our UW community and this online tool is a great option.”
System experts have been broadly reviewing the behavioral health challenges facing students, the
availability of existing services and the need for additional services. The SilverCloud tool emerged as one of several strategies.
“The Board of Regents has made student behavioral health a top priority,” said Regent President Andrew S. Petersen. “We are pleased that SilverCloud will be available to our students, staff and faculty during the upcoming academic year, and we look forward to additional recommendations from our campus and
System experts.”
In April 2019, a UW System report showed a 55-percent increase in demand for behavioral health support since 2010. That report, in conjunction with other behavioral health indicators, led the System to create three work groups that focused on identifying solutions and approaches to mitigate the growing behavioral health needs of the UW community.
One work group reviewed crisis management services for students at risk of suicide or self-harm. A second looked at targeted interventions for vulnerable student populations, including veterans, students of color, and LGBTQ+ students. A third studied ways to foster healthy learning environments. The UW System Board of Regents will receive an update on this work at its meeting in October.
Based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles, the SilverCloud self-guided program allows individuals to manage day-to-day stressors personally and anonymously using interactive content and skill-building tools. Studies have shown that online cognitive behavioral therapy can provide an effective form of care for those who are highly motivated and experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. The program can supplement traditional therapy or campus mental health services, while some individuals may use it without seeing a counselor at all.
To sign up or find out more about the tool, visit: https://uwsystem.silvercloudhealth.com/signup
UW System’s Online Learning Initiative to strengthen online instruction, advising
The University of Wisconsin System and its 13 universities have embarked on an ambitious effort to strengthen online teaching and advising while ensuring students have access to the technology they need thanks to the generosity of a confidential donor.
The Online Learning Initiative is funded through a $2-million gift prompted by the rapid transition to remote instruction in March.
“Last March, our faculty, staff, and students did a great job adapting to online teaching, advising, and learning, and UW System laid the groundwork to make a rapid pivot successful,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “The Online Learning Initiative will give us the tools to get better.”
UW System universities are planning to welcome students back to campus this fall. But many classes will have an online component, and some will be taught completely online. The Online Learning Initiative supports the work of UW System campuses as they strive to achieve student success in this environment.
The initiative has four parts:
Faculty Professional Development: Continual faculty development focuses on best practices in online instruction, retooling existing courses, creating new materials across multimedia platforms, delivery of synchronous and asynchronous learning, and effective support for student learning. The Teaching and Learning Centers at each UW System university are leading professional development for faculty on each campus, with $1.5 million in financial support from the Online Learning Initiative.
Professional Development for Student Support Staff: Professional development will focus on best practices in student coaching and data-based intensive advising in online learning.
Needs-Based Access to Technology: Because some students do not have the financial means to access information technology, they will gain access to laptops and tablets, as well as Wi-Fi networks and hotspots. The Senior Student Affairs Officers from each UW System university are leading professional development for student support staff, as well as need-based access to technology for students, with up to $500,000 in financial support from the Online Learning Initiative.
Best Practices in Online Learning: UW Extended Campus delivered four professional development courses for faculty and student support staff, focused on best practices in online learning. Three courses relate to online course planning, development, and instruction, and one course relates to student coaching. As a result, UW System campuses may freely use the resources delivered by these courses. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has engaged in initial discussion with the Online Learning Initiative to determine how school districts all across Wisconsin may freely use these resources. The Online Learning Initiative also will develop a certificate program based on the courses so that any UW System faculty and student support staff member can become certified in online instruction and student coaching.
“The goal of this initiative is for faculty and staff at each campus to develop best practices in teaching and student support so that quality online education scales across the entire UW System, while also ensuring access and equity so that all students succeed,” said Anny Morrobel-Sosa, vice president for academic and student affairs. “UW System is proud to work with our campus partners on this important endeavor. We are excited to see the results this fall.”
Chancellor Leavitt will host Town Hall for alumni July 15
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will host a virtual Town Hall with Chancellor Andrew Leavitt specifically for Titan alumni and friends 4:30-5:30 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, July 15.
Titan alumni are welcome to join Chancellor Leavitt and Provost John Koker for an update on the University’s latest plans and actions taken in response to COVID-19, including information about academics, the campuses, financial support for students and the Titans Return framework for the fall.
The virtual Town Hall will be hosted on Collaborate Ultra with Brooke Tabbert ’04, UWO Alumni Association board president, moderating.
Alumni are encouraged to submit questions for Chancellor or Provost prior to the event. Questions can be submitted here.
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UW Oshkosh alumnus receives Rolfs Educational Foundation Award for teaching
Aaron Spaeth, a 2018 alumnus of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and teacher at Silverbrook Intermediate School in West Bend, recently was named as one of four award-winners in the 49th Annual Rolfs Educational Foundation Awards.
The awards honor exceptional teachers from elementary, middle level and high school and special services educators. Winners in each of the four categories receive $1,000.
In his nomination, Spaeth is described as dedicated and hard-working educator—enthusiastic in encouraging the love of reading and always looking for ways to appeal to even the most resistant reader.
The nominator said Spaeth brings in a variety of books, as well as strategies to best reach each student. Growth and achievement of his students is high year after year—in large part to his commitment to using best practices and individualizing instruction for students to reach them where they are.
Spaeth has developed English Language Arts action steps and facilitated professional development and helped set the direction for the building. His nominator said Spaeth is easy to work with and his co-workers can count on him for level-headed suggestions.
He is a graduate of the master of science in education-literacy program at UW Oshkosh.
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