New Name, Same Great Service

We’re Saving You a Room

Visitor & Information Programs and UW Transportation Services partner in the management and operation of the Welcome Center Conference spaces located at 21 N. Park Street. Whether your event is a small gathering of business associates or a large-scale social event, the Welcome Center can help you make a lasting impression.

• Enjoy the flexibility of hosting a catered event for up to 200 people
• Stimulate ideas with state-of-the-art A/V equipment and facilities
• Take advantage of convenient on-site parking

For more information visit the Web site, email Welcome Center staff or call 608/262-4636.

Campus Spotlight

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) provides a wide variety of technology services to UW–Madison. Its services span desktop-to-server-to-mainframe computing, networks, telecommunications, Internet connectivity, administrative and academic systems, security, instructional technology, plus many support services. Below we have highlighted three of their services.

Located within the Student Center tab within My UW, the Degree Auditing Reporting System (DARS) report allows students of any major to easily determine which requirements have been fulfilled and which ones still need to be met. It also contains a breakdown of both overall and major GPAs. DoIT recommends that students request a DARS report at least twice each semester, once before registering and once after.

DoIT offers a variety of FREE and cost-effective software and technology training courses for students, faculty, and staff ranging from word processing to Web site design to database management. What’s more, classes are offered at a variety of levels, so both the software beginner and more proficient student have something to learn.

With the holidays just around the corner, don’t forget that DoIT’s Tech Store can help you find that perfect gift. By purchasing through DoIT, students, faculty, and staff receive a discount on cutting-edge technology. Look for great holiday specials on iPods and more this season!

Things to See and Do During the Holiday Season

Olbrich features a haven of holiday spirit

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus to appreciate all the magic of the holiday season at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Until December 31, the Olbrich Holiday Express show will feature a large-scale model train and holiday flower show housed in the center of the garden’s winter wonderland.

Madison parks offer frosty fun

Looking to make the most of the Wisconsin winter? Madison’s parks offer a wealth of options from cross-country skiing to ice skating to sledding to help you appreciate all the beauties of Wisconsin’s snowiest season.

Contact the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau for a complete listing of upcoming Madison-area events.

Think it’s too late to sign a lease for next year? Think again.

• There's no need to rush unless you have specific preferences, i.e., you are living with a large number of people who want to live in a specific location/street.
• Compare several units before signing a lease. The earlier you sign, the more likely your rent will be higher.
• Although the majority of fall vacancies are advertised December through February, many vacancies are advertised through the remainder of the spring semester and into the summer.

Streamline the process by conducting FREE searches on our Campus Area Housing Web site and compare hundreds of rental units offered by a variety of owners and management companies. To learn more about renting in Madison, check out our Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Housing in Madison or call 608/263-2400.

Keeping Parents Connected Focus of New Program

Parents will soon have a new way to connect with UW–Madison thanks to a multi-faceted initiative administered by VIP. The new Parent Program will coordinate UW–Madison’s communications with parents of current students and serve as parents’ first point of contact. These efforts will not only keep parents in the loop regarding what’s happening on campus, but more importantly, will educate parents regarding appropriate and effective ways they may contribute to and support their students’ success.

The first phases of the program, which are set to launch in late spring 2007, include a Web site as well as a parent “hotline” that will triage parent phone calls and e-mail inquiries. It is important to note that VIP will be working collaboratively with schools and colleges, student service units, and university departments in the development of this new program. To learn more, contact Nancy Sandhu, Parent Program Coordinator/VIP Assistant Director, at sandhu@uwmad.wisc.edu or 608/265-2008.

Ask Bucky Turns 10!

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Ask Bucky Email Service! In 1996, Ask Bucky was created to answer questions about the who, what, when, where, and why of life at UW–Madison from prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, visitors, and members of the university community. Thanks to all who joined VIP in celebrating Ask Bucky’s milestone on Tuesday, November 28. Congratulations to the winner of the free semester of textbooks compliments of the University Book Store, Johannah Durow. Congratulations also to our winners of the UW men’s and women’s athletic tickets: Camille Bruhn, Chris DuCharme, and Melissa Greulich. Remember—Got questions? Ask Bucky!

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If you have questions or comments about Navigator, please email newsletter coordinators Mitchell Bandur and Ivy Okoniewski.