University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow Thanks Firefighters

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a school in transition.

Fall semester turns a page for UW-L, from a year complicated by budget cuts and structure fires to a calendar year filled with new students, new faculty and a changing campus.

More than 400 people gathered at UW-L's Graff Main Hall on Wednesday for Chancellor Joe Gow's yearly address to faculty, staff and students.

Before he mentioned plans for the fall semester, he offered thanks to

La Crosse firefighters, some of whom were in attendance. "They did such a fantastic job," Gow said. "We want to show our gratitude."

The university suffered two major building fires last school year. A January fire in the basement of Drake Hall rendered the building uninhabitable and forced university officials to find new homes for 271 students.

Then in June, an unrelated fire in the basement of Wittich Hall forced university officials to close the academic building.

Both facilities have been cleaned and repaired and will be ready for the new school year.

Freshman enrollment broke records in 2011, as UW-L welcomed 1,950 first-year students. UW-expects to add about 1,900 freshman and 525 transfer students this year.

Meanwhile, the university is still coping with $10.4 million in cuts in Wisconsin's current two-year budget, plus an additional $2.8 million in so-called budget "lapses" -- money returned to the state.

Strong enrollment has helped limit the potentially harmful effects of budget cuts, said Bob Hetzel, UW-L vice chancellor for administration and finance.

"We'll be able to manage this year's lapse without making cuts on campus," Hetzel said.

The campus has undergone a number of changes over the summer. Some are hard to miss, Gow said.

--The lighting is better.

New outdoor lights across campus offer increased energy efficiency and brighter walkways at night.

"I think they're going to feel safer on campus at night," Gow said.

--The food is different.

New dining options this year are the result of a food service switch from long-time provider Chartwells to Sodexo. But students won't just be eating new foods. Meal plans will be cheaper, with fewer restrictions for students living in UW-L residence halls.

--The Internet is faster.

Technology staff improved the university network's bandwidth and added about 300 wireless access points across campus.

Gow also announced a new seven-year campaign to raise $15 million for student scholarships -- starting in January -- and shared news of Eagle Hall, UW-L's newest residence hall, receiving LEED Gold certification for sustainable building design.

Also speaking at the event was UW Board of Regents President Brent Smith of La Crosse.

Regents will consider pay raises for all UW System faculty and staff later this year, Smith said. Even if regents approve a pay hike, the proposal still needs support from state lawmakers and the governor. A system-wide pay increase hasn't happened since 2008.

Smith alerted the audience to the growing salary gap between UW institutions and competitors. A pay increase would help colleges keep and attract quality educators, Smith said.

"It cannot continue," he said. "It is the greatest threat we have."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service