Chancellor Richard Wells has declared Nov. 7–11, 2011 UW Oshkosh Nontraditional Student Week. The campus community and student organizations will celebrate with a week of activities and events.
The week coincides with the National Nontraditional Student Week and recognizes adult nontraditional students at UW Oshkosh. In honor and recognition of returning adult students, colleges and universities throughout the United States participate by hosting events and highlighting efforts that improve adult student services. The week is celebrated annually during the first full week of November.
Karen Heikel, assistant vice chancellor of the Division of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement (LLCE), said the designation is important for the University because the number of adult learners continues to climb.
“Nontraditional students make up a significantly increasing part of the campus community,” Heikel said. “Given their life history and experiences, nontraditional learners have a lot to contribute both in the classroom and in student activities.”
UW Oshkosh has nearly 3,000 nontraditional students, with more than 550 enrolled in online or hybrid courses through the Center for New Learning. Nontraditional learners are students who have transferred to UW Oshkosh from another school, started college later in life or returned to school after taking time off.
Ruth Freiburger, director of the Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) Office said the designation is “a supreme opportunity to recognize the hard work and contributions of returning adult students and the value they bring to our university community.”
Together with the ANSR Office and Center for New Learning, LLCE, the Nontraditional Student Organization (NTSO), and the Omega Kappa Honor Society will hold social events throughout the week.
Monday, Nov. 7, 2011
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Department and Organization Celebration, Reeve Union Concourse with free popcorn
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Department and Organization Celebration, Reeve Union Concourse
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Department and Organization Celebration, Reeve Union Concourse
- 6:30–9 p.m. 1980s Theme Party and Footloose screening, Halsey Science Center room 106
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Department and Organization Celebration, Reeve Union Concourse with free popcorn
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Department and Organization Celebration, Reeve Union Concourse
- 6 p.m. Omega Kappa Honor Society Induction Ceremony, Sage Hall room 1210
- 7 p.m. Veteran Art Jam and Reception, Steinhilber Gallery Reeve Union
In addition to the schedule of events, LLCE is sponsoring a week-long faculty appreciation campaign. Students are encouraged to write on postcards or fill out an online form recognizing faculty efforts that make UW Oshkosh more inclusive to nontraditional student needs.
Postcards are available in Dempsey Hall rooms 111, 323 and 313. The online form is available at www.uwosh.edu/llce. Messages to professors will be distributed Friday, November 11, 2011.
For more information on the schedule of events or the services UW Oshkosh provides adult nontraditional learners, visit www.uwosh.edu/llce or call (920) 424-1401.