Community Connections
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater prides itself on helping the community, this is done by students, staff, faculty and departments.
Below you can read stories about how the University has benefited our community!
At the beginning of the academic year First Year Experience holds a Warhawk Welcome for incoming freshman. They hold an event called “Hawk Fest”, which is an informational fair featuring student organizations, Whitewater businesses, and university resources. First Year Experience works with dining services to allow for food and beverage samples to be distributed from local businesses. This leads to freshman being educated on what is available in Whitewater, along with businesses getting to promote themselves to new students.
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UW-Whitewater Dining Services partners with local businesses to bring local food to campus. This, in turn, promotes local businesses to University students, faculty, staff and other community members due to public events being held on campus. Some events include using local vendors for Summer on the Mall, the summer concert series and for Young Auditorium events. This relationship is a great way to show how UW-Whitewater and the community collaborate.
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UW-Whitewater Dining services are open to everyone: students, faculty, staff and community. They have a variety of locations around campus, with a variety of food choices. Dining Services has been known to hold special events such as National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, along with Esker Dining Hall being used for the annual “Breakfast with Santa” community event put on by the Optimist Club. This is great way for the community to join their kids, grandkids, spouse, friend, etc. for a meal on campus.
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When you are a student without a vehicle, working can be a struggle. But, with the agreement between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Lavelle Industries, working is a breeze. The University provides a Warhawk Shuttle to and from Lavelle Industries to help expand access to employment for Whitewater students. The Shuttle operates during the academic year. It provides services to Lavelle from the University’s Visitor’s Center, and it departures at 4pm, 8pm, and midnight, Monday-Friday. This is a beneficial process for the University students and Lavelle Industries.
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Improving water quality and reducing discharge of sediment and phosphorus to Steel Brook, Scuppernong River, and Bark River is a top priority. This is why UW-Whitewater joined a venture with the City of Whitewater, in 2015-2016, to apply for a grant and help fund a Stormwater Plan. The Grant from the Department of Natural Resources covered 70% of the costs. Then, the City paid 80% of the remaining balance and the University covered the remaining 20%. This venture benefited the entire Whitewater community by improving water quality.
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Being educated about Financial Aid is important for everyone to know, especially if you, your child, or someone you know is thinking about attending college. This is why the UW-Whitewater Financial Aid Office presented at 13 regional High Schools on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and general financial aid information. Along with participated in College Goal Wisconsin, which is a national event that provides FREE information and assistance to families who need to complete FAFSA. By having access to FAFSA information, it is easier for families/individuals to plan for the future.
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UW-Whitewater takes pride in advancing Financial Literacy within the University and the community. This is why the University partakes in Money Smart Week, where presenters/professors/professionals educate students, staff, and other members of our community on how to effectively manage their money. This is a great program to benefit everyone by teaching a fundamental skill.
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Having an active 24/7 Police Communication Center for the City of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater is very important. In 2013 there was a need for more monetary resources, as the Communication Center was understaffed and low on resources to provide for both the City and UW-Whitewater. Due to this need, UW-Whitewater and the City agreed that the University would pay 1/3 of the contributions needed to run the Communication Center. With this agreement in place, the City of Whitewater can better serve its citizens.
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Providing a safe environment for individuals in an emergency situation can be challenging. This is why UW-Whitewater partnered with Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater to provide temporary housing as best as they can for residents of Fairhaven if an emergency situation was to arise. Fairhaven has also agreed to assist UW-Whitewater in an emergency by providing any additional supplies upon request. This partnership mutually benefits both parties and shows how important it is to help others when needed.
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UW-Whitewater Police Services and Whitewater Rescue Squad created an alliance to better serve our students, staff, faculty, and visitors of UW-Whitewater. Whitewater Rescue Squad agreed to train UWW Police Services in how to properly administer Naloxone (Narcan), a medicine used to prevent opioid overdose. The Rescue Squad will also replace the medication and supplies if the UWW Police Service have to administer the medication. This alliance between UWW Police Services and Whitewater Rescue Squad benefits the community by protecting individual’s lives who are at risk.
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Jefferson County Human Services Department and Jefferson County law Enforcement collaborate with each other, along with UW-W, to ensure that “Adult-at-Risk” reporting is done properly. This collaboration ensures: sharing of available knowledge and resources, elimination of duplication of services, effective system of client referral, assessment and response, and a shared commitment to victim safety and holding abusers accountable. This collaboration is in place so everyone can work and live in a safe environment.
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Jefferson County created guidelines for Law Enforcement to follow when handling sexual assault in Jefferson County. These guidelines are there to ensure: consistency and coordination between community agencies and departments, provide a comprehensive set of recommended practice responses to sex crimes, and strengthen responses to sex crimes. Law Enforcement is critical when running a University to keep everyone feeling safe and secure.
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The UW-Whitewater Police and the City of Whitewater Police have a mutual beneficial relationship. Here are a list of agreements, and there descriptions, that act as a Mutual Aid:
-Provision of Emergency Dispatch/Communication Services MOU: UWW police will investigate occurrences on campus, and the City of Whitewater will investigate ALL activities within Whitewater.
-UW-Whitewater and City of Whitewater Emergency Government MOU: Whitewater Emergency Government is able to use the UWW law enforcement channels to broadcast emergency situation.
-UW-Whitewater and City of Whitewater Police Response to Calls for Service on Leased Property MOU: If UW-Whitewater Police Department cannot respond to an incident at Cambridge Apartments, the City of Whitewater Police will respond.
-UW-Whitewater Police Department (UWWPD) and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO): UWWPD will assist with WCSO drug enforcement unit when available.
-Walworth County Crowd Control Unit MOU: Walworth County Sheriff’s Office shall maintain a Crowd Control Unit for the University and during a tactical incident the Unit shall work cooperatively with the Chief of Police or designated command officer.
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Having parking spaces available is always a struggle when running a University. This is why the City of Whitewater transferred ownership of Prairie Street to the Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System, after the development of a parking lot and reconstruction of the street and storm water system on adjacent sections of Prairie Street. The Board reimbursed the City of Whitewater for expenses associated with this project. Then the Board granted Prairie Street and the parking lot to UW-Whitewater. This lead to the benefit of students and visitors of the University having additional accessible parking.
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The City of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater have a beneficial relationship when it comes to University parking needs. In 2012 the University made a 10 year agreement with the City, that they would lease them 72 on-street parallel parking spots on Prince Street and 40 on-street parallel parking spaces on Prairie Street to provide parking for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The University, therefore, pays the City an agreed upon amount that will be used for city street repair and maintenance purposes. This was a great way for both the City of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater to collaborate with one another.
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During the UW-Whitewater Commencement Ceremony, Whitewater Police want to make sure they are prepared for all situations. For this reason they teamed up with Whitewater EMS to provide ambulance and EMT access, in case of an emergency. With the University and Whitewater EMS working together they can make sure all community members, students, and guests are safe.
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The University of Wisconsin Whitewater collaborated with the Whitewater Unified School District on how to handle an emergency evacuation. In case the Unified School District needs to evacuate, UW-Whitewater will provide temporary housing as best as they can for students, staff and visitors of the Unified School District. The Unified School District agreed to provide a temporary shelter, as best as they can, for UW-Whitewater within their Middle and High School. This collaboration will benefit both the University and the Unified School District if there was an emergency.
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"Helping your neighbors" has always been a popular attribute, and UW-Whitewater embodies this through their agreement with Walworth County. UW-Whitewater agrees to provide temporary office space as best as they can for staff and visitors of the City of Elkhorn Human Services if they need to be evacuated. This space would be available up to one month. A longer stay would require a negotiation. This agreement benefits the City of Elkhorn Human Services and the individuals that use their services.
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Job and internship searching can be challenging. This is why UW-Whitewater created the Hawk Career Fair. The Hawk Career Fair is held once every semester at the University and is open to all majors. Businesses can register for this event, for a fee, to recruit talented students and alumni. These businesses are from local places, along with other outside entities. This is a great way to benefit students/alumni in finding a career, along with businesses in finding hard working individuals.
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Looking for work during the summer or school year? Then Handshake is the place for you. Handshake is an online job board for UW-Whitewater students and alumni looking for jobs on and off campus, internships, or full-time positions. Employers from local business can post job openings on Handshake to attract talented students and alumni. This is a great benefit for both parties to find what they are looking for.
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Providing Whitewater area informational materials to students, families, and visitors are important. This is why the UC information desk partners with the Chamber of Commerce to cross-train and provide informational resources to everyone. This leads to everyone being more informed on what there is to do and see within the Whitewater community.
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When voting for elections it’s important to have easy access to a voting location, whether you are student away from home, or a local community member. This is why the UC Hamilton Room is a voting location for the presidential elections. By having this, it provides an opportunity for everyone to have a voice and vote.
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If you are holding a meeting or event and do not have a location, the University Center has a place for you. The UC has meeting rooms available for rent to the community. This can be a single event or series of meetings. In order to reserve the room, you must make a request to the University’s reservation office. This benefits the community by offering them a professional atmosphere to hold meetings.
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As a student, staying on top of your money is important. This is why the University created Purple Points. These are dollars you put on your Hawkcard to use on or around campus. The University offers local businesses (such as Cozumel, Culver’s, Domino’s, and many more) the opportunity to work through the Hawkcard office to accept Purple Points. This in turn leads to easier access to food for students, and higher profit for businesses.
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UWW Roberta’s Art Gallery partners with the Whitewater Arts Alliance to enhance the collaborative spirit for the arts within Whitewater. Roberta’s Art Gallery partners with the Art Alliance by sending promotions for their member newsletter, participating in the public art project each year, showcasing work from various Art Alliance members, and hosting a Whitewater Art Alliance member’s exhibit in the fall. Through this connection, all those who love the arts, student or community member, get the chance to express their stories.
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Roberta’s Art Gallery partners with Fairhaven Senior Services to bring residents to gallery events, which display student and faculty artworks, collections, and materials; along with bringing students over to Fairhaven to hold workshops. This is a great way to keep students and Fairhaven residents active.
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If you are planning a fun event, Warhawk Alley is the place for you. Warhawk Alley is open to the public and they offer bowling, billiards, video games, darts, and air hockey. They also offer Pizza Party Packages to make your event even more fun. This is a safe place for the community to gather together and have a fun time.
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If you are looking for a fun filled Saturday afternoon, check out the Warhawk Concert Series. This is a series of free concerts held in front of the stadium before UWW home football games. The concerts are open to everyone! This a great way for families and individuals to enjoy a fun concert in a safe and friendly environment.
Interfraternity Council started a Snow Shovel Assistance program to help those with disabilities. This includes shoveling around areas like crosswalks, so wheelchair bound individuals can push the crosswalk button. They have also expanded their assistance to the local Whitewater community, where those who need help shoveling their driveway or sidewalk can call and get assistance by a fraternity member. This is a great way to help those in our community get around Whitewater with ease.
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“Mission: Create and foster durable businesses and jobs through a close alignment of UW-Whitewater’s research and educational competencies and the resources of the City of Whitewater.”
The Innovation Center was created to help entrepreneurs start up their business and help provide entrepreneurial assistance, network, and preparation to raise capital. The Center also offers laboratory and office space, along with training and meeting space. This is a great way to benefit the Whitewater area by providing new and innovated businesses to the community.
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UW-Whitewater wants to make a difference to the world around them, which is why “Make a Difference Day” was created in 2005. “Make a Difference Day” is a day, or several days, where more than 200 UW-Whitewater students, faculty, and community members, partner with volunteers from Janesville and Whitewater to complete projects around the area. These projects have included cleaning up sidewalks and parking lots, painting sign poles, cleaning up downtown Janesville, and plenty more. This day has impacted thousands of volunteers and has accumulated more than 14,000 community service hours.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wants to support Nonprofit Groups and the City of Whitewater as a whole. This is why University Printing Services offers 33% lower rates for Nonprofit Groups and for events hosted by the City of Whitewater. By honoring this reduction in price, nonprofits and the City of Whitewater can better advertise their events and services.
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If you want to go to a UW-Whitewater event and see your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, friends, and more, Ticket Services is the place to go. They provide tickets to campus event, such as: Athletics, Theatre and Dance, Music, and community events held in the Young Auditorium. This is a great way to enjoy entertainment in a safe and friendly environment.
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