Wednesday, Nov. 13, the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse Student Association (SA) met to hear from the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Vitaliano Figueroa and the Green Fund, swear in a first-year senator and pass two returning resolutions.
Figueroa introduced himself to SA and went over the areas of campus that he and student affairs oversee. These areas include athletics, counseling and testing, the Student Life Office, the Student Union, university centers, dining services, admissions and recruitment, the Campus Child Center, the Recreational Eagle Center (REC), residence life and the Student Health Center.
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Vitaliano Figueroa updated SA on the Student Affairs Office’s goals for the 2024-2025 academic year. Figueroa said their main focus is on students’ health, wellness and success.
Figueroa said Student Affairs hopes to maintain the Mindset and Performance Program for Student-Athletes, finish and install a new $1 million climbing wall during the spring semester, increase awareness and usage of the A9 Eatery for students with food allergies, address anxiety reduction and the importance of sleep through mindfulness training and increase student engagement in campus activities and services.
Senator Simpson asked Figueroa if there is a possibility of extending access to the Student Health Center during summer and winter terms for students who are not actively enrolled for those specific terms. Due to the nature of the university’s partnership with Mayo Clinic, extending access in this way would not be financially feasible, he answered.
After Figueroa’s final remarks, Sustainability Manager Andrew Ericson and Green Fund Coordinator Caroline Ingwell spoke to SA about the Green Fund at UWL. The Green Fund was started in 2008 to provide grants for projects that would improve campus sustainability.
Ericson said the improvements are funded by student segregated fees; Exactly $10.83 of the tuition paid by students each academic year is designated for the fund.
Ericson then explained the application review process and evaluation criteria for proposed projects seeking grants through the Green Fund. He said projects that cost under $5,000 only require approval from the Joint Committee on Environmental Sustainability (JCES); Alternatively, projects that cost more than $5,000 must be passed through JCES, the Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee (SUFAC) and SA.
Projects that have a substantial impact on energy efficiency or that use renewable energy are generally looked for, Ericson said. The best projects are, “things that are visible, things that are new that haven’t been done on campus, things that have an impact on students – that may have an educational component to it … or [that] bring in multiple different parties to achieve a shared goal,” he said.
Green Fund Coordinator Caroline Ingwell then introduced the larger projects to be discussed and voted on by SA as resolutions.
The first was to replace the lights in some areas of the REC with LED lights. Ingwell said the updated lights would be better for the environment, have a positive impact on students who utilize the space and would be educational through the use of explanatory signage. If the LED lighting grant is approved by SA, it would cost $11,500.
Then, Ingwell talked about Drift Cycle, a nonprofit bike rental program in La Crosse that aims to lower carbon emissions as well as provide accessible transportation for students and community members. The Green Fund hopes to extend UWL’s partnership with Drift Cycle for two years which would cost $20,000. Of 15 JCES members, 14 ranked this project as a high priority and one abstained.
Lastly, Ingwell introduced the initiative to update the steam traps in Drake Hall. She explained that faulty steam traps stay open, which results in steam leaks and potentially thousands of dollars per year being wasted. This project would cost $40,200 and would be the last steam trap replacement.
Ericson clarified that there would be enough money in the budget to fulfill all of the presented projects if their respective resolutions were to pass.
In unfinished business, SA unanimously passed a resolution to fill a first-year senator seat and Emily Fechner was sworn in. A resolution to ensure SA’s proportionality amongst the increase of students in the College of Business Administration, titled SA2425-012, was also unanimously passed.
In new business, SA discussed SUFAC’s fiscal year 2026 budget and circled back to the proposed Green Fund Grant projects. These resolutions will be further discussed and voted on at a Wednesday, Nov. 20 meeting.
SA will meet again Wednesday, Nov. 20 to vote on returning resolutions.
