On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Student Association (SA) met to hear university updates about its recent successes and the progress of Prairie Springs Science Center Phase II from Chancellor Beeby, and to ask him questions.
The chancellor began by speaking of his pride for the university and its students. He shared that UWL’s retention rate is 86% and that the university is ranked first among public universities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. This year’s first-year class was also the largest in UWL history, with 2,366 students.
He said President Amy Bogost and Vice President Kyle Weatherly of the Board of Regents, were impressed, especially with the students, during their last visit to UWL.
“They really thought that we were doing so well. They actually said, ‘What’s your secret to your success? Can we learn from you and help some of the other universities out in Wisconsin?’ And I said, well, the secret to our success is the people,” said Beeby.
Governor Tony Evers also recently made a stop on campus after the second phase of the Prairie Springs Science Center was approved. Beeby thanked the SA body for their advocacy that assisted in the approval of the building.
Beeby said, “Many of you wrote to your local representatives, your parents wrote to local representatives, they called people up on the phone and all of that combined effort meant that we got $194 million building approved, right?”
During the spring semester, Cowley Hall will be torn down to begin construction on Prairie Springs Science Center Phase Two.
Beeby brought attention to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Betsy Morgan’s plans to retire in June 2026. He said a nationwide search will be conducted to fill the provost position and asked that when candidates come to campus, senators meet with them and give their input.
He said, “I want to hear directly from you what you think of these people. How are they focused on student success? What do they care about academic excellence? How can they make sure that students are getting the tools they need to be successful in their careers, but also to be good citizens and have a good education?”
Beeby spoke of the success of the Indigenous People’s Day celebration event on campus. He said while the relationship between the Ho-Chunk Nation and the university has improved over the past few years, there is still much more work to do.
“Particularly at the time where people are trying to divide everybody. It’s really important that we can come together and work together for the betterment for everybody,” he said.
The chancellor then answered questions from the SA body. Senator Tamiaya Cornelius asked if the government shutdown would affect student financial aid as it continues. Beeby answered that it hasn’t yet impacted student aid, however, if the shutdown continues, he isn’t sure what the outcome would be.
Next, Senator Alexis Rogness asked Beeby what students should do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appear on campus. He said that the agents would have to present warrants in order to legally gain access to student information and they would have to provide identification.
He said, “I don’t want to be scam mongering because you know, we don’t know what’s going to happen, but, you know, we ask that everyone fall in the law and that’s all we can really ask people to do…but you know, we’re taking it seriously. We want our students to be safe.”
Senator Cornelius brought attention to the letter to the editor written to the Racquet Press by a former UWL professor who experienced racism on campus, Dr. J.C. Wagner-Romero. She asked if any action was taken to address it.
“What I can say is, this is really important to me, that this campus has to be, it should be and must be a place where everybody feels that they belong” he said.
Beeby said that he cannot, due to legal and personal objection, discuss personnel issues, but that the university has taken it very seriously. He said that the Campus Climate Survey, reimagined Access, Belonging and Compliance (ABC) Office and improved faculty onboarding are just some ways the university is attempting to improve the experience of students and staff.
He said, “I would say, look at what we do broadly, as opposed to one individual’s experience.”
During organizational reports, Senator Zach Ydunate reminded SA that the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) fiesta event will be from 5:30 to 10 p.m. this Saturday. The tickets are $5 for students and $8 for non-student guests. He also said LASO and the Black Student Unity (BSU) will be hosting a “Halloween Bash” from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Without any new or returning resolutions to discuss, SA will meet again Wednesday, Oct. 29.
