Lynn Binnie

The Universities of Wisconsin has unveiled a new one-stop, easily searchable website that provides access to and information about every fully online degree program being offered at the constellation of 13 public universities. 

Wisconsin Online – with the URL online.wisconsin.edu – will list the more than 200 fully online programs offered by the 13 universities, including 10 associate, 99 bachelor’s and 95 master’s degree programs.

Dozens of academic program degrees are showcased through Wisconsin Online, from applied biotechnology to business administration to transportation and logistics management to writing and applied arts.

“This new website makes it easier than ever for Wisconsinites to find an online degree program suitable to their needs,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “It’s a one-stop-shop that showcases the excellent online education our universities offer, and we anticipate that online.wisconsin.edu will especially appeal to adult learners and traditional-aged students who simply prefer to learn online.”

The online programs featured on the website include those that are semester-based, accelerated semester-based, collaborative multi-campus semester-based, and competency based. Semester-based online programs are similar to traditionally delivered in-person programs with courses delivered over a 15-week semester. The competency-based programs, called the UW Flexible Option or Flex, is a distinct pedagogical approach to teaching and learning that focuses exclusively, and explicitly, on the learner’s ability to demonstrate mastery over defined competencies. While fully asynchronous like the semester-based online programs, the Flex competency-based programs are self-paced.

Students can search for programs by program level, area of interest, or campus. There’s also information about what it means to be an online student as well as specific information for international students, military members, transfer students, and prospective graduate and undergraduate students.

Wisconsin Online enhances the promotion of UW online programs marketed on each UW university’s website by collecting all fully online programs into one easily searchable website. Students wanting to learn more about a particular program can click through to the university’s online program webpage or request more information from the university.

“Online.wisconsin.edu also will allow us to market our programs across the U.S. and internationally,” Rothman said. “The Universities of Wisconsin have a great reputation around the nation and the globe, and we want to make our programs as accessible as possible.”

Wisconsin Online was launched on February 1, and, in the future, the website will point prospective students to online certificates, microcredentials, and other “course-to-career” education offerings that serve Wisconsin’s workforce needs. 

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The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 162,500 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.

Gustav Holst’s The Planets is a monument of the early twentieth century, and our March concert includes two orchestras performing at the same time! The LGSO joins forces with the incredibly gifted musicians of the University of Whitewater Symphony Orchestra, and this special collaboration will take place at Young Auditorium in what will be a not-to-be missed event for the entire region. In addition, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams, will feature the string sections of both orchestras.

Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. – Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater
Tickets: Priority reserved $50; General admission $20; High school and university students are free
Tickets may be purchased online here. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door.

Editor’s note: The following notice was provided by the city clerk.

NOTICE VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT – APRIL 2, 2024

Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may submit a request to
vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen who: will be 18 years of age or
older on Election Day and has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive
days before the election. The elector must also be registered to vote to receive an absentee ballot. Proof of
identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued.* Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more
information

Making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail
Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or
election or both. You may make written application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by
fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov.
Your written request must include: your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address
where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different from the address above, your signature and copy of your photo
identification*. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

The deadline for making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail is: 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024.

*Voters who are indefinitely confined due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability may not be required to provide photo ID.
If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

**Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined, in the military,
hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for
requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

Voting an absentee ballot in person
You may also request and vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office or other specified location during the days and
hours specified for casting an absentee ballot in person. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

Municipality Clerk
City of Whitewater Heather Boehm
262-473-0102
312 W Whitewater St
Whitewater
Mon – Fri 8 am–4:30 pm

The first day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Friday, March 29, 2024
No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned
on or before Election Day to the proper polling place or counting location before the polls close on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Any
ballots received after the polls close will not be counted. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

Editor’s note: Photos and report courtesy of Tom Ganser

The Whitewater High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) sponsored a donkey basketball night on March 7. There were two games, each having two 8 minute halves.  

Game One 
WHS staff in light blue vs East Troy HS FFA in green.
WHS = 12  East Troy = 8

Game Two 
WHS FFA in purple vs Milton HS FFA in pink
WHS = 6  Milton = 4

According to a press release from UW-Milwaukee dated March 11, “The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee announced today that its UWM at Waukesha campus will close after the Spring 2025 semester in response to a directive from the Universities of Wisconsin. [This follows the news last fall that UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campuses would end in-person instruction by June 2024. Another campus, UW-Platteville-Richland had previously suspended in-person classes and will close.] This also means closing the College of General Studies and ending its associate degree offerings at that time. Declining enrollment, shifting demographics and budgetary constraints led UWM to re-evaluate the best pathway for delivering higher education in Waukesha County.

As part of this transition, UWM and Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) jointly announced plans to develop the UWM University Center at WCTC. The University Center model ensures that students in Waukesha County can obtain a high-quality associate degree from WCTC at a low cost and then seamlessly continue a four-year degree with UWM. It also allows UWM to continue offering affordable higher education in Waukesha County through bachelor’s degree completion and graduate-level offerings.”

In response to the above news, UW-W Chancellor Corey A. King issued the following statement:

UW-Whitewater community,

Today, UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone announced the university’s branch campus in Waukesha will close after the spring 2025 semester. This news naturally raised questions about other branch campuses in Wisconsin.

Earlier this academic year, I composed a message that detailed the multiple successes we’ve achieved, as well as our plan to drive growth and evolve UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

I want to reassure our entire Warhawk community — and especially our students and colleagues at the Rock County campus — our plan has not changed.

The positive enrollment trajectory, vibrancy of academic and co-curricular programs, and strong ties to the community of the Rock County campus make it not only viable, but integral to the region.

I’ll conclude by reaffirming our commitment to investing in our branch campus. The future of URock is bright. And we will continue to provide transformational educational experiences in the Rock County region.

Sincerely,
Corey A. King
Chancellor

Whitewater Fire and EMS, in conjunction with the City of Whitewater Parks and Public Works Departments, will be conducting a controlled burn of several sub units inside the Effigy Mounds Preserve Property on Wednesday, March 13th 2024.

This training opportunity is a dual-purpose event. Conducting live fire exercises in a controlled environment gives our firefighters the experience needed to perform their job functions safely and efficiently when called to an emergency. All of the tools, strategies, and tactics used in a prescribed fire can be applied to suppression activities when we are called to duty in an emergency. Moreover,
the application of prescribed fire will help control invasive plant species and reduce timber litter. Not only does this make the park a pleasant spot for everyone to enjoy, it also reduces the amount of dead vegetation/fuel load to help reduce the chance of a significant fire occurring on the property.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a mild east wind, which should minimize impact to surrounding homes and ensure the fire is kept under control. However, there will be visible smoke/odor in the area. Conditions will be monitored throughout the burn to ensure safety for the surrounding properties and homes. While the road will remain open, please avoid the area on Indian Mound Parkway if possible, as we will have apparatus parked on the road, and firefighters operating about the area. The park will be closed to the public during the burn.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater Fire & EMS. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage by M Barnett from Pixabay. The controlled burn shown is not in Whitewater.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Khalil King, 19, was charged on March 12 with armed robbery with threat of force, a Class C felony, in connection with a police report from the BP Station on February 20 at 9:06 p.m. It was indicated that a male entered the gas station, located at 1138 W. Main Street, displayed a facsimile (replica) firearm, and demanded a pack of cigars. The suspect fled in a vehicle. Just over an hour later, officers took King into custody without incident at Knilans Hall on the UW-Whitewater campus. He was released on a $10,000 signature bond with a cash payment of $2000.

According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, King’s residence is in Madison. However, on February 22 a search warrant was issued for a room at Knilans Hall. As of March 12, per the UW-W directory, Khalil King was enrolled as a freshman student majoring in psychology.

Upon conviction, a Class C felony is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

The highly anticipated Fremont St/Rd reconstruction project is set to begin in April, with private utilities currently relocating in preparation for the project. As part of the preparations, WE Energies is installing a new gas main along the route. It is important to note that although private utility construction has commenced, street construction has not yet begun. The street will remain open to traffic during this phase of the project.

As shown above, the section of Fremont Street from Starin Road to Lauderdale Drive will be reconstructed. Fremont Road from Lauderdale Drive to Whitewater Creek will be pulverized and repaved.

Local residents and commuters are advised to stay tuned for further details as the project gets underway. The Fremont St reconstruction project aims to improve infrastructure and enhance the safety and efficiency of the roadway for all users.

For more information and updates on the Fremont St reconstruction project, please visit www.whitewaterwi.gov or contact 262-473-0101.

Join Cristina Ballatori, UW-W Flute Faculty, and Friends to celebrate Women’s History Month in a program featuring the music of women composers. Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m., Light Recital Hall, Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street

Music Mosaics programs support scholarships for music students.

Tickets may be purchased at this link. Adults are $10, age 65+ and under 16 are $6. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 each surcharge.

Each year, millions of Muslims begin fasting from sunrise to sunset and engage in activities that challenge their self-restraint and bring them closer to God.

This year, Ramadan began on the night of Sunday, March 10, with fasting starting the next morning on Monday. [From USA Today]

Ramadan (Arabic: رَمَضَان, romanized: Ramaḍān [ra.ma.dˤaːn];^[a] also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,^[8] observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community.^[9] A commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation,^[10] the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam^[11] and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.^[12][13]

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (fard) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant, or menstruating.^[14] The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar.^[15][16] Although rulings (fatawa) have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca,^[17] it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.^[18][19][20]

The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.^[21] Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behavior,^[22][23] devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.^[24][25] [From Wikipedia]

The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image above and on the homepage by Daniel Dan outsideclick from Pixabay.