Panther Transition Experience: Campus Exploration Script MELLENCAMP & MITCHELL TOUR Student Financial Services • Mellencamp Hall holds all the offices in Student Financial Services including the Student Financial Service Center and Office of Student Accounts. • You can utilize the Student Financial Service Center for any questions about your finances, including financial aid. They offer help with things like completing your FAFSA, scholarship applications, and understanding your billing statement and charges. You can get help at the front desk, or meet with an advisor by appointment or during walk in hours. • While you can make your tuition payments online, At the Office of Student Accounts, you can make a physical payment, or return a physical check. Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) • Tour stop: Mitchell 115 • The Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) provides equitable access for students with disabilities to UWM’s academic, social, cultural, and recreational programs. • Academic accommodations may include: o Alternative formats, such as digital textbooks if they are only in print or large print versions, media accessibility such as captions or audio descriptions. o Minimally distracting environments for test taking o Real-time captioning and sign language interpreting o Text-to-speech accommodations like Read & Write • Read&Write is one text-to-speech Chrome extension that is a FREE service for all UWM students and allows users to: o Read and listen to text being read out loud on Canvas, with color highlighting for notes.
o Access and highlight text on any website, not just UWM sites. o Focus on reading material without distraction from background images or text on Canvas or websites. • Students can apply for Academic Accommodations or Housing Accommodations through ARC's website at any time during their UWM schooling. FOUNTAIN, LIBRARY & ASIC TOUR Golda Meir Library • Welcome to the UWM Library! To support you in returning to the library in the next few weeks, I want to point out 3 key things about the library • First, are study spaces! Here, there is the perfect study space for everyone. There are quiet study spaces, reservable group study rooms, other collaborative spaces, and semi-private cubbies for distraction-free study. You can find more group friendly locations on the 1st floor either in the group study spaces or the grind location, and as you go to the 2nd and 3rd floors, you will notice a quieter atmosphere that is great for independent studying. Make sure to come back, explore and find your favorite nook. • Second, the Library is more than just books. You can check out books but also things like laptops, calculators, chargers, portable record players, DVDs, sensory kits and more on the first floor. And through the UWM library website, you can access online library materials like eBooks, research articles, streaming video, and more from anywhere! Everything is free with your UWM ID or UWM log-in. • Lastly, staff here are always available to help. Not sure what to do, where to go, or how to find something? No worries! The Library has an online chat service and an in- person research help desk on the 1st floor to answer any of your questions. Center for International Education
• This is Garland Hall 138, home to the Center for International Education. CIE is UWM's hub for all things international, and one of their teams is dedicated entirely to helping students study abroad. • Before you leave UWM, imagine being able to say you studied or completed an internship in another country. That goes a long way on a resume and on grad school applications. It shows you're curious, adaptable, and willing to take on something new. That's exactly what this office helps you do. • One of the biggest myths about studying abroad is that you have to speak another language to go. Fun fact: you don't. A ton of our programs are taught completely in English, all over the world. If you do want to learn a new language or take the one you're already studying to the next level, there is no better way to do it than going abroad. • Worried about finance? You can apply your financial aid toward the cost of studying abroad. Credits you earn can also count toward your major or minor requirements. There are also grants and scholarships out there specifically for this. No matter your major, there is a program for you. The credits you earn can help you fulfill your major/minor requirements. • If you're even a little bit curious, visit uwm.edu/study abroad to explore programs, learn how to fund it, and get started. You can also stop by Garland 138 and talk to someone from their team. The earlier you start planning, the better. American Indian Student Center • The American Indian Student Center offers individualized support services, including coaching in areas like academic success, FAFSA navigation, and building campus connections. • It’s also a vibrant hub for student-focused and culturally centered events such as the Indigenous Felt Knowledge Festival, Fire Circle Soups, and Community Feasts. • AISC also assists students with Tribal Funding paperwork and co-hosts events with EQI to foster a strong sense of community.
• The Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education enhances this support through the Indigenous Kinship and Responsibility Scholarship, offering $5,000 annually to students connected to Indigenous communities. • EQI connects students with research opportunities and hosts two different paid summer internships. One, focused on Indigenous methods to land stewardship and one on traditional food pathways and systems. • Students can explore a wide range of American Indian Studies courses, including AIS 101, Ethnobotany, and Indigenous languages like Oneida, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi. Fountain • Let’s take a moment to reflect on a special tradition that marks the beginning of your journey here at UWM. • Each Fall, new students gather at the fountain to toss a coin into the water. This coin toss symbolizes the start of your Panther journey and reflects your hopes, dreams, and goals for the future. • When you graduate, you will receive a coin back as reminder of the challenges you’ve overcome, and the memories you've made along the way. What makes this tradition so meaningful is that it connects us all – first-year students to seniors, and current Panthers to alumni. It's a symbol of belonging, pride and the legacy we pass forward. • So before you toss your coin, take a moment to think about all you hope to accomplish. Let this be the moment you officially begin your incredible journey as a UWM Panther! UNION TOUR Food Pantry No UWM student should go hungry. Though the Food Center and Pantry cannot cover all your grocery needs, it is here to ensure you don’t go hungry.
• The Food Center & Pantry is offered to all UWM students at no extra cost. • Students can pick up one bag of groceries weekly. • Diapers and wipes are also available once a month through the pantry for UWM student parents. Transportation Services • Transportation Services offers a variety of services regarding transportation on campus including the UPASS, Prowl Line, B.O.S.S and Parking. • The UPASS is a FREE Milwaukee City Transit Services Buss pass. o You can request a free digital code for unlimited access to the bus during the semester which is funded through your tuition fees. o You can use the UMO Mobility APP for specific UPASS information and utilize your UPASS when utilizing the bus • The PROWL LINE is: o A shuttle system with 2 Routes to the UPARK (park and ride) commuter parking lot, and south campus residence halls o Hours of operations vary, but you can always find the most up to date information on the PASSIOGO APP o To ride for free, just use your PANTHER ID • B.O.S.S. (Be on the Safe Side) is: o A Free Non-emergency late night ride-share service that runs from 6:00p- 2:00a daily within a 2 mile radius of campus. o To request a ride, you can utilize the TransLoc App o Maybe add key places that are within a 2 mile radius • PARKING is also available through Transportation Services. o They offer monthly to semesterly permits for purchase with prices varying based on location and duration. o If you receive a parking permit on campus, you are guaranteed parking as long as your permit is valid.
o There is also street parking available for students, but note that street parking is controlled by the City of Milwaukee, not UWM and spots are often a paid limited time parking option. Union Basement • Rec Center o This is the Rec Center. All activities in the Rec Center are available to all UWM students, free of charge. Non-UWM friends and family are also welcome, but must pay guest prices ($3.50 per game of bowling, $1.00 shoe rental) o The space also contains 12 billiards tables and 10 bowling lanes o The Rec Center is also available for reservations for student organizations, parties, and other outings o Their hours are 10am-10pm on weekdays, 12-10pm on Saturday, and 12- 8pm on Sundays • Esports Lounge o Also within the Rec Center is the Esports Lounge that holds 45 gaming PCs and 5 console gaming stations o Just finished in November 2024, UWM's Esports Lounge is the largest collegiate gaming lounge in Wisconsin o The computers have most popular titles installed and ready to play. All PCs come equipped with a mouse, keyboard, and headset. Console games and controllers can be rented from the front desk. o Students may bring their own equipment and games to use in the Esports Lounge. o Esports teams, formed by student organizations, commonly use the space for team practices and matches
▪ We currently have student organizations for Rocket League, Valorant, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros, Marvel Rivals and Pokémon. • The Gasthaus o The Gasthaus is our Sports-themed restaurant with fast-casual comfort food, including burgers, chicken tenders, and customizable paninis and melts. They also serve alcohol if you are over 21. o If you are looking for a fun, social place on campus to eat and hang with friends, this is the place to go. o The Gasthaus also has fun events throughout the year, including trivia and other themed nights CASE Hallway & OCRC • This hallway includes offices apart of a Connection & Achievement collective. These student-centered resource offices within the Division of Student Affairs are dedicated to helping every student build and connect with community, find support, and thrive at UWM. Together, these offices create welcoming spaces where students can connect with others, access resources, develop leadership skills, and experience a strong sense of belonging. • Located in this hallway are the: o First Gen+ Resource Center o Women's Resource Center o LGBTQ+ Resource Center o Military & Veterans Resource Center o Off-Campus Resource Center (OCRC) • Each office offers programs, mentoring, advocacy, and opportunities to get involved, and all UWM students are welcome to explore these spaces. • Feel free to take a few minutes and explore the resource you want to explore or closely identify with.
• The Off-Campus Resource Center is specifically your go-to resource for everything related to living off campus or commuting to UWM. Whether you're looking for housing, roommates, subleases, tenant resources, or commuter support, OCRC is here to help. • Students can also stop by the commuter lounge, enjoy the Commuter Café Cart, and connect with resources designed to make commuting and off-campus living easier. • Now for the next few minutes, feel free to explore the resource you want to explore or closely identify with. Also, if you parked in a parking garage today, make sure to check out the Off-Campus Resource Center as they will help validate your parking for free parking for the day. • Give students about 3-5 minutes to explore the CASE offices. Student Experience and Talent (SET) • The Center for Student Experience and Talent is comprised of various services that assist students with exploring careers, volunteer opportunities, internships, and on- campus jobs. • The Union Office here is where you’ll want to visit if you’re in a service-learning course, hoping to volunteer, looking for an internship, or looking to work on- campus. The staff is available to answer any questions you have. You can also schedule an appointment with a SET staff member on Handshake and see all their upcoming events, open jobs, and more! • Downloading the app will make it easier to take it with you on the go. Let’s all take a minute to take out our phones and download the Handshake app now, so no one forgets. • Vogel Hall which is near the campus fountain is another location you can find the SET office . You may end up going to Vogel Hall to visit the Career Closet, where you can take free professional clothing, free professional headshots from a photobooth, or for various events
PantherCard Office • We also have our PantherCard office in this hallway. • You all should have received your ID during orientation or move-in, but if you ever lose your ID and need to replace it, you can stop at the PantherCard office. • Is there anyone who has not yet recieved their ID? o If yes, give them some time to get their ID while everyone else is in the Panthershop o If running behind, let them know to come back prior to the first day of school PantherShop • The PantherShop is where you can get all your fun UWM swag. Stop in at any time to buy apparel or emergency school supplies. • Feel free to take a few minutes to walk around and check it out! o Give students 3 minutes to wander around the PantherShop UW Credit Union • The UW Credit Union has been located on campus for over 40 years offering support to the community and UWM students and is moving to this new location in October. • The UW Credit Union’s goal is to help students build a better financial future. They offer all the typical items of a credit union like instant debit cards, coin/cash exchange, notary services, and more, including a campus package with a fun branded Pounce the Panther debit card! The UW-Credit Union is always here to offer free judgement-free financial advice whether you are a member or not. • The UW credit Union also offers fee-free ATMs for everyone across campus, but more specifically in the student union if you ever need to easily withdraw cash! Student Involvement
Student Involvement Staff should be there to address your student group. If they are not available, please use the script below. • Student Involvement is your hub for getting connected to student organizations, staying informed about super fun events happening on campus, learning about leadership programs, joining a sorority or fraternity, and so much more! • Student Involvement hosts major programming initiatives throughout the year, such as Fall Welcome in August-September, Winter Welcome in January, and Geek Week in March. • The Sociocultural Programming team coordinates Latine Heritage Month, Black History Month, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and more. • They also host various other areas of the Union! Catch a movie in the Cinema, browse in the Union Art Gallery, do a craft in the Studio Arts & Craft Centre, go bowling in the Rec Center, put your game-face on in our brand new Esports lounge, or catch a fun, themed social event with the Campus Activities Board! There is so much to do! Dean of Students • The Dean of Students Office is the place to go when the unexpected happens. They provide support to students experiencing personal crises or emergencies by offering support, guidance, and resource connections. • The Office also oversees the university misconduct process, aiming to foster learning, growth, and accountability. • Additionally, students can reach out to the Dean of Students Office for guidance in navigating university procedures, voicing concerns, or making changes at UWM. • Overall, the Dean of Students Office is dedicated to supporting you throughout your time at UWM. Tour Stop at a Nalox-Zone Box (Narcan) • Located on each floor of the Union by the elevator – recommend the 3rd floor
• This is one of 22 Nalox-Zone boxes on campus. You can find others in the library, the Union, and in the lobbies of the residence halls. Each Nalox-zone box contains 2 doses of nasal Narcan and instructions. • Narcan is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is easy and safe to give, even if you’re not sure the person you’re giving it to has opioids in their system. • [open the Nalox-zone box] You can take Narcan from these boxes at any time – no questions asked. There’s no alarm and no one is identified. • Carrying Narcan can save lives. You should carry Narcan if you or someone you know takes opioids prescribed to them for pain or uses any drugs from a dealer or prescriptions not prescribed to them. Don’t wait for an emergency to happen! Keep Narcan on hand in your backpack, first aid kit, or medicine cabinet. • To find more Narcan locations on and around campus, google UWM Narcan. You’ll find a map of all the locations and additional information. • Nalox-Zone boxes are restocked frequently. If you can’t find it on campus, contact the Student Health and Wellness Center. They will help connect you to additional resources. [Close the Nalox-zone box] KLOTSCHE, SHAW & PD TOUR The Klotsche Center (The K)/UREC • Welcome to the Klotsche Center and Pavilion, home to University Recreation, or UREC for short. UREC is our main source of fitness and well-being programing on campus. Entry to the facility is covered by your student-segregated fees you pay for taking classes. • UREC has a high-quality fitness center, with a brand new rig system, cable machines, free weights and more. In addition, there is a cardio deck one floor above that features a variety of treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and stretching space.
• Students who want to participate in open recreation can visit our pavilion gym, with four full sized basketball courts in addition to lines and nets available for volleyball, badminton, and even pickleball. Students can also take part in open swim hours in our 8-lane pool 7-days a week. • Students can sign up for a variety of fitness programming here at UREC. Our group exercise classes, called Group X, are free to sign up for and attend for members and students through the UREC app. We offer classes in yoga, cycling, strength and more. • Another popular type of programming at UREC comes from their Outdoor Pursuits program. This team leads students on trips and events around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and even across the US. Students can rent over 1,500 pieces of equipment from Outdoor Pursuits too. Ranging from bikes, camping gear, winter sports gear, water sports gear, and more. It also has a free bike repair shop with free tune ups and low-cost fixes! • UREC also offers Intramurals & Club sports. Intramural sports are organized leagues or tournaments for students of all skill levels on UWM’s campus, with sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, and flag football. Grab some friends and classmates and start an Intramural team to play one night a week during the semester. If you want to stay a little more competitive, and play in Milwaukee or off campus, consider joining one of our 21 sport clubs. Sport clubs are student organizations that fundraise, manage budgets, and play their favorite sports against other colleges and Universities in leagues and conferences. UWM Police Department • Behind me is the UW-Milwaukee Police Department. UWMPD is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year by a diverse group of experienced law enforcement officers and their professional support staff, including their K9 Ezmae, a dog who is an expert in mental health and wellness.
• The main goal of UWMPD is to keep campus a safe place for everyone to live, learn, and work, and they do this by performing active patrols and investigations, sending out campus safety alerts, and providing safety related trainings to the campus community. • Whether the issue is big or small, UWMPD can be reached via any on campus blue light emergency phone, the RAVE Guardian App, by calling their emergency lines. Take some time now to take out your phone and add the UWM emergency line (414) 229-9911 and the non-emergency number (414) 229-4627. o Give them a second to put contacts in their phone Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) • The Student Health & Wellness Center, also known as SHAW, is your partner for health and well-being. SHAW is an accredited health care facility that provides wellness programs and confidential medical care, mental health care, and victim advocacy services for UWM students. • SHAW is located on the 7th & 8th floors of Northwest Quad. Use the green elevators, which are behind the vending machines. • Most services are covered by your student-segregated fees, and you do not need insurance to receive services at SHAW. There may be additional costs for medications, lab tests, or appointments with specialists. • Starting with wellness programs, SHAW offers trainings, workshops, and events designed to help you learn more about yourself and build positive lifelong practices in areas like healthy relationships, stress management, sleep, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, and more. • Another great way to take care of yourself is by visiting SHAW’s Mindful Space, a tranquil, private room where you can relax in the massage chair, and use virtual reality goggles for meditation, and happy lamps for light exposure. • SHAW’s medical team, on the 7th floor, offers preventative care for students, including wellness visits, physicals, vaccinations, allergy shots, and nutrition and
travel consultations. SHAW offers reproductive health services, and gender- affirming care. • SHAW is not a hospital or an emergency department. However, when you aren’t feeling well, you can make an appointment at SHAW for common illnesses, infections, and minor injuries. • SHAW has a dispensary for low-cost prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. We also have an on-site lab for tests. • Shifting gears to counseling on the 8th floor, SHAW offers a wide range of mental health services to students, including informal consultations, short-term individual counseling, unlimited group therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support. Students use these services for a wide variety of concerns, including things like loneliness, anxiety, and depression. • If you need longer-term or specialized care, SHAW offers case management services to help connect you with quality services off-campus. • Individual counseling is available for students in-person or through tele-health methods. Students who need night and weekend appointments can also utilize a service called Mantra Health. • One more important service is survivor support and victim advocacy. SHAW’s Victim Advocate provides confidential support throughout the healing journey of students who have experienced sexual or relationship violence, stalking or human trafficking. • To make an appointment with SHAW, you can call or schedule online for selected services. • For more details about SHAW, visit the website uwm.edu/wellness. In all, SHAW is your partner for health and well-being! BOLTON Office of Undergraduate Research
• Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) serves as the central gateway for undergraduates to connect with faculty-led research projects across all schools and colleges, majors and interests. UWM is a R1 campus, think D1 for sports, but for academic research. • Each year, OUR supports more than 500 undergraduate researchers who then present at the UWM symposium and some national venues. You can view their website and database for more information on their current opportunities and projects. • The Office of Undergraduate Research also offers Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows or SURF which offers to pay students hourly to complete research. Multicultural Student Centers • The Multicultural Student Centers, also part of the Connection & Achievement collective within the Division of Student Affairs, are welcoming spaces that celebrate culture, identity, leadership, and community. These centers provide opportunities for students to connect, build meaningful relationships, and engage in programs that foster belonging and student success. • The centers located here include: o Black Student Cultural Center o Roberto Hernández Center o Southeast Asian American Student Center • Throughout the year, students can participate in cultural celebrations, leadership opportunities, educational workshops, affinity-based programs, community events, financial wellness resources, scholarship support, and heritage month celebrations. • No matter your background or identity, all students are welcome to visit these spaces, participate in programs, and build community across campus. Student Success Center
• The Student Success Center offers FREE services that assist students with academics through a variety of free resources including tutoring services, peer mentors, supplemental instruction, and the Writing Center. o Tutoring Services can be held online or in person and are offered for a variety of subjects and courses. You can either attend a scheduled tutoring session, or drop-in! Typically, you can find the in-person locations in the east wing of the Library or Lubar. o Peer Mentors are current undergraduate students assigned to a group of new UWM students to help them through the transition to UWM! You will schedule an appointment with them today to make sure you connect in the first few weeks of school. o Supplemental Instruction is offered for most entry-level lecture courses. This is where students who have already taken the class and mastered the course material, sit-in during lecture times and host review sessions 3-4 times per week for students to attend. They also host exam reviews! This is a great way to get tutoring and review specific to what you are learning in your courses. o The Writing Center which is located in Curtain Hall, will help you with understanding assignments and draft and edit projects or papers for any subject. Whether you’re just getting started or putting on the final touches, they’ve got you covered! CLOSING • Thanks for participating in Panther Transition Experience today! • I hope you learned something new and feel more confident about your first day of classes and joining the Panther Community. • In order to be marked attended for this program, please take a few minutes to complete this survey [share QR code] o Give them a few minutes to complete
• Now that we are officially done for the day, I want to make sure you can get back home! o Commuters: To get your parking validated, you will need to bring your ticket to the Office Campus Resource Center. You should have parked in one of our parking garages on campus. Direct students to their parking garage based on where you are at. Make sure to use the QR code parking pass you recieved today to exit, so you can get free parking. o (Residents) For my Sandburg residents, feel free to head across [Hartford/Maryland] back to Sandburg. For my south campus residents, there will be shuttles on Maryland where you were dropped off this morning to take you back to Cambridge/Riverview. If you would rather hang out on campus for a bit, feel free! You can always use the Prowl Line shuttles to get back. Otherwise, you also all got your UPASS today and know how to get a BUBLR bike, so feel free to use one of those options to get home.