Snow has finally come to La Crosse, just in time for Viterbo’s annual Winter Week celebration. Students had a fantastic time at this past Friday’s Starry Night Winter Formal, and our winter athletics teams are hitting their stride as our spring teams kick off their seasons. Students are also starting to prepare for midterms and—believe it or not—thinking about the fall 2025 semester, which will be here before we know it! As partners in your student’s education, we want you to be aware of the deadlines and opportunities your students are encountering. Please read on for important information about fall housing (summer housing is also available), winter well-being, financial aid, and more.
As always, thank you for sharing your student with us. We consider it a joy and a privilege to challenge, support, inspire, and educate your student as they grow into the faithful servants and ethical leaders our world so deeply needs.
All the best,
Kirsten Gabriel Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Murphy Center, #226 608-796-3840 Email us
V-Hawk spirit was high on Jan. 25 during the annual guy/girl half time performance, featuring Viterbo's dance and baseball teams.
Exciting things are always underway at our campus, with plenty of opportunities for students to get involved, connect, and make the most of their time here. Check out some of the upcoming events and snapshots from recent activities—there’s something for everyone to enjoy and participate in.
Making a Difference
The Viterbo University community kicked off the new semester in traditional fashion by taking part in a wide array of community service projects throughout the La Crosse community in honor of Viterbo's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Learning, and Celebration.
More than 130 Viterbo students and employees served various organizations throughout the Coulee region, including the Viterbo women's basketball team, who had the chance to engage with the La Crosse Boys & Girls Clubs at the Mathy Center. More photos from the day's events are available for viewing on Flickr.
Mission Trip Opportunity
Students have the chance to participate in campus ministry's service immersion trip to Casa Hogar over spring break. Casa Hogar is a home for orphaned and abandoned children near Lima, Peru. This life-changing trip will offer a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful service, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
Celebrating Student-Athletes
Student-athletes were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and achievements at the National Qualifiers Reception in January. View more photos from the event on Flickr.
Creating Community
Campus ministry extends some Franciscan hospitality every Thursday during the weekly Morning M.U.G. breakfast gathering in the Sr. Thea Bowman Center. Morning M.U.G. provides a space where students can mingle with friends, unwind before class, and gather to share thoughts and experiences.
Starry Night Winter Formal
The Viterbo Residence Hall Association, Student Government Association, Student Athletic Advisory Council, and Weekends at VU teamed up to host the Starry Night Winter Formal on Valentine's Day. V-Hawk students danced the night away while the snow fell outside. It was an unforgettable night for everyone. More photos from this event are available on the university Flickr account.
COMING UP
Night on the Slopes: WAVU (Weekends at VU) and Viterbo recreation are hosting another Night on the Slopes event at Mt. La Crosse Feb. 23. Students can take advantage of reduced pricing on lift tickets and ski or snowboard rentals, and a free one hour beginner lesson.
The Marriage of Figaro: Viterbo's music theatre students will showcase their talents on the Weber Center for the Performing Arts stage Feb. 21-23 with Mozart's opera buffa, The Marriage of Figaro. Students can attend the show to support fellow classmates for the discounted price of just $1 (plus tax).
Keep up with campus happenings and stories about the Viterbo family on our Viterbo in the News page.
RESIDENCE LIFE
2025–26 Housing Selection
Submit all on-campus housing contracts and deposits before Feb. 26 priority deadline.
We are so excited to have our students back on campus! It is always too quiet without them. As students settle back into classes, we are preparing students to think about their next housing assignment in their home-away-from-home for the fall semester. It is not too early to complete contracts and pay the $100 deposit. In fact, many students have already submitted their housing contracts to live on campus next year.
If your student still needs to make their submission, there is still time!
Students who live on campus tend to be more successful and find themselves more engaged and satisfied with their educational experience. We look forward to having them continue in our on-campus housing communities in the future.
The housing selection process for the 2025–26 academic year will occur March 5–7. Now is the time to finalize and submit all on-campus housing contracts and deposits before the Feb. 26 priority deadline. First-year and sophomore students are required to live on campus. Junior, senior, and graduate students are more than welcome to complete contracts to live in our exceptional upper-class housing. This contract includes their housing, dining, and parking permit application.
Our housing selection website offers resources regarding housing and dining questions. Students can go to their Etrieve account to submit or confirm submission of their contract, and can always reach out to their RA or the residence life office should there be any questions about housing opportunities or the process.
–Joann Stacey, director of residence life
COUNSELING CORNER
Supporting Student Wellness
Encourage your student to utilize health and counseling services on campus.
The journey through college can be both physically and emotionally taxing. Long hours studying, skipped meals, too little water, social and academic stresses among other things can leave your student feeling drained and pushing through when a break might be in order. Fortunately, Viterbo offers a wide array of supports for our students to thrive.
Our Health Services office can provide your student with information and treatment options to help keep them in peak physical condition: vaccinations, over-the-counter medication and top-notch medical care, support, and referrals will help your student remain healthy throughout the semester.
Additionally, the mental health needs of your student can be supported by our experienced staff of mental health providers. Our staff is trained in a variety of modalities that can help your student through stresses related to coursework, life circumstances and transitions, social challenges, and athletic performance issues.
The correlation between good physical health and positive mental health outcomes has long been studied and verified, so please encourage your student to make an appointment with one of our clinical professionals sometime this semester.
–Justin McKnight, director of counseling services
FOCUS ON FINANCE
2025–26 FAFSA Available
Maximize your student's financial aid dollars by filing the FAFSA now.
The spring semester has begun, yet now is the time for students to take steps to gear up for next academic year. Filling out the FAFSA is key to unlocking federal, state, and Viterbo aid. The form is available online at www.studentaid.gov, and we encourage students to complete it as soon as possible to maximize their financial aid dollars for 2025–26. Outside scholarship opportunities are a great way to help supplement your financial aid offer from Viterbo. Our outside scholarship page is constantly being updated with new scholarship opportunities as we are notified of them. Feel free to browse the site for those opportunities here.
As always, don’t hesitate to email the financial aid team or call 608-796-3900 if you have any questions. We are partners as your student navigates financing their education.
–Ben Chenault, director of financial aid
Stay Connected To stay up to date about parent support and student support services, you will want to keep your contact information current by completing an online update form, sending an email to vhawkfamilies@viterbo.edu, or calling 608-796-3841. You can also join us on Facebook.
Viterbo University, 900 Viterbo Drive, La Crosse, WI, 54601
