Here come the students – Viterbo is moved in, UW-L and Western Tech., next

Over 13,000 students entering in just over a week

The population of La Crosse is about to jump again this weekend.

Viterbo University began classes Monday. Next week, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Technical College classes will begin.

That means, over 10,400 UW-L students will be moving into the dorms. And that means, stay away. Stay very far away – if you’re trying to navigage somewhere in your vehicle, that is.

Around 5,000 vehicles will be moving couches, futons, and big screen TVs into dorms around campus, said Lisa Weston, the assistant director of residence life at UW-L.

“Anyone who can find a different route to get where they’re going, and avoid the campus area sure would help us out a lot,” she said, noting where to and not to park.

PARKING

• La Crosse St.
• Losey Blvd.
• Main St.
• State St.

NO PARKING

• Pine St.
• 15th St.
• Oakland St.
• Badger Ave.

Once the congestion of moving in is settled, things start looking up for businesses in the area.

“A lot of folks love when our students come back,” Weston said. “They stimulate the economy. I know there will be a lot of shopping happening this weekend as they fill up those small dorm rooms.”

UW-L’s enrollment is 10,408. Students from 44 states and 27 countries attending the school, though 79 percent of the population is from Wisconsin.

Viterbo’s enrollment was nearly 2,700 last year.