News for Employees

• Nominations open for Administrative Improvement Awards

  January 7, 2026

  Each year, UW–Madison celebrates members of our community who provide critical administrative support to our academic, research, and outreach mission. The awards recognize improvements in customer service, processes, effectiveness, or efficiency of administrative services that have saved time, improved service delivery, or provided other benefits. The nomination deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15.

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• Call for proposals: 2026 Teaching & Learning Symposium

  January 7, 2026

  Faculty, academic staff, post-docs, and graduate students are invited to share the innovative ways they are enhancing learning and creating connections among students. Breakout session and poster proposals are being accepted for the 2026 Teaching & Learning Symposium: Cultivating Connection on May 14. Details are available at tlsymposium.wisc.edu/call. This year, there will be a special track of sessions as part of the Wisconsin Exchange, so submissions related to the topic of dialogue across diverse perspectives are encouraged. Proposals are due by Jan. 23.

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• Upcoming online sessions for prospective volunteer tutors

  January 7, 2026

  The Volunteer Tutoring Program at UW‒Madison matches employees and visiting scholars with tutors who provide one-on-one instruction in English conversation, basic English skills for reading and writing, or learning about United States culture. Learners and tutors agree on the meeting times and locations that work best for them. Free online training for tutors is available. Informational sessions about becoming a tutor will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 22 and Tuesday, Jan. 27. Advance registration is not required, and there is no obligation to volunteer after attending. UW‒Madison employees, students, and community members are all welcome to volunteer.

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• Registration open for free parenting classes

  January 7, 2026

  The Office of Child Care and Family Resources offers free parenting classes to UW–Madison employees and students, as well as spouses and partners. These classes provide tools for navigating common parenting issues, promoting healthy child development, and improving well-being both at home and on campus. Registration for the Spring 2026 Series is now open and includes classes on tantrums and meltdowns, the power of play, digital-age parenting, practical support for speech, play, and feeding, and more. All classes are held virtually via Zoom on Thursdays from noon to 1:15 p.m.

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• Bus service reduced and some parking rules waived for winter holidays

  December 17, 2025

  With some exceptions, UW parking permits will not be required on Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and on Jan. 1 and 19. Many parking rules will be waived on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Campus and city bus routes will operate reduced or modified schedules throughout UW winter break. For details, visit transportation.wisc.edu.

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• Nominations open for faculty award for graduate student mentoring

  December 17, 2025

  The new Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the growth, success, and well-being of graduate students at UW–Madison. This award highlights faculty whose engagement goes beyond standard advising expectations and reflects exemplary, evidence-based mentoring practices. Nominations are due Jan. 16.

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• Survey invites feedback on campus lactation spaces

  December 17, 2025

  The Office of Child Care & Family Resources and UW Environmental & Occupational Health have completed an initial audit of campus lactation spaces for pumping and nursing parents. The audit sponsors are looking for feedback from current lactation room users to gather data on use of these spaces, and to help ensure that these spaces meet the needs of the campus community. Lactation room users are encouraged to complete the Lactation Room Feedback Survey by Jan. 31.

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• Inclement winter weather overnight stay options for faculty, staff

  December 17, 2025

  The Fluno Center and the Wisconsin Union Hotel and Club Suites offer a special inclement weather rate of $60 per night now through March for UW–Madison faculty and staff. Inclement weather conditions include large amounts of snow, icy road conditions, or extreme cold. The issuing of hotel rooms at an inclement weather rate is subject to the discretion of hotel management. UW–Madison faculty and staff can call the Fluno Center at 608-441-7117 or the Wisconsin Union Hotel and Club Suites at 608-263-2600 to make an inclement weather rate hotel reservation.

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• Working at UW on holiday break

  December 17, 2025

  Working at UW will be on holiday break until our next issue is published on Wednesday, Jan. 7. See you in 2026!

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• Inclement weather guidelines: reminders for employees

  December 10, 2025

  UW–Madison’s policies on inclement weather and emergency conditions provide information on how the campus will respond to a major storm or disruptive weather event. During winter weather, UW–Madison aims to operate as normally as possible. Only the chancellor can cancel classes, suspend services, or close the campus to the public and employees. Individual colleges and schools will not close unless the whole campus is closed. Employees are encouraged to review the guidelines on traveling to campus, campus operations, announcements from campus, and communications with supervisors in the event of any alteration to campus operations or weather closure.

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