News for Employees

• Campus cooling update: Buildings to reopen Aug. 10

  August 5, 2026

  All buildings closed during the repair of the university’s chilled water system will reopen next week. Employees should return to their standard workplace arrangements on Aug. 10. This announcement is available in six languages on the Campus News page. Employees with questions should contact their supervisor for additional guidance.

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• Employee bus pass and parking permit updates

  August 5, 2026

  The window to renew employee bus passes is now open, with a deadline of Aug. 31. Afternoon, night, motorcycle, moped and Lot 76 Quick Passes are now available for direct purchase from Transportation Services. The fourth deadline to apply for a base lot, Flex, park & ride or accessible permit is Aug. 18. Bus passes and 2026–27 parking permits will be valid Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027. For more information, go to transportation.wisc.edu.

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• Ergonomic training for employees with computer workstations

  August 5, 2026

  A self-directed training module, How to Create an Ergonomic Computer Workstation, is available to all UW–Madison employees at no cost. This 30-minute training provides practical tips for setting up a comfortable and safe home or office workstation. Participants will learn how to set up a workstation, improve comfort throughout the day, and get help from the Ergonomics team if needed. This training is offered by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), part of Facilities Planning & Management. Register in Workday Learning and complete the training at any time.

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• Reminder: Leave policy for voting

  August 5, 2026

  With the Wisconsin Partisan Primary coming up on Aug. 11, 2026, employees are reminded of the UW–Madison policy regarding taking time off work to vote. Employees who cannot vote outside of working hours may vote during their scheduled work hours and must provide their supervisor with a written absence request prior to the day of election. Employees can arrange a flexible schedule with their supervisor that will allow them to vote or, depending on their eligibility, receive leave with pay or take leave without pay. Details are available in the Leave for Voting and Serving as an Election Official policy at policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5059.

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• Event submissions invited for Wisconsin Welcome

  August 5, 2026

  Campus partners, student organizations, and community partners can submit their events to be included in the Wisconsin Welcome app. Approved events for Wisconsin Welcome, which runs Aug. 29–Sept. 20, will be promoted to 8,400+ incoming students via the Wisconsin Welcome app. Submissions may be made using the Wisconsin Welcome event submission form through Aug. 14.

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• Pre-Semester Teaching Institute helps instructors prepare for the start of class

  July 29, 2026

  New and returning instructors are invited to the Pre-Semester Teaching Institute on August 26, 9 a.m.–2:15 p.m., at The Pyle Center. This event provides focused time and expert assistance to prepare for the upcoming semester. Participants will learn strategies for addressing the impacts of generative AI on assessment, engaging students, and more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register online.

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• Leadership and Management Development Conference invites speaker proposals

  July 29, 2026

  Proposals are invited through August 14 from potential speakers at the annual Leadership and Management Development Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at Union South. The conference provides emerging and advanced leaders, as well as those who are not in a direct leadership position, with professional development. Breakout session proposals should align with conference tracks, which include strategic leadership; team development and performance management; relationship building and communication; career management; operational excellence and productivity; inclusive excellence; and wellbeing. Conference registration is also open.

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• New UW–Madison listserv supports records management

  July 29, 2026

  All UW–Madison employees are responsible for the records they create, receive, and manage. To support employees, the UW–Madison Records Management Program now has a listserv to share information, resources, updates to records schedules, and training opportunities related to records management. The Records Management Program offers a wide range of services, including onsite visits, training, records management consultations, and information about how to transfer records to the UW Archives. To sign up for the listserv, go to go.wisc.edu/570971 and click “Join Group” or email recmgmt@library.wisc.edu.

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• Upgrades to electric vehicle charging network begin soon

  July 29, 2026

  A project to replace electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in campus parking lots will begin on August 3. Charging stations in designated lots will be unavailable for approximately one week as new units are installed on a rolling lot-by-lot basis. EV drivers are encouraged to refer to PlugShare or other resources to find alternate charging locations during the planned outages. The new stations will be brought online as soon as installation and setup are complete. To comply with state law, the new stations will require usage fees in addition to standard parking costs. For details, please visit the Transportation Services website.

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• Professional development courses now in Workday

  July 22, 2026

  UW–Madison employees have access to a wide range of courses, programs, conferences, and workshops, including many that are offered at no cost. Beginning in July, most Learning and Talent Development courses will be available in Workday. Details, including registration links, can be found on the web page for each course. Many registration links will direct employees to enroll in courses in Workday. Employees can subscribe to the Next Level newsletter to receive monthly updates on the professional development opportunities available to UW–Madison employees.

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