News for Employees

• Intentional professional development for leaders

  August 19, 2026

  The most effective leaders are intentional about enhancing their skills. Leadership and Talent Development supports that intention by facilitating engaging conversation and skills development in several specific dimensions of leadership. Upcoming courses provide professional development to those in formal leadership positions and those who have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in any role. September also marks the start of new virtual and in-person cohorts for the Principles of Supervision and Management certificate program. Most courses and cohort programs are open to UW–Madison employees at no cost.

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• Health alert: Measles cases in Wisconsin

  August 19, 2026

  As of August 18, 2026, there have been 36 confirmed cases of measles in Wisconsin that are part of an outbreak in nearby Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties. Although there are no current confirmed cases in Dane County or at UW–Madison, University Health Services (UHS) is sharing information on measles symptoms and prevention. On a large campus such as UW-Madison, where people work, live, and go to class in close proximity to one another, measles could spread quickly among people who do not have the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. UHS encourages all UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff to check their vaccination status against measles and review the additional guidance available from University Health Services.

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• Wisconsin Union opens new restaurant on campus

  August 19, 2026

  The Wisconsin Union team will open a new dining option, called Pedone Pinsa, at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (also known as the Discovery Building) on Aug. 26. The restaurant will feature a menu built around Wisconsin-made, Roman-style pinsa pizza. Originally developed in Rome, Italy, the flatbread-style crust, called pinsa, features a light texture and crisp exterior. The nonprofit Wisconsin Union operates more than 30 cafes, markets and restaurants on campus. Purchases at this and all Wisconsin Union-run dining options support the nonprofit Wisconsin Union’s work to provide gathering spaces, events, and student leadership opportunities, some of which provide academic stipends of up to 80 percent of students’ in-state tuition.

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• All campus buildings are now operational

  August 12, 2026

  After a challenging summer restoring the university’s chilled water system, all buildings have reopened and returned to normal operations. The mobile chilling units across campus will remain in place into September, in case late summer brings high temperatures and humidity. All the buildings that were closed or partially closed were maintained throughout this time period and steps have been taken to facilitate their safe, efficient reopening. New questions and answers about building condition and safety are available on the FAQ page. Employees with additional questions should speak with their supervisor.

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• Teaching and Learning Welcome for academic and clinical instructors

  August 12, 2026

  The 2026 Teaching and Learning Welcome will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m., at The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street. This annual event is designed for UW–Madison instructors who are beginning new teaching roles and who are classified as academic/clinical staff. Participants will connect with members of the UW–Madison teaching community and leave with resources to help them get started. Lunch will be provided. Register to attend.

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• Emergency child care assistance for University Staff

  August 12, 2026

  The Mary Czynszak-Lyne University Staff Child Care Award Fund provides one-time financial support to permanent, full-time employees with a University Staff appointment who are struggling to cover child care costs. Priority goes to employees with lower incomes and higher child care expenses, and to families facing an unexpected event that affects their ability to pay for care. Applications are accepted year-round. Awards are based on fund availability and family need, with typical awards ranging from $500-$1,000.

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• Free webinar looks at learning styles in the workplace

  August 12, 2026

  LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Impact of Learning Styles in the Workplace, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, noon‒1 p.m. Our learning style impacts how we process information at work. Knowing our individual learning style may increase productivity, minimize errors, and reinforce self-confidence. Participants will learn about the three distinct learning styles, characteristics and challenges of each style, and tips for maximizing learning. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

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• 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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