News for Employees
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Nominations for University Staff Congress Open
Nominations are due by noon on April 10 for seats on the next University Staff Congress. Members of Congress serve for a one-year term and participate in monthly meetings without loss of pay. Those interested in serving are encouraged to submit their names as candidates. A wide pool of candidates will help ensure that every district is represented and that voters have choices when they receive their ballots. Any employee classified as University Staff may declare their candidacy using a simple form on the University Staff Congress website at ous.wisc.edu. Self-nominations can also be made by contacting John Lease at john.lease@wisc.edu or 263-2995.
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TTC Project February Forums Recording Online
A video of the Title and Total Compensation (TTC) Project February all-campus informational forum is now available online. All employees are encouraged to watch the video, particularly those who were unable to attend a forum or would like another review of the material. View the video at go.wisc.edu/078gf0. For more information about the TTC Project, visit go.wisc.edu/ttcproject.
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Nominations Open for Morgridge Center Awards
Every year, the Morgridge Center for Public Service recognizes the outstanding students, faculty, alumni, and community partners who make a difference on campus and in their community and who advance the Wisconsin Idea. Nominations are now being accepted in five categories, including community partnership, civic engagement, engaged scholarship, Badger Volunteers, and engaged alumni. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 27.
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Update on Campus Response to COVID-19
In response to the spread of COVID-19 (formerly novel coronavirus), UW–Madison has made several important decisions about university operations in the weeks ahead.
Instruction: To lessen the risk to our community as much as possible, UW–Madison will suspend Spring Semester face-to-face instruction effective Monday, March 23, the date that classes would typically resume after next week’s Spring Break. Alternate delivery of classes will begin on March 23 and continue at least through Friday, April 10. A decision on when and whether in-person instruction will resume will be shared in early April. Students will receive additional information about this transition in the next few days.
Employees: Campus will remain open and all faculty and staff should continue their regular work schedules unless advised otherwise by their dean, director or supervisor. The university will continue daily operations, with some exceptions around travel and events, as noted below. Faculty and instructional staff will receive detailed information from the Provost’s Office about the transition to alternative delivery of instruction.
Travel: All university-sponsored travel is cancelled through April 10, with limited exceptions from academic deans or vice chancellors. People who travel regularly as part of their job (such as Extension workers covering several counties) will typically continue to do so, but should check with their deans or other unit directors.
Events: All campus events (including Division of Extension sponsored events outside of Dane County) of more than 50 people are canceled through at least April 10, with limited exceptions to be granted by deans or vice chancellors.
We strongly advise you to reconsider non-essential personal travel, including travel over Spring Break. Be aware that if you travel, you may be required to self-isolate for 14 days depending on where you’re traveling to and from, even if you do not exhibit symptoms.
This update is available online in English, Chinese, Spanish, Hmong, Nepali, and Tibetan. Please read the full message at covid19.wisc.edu for additional details.
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Update on COVID-19 and Study Abroad
COVID-19, previously known as 2019 novel coronavirus, continues to present a global health crisis. UW–Madison is actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with county, state, and federal agencies. The risk to UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students remains low. Study abroad programs in Italy, South Korea and China have been suspended and the university is advising students to return to their permanent address, not to campus, and self-quarantine for 14 days while monitoring for symptoms. UW–Madison employees and others can find resources, updates, and answers to commonly asked questions on the University Health Services COVID-19 informational website, uhs.wisc.edu/coronavirus-2019.
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Women and Leadership Symposium Call for Proposals
The 12th Annual Women and Leadership Symposium will take place Wednesday, June 3, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Union South. The symposium theme will focus on finding, building, and using one’s voice. Those who are interested in presenting at the event are invited to submit a proposal by the April 3 deadline. The symposium is open to anyone interested in women’s advancement. The conference fee is $75 for UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students. Registration is open through May 22.
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Start Smart Sports for Youth
Recreation & Wellbeing (Rec Well) is offering classes for young children and their parents in tennis, sport development, soccer, and baseball/softball. Each program is designed to help children build basic motor skills, develop self-confidence, and gain positive early exposure to sports. Sessions meet at various campus locations and start at 5:15 or 5:30 p.m. Each session meets for about an hour each week over a six-week period. Learn more and register at recwell.wisc.edu/startsmart.
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Metro Transit to Hold Public Hearing on Service Updates
Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing on Weds., March 11, at 6 p.m. at the Madison Municipal Building, room 215. Changes are proposed for the campus bus Routes 80, 81, 82, and 84. The hearing will include a public feedback period. Comments may also be submitted to Metro Transit using an online feedback form or by email, mail, or phone.
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Showcase Highlights Innovations and Improvements
Showcase 2020, hosted by the Office of Strategic Consulting, will take place Weds., April 15, 8 a.m.–3:45 p.m. at Union South. UW–Madison faculty and staff will share best practices, learn from others’ successes, and connect with colleagues from units across campus. The event features poster exhibits and poster flash talks highlighting innovations and improvements across campus. Poster ideas are still being accepted. There will be breakout sessions on a variety of topics (to be announced soon) and a keynote presentation on organizational change by Dr. Keely Killpack. Showcase, an annual event, has been extended to a full day. The event is open to all at no cost. Registration is requested.
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LifeMatters Provides Statewide, 24/7 Employee Assistance
UW–Madison’s Employee Assistance Office (EAO) provides employees and their dependent household members with free, confidential services to address personal and work-related concerns. EAO also partners with LifeMatters. Both EAO and LifeMatters provide similar services, including short-term counseling for individuals and couples, consultation, training and crisis response, and more. LifeMatters counselors are available by phone without an appointment, day or night. Appointments can be scheduled to meet in person, or by video conferencing. LifeMatters also provides legal and financial resources and will locate experts to assist with adoption, child or elder care resources, travel planning, and more. All services are free, voluntary, and confidential. Visit the website at mylifematters.com and sign in with the password “Bucky1.” Call 800-634-6433 to speak with a master’s level LifeMatters counselor. For details, go to hr.wisc.edu/employee-assistance-office.