News for Employees
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Webinar builds skills in communicating with co-workers
LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar,
Co-Worker Communication, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, noon‒1 p.m. Effective communication is essential to building and maintaining important relationships. Good communication skills are central to handling disagreements and resolving conflicts with co-workers. Participants will learn about conflict and resolution, eliminating defensive behavior, practicing active listening, and using problem-solving skills. Register online to receive the Zoom link. -
UW updates expressive activity policy, expands resources
UW–Madison has consolidated and clarified campus policy to ensure that free expression, a bedrock UW value, remains protected on campus and that safeguards are in place to maintain the university’s vital mission and operations, including the ability of students to access education without disruption. The newly named Expressive Activity Policy and accompanying guide collect into a single set of resources information that had been dispersed across different campus policies and guidance, while also providing renewed clarity. The policy and guide are designed to better help students, employees, and campus visitors understand their rights and responsibilities and the resources available to them.
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Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations available starting next week
This fall, all current UW–Madison students and employees can receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines at University Health Services (UHS) clinics across campus. There are 17 UHS vaccine clinics throughout the fall semester located in a variety of convenient campus locations. Registration is required. Learn more at uhs.wisc.edu/vaccine.
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AI assistants add new capabilities in virtual meetings
AI meeting assistant tools are now available for all UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff as part of the university’s enterprise Zoom and Webex platforms. These tools enable new features that can make virtual meetings more efficient and productive. Learn more about the capabilities of these AI tools and the university’s guidelines for using them.
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Nominations open for Regents Diversity Awards
UW–Madison seeks nominations for the 2025 Regents Diversity Awards in the individual category. These awards recognize individuals whose work has fostered greater access and success for students who are members of historically underrepresented populations, first-generation, and/or economically disadvantaged. The nomination form is available online. Nominations are due by September 29, 2024.
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New web page helps employees prepare for change
Navigating change is a crucial skill in our fast-paced world. Learning and Talent Development has created a new Change Preparedness web page to help UW–Madison employees manage transitions both at work and in their personal lives. This page offers a variety of resources and facilitated learning experiences designed to boost resilience and adaptability.
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New suicide prevention training for UW–Madison faculty and staff
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month in September, University Health Services (UHS) is encouraging faculty and staff to prepare to support the students they teach, serve, or supervise. UHS offers Suicide Prevention Training: Recognize, Respond, Refer, an online training program that helps participants build skills to intervene, prevent suicide, and support mental health on campus. A new version of the training for faculty and staff is now available as a Canvas course. The one-hour, multi-part training is available on demand and can be completed at one’s own pace.
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Nominations Open for Outstanding Women of Color awards
UW–Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards honor women whose advocacy, activism, and/or scholarship have positively transformed their organizations or communities and whose efforts advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Nominations are due by Thursday, September 27, and honorees will be announced at the annual Diversity Forum on November 14, 2024.
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Participants sought for Work with Bucky campaign
The Work with Bucky campaign is seeking current employees willing to share their experiences and unique perspectives on working at UW–Madison. These stories aim to showcase the remarkable work being done on campus and inspire others to work at UW–Madison. Employees interested in participating, or those who know someone who would be a great fit for this campaign, are encouraged to volunteer by completing the form at go.wisc.edu/30hkvk by September 6.
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New professional development offerings from the Office of Strategic Consulting
Beginning September 18, the Office of Strategic Consulting is hosting new virtual and in-person professional development sessions as part of its Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence and In Scope: Managing Projects at UW–Madison series. These sessions provide faculty and staff with the knowledge and skills they need to help their schools, colleges, divisions, and units operate more efficiently, tackle challenges, and advance strategic priorities. Topics range from building team trust to initiating projects with artificial intelligence. Nearly all sessions are offered at no cost, but registration is required.