News for Employees
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Celebrate Shared Governance Oct. 4
Faculty and staff are invited to a celebration of shared governance at the Employee Shared Governance Reception on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 3–4:30 p.m. in Varsity Hall at Union South. This event recognizes employees’ contribution to the vitality and excellence of UW–Madison. Faculty, academic staff, and university staff are involved in a full range of governance opportunities, helping to guide decisions regarding academics, research, campus climate, diversity, and more.
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Top Hat Trainings for Instructors
Top Hat is the campus-supported student response system that can help instructors engage students in the classroom with polls, quizzes, bias assessment, and more. It is now integrated with Canvas for ease of use when grading. Register now for the Sept. 25 or Sept. 26 trainings being offered by the DoIT Academic Technology consultants, or read more about the pedagogical uses of Top Hat.
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Get Your Flu Shot on Campus This Fall
Flu season can mean misery and time lost from work. To limit the effects of flu on the campus community, University Health Services hosts employee flu shot clinics. No appointment is needed. Remember to bring your health insurance card. Payment will be processed directly to your health insurance provider if you have Anthem-Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Dean Care, Group Health Cooperative, Humana, Physicians Plus, WPS, United Healthcare, or Unity. Otherwise, there will be a $34 fee. The employee flu shot clinics are not available to spouses/partners or children. Clinics are scheduled for various campus locations through October 17.
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Coming Soon! Help Us Place Your Job in the Best Job Family
UW–Madison is completing a two-year review of current job titles and compensation. Plan to attend forums about the Title and Total Compensation Study in September/October. You may attend without loss of pay. To attend, please schedule with your supervisor. The forums are designed to introduce you to the study and gather your input on the job families under development.
The Title and Total Compensation Study will result in relevant and market-informed titles and pay ranges. The results will provide you with clear guidelines to make informed choices about advancing in your career at UW–Madison and provide your managers with better tools to make informed decisions about pay or promotional opportunities.
No employees will lose their jobs and employee base pay will not be reduced as a result of this study. The study results will provide guidance on how to address market issues over time. Your input will help us sustain and grow our outstanding workforce.
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Introducing ALEX: A Personalized Benefits Counselor
UW–Madison employees will soon have access to a new interactive benefits decision tool, called ALEX. ALEX is a personalized benefits counselor and can help you understand the benefits options that may be best for you and your family. ALEX will be available for the upcoming Annual Benefits Enrollment period October 2–27, 2017. Before you make your benefits elections, let ALEX walk you through your options.
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Correction: Meal Plan for Faculty and Staff
In our last issue, we announced a new meal plan good at any of the six University Housing dining locations on campus. The discount offered on most food items is 20 percent, not 25 percent as stated in the original story. There is an annual fee of $25 for this program.
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Health Plan Changes for 2018 Announced
Changes to the 2018 State Group Health Insurance Program were approved by the Group Insurance Board on Aug. 30, 2017. Health plans will be providing additional information to all affected employees between now and the Annual Benefits Enrollment period, scheduled for Oct. 2–27, 2017. Beginning in 2018, Unity Health Insurance, Physicians Plus, and Gundersen Health Plan will be offered under the name “Quartz.” Participants in these plans will be enrolled automatically in either Quartz-UW or Quartz-Community. Most UW–Madison employees who participate in one of these plans will see Quartz-UW listed as their health plan in the online Self Service tool available Oct. 2–27. Employees can select a different plan for 2018 coverage during the Annual Benefits Enrollment period.
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New Meal Plan for Faculty and Staff
Beginning Sept. 5, all UW–Madison faculty and staff have the opportunity to join a new meal program, good at any of the six University Housing dining locations across campus. For a $25 annual fee, faculty and staff can get a 20 percent discount on most food items during the academic year. Members of the program must load money onto their Wiscard account and use the Wiscard for purchases to receive the discount. To sign up, visit the Dining Office in the lower level of the Gordon Dining and Event Center.
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Newer Campus IT Professionals Can Request Mentors
The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) at UW–Madison is seeking individuals who would like to have a mentor through the UW–IT Mentoring Program. The program connects newer campus IT professionals with experienced colleagues in peer relationships that enhance skills, knowledge, and experience. New to the program this year is a Match-Up Kickoff Event on Sept. 28, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Union South (check Today in the Union for the room). IT professionals who would like to have a mentor are encouraged to complete an online survey by Sept. 10 and mark their calendars for the Sept. 28 Match-Up Kickoff Event. Survey responses will be used to pair each participant with a mentor who will be the best fit.
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Advice for Helping Hurricane Harvey Victims
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team urge you to be cautious of charity scams and do your research before giving to online charities. Charity scams often use fraudulent emails containing links or attachments that could direct you to malware-infected websites. The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) at UW–Madison offers a summary of the FTC’s guidelines for wise giving, including a link to the FTC’s advice for helping Hurricane Harvey victims.