News for Employees
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Proposed federal budget includes student aid, research cuts
President Donald Trump’s first budget request to Congress has understandably caused some concern on our campus and across the higher education landscape, Chancellor Rebecca Blank says in a blog post. The cuts are broad and deep, but a significant chunk of the savings proposed would come out of student aid and research spending. Our federal relations staff has been working to ensure that the importance of these funds to our institution, and to the greater state and national economy, is fully apparent to our congressional delegation. An excellent summary of the complete budget proposal and its potential impact on campus can be found here. You can also receive periodic updates by clicking on the subscribe tab at the bottom of the Federal Relations home page.
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Quality improvement, administrative process units to merge
The Office of Quality Improvement (OQI) and Administrative Process Redesign (APR) will formally merge in the coming months, joining to provide the UW–Madison campus with a comprehensive suite of organizational development and improvement services for both academic and administrative units. The impending merger follows the announcement that APR director Alice Gustafson will retire later this summer and as the search for a new director of OQI nears conclusion. Longtime OQI director Maury Cotter retired earlier this year. Darin Harris is currently serving as interim director.
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Some need to use holiday hours by June 30
For many faculty, academic staff and limited term employees, some holiday and vacation hours expire on July 1. If you have any remaining Personal Holiday hours, you need to use them up, or you will lose them, by June 30. If you have more than 8 hours of legal holiday, those hours reflect the two Floating Holiday hours that occurred this fiscal year, that also need to be used by June 30. Finally, if you have any vacation carryover hours, you will need to use those as well, by the end of the fiscal year, or you will lose those hours. However, if you are ALRA eligible you will be able to bank those hours up to your allotment.
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Required program to combat sexual harassment, violence
Starting in July, employees will be required to complete an online program called “Promoting Equity at UW-Madison by Preventing Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.” It will cover definitions, prevention strategies, where to get help, and reporting options.
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Office of Registrar publishes revisions to enrollment-related dates
Due to changes in UW–Madison’s Academic Calendar made by the Faculty Senate, the Office of the Registrar has revised some of its previous published deadlines. The policies that determine how these dates are set haven’t changed; the dates have simply been brought in line with the Faculty Senate’s revised term calendars. Most dates are related to enrollment. The dates also now have new, more detailed titles.
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UHS hires mental health co-directors
Angela Janis, M.D., and Andrea Lawson, LCSW, were appointed in May as co-directors of Mental Health Services at University Health Services (UHS). Working together and in collaboration with other UHS departments and campus and community partners, Janis and Lawson will lead psychiatry and counseling services at UHS. Their goals include moving towards a more proactive and public health approach, expanding campus-based initiatives and outreach, and integrating online tools and eHealth into UHS’ mental health service model. “We are using student feedback to be really intentional about matching our system to the students’ needs,” says Lawson. “We are here,” says Janis, “and we are listening.”
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Relaunch of Principles of Supervision and Management
The Office of Learning and Talent Development (LTD) in the Office of Human Resources (OHR) is relaunching the training program for managers and supervisors, Principles of Supervision and Management (PSM), in September. The goal of the program is to be able to create and maintain a healthy, inclusive and engaging work environment so employees can be successful. PSM is a combination of online training modules and interactive in-person classes including topics such as UW-Madison policies, leadership skills and interpersonal skills. Participants will build and broaden their network of managers and supervisors across campus.
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New purchasing card policy goes into effect
Effective May 8, 2017, the Accounting Services Department issued new policy and procedures regarding the use of UW-Madison purchasing cards. The new policy and procedures help ensure compliance with UW System and Wisconsin Department of Administration rules and help protect the university and its employees.
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The Working at UW newsletter will take a short break, and will return on Wednesday, June 7.
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Alumni Park to open on Oct. 6
The Wisconsin Alumni Association has announced the opening date for Alumni Park. This new green space between Memorial Union and the Red Gym, hugging the shore of Lake Mendota, will officially open to campus and the community Friday, Oct. 6. The park, with more than 50 museum-like exhibits woven through gardens, plus a visitor center, is believed to be the first Alumni Park of its kind in the country.