News for Employees
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Extension Units to Return to UW–Madison July 1
Several units within UW–Extension (Cooperative Extension, Conference Centers, and Wisconsin Public Broadcasting) are merging with UW–Madison as part of a larger restructuring of the UW System. Returning these institutions to the UW–Madison campus—where Cooperative Extension and public broadcasting were once based—is expected to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new collaborations that will serve all 72 counties in Wisconsin. The campus has established a steering committee and several working groups to ensure a smooth integration of these units. A website has been established to provide updates on their work and the status of the transition.
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Wisconsin Students May Be Eligible for Tuition Promise
UW–Madison employees and their families who are concerned about the costs of a university education may benefit from a new program called “Bucky’s Tuition Promise.” The university pledges to cover four years of tuition and segregated fees for any incoming freshman from Wisconsin whose family’s annual household adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less. Transfer students from Wisconsin meeting the same criteria will receive two years of tuition and segregated fees. Eligibility is based only on one line from a family’s federal income tax return called adjusted gross income, or AGI. There is no separate application process. The tuition guarantee begins in the fall of 2018. The goal of the program is to ensure that anyone in Wisconsin who is admitted to UW–Madison can afford to attend.
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Celebrate International Women's Day
A celebration of International Women’s Day will be held on Thursday, March 8, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Varsity Hall in Union South. The event will feature keynote speaker Chief Kristen Roman of the UW Police Department. Dr. Nandini Pandey, an assistant professor in Classical and Near Eastern Studies, will provide a poetry reading. Food and refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. University Staff may attend without loss of pay. This event is sponsored by University Staff shared governance through the Office of the Secretary.
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New Benefits Video Library Available Online
UW–Madison employees can learn about their benefits options by visiting the benefits video library on YouTube. The videos are designed for both new and current employees, offering information on health insurance, life insurance, income continuation insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and flexible spending accounts. More in-depth, recorded presentations are available on Benefits 101, benefits options for Graduate Assistants and Short Term Academic Staff, and Pre-Retirement. Visit the benefits video library at hr.wisc.edu/videos.
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You Can Contribute to a Drug-Free Workplace
All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning the facts about substance abuse, encouraging others to avoid substance abuse, and knowing where to go for help with a drug or alcohol problem—either for yourself or someone else. Please review the laws and expectations regarding substance abuse, which apply to all members of the UW–Madison community. Complete information can be found at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.
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WIAA Tournaments Will Impact Campus Parking
The upcoming WIAA state tournaments will impact parking and traffic around the Kohl Center as UW-Madison hosts more than 125,000 visitors for WIAA Individual Wrestling (February 22, 23 and 24) and WIAA Boys Basketball (March 15, 16 and 17). Parking permit holders in Lots 46, 91 and 94 will need to relocate from their assigned lots during the tournaments. Afternoon and night permit holders cannot park in Lots 29, 46, 83, 91 or 94. Permit holders in Lots 29 and 83 may park in their lots, but can use alternate lot options to avoid congestion. Affected permit holders may wish to use alternate transportation options, such as carpooling or taking the bus. Full details are available on the UW Transportation Services website, transportation.wisc.edu.
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Federal Tax Withholding Changes in Effect
Most UW–Madison employees will see a change in their federal income tax withholding on their paychecks as a result of the 2017 Federal Tax Reform bill, which was passed in December 2017. The change was implemented on the February 1, 2018, paycheck for University Staff, who are paid bi-weekly, and for Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees, who are paid monthly. To see your federal withholding amount, log into MyUW and launch the Payroll Information module. You can review recent earnings statements to see how your federal withholding amount has changed.
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Pay Increases for Faculty and Staff Receive Formal Approval
A legislative committee for the State of Wisconsin has voted in favor of the 2017–2019 pay plan that was announced in Working at UW in January. The plan will provide pay increases totaling 4 percent for Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, and Limited Appointees. The 4 percent increase will be phased in, with the first 2 percent taking effect in July 2018 and the second 2 percent in January of 2019. UW–Madison employees must meet certain conditions to be eligible for the increases. The pay plan was approved unanimously by the committee.
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Merger Creates Office of Strategic Consulting
The new Office of Strategic Consulting provides strategic planning, process improvement, project management, and organizational design and redesign to partners across campus. The office was formed by the August 1, 2017, merger of the former Office of Quality Improvement (OQI) and the Administrative Process Redesign (APR) office. The Office of Strategic Consulting provides a broader, more unified suite of services to both academic and administrative units on campus. The new name became effective January 1.
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Badgers Get Active Feb. 22
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to get moving on Thursday, Feb. 22 for #ActiveBadger Day. Fitness and recreational activities are scheduled at various campus locations from early morning to late evening. Most activities are free. UW–Madison Recreational Sports is teaming up with various partners to offer this event. For details, visit bitly.com/ActiveBadgerDay.