News for Employees
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New policy safeguards capital equipment assets
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the Accounting Services Property Control Office within the Division of Business Services issued new policy and procedures regarding the acquisition, utilization and disposition of capital equipment at UW-Madison. Training on the new policy and procedures was held in January, February and March 2017 for campus personnel, including department property administrators (DPAs), financial staff and administrative staff. Future trainings will be offered monthly for all personnel involved with capital equipment.
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Ways to keep your browsing data (more) private
A new law means that Internet Service Providers can revert back to operating under rules they followed prior to Jan. 3, 2017. ISPs will be able to harvest your browsing data, and use it to sell targeted advertising services similar to Google and Facebook. However, you can protect your data in several ways — by using a VPN, using browser plug-ins and add-ons, or even opting out of targeted advertising programs. Click here for privacy tips from DoIT.
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New UW VoIP phone system adding Unified Communications
UW-Madison is transitioning to a new telephone and voice platform. It will be using Cisco VoIP (Voice Over IP) technology with access to the telephone network for local and long-distance calling via AT&T. Being added to the rollout is Unified Communications, the ability to use instant messaging, presence (to monitor the real-time status of another user), and WebEX (online meetings with video conferencing and screen sharing). The DoIT Help Desk is the first of several early adopters to have successfully moved from the Centrex telephone system and Skype for Business to Cisco VoIP. The project team will continue migrating early adopter groups to Cisco VoIP until June 16, 2017. The team expects the campus conversion to take 12-18 months (see timeline details). School/division contacts can begin the process by completing this form.
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ETF discontinues walk-in appointments
On April 10, the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) published changes aimed at improving customers’ experience. ETF has discontinued walk-in service appointments, which means members will need to schedule an appointment in order to meet with a Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) benefits specialist within ETF versus just dropping in. Employee Trust Funds administers retirement, insurance and other benefit programs for state and local government employees and retirees of the Wisconsin Retirement System. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-533-5020, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or email.
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Construction closes Observatory Drive by Park Street
On Saturday, April 15, utility work will stop eastbound traffic on Observatory Drive from Lot 10 (at the Education Building) to Park Street. Permit holders will only be able to access Lot 9 by traveling westbound from Park Street. Regular traffic flow will resume on Sunday, April 16.
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Memorial Union Terrace season to start with chair tradition
The Wisconsin Union invites UW-Madison students and the campus community to ring in the opening of the Memorial Union Terrace by bringing the iconic orange, yellow and green sunburst chairs back onto the Terrace on April 13 at 3 p.m. This annual tradition of bringing out the chairs marks the first day of Terrace season, an important milestone in the spring calendar for many on campus and in the community. Bucky, members of the UW Marching Band and campus all-stars, including Deshawn McKinney, Wisconsin Union president, will officially kick off the 2017 Terrace season festivities. Each person in line will pick up a chair to take onto the Terrace, where tables will be pre-set, making it easy to stake a claim on the Terrace. The line for the chairs will begin at the North Park Street entrance to the Terrace. The Wisconsin Union team encourages people to begin lining up after 2 p.m.
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Tax deadline is April 18; UW offers tips, resources
With April 15 falling on a Saturday this year, the tax deadline is extended to April 18. The UW System provides tax filing resources here. In addition, DoIT offers three tips to avoid tax fraud scams: File early to prevent scammers from getting a fraudulent return accepted; beware of emails claiming to be from the IRS because it doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers via email or social media; and don’t disclose personal information over the phone to callers claiming to be “IRS agents.”
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Workshop to address military and veteran culture
A workshop titled “Military and Veteran Culture for Healthcare Professionals and Students” will be from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 22 at Health Sciences Learning Center, Room 1345. This interprofessional event will feature student veterans and representatives with expertise in veterans issues who will share their experiences and discuss military life and structure in order to help increase the cultural humility of future health professionals. Attendees will learn about the history and trends of service related injuries, different types of combat experiences, and more. Breakfast will be provided. RSVPs are encouraged by April 15 to www.diverseotweb.com.
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Bus stop at University and Lake closed for construction
Buses will not be able to use bus stop No. 0670 on University Avenue at Lake Street due to construction, starting April 1. Passengers should board at the intersection of University Avenue at Park Street or University at Francis Street. The stop is expected to be closed into 2018.
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Construction near three UW Health locations on South Park Street
Throughout April, May and June, city sewer line construction is planned for Regent Street, between Camp Randall Stadium and West Washington Avenue. This could affect visitors to three UW Health locations: 1 S. Park Clinic, 20 S. Park Clinic and 202 S. Park Clinic. When visiting these locations, UW Health recommends avoiding Regent Street and allowing extra travel time. Although the construction project will not block access to UW Health facilities, traffic in the area will be slowed, particularly during busy drive times.