News for Employees
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Coaching circles provide campus connections and support
Learning and Talent Development is inviting interested UW‒Madison employees to attend an introductory course on coaching circles. Coaching circle pods bring together 5‒6 people from different areas across campus to meet virtually once a month and share current challenges. Coaching circles are intended to provide connection and support, not advice. In the introductory session, participants will learn about the logistics, roles, and steps involved in participating in a coaching circle. Following the course, participants will have the opportunity to sign up for an ongoing pod. No coaching experience or special knowledge is required. Registration is open for introductory sessions through June.
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WIAA tournaments to affect campus parking and traffic
The 2024 WIAA State Tournaments kick off this week. The UW–Madison campus will host more than 125,000 visitors for individual wrestling (Feb. 22–24) and boys’ basketball (March 14–16). These events will impact parking and traffic around the Kohl Center. Permit holders who are asked to relocate will receive notification from Transportation Services. For details, visit transportation.wisc.edu.
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UW–Madison aligns spring recess with local school district calendars
The Faculty Senate has approved a change to UW–Madison’s academic calendar to better align spring recess with those of local K-12 school districts and provide greater consistency for the timing of the recess from year to year. This change will start in the 2024–25 academic year; it will not affect the 2024 spring recess. Under the new calendar, spring recess will usually occur the last full school week (Monday through Friday) of March. However, if the first day of Passover and Good Friday occur in the same week, and if that week is the eighth to the 11th week of the second semester, then spring recess will be held that week. The online academic calendars, beginning with 2024–2025, have been updated.
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Event to recognize Outstanding Women of Color
All members of the community are invited to join the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement for the Outstanding Women of Color Awards Reception on Thursday, March 7, from 5–7:30 p.m. in Varsity Hall at Union South. The honorary award recognizes some of the many faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members who go above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence and make important contributions to our community. The 2023 awardees were selected based on nominations by their colleagues and community peers. Those who are unable to attend can watch the livestream on March 7. Advance registration is requested.
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No-cost retirement resources available from UW–Madison and Employee Trust Funds
UW–Madison employees have access to free resources for retirement planning, including informational sessions, financial estimates, and personal consultations from UW–Madison Benefits Services and/or Wisconsin Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Employees who are preparing for retirement are encouraged to visit hr.wisc.edu/retirement to learn more.
UW–Madison retirement resources should not be confused with email solicitations from third party, lead generation services for financial consultants. These external emails offer free consultations to UW employees; however, they end up selling your information to an outside entity. We recommend that employees ignore emails from these lead generation services and instead use the free resources available from UW–Madison and ETF. Please examine any emails you receive carefully to determine whether they are legitimate.
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Partners in Giving co-chairs say thanks with an icy dip
In November 2023, UW–Madison Partners in Giving campaign co-chairs Jeff Russell and Jeff Novak made a promise to take an icy dip into Lake Mendota if university donors answered the call to help UW surpass the $1 million mark in donations raised for the 2023/2024 campaign season. Our community rose to the challenge, and Jeff and Jeff fulfilled their promise with a Lake Mendota dip captured on video in January 2024. There is still time to give to the causes you care about and join the 2,200+ UW–Madison employees and retirees who have already made a gift during the 2023/2024 campaign. Visit giving.wi.gov to donate through May 14, 2024.
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Professional development offerings foster organizational effectiveness
Beginning later in February, the Office of Strategic Consulting is hosting new virtual and in-person professional development sessions for spring 2024. All sessions are offered at no cost.
Ignite: Fueling Organizational Excellence features interactive workshops that focus on the tools and resources faculty and staff need to promote and sustain organizational excellence at UW–Madison.
In Scope: Managing Projects at UW–Madison is an online series designed for managers of small- to medium-sized projects at UW–Madison. In this series, project management experts address managing projects in the university environment, introduce project management methods and resources, and facilitate conversations around common problems and solutions. A valid NetID is required to access the Canvas module associated with each In Scope session. -
Bills signed to provide wage increases for trade unit employees
On Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, Governor Tony Evers signed two bills approving 4 percent wage increases for University of Wisconsin–Madison and UW System employees in the building trades collective bargaining units. The rate change will be implemented on Feb. 11, 2024, and employees will realize the rate change on their March 7, 2024, paychecks. Payment for hours in pay status from July 2, 2023, through Feb. 10, 2024, will be issued on the March 21, 2024, paycheck. Pay raises for trades employees, as part of the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreements, were approved by the Joint Committee on Employee Relations (JCOER) in December. The agreements had to be approved by the full state legislature and the governor before implementation.
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Webinar teaches mindfulness skills to enhance well-being
LifeMatters and the Employee Assistance Office are offering a virtual webinar, Mind-Body Wellness, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, noon‒1 p.m. Mind-Body Wellness can help participants develop the mindset to slow down, get centered, and get focused. Attendees will explore the difference between control and letting go and learn how to practice mindfulness, guided relaxation, conscious breathing, and gentle stretching. The webinar is offered at no cost to all UW‒Madison employees. Register online to receive the Zoom link. For more information, go to eao.wisc.edu/webinars.
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New Help Center resource answers top parking questions
Transportation Services has introduced a new online Help Center for faculty, staff, students, and visitors to UW–Madison. The Help Center provides detailed answers to the most frequently asked questions about parking permits, accessible parking, event parking, visitor parking, and citations. To visit the Help Center, go to transportation.wisc.edu.