News for Employees
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Help make UW–Madison a drug-free workplace
All faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to a drug-free workplace. You can do this by learning the facts about substance abuse, encouraging others to avoid substance abuse, and knowing where you or others can go for help with a drug or alcohol problem. The laws and expectations regarding substance abuse apply to all members of the UW–Madison campus community. You can review this information and find resources for drug and alcohol abuse prevention at go.wisc.edu/j15c7c.
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Campus information available via text messages
UW–Madison employees can sign up to receive important campus information sent directly to their smartphones or other mobile devices. Any UW‒Madison employee is welcome to join a WhatsApp group. WhatsApp Campus Information Groups are available in six languages: English, Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepali. Subscribers receive about 5–6 messages per month, including campus updates, event announcements, and information about resources for UW employees. These are not chat rooms and employees cannot respond to messages they receive. Employees who have little or no access to computers at work, need language support, or work away from their desk may find WhatsApp Campus Information Groups helpful. Find instructions for installing WhatsApp at cls.wisc.edu/whatsapp.
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New resources preview changes coming with Workday
As part of the Administrative Transformation Program (ATP), UW‒Madison will be transitioning to Workday, a cloud-based software platform that will streamline and simplify administrative processes. A new video series provides an overview of what will change when Workday goes live in July 2025. This month’s video, What’s Changing with Security Roles, previews how employees will get access to information in Workday to do their jobs and manage their personal employment information. New resources will be added monthly leading up to the start of Workday training in March 2025. Learn more and access posted videos at any time with your UW login.
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IT Professionals Conference invites speaker proposals
Proposals are invited from speakers who would like to share their ideas with colleagues from across campus at the UW–Madison IT Professionals Conference. This year’s conference will be hybrid, with both in-person and virtual sessions on May 30 and virtual sessions only on May 31. Conference organizers are looking for presentations about creative solutions to technical problems, innovative new tools or processes, and valuable lessons learned from a project or experience. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on March 29.
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Campus Communities of Practice offer sustained learning
Communities of practice (CoPs) are peer-organized learning communities that bring together people from across an organization to teach one another, share resources, and find inspiration in their connections and creativity. CoPs provide a cost-effective way to share information, solve problems collectively, innovate, and train new staff. Dozens of CoPS are active at UW–Madison, including groups with interests in communication and project management; education and outreach; human resources; leadership; research; technology; and workplace culture. Find a CoP or learn how to start a new community of practice online.
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Active Badger Day gets UW community moving
Recreation & Wellbeing (Rec Well) is hosting a full day of activities on Thursday, March 7, for Active Badger Day. UW–Madison employees are welcome to participate. Inspired by National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day, Active Badger Day is a full day of opportunities to get up, get outside, and get moving. Activities include healthy meal specials at campus dining facilities, sustainable commuting options, workouts, nutrition education, a donation drive for River Food Pantry, and more. View the schedule of events for the day at recwell.wisc.edu/activebadgerday.
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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.