News for Employees
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Lecture to Focus on UCLA Equity Initiative
All are welcome to attend a free lecture on “Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Work and Leadership” on Thursday, Oct. 27, 5:30–6:45 p.m., at the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC), room 1345. The lecture will be followed by a reception. Eraka Bath, MD, of UCLA will discuss how to increase equity among underrepresented groups to improve education, training, care, and clinical research in diverse communities.
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Benefits Enrollment Session Available Online
The Annual Benefits Enrollment period is currently underway and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Employees who need more information in order to make informed decisions about benefits may wish to attend a live, virtual presentation of “Benefits 2023: What You Need to Know.” This one-hour session includes a review of 2023 benefits changes, information on how to enroll, and time for questions and answers. The last sessions are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is not required. The recorded presentation can be viewed on YouTube. Links to these and other resources can be found at benefits.wisc.edu/2023.
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Partners in Giving Celebrates 50 Years
The 50th annual Partners in Giving campaign kicked off this week. UW–Madison employees can donate to the local, national, and international charities of their choice to make a difference in the causes they care about. Online pledges can be made through payroll deduction or by credit card at giving.wi.gov. Information about other ways give, such as using a paper pledge form, can be found at giving.wi.gov/about-us/options-for-giving. As little as $1 per pay period adds up to make a positive impact in our community and around the world. New this year are virtual Charity Lunch and Learns. On-campus campaign activities run through November 30, 2022; contributions are welcomed through May 2022.
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UWPD Invites Feedback
The UW‒Madison Police Department (UWPD) is seeking thoughts and feedback from the community as they embark on a strategic planning process. All members of the campus community are invited to complete a brief anonymous survey. The results will help shape and inform strategies, goals, and service priorities for the next 3‒4 years. The survey is available at go.wisc.edu/3tlzzk and responses are requested by this Friday, Oct. 14.
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A Celebration of American/Chinese Friendship
An American/Chinese Friendship Celebration will be held this Friday, Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m.‒12:30 p.m. in Varsity Hall at Union South. Attendees will enjoy art, music, poetry, and complimentary food and beverages. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of University Staff. To view the event poster, go to ous.wisc.edu.
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Re-Enroll to Continue Certain Benefits in 2023
The Annual Benefits Enrollment period is currently underway and will end on October 21, 2022. Even if you do not want to make any changes in your benefits elections for 2023, some plans require that you enroll each year to continue your participation. Be sure to enroll if you wish to participate in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2023, including Health Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Day Care FSA. You must enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) each year if you choose a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The State Group Health Insurance Opt-Out Incentive requires re-enrollment each year. Employees must choose the Opt-Out Incentive when electing benefits; waiving health coverage is not enrolling in the Opt-Out Incentive. WEA Trust will no longer be available as a health insurance plan carrier. If you are currently enrolled in a plan with WEA Trust, you must choose a new network to use in 2023.
Virtual, live presentations about annual benefits enrollment are upcoming on October 13 and 14, and a recording of the presentation is available online for viewing on demand. These and other resources for employees can be found at benefits.wisc.edu/2023.
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Get a Flu Shot on Campus at No Cost
Everyone should be vaccinated for the flu annually. Getting vaccinated helps protect each of us in addition to limiting the spread of influenza. University Health Services has scheduled free flu shot clinics for employees and students through December 8 at multiple campus locations and various times of day. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Employees should bring their insurance card to the clinic for drop-in appointments. Employees without proof of insurance will still receive a flu shot at no cost. To view the list of clinics and to schedule an appointment, go to uhs.wisc.edu/medical/flu-shots.
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Sustainability Symposium Invites Presenters and Attendees
The Office of Sustainability and Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies will host the UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium on Oct. 26, 2022, from 1‒5:30 p.m. at the Discovery Building. UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit a poster or flash talk or register to attend. The deadline to express interest in presenting a poster or flash talk (lightning talk) is Friday, Oct. 7. The event is free and walk-ins are welcome, although registration by October 21 is encouraged.
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Deadline Approaching for Limited PSLF Waiver
Full-time UW–Madison employees with federal student loans may be able to take advantage of a limited time waiver available under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that expires on Oct. 31, 2022. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance tax-free on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer such as UW‒Madison. The limited time waiver allows borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. Borrowers who also have FFEL/FFELP and/or Perkins loans need to consolidate these loans into a single Federal Direct Loan by the deadline in order to make these additional loans eligible for the PSLF waiver. Details, links, tools, a video overview, and other resources are available from the UW‒Madison Office of Student Financial Aid at financialaid.wisc.edu/pslf. One-on-one help is available from the Wisconsin Student Debt Hotline at 833-589-0750. The waiver expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (10:59 p.m. Central Time) on Oct. 31, 2022, so it is important to act now.
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Save the Date for Upcoming Benefits Enrollment Sessions
UW–Madison employees can enroll in benefits for 2023 now through Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Employees are encouraged to attend upcoming virtual and in-person sessions that will provide information about benefits options and how to enroll. A 60-minute overview, “Benefits 2023: What You Need to Know,” will be offered virtually throughout the enrollment period. This information session will also be offered at the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair on Monday, Oct. 3. A daytime session will be offered in multiple languages (no English) on October 5, and a late-night session for the second and third shifts will be offered in all languages on October 6. For details, including links to virtual sessions, visit benefits.wisc.edu/2023.