News for Employees
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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.
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Event to Provide Benefits Enrollment Help, Showcase Campus Resources
The Employee Benefits and Resource Fair will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Varsity Hall at Union South. Units and services from across campus will provide information about resources available to UW–Madison employees. Representatives from Benefits Services will be on hand to answer questions about benefits enrollment. A 60-minute session, “Benefits 2023: What You Need to Know,” will be presented at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:15 p.m. An Open Benefits Lab will be available for those who have made their 2023 benefits decisions and would like help enrolling using Self-Service. Free flu shots will be offered by appointment. For more information about the fair, visit go.wisc.edu/employee-resource-fair.
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Updated Covid-19 Booster Now Available on Campus
The updated, bivalent COVID-19 booster is now available at no cost to students and employees on campus. You can also receive a no-cost flu vaccine at the same time and location. You must schedule each appointment separately. It is safe to receive both vaccines on the same day. Getting a flu vaccine and staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines is one of the best ways to avoid illness and keep those around you healthy. Find the details at uhs.wisc.edu/boosters-and-flu-shots.
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Registration Open for Leadership & Management Development Conference
The Leadership and Management Development Conference will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Union South. The conference is designed for anyone who would like to develop the skills to lead and manage more effectively. The day-long event features concurrent sessions, a lunch roundtable discussion, and a keynote presentation by UW‒Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. New this year are half-day sessions, including a session for advanced leaders on fundraising and development in higher education (separate registration required). The conference fee is $135 for UW‒Madison employees. Register by Oct. 25.
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Nomination Deadline for Regents Diversity Awards
Today, Sept. 28, is the last day to submit nominations for the 2023 Regents Diversity Awards. These awards recognize people, units, and initiatives whose work has fostered greater access and success for students from historically underrepresented and disadvantaged populations at UW System campuses.
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Annual Benefits Enrollment Begins Sept. 26
The Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE) period is Sept. 26–Oct. 21, 2022. This is the only time you can make changes to certain benefits without having an eligible life event (for example, marriage, birth, or divorce) or qualifying employment changes during the year. Certain benefits require re-enrollment every year. There will be a limited number of benefits plan changes for the 2022 calendar year. 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. For details, visit wisconsin.edu/abe. You can prepare for Annual Benefits Enrollment by reviewing your current benefits elections in MyUW. Additional resources, including helpful checklists and presentations, will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Important Leave Deadlines Coming Up on Sept. 30
The deadline for Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees (who have or had an active leave-eligible appointment) to submit missing leave reports for fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021‒June 30, 2022) is Sept. 30, 2022. Leave reports must report either leave usage or “No Leave Taken” for every month of the fiscal year. If missing leave reports are not entered in MyUW by the Sept. 30 deadline, the employee will have their sick leave balance permanently reduced. Employees can check for any missing leave reports by going to MyUW > Time and Absence > Leave Reports. In addition, Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees with 12-month appointments who are eligible to bank unused vacation time must enter any banked leave in MyUW by Sept. 30. Employees who have questions should contact the human resources department in their school, college or division.
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Deadline Approaching to Earn Well Wisconsin Incentive
The Well Wisconsin program supports participants in meeting their health and well-being goals. Those who complete the program steps by the Oct. 14, 2022, deadline will earn a $150 incentive. UW employees, retirees, and their spouses who are currently enrolled in the Wisconsin State Group Health Insurance plan are eligible to participate. Participants must complete a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity. There is also a simplified process for people who do not have computer access, need language support, or find the online steps challenging to complete. For details about the Well Wisconsin program and links to information about the simplified process in multiple languages, visit hr.wisc.edu/well-being/health-screenings.