News for Employees
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Thursday Forum to Provide Updates on Campus COVID-19 Response
An online information session is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28, 5–6 p.m., to provide the campus community with the latest information on spring COVID-19 testing requirements and the Safer Badgers app. Panelists will talk about recent updates to the spring semester plan. They will answer the most frequently asked questions about testing site safety, how to provide test samples, building and facilities access, and other topics. The forum will be broadcast on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ore1m5W6_JY and will be available for viewing later.
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Next group of vaccine eligibility begins March 1
On Jan. 26, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced the next set of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under Phase 1b in Wisconsin. Vaccination of these groups can begin March 1, depending on the availability of vaccine across the state. Eligible groups will include, in order of priority: Childcare and education (including campus child care centers and faculty and staff in higher education settings who have direct student contact), people enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, some public-facing essential workers, non-frontline health care essential personnel, and facility staff and residents in congregate living settings (not including university residence halls or co-op housing). UW–Madison will work with these criteria to identify and notify members of the campus community of their eligibility and provide next steps for vaccination as this information is available.
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UW–Madison Policy Library Now Live
The new UW–Madison Policy Library is live at policy.wisc.edu. The online, searchable policy library serves as the single, up-to-date resource for all university-wide polices at UW–Madison. The library features extensive search functionality that allows users to search by topic or keywords. To help maintain the integrity of the policy library, all campus constituents should use the tools and resources provided when developing new policies or revising existing policies. Any university-wide policy that is not in the library will not be considered official policy.
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Nominations Open for Partners in Giving Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for four Partners in Giving volunteer awards. Employees are encouraged to nominate campaign volunteers who have done outstanding work to support the campaign in this challenging year. The deadline for nominations is February 8. Go to giving.wi.gov/award-nomination-form.
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Safer Badgers Employee Forum on Thursday
An online forum for employees and graduate students will be held at noon on Thursday, Jan. 21. Panelists will provide information on the new COVID-19 testing requirements, the Safer Badgers app, access to campus facilities, and other aspects of the spring semester health and safety program. The forum will be broadcast live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewdRLj145_Y, and will be available for viewing later at the same online location. Employees are invited to submit questions via email to chancellor@wisc.edu. Please include “Safer Badgers employee forum” in the subject line.
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Employees Sought to Serve as Paid Volunteers for Campus Testing Program
University Health Services anticipates that they will administer up to 70,000 tests weekly in the campus COVID-19 testing program. Significant staffing will be required to support the testing program throughout the spring semester. To help make this program a success, UW–Madison employees are being invited to voluntarily dedicate some of their paid working hours as COVID-19 Health Technicians. Health Technicians assist with the collection of test samples, prepare the test site and equipment, and perform administrative duties. They do not do any actual testing. Every employee serving as a Health Technician will wear full personal protective equipment (PPE). Training will be provided. Details are available at hr.wisc.edu/covid19/testing-program-volunteers.
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Safer Badgers App Now Found in Google Play Store
Android users can now download the Safer Badgers app from the Google Play Store. The app is the main tool students, faculty, and staff will use to schedule COVID-19 tests, track test results, and gain access to campus spaces. All members of the campus community are encouraged to download the Safer Badgers app as soon as possible from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android). Instructions for installing the app and other details are available at saferbadgers.wisc.edu.
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Tips for Avoiding a Rejected COVID-19 Saliva Test
Students, faculty, and staff are now participating in a new, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program in preparation for the start of the spring semester. Those who follow the guidelines and suggestions are more likely to have a successful saliva test. Tips and FAQs about the saliva-based testing can be found on the Covid Response website at covidresponse.wisc.edu.
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W-2 Forms Now Available Online
Electronic 2020 W-2 Forms are now available online on MyUW at https://my.wisc.edu. Employees will receive a paper copy of the W-2 Form via U.S. mail by February 1, 2021. Paper copies are mailed to all employees except those who chose electronic-only delivery of their W-2 Form by January 18, 2021.
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Spring Semester Health and Safety Program Announced
The spring semester COVID-19 testing plan includes new measures to enhance the safety of the campus community. Beginning Jan. 25, faculty and staff working on campus or using campus facilities will be required to test regularly. Proof of recent negative test results will be needed in order to access campus facilities and services. A free, easy-to-use mobile app called Safer Badgers will help employees and others schedule tests, quickly obtain test results, and access additional health resources. Employees will be receiving weekly updates throughout the month of January in preparation for the new campus safety protocols. Detailed FAQs and additional updates can be found at covidresponse.wisc.edu.