News for Employees
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Some In-Person Events and Meetings to Resume
UW–Madison has issued new policies regarding how and where students and employees can gather for in-person events and meetings that fall outside of the formal classroom experience. These policies seek to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 to the campus community while allowing some in-person activities to resume. The university recommends that events and meetings continue to be held virtually whenever possible. In-person events should also allow for virtual participation by attendees who choose not to or are unable to participate in person. The campus policies apply to all programs, activities, meetings, or gatherings, regardless of their location on or off university property. The policies may be modified as new information becomes available from national, state and local public health agencies. The most current university event policy can be found on the Smart Restart website at smartrestart.wisc.edu.
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Smart Restart Sessions for Supervisors
Online training is being offered for managers and supervisors who would like to become more familiar with campus resources related to Smart Restart. In the hour-long session, supervisors will review the Smart Restart website and have an opportunity to ask questions. Smart Restart Information for Supervisors is scheduled for several dates and times beginning Tuesday, August 25. To register for one of the free sessions, visit go.wisc.edu/1wj903. Additional sessions may be scheduled to meet demand. Supervisors can also find other resources related to the university’s plans on the Smart Restart website for supervisors.
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Online Smart Restart Forum to Address Employee Questions
As part of Smart Restart, an online forum for faculty and staff will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 13. Chancellor Rebecca Blank, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Laurent Heller, Chief Human Resources Officer Mark Walters and other panelists will answer the most frequently asked questions from employees and governance leads. They will also discuss topics gathered from the survey emailed to employees last week. The forum will focus on issues such as employee health and safety, facilities modifications, positive case reporting, accommodations, benefits and leave, transportation, and childcare and caregiving flexibilities. Employees are encouraged to email questions to smartrestart@vc.wisc.edu before and during the session. The forum will be streamed live and will be available for viewing later on the UW–Madison YouTube channel.
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COVID-19 Testing Offered on Campus
University Health Services (UHS) is offering no-cost COVID-19 testing to students, faculty and staff on campus. You can make an appointment for testing using the MyUHS web portal at myuhs.uhs.wisc.edu/login_dualauthentication.aspx. All UW–Madison students and employees have a MyUHS account. To prepare for your test, log in to your MyUHS account and make sure your Profile details are correct. Go to Forms to review and sign the UHS Information and Consent Form. Then go to Appointments to schedule a COVID-19 test. For details, go to uhs.wisc.edu/medical/#testing.
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Guidelines Issued for Positive COVID-19 Test Reporting
UW–Madison has developed protocols for what to do when individuals working, living or learning on campus test positive for COVID-19. This includes contact tracing to notify others who may have been in close contact with a COVID-positive individual, providing necessary cleaning to workspaces and classrooms, and assisting Housing residents who must be isolated or quarantined.
University Health Services (UHS) will automatically receive all results for tests conducted by UW–Madison or reported to Public Health Madison & Dane County. There is no need to report these results. However, all employees who receive a test from public health agencies or health care providers outside of Dane County are expected to report their positive test results to UHS. To report your test results using the online form, log in to your MyUHS account and click on Messages, select New Message, and then choose COVID-19 Outside Result Reporting. Those who are unable to access the online form can send a secure email to covidresults@wisc.edu or call (608) 890-0000. UHS will follow up on every confirmed positive COVID-19 test report. For additional details, go to uhs.wisc.edu/medical/testing/#test-results.
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TeachOnline@UW Opens Fall Sessions
TeachOnline@UW is a free instructor learning community for those who are developing and plan to teach an online credit course. Participants explore research-based online course design and teaching best practices in two courses: Plan & Design and Facilitation & Management. Applications are due August 20 for the fall Plan & Design course and October 12 for Facilitation & Management. For details and to apply, visit teachonline.wisc.edu.
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Employees Encouraged to Set Up Their UHS Accounts
Every UW–Madison employee with a NetID has an account with University Health Services (UHS). These accounts can be accessed at myuhs.uhs.wisc.edu or on the main UHS website, uhs.wisc.edu. In preparation for the availability of on-campus COVID-19 testing, all employees should ensure that their account details are correct and the proper consent forms are completed.
To set up or update your account, go to myuhs.uhs.wisc.edu/login and sign in with your NetID. Once you sign in, use the “Profile” link on the left side of your MyUHS page to view and update your profile. In addition, you must go to the “Forms” link and complete the following two forms: Occupational Medicine 1: Privacy Notice and Consent to Treat, and Occupational Medicine 2: Authorization for Release of Occupational Health Records. On-campus COVID-19 testing will be offered beginning August 6 at no cost to all faculty and staff. By setting up your MyUHS account now, you will be prepared to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing and access your test results online. If you need assistance setting up your MyUHS account, please send an email to myUHS@uhs.wisc.edu.
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Virtual Learning Opportunities Continue to Expand
UW–Madison employees have many opportunities to grow and develop their professional skills through online learning. These learning resources are available at no cost. Learning and Talent Development continues to expand its virtual professional development offerings. New courses that have been added include Effective Emails: Fundamentals in Business Writing, Understanding Your Experiences and Identities, Active Listening to Support Effective Communication, and more. To view a complete list of virtual learning opportunities and to register, visit hr.wisc.edu/virtual-learning.
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Webex Updates Launched This Week
Webex, one of several tools used for virtual meetings and video conferencing at UW–Madison, has introduced some improvements that make using Webex easier and more intuitive. For example, pressing and holding the spacebar now unmutes a meeting participant temporarily when they want to speak. Audio and video functionality have been enhanced to allow for easier testing of a selected speaker and microphone. DoIT offers more information about the advanced features that have been added to Webex on its IT News page.
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Smart Restart Plans for Returning to Work
UW–Madison is preparing to resume additional on-site activities as the fall semester approaches. Modifications are being made to classroom instruction, student support services, campus operations, and more to reflect current health and safety protocols. The wellbeing of the entire campus community, including employees, will continue to be a priority.
Many employees will continue to work remotely, while others will be expected to return to work. Employees who will be expected to work on-site should receive information from their supervisor by early August. All employees who return to full or partial on-site work, as well as those who have been working on-site to maintain campus operations, will be expected to complete a new training module on the required health protocols. More details on the plans for campus reopening will be released as they becomes available on the university’s Smart Restart website at smartrestart.wisc.edu.