News for Employees
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Campus Art Exchange Hosts Exhibition
The Campus Art Exchange will exhibit new acquisitions August 2–September 13, 2019 in Gallery 1308 at Union South . An opening reception will be held on Friday, Aug. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. The Campus Art Exchange is an innovative program that provides fine art from the campus collection for public display in UW–Madison buildings at little or no cost.
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Pringle Award Recognizes Office Support Staff
Nominations are now open for the Elizabeth S. Pringle Award, which recognizes UW–Madison employees with office support titles who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the university. Nominations are due by noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Any UW-Madison employee may nominate a University Staff member who holds an office support job title. A link to the nomination form, as well as a complete list of eligible job titles, can be found on the University Staff Shared Governance website at ous.wisc.edu. For more information about the award, visit go.wisc.edu/6k9b6i.
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WRS Contribution Rates to Increase in 2020
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has announced that contributions paid by Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) employees will increase slightly for UW–Madison employees effective Jan. 1, 2020. WRS contribution rates are set and adjusted annually. Contribution rates for UW–Madison employees are determined by WRS employment category and expressed as a percentage of salary. For general employees, the contribution rates will increase from 6.55 percent each from employee and employer in 2019 to 6.75 percent from each in 2020.
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Volunteer Tutors Sought to Work with Employees
The Volunteer Tutoring Program at UW–Madison matches employees with tutors who provide one-on-one instruction. Learners define the individual learning goals they would like to work on; examples include practice in conversation, basic English skills for reading and writing, and learning about the culture in the United States. The program offers flexibility, allowing learners and their tutors to agree on times and meeting locations that will work for them. Tutors receive training in the skills they need and may choose to earn an online Tutor Training certificate at no cost. UW-Madison employees, retirees, students, and community members are all welcome to volunteer. To express interest, complete an online application or contact Jzong Thao, Cultural Linguistic Services, at 263-2217 or jzong.thao@wisc.edu.
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Upcoming Webinar Focuses on Diabetes
Well Wisconsin will offer a webinar on “Understanding Diabetes” on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from noon to 12:30 p.m. All UW–Madison employees are welcome to attend. Participants will learn about the warning signs and symptoms of diabetes, simple prevention steps, and what you need to know if you already have diabetes. The webinar will be recorded and made available to Well Wisconsin Program participants on the StayWell portal after the event date. Register in advance to join the live webinar.
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UW–Madison Response to Reports of ICE Activity on Campus
Late last week, postings on social media began referencing reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on the UW–Madison campus. The university believes these reports were likely sparked by routine activity of another government agency. Earlier in the week, the university provided a copy of an employee’s I-9 form to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the employee’s consent, in response to a lawful authorization. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a distinct branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Such requests are not unusual and do not imply any unlawful behavior. The individual remains employed at UW–Madison. In general, UW–Madison does not provide information on the immigration status of its students, faculty, or staff unless required to do so by law. UW–Madison has posted this clarifying information online in English, Spanish, Hmong, Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepali. Read the full statement at go.wisc.edu/a4z523.
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Construction to Close Charter Street Northbound
Due to construction, Charter Street northbound between University Avenue and Observatory Drive will be closed to traffic starting next Tuesday, July 23. The start date is tentative and subject to change based on weather or other factors. This project is expected to last two weeks. Updates on construction detours, road closures, and campus bus routes can be found on the Transportation Services website at transportation.wisc.edu.
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New Course for Managers Supports Employee Career Development
Managers can support career development by coaching employees and working with them to define and achieve career goals. To support managers in this role, Learning and Talent Development at UW–Madison is launching a new workshop, Overview: Managers Supporting Employee Career Development. This free, half-day workshop will review the stages of employee career development and discuss how to initiate career conversations with employees. Participants will leave with workplace tools they can use with their teams. To view the available course times and register, visit go.wisc.edu/j7n9x1.
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Ice Cream Social for Second and Third Shift Employees
There will be an Employee Appreciation Ice Cream Social on Wednesday night, July 17, 2019, beginning at 11 p.m. in Varsity Hall (2nd floor) at Union South. Free ice cream will be served until 12:30 a.m. or until the ice cream runs out. Campus leaders will be scooping the ice cream in order to thank our UW–Madison employees for their hard work and dedication. Employees must check with their supervisors before attending. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and low sugar options will be available for those with special dietary needs or preferences.
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Free Session Helps You Prepare for Retirement
A Pre-Retirement Session is offered every month at no cost to UW–Madison employees who participate in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). This group session provides a useful overview of the retirement program and identifies tools and resources that can be used to estimate your future retirement benefits and your sick leave value at retirement. The session is appropriate for employees who are at any point in their career. Registration is currently open for sessions scheduled through the remainder of 2019. For details, visit go.wisc.edu/4mk5gn.