UW–Madison faculty and staff are invited to participate in a free workshop, “Bystander Training: Stepping in with Care and Confidence.” The three-hour workshop will be offered several times this spring at 21 North Park Street, with the first session scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19. Participants will learn skills to identify, intervene, and interrupt behaviors that negatively impact the workplace. This course is part of the Inclusion@UW program from Learning and Talent Development at UW–Madison.

The 30th Annual Office Professionals Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. at Union South. The conference offers skill building, networking, and practical tools for personal enrichment and professional development. Conference organizers are seeking proposals from prospective speakers on a variety of topics. Session proposals are due Feb. 28. In the conference keynote, Don Schutt will present a career development process that focuses on strengths and on a “whole person, whole life” approach. Registration is now open and includes a $125 fee. The conference is open to anyone in the community.

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus on the UW–Madison campus or in the Madison community. New travel restrictions have taken effect. Employees and scholars who are affected should contact International Faculty and Staff Services; international students should contact International Student Services. Instructors and staff cannot tell students or employees to stay home based on their recent travel history. University Health Services recommends that everyone continue to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene. If you develop flu-like symptoms, seek medical care. For more information, visit uhs.wisc.edu/coronavirus-2019.

Research assistantship policy has been added to the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) document. GAPP provides formal guidance, clarity, and transparency on employment-related matters for teaching assistants, project assistants, research assistants, and their supervisors. The document formalizes practices that are already established at UW–Madison such as appointment letters, performance evaluations, job orientation and training, leave benefits, and a grievance procedure for graduate assistants. Questions regarding GAPP should be directed to your departmental Human Resources unit.