UW–Madison is opening its doors wide, inviting everyone to a 175th Anniversary Community Open House April 5-7. The celebration will offer something for everyone — all on campus, all open to the public, and all free. Features include a family fun fair with Wisconsin Athletics, interactive science and art activities, Bucky Badger, free samples of the 175 S’more Years ice cream and Cranniverscherry cheese, and more. For details, see the UW 175 events calendar at 175.wisc.edu/events.

Showcase, sponsored by the Office of Strategic Consulting, is a free annual event for faculty and staff designed to celebrate and strengthen a culture of innovation and continuous improvement at UW–Madison. The event will be held Thursday, April 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Union South. Keynote speaker Provost Charles Isbell will share his perspectives in a fireside chat. Showcase also features eight one-hour breakout sessions, a lunch buffet, a poster exhibition, and poster flash talks. The deadline to submit a poster proposal has been extended to this Friday, March 15. Posters can be used to showcase an improvement, innovation, or successful practice to share with others. Registration to attend Showcase is limited; register by April 1 to ensure your place.

With election season upon us, UW–Madison employees are encouraged to review the university’s policy regarding Leave for Voting or Serving as an Election Official. Employees who cannot vote outside of working hours may vote during their scheduled work hours and must provide their supervisor with a written absence request prior to election day. Employees can arrange a flexible schedule with their supervisor that will allow them to vote or, depending on their eligibility, receive leave with pay or take leave without pay.

To serve as an election official, employees should notify their supervisor as soon as possible (notice required seven days prior to election day) and submit the UW–Madison Employee Request to Serve as an Election Official form. Employees will be granted time off work for the entire 24-hour period of each election day. All sick-leave eligible faculty, academic staff, limited appointees, or university staff are entitled to leave with pay to serve as an election official. Employees who are not sick-leave eligible may take leave without pay.