A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine arrived this week in Dane County. UW Health will vaccinate eligible employees at UW–Madison who are dually appointed. UW–Madison students and employees who are not affiliated with UW Health but who are eligible for the initial phase of vaccination, or Phase 1a, will receive an email from University Health Services shortly with more information. Phase 1a includes health care workers and employees who are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients or who have direct contact with the virus or virus specimens. Anyone who believes they should be vaccinated under Phase 1a because they meet the criteria above but who do not receive an email from UHS this week should email uhs@uhs.wisc.edu with subject line “Phase 1a eligibility” and include their full name, contact information, and a description of their eligibility. More information about COVID-19 vaccination will be available at covidresponse.wisc.edu.

Everyone who travels should assume that they have come in contact with the virus and should follow health guidelines to support reduced transmission. Try to schedule a COVID-19 test five business days before you travel to allow enough time for your test results to be returned. Those who are staying in Madison or Dane County should review the current public health order regarding gatherings and limit close contacts. More information is available at uhs.wisc.edu/covid-19-holiday-guidance.

The university has adopted new measures to enhance the safety of the campus community during the spring semester. These measures increase the scope and frequency of COVID-19 testing. Proof of recent negative test results will be needed in order to access campus facilities and services. Chancellor Blank’s Dec. 11 message to employees is available in multiple languages. Additional details will be released as they become available. Please visit covidresponse.wisc.edu regularly for updates.

Most UW–Madison faculty and staff will participate in a second round of Campus-wide, Intermittent Furloughs in the first half of 2021. The furlough structure in Round Two is identical to Round One, with the furlough obligations based on an employee’s annual pay rate. Every employee who will participate will receive a notification letter confirming their furlough obligation. Learn more at go.wisc.edu/9434z5.

Under the 2019–2021 pay plan, most employees will receive a 2 percent wage increase effective in January 2021. In addition, a new $15 minimum wage for University Staff will be effective as of Jan. 17, 2021. More information is available at go.wisc.edu/6wt5hn.

The Wisconsin Union’s Wiscard Office team will hold in-service hours 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Jan. 4, 7, 11 and 14. The remainder of Union South will remain closed Dec. 19, 2020–Jan. 19, 2021. For more information about hours and services, visit wiscard.wisc.edu.