Second round of employee furloughs to begin in January
In order to address the continuing financial challenges UW–Madison is facing, Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced a second round of unpaid furlough for most employees in the first half of 2021. Read More
Celebrate with winter 2020 graduates during virtual commencement ceremony
The prerecorded ceremony will be released at 11 a.m. central time on Dec. 13 and will remain available on the web so people anywhere can watch it at a time most convenient to them. Read More
Multiple gene edits and computer simulations could help treat rare genetic diseases
Research in biomedical engineer Kris Saha's lab efficiently corrected multiple mutations responsible for Pompe disease, advancing the CRISPR genome-editing field. Read More
Sound smarter at virtual holiday gatherings – and, eventually, parties
A mix of insightful, obscure and amusing tidbits you can casually drop into your Zoom chat, excerpted from Inside UW New Faculty Focus questionnaires during the past year. Read More
2020-2021 Inclement Weather Notice
With the winter months upon us, UW–Madison’s Office of Human Resources reminds employees working on campus of inclement weather guidelines. During the pandemic, these guidelines apply to those who are working on-site, not to those working remotely. Read More
Research provides tools for achieving the ‘how’ of well-being in daily life
A new framework introduced by UW–Madison's Center for Healthy Minds provides evidence that people can weather life’s ups and downs with resilience, and that the brain and body can change and adapt. Read More
At 2020 winter commencement, notable graduates abound
As the first class of grads to spend an entire semester under the constraints imposed by COVID-19, they’ve shown remarkable fortitude and grace in completing their degrees under challenging circumstances. Read More
Chancellor’s updated face covering order
The updated order includes requiring face coverings in all indoor public spaces except students in their assigned residence hall rooms and employees when alone in a private, unshared office or lab; while riding a campus bus or when two or more people are present in a university vehicle; outside when not able to physically distance or when traveling in a group of two or more individuals. Read More
New game helps refugee camp kids become academic ‘stars’
Once a refugee himself, senior Joel Baraka has invented "5 STA-Z" — a board game for students across sub-Saharan Africa that turns learning into fun. Read More
UW–Madison recognized for its water- and energy-saving initiatives
The heating and cooling plant improvements stem from an upgraded cleaning system for heat exchangers covering over 50,000 tons of the campus’s central plant chillers. Read More
Bird’s-eye view of geology using drones offers new way to protect groundwater
Researchers at the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey are spending a little less time on the ground and more time in the air — looking at the ground. What they're finding could help improve water quality. Read More
Research administrator Bob Andresen remembered for his humor and passion
Andresen, who died Nov. 19, said in a 2016 profile: “I feel I can help the faculty that are looking for cures for diseases or solutions to social problems by doing what I do best." Read More
Students: Returning to campus after Thanksgiving?
UW–Madison students who travel or attend a gathering with people they don't live with over Thanksgiving recess are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 before resuming in-person campus activities. Read More
2020 AAAS Fellows at UW–Madison apply scholarship to science, policy
The honor, dating back to 1874, is for members of the national organization who are nominated by their peers and recognized for their efforts to advance science and society. Read More
Get tips on applying for science journalism fellowship Dec. 3
For 10 weeks in the summer, fellows work as full-time science journalists in top newsrooms around the country. Past fellows have gone on to be leading journalists, educators, policymakers and researchers. Read More
Minimum stipends for graduate assistants, fellows to remain the same in 2021-22
The decision is in response to budget challenges caused by an anticipated $320 million in lower revenue and increased costs to UW–Madison due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Honk if you love neutrinos
Actually, don't honk — it would be rude — but enjoy the UW–Madison IceCube Neutrino Observatory display at Madison’s Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park. The lights at the free, drive-through attraction are on every night from 4:30 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3. Read More
Health care workers appeal to people of Wisconsin for help
Hundreds of UW Health workers call on the people of Wisconsin to take precautions against COVID-19 to avoid overwhelming hospitals. Read More
UW–Madison senior among finalists for 2021 Rhodes Scholarship
University of Wisconsin–Madison senior Alex Plum competed this year as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, the oldest and most celebrated college award for… Read More
New solvent-based recycling process could cut down on millions of tons of plastic waste
Multilayer plastic materials are ubiquitous in food and medical supply packaging, but are impossible to recycle using conventional methods. Researchers are making progress in changing that. Read More