Service day planned for furlough day

All staff, faculty, postdoctoral fellows and students are invited to take part in community service projects on the Monday, May 16, mandatory furlough day.

A group of academic and classified staff is working to organize the day of service for a second year. The idea developed from a resolution passed by the Academic Staff Assembly that encouraged academic staff to consider volunteering during the 16 unpaid days that all state employees were required to take under the two-year state budget that started July 1, 2009.

Last year, more than 200 people from across campus took part in community service projects ranging from pulling weeds and planting at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to cleaning up a senior center and organizing donated baby clothes.

Starting April 18, those interested will be able to register through the Office of Human Resource Development and then access a database of available volunteer opportunities for the day through the United Way of Dane County, where people can register for projects. There will be two- or three-hour shifts available at a variety of activities of the participant’s choosing.

Those who arrange their own volunteer work can also take part.

Students and postdoctoral fellows who may not be on furlough that day, as well as former UW–Madison employees and others in the university community, are also welcome if schedules permit their participation.