Orientation open to all employees

University employees new and old will have the opportunity to attend a campus orientation early this fall.

This is the third orientation offered by the Office of Human Resource Development, but it is the first time the event will be available for all UW–Madison employees.

“We had a lot of staff who have been here a number of years who expressed interest [in an orientation],” says human resource development director Don Schutt. “They haven’t had the opportunity for one in previous years.”

Schutt says the orientation seeks to familiarize employees with the resources the institution has to offer, help employees grow and develop on campus so they feel they are helping “beyond the walls of their office” and reconfirm the importance of every employee to the university.

“We need to retain the people who are already here, so to single out the people who are brand new would deprive us of the opportunity to recognize the contributions of people who have been here a long time,” says Luis Piñero, assistant vice chancellor and director of the Equity and Diversity Resource Center.

The orientation is also designed to promote initiatives in the campus strategic plan aimed at nurturing human resources. Part of this process is getting employees involved in the campus beyond their own offices.

“In a place this big, there are many ways to become a part of the campus community,” says Maury Cotter, director of the Office of Quality Improvement. “One way for employees to do this is to get involved in some of the initiatives of [the campus strategic plan] that are related to their jobs.”

The orientation will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Kohl Center. Representatives from more than 30 campus departments, offices, schools, organizations and centers will discuss the resources and services they provide.

Other highlights:

• Schutt presents a new employee orientation video with an address by Chancellor John Wiley.
• Cotter presents UW–Madison’s strategic plan and priorities and Piñero discusses the importance of diversity in maintaining a world-class institution.
• A “Know Your University” giveaway features prizes related to the campus, such as memberships and event tickets.
• Three Badger Trolley will run campus tours and the Kohl Center will offer tours at 10:15, 11 and 11:45 a.m.

Schutt says that because the event provides access to many resources in one place, it will greatly reduce the time employees must spend seeking information and resources.

Also, the tours will allow employees to learn more about the campus and its history. “I’ve learned about the richness of the campus by going through the orientation process,” says Schutt.

“We want employees to know they are valued, that what they do matters and that UW–Madison is making a significant contribution to the world,” says Cotter. “That only happens through the work of the university’s employees.”