Staff Training

The UW-L campus community has expressed a need to have staff training on a variety of topics and concerns that affect our working environment.  A joint group consisting of personnel from Affirmative Action, Human Resources, Campus Climate & Diversity, and Disability Resource Services conducted a survey to determine what training would be most helpful and how it could be most effectively delivered.

For the complete results of the survey, see Training Needs Survey Report (DOC).

Staff Training will be developed using this survey report as our guide.  Notices of staff training opportunities will be sent to the campus community via email and posted on this website.

If you would like to suggest training on a topic not covered in the survey, you may send your request to aad@uwlax.edu.

Inclusive Fridays

Inclusive Fridays is a Brown Bag series held on the 3rd Friday of every month.  Specific topics that affect our work and learning environment will be presented and discussed.  All sessions for 2009-10 will be held in 102 Wing Communications from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. and are OPEN for anyone to attend.  Sessions will be videotaped and available for viewing following the presentation.  To access, see the link following each description below.

2009-10 Schedule

  • September 18 - Disability Resource Services, "Accommodating Students With Disabilities:  You are the Key to Accessibility."  This presentation will focus on students with disabilities in the classroom.  We will discuss step by step procedures to assure that students with disabilities receive equal access in the classroom. We will discuss legal obligations, responsibilities of the teaching staff, as well as specific accommodations that might be needed by the students with disabilities.  To view, go to:   

    http://edtech-media.uwlax.edu/UWLMediaSite50/Viewer/?peid=6fa3060565f240b6aa88adab9b6ebaee

  • October 16 - Human Resources.  Know the insurances and benefits you have and explore the ones you may want!  October is the Dual Choice month.  It is the month to review your benefit coverage and an opportunity to make changes for 2010.  Come hear what is new with:
    • Domestic Partner Benefits for University of Wisconsin Employees
    • Employee Reimbursement Accounts (ERA)
    • Furloughs
    • Annual Health Insurance benefits changes/updates
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance

    Plan on attending the UW-L Health Fair on Thursday, October 15, 2009, in Valhalla of the Cartwright Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • November 20 - Diversity 101
    Diversity 101 is workshop that is designed to explore basic concepts of diversity.  Participants will examine the definition of diversity, equity and inclusion.  We will also explore how diversity impacts us as an individual, and a campus community.  This is an interactive, participant-focused workshop.
  • December 18 - Disability Resource Services, "Supervisors:  A Tool Kit For Working with Individuals with Disabilities."  This presentation will focus on accommodations that might be used for employees with disabilities. ADA requires that employees with disabilities must receive appropriate and reasonable accommodations in their jobs. Many individuals have little experience working with people with disabilities, they may feel anxious or uncomfortable when first working with or supervising a person with disabilities. We will discuss legal requirement, accommodations, as well as communication tips for working with persons with disabilities.
  • February 19 - Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence:  How to Help
    53% of the referrals to UW-L's Violence Prevention Office come from a faculty or staff member.  This session will provide a basic overview of these topics, as well as how to respond to a student or colleague who discloses that they are struggling with one of these issues.  We will discuss a variety of options for responding, as well as the available campus and community resources.
  • March 26 - Dealing with Difficult People
    This workshop will explore different methods of responding to difficult people in the workplace setting.  Strategies to encourage and promote healthy work relationships will be discussed.
  • April 16 - Pride/LGBQT
  • May 21 - Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Faculty & Staff.  This session will focus on Best Practices for recruiting a large and diverse candidate pool and hiring the best person for the job.  Additionally, this session will provide information and strategies on how to keep our valued employees once they've arrived.

Guest Speakers/Presenters/Topics

  • Carmen Wilson VanVoorhis, Affirmative Action Officer is available to speak to units, departments, and Search & Screen Committees on Recruitment & Retention of a Diverse Staff.  All Search & Screen committees must meet with the AAO for a Charging Meeting prior to obtaining access and/or creating a posting in PeopleAdmin.  Contact Carmen Wilson VanVoorhis at 785-8043 or email wilson.carm@uwlax.edu.
  • Ingrid Peterson, Violence Prevention Specialist, can present information to groups or classes on any of the following:  violence prevention, sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, reporting procedure and staff responsibilities.  Contact Ingrid Peterson at (608)785-5126 or (608) 386-1895 or email peterson.ingr@uwlax.edu.
  • Barbara Stewart, Associate Dean for Campus Climate & Diversity, along with her staff, Matt Evensen and Amanda Goodenough, can present information on a variety of topics affecting our work environment such as:  Diversity 101; Dealing with Difficult People
  • Awareness Through Performance (ATP) is a production created by UW-L students that brings together both upbeat and serious scenes which encourage audience members to acknowledge the dignity and worth of all people.  Through creative and artistic messages, the audience is provided with the tools necessary to further engage in dialogue and take action to educate others about the topics discussed.  For more information, see http://www.uwlax.edu/campusclimate/atp/index.htm.  Contact Amanda Goodenough, Campus Climate & Diversity, (608) 785-5094 or email goodenou.aman@uwlax.edu
  • June Reinert, Director of Disability Resources Services and campus ADA Coordinator will speak to classes, staff or faculty about Universal Design, ADA Requirements for Supervisors, Assistive Technology, Advising and/or Accommodating Students with Disabilities, Etiquette and How to Communicate With Persons With Disabilities in the Work Environment.  Contact June Reinert, Disability Resources Services, (608) 785-6900, or email reinert.june@uwlax.edu.
  • Human Resources.  Please check the Human Resources website - Resources for Supervisors and Department Chairs for tools to assist with supervision issues, training opportunities and general information.  Contact Jennifer Wilson (785-8013), Joy Gutknecht (785-8640) or Deb Hanson (785-6498).

Tutorials and Web-Based Training:

Disability Accommodation & Access Training

  • Training for Supervisors on the Americans for Disabilities Act:   ADA Basics http://www.adabasics.org/index.php
    "ADA Basics" is an introductory web course on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) that explores the legal requirements and spirit of the ADA.  The course is designed to provide you with the basic principles and core concepts of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

  • Training for Faculty/Staff:  "In their Shoes" Penn State:  www.aa.psu.edu/intheirshoes
    College ID: ACCESSUWL, User ID-They will assign you one.
    "In Their Shoes" is an interactive video presentation which lasts about 20 minutes.  It is one important step on the path to removing the hidden barriers that impact us all.  As educators, it is important for us to embrace the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating an inclusive learning environment that is empowering and supportive of the needs of our students and employees with disabilities.  It is a must for educators.

  • Training For Faculty:  "Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Higher Education."  This Power Point presentation gives the basics for faculty in providing accommodations for students with disabilities. http://www.uwlax.edu/drs/aarc.htm

  • Training for Student Services/Non-Teaching Staff:  This Power Point presentation gives non-teaching staff information on persons with disabilities and how to make their programs and services accessible to this population http://www.uwlax.edu/drs/aarc.htm.

  • ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments:  http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/abouttoolkit.htm
    During the past five years, the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice has worked with communities across the United States to improve access to state and local government for over 3 million people with disabilities.  The Civil Rights Division is assembling this Took Kit to help communities better understand the issues involved in providing equal access for people with disabilities

Sexual Assault

  • Sexual Assault Education:  http://www.uwlax.edu/sexualassaulted/
    In order to educate the campus community regarding sexual assault and its impact at UW-La Crosse, a tutorial has been created. When you have completed the tutorial, you will have the opportunity to e-mail for a certificate of completion which designates that you have an understanding of the issue and are available as a support person for victims of sexual assault. There is also a list of resources for you to reference if a sexual assault victim confides in you, and you will be able to access a printable version of the entire tutorial.  With this knowledge, you may be the person who helps the victim begin the move to survivor status. 

Sexual Harassment

  • All supervisors are required to have some sexual harassment training.  In October, Judith Trampf, Director of
    Workforce Diversity for the University of Wisconsin-System, provided training for department chairs and supervisors of classified staff.  The training was video-taped and is available for review by anyone at the link below.  If you are required to receive training and were unable to attend or are a new supervisor, you may fulfill that requirement by viewing the training video and also completing the quiz linked below.  Upon completion of the quiz, the affirmative action officer will receive notification that you have viewed the training materials and that information will be documented.

     

    Sexual Harassment Training Video

    Sexual Harassment Quiz