It is my official opinion that it is beginning to get cold...
It is my official opinion that it is beginning to get cold...

December 14, 2021

In this issue: Staying warm when it gets cold, Welcome Back Week preview, and more.

Tips for Grads: Staying warm when it gets cold

By Olivia Gacka, PhD student
Personal and Interpersonal Effectiveness
It is my official opinion that it is beginning to get cold. That means it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep warm, and everyone has an opinion (are you Team Gloves or Team Mittens?). Whether you’re a Wisconsin native or moved here from a place where the winters get down to 60 degrees at best, let’s take a moment to talk about some of the basic tools for avoiding icicle status:
  • Layer up: To keep warm outside without sweating inside, focus on layering up, starting with the thinnest layers on the inside and thicker ones as you go along. Being able to shed a layer or two once you get to class or work where the heat is blasting will make the indoor/outdoor transition easier.
  • Mind your materials: The materials you choose for your layers are important. Some classic favorites include wool, flannel, and fleece, but you’ll also find that many clothing labels that sell winter wear have their own proprietary fabrics that they swear by. My personal favorite fabric for the winter is merino wool, since it’s also temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking.
  • Pick a favorite hot beverage: Whether you’re a coffee or a tea person, making a little time to drink something warm will be a big help to you when you go outside. I have a six- minute walk to my bus stop, and when it’s really cold I like to make sure I drink as much of my tea as possible right before I head out the door (without, you know, burning my tongue off). Some people suggest bringing a to-go cup with you to keep your hands warm outside, while I prefer to leave it at home so I can keep my hands in my pockets. Either way, drinking a steaming cup of your favorite drink will help keep you warm inside-out.
  • Keep your electronics warm, too: To all my fellow folks who use their time waiting at the bus stop to scroll through Twitter, did you know that if it gets cold enough, your fully-charged phone battery can die in a matter of seconds? While things have gotten better as new iterations of phones have been released, it’s still a good idea to keep your phone in a pocket closest to your body and as warm as possible in freezing temperatures to avoid losing charge.
I’ve also found that some of the best tips for keeping warm in the winter come from asking my classmates, colleagues, professors, and supervisors. While there are certainly some universal rules of thumb, most everyone has their own special hack for surviving the winter. There are tons of perspectives and in the end it comes down to personal preference, but you never know where you’ll learn a new trick that makes your winter more bearable!
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for Tips for Grads.
DiscoverPD: Your guide to professional development
DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the eight facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.

Upcoming Professional Development Events

All event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.

Welcome Back Week

Save the dates and register early for these events:
This session will focus on utilizing visioning and intentional professional development plans to craft your career path. Dr. Christina Olstad, UW-Madison Dean of Students, will facilitate the interactive session and participants will take away tangible resources to assist them with their career path planning.
Ableism, Interrupted
Wednesday, Jan 19 | 11 am - 1 pm
Union South, TITU | Inclusion and Diversity
This session will explore the definition of ableism and how it has been institutionalized in higher education. Attendees will learn about the different forms of ableism that exist on college campuses and how this affects disabled students, staff, and faculty. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussion and ask questions related to able-bodied privilege. Finally, attendees will also discuss actionable steps to address ableism. This is an introductory level session aimed at graduate students, but staff and postdocs are also welcome. Lunch will be provided at 12:15 pm after the presentation.
In a recent survey of graduate students, a significant percentage rated work-life balance as one of the most important factors when deciding on their future career paths. But what about during graduate school? How can graduate students achieve healthy and satisfying work-life balance? In this workshop, we will explore what work-life integration can look like with campus wellness experts. A panel of experienced graduate students will share their experiences navigating diverse commitments and offer advice and peer-to-peer support. Light refreshments will be provided.
A Practical Approach to Project Management for Graduate Students
Monday, Jan 24 | 9 am - 2:30 pm
Deluca Forum, Discovery Building | Managing Projects and People
Project management is a set of skills that can be applied in academic, non-profit, laboratory, business, and many other settings. Learn principles of project management and apply them to your own project in this collaborative, day-long program. You will think creatively, define a problem, establish project goals, create a plan, and prepare for implementation. Since no project runs perfectly, the program will also address how project leaders manage change and other common challenges. You will leave better prepared to lead a team and deliver results. Students will also hear from a panel of successful project managers. Lunch will be provided, with vegetarian and gluten free options.
Setting Up for Success – A mini-series on teaching-related skills
Using Learning Objectives to Drive Instruction
Tuesday, Jan 18 | 9:30 - 11 am
Teaching Inclusively from the First Day of Class
Thursday, Jan 20 | 12:30 - 2 pm
Ensuring Health For All
Wednesday, Dec 15 | 9 - 10 am
Online
Full Moon Night Walk
Saturday, Dec 18 | 4:30 - 6 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
Nature Hike
Sunday, Dec 19 | 1 - 2:30 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
Innovation to Market
Apply by Feb 21, 2022
This course is for innovators, seekers of creative solutions, designers of novel approaches to social problems or makers of impactful products. Innovation to Market focuses on customer discovery for your proposed product or service.
Deadlines & Announcements

Enrollment deadlines

  • Wednesday, December 15: Deadline for Graduate students to withdraw from the Fall term
Find all enrollment dates and deadlines on the Registrar’s Office website.

Libraries to switch to winter break hours

The Libraries will have altered hours during the winter recess period. Most spaces will be closed December 24 through January 2. Beginning January 3 through January 24, hours may be reduced or changed. Please be sure to check the Libraries website updated times and hours at Libraries locations during this period. Beginning in the spring 2022 semester, the Libraries anticipate returning to their normal schedules, similar to the fall 2021 semester.

Karpus reappointed as dean of the Graduate School

William Karpus has been reappointed as dean of the Graduate School. Every five years, deans of the university’s schools and colleges undergo a comprehensive review to assess their performance. Karpus is the first dean of the graduate school since the school was restructured during creation of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education in 2014 to enhance the roles of graduate education and research at UW–Madison. Read the full reappointment announcement.
Wellness
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Wednesday, Dec 15 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Online
Free Group Fitness Classes
Thursday, Dec 16 – Thursday, Dec 23
Nicholas Recreation Center

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

All students, employees, and visitors to campus are required to wear masks when inside campus buildings, unless working alone inside an office or lab with the door closed or while actively eating and drinking. Employees and students who have not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS are required to test weekly on campus. University Health Services continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to all students and employees. For more information, see the COVID-19 Response FAQs.

UHS services available remotely

University Health Services is committed to supporting you. Many medical, counseling, and wellness services are available by phone and accessible online. Find out more on the UHS Remote Health and Connection webpage.

Mental Health Resources for Grad Students

According to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.
  • Let’s Talk. Sign up for a free, informal, and confidential consultation about any topic at locations across campus. Common concerns include stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems.
  • UHS 24-hour Crisis Services. On-call crisis counselors can help address your most pressing concerns, address your safety, and help you connect with follow-up service needs. It’s available every day, including weekends, holidays, and semester breaks. Call the UHS crisis line at 608-265-5600. For situations that are immediately life-threatening, call 911.
  • SilverCloud. This online, self-guided resource provides treatment options 24 hours a day through evidence-based modules on anxiety, depression, body image, and stress. SilverCloud is designed to help students manage day-to-day stresses and improve resilience.
  • YOU@WISC. This portal has tools and information to help you be well, with modules on stress management, self-care, social support, suicidal thoughts, mindfulness, academic wellness, and more.

For more mental health resources, visit UHS Mental Health Services.

Graduate Student Support and Assistance

The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.
Funding Opportunities
Please note: Some graduate students may be ineligible to hold graduate assistantship appointments. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator about your eligibility before applying.

Campus Employment

Fellowships & Grants

This summer, UW–Madison will support a graduate student from the university who is accepted to the program, with combined support from the Graduate School, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, and University Communications. The funding supports a living stipend for the 10-week fellowship as well as travel to the headquarters of AAAS in Washington, D.C., for training at the beginning and end of the summer. 

Scholarships for Nontraditional, Retuning Adult, and Single Parent Students
Applications due February 10, 2022
Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) administers multiple scholarships designed specifically for returning adult, single parent, and nontraditional students. Those who meet the listed criteria and are undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program students at UW-Madison are eligible to apply. 
The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Committee, an oversight committee for UW-Madison’s 300-acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve, is pleased to announce a small grant opportunity (up to $1,000) for undergraduates and faculty, staff, and graduate students working with undergraduates to facilitate the use of the Preserve for educational purposes. Groups of individuals may submit a proposal as a team. Every individual or team must have at least one faculty or staff member, who is expected to play an active role in overseeing the project.
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