Unlike any other you will see

Seems appropriate that today I share some images of our parking garage in the new building. What? Parking garage? Aren't they all the same...drab, badly lit and unfriendly?

No more my friends, this space is like no other you will find on this campus! From the Preschool "circus peanut" to the colorful murals this space is unlike any other.

Thanks to the hundreds of friends, alumni, donors and the transforming lead gift from Nancy Johnson Nicholas the building is like a huge, wonderfully wrapped present that when you open it, surprises and delights just keep coming.

The image to the left is the public elevator lobby in the garage - visitors will see an information monitor that displays what's programmed in the building today...think of TITU as a model. The lobby is colorful, professional and well lit!

The other photo is a custom mural on the far east wall of the garage that directs folks to the stairs which lead to the Link, the new main entry of the School. Our good friends at ZD Studio designed the mural and delivered big time on the desire to make wayfinding helpful, friendly, colorful and most of all fun.

Happy birthday Robin!

Conversion Rates

Here's a quick nugget for planning file storage in your new office or workspace - the content from (2) file drawers in a vertical file cabinet can fit into (1) drawer in a 36" lateral file cabinet.

Pretty great, huh?!

Records Retention - help is a click away!

Operations and Facilities Manager Miranda Hofmann writes:

By now, we have met with each of your departments to discuss your available file space in the new building. Now, those of you who know me know that I’m a bit of a freak about records, preservation, storage and organization, and I am here to tell you that it will all be okay, really.

Currently, a good portion of filing space is taken up by files that must be held on to for a certain number of years, e.g., faculty search files, and then destroyed. Most likely, these files are not often referenced, or even touched at all, during that required retention time. Seems like a waste of precious file space, doesn’t it? Well, do we have a solution for you!

The State Records Center will store these files for you and then destroy them when you tell them to, wait for it, for FREE!

This document from University Archives on the State Records Center explains how to use their services for off-site file storage for search files: http://archives.library.wisc.edu/records/handouts/Using%20the%20State%20Records%20Center.pdf

The storage boxes can be ordered from MDS, under MDS Warehouse -Office Supplies and File Cabinets-Record Storage Cartons. The most recent records retention schedule for unclassified personnel records, which covers faculty/academic staff search files, can be found here:
http://archives.library.wisc.edu/records/schedules/2011Unclassified%20GRS1.pdf

You may also find this document about archiving academic department records helpful: http://archives.library.wisc.edu/records/schedules/GRS_DeptAcadAdmin.pdf
NOTE: There is a difference between Archives and State Records.

Please see the information on the fabulous Records Management section of the University Archives website for more information: http://archives.library.wisc.edu/records/
If you have any questions or need guidance, the staff at University Archives is always happy to help!

Their site also contains a ton of information about Records Management (for those of you, like me, who are a little on the dorky side), as well as a treasure trove of links to the Digital Collections of the University Archives. That’s right, pictures of people sledding down Bascom Hill during the Coolidge Administration! How cool is that?

Looking forward to helping everyone transition into Nancy Nicholas Hall – we’re in for a great ride!

FAQ - Part Two

1. When is furniture coming?

a. The campus FP&M folks lead the furniture plans, and are scheduled to start bringing furniture to the building around the third-fourth week in April, subject to change. It will take a good four weeks to install, which is why the relocation schedule is coordinated so closely.

2. What is my address? I want to order new business cards

• (Office or Room Number, i.e. 3107) Nancy Nicholas Hall

• 1300 Linden Drive

• Madison, WI 53706
  

NOTE - your current email and phone numbers will not change, it all ports with you to the new building!

b. Specific workspace and office assignments have been completed– please consult your supervisor or department chair if you have questions.

Frequently Asked Questions: Part One

I really like the photo on my current WISCARD – it’s the card I’ve had since I was a graduate student and I look, well, incredible. Why do I have to get another one?

a. The new building has the campus standard card access system, managed by UW-Police Department. Spaces in the new building controlled with a WISCARD include the computer labs and perimeter doors. I’m sure you still look just as fresh and bright as you did back then, but unfortunately it won’t get you into the building. Check this link to get your new WISCARD - your new photo will be our little secret.

When do we start packing?

a. Crates and packing material (if using cardboard boxes) are targeted to arrive about 3-4 weeks prior to your move.

b. Shred bins will arrive in April for material that needs to be handled securely.

c. Miranda Hoffman, Human Ecology operations manager (mohofman@wisc.edu )will work with departments and units to determine the number of folks needed crates versus cardboard.

What will we leave behind?

a. It’s like an episode of “Oprah” when the audience gets great stuff – all new, matching furniture, ergonomically appropriate chairs and thoughtful amenities in each office or workstation! No need to label a single stick of furniture – our gently used items will find a new home somewhere on the campus or SWAP.

Records rentention is super confusing – I can’t always figure out what’s required or what’s urban legend – can anyone help me?
Assistant Dean Sue Gallagher has placed a Records Retention folder on the S drive, which contains documents with references on how to manage emails and campus records retention information. You can find it at: S:\Admin\Public\Records Retention