This Tuesday, May 7, the university will hold it's annual day-long Plan 2008 Campus Forum to discuss the administration's progress in implementing the plan's seven goals. The plan focuses on the recruitment and retention of minority students, faculty and staff. This Tuesday is a key opportunity for students to voice concerns and advocate new policy.
This year, members of the ASM Plan 2008 Campaign and other student groups interested in diversity issues had hoped to see more steps taken to better the campus climate and advance the plan. Having met with deans and administrators last year, we felt that progress was possible.
It is to my great dismay that, in comparing last year's published reports to this year's, I found that the College of Agriculture and Life Science had submitted a report identical to last year's. The only difference, word for word, between the two documents was the year on the header.
I am outraged at such a blatant disregard, not only for the University Administration and community, but for the students of color that are enrolled in CALS and throughout our campus. This demonstrates a total lack of commitment to diversity. This is something I would not have expected from an institute of higher learning and the marketplace of ideas.
I encourage all students to come to the Campus Forum, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 7 in Memorial Union and express their concerns regarding CALS or whichever school they may be enrolled in.
I would like to make some necessary changes to information printed in Sarah Turner's article (\Poor labor practices characterize UW,"" May 1).
There are some different criteria an employee must meet to participate in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
- The employer can start the employee under WRS on the date of hire if the employer expects the employee to work one year and 600 hours.
- There is a ""look back"" that the employer is to do if the employee has been there for the previous 52 weeks and has already put in 600 hours.
- A letter is received in Human Resources from the employee's supervisor that the employee is expected to be working for one year and 600 hours.
With any of these being met, it is the employer's responsibility to put the employee under WRS the day after any one of these occurs.
If any employee of any agency has questions on eligibility you may write to:
Department Employee Trust Funds
Attn: Members Services
P.O. Box 7931
Madison, WI 53707-7931
Include your name, Social Security number and a current address where ETF may respond to your inquiry.
