January Teaching, Learning, & Academic Planning Newsletter

We share important actions requested, deadlines, and updates with L&S departments’ leadership in these monthly newsletters.

Updates

ACT 15- Gen Ed

On January 15, UAPC approved the Recommendations for the Implementation of the Universities of Wisconsin Core General Education Requirements (ACT 15-Gen Ed). We will send updates about the next steps for L&S degrees’ requirements very soon.

Digital Accessibility

Campus will soon be sending messages to all instructors about digital accessibility responsibilities and available resources. All faculty and staff can access self-help resources at https://digitalaccessibility.wisc.edu/. As we finalize support pathways for departments using college-level coordination, faculty and staff can connect with a digital accessibility liaison for access to resources by emailing digitalaccessibility@ls.wisc.edu. Questions? Contact Jonathan Klein at jbklein2@wisc.edu.

Lumen Program Proposals

All Lumen program proposals for Fall 2026 changes to majors and degrees should have been submitted to L&S for review.

Actions Requested

L&S Teaching Mentors

We are looking for the very best of your graduate student instructors! Up to 16 L&S graduate students will be selected as L&S Teaching Mentors to help facilitate the annual L&S Fall TA Training and to provide mentorship to new TAs.

Please submit up to three nominations for the L&S Teaching Mentors Program by Feb 12, 2026 at 5 pm.

For nomination instructions, selection criteria, restrictions, and the nomination form, please visit our website: Teaching Mentor Nominations.

L&S Process for Significantly Disruptive Student Incidents

In collaboration with L&S Academic Deans Services we are again providing support to departments’ leadership and instructors when faced with significant classroom disruptions. Please take the steps outlined below to ensure you are prepared to handle situations as they arise.

Review, update, and communicate departmental procedures for significant classroom disruptions.
Review the KB article: L&S Process for Significantly Disruptive Student Incidents.
Create, revise, or affirm your department procedures and communicate them to instructors (including TAs) in your department.
Connect with your AAD and me whenever College resources can support you in navigating complex incidents. We will arrange direct support from an L&S Assistant Dean Liaison to Student Affairs and other relevant campus resources.
Engage instructors in discussing proactive and responsive strategies to mediate conflict.
Use the L&S Mini-Discussion resource on Classroom Conflict & Challenging Conversations to initiate proactive and collaborative thinking among instructors in your department.
Share the Guide to Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions.
Circulate the Free Expression Module and Resources.
Connect with me at shirin.malekpour@wisc.edu if the L&S Instructional Design Collaborative or I can be of help.

Spring 2026 Guidance on Federal Immigration Actions

Please familiarize yourself with guidance from the campus and UW–Madison Police Department (UWPD) and share with members of your units.

UW–Madison remains committed to keeping our community informed so all can navigate rights, responsibilities and resources related to law and policy. The UW–Madison Police Department (UWPD) is also committed to providing exceptional service to all members of our community, regardless of immigration status.

L&S Teaching, Learning, and Academic Planning

College of Letters & Science | University of Wisconsin–Madison
South Hall | Madison, WI 53706
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