UW–Madison News: Bipartisan Budget Boost, Campus Upgrades, Cancer Vaccine Breakthroughs & Innovation Symposium Highlights

Good morning, Badgers! It's Monday, July 28, 2025, and here's what's happening at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In a significant development, Governor Tony Evers and the Republican-controlled Legislature have reached a bipartisan budget agreement that includes a $1.3 billion income tax cut and a $240 million increase in funding for the Universities of Wisconsin. This funding boost will support key projects on our campus, including renovations to dining halls in Chadbourne and DeJope, as well as critical updates to the historic Science Hall. On the administrative front, the launch of Workday, our new cloud-based system designed to streamline administrative processes, has been rescheduled to July 2025. This revised timeline allows for thorough testing and integration, ensuring a smooth transition for all users. Most employees will begin training in March 2025. In research news, UW–Madison scientists are making strides in personalized cancer vaccines. A team led by Professor Quanyin Hu has developed vaccines that slow tumor recurrence in mice, offering hope for more effective cancer treatments in the future. Looking ahead, the WiSys SPARK Symposium will be held in Madison from July 23 to 25, 2025, celebrating 25 years of innovation. This event will showcase research and innovation across the Universities of Wisconsin, featuring a Student Innovation Showcase, faculty research talks, and networking opportunities. Finally, a reminder that UW–Madison's new paid parental leave policy became effective on July 1, 2024. Eligible employees are now entitled to up to six weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. That's all for today. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your day!