💻 Hackers throw wrench into UW finals

💻 Worldwide Hack Hits UW in the Middle of Finals

• As if final exams aren’t stressful enough, UW-Madison had to deal with a worldwide computer hack last week that shut down Canvas, the software students use to take online exams and submit assignments.
• A cybercriminal group called ShinyHunters took Canvas offline on Thursday afternoon, right before the last day of finals. UW-Madison provost John Zumbrunnen urged professors to find alternative means of grading if necessary, such as basing a final grade on already-completed work. Grading deadlines were extended to May 14. [Daily Cardinal, TechCrunch]

🧑‍⚕️ St. Mary’s Nurses Allege Widespread Union Busting

• Some nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s charge that they’ve felt threatened by management days after filing for a union election.
• The nurses say they’ve been told they could be put on unpaid suspension if they wear union-supporting badge holders or buttons while at work. They’ve also been told they can’t talk about the union efforts while at work, and union fliers posted around the hospital have been torn down.
• Nurses filed paperwork on May 1 to unionize with SEIU Wisconsin, saying they’re fighting for improved staffing levels at the hospital. [Cap Times]

🗳️ Will Shorewood Hills President Get Ousted?

• The Shorewood Hills Village Board will vote May 12 on whether to remove President John Imes from his position after months of dissension among village residents.
• Much of the acrimony stems from recent development deals, including the purchase of the Lodgic building on University Avenue to be used as the new Village Hall. The complaints allege that Imes did not disclose conflicts of interest related to the sale, and that he used private email accounts for official business.
• A complaint by two residents, including board member Brian Utschig, alleges “gross neglect of duty” by Imes, which would open the door for Imes to be immediately removed under a rarely-used state law. Imes has denied the allegations. [Cap Times]

🏫 UW System Names Interim President

• The UW Board of Regents named Renée Wachter, chancellor of UW-Superior, as the interim president of the Universities of Wisconsin.
• Wachter will start on May 18 to succeed Jay Rothman, who was fired by the board in April.
• She has led UW-Superior since 2011, making her the most senior chancellor in the UW System.
• The board is also convening a 25-member search committee to look for a permanent president. That committee includes UW-Madison provost John Zumbrunnen. [Universities of Wisconsin]