Welcome to the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, an interdisciplinary research institute located inside the Discovery Building in the heart of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. WID is part of the university but has unique partnerships with our building neighbors, the private Morgridge Institute for Research and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation’s Town Center.
The links below should help you get started at WID. Scroll below to see frequently asked questions.
Links for Getting Started at WID
Frequently Asked Questions
You must either be in the Discovery Building or use the WID UW VPN to access these. If you are unsure if you’re on the right network, try to access: https://myaccount.discovery.wisc.edu/. That website is also ONLY available on the Discovery Network.
Research Data Storage (a.k.a. The DataVault)
Data generated for WID research projects is stored in project-specific directories on the DataVault.
Access
Note: If you are connecting to these drives via a non-Morgridge/DiscoverIT domain machine, you must add morgridge.net to the end of your DiscoverIT user name (i.e. username@morgridge.net).
- From Windows: \\datavault.discovery.wisc.edu\wid\
- From OSX/Mac: smb://datavault.discovery.wisc.edu/wid/
- From Research Computers: /mnt/dv/wid/
Large Data Transfers
The DataVault endpoint on Globus is DataVault – Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. See the full KnowledgeBase article for more information on transferring data over Globus.
Creation and Modification
The size and location of each project folder is determined when the project is initialized at:
To create a new project, you need the PI’s name, expected total size of the data, who needs access, and whether this project has a known end date. If you need to modify an existing project’s quota or user access list, either update the project in https://datastorage.discovery.wisc.edu/ or email Em Craft.
To view the current usage of each project and volume, visit: https://grafana.discovery.wisc.edu (only accessible from the Discovery Building Network).
Backups and Archiving
The DataVault is backed up off-site via rsnapshot (a wrapper for rsync). If files have been accidentally deleted, contact DiscoverIT ASAP as backups may not still be available after 30 days. You can also connect to it from your computer via SMB.
Once a project is complete, we will work with you to archive it.
There are currently 7 WID DataVault volumes. These must remain less than 80% utilized to enable proper function, backups, and maintenance. More volumes must be purchased when all existing ones are over 50% allocated.
Home Directories
Every WID user has access to a DiscoverIT-managed Home Directory for files that are not part of a research project:
- From Windows: \\home.discovery.wisc.edu\users\username
- From OSX/Mac: smb://home.discovery.wisc.edu/users/username
- From Research Computers: /mnt/home/username
The default quota for WID Home Directories is 50 GB. Faculty may request an increase to 500 GB.
WIDAdmin Storage
Note: This is a campus drive and uses your campus login.
You must add “ad\” before your NetID: e.g. “ad\bbadger”.
- From Windows: \\wid.drive.wisc.edu\adminteam
- From OSX/Mac: smb://wid.drive.wisc.edu/adminteam
The stockroom is in the lower level next to the main elevators. Click here to find out more about the supplies and services in the stockroom.
Start by visiting the onboarding page. Then, feel free to explore the rest of this site, and always feel free to contact WID staff members for help or more information.
Discovery Building Training is available at uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3dVbLkD751b363Y.
See the Transportation Services page for more information. Annual parking permit applications/renewals are usually available in May. If this is your first time applying for parking, contact Sheila O’Brien.
Are you a new employee? See parking and transit options for getting to campus.
To update your Discovery password and account information, you must be on the Discovery Building Network or UW WID VPN. Visit https://myaccount.discovery.wisc.edu/. This password is your means of accessing the DataVault, building printers and wifi, and building compute resources.
The current minimum character limit is 12. Unfortunately, 8 character minimums permit passwords that can be cracked in a couple hours or less. For all the details on your DiscoverIT password, see: https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/112995
To test the security of any of your passwords, visit https://howsecureismypassword.net/. (This site does not store your password.)
If you’ve been keeping track of too many passwords, consider using a password manager. UW-Madison provides 1Password licenses to students, staff, and faculty. It allows you to maintain separate campus and personal accounts.
DiscoverIT Help Desk
The DiscoverIT Help Desk provides IT support within the Discovery Building.
WID
- Jo Handelsman, Director. handelsman@wisc.edu, Room 3110
- Sheila O’Brien, Administrative Associate Director. sgobrien@wisc.edu, Room 3120C
- Johnny Wertz, Human Resources Business Partner. johnny.wertz@wisc.edu, Room 3120D
- https://widkipedia.wid.wisc.edu/positive-work-environment/
- Please contact Sheila or Johnny with additional suggestions
UW-Madison Resources
- Graduate School resources for current students: https://grad.wisc.edu/current-students/ This list is kept up to date, and includes links to offices listed below, as well as resources for inclusion and support, finances and basic needs, opportunities to engage in campus and community, and graduate student policies and procedures.
- The Office of Postdoctoral Studies: https://postdoc.wisc.edu/support/
- UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association: This Association published How to Navigate Workplace Adversity as a Postdoc (2022) with example scenarios and resources
- Dean of Students Office is a primary resource for connecting students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. The Dean of Students Office also serves as a central location for reporting issues of hate and bias, sexual assault, and hazing. They serve both graduate and undergraduate students. Drop-in appointments are available.
- Ombuds. The Ombuds Office is a confidential, safe place where UW-Madison employees can seek guidance regarding workplace concerns at any time, without fear of reprisal, and at no cost to them.
- Employee Assistance Office Confidential consultation services for employees and their families. They offer a very broad range of services and referrals. Services are confidential (within Federal and State regulations) and free of charge.
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior: https://hr.wisc.edu/hib/campus-resources/ . HIB Liaisons can help connect you to resources, and can be a great place to start if you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed. Addressing HIB has some guidance for both informal and formal approaches. Graduate students have access to assistance as BOTH students and University employees (RA, TA).
- Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program (formerly called the Title IX Program)
- University Health Services Health and well-being services that include medical, mental health, preventive care, and survivor services for graduate and undergraduate students. UHS Mental Health Crisis Support Line (24/7): 608-265-5600 (option 9)
- Student Services list of campus resources: https://www.wisc.edu/student-life/student-services/
- Divisional Disability Representative: it is the policy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of your position, please contact Julia Rielly, Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) at (608) 261-1172 or rielly@wisc.edu. The DDR is the person authorized to receive and maintain confidential medical information in our division. Graduate student employees appointed through other departments should check with their HR to identify their DDR.
Contacts for Graduate Students:
- Graduate Student Support: Elaine Goetz-Berman, egoetz2@wisc.edu, 608-263-5700
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior: Kipp Cox, ervin.cox@wisc.edu, 608-262-2433
- Your graduate program coordinator (PhD, MS)
Contacts for Postdocs:
- Office of Postdoctoral Studies: contact@postdoc.wisc.edu, 608-265-6225
- UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association: uwpa@postdoc.wisc.edu
DoIT Help Desk
The DoIT Help Desk provides support to students, faculty, and staff at UW-Madison on general computing issues and various UW applications.
This page has a list of administrative and lab contacts.
Here is a list of WID Shared Equipment, how it is scheduled, and who you should contact for use.
Meet the WID Administrative Team
Room 3120B
