Dateline archive:
Pandemics, scholarships, open enrollment — 10.23.09
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Putting the byte into science |
NEWS
UC Davis leads $75 million fight against new diseases
In hopes of preventing the next global pandemic and a possible death toll into the millions, UC Davis today launches an unprecedented international effort to find and control diseases that move between wildlife and people. [ More… ]
All 10 campuses join Project You Can, to raise $1 billion for student support
UC President Mark G. Yudof today announced a UC systemwide initiative Project You Can, to raise $1 billion over the next four years for student support. And he will ask the Board of Regents to expand the reach of the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, to ensure that eligible undergraduates with family incomes of $70,000 or less will pay no systemwide fees. Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders at UC Davis. [ More… ]
Chancellor praises staff, calls on others to sacrifice, too
As staff and faculty make sacrifices, Chancellor Linda Katehi calls on others to make sacrifices, too, for higher education. She spoke at a Staff Open Forum where she and other administrators addressed the furlough-salary reduction program, START and campus closures. Elsewhere, UC President Mark G. Yudof talks budget issues with the Assembly of the UC Academic Senate. [ More… ]
Open enrollment begins Oct. 29, ends Nov. 24
All of UC's health plans from 2009 are back, with no plans being added, and the changes are minimal, says Bill Brooks, benefits manager for Human Resources. The legal plan is open this year and, during open enrollment, any employee is invited to download living will and health care power of attorney forms for free — sort of a "try before you buy" deal. [ More… ]
Growing cartilage from stem cells
Damaged knee joints might one day be repaired with cartilage grown from stem cells in a laboratory, based on research by Professor Kyriacos Athanasiou, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and his colleagues. [ More… ]
Mercury levels similar in kids with, without autism
A MIND Institute study finds similar mercury levels in typically developing children and children with autism—in the most rigorous examination to date of blood-mercury levels in children with autism. The researchers caution, however, that the study was not an examination of whether mercury plays a role in causing the disorder. [ More… ]
School of Education receives grant for Teacher Innovation Network
With a $1 million grant from a state commission, the School of Education will help small teams of K-12 teachers develop projects that enhance teaching and learning—in a project dubbed the Pacific Coast Teacher Innovation Network. [ More… ]
Community liaisons win gold medal for Neighbors Night Out
Government and Community Relations is being honored with a gold medal award of excellence for the unit's work on behalf of Davis Neighbors Night Out, an event held annually soon after the start of the academic year, to help students and their neighbors get acquainted. The regional award is from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. [ More… ]
Bicycling dinner returns; TAPS offers chance to win free tickets
For the second year in a row, Transportation and Parking Services is holding a drawing for three free tickets to the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame's induction ceremony and dinner. This year's big event is set for Nov. 7 in Freeborn Hall. [ More… ]
DIRECTIVES
University cell phone taxation policy suspended
The UC cell phone policy implemented in June 2009 is being suspended until at least Jan. 31, 2010. This policy required employees with university-owned cell phones to pay federal and state taxes based on an imputed cash value of their university cell phone and cell phone plan. The university has been providing a cash allowance to offset the additional taxes. [ More… ]
EVENTS
Landscape Architecture's Lunchbag Lecture Series on "Sustainable Campus"
Fridays, Oct. 23 and 30, 12:10 p.m., 1130 Hart Hall
On Oct. 23, Gina Rios, general manager for Sodexo's retail operations, speaks on "Sustainability in Campus Dining"; and on Oct. 30, Bill Starr and Gary Dahl of Architects and Engineers speak on "Sustainability in Campus Buildings." [ More… ]
New from ASAP: Stress resilience workshops
Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., 126 Voorhies Hall
At 8:30 a.m., "Stress Resilience During Tough Economic Times," for general staff; and, at 1:30 p.m., "Stress Resilience and Effective Leadership in Times of Change," for managers, supervisors and faculty. Registration required: lms.ucdavis.edu (search for "ASAP"). [ More… ]
Lunch and Learn: Career Bliss—Finding Happiness at Work
Thursday, Oct. 29, 12:10-1 p.m., Cabernet Room, Silo
This free brown bag program, part of the Career Catalyst series, features Carina Celesia Moore, director of Staff Development and Professional Services; and Mikael Villalobos, coordinator of the Campus Community Book Project (this year's book is The Geography of Bliss). No pre-enrollment required for the brown bag. [ More… ]