Dateline archive:
Green labs, healthy youth, stress and resilience — 7.15.11
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The greenest green labs |
NEWS SUMMARY
More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information
Regents: tuition increase, pension plan, Accountability Report
With a second tuition increase for 2011-12, the Board of Regents closed a $1 billion budget shortfall. Also this week, the regents approved a set of pension plan changes, in part to acknowledge that retirees are living longer and could cost the plan an additional $1.8 billion over time. And UC releases its third annual Accountability Report, a comprehensive and accessible tool to measure how well, and at what cost, UC is meeting its campus and systemwide goals. [ More… ]
Youth support needed to secure future of California's Capital Region
The Sacramento Capital Region can prosper and achieve its full potential only if it drastically improves education, health, civic participation and job opportunities for the region's young people, according to a UC Davis study commissioned by the Sierra Health Foundation. The study, Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions, is the first in the nation to examine youth health and well-being on a regional scale and across multiple issues. [ More, with video… ]
Loss of large predators, top consumers disrupts ecosystems
The decline of large predators and other "apex consumers" at the top of the food chain has disrupted ecosystems all over the planet, an international team of scientists reports today in Science. The study, co-authored by Distinguished Professor of Biology Tom Schoener, reviewed research on a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems and concluded that "the loss of apex consumers is arguably humankind's most pervasive influence on the natural world." [ More… ]
Speed limit on babies' vision
A TV show or movie in which scenes change faster than two frames per second is probably a blur to an infant under 15 months, according to research from the Center for Mind and Brain. An adult can't recognize individual moment-to-moment changes that occur faster than every 50-70 milliseconds, whereas the speed limit for infants is about half a second — about 10 times slower than for adults. [ More… ]
IT leader champions greater electronic access
Information technology plays a profound role in ensuring that everyone has equal access to a good education and opportunities for success, the Davis campus's chief information officer, Peter M. Siegel, said in a July 8 address to the National Federation of the Blind. [ More… ]
Lots of change, lots of stress — and workshops to help us through
Feeling stressed with all the change at UC Davis? The Academic and Staff Assistance Program has joined with other units on a new workshop, "Stress and Resilience," to help you through. Meanwhile, managers and supervisors are invited to another new workshop, to help them develop skills for assisting staff through transition. The latter workshop is for managers and supervisors in the administrative units that are participating in the shared service center. [ More… ]
News briefs: Diversity, driver training, road closure, lost and found
The Office of Campus Community Relations is taking nominations for Fall Diversity Awareness Workshops for staff and faculty. … Driver training goes online, safety gear added to vehicles. … The monthlong closure of California Avenue off Old Davis Road began July 14, to accommodate the roundabout construction project at that intersection. … Groundskeeper Chip Swenson finds a paycheck, tracks down the owner. [ More… ]
DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Standard mileage rate increases
The university's mileage reimbursement rates for expenses incurred in connection with the business use of a private automobile went up July 1. The new rates are 55.5 cents per mile for the use of a private automobile and 23.5 cents a mile for driving or shipping one in connection with a move. [ More… ]
Announcement: Reminder on increased pension contributions
A reminder from the UC Office of the President on the increase in UC Retirement Plan contributions, effective for most employees with July earnings. For employees who are paid monthly, this change will be reflected on Aug. 1 paychecks. [ More… ]
EVENTS
Cajun music on the Quad — and a food truck
Saturday, July 16, 7:30 p.m., the Quad
SummerMusic on the Quad comes with something new this year: food trucks — one for this weekend's debut concert, and maybe more for the second and final program Aug. 13. This year's free SummerMusic series starts with the Cajun sounds of Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys and wraps up Aug. 13 with Non Stop Bhangra, celebrating Punjabi folk music and dance. The Quad opens at 6 p.m. for picnicking. [ More… ]
Learn about med-tech commercialization
Thursday, July 21, 5-8 p.m., UC Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento
This forum, part of UC Davis' Medical Technology Commercialization Clinic program, will include presentations by an angel investor and several med-tech teams that have successfully developed commercialization plans for their innovative technologies and concepts. [ More… ]
UC Davis Family Picnic at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Saturday, Aug. 6
Enjoy a fun-filled family outing open to all UC Davis and UCDHS affiliates, friends and families. Tickets are $35 and free for kids under 3. Order deadline: July 25. Sponsored by Staff Assembly. [ More… ]