Spotlight on…

Let the centennial celebration begin

Our centennial celebration begins one week from today, with the opening of the state fair and the UC Davis pavilion called "Dream Big." The celebration comes to campus starting Sept. 24 with the chancellor's Fall Convocation. In an invitation sent today to alumni and friends, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef invites people "to join us in toasting our 100th year of doing what matters to California and to the world." [ More… ]

NEWS

Budget news: 5,000 UC employees depend on state contract work

The UC Office of the President estimates there are approximately 5,000 system employees whose salaries are supported either in whole or in part by state contracts. However, that does not mean that all 5,000 could or will be impacted by Gov. Schwarzenegger's recent layoff order. Some of these employees' salaries are supported by grants that might be exempt from the order; employee salaries may only be partly funded by a state contract and so the campus might be able to reduce the employee's time and avoid a layoff; and campuses might be able to temporarily reassign impacted employees to vacant positions supported by non-state funds. Meanwhile, Katherine N. Lapp, UC's executive vice president for business operations, has told UC chancellors they "should proceed with appropriate temporary layoffs and reduction in time actions in accordance with UC policy" if they receive a contract suspension notice from a state agency. [ More… ]

Mangun to lead Social Sciences during search for new dean

George R. Mangun, a professor of psychology and neurology, will serve as interim dean of the Division of Social Sciences as a national search continues to replace outgoing Dean Steven M. Sheffrin. Mangun brings to his new job "an excellent reputation; a proactive and consultative management style; and a vision regarding the opportunities, challenges, and priorities for the Division of Social Sciences," Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef wrote in a July 18 letter to UC President Mark Yudof. [ More… ]

Campus administrators condemn attacks on UC Santa Cruz researchers

In a letter to the campus community, interim Provost Barbara Horwitz and vice chancellors Barry Klein and Stan Nosek write: "We unequivocally condemn these violent, criminal acts and agree with UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal that these are attacks not just on individuals, but on the principles of free inquiry by which we live." Last weekend, fires were set at the homes of two UCSC researchers, apparently by animal rights extremists. [ More… ]

Exposure to Agent Orange linked to prostate cancer in Vietnam veterans

Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even greater risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease, as compared to those who were not exposed, according to new research by UC Davis Cancer Center physicians. [ More… ]

UC Davis scientist monitors air quality at the Olympics

UC Davis atmospheric science professor emeritus Tom Cahill caught media attention this week with his predictions of poor air quality for most days of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. His comments are featured at length in a report at MSNBC.com. Cahill told Friday Update that he expects Beijing's air quality to be poor because of prevailing winds and China's ubiquitous burning of coal in everything from home stoves to industrial power generation. The Olympics opening ceremonies will be televised tonight. The games run through Aug. 24, followed by the Paralympics, Sept. 6-17. [ More… ]

How now cool cow?

With summer temperatures soaring, a handful of UC Davis dairy cows are hitting the showers. Researchers in the animal science department are studying how dairy cows make use of cooling showers that the cows turn on and off on their own, and whether those showers reduce stress and increase milk production. [ More… ]

Tickets on sale for Aggie football

Single-game tickets for the Aggies' 2008 home football season went on sale this week at the campus ticket office in Freeborn Hall and on the Web at tickets.com. The schedule comprises six games, all on Saturdays, with all but one game to be played under the lights. Opponents will be Portland State, Northern Colorado, Southern Utah, Iona, North Dakota and Sacramento State. [ More… ]

DIRECTIVES

ASUCD-Davis Community Blood Drive

Please consider donating blood during the upcoming blood drive on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20 and 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the bloodmobiles located on the Quad. As a special thank you, everyone who donates will receive a coupon for a pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream. [ More… ]

Road closure: Simian Lane, California National Primate Research Center

As a result of construction at the Childhood Health & Disease Facility project at the California National Primate Research Center, a portion of Simian Lane between TB178A and TB177 will be closed to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians Aug. 11-22. [ More… ]

EVENTS

Sacramento campus hosts free outdoor concert

Thursday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m., back lawn of the Education Building, 45th and X streets, Sacramento

The UC Davis Health System is hosting its second annual summer concert on the Sacramento campus, a performance by the local dance band Hip Service. The Davis campus already has hosted two summer concerts, and one more is scheduled for Aug. 25. [ More… ]

Cancer Survivors Group

Thursday, Aug. 21, noon, 61 Mrak Hall

Staff and faculty and their family members are invited to participate in the ongoing Cancer Survivors Group, sponsored by the Academic and Staff Assistance Program. Meetings are held during the noon hour on the third Thursday of every month; no registration is required. [ More… ]

Jared Diamond to headline international ag biodiversity symposium

Sept. 14 to 18; registration is under way now

Evolutionary biologist and author Jared Diamond comes to campus next month to deliver the opening keynote at a symposium on agricultural biodiversity — making use of and conserving a variety of plant and animal species in commercially viable agricultural operations. The symposium is open to the public, with preregistration required. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…