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NEWS
State cuts funds for retirement program
The governor and Legislature have thrown a giant new wrench into UC budget planning for 2009-10 — axing a $20 million allocation for the employer's share of retirement contributions. That means UC Davis must set aside money to cover the costs for campus employees. For 2009-10, that cost is estimated at $3.65 million for 2 1/2 months, from April 15, 2010, when retirement contributions are scheduled to begin, to June 30, 2010. [ More… ]
Mites found in campus rice plots: 11 greenhouses sanitized, 400 potted plants relocated
UC Davis is decontaminating 11 campus greenhouses where the panicle rice mite, a tiny but destructive pest, was recently found. In addition, more than 400 potted rice plants will be moved to a secured growing facility on campus until the rice seed, which is critical to several important international research projects, can be harvested. The greenhouse decontamination process will be completed by March 1, at least one month before commercial rice is planted in the Sacramento Valley. [ More… ]
The last one: Chancellor calls UC Davis resilient, collaborative, smart
In his final State of the Campus address, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef talked about budget challenges old and new, the promise of UC Davis' future, and the next chapter of his career. The chancellor delivered his address (full text here) to the Academic Senate's Representative Assembly on Feb. 24. [ More… ]
Interviews begin for new chancellor
The 18-member Advisory Committee for the Selection of the Chancellor at UC Davis has begun preliminary interviews of the top candidates, according to a Feb. 23 statement by the faculty subcommittee in charge of screening candidates. Close to 600 nominees, applicants and candidates have been reduced to 21 qualified candidates for consideration by the full advisory committee. [ More… ]
Emergency planning: FEMA exercise helps staff prepare for disasters, threats
A massive power outage, a magnitude-7 earthquake in the Bay Area (sending evacuees to UC Davis), a deadly dorm fire and a chlorine gas leak — all in one day. If anything like that were to happen, the campus's Emergency Operations Center (highlighted in the latest issue of Safety Signals) would spring into action. Many of the people who would staff the center recently attended a four-day training course run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. [ More… ]
Music and memories: Scientist finds region in the brain where golden oldies trigger emotion
We all know the feeling: A golden oldie comes on the radio and suddenly we are transported back — to a memorable high school dance or that perfect afternoon on the beach with friends. But what is it about music that can evoke such vivid memories? By mapping the brain activity of students while they listened to music, UC Davis researcher Petr Janata thinks he has an answer: The region of the brain where memories are supported and retrieved also serves as a hub that links familiar music, memories and emotion. [ More… ]
Campus to install new anti-phishing measures next week
On March 3, the campus plans to install three new measures to help minimize "phishing" scams that have periodically disrupted e-mail traffic. Information and Educational Technology will impose limits on excessive messages sent from Geckomail accounts, remove some .gov e-mail addresses from the "allow" list and begin scanning them for spam, and filter outgoing messages for spam. [ More… ]
DIRECTIVES
Faculty dress, spring commencement 2009
In preparation for commencement, faculty gowns, caps, tassels and UC Ph.D. faculty hoods are available at no cost and can be picked up at the Central Storehouse, or delivered to the department for a nominal charge. Orders must be received no later than April 10. [ More… ]
Rental of academic hoods, spring commencement 2009
All faculty and administrators who hold a degree from another university (or a UC degree other than a Ph.D.) and are planning to take part in spring commencement ceremonies must make reservations for academic hood rental through their department offices by April 1. [ More… ]
EVENTS
Temple Grandin to talk about connections between people, animals
Monday, March 2, 7 p.m., Freeborn Hall
UC Davis' International Animal Welfare Training Institute is hosting famed animal behaviorist Temple Grandin for a talk on how people can fulfill the specific needs of dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, and farm and zoo animals, and how to observe their happiness, as if by looking through their eyes. Tickets ($10) available at the campus box office at Freeborn Hall, and at tickets.com. [ More… ]
Principles of Community: Staff event, student event and a free film: Milk
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3-4
Here's how UC Davis plans to celebrate its Principles of Community next week: a staff event (100 Years of Building Community and Diversity) with a slide show, talks and cultural performances at the Memorial Union; a student event (Our Story of Activism); and a free film for everyone: Milk. [ More… ]
'Stimulus Smackdown,' 'Kudonomics' and 'The Nature of Wealth'
Wednesday and Thursday, March 4-5
Economists steal the spotlight next week: First, J. Bradford Long and Michele Boldrin square off on the federal government's stimulus package. Next comes Samuel Bowles with a pair of talks: one on "kudunomics" (how ideas and information are transforming the economy) and the other on "The Nature of Wealth and the Dynamics of Inequality in the Long Run." [ More… ]