Spotlight on…

UC Davis: A $6.9 billion enginePhoto: UC Davis water tower

UC Davis' newest economic impact report confirms that the university is a powerful economic engine for Northern California, generating $6.9 billion in annual economic activity and accounting for 69,000 jobs. Overall, the Davis and Sacramento campuses constitute the second-largest individual employer in the Sacramento region, behind only the state of California. [ More… ]

NEWS SUMMARY

More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information

The Campaign for UC Davis reaches $750 million

We are three-quarters of the way toward our $1 billion goal in our first comprehensive fundraising campaign, according to a news release issued today. Contributions to student support exceed $100 million, while other donations have led to the establishment of 43 new endowed chairs and professorships. [ More… ]

UC sees 'welcome relief' in Brown's budget plan

Gov. Jerry Brown offers relatively stable funding for UC in his 2012-13 budget proposal — a document that came out Jan. 5, five days earlier than expected. "The administration's focus on protecting higher education from further budget reductions is a welcome relief, and the governor's stated desire for a long-term state investment is encouraging," said Patrick Lenz, vice president for Budget and Capital Resources. [ More… ]

Chancellor offers direction on athletics future

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi this week offered a recruitment advisory committee her initial direction for the future of intercollegiate athletics at UC Davis and her preliminary advice on the search for a new director of athletics. Among other things, the chancellor recommended a "creative and entrepreneurial funding model" that does not rely on increasing student fees to support intercollegiate athletics. Read the chancellor's letter to the advisory committee, the committee's summary report on the topic and other related materials. [ More… ]

Sunlight and bunker oil a fatal combination for Pacific herring

In studying the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay, UC Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory discovered an unexpectedly lethal impact on embryonic fish, suggesting that even small oil spills can have a large impact on marine life, and that common chemical analyses of oil spills may be inadequate. [ More… ]

New program helps UC employees ease into retirement

UC has launched the Phased Retirement Program, allowing eligible employees 55 and up to gradually transition into retirement and receive a cash incentive. Also, check out the schedules for financial education classes (presented by Fidelity Retirement Services) and retirement planning classes (presented by Human Resources). [ More… ]

Wellness Challenge: Turn a 7-week habit into a lifestyle change

Registration is open for the 2012 Mind Body Wellness Challenge, which asks participants to maintain a single, new healthy habit for seven weeks. Do that, the organizers say, and you have a good chance of turning that healthy habit into a lifelong change. Kickoff events will be held Jan. 24 and 25 on the Davis and Sacramento campuses, and the challenge runs from Jan. 27 to March 16. [ More… ]

In memoriam: Ralph Kunkee and Dick Rice

The Department of Viticulture and Enology will hold a memorial service Saturday (Jan. 7) for Professor Emeritus Ralph Kunkee, an expert on the role of yeast in winemaking. Also, entomologist emeritus Richard "Dick" Rice, a UC Davis alumnus who worked at the Kearney Agricultural and Extension Center for 33 years, died Dec. 24 of cancer. [ More… ]

News briefs: Pipeline repair project under way

Facilities Management is fixing a leak in the campus steam system, under the sidewalk in front of the Social Sciences and Humanities lecture hall. … RSVPs are being taken for a funding workshop dealing with research and educational opportunities with Latin America. … The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts has a hawk in residence, at least for one morning. … The UC system took too big of a Social Security deduction out of the January paychecks of people who are paid monthly, and will make up for it on the Feb. 1 pay date. [ More… ]

DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements: Nominations due for grad student award and federation honors

The Graduate Council and Graduate Studies are seeking nominations for the 2012 Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. Also, the Academic Federation is seeking nominations for its Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research awards. [ More… ]

EVENTS

Winter exhibitions, on campus and off

Openings Jan. 9-12 and 23, plus the Nelson ARTfriends' annual benefit, Jan. 11

Our slide show offers a small sampling of what's in store at the Nelson Gallery, the C.N. Gorman Museum, the Design Museum and the Pence Gallery (where 12 art faculty members are presenting a show). Plus, read about a professor's show in San Francisco, the Nelson ARTfriends' reception and benefit, Jan. 11, and an exhibition at the Craft Center Gallery. [ More, with slide show… ]

Chancellor's Colloquium: Ralph Cicerone

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m., Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center

The president of the National Academy of Sciences and chair of the National Research Council gives an address titled "Climate Change: Human Causes and Responses." RSVPs are requested. [ More… ]

Walks With Warren

Wednesdays, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8, noon, arboretum

The arboretum's superintendent emeritus leads these walking tours. Meet at the gazebo. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…