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 The Vanderhoef CommonsThe Sacramento campus is getting a “quad,” named in honor of Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef, who played a central role in the development of the campus and the UC Davis Health System. The first phase of Vanderhoef Commons will cover about 1.5 acres of what used to be called the “back 40”: the old state fairgrounds. Today, the land is home to an impressive array of buildings and world-class health care and research, as well as medical and nursing schools. [ More, with video |
NEWS SUMMARY
More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information
Janet Napolitano nominated as next UC president
She has been secretary of Homeland Security since 2009, and she is a former Arizona governor and attorney general. Pending a vote of the Board of Regents on Thursday (July 18), Napolitano would become the university’s 20th president and the first woman to hold the post in UC’s 145-year history. … Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi says she is “pleased and excited” by the nomination, adding that she sees Napolitano as a transformational leader. [ More… ]
Vice Provost Lacy to step down in 2014
William B. Lacy announced this week that he will step down in July 2014 as vice provost of University Outreach and International Programs, and continue on at UC Davis as a professor of sociology in the Department of Human Ecology. He will have served 15 years as vice provost, having come to UC Davis to lead the newly created UOIP in 1999. [ More… ]
Renamed unit to have only one focus: international initiatives
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter announced today (July 12) that University Outreach and International Programs will transition over the coming year to a refocused mission and a new name as of July 2014 — International Education and Engagement — in keeping with the campus’s strategy to increase the global impact and internationalization of UC Davis. [ More… ]
Hellman grants to young faculty will continue for 5 more years
The Hellman Fellowship Program, providing assistance to early-career faculty members, will continue for another five years — thanks to a new grant of $1.5 million from the San Francisco-based Hellman Fellows Fund. [ More… ]
Health system makes progress on autism and Alzheimer’s
MIND Institute researchers identify antibodies that cross the placenta during pregnancy, impacting fetal brain development — and perhaps resulting in as much as 23 percent of all autism cases. … A study from the Alzheimer’s Disease Center finds what could be a second biomarker for age-related dementia and Alzheimer’s. [ More… ]
School of Medicine casts doubt on U.S. News & World Report rankings
Researchers find problems with the magazine’s evaluation of primary care education. For example, small differences in calculations translated into big differences in rankings, and the magazine does not report margin of error (the researchers estimated it could be as big as 17 places in the rankings). [ More… ]
In ocean acidification, marine ecosystems face a kind of extinction
UC Davis releases a report that says ocean acidification can degrade not only individual species, as past studies have shown, but entire ecosystems — resulting in a homogenized marine community, dominated by fewer plants and animals. “We call it a loss of functional diversity; everything looks the same,” says lead author Kristy Kroeker, a postdoctoral researcher at the university’s Bodega Marine Laboratory. [ More… ]
Academic Affairs memo on 2013-14 faculty salary program
Vice Provost Maureen Stanton provides guidance to deans and others regarding the 2 percent general salary increase to be reflected on August paychecks. (An earlier set of guidelines dealt with a 2 percent raise for nonrepresented staff.) [ More… ]
NEWS BRIEFS: All UC students safely evacuated from Egypt
Campus officials reported the safe evacuation from Egypt of all 10 UC students in a UC Davis Summer Abroad program. … Marie N. Berggren, UC’s chief investment officer and vice president for investments since 2006, has retired. … The University Library will close two of its five book drop-off bins effective Monday (July 15). … The ASUCD’s summer blood drive netted 372 pints June 26-27, and, phew! — it concluded one day before the start of a heat wave that might have kept people from visiting the bloodmobiles on the Quad. [ More… ]
DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘Strong slate’ for Human Health Sciences VC
After a review of 56 CVs from comparable and competitor institutions, the recruitment advisory committee is impressed by the “strong slate” of candidates and feels “very confident that we will have a strong pool of formal applicants.” The committee plans to hold one or more Round 1 interviews near the end of July, and remains on target to complete the interview process by mid-August. [ More… ]
EVENTS
Sacramento Soccer Day: A benefit for UC Davis Children’s Hospital
Thursday, July 18, gates open 4 p.m., Raley Field, West Sacramento
Sacramento All-Stars vs. San Jose Earthquake reserves, 5 p.m.; Norwich City FC vs. Dorados de Sinaloa, 7:30 p.m.; discounted tickets for UC Davis affiliates. [ More… ]
NRC to present new report on sustainability
Wednesday, July 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Ballroom A, ARC
National Research Council committee members are coming to UC Davis to discuss a new report, “Sustainability for the Nation: Resource Connections and Governance Linkage.” Registration is free. [ More… ]
Disneynature film: Wings of Life
Wednesday, July 24, doors open 6:30 p.m., film at 7:30, Conference Center
The UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center presents “this intimate and unprecedented look” at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats. The film is “a celebration of life,” considering a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible — yet increasingly threatened —creatures. Honey tasting and music before the movie, and a discussion with the filmmaker after. Preregistration encouraged through July 19. $5 admission at the door. Wings of Life website, including trailers. [ More… ]