- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Patrick Lenz, the University of California system’s vice president for budget and capital resources, made the following statement today (May 14) after Gov. Jerry Brown presented his revised state budget proposal for 2013–14:
“With this proposal, the governor is continuing his multi-year funding commitment to increase the University of California by 5 percent in the 2013–14 fiscal year and then 5 percent, 4 percent, and 4 percent in the subsequent fiscal years. In addition, the administration is continuing its support for UC restructuring debt to achieve $80 million in annual savings. Those savings will provide not only the additional fiscal stability to meet UC mandatory costs, but also funding to re-invest in the quality initiatives that will support the governor’s plan for additional performance outcome measures. The governor has withdrawn his 150 percent unit cap on state subsidized courses that would have impacted 2,200 UC students in the 2013–14 academic year.
“UC will continue working with the governor and the Legislature to address critical funding needs, such as a $15 million budget augmentation for the UC Riverside School of Medicine, a capital facilities funding plan to provide student access and address seismic retrofit, and funding for the state’s employer retirement contribution.”
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) requires that employers of “mandated reporters,” as defined in CANRA, promote identification and reporting of child abuse or neglect. UC’s new policy related to reporting of child abuse and neglect will become effective May 25, 2013.
This policy describes the legal requirements that UC is obligated to implement and enforce. To help assure that any concerns of child abuse or neglect are promptly reported, the University is requiring internal reporting as well.
To read the CANRA policy, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/
ANR employees who wish to provide comments on the proposed policy may submit them to Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu by Friday, May 24, 2013.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Neil McRoberts, assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, will present the webinar “Sustainability: Linking Theory to Practice” from 10 a.m. to noon on May 31.
McRoberts will discuss
- Using formal models for strategic planning of extension and outreach efforts
- Cross-linking of interdisciplinary scientists
- Sustainability theory Web resources
Online registration for the free webinar is required at http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10668.
On June 13, Ermias Kebreab, professor in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis and Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, will discuss "Environmental Sustainability of Animal Agriculture." The Kebreab webinar will also run from 10 a.m. to noon.
Kebreab will discuss
- Sustainability as a “wicked problem”
- Water quality and livestock production
- Mitigation of air emissions from livestock operation
Register for Kebreab’s free webinar at http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10669.
The webinar series is sponsored by the UC ANR Sustainable Food Systems Initiative, UC ANR Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis.
Tom Tomich, professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at UC Davis, W.K. Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable Food Systems and director ASI and SAREP, kicked off the series with sustainability science. If you missed Tomich’s webinar, a recording can be viewed at http://asi.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/blog/preview-video-for-the-upcoming-webinar-is-there-a-sustainability-science.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Section 350 of the ANR Administrative Handbook, “Appeals,” has been updated and re-titled. Now identified as “Grievances and Appeals,” the revision describes how the UC Academic Personnel Manual (APM) Section 140, “Non-Senate Academic Appointees/Grievances” (http://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel/_files/apm/apm-140.pdf) is implemented in the ANR environment.
This update does not change ANR’s existing policy and practice. Rather, the update clarifies and expands upon the process steps associated with academic grievances and appeals in ANR. The revised Section is available here ANR Administrative Handbook.
Questions regarding Section 350 may be directed to Kim Rodrigues, executive director of Academic Personnel, at karodrigues@ucdavis.edu or (530) 754-8509.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Comments sought on ANR tobacco-free policy
On Jan. 1, 2014, the use of cigarettes and all tobacco products will no longer be permitted on UC campuses and at properties owned or occupied by ANR. Employees are invited to comment on this policy until June 17.
UC President Mark Yudof charged all UC campuses to go smoke and tobacco-free by January 2014 to save lives and improve the health of our community. As a leader in environmental research, policy, practice and education, ANR has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure for our students, faculty, staff, visitors and volunteers. This policy is about creating healthy environments for the thousands who learn, work, live and spend time in California. Cigarette butts are responsible for over a third of California’s litter.
This affects everyone on ANR property, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The policy covers the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco, as well as electronic cigarettes.
Tobacco use will be prohibited everywhere on UC campuses and at properties owned or occupied by ANR. There will be no designated smoking areas. Tobacco users are asked to be respectful of our neighbors and not congregate or litter on their property.
Enforcement will initially be educational. All students, faculty, staff and visitors are expected to abide by current policies.
All tobacco users who want to quit are encouraged to call the free California Smokers Helpline at 1-800-NO-BUTTS.
For details about the tobacco policy, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/tobaccofree. Please send comments by June 17 to Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu.
