Academic Affairs News

Dear Colleagues,

In these times of rapid change, many of you have expressed interest in knowing how to stay informed and get involved in advocating for the future of our university and our disciplines.

These two university websites provide ongoing updates on important topics including research funding, student financial aid, EDI, immigration, and health care:

Moreover, the Behind Every Breakthrough webpage highlights the importance of Federal funding and the impacts of funding cuts on the life-changing work being done across our campus every day; it’s well worth visiting and sharing.

When changes and uncertainty feel overwhelming, sharing your thoughts and proposing solutions can restore a sense of agency. In fact, one of the most powerful tools we have is our ability to work together to make our voices heard. Civic engagement can make a lasting impact in shaping our future, whether through professional networks or directly connecting with local, state and federal representatives.

Organizations like the UC Advocacy Network offer opportunities to amplify your voice and connect with decision-makers. By reaching out to your representatives, you can contribute to the decisions that impact your life, your campus community, and the global community. Simple actions, like sending an email, making a phone call, or attending a town hall, can have a profound impact on policies and issues that affect our lives.

Your professional associations and disciplinary societies will also have valuable resources for helping you make your thoughts heard and support junior members of your profession. I have seen interesting articles and opportunities posted by the American Physical Society, American Historical Association, American Geophysical Union, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, among others.

Your voice matters now more than ever and now is the time to make it heard.

As stated in our Principles of Community , “We value each member of the UC San Diego community... and applaud all efforts to enhance the quality of campus life.” Thank you for your continued dedication to our shared commitment to excellence in learning, teaching, and serving society through education, research, and public service.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth H. Simmons

Let's Chat!

Just a reminder that the easiest way for us to talk is to schedule time during my office hours. Click the button below to find out about ways we can chat!

More Information

UC Advocacy Network

UCOP has created a targeted advocacy campaign that makes it simple to advocate for the safeguarding of NIH funding and scientific research.

Some ways to take action:

Join the UC Advocacy Network and help protect life-saving research by contacting your representatives.
Use this toolkit to raise awareness on your social media and share your story about the impact of NIH-funded research. You can also invite others to join the campaign.

Share any media inquiries you receive with your unit’s media contact or send them to marcom@ucsd.edu.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is dedicated to celebrating all the achievements and impacts that women have made in our society. Join the UC San Diego community in celebrating this year’s Women’s History Month theme- Empowerment Echoes: Celebrating Women Who Advocate and Educate.

See the full calendar of events.

As confirmed in the Chancellor’s recent message, in recognition of this annual event, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved for employees to attend UC San Diego Women’s History Month activities. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.

Women's and Men's Basketball: Congratulations on History-Making Seasons!

Both the Triton Women’s Basketball and Men's Basketball teams are Big West Champions and both teams were selected to play in the NCAA Tournament! They’ve made history as UC San Diego has become the first university in NCAA history with both our men's and women's basketball teams earning tournament berths in the first year of full Division I postseason eligibility.

Read more about the men's and women's games on the Triton Athletics website. Let’s continue to celebrate these excellent student athletes. Go Tritons!

2025 Employee WellFest

Monday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Warren Mall

There will be many campus departments and partners in attendance, including Recreation, FSAP, HR, The Craft Center (with activities!) The Women's Center, Athletics, The Staff Association, La Jolla Track Club, Bright Breaks, Roadrunner Sports, the YMCA and more! Come by for some swag, fun, and activities!

Kaiser's Mobile Health Vehicle will be on site to provide FREE health screenings and flu shots to all (members or non-members), as well as vaccines and additional services (members only).

Bright Breaks and Recreation trainers will be on site for some fun movement activities open to all!

For more information, email tguglielmo@ucsd.edu

César E. Chávez Celebration Kickoff

Thursday, April 3, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Price Center Ballroom

The 24th Annual César E. Chávez Celebration begins on Thursday, April 3, with a Kickoff and Awards Luncheon to honor individuals for furthering Chávez’s ideals in their communities. This year's theme "Revolution of Mind and Heart" highlights a series of events and opportunities for the campus and the community.

Hosted by the César E. Chávez Celebration Month planning committee. For more information, please contact cesarchavezcelebrate@ucsd.edu.

See the entire César E. Chávez Celebration Calendar of Events

Colleges: A Unique Approach to Enhancing Student Experiences presented by The Colleges

Monday, April 7, 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Price Center, Ballroom East

Join university leaders, undergraduate college provosts, faculty, staff, and alumni in celebrating the first 60 years of the undergraduate colleges at UC San Diego. The forum will begin with the initial group—Revelle, John Muir, and Thurgood Marshall Colleges—marking the system's establishment during its first decade, from 1964 to 1973. It will then progress to Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sixth Colleges, representing the system's steady growth from 1973 to 2010. Finally, Seventh and Eighth Colleges, established as the modern-era colleges in the last decade, will be featured.

The program will include three panels, each highlighting the respective college groups and focusing on their colleges' development during the formative period. Each panel will conclude with a Q&A session.

Registration Link. Event inquiries can be sent to: reprovost@ucsd.edu

Grad SLAM & Postdoc PITCH Final Round

Wednesday, April 9, 4-7 p.m.

Qualcomm Institute

Enjoy a showcase of the top graduate student and postdoc 3-minute research talks of the year (tailored for a general audience) and learn firsthand from presenters about the potential impact of their research. Winners will take home cash prizes ranging from $500 to $5,000 and the Grad SLAM Campus Champion will then advance to the UC Systemwide Final Round on April 29.

There will be a reception with appetizers and drinks following the presentations.

Learn more and register.

Earl Warren College’s 50th Anniversary Alumni Career Panel

Tuesday, April 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Atkinson Hall Auditorium at the Qualcomm Institute

Join a moderated conversation with Warren College Alumni on how the college motto of "toward a life in balance” has influenced their career paths. Featuring Dean Hass '83 of DJH Coaching, an executive coaching and leadership consulting business., Matthew Matzkin '97 EVP, Operations for Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Warner Bros. Animation, and Julie Thompson '94 a Product Management Executive with over 15 years of experience successfully growing packaged software and cloud-based start-ups.

Registration required. For any questions, please contact Kara Bayani at waprovost@ucsd.edu

Latest issue of Explore Magazine

The Fall/Winter 2024-25 Issue of Explore Magazine, the UC San Diego Library’s publication centered on the theme of student success is now available to read online.

Call for Entries:

2025 Art of Science Contest

Celebrate the beauty that can emerge during scientific research by entering the Library's Art of Science contest. UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, faculty, researchers and scientists are invited to submit visually compelling images derived from their scientific work. These submissions are more than just images; they showcase the beauty of scientific exploration, inspiring curiosity and engagement with some of society's most pressing challenges and cutting-edge research.

The submission period is open now through April 25, 2025. Winning images will receive $75 and be featured in an exhibition at Geisel Library in Fall 2025. Learn more and submit your entries at lib.ucsd.edu/artofscience.

For questions, please email Abigail Pennington at apennington@ucsd.edu

Price Center Extended Hours for Student Study Spaces

As a reminder, the Price Center has extended hours to accommodate student study needs. Open Desk and Sun God Lounge are now open until 2 a.m. and Price Center East Levels 1 & 2 are open 24 hours on weekdays.

Price Center Hours:

Monday – Thursday:

Price Center East, Levels 1 & 2, Open 24 hours

Sun God Lounge open until 2 a.m.

Open Desk open until 2 a.m.

Friday – Sunday:

No changes to current building hours

See a complete list of Price Center study spaces and a list of campus study spaces.

AFD Workshop: Demystifying Tenure and Promotion:

Strategies for a Meritorious File

Thursday, April 10, 2024, 12 - 2 p.m. on Zoom

Presenter: Victor Ferreira, Professor of Psychology and AVC for Faculty Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Join a special virtual workshop to review how academic files are put together and evaluated. Dr. Ferreira will walk us through the UC system of steps and processes involved in merit, tenure, and promotion. He will also provide strategies for putting together a strong file, including how to document and frame your contributions to research, teaching, and service, and your contributions to diversity.

Division of Undergraduate Education Strategic Plan and Survey

The Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) plays a vital role in supporting the academic success and well-being of UC San Diego’s undergraduate students. The DUE oversees the eight Undergraduate Colleges and the Undergraduate Colleges Business Office (UCBO), the Academic Integrity Office (AIO), the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and the Triton Testing Center (TTC), and works with schools, departments, and other campus partners to create a supportive and enriching academic environment.

The Division of Undergraduate Education has developed its first Strategic Plan and is seeking broad feedback on its proposed goals.

You can review the DUE Strategic Plan and then provide feedback in their survey.

Undergraduate Academic Advising Awards: Nominations Open

The annual Dean of Undergraduate Education’s Undergraduate Academic Advising Awards at UC San Diego encourage academic advisors to showcase their work, celebrate each other, and recognize the dedication and student-centered innovation in our academic advising community.

All campus faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate an academic advisor at https://bit.ly/advisingawards2025.

Advising Award Categories:

Innovation in Advising Award
Community Partnership Award
Advising Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Champion Award
Staff Leadership and Mentorship Award
Keystone of Advising Award

Nominations will be accepted until March 30, 2025. Honorees of this year’s awards will be announced at the Undergraduate Academic Advising Council (UAAC) meeting on May 6, 2025.

Visit the awards website to learn more. For questions, please contact advisingawards@ucsd.edu.

Teaching and Learning Commons Program Review and Survey

The Teaching and Learning Commons (the Commons) will be undergoing its first program review in May. Your feedback is requested via an anonymous survey linked below and your participation will be welcome in a remote visit in May.

The Commons is undergoing its first program review on May 12 and May 14, 2025. The review includes a self-study and a remote visit by an external review committee. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the Commons’ effectiveness in advancing teaching and learning excellence and to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth. This review will engage the entire campus community, including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, lecturers, the Academic Senate, campus partners, campus administration, and Commons staff. Campus community members are encouraged to share their input through the anonymous surveys linked below. Additionally, if you are interested in participating in one of the open meeting slots dedicated to students or faculty during the site visit, please fill out the interest form below. The surveys and interest forms are open until April 4.

Survey Links:

If you are interested in participating in a meeting during the remote visit, please submit an interest form here.

Your feedback for this important review is appreciated. If you have questions, please contact programreviews@ucsd.edu.

UC Mandated Training- Single Sign-On Alerts

Visit the TritonGPT Training Hub for a variety of training resources and templates for TritonGPT

Faculty and Staff from Campus and Health Sciences currently have access to TritonGPT through single sign-on.

Basic Needs Center and CalFresh Resources for Students

The Hub Basic Needs Center provides Food Security Resources, Housing Resources, and Financial Wellness services to undergraduate and graduate students. Food security resources include the Triton Food Pantry, CalFresh, Food Recovery Network, and Grocery Shuttle.

Food insecurity is a critical issue among college students nationwide and the 2024 UCUES data showed that 51% of UC San Diego undergraduate students report facing food insecurity- which threatens their wellbeing and academic success!

But CalFresh, a state program that awards up to $292 a month for groceries can help! Over 50% of UC San Diego students are eligible for CalFresh and 60% of students enrolled in CalFresh receive more than $200 a month.

Please consider including information on Food Support resources in your student-facing communications such as class syllabi and PowerPoint slides. You can find resource downloads for this use on the Collective Impact website.

Undocumented Student Services (USS)

USS has created an interactive guidebook with a variety of on-campus and off-campus resources to equip you with tools and information in support of members of our undocumented and mixed-status community.

USS has also provided the document, Questions & Concerns from our Students, that includes FAQs and other resources designed to support students impacted by ongoing changes in policy.

USS will continue to share additional information, advice, and resources to help faculty and staff navigate changing conditions for our undocumented students.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE: Triton CORE, UC San Diego’s Mobile Compassionate Response Team

Have you ever had a student in your office who seemed visibly distressed? Or received an email from a student expressing emotional struggles? There’s a team you can turn to for support.

Triton CORE, a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Program, is a team of licensed mental health professionals who can meet with students experiencing a behavioral health crisis anywhere on campus. Whether students are dealing with thoughts of harming themselves or others, significant changes in behavior (like isolation, neglecting basic needs, or a sudden drop in grades/class attendance), or emotional distress, Triton CORE can provide support.

The student also has the option of meeting with clinicians at CAPS Urgent Care (Galbraith Hall, RM 190) from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the student is unable to utilize that as a resource, Triton CORE can provide immediate, on-campus support, including a comprehensive mental health evaluation, safety planning, and coordination of care. The team offers a person-centered, trauma-informed approach, focusing on understanding each student’s unique mental health, case management, and cultural needs. If necessary, Triton CORE can also transport students to a higher level of care, such as an emergency department or crisis stabilization unit.

HOW TO REACH THEM:

Triton CORE is available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. To contact the team, call UC San Diego Police Department’s (UCPD) non-emergency line at 858-534-HELP (4357), and ask to speak with Triton CORE.

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the Triton CORE website

You can schedule an outreach presentation from the TRITON CORE team to learn more about their services and how they can assist your students. Email tritoncore@ucsd.edu

First-Generation Professionals (FGPs) Support Group Launch 2025

Who Are First-Generation Professionals (FGPs)? FGPs are individuals who:

Are the first in their families to graduate from college or university
Are the first to complete professional school or enter a professional career
Come from low-income or working-class backgrounds

Dive deeper into this definition in the group sessions.

Join a Supportive Online Space!

UC San Diego Campus staff and faculty are invited to participate in a conversational group designed for First Generation Professionals to:

Explore and discuss tools to support the emotional well-being of FGPs.
Enhance self-compassion for navigating workplace and personal challenges for FGPs.
Build a supportive community at work for FGPs.
Center the lived experiences of first-generation professionals.

Dates:

Thursday, April 17, 12 p.m.
Thursday, May 15, 12 p.m.
Thursday, June 12, 12 p.m.

Registration required. For any questions, please contact FSAP staff member Valeria Moreno at v2moreno@ucsd.edu

Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) Support Groups

Tritons Flourish
Mindful Pause (Mindfulness Meditation Group)
BIPOC Support Group
Black Community Support Group
Neurodivergent Support Groups
Parent and Caregiver Support Groups

See the full list of FSAP support groups and workshops for more information.

Recent Federal Actions and UC Coordinated Response

In a message to the campus, Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla addresses the recent and proposed changes to federal research funding policies, acknowledging the heightened stress and anxiety that many are experiencing as a result.

UC San Diego Ranked Among World's Top 10 Universities Powering Global Innovation

UC San Diego has been named one of the world's top 10 universities driving global innovation, according to a report by Clarivate. Recognized for its groundbreaking research and industry impact, the university's ideas fuel patented breakthroughs, startup creation and economic growth worldwide.

8 Trailblazing Women Educators Who Paved the Way at UC San Diego

From pioneering discoveries to foundational contributions that helped establish UC San Diego as a global leader in education and research, these eight extraordinary individuals are just a few of the countless women faculty members who have left an indelible impact on our campus community and beyond.

Spotlighting Leaders in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

The inaugural UC San Diego Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) Awards honor Tritons making waves in equity and diversity throughout the university.