Greetings!
Welcome to the Academic Affairs newsletter. Browse updates and announcements, connect to tips and resources, and check out stories from around campus.
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Dear Colleagues,
I hope that you all had a chance for some relaxation and restorative activities during the Fall Break.
Sometimes it feels like the world is conspiring against us: the viral resurgence, which makes outdoor activities even more important than usual, has come at the very time when we also face early sunsets that drive us back indoors and an escalating end-of-term workload that ties us to our screens.
Thankfully, change is in sight. As discussed by UC San Diego Health CEO Patty Maysent at the December 1st meeting of the Representative Assembly of the Academic Senate, effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are starting to be distributed in the US this month -- and will be progressively rolled out on our campus and in greater San Diego in the coming weeks and months. If we can maintain our practices of masking, social distancing, and hygiene, the combination of our careful behavior with the adoption of the vaccines will set us on a happier path.
Even during these very challenging times, you have done a tremendous job of maintaining our academic momentum as a university and our ability to serve the people of California. When we made a presentation to UC President Michael Drake earlier this week, about the Return-to-Learn program and its impact on our ability to persevere in supporting students, undertaking impactful research, and assisting community partners, he was very appreciative and impressed.
Thank you for showing up each day (albeit mostly virtually) with determination and fresh insights. Your individual contributions are truly making a difference.
Best regards,
Elizabeth H. Simmons
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Showing compassion during finals week
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We encourage instructors to approach Fall ‘20 finals with empathy for all Triton community members. Exams are stressful under ordinary circumstances and the ongoing challenges we face today related to the global pandemic may contribute to heightened anxiety and difficulties with academic performance. Providing students with sympathy and support through this particularly grueling period will help ensure their academic progress is not negatively impacted by the disruptions experienced over the past several months. Please review the June 3 letter from the Academic Senate as a reminder or check out the Remote Exam FAQs for Educators for additional guidance.
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Office hours for instructors
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New grant opportunity: Overcoming the calculus barrier to STEM success
Calculus is considered to be foundational to success in many fields, but there are considerable equity gaps among students interested in STEM. The California Education Learning Lab welcomes faculty teams to submit proposals that reconceptualize the introductory calculus experience. Up to five grants between $1M-$1.5M will be awarded to support innovative ways of teaching calculus, including effective pedagogical approaches and faculty professional development. Join the virtual Q&A session on Fri., Dec. 11 or visit the Learning Lab RFP website for details (https://rfp.calearninglab.org/).
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Virtual STEM career panel - December 15
Undergraduates and high school students interested in exploring a career in STEM fields are welcome to join an upcoming panel discussion hosted by the Association for Women in Science. Panelists will discuss their current work, career paths, and answer questions from the audience. Visit the AWIS event website for details.
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Talk with Shola Richards - December 8
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Join the UC San Diego Staff Association and Black Staff Association for a facilitated discussion about addressing anti-Blackness. The engaging webinar, featuring the founder and CEO of the Go Together ™ movement, will provide information about strategies and critical actions for sustaining a culture of inclusion, equity, and anti-racism at UC San Diego. Register online and visit the event page for more information.
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Upcoming Return to Learn town halls
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join Return to Learn Town Halls to hear from campus leaders and ask questions regarding the current status of campus operations as we approach Winter Break.
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Click here to register for the student town hall Tues. Dec. 8
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Click here to register for the faculty town hall Wed. Dec. 9
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Click here to register for the staff town hall Tues. Dec. 15
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Flu vaccine mandate
Before visiting any UC San Diego location, students, faculty, and staff must self-report that they have received the flu vaccine or an approved exemption or accommodation. UC San Diego Health is offering free flu vaccines to campus employees at the Price Center and drive-up locations in La Jolla, Hillcrest, and Rancho Bernardo.
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COVID-19 Testing: Drive-up appointments & Student testing kits
UC San Diego offers asymptomatic COVID-19 testing to community members, including family members of UC San Diego employees, with results typically available by the next day. Tests can be completed at UC San Diego Health locations, including the Price Center and drive-up locations in Eastlake, Encinitas, Hillcrest, La Jolla, and Rancho Bernardo. Tests are free-of-charge for employees; a charge applies for family members or community members in certain circumstances. Visit Employee Symptom Screening and COVID Testing or COVID-19 Testing for more information, including links to schedule an appointment.
Undergraduate and graduate students, including those living off-campus, are invited to pick up a self-administered testing kit with no appointment needed. Kits can be picked up and dropped off seven days a week at locations across campus. Visit Student Symptom Screening for details.
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Paid administrative leave extended
Through June 30, 2021, UC San Diego employees are eligible for up to 80 hours of paid administrative leave (Supplemental Leave Hours) to seek testing for COVID-19 or to comply with self-isolation requirements. Review the Nov. 19 campus notice, HR FAQ, or APS FAQ for additional information about COVID-related paid leaves.
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Election 2020: What now? What next?
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Check out a recording of the November 19 webinar featuring expert information and analysis from faculty panelists in our Department of Political Science as they help answer questions about the 2020 election cycle and provide guidance about the future of civic engagement.
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Customer satisfaction survey: We want to hear from you!
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Professional development day - December 15
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Student Affairs’ Professional Development Day is designed to connect colleagues across campus and provide tangible resources for advancing your skills and achieving professional success. With the introduction of remote work, the committee has put together a "choose your own adventure" format to be inclusive of all professional development needs. Visit the event webpage for more information or check out the guidebook for details about each session.
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Annual staff holiday celebration - December 15-17
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Hone your remote work skills
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Diamonds may be award-winning physicist's best friend
Assistant Professor Chunhui Du was recently selected for the Air Force’s Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) Award for her brand of “brilliance” - a nanoscale quantum sensing technique to study novel and unconventional superconductor materials.
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Five UC San Diego experts named AAAS Fellows
Steven Boggs, PhD; Angela Phillips Diaz; Tadeusz Molinski, PhD; Abraham Palmer, PhD; and David Sandwell, PhD, have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest general science organization in the world and publisher of Science. They join nearly 500 scientists from across the country who have been recognized this year for their extraordinary contributions across disciplines. Learn more.
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Have an idea for our newsletter? We'd love to hear from you!
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