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,
You are probably aware that California has just opened up vaccination availability to include ages 16+ -- which means that our undergraduate students are now eligible, and signing up fast for the first available slots. You’ve been so wonderfully compassionate to students over the many months of this pandemic, as they’ve encountered challenges with isolation, technology, and other stressors. In that same spirit, I hope you can be understanding as some of them experience the short-term but significant side-effects that may follow their vaccinations.
Last week, when I was walking home at day’s end through the North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood, I came across a lovely scene. A pair of students were giving a distanced musical performance from atop the small oval stage at the west end of the neighborhood. Their peers were clustered in well-separated pairs and trios on the adjacent grassy slope, enjoying take-out meals from the new dining areas nearby. The golden evening light, the warm air, the live music, the small groups of friends -- it was such a joyous moment to see them responsibly enjoying the community and campus together.
It is also a harbinger of better, more connected times ahead for all of us. You’ve already seen announcements about greater access to research spaces and offices for faculty and researchers who would like to do academic work on campus again. Yesterday, we were able to open up opportunities for vaccinated employees to have small indoor masked-and-distanced in-person business meetings (strictly without refreshments) and for small groups of students to study or socialize outside while masked and distanced. In the coming weeks, we’ll also start working together to consider how to thoughtfully transition the work of staff colleagues back to campus settings, in preparation for the opening of a predominantly in-person fall quarter.
Wishing you all the best for the spring,
Elizabeth H. Simmons
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You're invited! Assessment Day - May 5
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Assessment Day will provide an overview of key elements involved in the assessments of student learning outside the classroom. Featuring keynote speaker Kaylan Baxter, event participants will have the opportunity to exchange assessment ideas and strategies with colleagues and will leave with information about equity-minded approaches to assessment; knowledge informed by the foundations of assessment; resources for reporting findings, including highlighting student stories. While the sessions may have a student affairs lens, the event is open and applicable to the entire university community. Register: http://bit.ly/AssessmentDay2021
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This week-long symposium is designed to increase awareness of the Black Student Experience at UC San Diego with the goal of fostering intentional and sustained action to enhance the experience and promote pro-Blackness at UC San Diego. We will be hosting daily themed sessions covering three phases of the black student experience - pre-matriculation, currently enrolled, graduation and beyond. Review the campus notice or registration page for details.
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Creating a culture of care
This interactive training is designed to assist faculty and staff in recognizing and supporting students in distress. What is a student in distress? A student whose academic progress or functioning in the university environment is adversely affected due to a number of indicators that are impacting their well-being and/or the well-being of others. Seats are still available for sessions on April 16, May 12, and June 1. To register, visit the UC learning center.
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Upcoming Return to Learn town halls
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Learn to navigate racism in career advancement
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From racial microaggressions in the workplace to white-centric organizational culture, structural racism can serve as barriers to the career advancement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color professionals. Join the UC Alumni Career Network on Monday, April 19 for a live webinar moderated by President Michael V. Drake, M.D. Learn to acknowledge and address barriers while building a trusted network to advance your career. Register here
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University travel policy update
As a reminder, the interim UC San Diego Travel Policy has been rescinded. Restrictions on travel for UC San Diego employees have been removed. It is strongly recommended to continue to book official university travel through the UC San Diego travel system, Concur, to receive critical information about destinations, automatically register for UC’s Traveler Insurance, protect travel funds and facilitate efficient trip reconciliation upon return. Guidance on booking in Concur is available on Blink.
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Loss & COVID-19
UC San Diego Case Manager, Ana Bowens, MSW, ASW, will be facilitating the UC San Diego Community Series: Loss & COVID. Alongside various campus partners, this six-part series aims to support Tritons who have experienced loss during the pandemic. Loss could refer to the death of a loved one, losing social connections, long-term health issues, or however the term resonates with you. Sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 pm PT through May 11. Register online: https://bit.ly/3lvWihb. Questions? Contact Ana Bowens.
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We want to hear from you!
Staff consultation: Pay for family care and bonding benefit
The University of California announced a new benefit that offers eligible employees a partial income replacement option for up to eight workweeks per calendar year when they need to take leave to care for family members. The new option is available starting July 1, 2021 and applies to Professional & Support Staff, Managers & Senior Professionals, and Senior Management Group personnel groups. Eligible employees are invited to review and comment on the policy language. Please submit feedback to employeerelations@ucsd.edu by April 24, 2021. Review the campus notice for details.
Staff experience and the workplace
Check your email for your unique invitation to participate in Learning Lessons from the Pandemic: Reimagining the Workplace. This new survey will help departments understand the challenges and benefits staff have experienced during this time and will inform long-term return to work plans. Your input is invaluable and will help us to better plan for your needs as well as guide priorities as we plan for a safe and gradual return to full campus operations. The brief survey takes about 10 min. to complete and responses are anonymous. Please contribute your voice to the conversation before the survey closes Friday, May 14. Questions? Please contact sawsurvey@ucsd.edu.
You can also share your ideas about embracing a new vision for our workplace via our IdeaWave campaign.
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BECOP Social
UC San Diego's Business Excellence Community of Practice (BECOP) is a consortium of local communities of practice for change management, continuous improvement, and project management. Aspirational and formally-trained business improvement practitioners use are all welcome. Change agents use the forum to share tips, best practices, resources, and institutional knowledge that enhance organizational insight and foster operational excellence.
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Introducing the staff promotion program
In response to feedback from the annual Staff@ Work survey, HR recently launched the Staff Promotion Program to enhance UC San Diego employee access to growth opportunities. The UC San Diego Staff Promotion Program supports staff career advancement and provides additional flexibility for employee mobility. Internal promotions may be used to recognize the growth and development of career staff employees.
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New! Scholarship to Rady School of Management
We are excited to announce the Rady Staff Scholarship Award program to support the professional development of UC San Diego career employees. Eligible staff can apply for financial assistance to pursue their MBA or MS in business analytics as part of Rady’s part-time Flex degree program. Scholarship awards cover up to 65% of tuition costs. The deadline for admission and scholarship applications is June 1, 2021. View eligibility requirements and program details here. If you are interested in applying or have questions, contact StaffScholarship@rady.ucsd.edu.
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Vicki L. Krantz Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors the legacy of Vicki L. Krantz by providing financial assistance to individuals at career crossroads who have demonstrated a life-long passion for learning, hard work, and giving back to the community.
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UC Women’s Initiative Application Cycle Now Open
The UC Women’s Initiative (UC WI) is a professional development program designed to help woman-identified professionals advance in their UC careers. Participants represent mid-career faculty, academic personnel, and staff from across the university.
Applications are accepted online now through noon on Monday, April 26. Visit HR’s Blink page for details about the UC San Diego application process, including participant criteria, program costs, and more. Questions? Contact Kim Greene
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Managing and organizing your inbox
This workshop is for Microsoft Outlook™ users who want to learn new and innovative techniques for better managing and organizing their inbox and overcoming email overload. You will learn powerful tips and techniques that can save you hours and help you get the results you desire from your email communication. In addition, you get important advice on email management strategies that will help you transform email into a productivity tool that can help you, your team, and your organization better succeed. Register by May 7. Event details.
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Guggenheim Fellows announced
Congratulations to professors Amy Adler and F. Akif Tezcan for being named 2021 Guggenheim Fellows. Since its establishment in 1925, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has granted nearly $400 million in Fellowships to over 18,000 individuals, among whom are more than 125 Nobel laureates, members of all the national academies, winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award, Bancroft Prize, National Book Award, and other internationally recognized honors. In 2020 alone, four Fellows were awarded Nobel Prizes and five won Pulitzer Prizes.
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Asian Pacific-Islander Celebration & Scholarship Awards
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11th Annual Integrity Award Winners
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U.S. Mint to issue coin commemorating Sally Ride
The United States Mint plans to issue a quarter-dollar coin that commemorates the accomplishments and contributions of the late Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to travel in space and later served on the UC San Diego faculty.
Read more
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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Have an idea for our newsletter? We'd love to hear from you!
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