Dear Colleagues,


Every day, I learn of exceptional work that our faculty, staff, and students are doing to expand the boundaries of knowledge and expression, while serving the public good. Some of this work is highlighted in UC San Diego Today or the newsletters of our schools and departments. Many upcoming events will honor the important achievements of faculty and staff, including the Faculty Career Milestones event that I’ll be cohosting with the Chancellor this week, as well as the Revelle Medal luncheon next month, where the Chancellor recognizes retired or emeriti faculty who have made sustained extraordinary contributions to scholarship and our campus, or the annual exemplary staff employee of the year award program


I would love to hear more about the achievements within your schools and departments and learn how your team or unit recognizes your colleagues. Please email my Director of EVC Strategic Communications & Engagement who is collecting information on faculty and staff honors and awards to provide future opportunities to highlight more of the outstanding contributions all of you make to our campus. 


And, as always, you can connect with me directly in my regular Office Hours and “Reverse Office Hours,” where I can visit your lab, studio, or classroom and learn about the impactful work you are doing. Or you can contact me to set up a coffee meeting or walking meeting in this beautiful autumn weather. In the meantime, I hope many of you will celebrate UC San Diego and our alumni during Homecoming Weekend, Nov. 8-10 and attend the inaugural academic symposium, Curiosity Ignited: Research that Sparks Change event highlighting the work of four of our faculty in the field of Artificial Intelligence.  


In gratitude and appreciation, 


Elizabeth H. Simmons



Let's Chat!


Just a reminder that the easiest way for us to talk is to come in during my office hours. Click the button below to find out more and schedule a time!

More Information

Native American Heritage Month


Unite with the Triton community in a month-long celebration of Native American history and culture led by the Intertribal Resource Center.  


See the full Calendar of Events including a Kickoff Celebration on November 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Price Center Ballroom. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy and performances by the Kumeyaay Bird Singers, the Soaring Eagles dance group and the Green River Singers. 


For questions or more information contact NAHM@ucsd.edu 

Price Center Extended Hours for Student Study Spaces 


Price Center now has extended hours, which began Monday, Oct. 21, to provide additional safe,

no-cost locations for students to study. 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 

 

Please encourage students to check out a complete list of Price Center study spaces and a list of campus study spaces

Homecoming 2024: Home is Calling 


November 8-10, 2024


Get ready for a weekend full of discovery and excitement. From D1 Athletics to groundbreaking research, the event line up celebrates the curious and courageous spirit of UC San Diego. 


Register for Homecoming events online. 


Curiosity Ignited: Research that Sparks Change


Signature Homecoming Event


Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | The Jeannie 


This exciting, inaugural event celebrates UC San Diego's academic and research excellence, featuring pioneering discoveries in artificial intelligence. 


From the ethical, psychological, and policy implications of AI and robotics, to understanding earthquakes and enhancing natural disaster safety, to developing lifesaving medical solutions and improving healthcare models, UC San Diego is advancing how the world uses AI, creating tools that will improve our lives and create an equitable future for all. 


Hear from these experts: 


  • Sally Baxter: Ophthalmology and Biomedical Informatics 
  • David J. Danks: Data Science, Philosophy & Policy 
  • Alice Gabriel: Seismology and Earthquake Physics 
  • Tara Javidi: Electrical and Computer Engineering 


The program will be followed by a reception. Attendance is free with Homecoming registration, but complimentary tickets are limited. Learn more and register online by October 30. 

Indigenous Heritage Week & Sustainable Design Forum 


November 21 - 22, 2024,

5 - 9 p.m. 


UC San Diego Park & Market 


San Diego Sister Cities proudly announces the Indigenous Sustainable Design Forum on Nov. 21, 2024, at UC San Diego Park & Market. A partnership between San Diego Sister Cities and UC San Diego Global Initiatives, co-hosted by the Kumeyaay and Maasai peoples, the forum is the first of its kind, seeking to advance San Diego’s sustainable future by sharing Indigenous knowledge. 


Learn more and register 

Educator Workshops: Teaching with Care in Challenging Political Times


In each series, an education specialist will cover one technique related to teaching with care using a variety of mediums such as case studies and reflective discussions. Participants will learn how to balance care for student well-being with fostering learning opportunities through critical thinking, encouraging respectful dialogue, and acknowledging diverse perspectives students bring into the classroom.  


The Day Before Elections: Creative Ways to Start Your Class Meaningfully 

Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

12 - 12:50 p.m. 

Remote | Learn more and register


Now What? Sustaining Care-full Working Relationships 

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 

10 - 10:50 a.m. 

Remote | Learn more and register 

Faculty and Research Town Hall


October 30 at 1:30 p.m. | via Zoom 


Register for the fall session to hear updates for faculty and researchers. 


Co-Hosted by: Elizabeth H. Simmons, Executive Vice Chancellor and Corinne Peek-Asa, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation 


Moderated by: Robert Continetti, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs 

2025 Summer Program Inventory


Submission forms for 2025 UC San Diego Summer Programs are now open. To prepare and share the resources and information needed to efficiently and safely account for these programs, the Summer Planning team will begin collecting preliminary information. 


Please take a few minutes to complete the 2025 Summer Program Inventory submission form.  


Final Deadline: November 13, 2024 


Form Closure: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 -Submissions received after November 13 are considered late. Late submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. 


For questions, please email Rocco Fragomeni, Director of Summer Planning.

Share Your Thoughts on Experiential Learning


As part of the Erasing Equity Gaps via Collective Impact initiative, the Experiential Learning Working Group is developing a shared definition of experiential learning at UC San Diego. Experiential learning (EL) activities may include (but are not limited to) such things as Community Engagement, Study Abroad, Internships, Student Driven Projects and Research, and Artistic Performances. All faculty and staff involved in EL opportunities (curricular and co-curricular) are invited to provide their valuable feedback: 


Complete the Experiential Learning Definition Survey:

Review the working definition of experiential learning and share your thoughts. Your input is crucial in refining an understanding and approach to what encompasses experiential learning at UC San Diego. 



Creating a Culture of Care: Supporting Students in Distress


This free and interactive training is designed to assist faculty and staff in recognizing and supporting students in distress. What is a Student in Distress? A student in distress is one 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. This is an excellent training for any staff or faculty member that has frequent interactions with students. 


Upcoming classes: 


  • Nov. 14, 2024 | 9-10:30 a.m. (Virtual) 
  • Dec. 12, 2024 | 9-10:30 a.m. (Virtual) 


Register on the UC Learning Center and search keyword “Students in Distress” 


For more information, please contact Chrystian Smith at cas014@ucsd.edu 

New Triton Student System Town Hall


Thursday, Oct. 31 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Zoom  


The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and the SIS Project are proud to present the inaugural Town Hall for the implementation of the new Triton Student System.  


You are encouraged to send your questions about the project through this registration form, or you can send your questions any time to

esr-student@ucsd.edu


Learn more about how to stay informed about the project's progress on the Get Involved page. 

NAGPRA Policy Reminder


Please review the Oct. 22, 2024, Annual Notice on the Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy including the Federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the California NAGPRA (CalNAGPRA) to renew your awareness of the policy’s requirements, to affirm UC San Diego’s commitment to these laws and to the guiding principles and procedures of the UC policy, to let you know whom to contact with any questions, and, above all, to enlist your assistance ensuring the campus fully complies with this important human rights and cultural heritage effort. 


For additional information regarding the policy, please visit nagpra.ucsd.edu or ucal.us/nagpra

Lean, Lunch & Learn (L3) Workshops


Lean, Lunch & Learn (L3) Workshops featuring a discussion on a best practice in Academic Affairs. The Best Practices group, composed of Academic Affairs Assistant Deans, will prioritize topics for the L3. The goal is to come up with a best practice by the end of each L3 workshop.


Job Description Helper (TritonGPT)


Thursday, Nov 14, 2024, 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Zoom 


Registration Required 


Unlock the power of JD Helper and TritonGPT. Join this webinar to discover how these AI tools can revolutionize your work. Learn how to create tailored job descriptions and access a suite of AI assistants that can help with tasks such as content generation, document summarization and more. 


Get the most out of TritonGPT with training resources: TritonGPT Resources & Training and AI Essentials at UCSD.  


Email the Center of Operational Excellence (COE) with your questions for the discussion. 

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National Medal of Arts Awarded to UC San Diego Alumna Carrie Mae Weems

Carrie Mae Weems, a celebrated American artist and University of California San Diego visual arts alumna, was presented the National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony on Oct. 21. Artist Mark Bradford, whose work is included in the university's public art collection, the Stuart Collection, was also recognized.

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