UC Blog
UCPath down March 8-11 for system upgrades
Starting Friday, March 8, at noon through Monday, March 11, at 6 a.m., the UCPath system will be unavailable to all UC employees and applicants as UCPath implements its system upgrades as part of a March release.
Please note that after the system is brought back online, you may need to clear your browser cache. For instructions on clearing cache, click here.
Impact: During the scheduled downtime, employees, managers, transactors and UCPath personnel will not have access to the UCPath system.
UCPath outage begins at noon on Friday, March 8, and the planned resume time is 6 a.m. on Monday, March 11.
Wellness Reimbursement Program application period opens March 1 at 9 am
To all UC ANR employees:
Beginning March 1, 2024, the UC ANR Wellness Reimbursement Program will begin accepting applications for reimbursements of personal wellness expenses up to $75.
Administered by UC ANR Staff Assembly Council and its Wellness Committee, and also supported by Academic Assembly Council, the program reimburses UC ANR staff and academics for a variety of wellness items, including but not limited to: exercise equipment, clothing, classes, memberships, personal training, gardening supplies, and books related to health and well-being.
Note that food, medicine, supplements and pet items are not eligible for reimbursement.
To apply, fill out the Wellness Reimbursement Program application, attach appropriate receipts and email the documents to Andrea Rayray at arayray@ucanr.edu.
The application period opens at 9 a.m. on March 1, 2024. Applications submitted prior to the official starting time will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.
Receipts dated between January 1, 2024 - March 30, 2024, will be accepted.
Applications are due no later than April 1, 2024, and must be submitted for reimbursement in the Aggie Travel system by May 1, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed on first-come, first-served basis and employees are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.
The first reimbursements will be announced in mid-March.
For more information, visit: https://staffassembly.ucanr.edu/Subcommittees/Wellness_Committee/?story=2582.
New presidential practices and policy on anti-discrimination
UC ANR is deeply committed to supporting our community and building a positive work environment that is welcome, accessible and inclusive to all. We are pleased to announce, that in collaboration with the entire UC system, there has been a strategic evaluation of initiatives and activities in relation to the prevention, detection and response to harassment and discrimination. As a result, President Drake shared in his letter to the UC community that a Presidential Workgroup has reviewed and recommended a number of systemwide initiatives including a new policy and procedural framework that will offer enhanced protection, support and resources to the entire UC community.
- The Systemwide Office of Civil Rights: This new umbrella office has just been launched to provide systemwide leadership, uniform guidance and support on issues related to protecting civil rights at UC locations. It will encompass the existing Systemwide Title IX Office, a new Systemwide Anti-Discrimination Office and a new Systemwide Disability Rights Office.
- Systemwide Policy: Effective February 20, 2024, President Drake, has implemented a new consolidated policy on Anti-Discrimination.
- Reporting an Incident: Should any member of our community wish to discuss or share an incident, please continue to utilize the Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP). HDAPPserves as the central office for receiving, maintaining and evaluating harassment, discrimination and Title IX complaints. They provide support in prevention of harassment and discrimination from occurring and by educating the communities about the issues and assisting individuals and units to resolve conflicts and complaints related to harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and hate and bias.
For more information, please contact humanresources@ucanr.edu. For concerns of harassment or discriminatory activities, please reach out to hdapp@ucdavis.edu.
Bethanie Brown
Interim Executive Director of Human Resources
Nominate UCCE academics for service awards by April 1
Nominations are being accepted for the 2024 ANR Distinguished Service Awards, which are sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Academic Assembly Council.
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to recognize outstanding achievement by yourself or your colleagues. The biennial ANR Distinguished Service Awards recognize service and academic excellence in UC Cooperative Extension over a significant period of time. Awards highlight the use of innovative methods and the integration of research, extension and leadership.
The purpose of these awards is to recognize and reward outstanding accomplishments in six areas:
- Outstanding Research
- Outstanding Extension
- Outstanding New Academic
- Outstanding Team
- Outstanding Leader
- Outstanding Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Winners of individual awards will receive a certificate and $2,000. Winners of the team award will share $5,000. Complete award criteria and instructions for submitting nominations are at http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCAAC.
To nominate someone, fill out the online survey at 2024 ANR Distinguished Service Awards and submit all materials in the nomination packet by 5 p.m., April 1, 2024 to Daniel Obrist (dobrist@ucanr.edu).
For more information, feel free to contact the Academic Assembly Council Program Committee:
- Daniela Bruno, dfbruno@ucanr.edu
- Safeeq Khan, msafeeq@ucmerced.edu
- Keith Nathaniel, kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu
- Susie Kocher, sdkocher@ucanr.edu
- Nicole Marshall-Wheeler, nmarshall@ucanr.edu
- Giuliano Carneiro Galdi, gcgaldi@ucanr.edu
For more information about Academic Assembly Council, visit its website at http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCAAC.
Employee Comment: Proposal to rescind presidential policy on hoverboards
The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposal to rescind the Presidential Policy on Hoverboards. The policy is proposed to be rescinded to address the following key issues:
- The policy was envisioned as a temporary, emergency policy to address fire risks created by individuals charging hoverboard batteries in or on UC properties.
- Since the policy was adopted, the following developments have occurred:
- Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) testing and listing for lithium ion-powered equipment and batteries has become more prescriptive.
- The California Office of the State Fire Marshal released a guidance document (23-003) in April of 2023 related to the storage and charging of these types of devices.
- California Assembly Bill 712 was signed into law in July of 2023 and requires landlords to allow tenants to recharge micro-mobility devices in their units. UC Legal has determined this Assembly Bill does apply to UC housing.
- The UC Council of Campus Fire Marshals released guidance in August 2023 specific to this type of equipment and its use at UC locations.
- With technology evolving rapidly, the University is better served by relying on outside standard-setting bodies, such as UL, and best practice guidance from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The proposed revisions to the policy may be viewed at https://ucanr.edu/sites/PCPA/Revisions/.
If you have any questions or if you wish to comment on this policy revision, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than March 13, 2024. Please indicate “Hoverboard Policy Recission” in the subject line.