ANR Update

Comments invited for UC travel regulations

The University of California invites employee comments on a proposed revision to Presidential Policy Business and Finance Bulletin G-28: Travel Regulations.  The proposed policy revision includes the following key issues: 

• Incorporate Internal Audit Recommendation to include requirement for documentation to support business or first class travel.
• Incorporate Internal Audit Recommendation to include the need to document the business purpose of each day of travel.
• Addition of a new section within policy that addresses sustainable travel recommendations.
• Gender-neutral language

The proposed policy is posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates/

If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than May 16, 2020. Please indicate “G-28 Travel Regulations” in the subject line.

Employee comments invited for Gender Recognition and Lived Name policy

The University of California invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy: Gender Recognition and Lived Name. It is proposed that the policy be fully implemented by UC campuses and locations by July 1, 2021, and it includes the following key issues: 

• The University must provide three equally recognized gender options on university-issued documents and information systems — female, male and nonbinary.
• The University must provide an efficient process for students and employees to retroactively amend their gender designations and lived names on university-issued documents and in information systems.

The legal name of university students, employees, alumni and affiliates, if different than the individual's lived name, must be kept confidential and must not be published on documents or displayed in information systems that do not require a person's legal name. 

The proposed policy is posted here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates/

If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than May 15, 2020. Please indicate “Gender Recognition and Lived Name” in the subject line.

Recruitment for Clif Bar Endowed Presidential Director for California Organic Institute underway

Applications are being accepted through March 30, 2020, from individuals who wish to be considered for the Directorship for the UC ANR California Organic Institute. This opportunity will provide a dedicated source of funds (income from the endowment) to support scholarly activities and outreach focused on improvement of California organic agriculture production.

Through a funding partnership between the Clif Bar & Company and the UC Presidential Endowment program, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has established a $1 million Directorship for the UC ANR California Organic Institute.

The Directorship will be awarded by UC ANR to a distinguished UC Cooperative Extension specialist or advisor currently working in the area of organic production in California.

Through a competitive selection process, a Director will be selected to hold an initial seven-year term.

Application and selection details, including timeline and submission guidelines, are available at http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/files/318017.pdf.

For any questions, please contact Mark Bell, Vice Provost Strategic Initiatives & Statewide Programs, at mozbell@ucanr.edu.

We look forward to this exciting new addition to our portfolio.

Wendy Powers
Associate Vice President

Travel to China restricted as novel coronavirus precaution

As follow-up to the ANR Update post on Novel coronavirus precautions, I am providing some additional guidance concerning travel to China.

In response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all areas of mainland China. Additionally, UC President Napolitano has directed the UC community to temporarily avoid all non-essential travel to China. For ANR personnel and affiliates, this means that all business-related travel to destinations in China must be suspended until further notice or approval. In collaboration with ANR leadership and UC systemwide colleagues, we are developing a process to review any requests for essential travel and will provide more information soon.

President Napolitano also stressed the importance that all international travel on behalf of UC business be registered with UCAway. This trip registration provides travelers with access to features such as travel insurance, briefings on health, safety, and security, and real-time alerts. To make use of these services, be sure to register your trip and provide itineraries and contact details. Visit http://safety.ucanr.edu/Programs/Business_Travel/ to register your trip and find additional travel safety information for ANR travelers.

You can also stay up-to-date with US State Department advisories and CDC's travel health notices related to this outbreak. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at baoatman@ucanr.edu.

Brian Oatman
Director, Risk & Safety Services

Novel coronavirus precautions

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus named “2019-nCoV” that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Some infections with 2019-nCoV have been reported in the United States, in patients that had traveled from Wuhan, China. US health officials have established monitoring measures to identify travelers who have symptoms compatible with this infection and have a travel connection with China. Similarly, UC medical centers and health clinics have established screening protocols to identify people with symptoms and a recent travel history to affected areas. For up to date information from CDC, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html.

The outbreak of 2019-nCoV reminds us of the standard precautions recommended by the CDC that we all should take to prevent the spread of various respiratory viruses, including colds, flu or coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick; if you must be out and about, consider wearing a paper (“surgical”) mask and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, cough into your sleeve (not your hands).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

See UC ANR Risk & Safety Services Safety Note 151 for more information about preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

At this time, there are no special actions that you need to take regarding UC ANR operations or programs in response to this coronavirus outbreak. Staff at UCCE County offices or Research & Extension Centers should monitor and follow any guidance from your local public health officer. UC ANR Risk & Safety Services is coordinating with health & safety and emergency management professionals across the UC system and will provide additional updates as conditions warrant. Additional information and links will be posted on the Risk & Safety Services website here: http://safety.ucanr.edu/Programs/emergency/Current_Health_Alerts/

Since this outbreak is affecting international travel, it also serves as a reminder that it is important to register your international business travel with UCAway, in order to access features such as travel insurance, briefings on health, safety, and security, and real-time alerts. To make use of these services, be sure to register your trip and provide itineraries and contact details. Visit http://safety.ucanr.edu/Programs/Business_Travel/ to register your trip and find additional travel safety information.

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