ANR Update
Article

To coordinate responses to federal policy changes, UC ANR emergency response team meets weekly

Dear Colleagues:

You may be feeling some uncertainty due to federal actions and the pending state budget for 2025-26. I want to assure you that, having navigated through COVID restrictions and challenging budget years, UC ANR is prepared to handle the unexpected and to maintain our commitment to our mission. It's also important to remember that UC ANR's financial structure is distinct from other UC locations and the financial strategies recently announced by campuses may differ from actions taken by UC ANR.

Thanks to our strategic planning, we can navigate through short-term funding volatility. As I mentioned previously, we are prepared to help programs reassign, realign and redeploy as needed. By developing partnerships and expanding our support sources in recent years, we have increased our flexibility to adapt to funding changes, support our employees and ensure we continue to serve all California communities.

While these strategies position us well, it remains vital that we continue to show to all our elected representatives our value and return on investment throughout California. We must ensure our impactful work is properly supported so we don't face funding deficits we experienced in the recent past. Your voices, and the work you do, are key to ensuring UC ANR continues to receive the financial support it needs.

You are doing important work to improve the lives of Californians and the vitality of our state; I greatly appreciate the passion and commitment you bring to your work.

UC ANR emergency response team

To stay on top of the numerous federal policy changes that may affect UC ANR, the emergency response team (ERT) meets weekly to share information, coordinate communication and take action. The team will disseminate relevant updates or changes that impact members of the UC ANR community as needed.

In addition, Brent Hales, associate vice president for research and Cooperative Extension, meets every morning with colleagues at UC Office of the President, UC General Counsel, UC Federal Government Relations and vice chancellors of research from the campuses. He forwards all pertinent information to the ERT and briefs them at the weekly meetings. Additionally, Anne Megaro, director of government and community relations, meets with UCOP and campus federal and state government relations staff regularly to coordinate efforts and share updates across the system.

The ERT is composed of myself, Brent and the following personnel:

  • Bethanie Brown, executive director of human resources
  • Jennifer Bunge, executive director of resource planning & management
  • Kathy Eftekhari, chief of staff to the vice president
  • Linda Forbes, director of strategic communications
  • Missy Gable, director of the UC Master Gardener Program
  • Darren Haver, director of the Research and Extension Center System
  • Jaki Hsieh Wojan, deputy chief information officer & chief information security officer
  • Chris Jakober, director of risk & safety services
  • Pam Kan-Rice, assistant director of news and information outreach
  • Kimberly Lamar, interim director of contracts & grants
  • Anne Megaro, director of government and community relations
  • Elizabeth Moon, director of workplace inclusion & belonging
  • Daniel Obrist, vice provost for academic personnel and development
  • Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, director for county Cooperative Extension
  • Lana Schweikert, controller
  • Tu Tran, associate vice president for business operations

If you have questions, contact the following ERT members:

UCOP is closely monitoring updates from the federal government and posting updates and resources at https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/federal-updates.

UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., sent a brief video message to the UC community acknowledging that many of us feel worried and unsettled about the fast-moving policy developments we are all facing.

If you are experiencing challenges because of these circumstances, please use the resources available to UC employees. The Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) offers confidential, cost-free assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services to all UC ANR faculty, staff and their immediate families.

Many thanks again for all the great work you do! We'll share more information as we have it.

Glenda Humiston
Vice President