On April 10, VP Glenda Humiston released the following statement to the UC ANR community.
Dear Colleagues,
As we move forward with the implementation of our new Strategic Plan, I want to take this opportunity to share some exciting plans for recapitalizing and modernizing our research infrastructure and facilities. This investment is a key strategy within our larger efforts to “rebuild the UCCE footprint” and increase the number of academics throughout the system.
The Strategic Plan proposes a total investment of more than $40 million for UC ANR research facilities, with well over half of that designated for the Research and Extension Center System (RECs). This historic investment will be funded by a combination of debt issuance, judicious deployment of reserves, revisiting recharge rates (cost recovery) and a robust capital campaign. The good news is, in the current financial market, interest rates are still relatively affordable, making it a very good time to borrow money and expedite construction.
The RECs are a unique and critical part of the research capacity of UC ANR, as well as a vital resource for California's agricultural sector. Unfortunately, they have not been adequately supported for a number of years, resulting in 21st century research being conducted in facilities that are 50 to 60 years old. We must look to the future and invest in these facilities now to serve the researchers and scholars that bring their projects to the RECs – both current and future. Going forward, we must also ensure financial stability and plan for ongoing upgrades to keep our facilities up-to-date and in demand.
UC ANR central funds currently cover expenses at the RECs ranging from 70% to 90% of all costs; the RECs, in turn, use those funds to support, on average, over 80% of the costs to conduct research. This significant support has been given to all researchers, regardless of need or priority, and doesn't allow ANR the flexibility to target our research support dollars where they are most needed. Furthermore, much of the work conducted at the RECs for projects awarded to UC campuses provide no Indirect Cost (IDC) to the RECs to cover utilities, infrastructure and other support costs generally covered by IDC.
Lisa Fischer has been working with the REC directors to develop a vision for the RECs, including prioritizing the improvements to be funded and identifying options to enhance administrative and financial management. Several options are currently under discussion, including liquidating assets and/or pursuing land lease options, increasing crop income, seeking endowment opportunities and resetting recharge rates either as a system or by individual RECs.
As part of these options, we need to develop recharge rates that more accurately reflect true costs and assist with recovery of the division's outlays. This move will enable those funds to be available to help improve operations and maintenance as well as augment three research funds that we are developing: one to provide extra support for early-career ANR academics, another to be available for emergency needs such as Asian citrus psyllid, and the third to provide matching funds when required for certain grants.
I know you share my enthusiasm about the potential of our REC System to become the elite and productive research infrastructure that California is depending on to provide solutions to the many issues facing the state. We are discussing and evaluating all available options to reduce the RECs' dependence on central funds and develop strategies to improve their administrative and financial management. I anticipate receiving a proposal from REC leadership in late April.
Rising costs, coupled with budget forecasts from our traditional state and federal sources that appear flat for the foreseeable future, mean that all of UC ANR, not just the RECs, must look for ways to manage ongoing programs with less reliance on central funding. Concurrently, we are also greatly enhancing our funds development capacity to assist with program needs and expanding our academic footprint. I will be providing more updates on that, as well as other aspects of the Strategic Plan implementation effort, as plans are finalized and milestones are met.
Sincerely,
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
The UC Cooperative Extension office in Imperial County has installed a new phone system, which has resulted in new phone numbers for all the employees. The main office number for UCCE-Imperial County is (442) 265-7700. Their old phone numbers will be disconnected so please use the phone numbers listed below.
Oli Bachie, CD/agronomy advisor, (442) 265-7701
Trish Burich-McNeece, office supervisor, (442) 265-7702
Andrea Estrada, clerical staff, (442) 265-7703
Jennifer Garcia, clerical staff, (442) 265-7704
Nannette Kniffin, clerical staff, (442) 265-7705
Eric Natwick, entomology advisor, (442) 265-7706
Areli Pacheco Martinez, visiting scholar, (442) 265-7707
Pratap Devkota, low desert weed advisor, (442) 265-7708
Shanna Abatti, 4-H representative II, (442) 265-7711
Martha Lopez, FSNEP program educator, (442) 265-7713
Mary Welch-Bezemek, nutrition program coordinator, (442) 265-7714
Paul Tabarez, community educator II, (442) 265-7715
The Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy at UC Davis is hosting a screening of the movie Food Evolution May 2 at 7 p.m.
From Academy Award-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy (The Garden, Fame High, OT: Our Town) and narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Food Evolution explores food security, sustainability and how to feed an ever-growing population. The film provides an in-depth look at the role of genetically engineered crops in agriculture, tackling this controversial topic to address the larger issue of how science and research are often misunderstood by the public. For more information about the film, visit http://www.foodevolutionmovie.com/#home.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an Info Fair in the lobby of the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, on the UC Davis campus, with displays by the Plant Breeding Center, the Seed Biotechnology Center, the Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy, Science Says and UC Davis Dining Services.
The movie will begin at 7 p.m. followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring director Scott Hamilton Kennedy, producer Trace Sheehan, UCCE specialist Alison Van Eenennaam, professor Pamela Ronald and Raoul Adamchak, former coordinator of the UC Davis Student Farm. The discussion will be moderated by Christine Bruhn, UCCE food marketing specialist emeritus.
Early Bird tickets are $7.50, available online only at EventBrite. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door for $10.
To purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-evolution-movie-screening-tickets-33645400298. Please print your ticket and bring it with you to the event.
The University of California is inviting comments on proposed revisions to the Academic Personnel Manual sections listed below. Note that APM 740 applies to Agriculture and Natural Resources:
740, Leaves of Absence/Sabbatical Leaves (APM - 740);
285, Lecturer with Security of Employment Series (APM - 285);
210-3, Instructions to Review Committees that Advise on Actions Concerning the Lecturer with Security of Employment Series (APM - 210-3); and
133-0-B, Limitation on Total Period of Service with Certain Academic Titles (APM - 133).
Proposed revisions modify language intended to make the title more accurately reflect the requirements for advancement in the series and make hiring, evaluation and promotion practices more consistent across the UC system.
The proposal is located on the UCOP Academic Personnel and Programs website, “Policies under review,” under the “Systemwide Review” link at http://ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/academic-personnel-policy/policies-under-review/index.html.
If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu no later than June 26, 2017.
UC Walks returns for its eighth year on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, bringing together faculty, staff, students and retirees to take a walk, share wellness tips and (with luck) enjoy the spring sunshine.
UC Walks is a free, systemwide event that began in 2010 as a way to raise awareness about the importance of making time for walking or fitness. Over the years, UC Walks just keeps growing, highlighting UC's commitment to becoming among the healthiest places in the country to live, work and study. Wellness managers and benefits professionals organize the events, making sure that each location offers something special – like UC Berkeley's signature flash mob, free health screenings at UC San Diego, and a Wellness and Safety Fair at UC Irvine.
Visit the UC Walks page on UCnet to check out this year's video and find out what's happening at your location. Although most events will take place on Wednesday, May 17, UCSF's event will be held on May 10, and UC Berkeley's event will be held on Friday, June 16. Participants will receive a free T-shirt while supplies last, courtesy of UC's medical and behavioral health plans.
Show your UC Walks spirit by sharing photos of you and your colleagues on Twitter, using #UCWalks. A collection of #UCWalks photos will be posted on UCnet after the event. Check out a photo slideshow of last year's event.
