- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
We're grateful that the latest budget proposal offered by the Democratic leadership of the Assembly and Senate keeps funding of higher education exactly the same as what Gov. Schwarzenegger is proposing. While we recognize that balancing the state budget is extremely challenging, it's heartening that funding of higher education continues to be a high priority for legislators as well as the governor. We strongly support efforts to increase federal funds coming to California, and stand ready to assist state policymakers in any way we can.
This budget proposal demonstrates the Legislature's continuing commitment to invest in higher education that is critical to the long-term economic recovery of California and future fiscal stability of the state. The proposed budget recommendations support the restoration of $305 million for core academic instruction and $51.3 million to support access for more than 5,000 students. The funding proposed in this plan would protect more than 4,000 faculty and staff jobs, reduce the potential for significant additional increases in student fees and protect UC's ability to enroll first-time freshmen and serve more community college students. In addition, the budget recommendations would include $355 million for capital construction projects that will create more than 3,300 jobs, consistent with the governor's and legislature's intent of supporting a 2010 state budget that helps drive job creation and stimulate the economy.
It's vitally important to the economic health of the state that, even in a tough fiscal environment, Democratic and Republican legislators do all they can to maintain the quality and accessibility of all three segments of higher education. The long-term future of California depends on a robust public higher education system that creates jobs, educational opportunity and innovation. For the short term, we very much desire expedited resolution of the budget, especially with the 2010-11 academic year beginning in two weeks at our UC Berkeley and UC Merced campuses and next month at our other eight campuses.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Kearney Research and Extension Center is soliciting proposals for new research and demonstration projects for the period Nov. 1, 2010, through Oct. 31, 2011.
Located near Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley, Kearney has 330 acres suitable for many types of tree, vine, and row crops.
Kearney also has some of the most extensive specialized research facilities of any off-campus location within UC. These are suitable for greenhouse, postharvest, sample handling (including cold storage and drying), sensory evaluation, and assorted laboratory research activities.
Proposal forms can be obtained at http://groups.ucanr.org/krec/Research/Research_forms.htm and are due by Oct. 8. Submit all forms electronically to Janie Duran at jduran@uckac.edu.
If you have questions about field research management, contact Chuck Boldwyn at (559) 646-6020 or cboldwyn@uckac.edu. For questions about the facilities, contact Laura Van der Staay at (559) 646-6030 or lvdstaay@uckac.edu. Other questions can be directed to Acting Center Director Bob Hutmacher at (559) 646-6060 or rbhut@uckac.edu.
To learn more about Kearney Research and Extension Center, visit http://groups.ucanr.org/krec/.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The University of California's Renewable Resources Extension Act Program is soliciting:
1. Proposals to develop and/or support new or existing projects/activities that are addressing the educational and extension needs in the management of California's valuable renewable resources. The primary purpose of this program is to promote the proper management of these resources, especially on private lands, and to provide the information/education/training needed by Extension personnel, land owners, and land managers.
2. Student Intern Proposals that would utilize the services and talents of student interns during the summer of 2011. Internships are open to upper division undergraduate or graduate students from any institution of higher education in California, particularly the University of California and the California State Universities. Principal investigators will not be granted additional RREA funds to pay for supplemental costs associated with the project. Student interns are expected to work 40 hours/week on projects or activities that address educational and extension needs in the management of California's renewable resources. Interns will be funded at $6,000. Intern proposals must demonstrate the connection to Cooperative Extension (county or campus office).
For detailed information, questions, and to submit proposals, please visit the RREA website: http://ucanr.org/sites/rrea/.
Proposals must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2010.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Nearly 80 ANR members gathered in Sacramento on June 28-30 to review and make recommendations for the focus and direction of the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems strategic initiative. At the end of the SNE conference, all of the initiative leaders presented information regarding the status of their initiative plans – Sustainable Natural Ecosystems (SNE), Healthy Family and Communities (HFC), Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and Endemic and Invasive Plants and Diseases (EIPD).
The areas of inquiry under consideration for the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems initiative are land use, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity, water supply, energy, climate change, and ecosystem services. Based on feedback from the conference, the SNE advisory panel will revise the plan and make it available on the Web from July 25 to Aug. 15 for final review and input. The initial draft plan is posted at http://ucanr.org/sites/NRCC_2010/files/14722.pdf.
The Healthy Families and Communities Strategic Initiative Conference will be held Aug. 24 – 26 at UC Davis. Participants will discuss childhood obesity, youth science literacy, and thriving and contributing youth to identify potential areas of inquiry.
“The primary focus of the conference will be to dialog, discuss, review and further define the priority areas of inquiry identified by the panel for the HFC Strategic Initiative,” said Sharon Junge, HFC initiative leader. “It will also include the beginning development of the strategic plan for accomplishing the work over the next five years.”
Look for more details on the potential areas of inquiry for the HFC Strategic Initiative and the Initiative Conference at http://ucanr.org/sites/PSU.
The Sustainable Food Systems initiative panel is discussing areas of inquiry dealing with water issues including water supply and delivery systems, availability, reliability, price and ways to improve water use efficiency, quality and conservation. Other areas under discussion are food safety from both microbial and chemical contamination, tools to improve the relative competitiveness and productivity of California agriculture today and with projected climate changes, maintaining local and regionally based food systems, and viability of small and mid-sized farming or ranching operations. Similar to the other panels, the SFS panel is developing a draft strategic plan incorporating these areas. The draft will be circulated for review before October.
The Endemic and Invasive Pest and Diseases initiative panel is discussing potential topics including insect vectors and pathogens; surveillance tools and methodology; climate change impact on pests, weeds and the environment; and control and management of aquatic pests. They, too, will have a draft circulated for review before October.
The next steps are for the Strategic Initiative Leaders to present draft plans to Program Council in October for review and comment. These plans will be finalized based upon the comments received. Program Council will evaluate the potential areas of inquiry and make recommendations as to what kind of resources should be allocated over the next five years in ensure that UC ANR work will result in significant and demonstrated policy-relevant impacts.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The 12-month furlough plan for academic and non-represented employees that began on Sept. 1, 2009, will end Aug. 31, 2010. Furlough time is not like vacation time or comp time that can be banked for later use or is paid out upon separation from the university. Furlough time may not be carried over after the systemwide furlough program ends Aug. 31, 2010, so be sure to use your time so that you don't lose it.
The furlough/salary reduction plan for represented employee groups began after September 2009 so they will continue past August, as determined through the collective bargaining process.