ANR has received approval to implement the Furlough Exchange Program (FEP) for Cooperative Extension (CE) advisors and non-campus-based CE specialists who are subject to the Salary Reduction/Furlough Plan. The FEP allows eligible ANR academics to devote extra effort to research projects instead of using furlough time. In exchange for not being furloughed, individuals may charge an equivalent amount of effort to extramural funding, subject to granting agency approval. Individuals may elect to begin FEP on Jan. 1, 2010.

Individuals who elect to participate in this program will forfeit their furlough days and therefore will be expected to work during ANR/campus closures. During the period of FEP participation, furlough days forfeited may not be used for any other purpose, including additional consulting days.

Implementation guidelines and the form that must be completed and approved are at http://groups.ucanr.org/Academic_Personnel/Furlough_Information/.

For more information, contact Carolyn Frazier at (530) 752-7497 or cvfrazier@ucdavis.edu .

The severe budget cuts require ANR to examine every program in relation to our core mission and Strategic Vision, and to evaluate the efficiency of our existing structures. One result of this examination is the difficult decision to end a long and productive relationship with the California Sea Grant College. ANR advisors working as part of the California Sea Grant College have made important contributions over the many years of the partnership. Our intent is that all current CE advisors will have a position within ANR or Sea Grant. Three fixed-term advisors will transition fully to Sea Grant as they are solely supported on a federally funded Sea Grant program grant. Currently, Sea Grant leadership is collecting information on options from UC San Diego, where the California Sea Grant College is based, so that advisors and staff can make informed decisions. 

Opportunities for our advisors to collaborate with the Sea Grant program will continue, and coastal watershed issues will continue to be an important part of ANR's work. We are currently working with the Sea Grant College leadership to ensure an effective transition of advisors and programs by the end of the fiscal year. We will meet with the Sea Grant leadership team in January to further the transition plan.

If you have any questions about this transition, please contact me at barbara.allen-diaz@ucop.edu.

Barbara Allen-Diaz
Associate Vice President, Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives


Links to previous budget and restructuring announcements:

Aug. 26 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/8-26-09.pdf

Sept. 21 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/9-21-09.pdf

Sept. 25 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/9-25-09.pdf

Oct. 2 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/10-2-09.pdf

Oct. 22 announcement http://ucanr.org/pdfs/10-22-09.pdf

Barbara Allen-Diaz, AVP – Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives, announced that Sharon Junge, interim director of the 4-H Youth Development Program, has retired effective Oct. 31. Junge will return on Dec. 1 on a part-time appointment to lead the Healthy Families and Communities Initiative and to serve as interim director of 4-H.

Lucia Kaiser, CE specialist and Human Resources Program Leader, has consented to serve as interim director for 4-H until Junge returns.

As previously announced by VP Dooley, two new business operations centers are being established to serve ANR programs. Both business operations centers are being established Jan. 1. Staffing will take place throughout the spring, based on staffing level recommendations by the Administrative Review Council and approval by VP Dooley.

Cherie McDougald, currently Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Central Valley Regional Office of Cooperative Extension, will lead the Business Operations Center – Kearney (BOC-K) while continuing her appointment as CAO of the region through June 30, 2010. This unit will be located at the Kearney REC in Parlier and will serve county-based programs.

Nikki Humphreys, currently CAO for the North Coast & Mountain Regional Office of Cooperative Extension, which closes Dec. 31, will lead the Business Operations Center – Davis (BOC-D). The BOC-D will provide business services to the new Strategic Initiatives, statewide programs, Research and Extension Centers (at the administrative office level), Contracts and Grants, Academic Personnel, and Staff Personnel.

Both business operations centers will work in collaboration with the newly announced Academic Program Support Unit led by Coordinator Joni Rippee.  McDougald and Humphreys will report to Associate Vice President Kay Taber.

Kathy Carrington, CAO for the Central Coast & South Regional Office (CCSR) of Cooperative Extension, will remain CAO of the region through June 30, 2010. From July 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010, Carrington will be overseeing the final transition of the business operations and contracts and grants from CCSR to the Business Operations Center-Kearney and dispersal of equipment and records from the region while working directly with the Office of the Associate Vice President – Business Operations.

Some of the major functions of the Business Operations Centers include:
Contracts & Grants (budget review, new account notice, cost share/effort reporting)
Payroll (time & leave reporting for academic and staff employees)
Payroll/Personnel System (personnel action entries for academic and staff employees)
Gift acceptance
Purchasing
Accounts Payable
Bank accounts
Direct charges
Travel and entertainment
Financial management
Sales and service (income)
Equipment inventory and procurement (for county-based programs and statewide programs)