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- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
CUCSA delegates – who represent all the UC campuses, UCOP and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – meet quarterly to work on special projects of interest and importance to UC staff across California, share local staff assembly best practices, and learn about advances being made by UC academics and high-level UC leadership.
UC ANR vice president Glenda Humiston was a guest at the September CUCSA meeting. She outlined the origins of the division, the activities of UC ANR specialists and advisors, and introduced future plans.
Humiston noted a difference between UC ANR's network of nine research and extension centers and the UC Natural Reserve System.
“In the Natural Reserve, scientists look, but don't touch,” Humiston said. “In UC ANR, we plow, we burn, and we plant on our research and extension centers.”
Humiston has a long-time commitment to the value of working landscapes in California. She chartered an action team on working landscapes for the California State Economic Summit.
“Working landscapes are responsible for 1.2 million jobs and $318 billion in direct sales and exports,” Humiston said. “We're a key part of California's economy.”
Under her leadership, ANR has become a part of the University Economic Development Association, which advances knowledge and practice in economic engagement by institutions of higher education.
“I believe it's all about partnerships and collaboration – synergy,” Humiston said.
The CUCSA representatives for UC ANR are senior delegate Lori Renstrom, office manager for UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County, who will serve until June 2017; and junior delegate Jeannette Warnert, public information representative for UC ANR Strategic Communications, who will serve until June 2018. A new “junior delegate” will be elected by the UC ANR Staff Assembly in spring 2017.
Renstrom is part of the CUCSA workgroup “Mental Health, Stress and Work-Life Balance,” which will review the impacts of increasing student enrollment and ongoing change initiatives as well as the challenges caused by the economy, family demands and other personal factors on staff's mental well being, identify available resources and make recommendations to address staff needs. Warnert is part of the “UC Community Workgroup,” which will review staff diversity statistics across the UC system and obtain staff input about the diversity efforts at their locations. This information will help the workgroup identify best practices, challenges and recommendations for improvements.
All CUCSA workgroups complete a white paper which is presented to the UC Board of Regents at the end of the term.
If you're interested in learning more about ANR Staff Assembly, go to http://staffassembly.ucanr.edu/
The University invites comments on Proposed Revised Academic Personnel Manual Sections:
· 015, The Faculty Code of Conduct,
· 016, University Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline
Proposed revisions add sexual violence and sexual harassment, as defined by University policy, as a form of Unacceptable Conduct to The Faculty Code of Conduct (APM - 015). Proposed amended language clarifies when the Chancellor is deemed to know about an alleged violation of The Faculty Code of Conduct (APM - 015). Proposed new language institutes a new timeline and deadline after the imposition of involuntary leave for the Chancellor to inform an accused faculty member of the reasons for the leave, the allegations being investigated, the anticipated date when charges will be brought, a statement concerning when the leave will end, and the faculty member's right to grieve the involuntary leave, to be handled by the Privilege and Tenure Committee on an expedited basis (APM - 016).
The proposals are located on the UCOP Academic Personnel and Programs website, “Policies under review,” under the “Systemwide Review” tab 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 Dec. 19, 2016.
Funding for projects that help farm and ranch families succeed through targeted risk-management strategies is available through the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center (Western Center). The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $50,000 for education projects and $2,000 for exploratory projects.
To apply, go to the Western Center website and select “Competitive Grants Program.” The grants application process is fully explained in the Western Center's 2017 Request for Applications. All applications must be submitted online through the Results Verification System. There are links to application resources on the Western Center's Competitive Grants Program page as well as within the RVS system, to help guide you through the application process.
This announcement seeks applications from eligible organizations with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/outcome-based risk management education and training programs for agricultural producers and their families. All organizations serving agricultural producers, especially those serving the special emphasis audiences identified on page 3 of the RFA, are strongly encouraged to apply. The Western Center serves Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. affiliated Pacific Islands.
An applicant webinar will be conducted on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 10 AM PDT. No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. Simply join the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at http://breeze.wsu.edu/appwebinar/approximately 10 minutes prior to the webinar start time. You will be presented with a login screen that has the option to “Enter as Guest." Enter your full name, then click “EnterRoom” to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer's speakers.
Proposals are due by 5 PM, PST, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.
Questions or comments regarding the RFA may be directed to Jo Ann Warner, (509) 477-2168, warnerj@wsu.edu or Shannon Neibergs, (509) 335-6360, sneibergs@wsu.edu.
For more funding opportunities, subscribe to the ANR Contracts & Grants Updates blog http://ucanr.edu/blogs/ocg/index.cfm and check their funding opportunities calendar.
ANR Human Resources has begun recruitment for the Vice Provost of Cooperative Extension position. The position description is posted at http://ucanr.edu/Jobs/Jobs_990/?jobnum=1059.
Chris Greer, who has served as vice provost of Cooperative Extension since June 2014, announced Aug. 22 that he will be leaving administration to return to the field.
Please share the recruitment announcement with anyone you think may be interested in applying for the position. The deadline to apply for Vice Provost of Cooperative Extension is Oct. 14, 2016.