Comments sought on ANR tobacco-free policy

On Jan. 1, 2014, the use of cigarettes and all tobacco products will no longer be permitted on UC campuses and at properties owned or occupied by ANR. Employees are invited to comment on this policy until June 17.

UC President Mark Yudof charged all UC campuses to go smoke and tobacco-free by January 2014 to save lives and improve the health of our community. As a leader in environmental research, policy, practice and education, ANR has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure for our students, faculty, staff, visitors and volunteers. This policy is about creating healthy environments for the thousands who learn, work, live and spend time in California. Cigarette butts are responsible for over a third of California’s litter.

This affects everyone on ANR property, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The policy covers the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco, as well as electronic cigarettes.

Tobacco use will be prohibited everywhere on UC campuses and at properties owned or occupied by ANR. There will be no designated smoking areas. Tobacco users are asked to be respectful of our neighbors and not congregate or litter on their property.

Enforcement will initially be educational. All students, faculty, staff and visitors are expected to abide by current policies.

All tobacco users who want to quit are encouraged to call the free California Smokers Helpline at 1-800-NO-BUTTS.

For details about the tobacco policy, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/tobaccofree. Please send comments by June 17 to Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu.

As part of the University of California’s commitment to support family care-giving responsibilities, the University proposes to establish Staff Policy 84 Accommodations for Nursing Mothers. 

Under the provisions of Staff Policy 84, the University will provide appropriate sanitary and private space for breastfeeding purposes, in close proximity to the nursing mother’s work area.  The University also will provide a reasonable amount of time for lactation breaks.

The proposed policy is posted at http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/proposed_policies/prop_staff_policies.html

Employees who wish to provide comments may submit them to Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucdavis.edu by Feb. 25, 2013.

The University of California is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all members of the UC community. As a result of this commitment, the University is proposing systemwide policies on the following:

1. Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
2. Personal Protective Equipment 
3. Laboratory Safety Training
4. Minors in Laboratories and Shops

All ANR employees who wish to provide comments on these proposed policies may submit them to Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucdavis.edu by Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: This policy describes the legal requirements that the University is obligated to implement and enforce. To help assure that any concerns of child abuse or neglect are promptly reported, the University is requiring internal reporting as well. Read the draft policy at http://link.ucop.edu/files/2013/01/Child-Abuse-and-Neglect-Draft-Policy-12-19-2012.pdf. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This policy describes the requirement of supervisors to select PPE for workers, inform their workers about their PPE decisions, provide the required PPE to their workers and ensure their workers comply with PPE policies. Read the draft policy at http://www.ucop.edu/risk-services/_files/safety-resources/personal-protective-equipment-2012-01-09.pdf.

Laboratory Safety Training: This policy identifies minimum training requirements applicable to all persons having unescorted access laboratory/technical areas. Read the draft policy at http://www.ucop.edu/risk-services/_files/safety-resources/lab-safety-training-2012-01-09.pdf.

Minors in Labs Policy: This policy governs the presence of minors in any laboratory or shop that uses hazardous chemicals, biohazardous or infectious materials, radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment, or where there are physical hazards including (but not limited to) compressed gases, high voltage, extreme temperatures, excessive noise, or lasers. Read the draft policy at http://www.ucop.edu/risk-services/_files/safety-resources/minors-in-labs-policy-2012-01-09.pdf.

UC Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Peter Taylor has announced that UC’s daily meal and incidental expense (M&IE) cap for travel within the continental U.S. has increased to $71. This change is based on the FY 2012 highest domestic per diem rate published by the General Services Administration for travel within the continental U.S.

Although the University’s cap amount is tied to the maximum Federal per diem, travelers may seek reimbursement only for their actual expenses in accordance with existing policy.  The Office of the President (OP) has asked all departments to remind travelers that only expenses actually incurred are reimbursable.  In addition, OP has advised that departments should require their travelers to submit M&IE receipts if it appears that the travelers are treating the cap as a per diem by routinely claiming the full M&IE amount.

The maximum meal rates for entertainment and business meeting meals have been increased in proportion to the M&IE rate for travel within the continental U.S.  The new rates are as follows:

The revised rates are effective for expenses incurred on or after March 1, 2012.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the person designated for your office:

Cooperative Extension offices: Cherie McDougald, director – Kearney Business Operations Center, (559) 646-6518 or cfmcdougald@ucdavis.edu

Statewide programs, research & extension centers, and ANR service units at the UC Davis campus: Nikki Humphreys, associate director – Davis Business Operations Center, (530) 754-8510 or nrhumphreys@ucdavis.edu

Oakland (OP) ANR administrative offices: Ben Chin, director – Financial Services, (510) 987-0704 or ben.chin@ucop.edu