- Author: Wendy Powers
Can you believe we are winding down week 5 of our remote work? Yet, I remain equivocal about my opinion of the work arrangement, despite not being as impacted as many. No doubt this would be much easier if everyone else in my household would just go back to their normal activities so that I could work at home alone. However, always in search of the upside, I am pleased to learn of the environmental benefits observed just over the last month as a result of removing commuters from the road during work and off times. If I look past the dairy farm next door to my house, I have a fantastic view of the snow cover on the Sierra from my work place. I can't always see the mountains, but I suspect the range is visible now, in part, due to reduced traffic in California. I can't help but wonder how many of us will rethink our behaviors now that we can ‘see' the difference a change makes.
I managed to escape any Zoom meetings yesterday! What a nice break. I made good progress getting some things checked off my ‘to-do' list. I spent a fair bit of time reviewing academic advancement packages, five for the day. Following, I managed to wrap up a few communications, catch up on emails, and still managed to procrastinate on my strategic plan homework. Soon we will have a new Accomplishments document out, but first I need to review the draft. I have a mandatory training still awaiting completion as well. The weekend or next week look promising.
The reprieve from Zoom meetings didn't last long; today was full of Zoom meetings beginning at 7 AM. The best meeting, of course, was the Town Hall meeting where we heard from representatives of three teams that had adjusted to the new normal in ways that may be permanent because they can see the long-term, post-COVID-19 benefits of the new practice or process.
The Western region Agriculture Experiment Station Directors met today. The updates provided by most states were rather depressing. After hearing from several during the Town Hall webinar how grateful there are to work for UC ANR and have a job, I definitely concur! We in UC are so fortunate in that we are far better off than several, if not most states in the Western region. One state even uttered the work I fear most – ‘exingency'. The whole conversation reinforced my perspective that while times are a challenge and our work environments not ideal, we are fortunate. Even though I struggle with interruptions, cold feet, an ironing board as my stand-up desk (too short for my height), a need to adjust my work hours, and poor internet I can work remotely indefinitely if the alternative is not working at all.
- Author: Wendy Powers
Whether you observed Easter or Passover, were preparing for Ramadan to start in 10 days or celebrated the time off, I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. For those in Modoc County, I hope you enjoyed the Easter Bunny Wave. The weather was perfect for it. I love the creativity by the 4-H members to take the bunny parade to the homes of the residents! So much easier than having to go to the parade. The 4-Hers in San Benito County did something special to reach out to emergency workers and people who may be feeling sick or lonely. How thoughtful!
Last week, President Napolitano joined the President's Advisory Commission (PAC) meeting from her dining room table, clearly not her usual mode of work. During the meeting, Secretary Karen Ross shared current challenges related to food distribution, including travel restrictions for seasonal labor necessary for harvest. The more significant issue may be the impact on farmers of closed restaurants and schools, resulting in food produced with no place to go. Every day I look to make sure the milk truck comes to the dairy across the street. So far, so good.
During the PAC meeting, we had some discussion about COVID-19, itself, including the positive test in Nadia, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo, Nadia, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions developed a dry cough. It seems only Nadia tested positive. Did you know that at one point, my dream job was to be the Chief Veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo? At the time, I was in 4th grade and had read about Emil Dolensek, who was at the time the Chief Veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo and the subject of the book, Doctor in the Zoo. The Bronx Zoo was my favorite place to visit. While I didn't pursue that career choice, it was a promising deterrent from my earlier plans. On the first day of kindergarten, when we each introduced ourselves and indicated our intended career path, I proclaimed my intentions of becoming a professional pickpocket. Alas, plans change.
On Friday, I had a chance to listen to Thursday's eXtension Social Café, featuring Brook and Sarah from the UC California Naturalist program and hosted by Rose Hayden-Smith. Rose will feature the UC California Naturalist program in the eFieldbook she is creating for eXtension as an outstanding example of social media use in #scicomm. I was really pleased to learn how Sarah ties in academic content from other UC ANR programs in her story posts. While not so fond of the idea of taking quizzes, I like the inclusion of the interaction and the fact that I can opt out of that part. Excellent work, Brook and Sarah!
Earlier in the week, I received an email from a colleague in North Carolina sharing that she had just read a Fast Company article that called out the UC Master Gardener program. Congratulations to Missy and the team! What an excellent recognition for their work and the program.
Speaking of gardening, it sounds like the last-minute change to the Contra Costa County plant sale is having some success. Lorna has shared some positive feedback from some of the donors who have purchased starter plants. Hopefully, many of the UC ANR staff can take advantage of the Staff Assembly's GROWS program. What a great idea!
I hope to see everyone at the Town Hall later this week!
- Author: Wendy Powers
This past weekend was much like the weekend before, with more rain. The rain kept me inside most of the weekend. If I had ever wanted to be a recluse, now would be a good time to try it out. While indoors, I improved my face mask process considerably and managed to complete 45 over the 2-day period. I suspect many throughout UC ANR have found process improvements in how they work remotely. Examples might include how you interact with colleagues by Zoom, or something better than Zoom, so that it is easier to stay engage. Maybe someone has identified a better way to manage email or keep track of time as the day passes. Perhaps one of the ‘most wanted' improvements is a way to keep the dog and the kids amused while you work. If you've found something that might work for others, please share.
I channeled my ‘inner-Lorna' over the weekend and did some baking, mostly as a change in pace. My biggest weekend accomplishment was sending out Christmas cards. Yes, Christmas cards. Some friends and family can use some holiday cheer about now. I am hopeful that recipients will consider me ahead of the game for 2020 and ignore the fact that I didn't get around to sending any cards in 2019.
Program Council meets this week. Gabe will talk with the Program Council about his projects, namely The Vine. In addition, we will review Emeritus requests for a few CE Advisors as part of a new process that we are testing for the first time. Also, Program Council will review budget requests for temporary funding. Because the meeting is by Zoom, we are decreasing the total time a bit, making the meeting agenda full.
The President's Advisory Council (PAC) meets Thursday morning. This will be a first time the group has met by Zoom. Given this is President Napolitano's last PAC meeting, I'm sure many of the PAC members are disappointed they are unable to say goodbye, in person.
I ended last week two advancement packages short of my goal. So far, I have made up one of those. I will complete the other before the weekend ends. Making up the difference from my weekday targets and the actual reviews is all part of my RIT (recluse-in-training) program.
- Author: Wendy Powers
We are just a few hours away from a 2-day reprieve from Zoom! A colleague who has been stuck in South Africa for 3 weeks with no end in sight asked is we could Zoom this weekend. I declined and suggested we use What's App instead. I need the change in pace.
Earlier this week I recognized that something was ‘off'. At first I thought perhaps I am less of an introvert than I believed and I was missing the social interaction or the commute. Not the case. What I miss is the change in venue and the rat race to get from one meeting to the next either in the same building or across the country, anxiously awaiting whatever surprise the airline has in store for me, and the general pace of getting from one place to the next. I've never cared much for working from home, this might be why. This, too, shall pass (at some point).
Yesterday the Vice President's Council met (VP Council). We covered a number of items, including updates on proposed changes to strategic plan goals #3 and #4. Both goal owners mentioned needing to get changes submitted by mid-April. I panicked a bit that I had homework to do, but no worries, my email say May 4 and I will procrastinate until that time. In the meantime, I am on track to meet my advancement package review target this week. I have 2 to review today and then I will be up to 39 completed!
The VP Council received updates on plans to review the cost recovery policy and ‘The Salmon Report' which was developed some years ago, maybe a decade ago, but not widely implemented. Several of the Statewide Program and Institute Directors offered updates on their programs. It was a long Zoom meeting. Fortunately, Katherine kept us moving.
Today are the monthly calls with the REC Directors and the County Directors. My monthly noon Zoom call was held last Friday so I have a bit of a break before the afternoon Zooms begin. In the meantime, we are working to finalize the list of who continues to do field research and extension and where those people are located. By next week, we should be coordinated with the campuses.
Enjoy your Zoom-free weekend! Given the forecast, we can all avoid yardwork, too.
- Author: Wendy Powers
How is everyone doing? Cabin fever is likely getting to many of us, even the introverts. I am fortunate to be able to get outside into a 5-acre yard and walk the 2-mile, roundtrip, stretch of road without any risk of passing another person. For those in apartments or condos, maintaining physical distancing while getting outside is far more challenging. On the upside, those in apartments or condos don't have landscape maintenance. Surprisingly, even to me, I welcomed a chance to pull a few weeds this weekend! Like many across California, we are getting our garden site ready. While I usually recommend against, this year is not typical, so I am supporting the idea of a modest-sized garden. Garden size is key to the level of support I offer for this activity.
Last week, I was unsuccessful in keeping with my ‘2 per day' plan for reviewing academic advancement packages. With the help of the weekend, I was close, a mere one of the ten planned reviews. I still need to complete two reviews today. I now have 29 cases reviewed, of 64, in addition to completing reviews for my annual reviews as the first-level reviewer. My staff reviews remain to be completed, pending successful resolution of technical challenges with the new People Soft program.
I could have accomplished more work over the weekend, but as some of you know, my current office, while the rest of the family is home, is in my garage space that doubles as a sewing/crafting room. Despite spending the week there on Zoom calls, I found myself back there during periods of rain. I joined the Million Mask Challenge and found a place in LA to donate the 29 completed products. I would not survive a job where I was paid by the piece. Furthermore, following instructions has always been a challenge, assuming I even read them. I maintain, however, that product quality was not compromised, and I was better able to use up what I had on hand and avoid going out for supplies. That's my argument anyway.
Lynn Wunderlich is trying something new this year. Because of the stay at home order, she needed to change her plans for the 2020 Foothill Grape Day. Rather than hold a full day meeting, Lynn and her team of speakers are offering a series of Zoom sessions throughout the week. The scientist in Lynn calls this an experiment and will assess, post event, how this approach worked for both the speakers and the participants. I am eager to hear what she learns!
No doubt, most, if not all, of us are juggling unexpected changes to plans and schedules due to COVID-19 with the already full calendars of planned work. At times, it seems the adjustments needed as a result of COVID-19 are all-consuming, making it difficult to get anything done, much less what had been long planned. Many universities are discussing the impact of the situation on academic advancement schedules and considering blanket extensions to the advancement 'clock.' That's not to say that candidates don't need to meet the same criteria; instead, they have more time to do so. Extending the clock makes sense when you consider that the expectations won't change; what changes is the ability to accomplish goals during this unusual time. The same discussions have taken place in various meetings I attend within UC. If I were to guess, I would expect that any announcement would follow the current review cycle and reflect what we know at that time. I think it is safe to say that everyone recognizes the challenge of managing the disruption. After all, we are all in this together.
