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ANR Employees

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Telling our story through UC ANR’s public value statements

Wendy Powers
UC ANR's final, revised public value statements are now posted. These short and compelling statements articulate the value of our work. They can be used by everyone in UC ANR to help others understand our work, garner support for our work, and help us focus our work on impact.

The public value statements are brief descriptions that include the issues, how we address them, and the value of our work to program participants and the public in general. The recently identified condition changes are referenced, but not all listed given these are intended to be brief. As a reminder, condition changes represent the broad societal benefits (environmental, health, and economic) to which our work contributes, while recognizing that UC ANR may be only one contributor towards these long-term outcomes.

On June 21, there will be a lunchtime WebANR to help all of us think about how our work connects to our public value via condition changes. The webinar will be led by Nancy Franz, a professor emeritus nationally renowned for her work on extension public value. She will talk more about how other states are using public value statements and share success stories about using them to garner support and/or focus our work.

A volunteer team of Program Team Leaders, Statewide Program/Institute Directors, and Strategic Initiative Leaders reviewed and revised the initial draft public value statements, which were developed by a programmatically diverse group of academics last May. For their efforts in this last round to finalize the public value statements, I want to thank the following people: Theresa Becchetti, Jim Farrar, Tunyalee Martin, Missy Gable, Ted Grantham, Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, Ramiro Lobo, Deanne Meyer, Katie Panarella, Lorrene Ritchie, Suzanne Rauzon, Katherine Soule, Andrew Sutherland, Tom Tomich, Lorna Krkich, Anne Megaro, Mark Bell, Katherine Webb-Martinez, and Nilofar Gardezi.

The development of these public value statements is part of our ANR's Strategic Plan Goal 5 effort to align programs and services with the 2025 Strategic Vision.  The purpose of this overall effort is to assess both current and future needs as well as the strengths and impacts of our work, and then align our efforts such that we are positioned to achieve the 2025 Strategic Vision.

Sincerely,

Wendy Powers
UC ANR Associate Vice President

 

 

Posted on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 3:31 PM

Research costs for RECs established

Following up on previous messages, the Rate and Recharge Committee and Associate Vice President Tu Tran have approved the full-costed rates for each of the nine Research and Extension Centers (RECs). This represents a major accomplishment given the change this year to a ‘line of service' approach to establishing research costs at each REC. The staff and director at each REC are to be commended for their effort, along with Deb Driskill, Han Pham and Jennifer Bungee.

Each REC director now has information regarding the amount of funds they have available for FY18-19 to fund down projects. The REC directors are working with Deb Driskill and the appropriate REC business officer to determine the researcher cost for each line of service. Full cost rates will be posted for each REC. Project investigators who have requested to conduct projects at a REC will be notified of the researcher cost for their project. It is intended that this information is available and shared by each REC director in the next couple of weeks.

We appreciate your patience while each REC works through this process. The overarching goal is to support research to the greatest extent possible with funds available. Furthermore, it remains the goal to be able to provide researchers who are applying for multi-year grants, the cost for the duration of the grant submission. This represents a change from past practice and one of the primary goals of the transition to a new way of costing research.

Sincerely,

Glenda Humiston, vice president

Wendy Powers, associate vice president

Tu Tran, associate vice president, Business Operations

Jeff Dahlberg, director, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Jairo Diaz, director, Desert Research and Extension Center

Jose Fernandez De Soto, director, Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Beth Grafton-Cardwell, director, Lindcove Research and Extension Center

Darren Haver, director, South Coast Research and Extension Center

Bob Hutmacher, director, West Side Research and Extension Center

Jeremy James, director, Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center

Kim Rodrigues, director, Hopland Research and Extension Center

Rob Wilson, director, Intermountain Research and Extension Center

Posted on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Innovation

ANR sets new policy for computer and electronic device purchases

In 2017, ANR learned valuable lessons amid events within the UC Office of the President making necessary our examination of policy and procedures regarding University-purchased portable electronics. As you know, in December 2017, we placed a moratorium on the purchase of electronic devices while we conducted that review. Thank you for your patience during this process. Now that the policy review and the development of compliance standards are completed, we are lifting the moratorium. Let me advise you of the changes in policy and plans for UC ANR's Endpoint Security Management Initiative.

UC Systemwide Policy G-46 Scope

UC Systemwide Policy G-46establishes requirements for the use of University-purchased cellular phones and other portable electronic equipment and outlines the appropriate circumstances for purchasing these resources, specifically cell phones, MiFi's and tablets (e.g. Kindles, Androids & iPads). This does not include tablet PCs, running full versions of desktop operating systems, laptops, or laptops that can be converted to a tablet mode (e.g. Surface Pro, Notebooks, ThinkPads).

UC ANR Employee Eligibility Form for University-Provided Electronic Device (ANR G-46 Eligibility): If an employee requires a portable electronic resource and providing that resource represents a reasonable use of public funds, the Department (Unit) Head can authorize the purchase using the criteria within the ANR G-46 Eligibility Form.

ANR has determined that due to the inherent program delivery focus of certain ANR positions, the ANR G-46 Eligibility form is not required for UC ANR Advisors, Academic Coordinators/Administrators, ANR-based Cooperative Extension Specialists and Community Education Specialists.

UC ANR Employee Agreement Form for University-Provided Electronic Device (ANR G-46 Agreement): Prior to receiving a portable electronic device, all employees must sign a usage agreement acknowledging that the primary use of the resource(s) will be for official University business and that any personal use of the resources will be incidental in nature. This requirement applies to UC ANR Advisors, Academic Coordinators/Administrator, ANR-based Cooperative Extension Specialists and Community Education Specialists.

Implementation

Currently the Controller's Office is piloting a web-based software to coordinate completion, tracking and storage of the new ANR forms. In support of our strategic goals to streamline administrative functions and modernize technology, we plan to make ANR G-46 Eligibility and G-46 Agreement forms part of this pilot. More information will be forthcoming in June. In the meantime, please use the paper forms found at the bottom of this page. There are FAQs within the G-46 policy describing preferred rate plans, approved vendors and other specifics regarding the purchase and use of cell phones, Mi-Fi's and tablets located here.

If you have questions about policy, contact Robin Sanchez, Controller's Office (rgsanchez@ucanr.edu). If you have questions about ordering a cell-phone, Mi-Fi or tablet, please contact either Emily LaRue, BOC-K (elarue@ucanr.edu) or Sally Harmsworth, BOC-D (sharmsworth@ucanr.edu).

The purposes of the above changes are to bring ANR into compliance with UC Systemwide policy and protect our academics and staff from incurring imputed income. Similarly, UC ANR's Endpoint Security Management Initiative is meant, in part, to comply with UC Systemwide IS-3 Cybersecurity policy. IS-3 will shield ANR staff and academics from external threats such as ransomware, information and privacy breaches, and data loss that could jeopardize our mission of public service, research, and education.  What follows are details of the Initiative's goals and standards.

ANR Endpoint Security Management Initiative

In order to strengthen our cybersecurity posture and to comply with UC Systemwide IS-3 cybersecurity policy, ANR is launching an Endpoint Security Management Initiative covering all ANR-owned computers. The objectives of this initiative are:

  • To better protect UC ANR-owned IT assets (hardware, software, data) via prevention, threat identification and detection.
  • To automate computer updates and patch critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities in a timely manner to mitigate risks.
  • To ensure computer security software is installed and updated to protect UC ANR-owned computers and data.

As a key component of this initiative, the ANR IT department will coordinate the computer procurement process and ANR will standardize on several Dell Latitude laptop and OptiPlex desktop computer models. All new computer purchase requests will be initiated using the ANR IT Help Desk ticketing system. ANR IT staff will consult with end users to determine appropriate laptop or desktop computer models to be ordered and will coordinate the placement of computer orders via the UC Davis AggieBuy system. New computers will be delivered to the ANR IT department in Davis to be configured and appropriate cybersecurity software installed before being shipped to the end user's location.

New ANR Procedure for Ordering Laptops and Desktop Computers

Effective immediately, all requests for laptop and desktop computer orders charged to ANR funds must be routed to the ANR IT department via the IT ticketing system. Due to ANR cybersecurity requirements, the use of UC purchasing cards or personal funds to purchase ANR-owned computers is no longer allowed.

Procedure:

(1)  The end user will create a ticket in the ANR IT Ticketing System identifying the type of laptop or desktop computer to be purchased. The IT Ticketing System can be accessed in the ANR Portal via the “IT Help” button.

(2)  As necessary, IT staff will consult with the end user to determine the appropriate laptop/desktop computer model and needed specifications. As part of this process, the end user will be provided an “ANR Computer Purchase Request Form.”

(3)  The end user will complete and obtain unit financial approval on the “ANR Computer Purchase Request Form,” then upload the form to the IT ticket.

(4)  The ANR IT department will place the order through AggieBuy and upload the "ANR Computer Purchase Request Form" as supporting documentation. 

  1. The shipping location will be designated as the ANR IT department in Davis.
  2. As orders are entered into AggieBuy, standard ANR financial approval routing will occur.

(5)  The ANR IT department will receive new computer equipment and provide appropriate ANR imaging and encryption and will then ship the equipment to the end user's unit location.

Detailed information on the ANR Endpoint Security Management Initiative and the ordering procedures will be posted on the ANR IT website by May 15. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Tolgay Kizilelma at tkizilelma@ucanr.edu.

Sincerely,

Tu Tran
ANR Associate Vice President - Business Operations

 

Posted on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 5:01 PM
Tags: April 2018 (14), cell phones (1), computers (1), policy (77), Tolgay Kizilelma (3), Tu Tran (8)
Focus Area Tags: Innovation

Project Board trainings offered

All academics with ANR merit and promotion are invited to Project Board Trainings on May 2 and 3. Please note, CE specialists who receive merit and promotion through a campus will have a separate training in July or August. 

Part One – What is Project Board?

Why was it built? What purposes it will serve? Participants will receive answers to these questions via presentations by Affirmative Action, Academic Human Resources, and Program Planning and Evaluation. There will be an emphasis on how Project Board has conceptually integrated the academic program review, civil rights compliance, and organizational reporting requirements.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Offered two times: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Recording: Part 1 Project Board overview https://bit.ly/2rhx1Ms

Part Two – How do I use Project Board?

Participants will take part in a hands-on training session by completing tasks in Project Board and getting live technical assistance.

Thursday, May 3, 2018
Offered two times: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Recording: Part 2 hands-on training 

Welcome by Wendy Powers:  https://bit.ly/2rAiafN

Training Recording: https://bit.ly/2jFYXFP

Zoom Information 

Webinar link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/114559912
Join audio by computer or by phone: 646-558-8656 (meeting ID is 114 559 912)

Questions?

 

Posted on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Tags: April 2018 (14), Project Board (4)

Learning and Development: performance review, SiteBuilder Training, WebANR Café Thursday

Tips for Employees: Participating in Your Performance Appraisal Discussion

Be an active participant in your performance review discussion. It will empower you and shows that you care about your work and your development.

To prepare, review your:

  • Job description
  • Objectives set for the review period
  • Any documentation, notes, status reports you have drafted or even a self-assessment

Continue reading here.

Check out the ANR Learning and Development website to explore learning resources, training topics, and career planning tools. Use the career planning tools to:

  • Learn the difference between skills and competencies
  • Identify UC Core Competencies
  • Fill out a self-assessment to contemplate your skill strengths and skill gaps

SiteBuilder Training

The CSIT Web Development team is bringing several SiteBuilder training sessions to several locations:

  • Monday, May 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Davis
  • Thursday, May 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hopland (FULL)
  • Thursday, May 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Kearney

The classes are designed for ANR people in need of proficiency in creating and maintaining websites. 

Learning topics:

  • The basics to get up and running with SiteBuilder
  • Best practices in web design
  • Search engine optimization
  • Employing images
  • Social media integration
  • Web accessibility
  • Introduction to new designs and functionalities of the future SiteBuilder platform

Register at http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=24549. A training location may be added in Southern California.

Register for the New Employee Administrative Orientation

Wednesday, May 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

UC ANR Building, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA  95618

Learn more and register here.

Who should attend: All UC ANR employees (academics, staff and affiliated staff on campuses, counties and RECs) who have not participated in an administrative orientation in the past. Priority will be given to those hired by ANR within the past year.

  • Learn about ANR's vision and mission
  • Learn about ANR structure and individual programs and units
  • Interact with ANR leadership and directors
  • Meet and network with new colleagues from around the state
  • Get answers to burning questions about health benefits, AggieTravel, and more!

ANR's first ever WebANR Café Thursday

You bring the coffee, tea, or beverage and we will bring you the first virtual WebANR Café Thursday on May 17 at noon: Planning makes Perfect: Best Practices for Engaging Webinars.

During this webinar, Brook Gamble, community educator specialist with the California Naturalist Program, and Steven Worker, 4-H academic advisor will help you:

  • Improve your understanding of the critical steps for preparation, implementation, and post webinar follow-up
  • Introduce ZOOM capabilities
  • Introduce tricks of the trade to keeping webinar participants engaged and not checking their e-mail

Join us at:
https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/963167636

(646) 558-8656 or + (669) 900-6833

Webinar ID: 963 167 636 

WebANRs will be recorded and linked to the WebANR Café Thursday page.

Use Your Subscription to Corporate Executive Board Learning & Development

As a UCANR employee you have automatic membership to a top-notch professional development resource. Interested in cultivating your career to the next level of performance? If yes, check out Corporate Executive Board (CEB) Learning & Development. It takes seconds to register or reset a password and participate in webinars, download job aids and participate in discussion forums.

Here is a quick list of a few CEB resources:

Resources for All Employees ­­– Develop yourself as a high-performing employee, not only effective at your tasks, but also as someone who contributes to others' performance and uses others' contributions to improve your own performance.

On-the-Job Activity Builder – Use this interactive tool to build employee development plans with recommended on-the-job learning activities, based on the competencies you select.

Manager Guide: Holding Effective Career Discussions – Guide your direct reports through identifying and progressing toward their career aspirations.

Manager Excellence Resource Center  – Find manager development and employee development resources at this online portal (separate from the L&D member website).

Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 3:12 PM
  • Author: Jodi Azulai

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