Posts Tagged: fox
How a 'Bear' Can Outsmart a Fox
There's a way for a bear to outsmart a fox. A teddy bear bee, that is. We just witnessed a...
A male valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa sonorina, engaging in nectar robbing; he's sipping nectar through a hole in the base of a foxglove blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Ah, sweet nectar. This male Valley carpenter bee lingers a bit to sip the sweet reward. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of male Valley carpenter bee, "the teddy bear beer," engaged in nectar robbing. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
John Fox, executive director of Human Resources, to retire
Colleagues,
It is with bittersweet emotions that I announce John Fox's departure from the Division. Earlier this year, John informed me that he will be retiring, effective at the end of February, after more than 30 years of service to the University of California, the last five serving UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. There is no doubt that John's retirement is well deserved, though we will definitely miss his able and calm hands.
As you may know, John joined ANR as Executive Director – Human Resources in October 2015 after many years in the Office of President in various policy and leadership roles. I and the senior leadership of ANR have thoroughly enjoyed working with John these last five years, and I will always be grateful to him for taking on new responsibilities and important projects with me to improve the climate and well-being of the ANR communities. To highlight some of these important projects, we cannot overlook John's effort in implementing the multi-year CE Advisors and Staff compensation equity programs, designed to elevate ANR's compensation structures to more competitive levels. Most recently John played a critical role in implementing the ANR@work Survey, which gives ANR staff and academics an opportunity to give unfettered feedback and guidance to our leadership. Further, working directly with you and the leadership, John helped establish the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council for ANR (soon to be announced more widely). With that and much more, John's work will continue to help shape our culture in years to come.
I personally benefited every day from John's advice, dedication and strong work ethic.
As John transitions and starts a new chapter, I am happy to announce that Bethanie Brown will be appointed Interim Executive Director of Human Resources. Bethanie has been expertly leading the ANR HR Department in recent years and I am grateful to her for stepping up during this challenging interval. Additionally, Academic HR Manager Tina Jordan will assume new responsibilities including ANR's Learning and Development unit, and will also assume the responsibilities as ANR's Affirmation Action Compliance Officer. As the Director of Academic Personnel and AA compliance officer, Tina will represent ANR at all systemwide meetings and councils. Decisions to recruit for John's replacement and timing of same will be made later this year when we have more clarity as to budgetary conditions.
Please join me in thanking John and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.
Best Regards,
Tu
Tu M. Tran
Associate Vice President
Staff performance appraisals postponed
On April 8, UC President Napolitano announced that the FY 2019-20 systemwide annual performance-appraisal program for policy-covered staff will be suspended until fall 2020, in consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 situation. Following the President's direction, ANR is postponing the staff appraisal process currently underway for the performance period that runs from April 1, 2019, to March 30, 2020. This applies to all staff, including policy-covered and union-represented.
The merit and promotion reviews currently underway for ANR academics will continue as planned.
Compensation decisions for staff are traditionally associated with the performance appraisal process. In her announcement, the President said decisions about compensation will await further clarity about the University's financial situation.
The web-based ePerformance application will remain open so that employees and supervisors can continue to document achievements and track progress on goals. We know many of you have already invested time and effort in the process, and we do not want to lose that valuable information.
Performance management is an ongoing responsibility, and we encourage supervisors to check-in regularly with employees to review expectations, goals and progress. This is especially important while many of us are working remotely.
ANR Human Resources is reviewing the long-term impact of this postponement, and we will update you as information about future staff performance review timelines becomes available.
John Fox
Executive Director, Human Resources
ANR town hall Thursday, Aug. 15, 1:30 p.m.
Please join ANR leaders for a virtual town hall on Thursday, Aug. 15, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This will replace the monthly all-ANR staff meeting.
Via Zoom, Glenda Humiston, Tu Tran and John Fox will update you on ANR's budget, salary increases for staff and academics, and UCPath, and answer your questions.
On July 8, Humiston sent an ANR Update message about ANR's budget outlining some options leadership is considering to compensate for $5 million in unfunded obligations.
UC ANR is on track to launch UCPath on Oct. 1, with cutover activities beginning in September. Readiness meetings are being held with business officers, supervisors and anyone else who is interested. If you haven't received an invitation and want to attend, contact your business manager for more information.
During the town hall, participants may submit questions and comments via the Zoom chat box.
To join, click this link https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/530365395
Or by phone, dial: (based on your location for higher quality)
US: +1 669 900 6383 or +1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 530 365 395
A recording of the town hall is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62WrjR1Il7w.
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
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Legal resources to help UC employees recover from fire
The UC Emergency Support page has now been enhanced with a legal resources section.
Regardless of whether you have legal insurance through UC, you can visit ARAGlegal.com/fires for resources to help you with the legal and financial issues caused by a fire. The site includes how to protect your rights as a homeowner or renter, who to contact for assistance, what to do if you're the victim of a scam and more.
If you're a current ARAG legal insurance member, please call ARAG Customer Care at 800-828-1395 or send an email to service@ARAGlegal.com for help in dealing with this disaster.
Other emergency support resources are also available from UCnet: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2018/11/emergency-support-from-ucs-benefit-plans.html.
John Fox
Executive director, Human Resources
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.