School of Nursing now accepting applications

Applications are now being accepted for the first-ever graduate classes offered through the new Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis.

To encourage top students to pursue graduate education, the school is offering generous financial support to each student admitted to the inaugural classes, which is made possible by a founding $100 million commitment from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Master’s degree students will receive $6,700 per quarter for a minimum of five quarters and doctor of philosophy degree students will receive at least $20,000 per quarter for 12 quarters.

The first classes at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing mark a significant achievement for UC Davis in its second century of service, said Chancellor Linda Katehi.

“All aspects of health care, from delivery to diagnostics and treatment to prevention, will be a significant focus for the next 100 years,” Katehi said.

Heather M. Young, associate vice chancellor for nursing for UC Davis Health System and founding dean for the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, said, “Together as partners, we will transform health care through nursing education, research and leadership.”

The school opens in September. Other degree programs, such as a bachelor of science in nursing, will be phased in over the coming years. The school of nursing was established following the 2007 $100 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

To apply or learn more about the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, visit nursing.ucdavis.edu.

UC announces final contract deal with librarians

UC officials on Feb. 25 announced that the American Federation of Teachers union had ratiified a new labor contract for UC's approximately 400 librarians. The two sides had reached a tentative agreement in mid-December, subject to the ratification by the union members.

"Our librarians play a very important role in helping UC carry out its research and instructional mission, and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement that acknowledges their excellent work," said Dwaine Duckett, UC vice president for systemwide Human Resources. "The university also appreciates deeply the AFT's willingness to craft an agreement that recognizes the current fiscal crisis we're facing."

Key features of the contract include:

• 2008-09 and 2009-10 fiscal year wages—Participation in the regular UC merit program.

• 2010-11 wages—Participation in the regular UC merit program; across-the-board increases on par with those given to nonrepresented academics, if any.

• Benefits—Librarians will continue to enjoy the same medical and retirement benefits provided by UC, and will contribute to monthly premiums and other benefits costs on the same basis as other UC academic employees.

• Professional development funds—UC will modestly increase funds available to librarians for professional development for calendar year 2010 by approximately $8,000 systemwide.

• Duration—Through Sept. 30, 2012.

Mediation sessions following an impasse in the negotiations between the AFT and UC began last spring and concluded in mid-December with the tentative agreement.

Scholarships available for staff and dependants

Staff Assembly is now accepting applications for staff scholarships, including the new Larry N. Vanderhoef award, and staff dependent scholarships. The application deadline is March 31

Three of the award categories are for staff, and a single application puts you in the running for all of them.

The Margene Orzalli Memorial Fund provides the money for one category of staff scholarships, given by Staff Assembly to career employees who are enrolled in any college, university or professional school for the purpose of working toward a certificate, or an associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree.

In addition, Staff Assembly administers staff scholarships that are funded by the Retirees Association and the Larry N. Vanderhoef Scholarship Fund. The campus community established the latter as a way to honor Vanderhoef for his service as chancellor; he stepped down last August, and now serves as chancellor emeritus.

Staff Assembly also offers the Staff Dependent Scholarship Program, for dependents who are attending or will attend UC Davis the year following receipt of the award, in this case 2010-11. Staff dependent scholarships are funded by donations and fundraising, including the sale of staff pins (which entitle the holders to a variety of discounts).

Applications and more information: staff.ucdavis.edu (click on “Staff Awards”). Want to buy a staff pin? Click on “Discounts.”

Campus hosts CUCSA

UC Davis is hosting the quarterly meeting of the Coalition of UC Staff Assemblies, or CUCSA, March 3-5, with meetings on the Davis and Sacramento campuses.

CUCSA comprises two members each from Staff Assembly or similar organizations at each UC campus, the Office of the President and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Lin King, former chair of the Davis campus’s Staff Assembly, serves now as CUCSA chair. King is program manager of R4 Recycling at Davis.

More information:staff.ucdavis.edu(look under Announcements).