Chancellor Gary S. May has named a steering committee for his “To Go Boldly” strategic planning process, and the committee met for the first time Monday (Nov. 13).

“A major topic for the first meeting will be designing the processes by which the committee members will reach out to the many individuals and groups in our campus community who are all invited to provide their input and thoughts about what the campus should prioritize in planning for the next decade,” Ken Burtis, faculty advisor to the chancellor and provost, wrote in an email update on the strategic planning process. “Following this meeting, input will be gathered through multiple organized activities for the next four months.”

In his charge letter, the chancellor asks the committee members to assist him “in energizing and organizing our entire community — faculty, students, staff and supporters everywhere — to come together and contribute creative and bold ideas that will propel us to accomplish things we’ve only dreamed of in the past.”

More information is available on the “To Boldly Go” webpage. The page includes a link to the chancellor’s charge letter to the committee (and a list of the committee members), and a form you can use to sign up for “To Boldly Go” updates.

Open enrollment: 1 week left

This is your last week to review and update your medical and other benefits for 2018: Open enrollment ends at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Highlights of this year’s open enrollment include low cost increases for most employees and a new pharmacy benefits administrator for PPO (preferred provider organization) plans.

Remember: Most of your benefits will continue if you don’t take action, but you must re-enroll each year to continue your health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts.

The open enrollment website includes videos, tools and other resources to learn more about the benefits available to you and your family.  

UCOP seeks applications: free speech and Title IX

The UC Office of the President is seeking applications from faculty and staff to be fellows at the university’s new National Center for Free Speech and Civil Engagements, and from students to serve on a new advisory board to provide input to the university about its ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

• National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement Fellows Program — The fellowship program is the cornerstone of this new center that aims to explore the timely, critical issue of free speech on our nation’s college campuses and in society as a whole. The application form is online, and the deadline is Dec. 11. Read more in this UCnet story.
• Title IX Student Advisory Board — This panel will advise the Systemwide Title IX Office, which oversees sexual violence response and prevention across the UC system. Board members will also serve as liaisons to their fellow students, providing information about the university’s latest efforts and sharing feedback with the Systemwide Title IX Office. The 19-member board will consist of one undergraduate and one graduate student from each campus, except UC San Francisco, which does not have undergraduates. The application form is online, and the deadline 5 p.m. Nov. 30. The inaugural board members will serve from January 2018 to June 2019; subsequent board members will serve a term of one academic year. Read more in this UCnet story.

Police: Man caught with bicycle frame

Campus police said they arrested a transient, Jasper Upton, Saturday morning (Nov. 11) upon finding him in possession of a stolen bicycle frame.

Officers said they came across Upton in the Orchard Park area. He was booked at Yolo County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and warrants from the Davis Police Department.

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