Applications are being accepted for UC Davis’ administrative advisory committees for 2016-17.

“I encourage you to become involved in issues affecting the UC Davis community” by applying for committee membership, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said in an email message.

The committees address topics such as arts, child and family care, diversity, student services and research, and provide an opportunity for all constituencies — Academic Senate and Academic Federation members, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students — to participate in governance of the campus.

In forming committees, the administration is guided by the interests and experience of the applicant, the recognition that each committee should involve inexperienced as well as experienced members, and the necessity to provide balance within the committee to achieve a broad base for administrative decision making.

“It is our wish, as expressed in our statement in the Principles of Community, to receive applications from persons representing the wide range of diversity —  gender, ethnicity, academic discipline, areas of knowledge — that exists at UC Davis,” the chancellor said.

The application form is available here, along with a list of the committees and brief descriptions of their activities, and other information. Applications are due by Monday, March 7.

UCOP webinar on new retirement tier

The second of two UCOP webinars on retirement plan options for new employees is set for Wednesday (Feb. 10).

More than 200 people logged in for the first webinar, Feb. 1. The Office of the President arranged the webinars to discuss the recommendations of the Retirement Options Task Force, concerning a new tier of UC Retirement Plan benefits to apply to employees hired on or after July 1, 2016.

President Janet Napolitano has asked for feedback on the recommendations by Feb. 16 to help inform the “2016 Tier” proposal that she is expected to bring to the Board of Regents in March.

UCOP welcomes comments via UCnet. The Davis Division of the Academic Senate is taking comments via an online forum, open to all faculty and staff, and plans to prepare a consensus response to deliver to the Office of the President.

The Feb. 10 webinar is scheduled from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on ReadyTalk (access code 5854736). There's also a telephone number to call if you just want to listen in (or if your computer does not have speakers, or if you are having trouble with the audio portion of the webinar). For the Feb. 10 webinar, the call-in number has been changed to 877-718-7043 (no access code).

The webinar — led by Rachael Nava, UC executive vice president-chief financial officer — will include time for questions from faculty and staff.

Read the Jan. 15 UCnet article, including a summary of the task force recommendations. The full report is here (PDF.)

Registration underway for ADMAN Conference

“One of a Kind, Like You! Personal and Professional Branding” — that’s the theme for this year’s ADMAN Conference, Wednesday, March 9, and the time to sign up is now.

The Administrative Management Group, or ADMAN, presents the conference, but it’s open to all UC Davis staff members at all levels who are interested in professional development. The program includes a keynote by Lisa Montanaro, a productivity consultant, success coach, business strategist, speaker and author.

Participants this year are invited to sign up for photo sessions at MediaWorks; ADMAN is picking up the tab for each conference participant who wishes to receive a set of headshots for personal and professional use.

The ADMAN conference is an all-day event, with lunch included, at the Conference Center. The conference webpage includes more information and the registration link.

Data privacy program and AV Vendor Showcase

Information and Educational Technology announced a program on data privacy (amid Privacy Awareness Month) and the campus’s annual AV Vendor Showcase.

• “What’s Happening To Your Data?” — Faculty, staff and studenrs are invited to this discussion of online privacy, or lack thereof, and steps you can take to protect yourself (and the campus). Program will include clips from the movie, Terms and Conditions May Apply, about those dense statements that many of us agree to without reading. Free (including refreshments), 4-6 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 11), 1022 King Hall. Sponsored by IET, Compliance and Policy, and the School of Law. Read more in this TechNews article.
• AV Vendor Showcase — Academic Technology Services presents this event for faculty, staff and students — anyone in education who uses audiovisual technology or wants to learn more about it. Information will be available on UC Davis Canvas, the learning management system that is replacing SmartSite. Registration is free, but required. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, The Pavilion at the ARC. Registration and more information.

Honda Smart Home needs new occupants

Would you like to help with research on zero-net energy living, in your home and while you’re driving? You and your family have a chance to do just that as the next occupants of the Honda Smart Home, a residential “lab” in UC Davis West Village.

Faculty, staff and graduate students are eligible to apply for this unique opportunity. Applications are now being accepted for occupancy in the 2016-17 school year; the deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29.

The Honda Smart Home generates its own power, from renewable resources — providing more than enough power to meet household demand, including the Honda Fit electric vehicle that comes with the house.

Researchers want the car to used for regular driving; therefore, the house must be occupied by at least two people — one being the faculty or staff member or graduate student who has eligibility to live in the house, and the other who would use the car, say, for commuting. Families with children also are welcome to apply. One stipulation for all applicants: no dogs or cats.

The home, which comes furnished, has two full bedrooms and two full bathrooms, and an office with a Murphy bed.

Notification date of the next occupants is set for March 9, and move-in will be Sept. 9. More information is available from Michael Koenig: Michael_Koenig@ahm.honda.com.

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