The campus Police Department announced an academy for the community at large and another specifically designed for the international community, plus the next edition of the Cadet Academy for students interested in law enforcement as a career — and now open to recent UC Davis graduates as well as seniors.

The International Community Academy is one part of the campus’s outreach to international students and scholars to alert them to scams and other frauds — the kinds of criminal activities the international students and scholars may not be familiar with, thus making them vulnerable.

Services for International Students and Scholars recently launched a webpage on “Protecting Yourself From Scams.” Associated resources include a video (above), “Common Scams” and “Quick Tips to Prevent Scams.”

The Police Department’s International Community Academy is new, to be held for the first time from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; lunch will be provided. Attendance is not limited to the international community — all students, faculty and staff are welcome. But organizers want people to be aware the program is geared toward international students and scholars, with topics to include personal, bike and traffic safety; common fraud and scamming tactics; and Safe Rides and Aggie Host student security.

Registration can be arranged online. Or contact Myra Abshire by email or phone, 530-752-7029.

●︎ Community Academy — Due to increased interest, the Police Department has added a fall session of this academy designed for people interested in learning more about law enforcement practices. The academy covers such topics as arrest, search and seizure, vehicle stops, evidence processing and fingerprinting, use of force and community-oriented policing, and also includes tours of the county jail and coroner’s office. Students can receive class credit. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 9-Dec. 4. Registration link and more information.

●︎ Cadet Academy — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Jan. 11-April 28, and offering Police Academy scholarships and potential employment to the top graduates. Application form and more information.

UC statement on ‘public charge’ rule

President Janet Napolitano issued the following statement Monday (Aug. 12):

Today’s decision by the Trump administration to expand the definition of “public charge” sends a detrimental message internationally — that the United States does not want other countries to send their best and brightest here to study and add to the intellectual exchange at our universities, to conduct important research and to contribute substantially to our economy, among other things.

This rule also means that a number of UC students and other California residents, out of an abundance of caution, may be reluctant to seek available assistance such as preventative health care, housing opportunities, and nutrition education and benefits.

The bottom line: The decision today penalizes and chills much-needed access to vital benefits for which lawful immigrants or mixed-status families are eligible, and not only leads to harmful, unintended consequences but also raises questions about the true intent behind the federal government’s unnecessary and misguided action.

2 named to Alzheimer’s task force

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week established an Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force and appointed two UC Davis physicians to the panel:

• David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and CEO of the UC Davis Medical Center; professor of anesthesiology, nursing and business
• Oanh Le Meyer, assistant professor of neurology who studies cognitive and mental health disparities in minorities and older adults.

“Alzheimer’s disease impacts everyone, which is why I'm honored to join a wide coalition of medical professionals, caregivers, policymakers, youth and nonprofit leaders to work collaboratively to end Alzheimer’s for all,” Lubarsky said.

UC Davis Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center is one of only 27 research centers designated by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. The center conducts comprehensive patient evaluations and leading-edge research to advance understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Read more in this UC Davis Health news release.

Preorders due for poster calendar

Make a calendar note for Monday (Aug. 19): It’s the last day to submit preorders for the 2019-20 campus poster calendar (running from Sept. 1, 2019, until Aug. 31, 2020).

UC Davis Stores recently sent the preorder form by email to past customers. (Need the form? Send an email to schoolofficesupplies@ucdavis.edu.)

The calendars are $2.49 each, same as last year (flat and rolled, or folded) with the following discounts available: 10 percent department discount for all orders paid by recharge account or P-Card, and 20 percent discount for orders of 100 or more calendars billed to a single account or P-Card.

If you’re paying by recharge, your order must be accompanied by a Bookstore Purchase Order available through UCDBuy (search for catalog No. 71461-198).

UC Davis Stores will send an email when preordered posters are ready for pickup at the Campus Store (Memorial Union). Free delivery is offered for orders of 25 or more to single addresses on the Davis and Sacramento campuses.

To buy calendars without preordering, you’ll find them at the Campus Store, Welcome Center Store, Downtown Store (corner of Second and F streets, Davis) and The Market at the ARC.

Dateline today, UCnetwork tomorrow

The UC Office of the President will launch a new monthly newsletter, due to arrive for the first time in all staff members’ inboxes Wednesday (Aug. 14). UCnetwork, an offshoot of the UCnet website, is scheduled for delivery the second Wednesday of every month.

“UCnetwork will serve as a common touchpoint for staff at all locations, helping to promote a sense of community, engagement and pride throughout UC,” according to UCOP. “The newsletter will bring benefits news, professional development opportunities and inspiring stories about colleagues who are making a difference.”

UCOP releases 2018 payroll data

The UC Office of the President last week publicly disclosed the university’s compensation data for calendar year 2018. Compensation data for employees systemwide is released annually as part of the university’s commitment to transparency and public accountability, and is consistent with similar practices at many other public institutions.

The latest payroll data, along with a summary analysis, is available online. UC officials pointed out that employee compensation at public institutions like the university is considered a public record under the California Public Records Act. UC personnel policies — PPSM-80 for staff and APM-160 for academic appointees — specify the information (such as name, position title and salary) that, in general, the university shall release upon request.

Questions about access to payroll data may be directed to pra@ucop.edu.

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