UC President Janet Napolitano invites staff from around the system to join her in a Web chat from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 16.

Topics will include campus climate survey results, compensation and benefits, and investments in technology and infrastructure.

“President Napolitano will share with employees her views on these issues, discuss her priorities for the university, and also speak with staff about their concerns, hopes and challenges,” reads a memo from the Office of the President.

Napolitano is using Web chats (on Google Hangout) to foster open and ongoing dialogue. She chatted with students in January and plans one with faculty later this year. The January Web chat is available for viewing and listening here.

Please indicate here is you intend to “hang out” with Napolitano on April 16.

3 more workshops on the topic of collaboration

Workshops began this week on the topic of collaboration; two more sessions are scheduled on the Davis campus and one will be held on the Sacramento campus.

In the interactive, three-hour workshop, experienced mediator and teacher Carolyn Penny leads an exploration of collaboration — what it is, ways to build trust and accountability, considerations when deciding whether to collaborate, and options to address common collaboration pitfalls.

The workshop is open to faculty and other academics, staff, and graduate students and undergraduate students.

There is no charge, but space is limited, the organizers said, adding that they expect interested people to RSVP with a commitment to engage fully for the entire workshop.

Here is the remaining schedule:

• Wednesday, April 9 — 9 a.m.-noon, Meeting Room D, Student Community Center
• Tuesday, April 15 — 1-4 p.m., MU II
• Wednesday, April 16 — 8:30-11:30 a.m., 3207 Education Building, Sacramento campus

Registration can be arranged online. Questions, contact Reagan Rockzsfforde, (530) 754-7741) or rrrockzsfforde@ucdavis.edu.

Umbilical cord blood collection program begins

Mothers of newborns can now donate their babies’ umbilical cord blood at the UC Davis Medical Center and other hospitals throughout the state as part of California’s first comprehensive public system of collecting cord blood for lifesaving transplantations and medical research.

“This program enables new mothers to be both life-givers and lifesavers,” said Laurel Finta, medical director for maternity services at the UC Davis Medical Center. “Parents now have the opportunity to donate to a publicly funded cord blood collection program that costs them nothing and can provide benefits to so many others.”

Created by state legislation in 2010, California’s Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program is a unique, state-funded system designed to broaden the diversity of umbilical cord blood units for public banking and use in unrelated transplants as well as provide a source of high-quality cord blood units for qualified researchers. The UC Davis Health System administers the program, which is funded by a $2 dollar fee on birth certificate copies.

Read more.

UCDHS highlights inspirational patients

The UC Davis Health System has launched a new, multimedia marketing campaign — via newspapers and magazines, television and radio, outdoor advertising, and online — promoting the health system’s clinical enterprise.

The campaign will run through the end of May in the greater Sacramento region.

Developed by the health system's marketing unit and reflecting the university’s new One UC Davis theme, the campaign materials tell the stories of four of the health system’s many inspiring patients.

Online: Campaign materials and stories on each of the patients who are featured in the campaign.

Rec Pool's season opener this Sunday

Season opening day at the Rec Pool is this Sunday (April 13). Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Daily access is free for UC Davis students and ARC members, and $4.50 for the general public (18 and older).

Don’t know how to swim or want to improve? Swim lessons are offered at the Rec Pool throughout the season for adults and children. More information.

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