The big news, waterway steward Nina Suzuki says, is that the construction dam is down and water is back in parts of the Phase 1 project area (the eastern half of the waterway). The big question is, “Is the project done?” The answer is, not yet!

In an Oct. 26 update, Suzuki said contractors are testing and optimizing the pump that, coupled with a regraded channel and five new weirs, will turn this section of the waterway from stagnant to gently flowing — and thus help guard against algal mats and duckweed on the surface of the water.

While waiting for the new flow to begin, Suzuki said, “we returned water to some parts of the channel to reduce stress on plants and trees that, over the years, have grown accustomed to having a permanent supply of water nearby. While our staff have been carefully irrigating the plants and trees all summer, releasing some water back in the channel will be a great help.”

Last arboretum plant sale of the season, this Saturday (Nov. 4)

Open enrollment help desks added

Open enrollment is open! And we’ve got news that Human Resources will hold more help desk sessions than previously announced. Two were scheduled today (Oct. 31), and the others will be Nov. 8, 14 and 21 on the Davis campus; and Nov. 2, 7, 13 and 20 on the Sacramento campus.

Help desk sessions offer individual counseling on all of your open enrollment options, medical and nonmedical. See the complete schedule here (take note of the locations, as some have changed).

Open enrollment runs until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, allowing employees to make changes in their benefit elections for 2018. More information is available in your open enrollment booklet (mailed to your home) and online, and in this Dateline UC Davis article.

Be ready for WarnMe test Nov. 8

The test will go out about 11:50 a.m. by text and email to UC Davis affiliates and people who have registered through the community registration page, and by text only to UCDALERTS subscribers.

The notification system draws on employees’ work contact information as published in the university’s online directory and includes students’ UC Davis email addresses. Members of the campus community are also asked to update or add personal contact information, which will not be published.

Planning to travel? Register your trip

Registering your trip provides real-time travel alerts and emergency assistance, including insurance support and evacuation in the event of a crisis. Travel on university business out of state or internationally must be registered.

Any travel, business or personal, booked through AggieTravel or Connexxus is registered automatically; otherwise, registration is quick and simple at globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/travel.

Business travel registration brings health, safety, security and weather updates, and ensures timely emergency assistance.

When you register your personal travel, you’ll get alerts and the opportunity to purchase UC travel insurance to receive the same benefits as for official university travel.

More information is available online.

Health and Well-Being: Weight management

The Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program announced its annual “Maintain, Don’t Gain” weight management program running through the holidays; and another program, “Eat, Pause, Repeat,” about weight management “one bite at a time.”

• “Maintain, Don’t’ Gain” — This eight-week program encourages employees to maintain their weight through confidential, weekly self-weigh-ins; weekly challenges; and supportive tools and tips for adopting healthy behaviors throughout the holidays. It’s a simple way to stay mindful of healthy habits such as incorporating physical activity and healthy eating into your enjoyment of the festivities. Nov.13-Jan. 8. Sign up here, participate, and fill out the final survey to be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a mountain bike.
• “Eat, Pause, Repeat” — Robyn Primack, a 2013 graduate of UC Davis who is in the process of becoming a registered dietitian, will discuss portioning, smart snacking and superfoods. Noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 130 Hoagland Hall. Registration required.

UC offers extended application deadline

UC has extended its fall 2018 application deadline from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15 for students affected by recent natural disasters, including the wine country wildfires, and who may need additional time to complete the application process.

Detailed information on how to request an extension, along with additional important advice, is posted here.

‘I Am an Alumni Entrepreneur’

UC has announced its second annual “I Am a UC Entrepreneur” competition — this year for alumni with “killer startup ideas.”

The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship invites alumni to pitch their ideas in two-minute videos, due by Dec. 15. Video submissions will be displayed on the competition website.

A panel of distinguished mentors will review the videos, looking for innovation, marketability and societal impact of the business ideas, as well as honed presentation skills. The mentors will choose five finalists and work with them before they present their pitches in real life at the 2018 Global Corporate Venturing and Innovation Summit in Monterey in January.

Read more in this news release.

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