Student Affairs has organized Stay Day 2014: Passion for Life, Education and Service — a free conference, on campus, as an opportunity for staff members to explore how they can better serve students. And application time is here for UC's annual Management Skills Assessment Program, designed to assess the management skills of high potential, early career supervisors, managers and professionals for future leadership opportunities.

• Stay Day 2014: Passion for Life, Education and Service — Student Affairs invites staff members who work directly with students to this program, Wednesday, Aug. 20, featuring presentations by other staff on best practices, strategies and research to spark dialogue and collaboration among staff, to help in their dealings with students.

For example, counselors from Student Health and Counseling Services will discuss strategies for working with students while maintaining healthy boundaries. In another session, Joseph Spector of the Student Disability Center and Patricia Schetter of the MIND Institute will talk about the needs of students with Asperger’s syndrome as they transition to college.

The event is modeled after one introduced at UC Berkeley in 2009 when budget difficulties made professional development funds for travel scarce.

The Stay Day program, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be held at the Conference Center and adjacent Welcome Center.

Supervisory approval for leave to attend the event has been recommended. Registration can be arranged online.

• Management Skills Assessment Program — In years past, UC presented this program twice: in Northern California and Southern California. This year, as a pilot, one session will be held for everyone in UC, Oct. 13-16 at the UCLA Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead. 

UC Davis is seeking applicants to fill seven slots: four from the main campus and three from the health system. “We strongly recommend that department heads discuss the program with supervisors, managers and professionals who exhibit potential for management development and encourage them to apply,” reads a note from Staff Development and Professional Services.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Classification at “___” assistant III supervisor, equivalent or above
• Full-time career status with a current, satisfactory (or better) performance evaluation
• Designation as a supervisor or manager

Participants will be selected based on evaluation of the applicant’s career goals in management, level of skills essential for performing management functions and demonstrated career path and-or strong commitment to management skill development.

Departments are responsible for the program fees of $1,095 (including all program materials, lodging and food for three days and two nights) as well as travel costs.

More information is available online; the website includes the online application form (including applicant and supervisor components). Completed applications must be submitted online by noon Wednesday, Aug. 6.

For more information, contact the UC Davis MSAP coordinator, Marla Dolcini, by phone (530) 752-9682 or email.

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