UCnetwork is emailed monthly to UC staff, but all members of the UC community are invited to join our email list. You can subscribe online here. Read on for our July issue!
Working together to save our planet
Climate change and humans’ impact on our environment are top of mind for UC researchers. Check out our latest feature on the dangers of plastics — including a new Fig. 1 video! Then, find out how UC scientists are pooling their expertise to protect California’s shrinking beaches and how Climate Action Research Grants are helping Tribal nations conserve resources.
More wins for UC employees in 2024
Our university is committed to supporting the dedicated colleagues who bring our mission to life. Despite challenging times for California’s budget, this year has seen UC become an even better place to work, with increased pay for health care workers, expanded leave options, new university-paid benefits and more. Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far this year.
Make sure you can access your UC benefits: Stay connected with UC.
Spend your summer with UC
The days are long, the sun is high and it’s a great time to explore our university! Plan a road trip to visit all nine undergraduate campuses and explore their public offerings, including museums, libraries, concerts, gardens, hiking trails, an aquarium and even some raptors! Check out an array of events and student programs at a campus near you. Kick back and relax with articles and podcast episodes aimed at helping you find joy, laughter and rest. And, if work travel is on your schedule, tune in to summer travel webinars.
UC Spotlight: Kudos for our work together
Our monthly UC Spotlight celebrates UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. Read this month’s Spotlight for stories and photos of staff who are making a difference. And, find out how to share your achievements!
Growing California’s mental health workforce
The newly launched UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program is the first of its kind in California. It draws upon the expertise of the four UC nursing schools to expand the mental health provider workforce and increase Californians’ access to psychiatric and behavioral health care.
Watch out for heat waves
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of serious illness. Thousands of people die each year due to heat stress. And, the impacts of heat on your body may not be immediately apparent. Read the latest UC research on the dangers of heat and take a few moments to learn how to stay safe in a heat wave.
An extraordinary impact
On June 8, President Drake awarded the UC Presidential Medal, the university’s highest honor, to UC Santa Cruz alum and Monterey Bay Aquarium co-founder Julie Packard. The award recognizes Julie’s work to safeguard global marine ecosystems, as well as her transformative philanthropy that has enabled UC to transform research into practical environmental solutions — and inspire generations of students to study and protect the world’s oceans.
UC People: Kayla Kafka-Peterson, worldwide educator
Kayla is bringing critical oncology nursing training to medical centers around the world. Meet Kayla
From President Drake
A budget that reflects the impact of your work
Late last month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-2025 California state budget. This is a challenging budget year, and the Governor’s and Legislature’s steadfast support for the University of California reflects their view that our teaching, research, and public service mission are critical to the state’s vitality.
That, in turn, reflects the value of our brilliant faculty and dedicated staff. Every day, you help drive the University’s mission forward and build a better future for our state. This budget reflects the impact of your efforts — your work to support our students, advance world-changing research, and serve communities across California. And, I’m pleased to be able to recognize your extraordinary efforts with a systemwide salary program for policy-covered staff and academic appointments, implemented by locations according to their needs and priorities.
Thank you for everything that you do for the University of California, and Fiat Lux!
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President
UC voices
“In this pivotal election year, whether or not young people decide to vote could very well decide the outcome of the election.”
— Sarah Swanbeck, executive director of the Berkeley Institute for Young Americans, on concerns regarding low young voter turnout in November
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