The recruitment advisory committee for the vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences has conducted first-round interviews and identified finalist candidates who will be invited for campus visits in the coming weeks. The committee reported being very pleased with the caliber of the finalists from a robust and diverse pool of candidates.

As part of the interview process, the finalists will participate in separate public forums, each comprising a short presentation by the candidate, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session. Dates and times will be posted here when finalized.

“Your participation in the process is strongly encouraged and your feedback is very important in helping us select the next VC-HHS,” campus leaders said. Chancellor Gary S. May and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J Hexter welcome comments on the candidates. Following each forum, people are encouraged to send confidential comments to the email address dedicated to this search: vcucdhhssearch@ucdavis.edu. 

More information on the position and the search.

No. 1 in enrolling California resident undergrads

Fall enrollment data published by the UC Office of the President show UC Davis with 24,956 undergraduate California residents — the most of any UC campus for the eighth year in a row. The data show UCLA with the second most, 23,924; and Irvine with the third highest total, 23,743.

Simple precautions for flu season

With influenza season in full swing, health authorities have some simple advice for keeping healthy and not spreading disease: “Wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick,” said Roger Belcourt, director of UC Davis Occupational Health.

Despite media reports that this year’s influenza vaccine may not be as effective as in some years, “We are still strongly encouraging students to receive the flu vaccine,” said Cindy Schorzman, medical director at Student Health and Counseling Services. Even if a vaccinated person becomes sick, the vaccine may reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms, she said.

Walk-in clinics for students are held every Thursday; more information is available online.

Employees: Flu shots are available from all UC-contracted health care providers.

Signs and symptoms, prevention, treatment and resources.

Join the Safety Lighting Walk, Jan. 23

There are two ways to identify exterior lights that are not working as you make your way around campus: You happen to see a broken light (after which Facilities Management hopes you report it), or you can be proactive and join up with your fellow students, staff and faculty on the Campus Safety Lighting Walk, Tuesday, Jan. 23.

HOW TO REPORT

Lighting outages — Call the Facilities Management Customer Support Center, 530-752-1655.

Security deficiencies — Call police dispatch, 530-752-1727.

Meet-up time is 5 p.m. at the flagpole on the South Patio of the Memorial Union. What’s in it for you, besides campus safety? Free pizza and drinks — and prizes, too! Please RSVP here. Be sure to wear a jacket and comfortable shoes, the organizers said. Flashlights will be provided by the organizers, Facilities Management and the campus Police Department.

Volunteers will split into groups to walk through different parts of the campus, accompanied by personnel from Facilities Management and the Police Department. Each group will report back on what they see (or don’t see), and Facilities Management will formulate and execute a to-do list for repairs and lighting improvement projects.

Questions? Contact Jeff Rott, security specialist with the Police Department, 530-752-6589 or jhrott@ucdavis.edu; or Joseph Carbahal, superintendent, power and lights, 530-681-2241 or jcarbahal@ucdavis.edu.

Campus hosts Saudi firefighters

The campus Fire Department has its own global mission going on: hosting eight firefighters from Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company in Saudi Arabia, for two weeks before they join up with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for six months.

The program sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, or IAFC, provides opportunities for training and cultural exchange.

“Welcome to our new friends and fire service colleagues,” the campus Fire Department said on Twitter. “We are happy to have IAFC cohort 10 from Saudi Aramco share fellowship and knowledge with us.”

Activities so far include a fire behavior class, a tour of Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center to see its fire-prevention technology, and a visit to the state’s Emergency Operations Center.

Marijuana generally prohibited, still

Marijuana remains prohibited on all university property and at all university events, with limited exceptions for approved academic research, UC Davis officials reminded in an email last week.

The message went out in the wake of a new state law, effective Jan. 1, that allows the sale of marijuana for recreational use, as approved by voters by way of Proposition 64 in 2016.

“Notwithstanding Prop. 64, marijuana remains illegal under federal law,” Stephen Green, executive director of Employee and Labor Relations, wrote in the email. “The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act require that UC, as a recipient of federal funding, establish policies that prohibit marijuana use, possession and distribution on campus and in the workplace.”

UC policy regarding controlled substances.

Research involving marijuana.

Look for changes in your January paycheck

UCnet advises: It’s always a good idea to take a close look at your first paycheck in January to confirm your benefits enrollments and voluntary pretax contributions (for example, for flexible spending accounts, retirement savings and commuter costs).

Unlike prior years, you will not see a change in federal tax withholding in your January paycheck. Congress did not act until late in the year on tax legislation, so the Internal Revenue Service postponed publishing its annual tax table update and now expects new withholding rates to take effect as early as Feb. 1.

Despite that delay, there are a few IRS changes you may see reflected in your January paycheck:

• OASDI (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) tax will be withheld from income up to $128,400 in 2018. If you reached the maximum last year, your deductions restart in January.
• Additional Medicare Tax will restart if your salaries and wages exceed $200,000 in 2018.
• Annual deferral limit for 403(b) and 457(b) plans goes up to $18,500, from $18,000.

Questions about your paycheck? Contact the Davis campus Benefits Office, 530-752-1774, or the Sacramento campus Benefits Office, 916-734-8099.

Trailer is now ‘Orchard House,’ with new tenant

The Internal Audit Trailer has a new name, Orchard House, and a new tenant: Health Professions Advising. Orchard House is at 1090 Orchard Road, next door to the Human Resources Administration Building (Orchard House is on the west side of the HR building).

Audit and Management Advisory Services moved out of the trailer in July. A consolidation of audit personnel from the Davis and Sacramento campuses precipitated the move to larger quarters at 202 Cousteau Place (Suite 100) in Davis.

Health Professions Advising relocated in December from Hickey Gym. HPA serves all UC Davis undergraduates, graduate students and alumni pursuing any health profession or allied health field.

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