Honoring campus police officers

The UC Davis Police Department announced that it will hold a public ceremony May 14 to recognize the dedication and commitment of officers on the Davis and Sacramento campuses and the sacrifices of peace officers throughout the state, including the six California police officers killed in the line of duty in 2009.

The third annual Memorial Proclamation Ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the flagpole outside the fire and police building on Kleiber Hall Drive.

Organizers said Sgt. James Barbour will read Chancellor Linda Katehi's proclamation marking the day, and Dick Reed, assistant executive director of Peace Officer Standards and Training for the state of California, will deliver the keynote address.

The UC Davis program comes the same month that the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation presents its annual ceremony for fallen officers.

This year's state program began May 6 and continued today (May 7), starting with a law enforcement caravan from the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento to the California Peace Officers Memorial on the 10th Street side of the state Capitol.

Woman admits theft from university

A former UC Davis employee pleaded guilty this week in Yolo County Superior Court to felony grand theft in connection with the the embezzlement of funds from the university.

Sueanna Gaines was sentenced to 240 days in county jail followed by five years of probation as part of a plea bargain. The court set a May 21 hearing to determine her restitution to the university.

Gaines worked as an accounting and purchasing coordinator for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics from May 1998 to December 2008. She was arrested in October 2009 on charges of embezzlement and theft of more than $38,000 from unauthorized use of university gas cards and misappropriation of cash and materials.

An audit of departmental controls after Gaines' arrest led to improvements in accountability and separation of duties. The steps included adding a new layer of approval for payments and ensuring that purchases are not initiated and verified by the same person.

Annual report due out May 12

UC Davis annual report for 2009 is due out May 12, primarily online. An abridged version will be available in print, and orders are now being taken.

The full report, “Sustaining the Promise,” is going online, while the printed piece (on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper) will comprise key elements, including a note from Chancellor Linda Katehi; updates from the past year; summaries of financials, including research and philanthropic totals; and summaries of UC Davis’ sustainability-related strengths.

University Communications is taking orders for the printed version, priced at $1.50 each to cover printing costs. Mailing envelopes are available for 25 cents each.

Also available are postcards, also printed on recycled paper, which can be used to advise people that they can see the full report online.

An updated facts brochure is due out May 17, slimmed down from the size of the brochure in previous years. The new brochure does not carry a sustainability theme and is not meant as a companion piece to the annual report, but as a standalone brochure for general information about UC Davis.

All publications are available while supplies last. Orders can be placed online.

Emeriti-Retiree associations' brown bag

This month's brown bag gathering of the Emeriti and Retiree associations is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at the International House, 10 College Park. Bob Wolcott and Maria Lucchesi are talsk about city of Davis senior programs and services.

Lunch and Learn: Health Awareness 

The Health Awareness Brown Bag Series is scheduled to continue May 13 with a program titled "Overcoming Insomnia Without Medication," presnted by Richard McCord.

The noon to 1 p.m. program is free and open to the campus community, without preenrollment. Location is the Cabernet Room in the Silo.

Staff Development and Professional Services provided this description: "Many people have reduced or even eliminated insomnia through the simple tools explored in this workshop — without the side effects, cost or dependencies of medication.

"Learn a variety of easy habit changes that can yield big results. Discover a few simple techniques that you can use to get to sleep, or get back to sleep when you awaken at night.

"With just a little effort, you can experience more restful and rejuvenating sleep each night and become more effective and joyful each day."