Chile, Argentina trip aims to foster collaboration

Chancellor Vanderhoef will travel to Chile and Argentina June 21 to July 2 as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen UC Davis' relationships with peer universities overseas.

The chancellor will travel to Santiago, Chile, to attend the Association of Pacific Rim Universities' Annual Presidents' Meeting. UC Davis delegates will meet with peer Pacific Rim university representatives, celebrate a collaboration with the University of Chile, and reconnect with alumni and friends.

Delegates also will visit Argentinian universities to foster collaborations and will meet with educational government leaders.

Athletics seeks volunteers

Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking staff and faculty volunteers to help at home contests for the 2004-05 season. Public-address announcers, game-clock operators, scoreboard operators and timers are needed as the program moves into Big West Conference competition.

Experience is not necessary, but familiarity with one or more sport is preferred. For details, call Russell Randall at (530) 752-0641.

Old planting pots sought

UC Davis Arboretum's nursery is looking for one-gallon-and-larger used or unwanted plastic planting pots for reuse.

Donations can be dropped off at arboretum headquarters on LaRue Road or at the arboretum nursery at Orchard Park, near the corner of Orchard Road and LaRue Drive. For details, contact Ryan Deering at (530) 754-8337.

Forums examine research contracts, grants process

The Office of Research and the Accounting Office are sponsoring monthly forums on topics related to the administration of research contracts and grants. The format is open discussion, and representatives from the Sponsored Programs Office and Extramural Accounting will be on hand to answer questions on issues such as contract and grant budgets, facilities and administrative rates, and research policies. Other forum topics may include human research protection, technology transfer and research compliance.

Forums are scheduled for 8:30-10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The May 26 and June 23 events will be held in the Moot Court Room at King Hall. The July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 forums will be held in the Silo Cabernet Room.

The entire campus community is invited to attend. For more information, call (530) 752-6484.

Child care needs assessed

A survey to assess employee demand for an on-site preschool and child care center at the medical center is in the process of being sent to 7,000 faculty, staff and medical students.

The medical center has signed a tentative agreement with a developer to construct the preschool next to the Ronald McDonald House, if there is sufficient demand from employees for such a facility.

The child care center would accommodate up to 144 children up to the age of 5, and rates would be comparable to other licensed child care facilities in the Sacramento area. Surveys will be sent through intercampus mail within the next week, and employees will have three weeks to respond. The Market Research Department, which is conducting the survey, estimates results will be known within 60 days of receiving the surveys.