Davis rises in National Science Foundation rankings

New figures released last week by the National Science Foundation show that UC Davis continues to grow as a major research university. Total research and development expenditures for fiscal year 2002-03 show UC Davis now ranking 14th in the nation with $456,653,000, overtaking the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In specific subject areas, UC Davis ranked first in expenditures on agricultural research ($25,683,000); seventh in spending on biology research ($45,283,000); and 13th in life sciences, which includes medicine, biology and agricultural sciences ($336,796,000).

UC Davis spent $280,009,000 in 2002-03 from non-federal sources, which could include the state of California, other institutions, campus funds, private gifts and business sources, ranking third in the nation.

The report, Academic Research and Development Expenditures: Fiscal Year 2002 was prepared by the NSF Division of Science Resources Statistics and is available on the Web at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf04330/.

UC Davis expects to host upcoming CPR hearing

"Government Reorganization" is the theme of the California Performance Review Commission hearing expected to be held at UC Davis on Sept. 27 as part of a public input process under way throughout the state.

In February 2004, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger charged a commission of leaders from the business and labor communities, local government and public policy arenas to examine methods to increase efficiency while reducing costs -- "to create the first 21st century government in the United States." The commission's report on reforming and revitalizing government was released Aug. 3 and is available at http://www.report.cpr.ca.gov.

Public hearings started last week and will be held throughout the state to gather testimony regarding the report's recommendations.

Regents delay talk on eligibility standards

Last week UC regents decided to postpone discussion regarding adjustments to UC's minimum GPA requirement, instead of convening a special August meeting that would need to be conducted via teleconference from numerous locations throughout the state.

Regents are expected to instead take up the matter, along with approval of a final UC 2004-05 operating budget, at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 22-23 at UC San Francisco-Laurel Heights. For more details,see http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/.

Commute incentives offered to employees

The Yolo Transportation Management Association is providing campus employees with incentives to help nudge them out of single-occupant vehicles into more environmentally sound, often less expensive commute options.

Employees can qualify by participating as little as 10 days per month. Incentives include $50 in pre-paid fuel cards, $100 a month for two months toward new vanpools, $30 a month for two months for new public transit riders and more. New this year are incentives for employees who commit to walking to work -- $10 a month for three months. For details, see http://www.yolotma.org/incentive-info.html or call (530) 669-1446.