UC to review security

In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings, UC is re-evaluating its own security policies.

On Monday, UC President Robert Dynes appointed a UC Campus Security Task Force to study how campuses can upgrade their security, notification processes, mental health services and general preparadness. UC Provost Rory Hume and Executive Vice President for Business Operations Katherine Lapp are co-chairing the task force.

Giant, stinky flower to bloom on campus

One of UC Davis' giant "corpse flowers," or titan arum, is expected to bloom this weekend at the Botanical Conservatory behind Storer Hall. Native to the jungles of Indonesia, the titan arum produces a large but short-lived bloom that smells of rotting meat to attract pollinating flies. This plant, named "Ted the Titan," previously bloomed in 2003 and 2005.

To accommodate visitors, the greenhouse will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to at least 4 p.m. through the weekend, later on the day the flower blooms and the scent is at its most pungent.

Women and UC careers

The UC Office of the President is sending a delegation to all of the UC campuses and labs to talk about career advancement for women in the UC system and the challenges that may be in the way.

The delegation's first stop is set for UC Davis, with three forums planned: one for students, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; one for staff, noon to 1:30 p.m.; and one for faculty, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The visiting delegation comprises Linda Morris Williams, associate vice president; Amy Levine, presidential staff fellow; and Sharon Washington, interim director of faculty equity programs.

They are working on the Creating Change Initiative, aimed at determining which practices from around the UC system could be replicated and to assess whether a systemwide approach would be useful in furthering women's career development.

People planning to attend any of the forums are asked to arrange reservations with Geraldine Castaneda via e-mail by May 7. Your e-mail should indicate which forum you plan to attend. Castaneda's e-mail address is Geraldine.Castaneda@ucop.edu.

Forums for student affairs job candidates

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef announced three forums where the campus community is invited to get to know the finalists for the post of vice chancellor of Student Affairs, to replace Judy Sakaki, who moved on to head Student Affairs at the Office of the President.

The forums are scheduled from 4:10 to 5:30 p.m. May 7, 10 and 14 in the Cabernet Room at the Silo. The finalists and their forum dates:

• Felicia McGinty, associate vice president, Student Engagement, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, May 7.
• Fred Wood, associate vice provost, Undergraduate Studies, UC Davis, May 10.
• Teresa Branch, vice president, Student Affairs, University of Montana, May 14.

Vanderhoef said each forum will consist of a brief presentation and question-and-answer period, followed by a reception. People wishing to submit confidential comments regarding the candidates may do so by writing directly to Vanderhoef, lnvanderhoef@ucdavis.edu. He said comments should reach him by May 17.