Hotel expansion, road project in the works

An expansion project is in the works for the Hyatt Place hotel that opened just over a year ago on the Davis campus. At the same time, the campus is evaluating the final connection between Old Davis Road and A Street and converting the existing Old Davis Road (between A Street and Mrak Hall Drive) to a bike and pedestrian path.

The campus built part of the connector in 2009 to provide access to the university’s new Conference Center and the privately-owned hotel. The next step is to extend the road to A Street — the distance is shorter than you might think, about 1,100 feet. With this connector, drivers could avoid two right-angle turns around the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

The Hyatt Place opened March 17, 2010, with 75 rooms; the expansion plan shows 52 rooms, for a total of 127. The expansion would go north and east of the existing building, on what is now a landscaped area within the developed site for the hotel. Campus planners said the hotel parking lot, as built, is sufficiently sized for the expansion.

This week, the planners released their initial environmental report for the hotel expansion and road construction, and started the clock on a 30-day public review period; the deadline is April 21. After that, the campus will publish a draft environmental impact report, also for public review.

The goal is to present the project to the Board of Refents for approval in July. The road extension could follow soon but does not have a firm construction schedule.

More information, including the environmental report.

Shared service brown bag meetings

The Shared Services Implementation Team announced a monthly series of brown bag meetings — with the first one set for next week.

The meetings are open to all employees, but will be focused on the progress of the shared service center project for these administrative divisions: Administrative and Resource Management, the Offices of the Chancellor and Provost, Information and Educational Technology, Student Affairs, and University Relations.

Officials acknowledge that employees have questions about the shared service center project, including: Which business processes will the center handle? How many people will work there? When are the position descriptions going to be available? What hiring protocol will be used? — and, most important, When will people know if their positions are affected?

The team does not yet have all the answers. A “current state assessment” is due for completion around April 15, describing today’s business practices and identifying which activities will go to the shared service center. If all goes as planned, the project teams will know by the end of August how many employees will be needed, and position descriptions will come after that.

In the meantime, the shared service center team is providing the brown bags as a way to offer face-to-face updates. Enrollment is not required; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

All of the meetings are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., on the following dates, at different locations:

• Wednesday, March 30 — Cabernet Room, Silo
• Thursday, April 28 — AGR Room, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center
• Thursday, May 26 — Ballroom A, Conference Center
• Thursday, June 30 — Ballroom A, Activities and Recreation Center

The Shared Services Implementation Team also welcomes questions, comments and suggestions by e-mail; look for the feedback link here.

Sen. Wolk to hold office hours in the MU

State Sen. Lois Wolk, whose district includes UC Davis, has scheduled office hours from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in the Memorial Union. Wolk, D-Davis, would like to hear people’s thoughts on the budget, on education or any other state matters.

Look for her near the Coffee House; no appointments are necessary — but, be advised, state budget matters may require her presence at the Capitol, in which case she will postpone her campus office hours to a later date.

Soaring to New Heights tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale for the 21st annual Soaring to New Heights, a staff and faculty celebration of diversity. Also, the organizers have put out a call for volunteers.

This year’s event is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in Freeborn Hall. The event features an international buffet lunch, plus an information fair and entertainment, and the presentation of the Diversity and Principles of Community Achievement Recognition Awards, and the Calvin E. Handy leadership Award.

The Office of Campus Community Relations and the Staff Diversity Advisory Committee sponsor Soaring to New Heights.

Ticket are $5 each and will be available through March 31 or until they sell out. Only 550 tickets will be sold, based on the capacity of Freeborn Hall — and none will be sold at the door.

They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis through the Freeborn Hall ticket office, in person or by telephone, (530) 752-1915. Note: A $5 charge will be added to each phone order of one or more tickets.

Departmental recharges are allowable; DaFIS (Davis Financial Information System) account managers may send ticket orders via e-mail to occr@ucdavis.edu.

In a memo announcing the start of ticket sales, Rahim Reed, associate executive vice chancellor, said department-unit representation is highly recommended. Release time with supervisory approval is appropriate.

More information is available online or by calling the Office of Campus Community Relations, (530) 752-2071.

Active shooter training March 30

How to escape, take cover, hide and play dead, and, as a last resort, how to tackle and get a weapon away from a gunman. These are among the topics of the campus Police Department active shooter training, a 90-minute program on advice and strategies to increase your likelihood of surviving a shooting incident.

The next active shooter training, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, is intended for students — but everyone on campus is welcome to attend. There is no charge, and no advance sign-ups are required: just show up to Freeborn Hall. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Lt. Matt Carmichael, (530) 752-5350 or mecarmichael@ucdavis.edu.