A faculty funding workshop is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, on the topic of Fulbright opportunities for U.S. citizens.
The organizers said Andy Riess, assistant director of outreach at the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars, will lead the workshop. The council administers the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, which each year sends 1,100 faculty and other professionals around the world.
Reiss’ topics: lecturing and research opportunities, advice on selecting a destination (from among the approximately 125 participating countries) and advice on how to make contacts abroad. In addition, he is expected to cover the preparation of the Fulbright application (due Aug. 1, 2012, for 2013-14).
The workshop program also includes discussion of how to host Fulbright scholars from abroad.
The funding workshop is sponsored by University Outreach and International programs, and the Institute of Governmental Affairs.
People planning to attend are asked to submit RSVPs by Thursday (April 12), to Jennie Konsella-Norene, jknorene@ucdavis.edu.
Flags of the world: Can you carry one?
International House is looking for flag bearers for the Picnic Day Parade (April 21) — enough people to carry 124 flags from around the world.
“It’s a colorful bit of pageantry celebrating the pride and diversity of international students, scholars and Davis residents and the UC Davis community,” said Elisabeth Sherwin, I-House executive director.
I-House has provided the flags to the campus for many years, and the campus arranged for the volunteers. Then, last year, I-House took on the task of rounding up the volunteers, too.
You can sign up for a flag of special significance to you, or for any other flag. Students, staff and faculty and welcome to sign up, as is anyone in the Davis community. I-House usually recommends two people per flag (to share the work), and cautions: no children.
As of last week, only China, Ethiopia, India, South Korea and Zimbabwe had been spoken for. Interested? Call the I-House, (530) 753-5007, or stop by. It’s at 10 College Park, across from Howard Way at the north edge of the campus.
ScholarShare deductions to resume
UC is working to resume payroll deductions for employee contributions to ScholarShare, the California college savings plan, starting with the first full payroll in April. For most employees, this will be the April monthly earnings paid May 1.
Employee contributions to ScholarShare were temporarily discontinued in November as the program management transitioned from Fidelity Investments to TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc. The switch necessitated UC’s reprogramming of the payroll system and business processes.
You need not sign up again, if you authorized ScholarShare contributions during the time Fidelity managed the program. Your deduction information will flow through from Fidelity to TIAA-CREF.
If, during the transition period, you authorized an automatic contribution plan (to make contributions to ScholarShare from a checking or savings account), you may want to stop those payments — to avoid a double contribution once payroll deductions resume.
The UC enrollment-payroll deduction form (to sign up or to change or cancel your deductions) is available here. More information on ScholarShare is available here.
Searching for medalists: 1968, 2003, 2004
University Communications needs your help identifying the recipients of the University Medal in 1968, 2003 and 2004, for a project that will honor all of the winners. The award has been given annually since 1965 to a top graduating senior.
Julia Ann Easley of University Communications has interviewed 30 of the 46 medalists and 13 others have been contacted.
“We’ve drawn on the help of several campus resources and done some creative research,” Easley said. “I’m hopeful that members of the campus community will remember these three special students so we can begin to look for them and invite them to participate.”
If you can provide the names for 1968, 2003 and-or 2004, contact Easley at (530) 752-8248 or jaeasley@udavis.edu.
'Dr. Hammerhead' and assistant join Shark Men
UC Davis’ Peter “Dr. Hammerhead” Klimley has signed on as lead scientist for the National Geographic Channel’s Shark Men series, which begins its third season at 8 p.m. PDT Saturday (April 7).
Klimley, adjunct professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, is accompanied by Alex Hearn, a project scientist in Klimley’s lab.
The Shark Men attempt to protect one of the ocean’s most feared and misunderstood predators. Scientists and crew haul in great whites, hammerheads, tigers and other species, record data, then tag and release them unharmed.
The season premiere, “Tagging Tigers,” brings the team to the Revillagigedo Islands, off Mexico, where the expedition gets off to a rough start because of a new method of landing the sharks with a sling (instead of a lift).
Blood drive, April 17-18, at The Pavilion
The ASUCD Blood and Marrow Drive switched to a new location in January, and returns there Tuesday-Wednesday, April 17-18.
“Our new home in The Pavilion (at the Activities and Recreation Center) worked out well, but we still need help notifying students of the new spot and just help in general getting the word out,” said Brie Leon of Sacramento-based BloodSource, which runs the campus blood bank events.
The new location is The Pavilion’s upper level. From in front of the ARC Starbucks, enter The Pavilion’s northeast lobby (under “The Pavilion” sign), then take the stairs to the upper level.
People should eat before donating, and drink plenty of fluids, too. Also, be sure to bring photo identification.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Leon said participants will receive free T-shirts and discount coupons (25 percent off) for the GAP store in Davis.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Leon at (916) 416-9459 or brie.leon@bloodsource.org.
Webinar on ID theft
UC faculty and staff are invited to participate in a free webinar on identity theft on Tuesday (April 10).
Three presentations are planned, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and registration is under way. UC officials said space is limited, and, therefore, people should sign up early.
ARAG, the presenter, is the same company that provides the legal expense plan available as a benefit to UC employees.
UC officials said the webinar will offer information on how to safeguard your identity, what steps to take to minimize the impact if you are a victim of identity theft, and where to get help.
Registration is being conducted online, via separate links for each presentation:
Questions? Contact Maura McLoughlin, ARAG account manager, by e-mail, maura.mcloughlin@ucop.edu.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu