Current and potential riders of the intercampus shuttle between Davis and Sacramento are invited to a series of town halls to provide feedback on the service as the university prepares to switch to electric buses.

The outreach meetings begin today (Oct. 1) in Sacramento, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the Center for Health and Technology (Room 1335).

Meetings will be held on the Davis campus in the Transportation Services building at 4 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 2) and 11:30 a.m. Friday (Oct. 4).

Security and Fire Safety Report

UC Davis this week released its annual Security and Fire Safety Report, as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998.

The 2019 Security and Fire Safety Report includes crime statistics for the Davis campus and UC Davis Health in Sacramento, plus policies implemented to protect the welfare of the UC Davis community. The report also includes information about fire safety policies, procedures and statistics.

The report is available online, as a PDF, on UC Davis’ Clery Act website. Revised versions of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 reports, with updated crime statistics for 2015-17, are also available on the Clery Act website. Federal law also requires information on alcohol and other drug abuse prevention programs, available here as a PDF.

Read more in this UC Davis news release.

UC files DACA brief at high court

UC filed a brief Friday (Sept. 27) at the Supreme Court in the university’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. UC was the first university to sue the government over the rescission announced two years ago but on hold due to a restraining order. 

UC President Janet Napolitano, who authorized DACA in 2012 as the secretary of Homeland Security, commented on the court filing: “Today, the University of California continued our fight to protect the nearly 700,000 Dreamers here in the United States and in our community who are DACA recipients.

“UC’s DACA students are studying to be the next generation of teachers, doctors, engineers and other professions that make life better for everyone. They are young people who simply want to continue to live, learn and contribute to the country they consider home.

“As we demonstrated in our brief filed earlier today, the Trump administration acted illegally by ending the DACA program without offering any valid justification for doing so. Five federal courts have considered this issue and found that the administration’s decision was arbitrary and capricious, and therefore unlawful.

“Since this lawsuit began, the University of California has sought to provide a safe and supportive environment for our DACA students — and we will continue to do so.”

Read UC’s brief here.

Committee named in presidential search

Board of Regents Chair John A. Pérez has formed a special committee to consider the selection of a successor to UC President Janet Napolitano, who has announced her intention to step down at the end of the 2019-20 academic year.

The committee: Regents Michael Cohen, Gareth Elliott (chair), Cecilia Estolano, Sherry Lansing (vice chair), Lark Park and Richard Sherman, along with Student Regent Hayley Weddle and Alumni Regent William Um. Pérez and Gov. Gavin Newsom will serve as ex officio members, in accordance with policy on appointment of the university president.

An executive search firm will be engaged to help identify candidates and facilitate a national search.

Per policy, the committee will consult broadly with constituent groups. This includes gathering opinions from advisory committees of students, staff and alumni on the criteria to be considered for the position. An academic advisory committee appointed by the chair of the Academic Council will assist the special committee in screening candidates.

More information will be posted on a presidential search website as it becomes available. 

New major: Human biology

UC Davis has a new major: a Bachelor of Science in human biology.

Carolyn Thomas, vice provost and dean for Undergraduate Education, recently notified Dean Mark Winey of the College of Biological Sciences that the campus had approved the proposal for the new degree program, to be administered by two departments within the College of Biological Sciences: Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, and Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Dialogue and discourse

Students, staff and faculty can express themselves, constructively, through sustained dialogue and VOICE, or Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement:

• Sustained Dialogue Moderator Training — Presented annually by the Office of Campus Dialogue and Deliberation, this two-day workshop, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19, aims to help participants understand and practice the art, concept and tools of dialogue as a method to develop and strengthen productive campus relationships and decide on action. Designed for undergraduate and graduate/professional students, with some spaces available for staff, faculty and other academics. The application and more information are available online; the deadline is this Sunday (Oct. 6). Questions? Contact Trish Nichol by email.
• VOICE: Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement — The UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement provides funding for UC students, staff and faculty who are interested in conducting research or coordinating programs and activities that further center’s mission. Learn more and apply here.

Follow Dateline UC Davis on Twitter.