The welcome mat is always out at the Welcome Center, but, for an open house Thursday, Sept. 5, the center is especially welcoming the campus community.

The open house from 3:30 to 5 p.m. is meant to showcase the services the center provides to prospective students, newly admitted students, general visitors and the campus community — all in furtherance of the university's academic and public service mission.

The open house will provide information on guided campus tours that the center organizes and runs, as well as admissions advising (and how to arrange such services). Also: Visitors can tour the center and learn about its availability for after-hours use. Plus, refreshments and giveaways.

RSVPs are requested by Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Cyanobacteria in Arboretum Waterway

If you exercise your dog in the arboretum, please continue to do so — but don’t let your pet get in the water. Tests show that cyanobacteria are growing in parts of the Arboretum Waterway. These microscopic organisms can make a toxin that is rapidly lethal to dogs that ingest contaminated water.

Blooms of algae and cyanobacteria are common in creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes, especially in nutrient-rich waters in summer. (The Arboretum Waterway, despite its name, is a pond — it has no natural flow.) This year, cyanobacteria blooms have been reported at numerous locations in our region, including the Sacramento River and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and Folsom Lake and Clear Lake.

Cyanobacteria live throughout the water column, not just as “scum” on the surface. So it is difficult to tell if water is contaminated just by looking at it. The solution? Just don’t go in the water.

The Arboretum Waterway Maintenance and Enhancement Project and other steps can break up mats and somewhat reduce growth of algae and cyanobacteria. However, these are natural parts of warm water ecosystems.

Read the arboretum’s FAQ on cyanobacteria.

Poster calendars due to arrive Sept. 5

The 2019-20 campus poster calendars have been delayed — with the expected arrival date in UC Davis Stores now set for Thursday, Sept. 5.

Subscribers to the campus calendar email list will be notified when the calendars are available.

The preorder deadline has been extended to Wednesday (Aug. 28). Need the form? Send an email to schoolofficesupplies@ucdavis.edu.

To buy calendars without preordering, you’ll find them at the Campus Store, Welcome Center Store, Downtown Store and The Market at the Activities and Recreation Center.

Vet hospital sets up call center

The UC Davis veterinary hospital will open a dedicated call center on Wednesday (Aug. 28), freeing client service representatives at reception desk to work exclusively with clients in person.

Under the existing set-up, the hospital’s three reception desks answer all calls to the hospital’s main line, up to 1,800 a day — and this requires 10 to 15 representatives at the busiest times of the day.

Now, by establishing a call center away from the busy clinical environment, the hospital expects reception desk personnel will experience less stress related to prioritizing multiple demands — phone calls, walk-up clients, clinical support needs, administrative functions. In other words, less multitasking.

And, with fewer phone interruptions, client service representatives at the reception desk can focus on face-to-face interactions with clients and engagement with clinicians. At the same time, call center personnel will have fewer in-person distractions.

“Excellent communication is a cornerstone to providing the highest quality care to our clients,” said Joy Hoover, hospital administrator. “That begins with the client’s first interaction with us, which is generally their initial phone call to the hospital. We have taken great strides over the past year to optimize that experience for our clients.”

The appointment line remains the same: 530-752-1393.

Read the complete news release from the School of Veterinary Medicine.

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