UC Davis Campaign And What it Means for Staff
A Message from Staff Assembly Chair, Peter Blando
As UC Davis begins its first comprehensive campaign, the question that needs to be asked is what does this mean for staff and what is this about? Every day we do see the results of past fundraising efforts and philanthropic support. We see it in buildings such as the Mondavi Center and the new home of the Graduate School of Management, Gallagher Hall. We see it in the form of endowed chairs and in the very students who are able to come to this university. But does it mean anything for staff?
The answer is a most definite “yes.” When someone donates and gives money to UC Davis, that giving translates into paying for costs to support research, teaching, or public service, and staff are very much part of these activities. The Mondavi Center is a good example where staff provide support of a building and a service that several years ago did not exist. Scholarships for students translates into paid fees, an important concept when you realize we do not get enough state funding to offset the costs of students. A part of each and every dollar given translates into much needed staff to support the campus and its vision for excellence.
Do you believe in UC Davis and its mission to discover, to teach, and to serve the public good? We will be asking this question to many individuals in the future, many new individuals who may believe in the mission but have not given support in the past. Now is the time we need their help.
So what can we do as staff, many of whom have not received merit increases and may still be reeling from furloughs? Some even have had significantly painful experiences of losing their home and going into debt. This is to say for those who remain amongst our ranks and have not been laid off. In the same manner as President Yudof asked us to advocate for our university in contacting legislators, we are being asked to advocate for the university and inform people we know of our need and the opportunity they have to help us. We are asked to be part of faculty, students, and alumni to reach out and ask for support.
I encourage everyone who can to join me on Friday, October 22 at 10 AM to 11:15 AM at the Mondavi Center to learn about this very important fund raising campaign that will have a positive impact on staff. AVC Karen Hull has granted release time with supervisor approval for staff to attend this event.