CUCSA March 2009 Update
Council of University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA)
Press Release
http://www.ucop.edu/cucsa
University of California, Merced, March 3-5, and 2009
Sung-Mo "Steve" Kang, Chancellor, UC Merced
Chancellor Kang welcomed delegates to UC Merced and talked about how the campus was established, current numbers of students, faculty, and staff, and gave a presentation of the future plans for the campus and how UC Merced is anticipated to grow and benefit the San Joaquin Valley’s health and environmental issues. He also shared his personal story of how and why he became Chancellor of UC Merced saying that "where there is a will with a heart there is a way."
Mary Miller, Vice Chancellor, Administration, UC Merced
Vice Chancellor Miller presented UC Merced’s vision, compared their budget, number of faculty, students, and staff with other UC campuses. She highlighted UC Merced’s future plans that include student and campus services, recreational facilities, housing, parking, and infrastructure and utilities.
Bill Johansen, Staff Advisor to the Regents and Edward Abeyta, Staff Advisor to the Regents Designate
The Staff Advisor and Staff Advisor Designate talked about budget issues; their ten campus visits in 2008-2009; and gave details about the application process for the Staff Advisor to The Regents Designate for 2009-2010.
Odessa Johnson, UC Regent
Regent Johnson discussed budget issues and how they relate to staff and the UCOP Accountability Report. Johnson said UC owes much to its 160,000 staff and talked briefly about UC Regents looking to improve their responsibility to the University of California, and new requirements for students.
John White, UC Merced, University of California Staff Diversity Council
White said the establishment of the UC Staff Diversity Council is a result of CUCSA previously taking an interest in this topic. He also talked about practices and litigated claims and listed Council members.
Randolph Scott, Executive Director, Strategic Planning and Workforce Development, Human Resources and Benefits, UC Office of the President
Scott answered questions about the budget, its impact on staff and retirees, President Yudof’s concerns and response. Scott also updated Delegates on the constitutional initiative and CUCSA being assigned to a work group under the direction of the Presidential Post-Employment Benefits (Task Force).
Andy Coghlan, LEED AP Sustainability Manager, UC Office of the President
Coghlan gave a presentation on Sustainability at UC and how it impacts everyone on each campus.
Thomas Lollini, Associate Vice Chancellor - Physical Planning Design and Construction
Lollini gave a presentation on University of California, Merced’s Long Range Development Plans.
Delegates delivered updates from their local staff assemblies. Some key activities at UC campuses, LBNL, and UCOP in this quarter included:
- Citation of Excellence Awards (UC Davis)
- SAB Partnering with UCSC Retirees Association
- Pancake breakfast
- Staff Assembly Represented at UCR Homecoming Event
- Staff Mentorship Program
- Staff and Staff Dependent Scholarships (UC Davis)
- Celebrate the Night
- Student Regent Forum
- Experience the Arts with Staff Assembly
- Small Business Fair
- Cookbook fundraiser
- Leadership Series
- Staff Appreciation week Lunchtime Series
- Centennial year TGFS Picnic (UC Davis)
- Campus Climate Survey
The Council of University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) held its third quarterly meeting of the 2008-09 academic year at UC Merced March 3-5, 2009. The Council is an advisory body composed of two delegates from each of the ten campuses, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and the Office of the President. Officers are Lin King, Chair (UC Davis); Nancy Horton, Vice Chair (UC Berkeley); and Beverly Skinner, Secretary (UC Berkeley). CUCSA meets on a quarterly basis rotating between the campuses, the national lab, and the Office of the President to promote communication and to solicit feedback on interests of primary concern to staff.