It is May (and May is almost over)! I know I’m not the only one who really feels our fiscal year cycle, meaning we are 10 months in, and I’m exhausted! It’s budget season, end of the academic year season, performance appraisal season, seeing summer as a beacon of hope season, and all the things. Whew! Thankfully, it is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we have a heightened focus on tools to support you during this time. Mental Health IS health, and should always be a focus.
First, take stock of how you are feeling. If you are feeling the exhaustion of almost being done with another academic and/or fiscal year, remember – dwelling on how much there is to do won’t help. Instead, make a reasonable plan, and tackle what you can when you can. Do not let the interruptions of the world dissuade you from your progress. You cannot control what you cannot control, but you can control how you react. Plan for something to disrupt, interrupt, detract, and how you will respond, so you will be ready. If you are not feeling this exhaustion, share your energy with others, check on a colleague, and spread joy where you can!
Now on to the updates! First up, news to navigate your daily work life, and then information on exciting ways to engage.
News and Resources
DACA Resources The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center at UC Davis is scheduling confidential, consultation appointments for UC employees who have DACA status, including student employees, to learn their options in the event of DACA sunsetting in the future.
Space is limited, so appointments will be given on a first-registered, first-served basis. Registration is scheduled to close on June 1. After registration closes, registrants will receive either notification of their scheduled appointment time with Zoom link, or notification that they have been placed on a wait list. If demand for this service is high, they will organize additional workshops as needed. Click here to register.
Funds Available for Staff Training and Career Development As you may have read in the Campus Notice, we are excited to announce the upcoming open application period for the Staff Equal Opportunity Enrichment Program (SEOEP), a fund designated to provide training and career development opportunities for eligible individual staff and departments.
Mental Health Awareness Months Resources and Events Our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) have teamed up to offer valuable resources and events throughout May in support of Mental Health Awareness month. Visit this Blink page to get involved and learn more about the programs available to you.
People Leader Resources Are you a new people leader at UC San Diego? Then you’ll want to check out our resources in our Managerial and Leadership Development series Subway Stop 2.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Managerial and Leadership Development Core Series opportunities:
- Team Building: Setting Norms, Goals and Expectations (July 7): Register here
- Collaboration and Communication Tools for Teams (August 25): Register here
- An orientation to supervision at the university (best suited for Campus People Leaders):
Return to Learn Program Sunset As you may have read in Chancellor Khosla’s recent Campus Notice, the Return to Learn Program - our strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic – has come to an end. I am exceptionally proud of the collective efforts put forth by our entire staff for the past three years, and especially those actively involved in the Return to Learn Program.
Staff Association Executive Board Elections The UC San Diego Staff Association’s Elections Committee is excited to announce nominations for the 2023-25 Term Staff Association Executive Board (SAEB). It is seeking seven (7) motivated individuals to take on functional-based positions and help continue the mission of the UC San Diego Staff Association. View descriptions of each position in the Staff Association Bylaws (see Article VIII Section 9).
If you or someone you know would like to serve on the Staff Association Executive Board, please fill out a Nomination Form. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 31, and elections will be held June 1-9. Another notice will be sent once voting opens.
COVID-19 Insurance Cost Waiver Ending In light of the recent news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcing the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, vaccines and therapies related to COVID-19 are ending cost-waiver on our medical plans effective November 11, 2023. Non-Medicare medical plans are mandated to cover COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and therapeutics for six additional months through November 11, 2023, in accordance with the State of California’s Senate Bill (SB) 1473. Please visit UCNet here to read updates to your health plan's coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment.
2019 Engagement Survey Email Error An email about the 2019 engagement survey was erroneously sent to some staff members across the system from our engagement survey vendor, Willis Towers Watson. This was the result of them performing a software update that led to invitations being sent for projects that were already closed, including UC’s 2019 Staff Engagement Survey. Employees who received this email are advised to delete it, and do not need to take further action. Willis Towers Watson has resolved the issue and is investigating the root cause and impact of the error. WTW apologized for the concern and inconvenience this situation has caused.
Happening Now and Soon
June Staff Town Hall Join us for the June Staff Town Hall on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 2:30-3:45 p.m., featuring:
- Updates on the conclusion of the Return to Learn program, and the end of the worldwide public health emergency
- Human Resources updates, with CHRO Terri Winbush speaking on “grace”
- UC Policy on Gender Recognition and Lived Names
- Training availability on handling emergency situations
- Information about resources available at the Craft Center
Click here to register and submit your questions in advance.
Volunteers Needed for All-Campus Commencement on June 17 Graduating Tritons will take part in our All-Campus Commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17, and we need your help in recognizing the accomplishments of our scholars! The deadline to register as a volunteer is June 10, 2023. Click here to sign up. For more information about Commencement Weekend, visit this website.
Farmers Market The UC San Diego Farmers Market is held every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., from May 2 – June 20 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. Visit the UC San Diego’s Farmers Market for farm-fresh produce and flowers, plus locally prepared, delicious international specialty foods and more. Click here to learn more.
Lead with grace and courage,
