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 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

February 27, 2025

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences) 

People Leaders:  For staff without ready access to email, please print and post a copy of this email. 

As we navigate the diametrical reality we live in, there’s an absolute truth that brings us together: the world is always changing. And in the full embrace of being humans, we often cling to what we know like a life raft in a tempestuous sea. Except right now it may feel like there is no life raft. Or like we don’t know how to swim. Raise your hand if you can relate. 

In the words of author Wendell Berry, “The nature of life is change, and the nature of people is to resist change.” When the wrath of the waves are smacking us in the face, we can choose to swim against the current, exhausting ourselves with every breath, or we can lean into the tide trusting with wholehearted certainty that we are going to make it to shore. 

We’re living in erratic times with more unknowns than knowns - whether you’re concerned about Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) showing up to campus (see resources below on what to do if this happens); are worried about impending budgetary impacts and what that means for you and your family; or maybe have family or friends who are federal employees becoming skilled at the art of improv and deep breaths amidst unprecedented near daily changes. 

Those are all serious and valid things to be concerned about, and I want to name that and also tell you I’m right there with you experiencing these feelings. So the best thing that we can do for ourselves and our family is to prepare. How, though?

I’ll tell you how we’re doing it in Campus HR. Practically speaking:

Personally speaking, it feels timely to reflect now more than ever on Black History Month (although I honor this celebration year-long), focusing on facing the unknown with tremendous resilience. I’m going to do my level best to channel my inner Dizzy Gillespie when it’s time to improvise. I’m going to scat sing to the top of my lungs to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald. And I’m going to dive into uncharted waters with seven-time Olympic Medalist Simone Manuel's level of athleticism (metaphorically speaking, of course). But I’m not going to do this alone (thank you, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program). We need to do this together.

Change is a scary thing, especially when it’s compounded with everything else happening as a society. Let’s learn to release the things we can’t control. And when we do, let’s remember that it’s not our ideals we’re letting go of - we’re letting go of older versions of ourselves that once clung on to a single vision of what is possible. Remember through it all, as author Mel Robbins said, “You are the only person you are guaranteed to spend the rest of your life with.” Make sure you are proud of how you show up during these times, whether that’s in person, on email, via Zoom, or on social media. 

Think expansively. Release the anchor. Afterall, we are Tritons - we know our way around the sea. 

Lead with grace and courage, 

Terri S. Winbush  

Campus Chief Human Resources Officer 

With numerous, quickly evolving federal policy shifts underway, the University of California is working diligently to monitor these developments and seek clarity on a range of issues, including immigration, funding, financial aid, and more. Visit this University of California site for systemwide updates, and our UC San Diego Key Issues webpage for the latest local information. The UC Office of the President site also has sections of the FAQ available in Spanish. There have especially been questions around how to respond to immigration enforcement should such an event occur on campus. The sites contain FAQs and provide information about how to respond in such a situation. Refer to these pages often, as federal policies and practices continue to evolve on a regular basis. In addition, any UC San Diego employee presented with an immigration warrant should email a copy to WarrantQuestions@ucsd.edu. An attorney will review the warrant and respond promptly.

Today you may notice some of your colleagues from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) unions exercising their rights on campus. As I’ve shared before, they are allowed to exercise their rights and express themselves in a respectful manner that doesn’t otherwise infringe upon anyone else’s right to come to work. You can see the latest news on the AFSCME and UPTE union negotiations on this University of California website.

To protect access to your personal information, all UC locations will be updating how employees use multifactor authentication via the Duo Mobile app. SMS codes and phone callback verification factors will no longer be available. To ensure uninterrupted access to UCPath, please make sure your Duo Mobile app is version 4.49 or higher. To check your version, use this guide for your device’s operating system: iOS or Android. If you are using phone callback for SMS codes exclusively, please work with your location’s help desk to install and enroll in Duo Mobile. If you are unable to enroll and/or use Duo Mobile, please work with your location’s help desk to use another available verification method. These changes are effective as of Feb. 25, 2025. If you have questions, please contact the ITS service desk by email, phone (858) 246-4357, or via the Services and Support portal.  

As shared in last month’s Updates from HR, a new, temporary Systemwide Wildfire Catastrophic Leave Bank has been established to benefit UC employees who have been adversely affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region. Through March 31, 2025, eligible employees may donate their accrued vacation or staff PTO hours to this bank. Information on how to donate will be shared via a campus notice in the coming days. In the meantime, you can learn more in this UCnet article.

In preparation for Process Palooza on Aug. 6 - 7, 2025, continuous improvement thought leaders and AI pioneers are sought to speak and participate. Interested parties can submit a proposal form by Feb. 28, 2025.

The UC San Diego Staff Association Scholarship application period is now open for eligible UC San Diego career employees through March 15, 2025. The scholarship supports career advancement by reimbursing staff with up to a maximum of $500, to be used toward a professional development activity that involves a fee. To learn more and apply, visit the Staff Association website.

The Office of the President expected to roll out an updated version of theGeneral Compliance Briefing training in February. The release is now anticipated to roll out some time in the spring. As shared last month, to assist with the transition, the training assignment in the UC Learning Center has been removed for all active employees, and the course is not available to new users. Additional details regarding specific launch timing will be shared as they become available. If you have questions or concerns about this training, please contact the UC Learning Center support team through theEmployee Center.

Do you want to connect with colleagues who are also leading teams? Are you new to people leadership at UC San Diego or looking to refresh your People Leader toolkit? Campus HR is excited for our 2025 managerial and leadership development course offerings within our Subway Stop 2 series (course descriptions and registration links available in our 2025 calendar). Upcoming session highlights include Team Building: Setting Norms, Goals and Expectations (March 11): register here; Supervising at UC San Diego (March 19 and 26): register here; and Supervisory Training Laboratory (April 8 - May 20): register here.

In line with University of California President Drake’s priority of promoting health across California, the University of California is committed to fostering an environment that supports all aspects of employee well-being. This UCnet article lists ways that UC is working to ensure employees have the resources they need to continue making an incredible impact possible. 

As part of the Equity in Mental Health quarterly series, a workshop supporting learning outcomes for student-facing staff and faculty will be facilitated by Marianne Frapwell, Director of Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education at the Sexual Assault Resource Center (CARE at SARC). The workshop will take place on Monday, March 3, from 10–11:30 a.m., and Wednesday, March 5, from 2–3:30 p.m. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of trauma-informed practices and learn how to implement tangible tools and strategies in their workspaces and programming to support UC San Diego students. For location and registration information, complete this Google form.

Designed for those who have experienced womb loss, this group will explore the emotional landscape of grief in a supportive environment, with sessions that include psychoeducation, discussion questions, reflection, and coping strategies to deepen participants' understanding and processing of grief. Meetings are facilitated by Izabel Caetano Francy, LCSW, PMH-C, CEAP of our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), and take place on Wednesdays, March 5, 12, and 19 from 3 – 4 p.m. via Zoom. Attendance will be limited to 15 participants. Register in advance through Zoom, and email icfrancy@ucsd.edu with questions.

The purpose of this group is to create a space for first-generation professionals (FGPs) to explore, discuss, and identify tools that support emotional well-being and self-compassion in navigating stress. We aim to center on the lived experiences of FGPs and build a workplace community. Sessions are facilitated by Valeria Moreno, APCC, from our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). Meetings are on Thursdays March 20, April 17, May 15, and June 12 from 12 - 1 p.m. Registration is required via Zoom. For questions, email v2moreno@ucsd.edu.

Did you know that Bright Breaks is now available en español? This free virtual program provides sessions on topics such as yoga, fitness, stress-reduction, mindfulness and meditation, nutrition, and more. Employees can now take live sessions with a Spanish-speaking instructor, or choose Spanish closed-captions for any on-demand session. 

Numerous events featuring the theme “Black Contributions to Labor: Honoring our Legacy, Inspiring the Future” are being held in February through early March. For a complete list of events celebrating the rich fabric of Black history through music, food, and culture, visit UC San Diego’s Black History Month website.

Intended for HR practitioners on campus at UC San Diego, the next HR Forum takes place Tuesday, March 18 from 10 – 11:30 a.m., and features HR-centric news and updates; a real-time Q&A; and more. Campus HR practitioners at UC San Diego can register and ask questions in advance on Blink.

Save the date on Monday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the second annual Employee WellFest at Warren Mall, featuring biometric assessments; snacks; activities from UC San Diego Recreation trainers; swag; and more than 20 tables from wellness partners from both on and off campus. Subscribe to the Employee Wellness newsletter, and follow the UC San Diego  Employee Wellness Instagram for more information.

Help welcome future Tritons to our campus by volunteering at Triton Days on April 12, 2025. The deadline to register to volunteer is March 16. Be a part of one of UC San Diego's most exciting traditions, welcoming admitted first-year students and offering a valuable recruitment opportunity for prospective students as they prepare to make their college decisions. Register to volunteer through this Qualtrics form.

Celebrate awardees and their remarkable contributions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at UC San Diego during the 30th annual Inclusive Excellence Awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 2 – 3 p.m. at the Price Center East Ballroom, with a reception immediately following until 3:30 p.m. Guests unable to join in person can enjoy the ceremony online via Zoom. To attend the ceremony in person, please register on Eventbrite.

A recording of the Staff Town Hall held Feb. 4 is now available on the Staff Town Hall Blink page along with resources shared during the presentation. Speakers included Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Budget Operations, Mercedez Muñoz; myself; and others discussing updates on the statewide budget, Updates from HR, strategies for fostering dialogue with your team during turbulent times, and more.