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You have until Tuesday, March 13, to participate in the inaugural survey asking employees on both sides of the causeway to evaluate administrative services. 

As of Monday (March 5), nearly 4,000 people had completed the survey and more than 1,100 had started it — for a total participation rate of 20 percent.

(the website includes a link to the survey, for which you need the access code that you should have received by email).

What’s in it for you? First and foremost, the administrative units want your feedback. “It’s a chance for our customers and stakeholders to let our teams and executive leaders know how much they value our services,” according to the survey website. “And, in some cases, it’s a chance to identify where we may have resource gaps or where there are opportunities to enhance our programs,”

And let’s not forgot the gifts and prizes! Everyone who completes the survey will receive a coupon to redeem an (while supplies last) and will be entered in a drawing for a $400 Visa gift card (taxes apply).

Two early-bird survey participants already won $200 gift cards:

• Leesa Ferdig, a medical office service coordinator at the 51�ԹϺ��� Davis Medical Group’s Midtown Family Practice and Specialties
• Kendon Kurzer, a lecturer for the University Writing Program

Showing support in Parkland’s wake

A lecturer in the Department of Psychology is inviting people in the campus community to join her on the Quad at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, as part of the National School Walkout.

The campus walkout and others around the country are expected to last 17 minutes — in recognition of the 17 people who died in the shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and in solidarity with survivors who are protesting Congress’ inaction on gun safety.

The national walkout, organized by the Women’s March Network, is scheduled exactly one month after the Parkland shootings.

“I was surprised to find that there were no other groups planning a walkout on March 14,” Kimberly Russo said. “That is why I . It’s a very simple gesture to show support for the survivors of the Parkland massacre.”

Students, staff and faculty are welcome to participate, said Russo, adding that she has been reaching out to student groups to see if any are interested in getting more involved.

Houlton joins 51�ԹϺ���’s Climate Leadership Council

51�ԹϺ��� Davis Professor Ben Houlton has joined 51�ԹϺ���’s Global Climate Leadership Council, by appointment of 51�ԹϺ��� President Janet Napolitano. The council comprises 51�ԹϺ��� faculty, staff, students and external advisory to work on successfully implementing and to disseminate campus best practices.

The council works to integrate 51�ԹϺ���’s range of sustainability goals and policies into the Carbon Neutrality Initiative and into 51�ԹϺ���’ s teaching, research and public service mission.

Houlton directs the and is a professor in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources at 51�ԹϺ��� Davis.

‘Soar’ as a volunteer

The Soaring to New Heights Coordination Team is looking for volunteers. This year’s event will be from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, in The Pavilion at the ARC. Interested in helping? Please contact Cristina Ramirez, volunteer coordinator, by email.

Applications due for Sautter IT awards

The 51�ԹϺ��� IT Leadership Council has called for applications for the 2018 Larry L. Sautter awards program recognizing technology projects that demonstrate the leadership council’s priorities, including innovation, collaboration and operational efficiency, and that advance 51�ԹϺ���’s teaching, research, health care and public service missions.

Eligibility extends to all faculty and staff — as teams or individuals — around the 51�ԹϺ��� system, for project implementation in the last three years.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, May 18.

An information and question-and-answer session will be held online, at noon Thursday, April 12, for people interested in submitting applications. or conference call: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID 510-987-0638).

51�ԹϺ���’s commitment to pay equity

51�ԹϺ��� is taking steps to align its hiring processes with the provisions of Assembly Bill 168, prohibiting employers from inquiring into applicant’s salary histories.

The bill’s passage last year came amid awareness that asking for salary information from prospective employees, heretofore a common practice, posed a risk of perpetuating pay inequity from one employer and position to another, magnifying the effects of discrimination over the course of a career.

51�ԹϺ��� may be exempt from the law due to the university’s legal standing and constitutional status. But officials said 51�ԹϺ��� will align its practices with the law anyway, “given the university’s institutional values and commitment to ensuring equal pay.”

“Implementing these changes is part of our commitment to progressive talent management, good diversity and antidiscrimination best practices,” said Dwaine B. Duckett, vice president for systemwide Human Resources. “On top of that, it’s the right thing to do to continue to advance the conversations around equity.”

The 51�ԹϺ��� Office of the President has created a 51�ԹϺ���net page, to assist the many departments that may be affected by the changes.

Questions? Contact or .

Commencement regalia for spring

Distribution Services and the bookstore are taking orders for caps, gowns, tassels and hoods, for use by faculty and administrators in spring commencements.

• Distribution Services has a loan program that provides caps, gowns (M.D., Ph.D., master’d and bachelor’s), tassels and 51�ԹϺ��� doctoral hoods at no charge, with individual departments usually doing the ordering for their faculty members.

Loaner regalia can be picked up at the . Departments can arrange for delivery at a nominal charge.

Orders can be placed . If you require a hard-copy order form, need to arrange for delivery or have questions, call Albert Miller, 530-752-9309. Orders are due at the Central Storehouse by Friday, April 28, for commencements in May and June. Here’s the commencement calendar.

• The bookstore rents non-51�ԹϺ��� doctoral hoods and 51�ԹϺ��� hoods for any degree other than a Ph.D. Faculty members and administrators are advised to order through their departments.

For May ceremonies, order by March 23 at the standard rental fee of $26. Add rush-shipping charge of $20 or more for orders after March 23.

For June commencements, order by April 16 at the standard rental fee of $26. Add rush-shipping charge of $20 or more for orders after April 16.

Questions about ordering a hood? Send an email to gradsupplies@ucdavis.edu.