/beyond a paycheck

Are we there yet? Maybe this isn’t exactly our new normal, but we’ve been thankful to see students fill the streets and hallways of campus once again.  

November is traditionally a season of gratitude and open enrollment. While you’re updating your insurance benefit selections, let’s make sure we’re all getting the most out of working for UC Davis. This edition of the Digest includes open enrollment pointers, other timely reminders and some tips for lesser-known employee benefits.
 
Please make time to reap the rewards of your hard work here! We hope you find some new things to be thankful for and have a chance to step away for a break as the leaves turn.

We expect to send three more campuswide Digest emails this school year, so tell us how you feel about this edition and how we might better serve your needs next time.

/benefits

• Take action for open enrollment by Nov. 19: The deadline to make changes to your insurance choices is a little earlier than normal, so now is a great time to make those decisions. Follow these directions for how to enroll via UCPath.
   
• Know which options are open now: Employees can change, enroll in or opt out of the following insurance plans during the open enrollment period: medical, dental, vision, supplemental health, legal and also flexible spending accounts (for health and for dependent care) – while other options can be changed year-round. Bookmark this overview with links to all the plan details.  
   
• Find out what has changed: There aren’t many significant changes during open enrollment this year, though most employees will see a moderate increase in rates. Find detailed comparisons of the medical plans in this three-part video, along with other medical insurance resources.
   
• Get answers to your questions: You can choose to attend a Q&A session, participate in a help desk session or log in to a webinar to hear responses to your open enrollment queries. Check the schedule for online one-on-one or group sessions.
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• Update your flexible spending accounts: While your other plans will continue unchanged if you do not take action during open enrollment, you must re-enroll in flexible spending accounts each year if you want to set aside money from your paycheck before taxes are taken out to pay for eligible medical or caregiving expenses. Catch up on FSA updates.

/stay healthy

• Report your flu vaccine info: By Nov. 19, all University of California employees (and students) are required to get vaccinated against influenza or to opt out by filing a declination form. Follow these directions to report your vaccination or to decline.
   
• Sign up for a booster: The campus vaccine clinic at the ARC is only administering Pfizer booster shots to employees until Dec. 1, so you may need to contact your health care provider or search My Turn for a booster appointment. Find an appointment.
   
• Make your testing plans for Thanksgiving break: The clock for testing requirements will basically restart after the holidays, starting Monday, Nov. 29. Find specific schedules for testing, the symptom survey and compliance, during and after the break.
   
• Monitor your health and stay home if you’re sick: Employees who have symptoms of a cold, flu or COVID-19, are reminded to stay home if you are not feeling well – and contact your health care provider for further guidance. Remember that the Daily Symptom Survey is asking about new symptoms, not those from a known or chronic condition.

/avoid hassles

• Prepare for detours on Hutchison Drive overpass: Both on-ramps to Highway 113 on the north side of Hutchison Drive will be closed November through March, so westbound drivers trying to connect to the highway will be rerouted to the first West Village roundabout to access on-ramps on the south side of the overpass. See maps and future improvements for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
   
• Check and report phishing emails: Get timely information on whether a questionable email is legitimate or phishing — which is the top vector for security breaches globally and at UC Davis — at IT’s new and wittily named Phish Bowl website. Log in to double-check potential scam emails.
   
• Be aware of travel restrictions to 18 states: Ohio was recently added to the list of states where California prohibits state-funded travel, which also means that UC employees cannot be required to travel to these states as part of their job (no matter how their trip would be funded). Check the updated list of states on the prohibited travel list.

/support

• Honor our community’s veterans: Volunteer to help tie yellow ribbons around trees in the Quad on Nov. 8, or register to attend the virtual UC Davis Veterans Celebration on Nov. 9. RSVP for Zoom login and other event details.
   
• Help students by donating food and supplies: Donate goods to the ASUCD Pantry by leaving non-perishable foods with your outgoing campus mail until Nov. 19 or by coordinating a box in your office for donations of toiletries, laundry supplies and more. Find suggested food donations and how to participate.
   
• Facilitate student connections: Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to sign up by Nov. 12 to be facilitators for First-Year Aggie Connections in the winter quarter. Find out details about submitting a proposal.

/envision

• Review Russell Boulevard designs: You can offer input on concepts for future improvements to Russell Boulevard until Nov. 18. Preview renderings and traffic projection videos to provide your feedback.
   
• Reimagine your campus space: The interior landscape of our campus is being transformed subtly as more employees turn to flexible work arrangements for the long-term. Find out how your team can clear out, reconfigure or even release spaces in buildings.
   
• Get updates on construction: If you haven’t been on campus lately — or if you have, and are curious about when a particular new building will be complete — you can explore updates via the new Capital Project Report. Browse details, photos and artist renderings of campus construction projects.

/gather

• Manage public health at campus events: As the holiday event season approaches, if you’re planning an indoor event with food or drinks for more than 100 attendees, then you will need to require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test as an entrance requirement. Check Campus Ready event guidance.
   
• Nourish your guests: Whether in-person or online, improve your meetings and other events with tips for nutrition, mindfulness and activity breaks. Explore the guides and checklists for healthy events.
   
• Make your event green: Follow tips to reduce waste and shrink your event’s carbon footprint. Get the checklist for hosting green events.
   
• Catch up with campus catering requirements: If you would like a caterer to provide any services beyond dropping off food, then you will need to use the on-campus caterer, Olive and Vine. Find more catering details, including approved caterers for dropping off food or serving alcohol.

/more perks

• Use your employee discounts: Discounts are available for stores, banks, spas, restaurants, gyms, car services, insurance, travel and more. Browse current discount offers.
   
• Make the most of Aggie discounts: From campus dining to tuition fees to plastic surgery, UC Davis employees can get a variety of discounts from UC Davis departments. Check out UC Davis discounts.
   
• Get career coaching: Sign up for one-on-one career counseling for strategies to manage career transitions, job searches and advancement. Make an appointment with a career counselor.
   
• Take a professional development course: Employees can take online classes through Coursera for free or get a 20-50% discount off classes offered by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. Browse available courses.
   
• Find community with fellow employees: Aggie employees can join constituency groups related to African American, LGBTQIA, disability, Asian Pacific American, Latinx, Native American, women, veteran and administrative management issues. Find support with colleagues, advocate for issues and build networks.
   
• Claim perks for your pet: Your furry friends can benefit from your discounts at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, preferred pricing on pet insurance and other services. Explore pet resources and support.
   
• Attend a monthly performance: Each month, the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts offers a $10 ticket deal for current and retired UC Davis employees. Get details and tickets for upcoming Inuit soul music and string quartet events.
   
• Plan for your retirement: Reduce financial stress and create an ongoing budgetary plan to reach your future goals, with financial wellness resources and retirement preparation support. Sign up for a retirement class or find other financial wellness tools.
   
• Did we miss one?: Ha, of course we did! We’d love to hear about your favorite benefit of being a UC Davis employee — bonus points if it’s not widely known. Tell us what you think about perks for UC Davis employees.