Two students and fall foliage illuminated by a street light on campus after dark.

Digest: Employee time is what we value most

our time is valuable

Our clocks may say “fall back” is behind us, but we know November is also the start of our slow roll toward winter and the new year. What we do after we clock out — traditions, family and friends, celebrations and reflections — has taken center stage once again.
 
Just before a holiday weekend, this edition of the Digest aims to respect your time first and foremost. Included are some pointers about taking care of yourself, your family, our colleagues and our community as winter gets underway. We also all have opportunities to share our insights into making time at work better, whether by reducing hassles, improving our skills or planning for brighter futures. We take care, we give back, and we always strive to improve.
 
A couple more editions of the Digest are slated for this school year, so tell us how you feel about this one and how this email might better serve your needs next time around.

 

/take care

  • Maximize your health benefits - If you haven’t already, now is the time to review your health and insurance plan selections, with two more live Q&A sessions coming up for questions. Make changes in UCPath before 5 p.m. on Nov. 18.
     
  • Take advantage of special campus rates: Monthly contribution rates for medical insurance plans have been kept low, with special rates for UC Davis and UC ANR employees that make rates for the UC Blue & Gold plan (and access to UC Davis Health expertise) the same as Kaiser Permanente. Explore this year’s rate updates.
     
  • Get your flu vaccine: Comply with systemwide requirements by Dec. 1 to either get vaccinated against influenza or sign a declination form. Follow these instructions to report your flu shot or officially decline.
     
  • Brush up on mental health resources for students: Self-care, stress management and other ways on campus to support student well-being are organized on the new Aggie Mental Health website. Find out how to support our students.
     
  • Make sure you have the bivalent COVID-19 booster: Broadly recommended by the CDC as of September, this booster is required of all students and employees per UC vaccine policy, though compliance does not currently impact access to facilities, services or employment at UC Davis. Stay current with COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
     
  • Use campus COVID-19 testing: Until the end of the fall quarter, employees and students have access to free saliva testing on campus, which will switch to free antigen tests in the winter quarter. Check the testing schedule.
     
  • Jump-start wellness with healthy habits: An eight-week email program for employees starts today and runs through Jan. 6, with tips and support to adopt healthful behaviors with a focus on life balance, physical activity and nutritious foods. Sign up for the Winter Wellness Challenge.

 

/spark change

  • Pitch your ideas to increase efficiency: UC Davis employees are invited to share insights from their work that could help save money, reduce hassles or lead to moneymaking opportunities through the IDEA$ at Work campaign. Send in ideas and sign up for prizes.
     
  • Attend our own professional development conference: Join online events focused on career planning, networking and building skills for a long-lasting, fulfilling career at UC Davis during Career Development Week. Sign up now for sessions Nov. 14-18.
     
  • Provide feedback on eliminating fossil fuels: Attend a town hall meeting to learn about how UC Davis is preparing to move away from fossil fuel use in operations and offer your feedback. Register for Zoom sessions on Nov. 17 or 18.
     
  • Join a community learning to become changemakers: Building an action plan and taking inclusive steps to lead positive change will be part of a year-long activity and book study for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Participate in the first discussion group on Dec. 9.

 

/give back

  • Donate food via campus mail: You have until Nov. 18 to drop canned food and other non-perishable goods in your outgoing campus mail at both the Davis and Sacramento campuses, as part of the annual food drive to benefit the ASUCD Pantry and the Pantry at UC Davis Health. See a list of suggested items to donate.
     
  • Enjoy an evening out to benefit the Pantry: The Night to End Campus Hunger event will include appetizers, drinks, a buffet, silent auction, music and special guests at the UC Davis Coffee House. Buy tickets for the Dec. 1 event.
     
  • Buy toys online for children in the hospital: Donate to the toy drive at UC Davis Children’s Hospital or purchase toys from their Amazon wish list to provide gifts for hospitalized children during the holiday season. Contribute to the toy drive.
     
  • Drop off toys for children in Yolo county: Beginning Nov. 28, employees on the Davis campus can participate in the Toys for Tots drive by placing new, unwrapped toys in outgoing campus mail, in blue bins around campus or at the Mail Services building. Donate toys by Dec. 9.
     
  • Help fellow employees through difficult times: Make a gift to the UC Davis Staff Emergency Fund, which provides grants up to $1,000 during financial hardships. Donate to the fund.
     
  • Find out how partner funds are being used to support students: Programs for students facing potential homelessness and for student parents will get a boost from funding provided by University Credit Union. Read more about hotel vouchers, rental assistance and the Student Parent Closet.

 

/infrastructure

/more perks

  • Take advantage of education discounts and scholarships: UC Davis provides several ways for employees to access degree programs at lower costs, including reduced fees, scholarships and reimbursement options. Explore tuition assistance programs.
     
  • Join networking event at Golden 1 Center: All UC Davis employees are invited to hear from Sacramento Kings leadership on building a culture of inclusion, mingle with participants from the Kings and Sacramento State University, and watch Aggies Basketball games. Sign up for the event on Nov. 22 in Sacramento.
     
  • Access travel perks: The University of California has negotiated with travel companies for contract rates, some of which employees can take advantage of for personal travel. Watch one of UC’s travel webinars for tips and a travel refresher.
     
  • Connect with care for furry friends too: UC Davis employees receive a 10% discount for pet care and supplies at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Find discount details and other pet services.
     
  • Find the best Aggie pride gifts: One gift idea for alumni in your life this holiday season might be the UC Davis Marching Band pillows made from upcycled uniforms with help from the Craft Center, available in limited quantities. Snag one before they’re gone.

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