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Digest: ✅ See what FOA teamwork can do

Construction updates, new leader, FOA Awards open, tips for Open Enrollment and more

Dear Colleagues,

FOA employees are engaged — and it shows. Our latest Employee Experience Survey results came in strong across the board, with FOA’s scores higher than campus averages and an impressive 73% participation rate. FOA staff members care about shaping our workplaces and helping our teams grow even stronger.

If you’re reading this, then you’re already taking part in one of the themes that caught my attention. For me, two results stood out in particular among FOA’s scores…

Vice Chancellor Clare Shinnerl
Clare Shinnerl, FOA Vice Chancellor

/to-do list

  • ⚪ Get ready for open enrollment

  • Big changes are expected for UC’s medical insurance plans and monthly premiums, so now is the time to review available information, before open enrollment starts. See “five things to know” and check back for updated rates on Oct. 29.
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  • ⚪ Nominate exceptional FOA staff members

  • Recognize outstanding contributions made by a colleague by nominating them for an FOA Excellence Award in innovation, collaboration or “moving mountains.” Learn more and submit a nomination.
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  • ⚪ Get your flu shot on campus

  • Swing by the employee-only flu vaccine clinic to receive one of 200 available doses, provided on a first-come, first-served basis by Occupational Health Services and Yolo County Health Department. Get your shot on Oct. 28.
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  • ⚪ Ride under 15 mph on campus

  • Whether on a bike, scooter or board, be sure to observe the 15 mph speed limit throughout the campus core and all bike paths, reinforced with new signage. Find more tips for commuting safely on campus.
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/features

A collage of two photos. On the left, two people make a sculpture out of assorted items. On the right, construction equipment and workers in safety vests and helmets stand around the partially constructed Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation.

Find out how planners shape our campus

From effectively placing a bike rack to welcoming visitors through a new gateway, our Campus Planning team weaves together UC Davis’ growth, academic mission and long-range planning for a cohesive campus. Take a behind-the-scenes look at campus planning, including improvements coming to Hutchison and LaRue.

The Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation stands, partially constructed with a glass facade imprinted with a pattern of rows of trees.

Curious about all the construction?

Some exciting transformations are happening around campus from the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation to the massive Big Shift project. Learn more about projects laying the foundation for UC Davis’ future.

Chancellor May poses with four members of the Takamura Lab at the 2025 Lab Safety Awards

Celebrate exceptional safety

Six UC Davis labs have earned 2025 Lab Safety Awards from Safety Services for going above and beyond in their commitment to safety through extensive training, open dialogue and thorough documentation. Read more about the winning labs.

/fyi

  • 🎊  Honor a colleague’s inclusive impact

  • Consider nominating an employee or student who brings the UC Davis Principles of Community to life for the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards in Inclusive Excellence. Submit a nomination by Oct. 31.
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  • 🏈  Enjoy staff tailgate (and free football)

  • The Staff Assembly Tailgate is an opportunity for free football tickets, food and festivities for all staff members. Get tickets to attend the tailgate and game on Nov. 1.
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  • 🥫  Donate to holiday food drive

  • Leave non-perishable items in your outgoing mail to contribute to the annual food drive run by Mail Services to benefit the ASUCD Pantry or the Pantry at UC Davis Health. Donate between Nov. 3 and Nov. 21.
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  • 🚀  Join in a week of professional development

  • Find virtual sessions that can help your career, from acing job interviews, to balancing work and parenthood, to transitioning to a supervisor role as part of Career Development Week. See full schedule and register for sessions for Nov. 17 to 21.
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  • 🚏  New Transportation Services leader

  • After a national search, Bryce Council has been selected as Transportation Services’ new executive director, a promotion that leverages his experience across both the Davis and Sacramento campuses. Read the announcement.
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  • 🤖  Get tips for using Zoom AI tool

  • Find guidance on Zoom AI Companion, a campus-approved AI tool that provides meeting summaries, smart recordings and real-time updates for participants. Get directions for how to use it.
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  • 🔒  Boost your cybersecurity

  • Protect your sensitive information with a “digital hygiene” checklist, tips for spotting phishing attempts, and more resources compiled for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Explore guidance and try your hand at a themed “Wordle” puzzle.
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  • 🔬  What’s at stake with federal funding cuts

  • Government funding for research at UC Davis transforms lab breakthroughs into real-world solutions that improve the lives of Americans every day. Explore how federally funded research at UC Davis goes "From Labs to Lives."

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