Digest: ✅ Claim freebies + Prepare for benefits update
Plus a campus riddle, free career development, lifesaving training, Halloween events and more
Dear Colleagues,
I have a riddle for you:
You can send me a letter, but you can’t knock on my door.
Where am I?
One Shields Avenue!
It is the official mailing address for the UC Davis campus, yet it does not belong to any particular street or building. So how did our sprawling campus end up with one common address?
/to-do list
⚪ New medical plan rates arrive tomorrow
- Take time to compare costs, coverage and other employee benefit options before Open Enrollment begins on Oct. 29. Find out what's changing for 2027, including the end of the UC Blue & Gold supplemental subsidy.
/perks
📣 Cheer on Aggies for free
- Employees can get free tickets to select UC Davis sporting events such as soccer, volleyball and football — including the Staff Assembly pre-game tailgate for the Nov. 7 football game. Claim your free tickets.
🍻 Sips, swag and staff socializing
- Connect with fellow UC Davis staff members, pick up free swag and enjoy complimentary light snacks at a happy hour hosted by the Staff Assembly Executive Committee at Calicraft Brewing. Register for the Nov. 3 Aggie Exploration.
🏀 See Kings at a discount
- Get an employee deal on tickets (while supporting Staff Assembly) to watch the Sacramento Kings take on the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 6. Get tickets.
📈 Build skills to move your career forward
- Spend a day at Aggie Square or join virtual sessions about career growth, employee wellness, interview anxiety and more during this year's Career Development Week, a no-cost professional development conference for UC Davis staff members. Explore the Nov. 16-20 schedule and sign up for these free events.
/features
Add lifesaving skills to your team
A new course offers employees and students hands-on training as “community responders” to recognize medical emergencies and provide lifesaving care before emergency responders arrive. Learn more and register your team.
How FOA teams transformed teaching labs
Renovations to 11 teaching labs, led by Design and Construction Management, show how FOA is helping strengthen hands-on education through thoughtful planning, creative solutions and collaboration across campus. Explore the renovations and before-and-after photos.
See students working to spruce up campus
From mulching gardens to power washing buildings, student employees in the Arboretum and Public Garden’s Landscape Assistant program worked to beautify campus — and shared photos with us for a new photo essay. Explore this photo essay of students caring for campus landscapes.
/fyi
🧮 Plan for software taxes in 2027
- Departments should budget for potential cost increases as California expands sales and use tax to certain software purchases and subscriptions on Jan. 1. Follow these steps to prepare.
❓ Learn about legal insurance
- Whether you’re already enrolled or considering opting in, you can learn all about ARAG legal insurance benefits in preparation for Open Enrollment at a webinar on Monday. Register to attend the event.
🛒 Meet suppliers, fill up on swag
- Explore products and services and lots of freebies at the free-to-attend Supplier Showcase. Attend Wednesday at the Activities and Recreation Center.
🏭 Take a tour of the heating and cooling plant
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Central Heating and Cooling Plant on a mini-tour hosted by Facilities Management. Register for next Thursday’s event.
🗳️ Ways to cast your vote in Yolo County
- The on-campus voting center will open Oct. 31 through voting day on Nov. 3. Find other Yolo County voting options, including drop-boxes and mail.
🌱 Turn your Halloween Hall-o-green
- Find the perfect addition to your garden among a wide selection of gorgeous plants at the Arboretum and Public Garden Plant Sale. Swing by before trick-or-treating on Oct. 31.
🎃 Show off your Halloween spirit at work
- Submit photos of group costumes, solo costumes and office decorations to Staff Assembly’s Spook-Tacular to get a chance to earn bragging rights and recognition in Staff Voice. Enter if you dare by Nov. 2.
🥫 Support campus food pantries
- Starting Nov. 2, place nonperishable food and toiletries in outgoing mail bins to donate to the Mail Services food drive, to benefit the ASUCD Pantry and the Pantry at UC Davis Health. Get food drive details.
📌 Update space info by November deadline
- Space coordinators are asked to review and update occupancy and room use information in FacilitiesLink by Nov. 13 in order to promote better communication, safety and decision making. Read more about why this requirement matters and find resources for using FacilitiesLink.