On Sept. 24, UCOP staff gathered to celebrate the opening of refreshed and expanded community spaces in the Oakland Franklin and Broadway buildings. During the open house, colleagues toured the Broadway Community Center, Franklin Community Kitchen and  two reflection rooms, while enjoying light refreshments and conversation. Colleagues experienced firsthand how these pilot spaces can support connection, wellness and quiet reflection throughout the workday.

“I’m proud of the UCOP Operations team, who stretched a tight budget with ingenuity and care to create welcoming spaces for everyone at UCOP,” said Rachael Nava, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort — it proves that when we combine resourcefulness with collaboration, we can create something meaningful for our entire community,” said Thera Kalmijn, executive director, UCOP Operations. “I’d also like to share a special thank you to the UCOP Operations team.”

Celebrate the UCOP experience — and share your own

The artwork and artifacts peppered throughout the spaces showcase the talents and contributions of UCOP staff. Photography curated by colleagues reflects the diversity of the Oakland community, UC’s connection to its campuses and the Californians we serve.

We’re looking forward to including your perspective, too!

• Share your photos for the “We are UC” board: As part of building connection throughout UCOP and the wider UC system, we invite staff to share photos of themselves, their families or their campus memories for the new “We are UC” board in the Broadway Community Center. To participate, upload your photo to this Box folder or post a printed copy on the “We are UC” board in the Broadway Community Center. Photos will be displayed alongside UC campus memorabilia to celebrate our collective story.
• Stay tuned for info about our staff art program: UC is filled with talented artists and photographers, and we’re looking forward to creating opportunities for you to share your art! We’ll share info on how to submit your pieces soon.
• Help shape what comes next: These spaces are part of a pilot effort, and your feedback will shape future plans. Please take a few minutes to share your impressions through the QR code surveys posted in each space.

Enjoy our refreshed spaces

If you missed the open house, come check out the new spaces, and invite a colleague to join you!

• Broadway Community Center – 5^th Floor
• Franklin Community Kitchen – 5^th Floor
• Broadway Reflection Room – 8^th Floor, Room 8042
• Franklin Reflection Room – 5^th Floor, Room 5110

Congratulations to our passport winners

As attendees visited each location, they collected stamps on “space passports.” Those who filled their passports could enter into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

Five top prize winners ($20 gift card + UC swag)

• Chase Fischerhall – Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity Affairs
• Edwin Martinez – IT Client Services
• Fred Root – Systemwide Procurement
• Angelica Simental – Retirement Administration Service Center
• Raisa Van Alstyne-Ponce – Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity Affairs

10 appreciation prizes ($10 gift card + UC swag):

• Peter Amerkhanian – Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity Affairs
• Charles Ampate – Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Gary Chavez – Business Resource Center
• Monica Coady – UC National Labs
• Lisa Harris – UC Legal
• Nicole Jenkins – Business Resource Center
• Yvonne Li – Secretary of the Regents
• Natalie Rios – Strategy and Program Management Office
• Punit Vyas – UC Investments
• Helena Weiss-Duman – Operational Excellence COE

Please pick up your prizes from the Work Management Center on the first floor of the Franklin building, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Learn more about our community spaces

Visit the UCOP Oakland community spaces webpage for more information about the spaces and use guidelines for each.

These spaces belong to all of us. Please treat the spaces — and everything in them — with care and respect.

Questions? Contact the Work Management Center.

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