Please join the Office of Ethics, Compliance & Audit Services in welcoming Mark Meaney as Director, Ethics and Compliance. He replaces Rachelle Jeppson who assumed the role of Controller at LBNL.

The Level Playing Field Institute will talk about its internship program, and how UCOP departments can connect with their scholars, at a noon, brown-bag talk April 15 in Franklin, Room 10325. This talk is sponsored by UCOP Cares.

Please join Health Sciences in expressing congratulations and best wishes to Gwen M. Allamby, who will be retiring on April 16, 2010 from the Division of Health Sciences and Services after a combined State and University of California service of more than 30 years.

UCOP Cares needs a few more volunteers Friday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to help plant a vegetable garden at Frick Middle School in Oakland. Contact Chen Yin Noah

UCOP Risk Services/Environment Health & Safety is offering a specialized ergonomic training class, “Sitting Safe”, on April 21 at 415 20th st, room 302. Three sessions are available. Read more for additional details.

The online newsletter for University of California faculty includes this month an interview with UC Vice President for Budget Patrick Lenz, who offers his take on some of the most critical issues facing the University.

Don't forget that UCOP offices will be closed for a furlough day Friday, April 16. Employees who have already used all their furlough time, and those employees who are exempt from the program, should make arrangements with their managers or supervisors to use vacation time, leave without pay, or comp time, during the closure.

The Office of Risk Services is looking at ways to expand the program so that more employees can participate.

UC is a key player in the fight against invasive species, developing solutions that save Californians millions of dollars a year. Read more.

UC has reached a five-year agreement with the University Professional and Technical Employees union for UC's approximately 9,000 research and technical employees, which include staff research associates, museum scientists, health and safety technicians, and laboratory assistants.

Employees may have to pay more and work longer to retain the current level of retirement benefits, under options presented by the Post-Employment Benefits Task Force.

Since 1970, UC's MESA program has helped educationally disadvantaged students make it to college, while also addressing California's shortage of math and science professionals.