Oct. 29 - Halloween mindfulness, Fair Pay Workplace, Gilman Scholars
Section 1
It’s Pronounced I-gor: A pair of Igors descended from the Student Center bell tower to join Dr. and Mrs. Frankenstein in wishing Anteaters a happy (and safe) Halloween. Photo is courtesy of the Student Center’s (Fright) Night Custodial crew.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Halloween Festivities and Mindfulness
The following was sent by Rameen A. Talesh, assistant vice chancellor, Student Life & Leadership and dean of students, and Connor Strobel, AGS president:
Dear Anteaters,
As Halloween approaches, we know that there will be many opportunities for students to engage in social events and activities. At these events, we encourage all of you to be mindful of your role in being a healthy and responsible Anteater.
Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic we advise that students engage in behaviors that avoid further exposure and spread of the virus.
We would also like for you to keep in mind UCI's commitment to diversity and inclusion by being thoughtful of the costume you select. We have learned from experiences of our own and at other colleges and universities across the country, that themed costumes, accessories and images relating to people or cultures can be offensive and damaging to our campus community because they can exploit and distort cultural histories, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. As we all continue to learn more about how to honor one another and our diverse community, we urge you to be mindful of your choices.
At UCI, we hold our community to high standards of excellence. This Halloween, let us support one another in having healthy and safe celebrations.
UCI is certified as a Fair Pay Workplace
After rigorous evaluation of data and practices, UCI was selected to join five other companies in the inaugural class of certified workplaces. The mission of the nonprofit Fair Pay Workplace is to dismantle pay disparities based on gender, race and ethnicity to create sustained fair pay in the workplace.
UCI honored for being top producer of Gilman Scholars for past 20 years
The U.S. State Department has recognized UCI in the large institution category for producing 248 Gilman Scholars since 2001. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides financial support to undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds so they can study abroad.
UCI Health expands its services in Newport Beach
The fourth primary care location UCI Health has opened since the pandemic began is UCI Health - Newport Beach MacArthur, 4000 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 110, Newport Beach. The new facility offers primary care and specialty services with a focus on women’s health.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Friday fun fact
Learning outdoors: Each year, there are nearly 100,000 visits to UC Natural Reserve System sites that serve as university laboratories and classrooms without walls.
County offers COVID-19 vaccine booster for Moderna and J&J recipients
Orange County Health Care Agency is following recommendations from the CDC, FDA and the Western States Scientific and Safety Review Workgroup. There are restrictions for who can currently get the shot based on age and underlying medical conditions.
Scientists have a clue about where SARS-CoV-2 is headed
In the 1980s, U.K. researchers studied a coronavirus called 229E, which causes only a mild cold in humans. Their experiment’s results offer intriguing insights into the possible endgame of the pandemic.
Irvine is one of 3 California cities to win $1 million to combat climate change
The Cool City Challenge was started by the Empowerment Institute, an international consulting and training organization specializing in empowering cities to meet their carbon reduction goals. Joining Los Angeles and Petaluma as a challenge winner, Irvine was recognized for its ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.
EVENTS
Healthy Eating on a Budget
Monday, 3 p.m. (sponsored by Student Outreach and Retention Center and Student Wellness & Health Promotion)
Proposal Writing & Submission Workshop
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. (sponsored by Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program)
Dean's Distinguished Lecture film screening and panel discussion of Picture a Scientist
Tuesday, 4 p.m. (sponsored by the School of Biological Sciences)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Confused about whether to get a booster? Health experts share what they're telling friends and family
Business Insider, Oct. 28
Cited: Bernadette Boden-Albala, director and founding dean of the Program of Public Health
Carbon dioxide emissions rebound to nearly pre-pandemic levels
Phys.org, Oct. 28
Cited: Steven J. Davis, professor of Earth system science and co-lead of the Carbon Monitor project
Huge solar storm could strike the Earth on Halloween and disrupt satellites
The Independent, Oct. 29
Cited: Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, assistant professor of computer science
COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES
Three new campus cases
Two employees and one student tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.
Remember to upload your vaccine record
Potential workplace exposure
UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.
For COVID-19 questions
UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health
UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300
Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19
For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.