Feb. 10 - A new dean, finding Wi-Fi hotspots

Anteater Time Machine: In June 1967, this rendering of the campus was shown during a presentation by L.E. Cox, the former Army engineer who was UCI’s first employee and oversaw construction of the university.

UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

UCI’s third School of Education dean, Frances Contreras. Photo by Steve Zylius / UCI

Meet UCI’s new School of Education dean

Fun facts about Frances Contreras: She likes to host Dia de Los Muertos skull-making parties. Near the end of 2021, the San Diego City Council honored her by declaring Dec. 17 “Dr. Frances Contreras Day.” Before starting at UCI on Jan. 1, she served as associate vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion at UC San Diego, where she was also a professor in the Department of Education Studies. Raised in Norwalk, Contreras hopes to expand the reach and impact of UCI’s School of Education.

Campus cases continue decline

In the middle of UCI’s second week of in-person instruction this quarter, the number of COVID-19 cases on campus continues its overall downward slide. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, UCI recorded 211 cases. From Feb. 4 to Feb. 9, UCI logged 74 cases.

UCI’s figures mirror trends across Orange County, which has seen declining case rates and hospitalizations in recent weeks, although at least 291 people have died since Jan. 1.

Map shows Wi-Fi hotspots on campus

The Office of Information Technology has been expanding UCI’s wireless network to include more outdoor locations. To find Wi-Fi hotspots indoors and outside, consult this interactive campus map.

UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS

Masks come off in more states, but not everyone is grinning

Some Americans cheered the loosening of restrictions, but others questioned the timing, with more than 200,000 new virus infections reported each day, according to articles in The New York Times and The Washington Post. One epidemiologist said, “The risks and benefits of a mask mandate is not a science. There is a data and strategy element, and a political element.”

Nature offers an antidote to pandemic life

Green spaces can boost our mood, whether we're immersed in the great outdoors, enjoying beautiful views or even watching nature scenes online.

Become a UC advocate

In a video message, UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., promotes UCAN, the university’s grassroots lobbying effort. People who add their names to the UC Advocacy Network pledge will receive email alerts and updates to make their voices heard regarding state and federal policies deemed helpful to the university and its students.

EVENTS

Sustainival 2022
Monday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by UCI Sustainability Resource Center)

National Clean Out Your Computer Day (the UC version)
Monday, whenever

Facets of Anti-Black Genocide
Monday, 1 p.m. (sponsored by School of Social Ecology)

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

Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

What Is Delta-8?

U.S. News & World Report, Feb. 8
Cited: Daniele Piomeli, director, Center for the Study of Cannabis

Fusion race kicked into high gear by smart tech

BBC News, Feb. 9
Cited: alum Michl Binderbauer, former physics and astronomy professor Norman Rostoker

Mountain Glaciers Have Less Ice than Previously Thought

Scientific American, Feb. 8
Cited: Mathieu Morlighem, associate professor of Earth system science

#UCICONNECTED

Thank a colleague and maybe win Amazon gift cards

From today through Monday, UCI employees who post a message of thanks to a co-worker will have a chance to win one $25 Amazon e-card for themselves and one for the colleague they thank.

#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES

18 new cases reported

On Wednesday, UCI recorded 18 new cases of COVID-19: 14 students and four employees. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.

Upload your vaccine and booster records

Student Record Upload

Employee Record Upload

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 Health COVID-19 FAQs

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.