March 1 - Women in tech; UCI top Fulbright producer
Section 1
Moonset over the engineering “trumpets.” Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Weekly COVID-19 testing reminder
In accordance with the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, students, faculty and staff who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or booster eligible but not yet boosted and who are entering or physically present on UCI-controlled property must undergo weekly testing. This requirement also applies to those who have an approved exemption, exception or deferral. Students, faculty and staff may schedule a test from the campus testing site by making an appointment on the Student Health Center portal or by dropping by the test site. View the testing locations and schedule. Students and employees who fail to comply with COVID-19 testing requirements are subject to disciplinary action.
Employee Appreciation Day
Employee Appreciation Day happens every year in early March, and the day provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with your team. Acknowledging your staff on this day doesn’t have to be difficult or cost any money. Simple but sincere gestures are just as meaningful – perhaps more so – and will go a long way toward building camaraderie and fostering a culture of engagement.
UCI is a top producer of Fulbright scholars
UCI has been named one of the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2021-22 Fulbright scholars. Eleven UCI students received Fulbright awards for the 2021-22 academic year and are currently abroad. This places UCI in the top 1% of all universities in the country and second among UC campuses.
Tech equity - women in IT
March is Women’s History Month, and the fact that you’re reading these words on a phone, tablet or computer screen is partly due to the work of information technology professionals. However, as recently as October, a study by the nonprofit AnitaB.org found that half of the women in the computing field were still feeling the effects of being a minority. In spite of that, more than 60% reported that they were seeing some signs of improvement. Credit for that on campus can go to Women in Technology at UCI, an advocacy group founded a year and a half ago by Shohreh Bozorgmehri, director of the Student and Academic Services Division of UCI’s Office of Information Technology.
Using virtual reality to alleviate pain
UCI Health Center for Pain and Wellness physicians have been using 3D computer-generated programs to manage pain since 2019. “Instead of exposing patients to sedation, we have them wear virtual reality glasses to distract them from the pain,” says Dr. Navid Alem, anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. “They can immerse themselves in 60 different environments, from wandering through a garden, swimming with dolphins or walking the streets of London.”
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
UC leaders mourn the passing of longtime Regent Richard Blum
Blum was appointed as a regent by Gov. Davis in 2002 to a 12-year term and reappointed in 2014 by Gov. Brown. He served as chairman emeritus of the board as well. Among his many UC contributions, Blum founded the Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley, which supports students and faculty seeking solutions to global poverty. There are now Blum Centers on every UC campus.
EVENTS
The Student Support and Advocacy Commission presents Thera “Puppy” 102 on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Student Center Terrace. Come and destress with therapy dogs! Snacks and stress balls provided.
17th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition
Thursday, opens at noon, reception at 6 p.m., continues through March 18 (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
International Center for Writing and Translation 20th anniversary celebration
Thursday, noon (sponsored by International Center for Writing and Translation)
Blockchain Trust: Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Cryptocurrency Transactions
Thursday, 3 p.m. (sponsored by School of Social Sciences)
Creative Dissent: Asian/American Women Artists Respond to Hate
Thursday, 5 p.m. (sponsored by School of Social Sciences)
“Rebecca Oaxaca Lays Down a Bunt”
Opens Thursday, 8 p.m., and continues through March 12 (sponsored by Department of Drama)
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 SWIFT and Can It Be Used to Sanction Putin and Russia?
HowStuffWorks, Feb. 25
Cited: Erin Lockwood, assistant professor of political science
Opinion: Our next vaccine must stomp out variants to end COVID pandemics once and for all
The Hill, Feb. 28 (Opinion)
Author: Steve A. N. Goldstein, vice chancellor of Health Affairs
Your Credit Score Can Predict When You'll Die, Research Shows
Money, Feb. 25
Cited: Matthew Harding, professor of economics
#UCICONNECTED
“It’s always lovely to see #GradEaters doing work in a hammock at the center of our world at UCI! Do you use a hammock at Aldrich Park? Or do you sit on the grassy hills among the trees?” UCI’s graduate division Instagram page #ucirvinegd
#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.