Nov. 10 - Reconsidering desalination; UAW strike update
Section 1
Anteater Time Machine: An ROTC drill in Aldrich Park in 2021. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
No UCI Digest tomorrow
In honor of Veterans Day, the Digest newsletter will not be published on Friday. Have a safe weekend and we’ll see you Monday.
A desal plant in Carlsbad. Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times
Desalination critics reconsider amid drought
For decades, environmentalists have lambasted ocean desalination as an ecological nightmare, and water agencies have criticized desal’s hefty price tag. The drought is softening that opposition. David Feldman, director of Water UCI, told the Los Angeles Times that desalination could eventually provide “between 10% and half” of California’s potable water. But the amount hinges on “whether or not water agencies feel confident that they have exhausted other less expensive and less energy-intensive options,” says Feldman, who recently released a book on water supply innovations.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
UAW strike update
On Monday, Nov. 14, UCI anticipates work stoppages as part of a United Auto Workers strike related to the expiration of several labor contracts. Specifically, the university expects some of the following groups to participate in this labor action: academic student employees (teaching assistants/associates, readers, tutors, associate-ins), graduate student researchers, postdoctoral scholars and academic researchers (specialists, project scientists, professional researchers). The University continues to negotiate in good faith and is committed to operational continuity.
COVID death rate drops 90%, WHO says
The World Health Organization said a nearly 90% drop in recent COVID-19 deaths globally compared to nine months ago provides “cause for optimism,” but still urged vigilance against the pandemic as variants continue to crop up.
EVENTS
International Education Week – various events
Monday through Friday (sponsored by Global Engagement Office)
Water Industry Career Expo
Monday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (sponsored by Water UCI)
Understanding Hearing Loss and Latest Treatment Options
Monday, 7 p.m. (co-sponsored by UCI Health)
Immigration 101 with UC Immigrant Legal Services Center
Tuesday, noon (co-sponsored by UCI DREAM Center)
The Ghost Budget: Paying for America’s Post 9/11 Wars
Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. (sponsored by Center for Global Peace & Conflict Studies)
Looking to a Future Without Alzheimer’s
Tuesday, 4 p.m. (sponsored by School of Biological Sciences)
Andrew Yang on Technology, Democracy and the Future
Tuesday, 6 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 Happens When Interest Rates Increase?
LinkedIn News, Nov. 9
Cited: Eric Swanson, economics professor
Why Flu Season Started So Early This Year
Healthline, Nov. 9
Cited: Dr. Shruti Gohil, associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at UCI Health
How to Improve Your Memory (and Stop Losing Your Keys)
Real Simple, Nov. 3
Cited: Elizabeth Chrastil, assistant professor of neurobiology and behavior
#UCICONNECTED
@UCIrvine tweeted: “First-gen student Dalila Kubaski learned the value of community at UCI, and found support through involvement opportunities at the Disability Services Center and Student Success Initiatives.”
Kubaski, a fourth-year business economics major, said: “My advice to first-gen students is to look around and explore. You never know what friends you might make and the networks of people that lead to you getting involved in clubs, research, internships and much more!”
#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.