University Relations restructured

The Office of University Relations will soon be divided into two new offices: the Office of External Relations and the Office of Development, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi has announced.

Beverly “Babs” Sandeen, currently vice chancellor of University Relations, will become vice chancellor for External Relations and will have responsibility for Ceremonies and Special Events, Government and Community Relations and University Communications. She will also oversee the rollout of UC Davis’ new branding and marketing efforts.

When the new vice chancellor of Development is hired—a position the campus is currently recruiting for—that person will oversee Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, Foundation Accounting, the Retiree Center and University Development. The office will have responsibility for centrally coordinating and leading the conclusion of the comprehensive fundraising campaign and planning for a future, even more ambitious campaign.

Katehi wrote in a June 7 e-mail that by separating the larger unit into two new, more nimble teams, each office will be able to more effectively focus on expanding the reach and success of their respective missions—“to the benefit of the campus community and external constituencies,” she noted.

In light of declining state support and budget cuts, the chancellor explained, a structural change to University Relations is “necessary and critical” to engaging the greater UC Davis community and for boosting the momentum behind The Campaign for UC Davis.

“It is my hope that these two new departments will grow even stronger … pursue our vision and accomplish our goals as one of the nation’s leading public research universities,” Katehi said.

More information: The Chancellor's Web site.

SmartSite, Gradebook2 upgrades scheduled

SmartSite will gain several improvements this summer, both to its underlying Sakai software and to its widely used Gradebook2 grading tool.

The upgrade to Sakai version 2.7.2, to be installed June 17-18, is a standard change initiated by rSmart, the vendor that hosts SmartSite for UC Davis. The upgrades to Gradebook2, to be installed in June and in August, will fix problems and add capabilities requested by faculty.

Information and Educational Technology has scheduled the work during normal maintenance windows from:

• 10 p.m. Friday, June 17, to as late as 8 a.m. Saturday, June 18. SmartSite and Gradebook2 will be unavailable.
• 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, to as late as 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. SmartSite and Gradebook2 will be unavailable.

The timing minimizes the impact on faculty and students. The June date falls after spring quarter, and the August date comes well ahead of the start of the 2011-12 academic year. IET will post updates about the August work later this summer.

Read more about the upgrades in the FAQ at the SmartSite home page. Faculty, students or staff who have questions or problems may contact the IT Express Computing Services Help Desk, open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; call (530) 754-HELP (4357) or e-mail smartsite-help@ucdavis.edu. The operating status of SmartSite is always available at status.ucdavis.edu, and service bulletins are posted there as needed.

– IET Tech News

K-9 memorial set to honor 'faithful partners'

The campus will hold a memorial ceremony at noon June 15 to honor California police dogs for their years of service in law enforcement.

The California K-9 Law Enforcement Memorialhe is open to the public and typically attended by law enforcement officers from across the state. It will take place at the "Faithful Partners" memorial at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The UC Davis’ “Faithful Partner” memorial, originally dedicated in 2002, recognizes the bonds of service and affection between police dog and handler. It  displays plaques honoring dogs that lost their lives while serving California law enforcement since 1960.

The memorial is hosted by the Western States Police Canine Association

For more information, including lodging and directions, visit www.wspca.net or contact Andrea Contreas at wspca@yahoo.com

Lohsé announces retirement

Cheryl Brown Lohsé, associate vice chancellor for development for the past eight years, will make her retirement official on July 1, Beverly “Babs” Sandeen, vice chancellor for University Relations, has announced.

During Lohse’s tenure, UC Davis last October launched its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign—The Campaign for UC Davis—that seeks to raise $1 billion from 100,000 donors. The Campaign has already inspired 79,327 donors to commit $682 million dollars, as of June 5, 2011. Under Lohse, annual fundraising has exceeded $100 million for the past five consecutive years. Already this year, UC Davis has raised $103.3 million, through June 5, with four more weeks to go.

Lohsé also led the way on other philanthropic fronts, from establishing campuswide standards for development officer performance and operations to generating higher-than-ever levels of trustee activity, volunteerism and personal giving. A number of new units emerged under her leadership: the Campaign Cabinet and offices in Campaign Planning and Programs, as well as new giving programs for corporations, foundations and special and principal gifts.

“It is every leader’s desire to leave their team in a better place,” said Sandeen, noting that school, college and unit-based development programs have thrived under Lohsé’s service. “This is undeniably true in Cheryl’s case.”

Paul Prokop, currently the senior executive director of development, has been appointed to serve in an interim capacity as associate vice chancellor.

The campus is conducting a nationwide search to fill the associate vice chancellor for development position .More information.