UC’s new president, Janet Napolitano, sent a systemwide email on Sept. 30, her first day on the job:

“It is my intent, beginning today, to serve as the strongest advocate possible for the University of California, ready to stand up at every opportunity on its behalf, in any venue that will have me,” said Napolitano, former governor of Arizona and most recently the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Together, let us strive not only to maintain UC’s position as the world’s premier public university, but also to push the university forward to ever new heights. The University of California, and California itself, expect and deserve nothing less from all of us.”

Napolitano is the first female president in UC’s 145 history. She succeeds Mark G. Yudof, who stepped down after five years in the position.

Read the UC news release on the transition at the Office of the President.

Welcome, Earth and Planetary Sciences

For a department that received national attention in the past year for its work with falling meteorites and Mars exploration, the name “geology” didn’t quite fit for a number of its students and faculty.  

So, the Department of Geology proposed a new name and received approval to be known henceforth as the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. “This new name reflects the extraordinary breadth of intellectual activity in the department,” said Louise Kellogg, department chair.

Dave Osleger, vice chair, added: “There’s a misperception out there about what it is we do. With this name change, we hope students and colleagues perceive the department in a different, more modern and sophisticated way.”

Some things will stay the same: The department will continue to offer degrees in geology, which will be the formal designation on diplomas. And the prefix “GEL” will also continue to be listed in the course catalog for classes within the department.

Kellogg said the department is also developing new interdisciplinary major programs.

New volunteer crew for native plant care

The arboretum and Tree Davis announced a new volunteer program focused on native plant gardening.

Training will include an introduction to the native plants of this region and basic gardening, tree care and restoration techniques, the organizers said.

Volunteers will play a key role in the installation, establishment and ongoing care of plantings in the arboretum’s new California Native Plant GATEway Garden and the city’s Putah Creek Parkway, which intersects with the arboretum’s new garden behind the Davis Commons shopping center.

Training sessions, a combination of instruction and hands-on, are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, Oct. 18 through mid-January. Applications are due by Oct. 9.

More information is available online; the site includes links to the application form and frequently asked questions. More questions? Call Roxanne Reynolds, (530) 752-4880 or send an email to arboretum@ucdavis.edu.

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