The California National Primate Research Center at UC Davis has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for not preventing illness or injury to a number of rhesus macaque monkeys housed at the center three years ago, UC Davis officials reported today (March 8). The citation carried no fines or enforcement actions.

The USDA citation stemmed from the deaths of 19 animals in the primate center’s outdoor breeding colony in 2009 and 2010. The deaths were related to infections, injuries and-or inadequate maternal care, common causes of mortality in outdoor colonies, especially among younger animals.

"We take our responsibility to care for these animals very seriously. We are committed to doing everything we can to improve," said Dallas Hyde, professor of veterinary medicine and the center's director.

Hyde said the mortality rate was within the norm for the facility, which houses 5,000 nonhuman primates, and is comparable to or better than that of similar facilities, including zoos.

In declining to levy a fine or impose enforcement action, the USDA noted the center’s ongoing commitment to continuous quality improvement. In recent years, the facility has added a second daily health inspection, instituted a mortality review committee, and made other programmatic and physical improvements. The center also has significant ongoing research efforts to reduce mortality and increase well-being in the colony.

Tickets on sale for Soaring to New Heights

Tickets went on sale this week for the 23rd annual Soaring to New Heights, the campus’s premier celebration of diversity. The luncheon event is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in Freeborn Hall.

Department-unit representation is highly recommended, and release time with supervisory approval is appropriate, according to Rahim Reed, associate executive vice chancellor for Campus Community Relations, co-sponsor of the event with the Staff Diversity Administrative Advisory Committee.

Only 500 tickets are available; they are available for $5 each on a first-come, first-served basis, through Friday, March 22, or until sold out. None will be sold at the door.

If you are not using departmental recharge, your ticket outlet is the UC Davis Ticket Office:

• In person — The ticket office has a new home, on the north side of Aggie Stadium. Office hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash, checks (payable to the “UC Regents”) and personal credit cards are accepted.

• Phone — (530) 752-AGS1 (2471), noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. No fee for phone orders; tickets can be picked up at the ticket office (Aggie Stadium) through April 8, or at will call at Freeborn Hall the day of the event.

For ticket purchase via departmental recharge, UC Davis Financial Information System (DaFIS) account managers should send an email to Tammy McNiff, tdmcniff@ucdavis.edu, specifying number of tickets and the DaFIS account number; the first and last name of the person who will retrieve the tickets; and the retrieval date. Include full contact information for the account manager.

Davis-Berkeley shuttle adds weekend service

The Davis-Berkeley shuttle adds Saturday and Sunday service starting this weekend (March 9-10).

Just like the Monday-Friday schedule, weekend service will comprise two runs a day between the campuses — but on an adjusted schedule: later in the morning and earlier in the afternoon.

The Saturday-Sunday departure times (from the south side of Shields Library): 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., arriving at UC Berkeley about an hour and a half later. Buses will leave Berkeley for Davis at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Reservations are required, and can only be arranged online. More information is available online, or by calling (530) 752-UBUS (8287).

Free e-waste drop-off: March 13

The Bargain Barn has organized another e-waste drop-off day, free to campus units only. Hours will be noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday (March 13), not at the Bargain Barn, but at the university’s Hopkins Services Complex west of Highway 113.

What’s acceptable and what’s not? Get all the information here.

The Hopkins Services Complex is at 615 Hopkins Road (across from the University Airport), south of Hutchison Drive.

ASAP: Stress Management, Emotional Intelligence

The Academic and Staff Assistance Program announced a stress management program and two repeats of a program on emotional intelligence, both presented by Rob Starkey, postdoctoral intern and employee assistance program counselor.

• Stress Management — Designed to increase your understanding of stress, and provide tools and tips to manage it. Brown bag, noon-1 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 126 Voorhies Hall. No advance registration.

• Emotional Intelligence: Your Hidden Edge — An introduction to a concept that explores the ability to read, regulate and work with emotions effectively in yourself and others. Starkey introduced this program in February, and has scheduled two more sessions: Thursday, March 21, and Thursday, April 4, both from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Signups are being taken online.

Systemwide lab safety policies delayed

The UC Office of the President had established March 1 as the effective date for new laboratory safety policies on all campuses, but, that morning, announced a delay to allow time for wording changes.

The revisions, according to UCOP, will not change the intent of the policies but rather will provide clarity. UCOP did not specify a new effective date, but indicated it could be in mid-March.

Read Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter's letter about the new policies, with URLs.

MORE LINKS

UCPath Project’s Wave 1 moved back to July 2014. 

Safety Spotlight: Workplace Safety

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