Announcements

A message from ANR Vice President Dan Dooley
Nov. 5, 2008

Dear Friends,

I want you to be among the first to know of a new assignment that President Mark G. Yudof has asked me to take on in addition to my current appointment as Vice President -- Agriculture and Natural Resources. Later this month President Yudof will ask the Board of Regents to approve my appointment as Interim Senior Vice President -- External Relations for the UC system, replacing Alan Hoffman who resigned to join President-Elect Barack Obama's transition team.

I am grateful to President Yudof for having confidence in me to serve as interim senior vice president during this critical phase in the University's commitment to rebuild trust and credibility with elected officials in Sacramento and Washington, DC and with the people of California. I plan to take on the additional responsibilities for systemwide advocacy, communications, and governmental relations with the same high level of energy and dedication that I have brought to the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and look forward to working with the entire UC community to make this a reality.

I know, however, that many of you in ANR may be wondering if this new assignment will diminish my commitment to be fully engaged in working with you to secure the long-term future and fiscal strength of the University's agriculture and natural resources programs. Let me be clear that I will continue to be actively involved in developing and implementing major new ANR initiatives, including the Advocacy and Strategic Communications plan, reviews of Academic and Cooperative Extension programs, and the Strategic Plan. I will also continue to make sure that ANR interests are fully considered when major decisions on budget and personnel are made during the current fiscal crisis. I take on the interim senior vice president responsibilities with full confidence in Associate Vice President Rick Standiford, Assistant Vice President Barbara Allen-Diaz and Assistant Vice President Kay Harrison Taber to effectively manage the day-to-day responsibilities of my office.

I will be sharing additional information with you on my new duties, and any changes in responsibilities or assignments in the Office of the Vice President -- Agriculture and Natural Resources, following action by the Board of Regents at their meeting later this month. Meanwhile, President Yudof will be issuing a statement to the UC community today on the new developments in External Relations at the Office of the President. You should receive a copy through normal University channels.

In closing, I see my appointment as Interim Senior Vice President -- External Relations as both an opportunity to help lead efforts to restore public confidence in the University of California, and as a means of introducing UC leadership and the greater UC community to the incredible array of research and public service programs in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and how all of you make a real difference in the lives and livelihoods of Californians.

Sincerely,

Daniel M. Dooley
Vice President -- Agriculture and Natural Resources

ANR Administrative Handbook revisions

Two sections of the ANR Administrative Handbook have been revised and reissued.  These revisions to ANR academic personnel policy were initiated by the Cooperative Extension Advisor Task Force (CEAFT).  They have been updated in cooperation with a variety of stakeholders including ANR academics, staff and senior management, as well as the Office of the President Academic Personnel department and the Office of the General Counsel of The Regents. The policies described in the revised sections are effective Oct. 15, 2008. Questions or comments about these and other academic personnel issues may be directed to ANR human resources director Carolyn Frazier, (510) 987-0034 or carolyn.frazier@ucop.edu.

The November 2001 version of Section 310, Filling Vacant Positions has been revised and is available at http://danr.ucop.edu/admin-handbook/300/310.pdf. While the revisions made to improve the clarity of Section 310 are extensive, the fundamental policies of the section are essentially unchanged. 

Section 330, Salaries, has also been revised and is available at http://danr.ucop.edu/admin-handbook/300/330.pd. Certain policies of the October 1999 version of Section 330 have been significantly changed. Specifically, new recruitment, retention or advancement to a position with an off-scale salary may now be approved to meet competitive conditions. Off-scale salaries approved under such situations are continued as long as the recipient continues to make normal advancement. Additional revisions were made to improve clarity.

The revised sections may be accessed on the Web and individual copies may be printed as desired. Web publication of ANR’s Administrative Handbook is being used to facilitate its continued review and revision.

Questions regarding the ANR Administrative Handbook should be directed to Stepheny Kellogg at Stepheny.kellogg@ucop.edu or (510) 987-0696.