Campus response to systemwide hiring freeze

Dear Faculty and Staff, Last week University of California President Michael Drake announced a systemwide hiring freeze and directed all UC locations to develop workforce management plans to address potential budget shortfalls. Each campus has the discretion to implement this directive in a way that is most appropriate to their local context. As...

By Dan Jeske, Alex Najera, and Elizabeth Watkins |

How UCR is complying with the UC Cybersecurity Mandate

As we approach the May 28, 2025, compliance deadline for the UC Cybersecurity Mandate, I want to provide an update on the planned compliance support measures that will be implemented to ensure our campus meets these vital requirements. As you know, these changes are part of a UC-wide initiative, mandated by the UC Regents and led by the UC Office...

By Dewight Kramer |

Academic Analytics tools to launch soon

Dear Colleagues, I am delighted to announce the upcoming launch of the Faculty Insight and External Discovery tools within Academic Analytics on March 31, 2025. This initiative, which has been in development for the past year, is designed to enhance our research community's visibility, facilitate collaboration, and streamline access to funding...

By Rodolfo H. Torres |

Interim vice chancellor for Planning, Budget, and Administration named

Dear Campus Community, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sandra H. Kim as interim vice chancellor for planning, budget, and administration, effective April 14, 2025. Sandra will serve in this role for a one-year term while we conduct a search for a permanent replacement for Gerry Bomotti, who will be retiring from UCR in April. Sandra...

By Kim A. Wilcox |

Performance Management Process – Forms and Resources for 2024 – 2025

It’s time to complete the 2024-2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025) performance appraisals. Background The University of California’s PPSM 23: Performance Management policy informs campus locations that the performance of each employee shall be appraised at least annually in writing by the employee’s immediate supervisor, or more frequently in...

By Human Resources |

Campus resources during Ramadan

With the month of Ramdan beginning around Friday, Feb. 28, here is some information and resources to support students, staff, faculty, and other community members who may be observing and fasting. Resources 1. Ramadan 2025 Campus Dining Options (February 28-March 29) Suhoor Packs are available at Glasgow and Lothian Residential Restaurants The...

By Middle Eastern Student Center |

Chancellor's Campus Update—February 2025

Dear Colleagues, On February 11, 2020, a dedication ceremony celebrated the installation of artwork on UC Riverside’s campus. The circular yellow sculpture between the Arts and College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Buildings proclaimed, “Things Change,” or “Change Things,” depending on perspective. Indeed, change was at...

By Kim A. Wilcox |

Temporary Systemwide Wildfire Catastrophic Leave Bank

This communication is to inform the campus community of UC’s decision to create a new, temporary Systemwide Wildfire Catastrophic Leave Bank. The leave bank is to benefit UC employees who have been adversely affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region. Effective, Thursday, February 13, 2025, through Monday, March 31, 2025, eligible...

By Human Resources |

Changes to Multi-Factor Authentication are coming to UCR

Key Takeaway: The decommissioning of SMS, phone call, and downloadable MyAccount passcodes on February 24, 2025 means that Highlanders must authenticate by configuring at least one of the following options: • Verified push via the Duo Mobile app on a personal smartphone or tablet (those currently using push notifications will automatically...

By Information Technology Solutions |

Expanded Sick Leave – Protected Sick Leave and TARS Entry Code

This communication is to inform the campus of recent Expanded Sick Leave as it relates to the Protected Sick Leave option made available to all staff and student employees. On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Campus Communications emailed a notice to UCR Faculty and Staff informing the campus that expanded paid sick leave would start on January 1...

By Human Resources |

Upgrade required: Microsoft Windows 10 no longer supported

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. What does this mean? This means that devices running Windows 10 after October 14 will no longer receive crucial security updates, increasing their vulnerability to cyber threats. If you use a device that is running Windows 10 you will need to take action before the deadline to maintain...

By Information Technology Solutions |

International visitors on tourist visa/visa waiver

Dear Colleagues, The U.S. Department of State has made clear that any visitor to a US academic institution who engages in research and whose activity will benefit the hosting institution should be sponsored for a J-1 or H1-B visa and not a tourist visa. While at first glance, a tourist visa (B-1/B-2; Visa Waiver: WB/WT) may seem to be an...

By Marko Princevac |

Cal/OSHA sunsetting COVID-19 workplace requirements

Effective February 3, 2025, California’s COVID-19 workplace regulations under California Code Section 3205 will officially expire. Since the onset of the pandemic, UC Riverside has remained committed to state compliance, actively monitoring and responding to COVID-19 cases, providing guidance on isolation, quarantine, and masking, and maintaining...

By Sheila Hedayati and Karla Hill |

Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

Dear Campus Community, I’m pleased to announce that Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Johnny Cruz will serve as interim vice chancellor for University Advancement (VCUA), effective February 15, 2025. Johnny previously served as interim VCUA and interim president of the UC Riverside Foundation in 2022. He...

By Kim A. Wilcox |

Provost's winter campus update

Dear Campus Community, For this quarterly campus update, I want to focus on a scary topic: emergencies. This fall, I asked the XCITE Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to partner on developing a suite of resources for faculty to help them to be better prepared in the event of an emergency in or near their...

By Elizabeth Watkins |

Update on Federal Research Funding Guidance

Like many of you, I have been closely following the evolving updates and discussions surrounding the recent White House executive orders and their implications for federally funded research. I fully understand the uncertainty this situation has created, and I want to reassure you that research leadership across the UC system is working diligently...

By Rodolfo H. Torres |

Applications open for UC student regent

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students. Hello, Highlanders! I am pleased to announce that the application for the UC Student Regent representative is now live. This is an exciting opportunity for all students to participate at the UC Regent level and serve as an advocate for student needs for two years. The...

By Brian Haynes |

California Wildfires FAQ for Faculty, Staff, and Students

UC Riverside is monitoring developments from the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, Santa Ana wind events across the region, and the related power outages. Since UC Riverside is not under direct threat, we will continue to maintain normal campus operations. However, we realize many members of the UCR community and their families live within...

By UCR News |

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement transition

Dear Campus Community, Monique Michelle Dozier, vice chancellor of university advancement, has shared her decision to step down from her position at UC Riverside on February 14, 2025, to assume the vice chancellor for university advancement position at the largest HBCU in the country, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C...

By Kim A. Wilcox |

California fire-related resources

Dear Campus Community, I have watched news of fires throughout Southern California for the last two days with a heavy heart. I am sure the destruction equally saddens all of you. We know some members of our community have been directly affected by fires and evacuations. To anyone in this situation, I want to express condolences and support on...

By Kim A. Wilcox |