Content Authored by: Imran Ghori

Conflict reporting platform wins innovation award

The UC Riverside launch of an interactive web-based application to track potential conflicts of commitment has been selected to receive a Larry L. Sautter Golden Award for Innovation in Information Technology for 2020. “This is a great example of the success that comes out of valuing collective energy, knowledge, and guidance,” says Interim Provost...

By Imran Ghori |

Two of UCR’s oldest elevators modernized

Elevators in two of UC Riverside’s oldest buildings will deliver a smoother ride as part of a recently completed modernization project. The upgrades were made to the elevators in Watkins Hall and the Athletics & Dance building. Work began in February and was completed in June, when the campus received state permits to reopen them to the public...

By Imran Ghori |

Diners welcome return of the Barn

The Barn welcomed diners for the first time in two years Monday, reopening to students, staff, and faculty members eager to see the renovated and expanded facility. Manjing Gao, a sociology graduate student, was among the first customers to order food. She said the Barn was a regular hangout for her and her fellow students before it closed for the...

By Imran Ghori |

How will the state budget affect UCR?

California political leaders say the economic fallout from COVID-19 is expected to pose significant challenges to the state’s budget, including funding for the University of California. Its impacts could be felt beyond the current 2020-21 fiscal year, said Gerry Bomotti, vice chancellor of Planning, Budget and Administration. Gov. Gavin Newsom...

By Imran Ghori |

The Barn to reopen for dining

The wait is over. The Barn will reopen for dining July 13 for the first time in two years following a $30 million renovation and expansion. A grand opening had been planned for April but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dining Services has added additional cleaning and social distancing measures to keep visitors and employees safe in...

By Imran Ghori |

Mechanical engineering professor receives teaching award

Mona Eskandari, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has been awarded the 2020 Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Distinguished Teaching Award. Students praised her knowledge and teaching skills, crediting her active-learning techniques with better preparing them for engineering careers. “Professor Eskandari was selected...

By Imran Ghori |

New chair, trustees begin UCR Foundation terms

The UCR Foundation Board of Trustees has a new chair and nine new members, all of whom begin their terms Wednesday, July 1. The 40-member volunteer Board of Trustees oversees UCR’s affiliated foundation, receiving and managing the investment of a $190.9 million endowment as of May 31 that supports the long-term strength of UCR’s research programs...

By Imran Ghori |

UCR Botanic Gardens reopens with new safety precautions

The UCR Botanic Gardens reopened to the public Monday after more than three months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 40-acre living plant museum, which has more than 3,500 plant species, is the first major area of the campus to reopen. The Botanic Gardens is following state guidelines allowing for the reopening of parks and trails...

By Imran Ghori |

Four professors honored with Senate Faculty Awards

Four UC Riverside faculty members were honored by the Graduate Division and Academic Senate with 2019-20 Senate Faculty Awards, announced in a letter on June 16. Kate Sweeny, a professor of psychology; and Flip Tanedo, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy; both received the Commitment to Graduate Diversity Award, which recognizes those...

By Imran Ghori |

LaunchPad completes first year of entrepreneurial program

UC Riverside students took part in bootcamps, a pitch competition, and received mentoring from business professionals as part of the first year of the program known as Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars. The program, which had been offered at UCLA since 2014, expanded to all UC campuses in fall 2019. It offers tools and resources for budding...

By Imran Ghori |

UCR grads form ‘mutual aid’ network in response to COVID-19

As the number of COVID-19 cases began rising in March, recent UC Riverside graduates Aram Ayra ’18 and John Stefan '20 knew they wanted to do their part to help. They decided to take a community approach that emphasized neighbors helping neighbors, creating the Riverside Mutual Aid Network. “We saw the cases were becoming more severe,” said Ayra...

By Imran Ghori |

SRC connects through virtual programming

Ginger Mickow is used to feeling the energy of a room of students moving to music when she leads kickboxing, body toning, and other classes at UC Riverside’s Student Recreation Center, or SRC. But in recent weeks, the instructor has been leading classes in an SRC studio accompanied only by a camera operator. She faces a camera instead of a mirror...

By Imran Ghori |

Research plan announced as working groups discuss campus return procedures

Several working groups have begun discussing guidelines for how and when UC Riverside will start allowing more students, staff, and faculty members to return to campus. A new website provides more details on the ideas under discussion. Research is the first area where on-campus activity can resume, under certain conditions, starting Monday, June 8...

By Imran Ghori |

Campus construction continues to make progress

A new student housing complex is one of several UC Riverside projects making progress while much of the campus remains empty. Despite the campus closure on March 13, construction has continued at a regular pace as it was deemed an essential service under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order. Contractors and subcontractors have put in place...

By Imran Ghori |

UCR student awarded scholarship for program offering mentorship to female students

UC Riverside student Jennifer Le is one of 14 recipients of the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship for a project seeking to close the gender gap in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, or STEM. The Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation provides $15,000 scholarships to college sophomores and...

By Imran Ghori |

A guide to the new Barn

The Barn has gone through several transformations since its original incarnation as a horse stable in 1917. Its latest dramatic change — a $30 million renovation and expansion — is now complete after almost two years of construction. Featuring 18,500 square-feet of dining and cooking space, it’s about three times the size of the original structure...

By Imran Ghori |

Outstanding staff award presented to Julie Salgado

Julie Salgado, a past president of UC Riverside’s Staff Assembly, is a recipient of the Kevin McCauley Memorial Outstanding Staff Award for her leadership in promoting staff. Recipients are selected by the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies, the umbrella organization for Staff Assembly units across the UC system. Named in honor of...

By Imran Ghori |

Two staff members presented with peer recognition award

UCR Staff Assembly is honoring Ronda Inzunza and Robert Stephens as the latest winners of its Get Recognized peer awards program. Inzunza, an administrative officer at the Harvest Shared Services Center, was the January winner. Stephens, an assistant director in Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs, was the February honoree. Stephens was...

By Imran Ghori |

UCR takes part in a virtual UC Walks

Running up a mountain trail, practicing yoga, and working out in the garage are among a few ways UC Riverside students, staff and faculty members are taking part in UC Walks. In past years, participants walked or ran laps at UC Riverside’s outdoor track for the annual UC systemwide event promoting an active lifestyle. With the campus closed due to...

By Imran Ghori |

Three provost finalists offer video presentations

The search for UC Riverside’s next provost and executive vice chancellor has been narrowed down to three candidates. The candidates were interviewed and provided online video presentations in late April outlining their visions for the campus. The finalists were selected by a search advisory committee working with an executive search firm. “We were...

By Imran Ghori |