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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...