:: UCLA TODAY Home

©2004
The Regents of the University of California
 

News in Brief

Summertime fun

Thousands of staff converged on Dickson Court July 14 to feast on chicken, watermelon and other fare at the second annual All-Staff Picnic. “I was amazed that we fed about 4,400 people in such a short amount of time,” said Doug Padley, president of Staff Assembly, co-sponsor of the event with the Chancellor’s Office. “That not only speaks well of the catering staff and Staff Assembly volunteers, but staff participants were patient and just having a good time.” Picnicker Danielle Dreyfuss-Cooper of the Anderson School seconds that: “I thought it was a blast. We should have monthly staff picnics with dancing. It was nice to bring all the staff at UCLA together to share a community feeling.”

To see photos from the staff picnic, click here.

White House honors

Of the 15 NCAA championship teams honored at a White House ceremony July 12, three of them — men’s and women’s water polo and men’s tennis — represented UCLA. That got President Bush’s attention. “UCLA has won more NCAA championships than any school in the nation, so it’s fitting that three of the champs here today wear the uniform of the Bruins,” Bush told the crowd. The water polo teams presented the First Couple with personalized swimming robes, and the men’s tennis team gave the president a personalized warm-up jacket. Said tennis co-captain Alberto Francis, “It was a little intimidating meeting the president. But he was cracking jokes and was very friendly.”

Back from down under

Wyatt R. (Rory) Hume, former UCLA executive vice chancellor and president of the University of New South Wales in Australia, has been appointed UC executive vice provost and vice president for academic affairs. Beginning Sept. 1, he will serve as chief academic deputy to Provost and Senior Vice President M.R.C. Greenwood, with responsibilities for strategic planning and liaison with the Academic Senate and campus chief academic officers. “I am delighted that Rory Hume is returning to the University of California,” said Chancellor Albert Carnesale. “UCLA was fortunate to be the beneficiary of his talents as a highly distinguished teacher, administrator and research scientist. Now the entire University will profit from his outstanding leadership.” Hume led UCLA’s strategic planning processes, provided leadership in resource management and allocation and oversaw several key academic initiatives, including the genesis of the California NanoSystems Institute.

Salary plans for staff

Thanks to the efforts of UC leaders and many others throughout the system this past year, the new state budget reflects the critical importance of continued state funding for UC salaries. The salary program planned for staff will take effect Oct. 1. For eligible policy-covered (non-represented) staff, there is an overall 3.5% fund pool for merit increases (covering range adjustment and merit funding), along with additional consideration of salary equity where needed to address significant market lags. For represented employees, salary plans will be consistent with the applicable labor agreement and collective bargaining requirements. Guidelines will soon be issued by Campus Human Resources.

Statues vandalized

UCLA police arrested a Compton man Aug. 11 in connection with the vandalism of four statues by Robert Graham in the Rolfe Courtyard. Ricky Lee Owens, 47, was arrested for investigation of felony vandalism. As of press time Aug. 12, he was being held in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. Sometime between late Monday, Aug. 8, and early Tuesday, Aug. 9, the statues were partially wrapped in newspapers, forcibly removed from their pedestals and pushed to the ground. The statues are being stored off-site. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Daniel M. Neuman expressed sadness about such attacks on creative and artistic expression. UCLA, he said, “is fully committed to the long-term display of public art and will be reinstalling these works by Graham as soon as possible.”