Nov. 7 - UCI hosts Asian American conference; Chancellor message on global research
Section 1
Halloween balloons appear to multiply outside the Student Center. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Participants gather at UCI from all nine undergraduate UC campuses for the inaugural UC AANAPISI forum in October. Photo by Audrey Paredes/UCLA
UCI hosts inaugural UC Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution meeting
On Oct. 27 and 28, UCI hosted a UC Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution meeting. The gathering provided a forum for UC students, staff and faculty to discuss best practices for AANAPISI and Minority Serving Institutions. Participants explored UC’s unique position as both a research institution and an AANAPISI, and discussed its potential for advancing equity and justice in higher education. UCI has been AANAPISI since 2016 with some 37% of undergraduate students identifying as Asian/Asian American or Pacific Islander. The designation enables UCI to apply for competitive federal grants that advance student success.
UCI Chancellor: Global collaboration critical to advancement of knowledge
In a statement released to campus employees today, Chancellor Howard Gillman stressed the importance of international scholarship to UCI’s intellectual and social fabric. “Our activities, programs, classes, workshops, lectures, and everyday interactions are enriched by our acceptance of one another,” Gillman stated. “Further, global collaborations are critical to the advancement of knowledge, spur innovation, and are fundamental to our core values and research mission.” The statement recognized the U.S. government’s concern about foreign interests attempting to inappropriately acquire technical knowledge and intellectual property. UC’s Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services has a helpful FAQ covering these topics.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
UC leaders attend global environmental conference in Egypt
Nearly 200 countries will participate in the United Nations’ 27th Conference of the Parties. Also known as COP2, the event is being attended (both in person and virtually) by dozens of students, staff and faculty from across the University of California system. The academics will share their expertise with a global audience on topics ranging from the vital role of the world’s oceans in addressing climate change to the link between decarbonization and improving health disparities. UC’s pioneering efforts to educate the next generation of climate leaders will also be on display.
COVID-19 and fentanyl caused recent spike in Orange County fatalities
According to a report in The Orange County Register, deaths in Orange County leaped 20% between 2017 and 2021, the period just before the COVID-19 pandemic and its peak. The Register interviewed UCI epidemiologist Andrew Noymer for the story, which also cites data from the Orange County Health Care Agency showing that the number of young people who died accidentally from fentanyl poisoning/overdoses — skyrocketed 100% over that same time period. Overall, the report shows, heart disease and cancer remained the No. 1 killers — but among Latinos, COVID-19 topped the list in both 2020 and 2021.
EVENTS
Deconstructing the UC Travel Ecosystem
Wednesday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by ConnexUC)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
UCI receives $8 million from state stem cell research agency
Spectrum News 1, Nov. 4
Cited: Daniela Bota, vice dean for clinical research
Microgrid will let these Menifee homes keep lights on during outages
The Orange County Register, Nov. 2
Cited: Scott Samuelsen, professor of engineering
Building Community
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Oct. 27
Cited: Frances Contreras, dean of School of Education
#UCICONNECTED
Election Day reminder: Where to vote in person
If you are planning to vote in person tomorrow (or today), remember that UCI has two vote centers open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow: the conference room of the Newkirk Alumni Center located at 450 Mesa Rd., and the University Hills Community Center located at 1083 California Ave. #UCIVotes
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.