A survey has gone out by email to all staff, faculty and students, asking if they are aware of UC Davis’ smoke- and tobacco-free policy, whether they have approached anyone who may have been violating the policy, and what penalties, if any, should be enacted.

The policy took effect on the Davis campus on Jan. 1, 2014, and enforcement has been limited to education with an emphasis on cessation resources.

Now, in Year 2, the Smoke and Tobacco Free Steering Committee wants to hear from the campus community about how this approach has been working and whether additional options should be considered. Read more.

The survey also takes in the UC Davis Health System, where a smoke- and tobacco policy took effect in 2008. Similar bans are now in place everywhere in the UC system.

UCDHS enforces the policy as follows with staff and faculty: First offense — a letter of warning. Second offense — a letter of intent to suspend for one day. Third offense — a letter of intent to suspend for three days. Fourth offense — to be determined after consultation, but could be a letter of intent to terminate.

The survey asks: “How should the Davis campus and UCDHS enforce their policies?” The options include citations/fines, and citations/fines with mandatory education, as well as the warning-suspension-termination model.

Misplace your email? Here's the survey link. The deadline is Friday, March 20. If you choose to enter your email address, you’ll be entered in a drawing for four $50 Target gift cards.

More information about the Davis campus policy is available online, at Breathe Free UC Davis.

Tahoe center asks students for 'citizen science' app proposals

The Tahoe Environmental Research Center wants a "citizen science" app for Lake Tahoe — and has turned to students for proposals, one of which will bring its creators up to $5,000.

Ideally, people would use such an app to record their observations of the water’s clarity, beach conditions, presence of algae and more. The app should allow people to submit their data by text and photo, and use social media to engage a broader network. The data will be used by TERC researchers and as part of one or more exhibits at TERC’s Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, Nev.

UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students (working as individuals or in teams) are invited to participate. The first step: Submit proposals to Alison Toy by email by 5 p.m. April 10.

Once working beta versions are in and evaluated, TERC will award prizes for the top three proposals: individuals will receive $2,000, teams will receive $3,000. One proposal will then be selected for final development; the individual or team members behind the proposal will receive an additional $2,000 and the opportunity to work with start-up company Fielders LLC to complete the project. The app-creation project is funded by the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Studies.

Read the request for proposals. Students interested in participating are invited to an information session from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the conference room at the Center for Watershed Sciences on the Davis campus. Geoffrey Schladow, professor and TERC director, will be on hand to answer questions, along with John Keagy, chief executive officer of Fielders.

UC Davis Extension offers free information sessions

UC Davis Extension is offering free information sessions starting this week for people wishing to explore opportunities for continuing education in six high-demand fields and industries.

“Industry-specific sessions let attendees explore the job prospects in each field, meet program representatives and instructors, and learn how a certificate from UC Davis Extension can advance their careers,” UC Davis Extension representatives said.

Four sessions will be in-person at UC Davis Extension in Sacramento, Sutter Square Galleria, 2901 K St. Free parking will be provided.

One session will be conducted by webinar and another is a video, available for on-demand viewing.

Here is the schedule:

• Workplace Health and Safety — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
• Web Development — 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17
• Health Informatics and Healthcare Analytics — 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18 (webinar)
• Human Resources Development and Management — 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18
• Equine Event Management — online, available for viewing, on demand, April 6-June 7
• Professional Coaching for Life and Work — 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14

Sign-ups are being taken online.

TRANSITION: Steinberg joins medical school faculty

Darrell Steinberg, a law school alumnus (1984) who championed mental health services as a long-time California state legislator, has joined the faculty of the School of Medicine as the director of policy and advocacy for the recently launched Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. He will be a visiting professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, an unpaid position.

Steinberg, from Sacramento, served in the Legislature for 14 years, the last seven as president pro tempore of the Senate.

He wrote the California Mental Health Services Act, approved by voters as Proposition 63 in November 2004. To date the act has raised more than $1 billion in state and federal funds for mental health programs.

Read the complete news release.

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