UCANR off-campus research continuity plan

Guidelines have been developed for off-campus research continuity. Please review them here. UC ANR remains open for important research activities, but these activities must be adjusted in accordance with COVID-19 guidance. Our goal in issuing these protocols is to address the imperative to minimize in-person interactions while allowing for continuation of critical research. When the conditions outlined in the guidelines cannot be met without compromising worker safety, the research function must be discontinued. Questions about research continuity should be directed to Wendy Powers or Mark Lagrimini.

Xenophobia

As concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak intensify at the local, national, and international levels, incidents of xenophobia and anti-Asian racism, harassment, and bullying in California communities and on UC campuses have increased. While we have not received reports of this behavior on the part of UC ANR people, I want to ask that we all remain vigilant to ensure that all members of the ANR community, regardless of race or country of origin, feel welcome, safe, and respected, as reflected in our Principles of Community. If you observe or experience any form of harassment, please report it to John Fox immediately.

Celebrating the positive

There is so much innovation and teamwork happening around the division as we work to find new ways to deliver programming, serve our communities and support one another. I am so proud of your efforts!

Here are just a few examples:

• Nutrition educators are mobilizing to volunteer at their local food banks
• NPI has pulled together resources to help support each other, such as wellness tips, yoga videos and ideas for things to do like virtual concerts
• Dan Macon performed a virtual on-farm consultation on in-the-field livestock conditions and issues with a successful outcome. Not only did it respect social distancing requirements, but it saved 45 minutes of transit time!

If you're doing something innovative/positive, or if you want to call out one of your colleagues, please share a few sentences with Linda Forbes, Mark Bell or Mark Lagrimini so it can be shared broadly in these updates and elsewhere. It's important for us to celebrate the opportunities and positive results our amazing organization is able to achieve in this trying time.

Glenda Humiston
Vice President