From the Chancellor

2012-13

Affirmation of Core Beliefs
5/14/2013 — Last week we received information regarding an offensive note that was found in the backpack of one of our students. Our police department immediately launched an investigation. When apprehended the responsible individual(s) will face appropriate sanctions....

Student Video
4/25/2013 — You may have seen or heard about a video parody produced by members of a local fraternity chapter, which has been the focus of media attention today. I was shocked and dismayed by its offensive and bewildering insensitivity.

2013 Medal Awards
4/22/2013 — Each year, the UCI Medal is bestowed upon a few extraordinary individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the vision, mission and spirit of UC Irvine.

Reaffirmation of Non-discrimination and Affirmative Action Policy
4/19/2013 — At UC Irvine, we are guided in all that we do by core values that include respect, empathy and commitment. In keeping with this, we provide all faculty, staff and students a level playing field, free of discriminatory harassment, in order to advance their research, careers and studies.

Celebrate UCI 2013
4/9/2013 — The 35th annual Celebrate UCI will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013. This event is an excellent opportunity for all of us to share our campus pride with our friends and families, and for prospective students and their families to learn about what makes UCI such a special place.

Reaffirmation of Policy on Sexual Harassment
2/14/2013 — Our values ensure that we maintain a community where everyone can work and learn together free of harassment, exploitation or intimidation, including sexual harassment.

Tobacco-Free Policy Task Force
1/18/2013 — University of California President Mark Yudof has announced that all UC campuses are to become tobacco-free by January 2014. In his statement, President Yudof said "offering a smoke-free environment will contribute positively to the health and well-being of all UC students, faculty, staff, and our patients and visitors."

Campus Climate Survey
1/10/2013 — As we begin the New Year, please join me in a unique opportunity to voice our feelings about campus work and life

Welcome Back
1/8/2013 — As we contemplate the year ahead, I want to take a moment to recap some of the highlights of the past year.

Thoughts on today's events in Connecticut
12/14/2012 — As the quarter closes and we leave for the holidays, our celebration of the season is marred by the unspeakable tragedy that took place this morning in Connecticut.

A holiday message
12/12/2012 — A holiday message from Chancellor and Mrs. Drake.

Proposition 30
11/7/2012 — The elections are over and the people have spoken. All of us here at UC Irvine are thankful to the people of California for passing Proposition 30.

Every Vote Counts!
11/5/2012 — Tomorrow, November 6, is election day. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Be Sure To Vote!
11/2/2012 — The election is fast upon us. This coming Tuesday, November 6, is the only day for voting at a polling place and the last day that mail ballots will be accepted.

Opportunity to Give Input
10/15/2012 — The search committee for the executive vice chancellor and provost is seeking input from faculty, staff, and students on the ideal qualities and skills of the next UC Irvine executive vice chancellor and provost.

Fall Message
10/4/2012 — The academic year is now officially underway. Classes have begun, and the campus is bustling. Just in the past two weeks alone, there has been significant progress made in advancing our campus.

Campus Community Invited to a Budget Forum
10/3/2012 — Please join me on Thursday, October 11, for a forum on the university budget. I will be joined by Meredith Michaels, vice chancellor for planning and budget, and Kate Klimow, assistant vice chancellor for community and government relations, as we present a budget update and answer your questions about the university's budget plan and the impacts of Proposition 30.

Public Forums for Input on the EVCP Search
9/26/2012 — The search committee for the executive vice chancellor and provost is seeking input from the UC Irvine community on the ideal qualities and skills for the next UC Irvine Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

Appointment of University Librarian
9/18/2012 — We are delighted to announce the appointment of Lorelei Tanji as university librarian, effective October 1, 2012.

Search for Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
9/5/2012 — I am pleased to share with you the news that we are initiating a national search to identify our next executive vice chancellor and provost. We seek to attract an outstanding candidate to provide leadership and vision as we move forward in education, research, and service.

Search for Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
9/5/2012 — I am pleased to share with you the news that we are initiating a national search to identify our next executive vice chancellor and provost. We seek to attract an outstanding candidate to provide leadership and vision as we move forward in education, research, and service.

Interim Dean, School of Humanities
8/30/2012 — We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor James Steintrager as interim dean of the School of Humanities, effective September 1, 2012.

Dean, School of Social Sciences
8/23/2012 — After nearly 11 years of outstanding service as dean, Barbara Dosher has informed us that she will step down and return to faculty status effective July 1, 2013. Please join us in thanking Dean Dosher for her many achievements on behalf of UC Irvine and the School of Social Sciences.

Annual Staff Picnic, August 30
8/16/2012 — Our annual staff picnic is scheduled for Thursday, August 30. This year's theme is "UCI's Superheroes."

UCI Olympians
8/14/2012 — The London Olympics have ended, but before the memory fades away let's celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the members of our Anteater family who participated in this global event.

R. Duncan Luce
8/13/2012 — It is with great sadness that we report that R. Duncan Luce, UC Irvine Distinguished Research Professor of Cognitive Sciences & Economics, died at home Saturday after a brief illness.

Dean, School of Education
8/6/2012 — Last month we shared the exciting announcement of the UC Regents' approval of our School of Education, underscoring UC Irvine's leadership in enhancing the quality of K-12 instruction and research.

2012 Medal
7/10/2012 — Each year, the UCI Medal is bestowed upon a few extraordinary individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the vision, mission and spirit of UC Irvine.

Reappointment of Dean Albert F. Bennett
7/6/2012 — We are delighted to inform you that, subsequent to a regularly scheduled review, Albert F. Bennett has been reappointed dean of the School of Biological Sciences.

2011-12

Interim EVC & Provost
6/22/2012 — I'm pleased to announce that Sue Bryant, a world-renowned biologist with a 40-year history at UC Irvine, will suspend her retirement to become our interim executive vice chancellor and provost.

Provost Update
6/19/2012 — As expected, the next president of the University of Oregon will be Mike Gottfredson, our EVC and Provost. It's no surprise that he impressed the Oregonians - he is an exemplary provost and an excellent leader. He assumes his new role on Aug. 1.

Annual Faculty and Staff Wellness and Safety Fair
5/18/2012 — n celebration of National Employee Health and Fitness Day, UC Irvine will hold its 6th Annual Faculty and Staff Wellness and Safety Fair and 3rd Annual Systemwide "UC Walks" event from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Anteater Recreation Center. All faculty and staff are invited to participate and are encouraged to wear sneakers to walk to the fair.

Campus civility
4/27/2012 — We encourage and appreciate spirited debate on a variety of issues, including those that may be controversial or provocative. The right to free speech is a cornerstone of this discourse. We protect this right. But we also hold our campus community to a high standard of respect and tolerance.

Celebrate UCI 2012
4/12/2012 — Please join us at the 34th annual Celebrate UCI on Saturday, April 21. The event is an excellent opportunity for all of us to share our campus pride with our friends and families, and for prospective students and their families to learn about what makes UCI such a special place.

Reaffirmation of policy on sexual harassment
4/3/2012 — UC Irvine's values of respect, intellectual curiosity, integrity, commitment, empathy, appreciation and fun provide the foundation for our actions. Our values ensure that we maintain a community where everyone can work and learn together free of harassment, exploitation or intimidation, including sexual harassment.

F. Sherwood Rowland passes away
3/12/2012 — It is with a heavy heart that we are writing to tell you that Sherry Rowland died Saturday afternoon.

Excellence in Leadership Awards
3/5/2012 — I encourage you to nominate exceptional staff supervisors in your unit for the Staff Assembly Excellence in Leadership Award Program, which is accepting entries through March 16.

Formation of search committee for Dean, School of Humanities
1/25/2012 — We are pleased to announce the formation of a search committee charged with assisting us in appointing a Dean of the School of Humanities. A national search will be conducted to identify the most qualified candidates for this position. Interested UCI faculty are highly encouraged to apply.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications
1/11/2012 — We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ria M. Carlson as UC Irvine's new associate vice chancellor for strategic communications, effective Feb. 20, 2012. She will oversee the implementation of a communications, integrated marketing, and media plan for the campus.

A holiday message
12/15/2011 — Chancellor and Mrs. Drake send wishes for peace and joy this holiday season.

Reaffirmation of non-discrimination and affirmative action policy
12/6/2011 — At UC Irvine, we are guided in all that we do by core values that include respect, empathy and commitment. In keeping with this, we provide all faculty, staff and students a level playing field, free of harassment, in order to advance their research, careers and studies.

Recap of Dec. 1 incident
12/1/2011 — As many know by now, today at UCI we took a number of safety precautions including cordoning off the area around Aldrich Hall and the flag poles. We did so based on credible law enforcement information about suspicious activity originating from off campus and relating to the announced visit of Terry Jones, a Florida pastor.

Recent protests
11/21/2011 — I was appalled at the use of force by police against peaceful demonstrators at other campuses as seen on YouTube videos over the past few days. These actions violate our policies and procedures. Worse than that, they violate the well-earned trust that our community has placed in our campus police.

Our thanks to Prof. Ayala
10/20/2011 — Words cannot express our extreme gratitude to Francisco Ayala, University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, for his generous gift this week of $10 million to the UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences.

Dean Vicki Ruiz
10/17/2011 — Dean Vicki L. Ruiz has informed us of her decision to step down and return to faculty status in the Departments of History and Chicano/Latino Studies, effective September 1, 2012.

New challenges in global health
10/3/2011 — On Monday, Oct. 3, Chancellor Michael Drake, M.D. presented his paper during a plenary session on "New Challenges in Global Health" at the annual Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan. The 800 attendees represented more than 100 countries.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
9/23/2011 — We are delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas A. Parham '77 as UC Irvine's vice chancellor for student affairs, effective Sept. 22, 2011.

Vice Chancellor for Advancement
8/22/2011 — We take great pleasure in announcing the appointment of Gregory R. Leet as UC Irvine’s Vice Chancellor for Advancement, effective September 19, 2011.

Annual Staff Picnic, Sept. 1
8/19/2011 — The 21st Annual UCI Staff Picnic, "UCI's Zot Stock - Summer of Love" is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1. This wonderful event, hosted by UCI Staff Assembly's Staff Appreciation Committee, will be held in Aldrich Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To ensure that everyone can enjoy this event and also keep university offices open and services available, I am authorizing one hour of administrative leave time to augment the lunch hour, with approval from supervisors and appropriate office coverage.

Commitment to preventing violence
7/29/2011 — I am pleased to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to reducing sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking on the UC campuses. Created with the support of a grant by the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), the website - http://ucempoweru.uci.edu – combines expertise from all 10 campuses as well as links to campus specific violence prevention and response services. .

Human Resources Initiative
7/20/2011 — As part of our continuing efforts to achieve excellence and efficiency, I am launching a strategic redesign of our human resources functions. This process will create a more consistent and integrated operation combining best practices from our existing human resources departments and the human resources departments across the UC system, and private industry.

Budget Update
7/7/2011 — We are deeply disappointed in Gov. Brown's recent approval of a $150 million cut on top of the initial $500 million reduction in funding to the University of California.