Jan. 13, 2023

CalTeach program builds pathway for tomorrow’s math and science teachers

UCI’s CalTeach program allows undergraduates to earn their teaching credential while also earning their bachelor’s in science or math. The program is also transitioning toward “ungrading” in its education courses, as well as flexible due dates for assignments. The aim is to reduce stress for its 250 students, who are already in notoriously challenging classes for their majors. Students also practice grounding exercises at the beginning of each class to help focus and center themselves.

Living well with Lunar New Year recipes

Lunar New Year 2023 observances begin Jan. 22 and last through Feb. 5, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit, more specifically the Water Rabbit – a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture. Lunar New Year is also a popular celebration in Orange County, where 20% of the population is of Asian descent. At the heart of these gatherings are special dishes, and UCI’s Live Well Blog has assembled a helpful list of Lunar New Year recipes for your communal dining pleasure.

When does my COVID-19 home test expire?

Some of the Flowflex test kits distributed across the UCI campus have printed expiration dates of January 2023. Before you toss that kit, remember that the FDA has a shelf life extension program. This chart provides extended expiration dates for the Flowflex tests. For example, tests with a January 2023 expiration date have a shelf life extension to October 2023. For more information, the FDA maintains a helpful home test information page.

Honoring Dr. King

Rodrigo Lazo, interim vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, and Willie L. Banks Jr., vice chancellor of student affairs, issued a statement today recognizing the continuing importance of the MLK holiday: “The charisma and benevolence of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) have touched thousands across the globe. As we reflect with UCI members about the upcoming holiday in his honor, we are reinvigorated by MLK’s call to service. His work is an inspiration for all of us at UCI who seek to support and sustain a campus culture that is inclusive of all and promotes social justice.”

To help understand the impact of MLK outside the UCI community, Lazo and Banks suggest watching this virtual Beloved Community Global Summit, hosted by The King Center in Atlanta.

No UCI Digest on Monday

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the UCI Digest email newsletter will not publish on the Monday holiday. We’ll be back Tuesday.

Friday fun fact

Alumni impact: UC has over 2 million alumni, with healthcare, higher education and K-12 education the top three areas of employment for them in California.

Weekend weather alert

Although it’s not expected to be as intense as last weekend’s storm, another band of atmospheric river moisture is headed to SoCal this weekend. Light rain will turn to a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon, with at least an inch of rain expected to fall. Although the storm is expected to move out of the area on Sunday, a new storm is predicted to arrive on Monday.

Trio Barclay: Tchaikovsky and Arroy
Sunday, 5 pm. (Sponsored by Irvine Barclay Theatre)

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.

Tibetan monks visit UCI

The Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion kicked off the new year by inviting a visiting group of Tibetan monks to their first staff meeting on Monday, Jan. 9.  “We were all reminded that keeping things simple is one of the most effective ways to achieve wellness and balance,” said Doug Everhart, UCI’s director of Student Wellness.

#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.

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Daily COVID-19 Symptom check

By coming to campus each day, students and employees are attesting they are free of COVID-19 symptoms and are not COVID-19 positive. If you currently have symptoms of COVID-19 or recently tested positive, do not come to campus, or if you currently live on campus stay in your residence, and follow instructions for reporting your case or assessing symptoms on the UCI Forward page. Close contacts to a COVID-19 case are not required to stay home or quarantine, but should follow guidance for close contact instructions for masking and testing on the UCI Forward page.

Potential workplace exposure

UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.

UCI Forward – information on campus status and operational updates

Monkeypox information - Information and resources on monkeypox

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates – important information related to UCI Health

UCI Coronavirus Response Center – available at covid19@uci.edu or 949-824-9918

Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services – assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads or to report a case, available at contacttracing@uci.edu or 949-824-2300

For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.