|
Dear Chancellor Fox,
I wrote to you the other day on your website via the "Anonymous Letters to the Chancellor" feature. I decided though that I would like a response and I don't know if it is your policy or not to respond to those letters, since they are supposed to be anonymous. I wrote you regarding our alma mater (or rather our lack of one). In light of the recent USESC report I decided it would be good if I knew our alma mater.
I tried to look it up, but didn't find anything. I asked friends if they knew anything, but none of them knew about it either. I looked online and all I could find was another, older "Letter to the Chancellor" which I have provided the link for:
http://www-chancellor.ucsd.edu/letters03_0115.html. It too suggested the creation of an alma mater for UCSD. I think now, more than ever, is the time to have an alma mater. I am very interested in this and although I am not a very good singer or even very musical, I would be willing to put together a committee at UCSD to write the alma mater. I would like to hear your thoughts on this and whether it is possible to create a committee for this purpose. I realize that you are busy so please respond as your schedule will allow.
Thank you,
Kyle Kuchinsky
Chancellor Fox: Dear Kyle,
Thank you for your letter regarding an Alma Mater Song for UCSD. Traditionally, an Alma Mater is a dignified and sentimental song of praise that can bind students to their school. For generations, colleges and universities have used such songs to evoke feelings of loyalty, tradition, and unity among the entire campus community. I agree with you that a satisfying UCSD Alma Mater could be a great thing for the University.
Although many associate an Alma Mater song with private universities, I can confirm that public universities often have them, including many universities in the UC system. Perhaps the most popular of these is Berkeley’s “All Hail Blue and Gold”, which is also used by other UC campuses as their Alma Mater (blue and gold are the official colors of the entire UC system). UCLA used that Alma Mater until 1960, when it was replaced by “Hail to the Hills of Westwood”.
I should also note that many songs have been written for the University of California to be sung on special occasions. One of the more quaint of these is “The University Hymn” written for UC Charter Day, commemorating the day - March 23, 1868 - when Governor Haight signed the legislative act creating the UC system. Until recently, our very own Scripps Institute of Oceanography used this ‘hymn’ to launch vessels and dedicate buildings.
UCSD actually has had an Alma Mater written especially for it by folk singer Sam Hinton, former Director of the Scripps Aquarium and UCSD’s Dean of Admissions. The song, sung to the tune of “Vive la Campagnie”, was never declared an official Alma Mater because it didn’t catch on.
But as far as a concerted effort to formally dedicate a UCSD Alma Mater song, you’re in luck, Kyle. A respected song, capable of stirring great devotion among colleagues and students alike, just might be in our near future. The Alumni Association is currently looking into reviving the Alma Mater topic early this year. For more information or to get involved in this worthy effort, please contact the Alumni Association at (858) 543-3900. |
Dear Scrooge-
Is it too much to ask that your employees be notified well in advance (perhaps the beginning of the calendar year)that they are going to be docked 24 hours of vacation accruals or income for a university dictated holiday closure? Is it too much to ask that we should be able to dictate as to how WE are going to use our vacation accruals? Many of your employees have not received pay raises for several years now and on October 10, 2005 you notify us that you are going to TAKE away 24 hours of vacation accruals to save the university money. All we do is save this university money when we work year after year and receive outstanding performance evaluations, only to be denied a rightful pay raise.
Next time you might give a little extra thought and understanding that we don't appreciate being notified of a university closure in the 23rd hour.
No matter how you look at it, saved accruals, comp time, leave w/out pay or a one time request for advance vacation request. All of these are a HARDSHIP on your employees.
Chancellor Fox: Dear UCSD colleague:
I regret any negative impact the campus closure has had on you, and I understand your concern about receiving as much notice as possible. As you know, the University announced in October our plans to close the campus during the 2005 holiday in order to recognize anticipated energy savings and reduced operations. This year, with significant energy cost increases facing all consumers, we were particularly mindful of potential for energy savings during the holiday closure.
In implementing the closure, we followed University of California Personnel Policies and the respective collective bargaining agreements. In addition, we attempt each year to determine as early as possible the need to close the campus during the holiday period. I appreciate your reminder of the importance of providing employees with as much notice as possible about closure decisions. Thank you for writing.
|
| |
Good Morning Chancellor Fox,
The new "Mobile Pay Stations" go into effect on Jan 1st. I don't think this should happen. #1. It's an accident waiting to happen. Not "if" but "when". Someone will get hurt real bad. #2. The customers are not going to be happy about parking then going to the pay station for their permit and then going back to their car. Especially our La Jolla PlayHouse customers. They always come at the last possible secound. This will not work for them. Plus we will be the ones out there to take their abuse. #3. Hook-up and deployment will be done mostly at night and in the rain. We have to crawl on the ground under the trailer to do this. Like I have said a 1000 times someone is going to get hurt real bad. I think you should go with Chuck and see for yourself how this is done. Go through his training like we did then you will know why we are worried. Thanks.
Chancellor Fox: Thank you for your letter and the opportunity to respond to your questions. The parking department initiated the pay stations, in part, to increase and ensure the safety of information kiosk personnel. The trailer-mounted "mobile pay stations" are the first in a series of computerized improvements designed to streamline the pay parking process and make it safer.
Staff members will be trained to set up the stations, during which all safety concerns will be addressed. Although rain is infrequent in southern California, the training course will address rainy conditions as well. For added convenience to visitors, event planners are being encouraged to incorporate the cost of parking in their tickets whenever possible. This will allow La Jolla Playhouse patrons and others the option of arriving with a parking permit already in hand.
While it is natural to experience some difficulties when transitioning to a new system, we are optimistic that this approach will meet both our parking and safety needs. The parking department has consulted customer groups - including the campus-wide Marketing Council group - about the new parking improvements, and has received praise for the program. If you need further information, please contact Gary C. Matthews, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Auxiliary & Plant Services, at 858-534-2341. |
