On Campus

CALcierge Office

The campus recently started the CALcierge service to assist with faculty recruitment and retention under the auspices of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Faculty Welfare. CALcierge was created to increase UC Berkeley’s ability to recruit and retain faculty by offering assistance to new faculty during relocation and to support faculty during a retention process. This office offers both relocation and dual career services. The relocation services include referrals to housing, child care, elder care and information regarding local schools. Dual career services also are available to the spouse or partner of either a newly hired faculty member or a retention case. These services include assistance with resume writing and networking.

In addition to the academic appointment they are offered, faculty consider quality of life issues, such as the availability of high quality child care and employment opportunities for their spouse or partners, in deciding which university offer to accept. Many private universities, such as Stanford and Johns Hopkins, and public universities such as Michigan, offer formal relocation programs or dual career services. There are several UC partner opportunities programs at Santa Cruz, Davis, Irvine and San Diego.

Retiree Ambassador with the the CALcierge Office

The CALcierge Office is staffed by Lisa Bagnatori, a former geriatric social worker and Cal alumna. Ms. Bagnatori and Vice Provost Sheldon Zedeck met with the Center’s Policy Board at its November meeting to discuss the role constituents might play in supporting their work. One proposed idea is using retirees as valuable network resources for spouses or partners looking for non-academic work. For example, newly hired faculty member’s accompanying spouse might be paired with a retiree who could help connect the spouse with local contacts in their professional field.

There might be other ways that retirees can serve as ambassadors to newly hired faculty and their spouse/partners. Lisa welcomes your ideas or suggestions. Contact her via email or by phone 510.642.6610.

Ask It!

Chances are there is something you have always wondered about, meant to look up or wished someone would explain. Now is your chance to satisfy your curiosity. E-mail Donna Hemmila your question, and we will find the UC brainiac who can answer it. Science, health, culture, language—whatever your question, don’t be shy. Just Ask it!

Ask it! is looking to expand its network of UC-affiliated experts willing to answer reader questions. If you’d like to volunteer your expertise, please contact Donna. Include your area of expertise and department or program where you are affiliated.

Wanted for Participation in Aging Research Study

Healthy people age 70 and older are invited to participate in a study to investigate how thinking abilities change over time.
These studies are not expected to result in any medical benefit or cause you any harm. Subjects who are presently not in good health, who have had any history of neurological or psychiatric problems, or who cannot speak English proficiently should not volunteer for the study. When you call to volunteer for this study a research associate will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility. If you are chosen for participation, a consent form and the Subjects Bill of Rights will be given to you to read and sign on the day of the study. You will be given a verbal explanation of the protocol procedure and possible discomforts.

You will be paid $40 for participation in this study. The study will take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.

You will come to the University of California, Berkeley, where you will have a brief medical interview and a medical examination. Following this, you will take a series of tests designed to assess your thinking abilities. These tests use pencil and paper or computers and involve things such as solving puzzles and remembering lists of words.

We will place your name on a list and contact you every 1 or 2 years and invite you back for retesting. We will also call you periodically to see if you are interested in participating in other studies in laboratories at Berkeley that are studying brain aging.

If you are interested in participating in this study please contact The Berkeley Aging Cohort Study at 510.643.6609. Address: Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, 132 Barker Hall, University of California, Berkeley 94720-3190.

Join the Retirees/Emeriti Associations

For less than good cup of coffee each month­ b ecome a member of a retiree association or emeriti association at Berkeley or a retiree association at LBNL or UCOP and:

1. Be represented on the systemwide Councils of UC Retirees’ and Emeriti Associations (CUCRA/CUCEA), advocacy organizations for the retention and improvement of benefits available to UC retirees;
2. Be invited to luncheons featuring prominent speakers from both UC locations and the community;
3. Come on trips to noteworthy attractions;
4. Receive Association newsletters, which have information about systemwide and location-specific issues and news as well as future events and outings.

Campus retirees/emeriti can download a membership application byclicking on Retirees Association - UCRAB or Emeriti Association - UCBEA on the navigation bar to the left. Lab retirees can get information at: http://www.lbl.gov/ex-l-express. UCOP retirees and anyone else with questions contact the Center.

50+ Fitness

Staying fit, healthy and active through your life is key to ensuring vitality.

CalFIT’s 50+ Fitness programs are designed around a range of topics promoting an active and healthy lifestyle at any age. Get stronger, learn better ways to take care of yourself or find peace of mind any one of our many classes offered throughout the year. More information >>