News | Finance, Operations and Administration

The Last Pennies on Campus

by Clare Shinnerl
June 04, 2026

UC Davis is down to its last $6 in pennies. Reflecting on this small operational change points to how quickly some of our daily habits have evolved — and how some things quietly disappear before we notice.

Bar chart: AI use at work — Daily 34%, Sometimes 27%, Weekly 19%, Never 19%

FOA Efficiency Series Explores Practical AI Tools for Working at UC Davis

June 02, 2026

FOA employees shared how they use AI tools for routine work, including Zoom AI Companion, Copilot for Outlook, ChatGPT and NotebookLM, during this second installment of the FOA Efficiency Series.

Blurry photo of presenter addressing seated audience in bright classroom

New Orientation Session Strengthens Support for Research Administrators

May 19, 2026

FOA Goals

Contracts and Grants Accounting launched a new Research Administrator Orientation session to strengthen communication, improve support and help departmental research administrators navigate post-award processes more effectively.

Flowchart graphic of Smartsheet nomination process and DocuSign approval process with signer roles

Improved STAR Award Process Helps Recognize More Employees

May 18, 2026

STAR Award nominations are open through June 30 — and updates to the nomination process are making it easier than ever for FOA employees to be recognized for work that goes above and beyond their routine duties. Find out more about the behind-the-scenes improvements that make use of DocuSign and Smartsheet to save time and hassle.

Before and After versions of covered services carve out form - Before looks like a PDF form and After looks like a clickable survey

How Simplifying PDF Forms Makes Work Easier for UC Davis Employees

May 05, 2026

FOA Goals

FOA's "Year of Re-Form" took steps to simplify more than 30 administrative forms, to reduce employee time spent on complicated, policy-driven requirements -- such as requesting a carve out from UC's Covered Services policies. Staff members from Supply Chain Management and Admin IT worked together to streamline processes with DocuSign and other online services.

We’ve Watched These K-9s Grow — Bridging Community and Campus Police

by Clare Shinnerl
May 04, 2026

From puppies to campus partners, Cali and Leia are helping shape a more welcoming approach to policing at UC Davis — one grounded in connection, comfort and trust.

Timeline graphic with arrow, starts at 2006: Increased Cal/OSHA presence on campus. Also includes 2014: EH&S has no way to track departmental IIPPs to ensure compliance. 2016: Partnered with Admin IT to develop our own IIPP software. 2018: AggieDocs Pilot + DocuSign trial run. 2020: No IIPP for year. 2021: New DocuSign Solution Pilot. 2024-2026: DocuSign drives most successful compliance rates!

How DocuSign Helped Make Injury Prevention Plans at UC Davis Much Easier

April 28, 2026

FOA Goals

UC Davis has achieved a remarkable 99% compliance rate with this Cal/OSHA requirement, after employees in Safety Services combined forces with Administrative Innovation and Technology to redesign the annual IIPP process to be more efficient and user-friendly.

New Training Sessions Help Build Core Accounting Knowledge

by Jennifer Eting
April 22, 2026

FOA Goals

Learn how teams in Accounting and Financial Reporting and the Office of Business Transformation are helping staff build essential accounting knowledge for everyday work in Aggie Enterprise.

Group of young people riding bikes, an electric scooter, and a skateboard on a campus path

How Do You Improve the Way 40,000+ People Move on Campus Every Day?

by Katie Hetrick
April 20, 2026

Moving Forward Together has created a campus transportation plan that is informed by 3,000 voices, with 100-plus proposed improvements to UC Davis roads and paths. The plan is open for feedback April 21–May 4.

Smiling woman at bright office desk with dual monitors, laptop and potted plant

New Tools, More Data: FacilitiesLink Updates and New November Deadline

by Katie Ferguson Hetrick
April 14, 2026

Behind Every Big Decision, a Lot of Thoughtful Work

by Clare Shinnerl
April 08, 2026

Major campus decisions reflect months of collaboration, creativity and care to ensure the university moves forward with confidence and purpose. See what went into the UC Regents' recent approval of the Big Shift.

Fenced Big Shift construction site with an excavator outside Cruess Hall at UC Davis

UC Regents Approve Final Component of Big Shift Phase 2, Moving UC Davis Toward 40% Fossil Fuel Reduction

by Katie Hetrick
March 19, 2026

University News

UC Regents have approved a $55 million component of the Big Shift, funding the installation of thermal energy storage and heat-recovery technology to cut fossil fuel use and lower utility costs.

A New Way to Grow at UC Davis

by Clare Shinnerl
March 11, 2026

Clare invites FOA employees to explore the new Employee Job Shadow Program, a practical way to learn from colleagues, see how roles connect and own your professional growth.

Three smiling winners of the FOA Excellence Award are shown in a collage.

FOA Excellence Awards Recognize Work That Makes a Big Difference

February 11, 2026

FOA Staff News

This year’s FOA Excellence Awards highlight staff who helped FOA work more efficiently by improving systems, building practical skills and strengthening collaboration — making everyday work easier across the organization.

A young woman hands a cardboard box to a smiling man at a service counter.

Gunrock Express Provides On-Campus Shipping

by Crystal Ross O’Hara
February 10, 2026

Gunrock Express now offers a convenient on-campus location for shipping, packaging and drop-off services at the Scientific Store on La Rue Road.