By Alec Rosenberg

As the University of California Office of the President restructures, it’s a challenging time for employees. The staff assembly is working to make it a little easier.

From hosting workshops to sponsoring other events, UCOPA is stepping up efforts to foster communication and build community at the Office of the President.

“Our emphasis now is how do we deal with this new reality of a smaller Office of the President,” said UCOPA Chair Chris Rivers.

UCOPA is an organization for staff dedicated to promoting the interest and welfare of all staff employees. With so much change happening, the group is trying to be a resource for stressed-out employees.

It hosts programs such as the workshop “Keeping it Real: How to Negotiate Your Emotions and Take Care of Yourself During Turmoil.”

In February, the staff assembly will co-host a town hall for UCOP employees with UC President Mark Yudof. It’s a forum for the president to address employees and a chance for staff to ask him questions.

It’s also a sign of the open lines between UCOPA and the administration. Indeed, Rivers credits President Yudof with helping to spark renewed interest in UCOPA. Last spring, the staff assembly was struggling to receive enough applicants for its steering committee. Then nominations flowed in after the president indicated his support for the group.

“The staff plays a critical role in the success of the University of California, and I hope to work closely with you and the UCOP Staff Assembly Steering Committee,” Yudof wrote in an April letter.

The UCOPA steering committee now has 11 members: Rivers, Ravinder Singh, Doris Parham, Debra Richerson, Kenneth Feer, Trish Hare, Thomas Herz, Kathy Mendonca, Michael Tomasello, Eric Zarate and (non-voting member) Jennifer Damico. Its next election will be held this spring. Its monthly meetings are open to UCOP staff.

Hare, associate director of administration in academic affairs, sees UCOPA as “a voice both up and down the ladder.”

Rivers, a senior writer and resource development analyst with the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement program, joined UCOPA’s steering committee in 2006, seeing a leadership development opportunity.

“I enjoy it because I have a lot of passion around the work that people do at OP,” said Rivers, a UC Davis graduate.

Rivers and Singh also serve as delegates to the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies.

“We do value the CUCSA connection as a way to communicate and collaborate with the staff councils at all 10 campuses and, ultimately, the Regents,” Rivers said.

In addition to workshops and the town hall, UCOPA plans a series of forums for employees to meet new departments such as the business resource center. The group also sponsors a book club and crafts group and staffs a table at the first Friday breakfasts.

For more information, contact chris.rivers@ucop.edu.

Alec Rosenberg is an Our University contributor.