News

By Jenny Qi
Staff Writer

Student health insurance premiums will increase $565, or 20.4 percent, next year for registered students at UCSF, one of the campuses that have elected to stay with the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). 

The premium increase may sound steep, but it will help fund a range of benefit increases, while helping to stabilize UC SHIP.  Moreover, the increase is in keeping with the rise in the cost of medical care, according to Adele Anfinson, director of Student Health and Counseling (SHC).    

Furthermore, after the discovery of the projected $57.4 million deficit by UC SHIP, students feared that they would be unfairly held responsible.  Good news: The UC Office of the President (UCOP) will assume all responsibility for the debt. “None of that will burden students next year or ,” Anfinson emphasized during a May 16 interview.

By Angela Castanieto
Staff Writer

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) has voted to oppose California Senate Bill 259, which would give graduate students the right to unionize if passed.   

Following a lively debate at the May 14 GSA meeting, 78 percent of the 55 graduate students present voted for the GSA to “stand in opposition to SB-259” and to “partner with the University of California Office of the President in letting our opposition to this bill (be made) known to our elected officials.” 

Separate resolutions to either take a neutral stance or to support the bill were voted down.

Staff Report

“Celebrating Our Children and Their Families” is seeking donations to cover the cost of its 17th annual picnic. The event provides pre- and post-pediatric transplant children and their families an opportunity to meet others who have undergone similar life-changing experiences, provide education as it relates to organ transplantation and have fun together.

The cost of the picnic is $7,500, and all the proceeds go directly to the children. There are no overhead administrative costs. Everyone who participates is a volunteer.

The guest list includes all of UCSF’s pre- and post-liver and kidney transplant children and their families, as well as health care providers caring for this patient population. 

The event will be held Saturday, August 24, at McNear’s Beach in San Rafael. Last year, over 300 people attended.

Staff Report

After 28 years of serving delicious, quality food to the UCSF community at Parnassus, Courtyard Caffe will be closing its doors.

Fondly referred to as the “Nurseteria,” the popular eatery has fed faculty, staff, students and visitors of UCSF since 1985. It’s also been a treasured place to gather, study and enjoy a break from a busy day on campus.

Courtyard Caffe’s last day of service will be Friday, June 14.  The owners, Raphael Chan and Thoi Nguyen have enjoyed being part of UCSF and are now ready to retire this establishment.

“Do stop by to say goodbye,” said Chan. “We will always treasure our experience at UCSF, particularly your support and friendship. We hope to be leaving behind a legacy of: good people serving good food for a better period of time in the best institution.”

Until the closure, the café will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and offer a limited menu of sandwiches, salads and beverages.

By Yi Lu
Staff Writer

More than 80 students, faculty and staff joined together in Cole Hall on May 15 to pay their last respects to the anonymous men and women who donated their bodies for the study of anatomy.

This memorial service, organized by first-year UCSF students, featured an address by Andrew Corson, coordinator of the UCSF Willed Body program, and more than a dozen performances from students and faculty, including the reading of an original poem, “To the Man on the Table,” a dance set to the music of Billie Holiday, and a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.”

Family members of the donors were not invited to the event, which was billed as an opportunity for the UCSF community to share their thoughts and feelings with each other in a safe and open space before the cadavers were cremated and their ashes scattered at sea.

Staff Report

UCSF student premiums for 2013-2014 for medical, dental and vision insurance coverage will rise 20.4 percent, from $2,766 to $3,331.

In the four years prior to joining UC SHIP, UCSF premiums rose 49 percent.  In the three years since SHIP was implemented, UCSF premiums have increased just 1.1 percent.  This difference is due in part to spreading risk over a larger population and to cutting out insurance company profits, as well as because premiums were set too low. 

UCSF is responsible for only 2.4 percent of the estimated UC SHIP deficit to date, according to a memo from Joseph Castro, vice chancellor of Student Academic Affairs.

As a self-funded plan, the premiums paid by students are used to pay all claims costs.  There is no insurance underwriter that assumes liability or takes a profit. 

Staff Report

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union announced on May 10 that its patient care technical workers unit will strike on May 21 and 22 across the University of California system.

AFSCME’s patient care technical workers (EX Unit) will be joined on the picket lines by AFSCME’s service workers (SX Unit), who will engage in a sympathy strike at UC campuses.

UPTE’s health care professionals unit (HX), which includes pharmacists, also announced it will strike in sympathy, and it is possible that members of other unions will also join the strike, although strikes are illegal for members of unions currently engaged in bargaining or still under contract.

Physicians and nurses will not be on strike and will continue to provide care to patients.

By T. Booth Haley
Editor

The School of Dentistry will be losing one of its most beloved teachers this spring.  Ms. Rachel Simmons will retire after 40 years at UCSF.

Ms. Simmons started working here in 1973 as a dental assistant, and since 2006, has been Managing Supervisor of Radiology Services.  Known for her imperturbably calm demeanor, her sweet, almost maternal affect, and always perfect radiographic technique, she will be dearly missed by all the students who have worked under her caring, firm guidance. 

Ms. Simmons grew up in Oklahoma, where she played basketball with what must have been a high level of proficiency, because she was offered a full ride to college in Wyoming.  However, she declined, instead going to dental assisting school in Kansas City and subsequently moving out to California to seek employment. 

By Kate Lovero
Contributing Writer

The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and the Graduate Division Alumni Association (GDAA) has selected Dr. Ophir Klein as this year’s Outstanding Faculty Mentorship Awardee.

Dr. Klein is an associate professor in the departments of Orofacial Sciences and Pediatrics, and the Institute for Human Genetics.  He is also director of the Program in Craniofacial and Mesenchymal Biology and a member of the Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, and Developmental and Stem Cell Biology graduate programs. 

By Sonia Rab Alam
Contributing Writer

This year’s Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Career and Research Days Panel and Networking Event is aimed particularly at students in nursing and the social and behavioral sciences.

“Preparing for Careers in Teaching: Insights and Experiences from Across Academia,” to be held on May 21 in Millberry Union, will highlight UCSF's commitment to training excellent educators and help students across the social sciences (and beyond) develop their pedagogy, prepare a teaching portfolio and access teaching resources at UCSF.

Although UCSF is known for research excellence, it has fewer resources available for students interested in teaching careers.