UC Council of Postdoctoral Scholars
Meeting Minutes from January 28, 2006 (Approved June 10, 2006)
Meeting at Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, CA

Members Present:
UCB – Jon Soderholm
UCD – Jerry Breslin (Chair)
UCI – Jason Poole and Jaan Mannik
UCSD – Michelle Juarez
UCSF – Christina Lewis, Rachel Wain
Consulting Members Present:
Cal Tech – Chad Haynes
Scripps – Adam Mullick (Host)
Stanford – Chrstiane Chen
Advisors/UC Personnel Present:
CPS Advisor – Shawn Hayes
UCOP – Mark Westlye
Guests:
Scripps: Jan Hill, Ryan Wheeler

Jerry Breslin called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. He and Adam Mullick offered a welcome and opening comments.

Mark Westlye gave an update from UCOP. There is uncertainty about the status of the CPS. What kind of organization is it? What do postdocs want it to be? There was discussion about the possibility of a budget, office space issues, administrative support, representatives on campus committees, etc.

Christina Lewis motioned a task force be created to solve the continuing problems with recognition of postdocs. There was discussion that the CPS needs to identify what postdocs need and at what particular campuses. Also, some UC campuses have no postdoc representation on committees or on the CPS. An email exchange of how postdocs achieved certain goals on different campuses was suggested. The motion was tabled and the discussion moved to the invitation of industry postdocs to a CPS meeting.

After a short discussion, it was agreed that postdocs from Genentech would be invited to an informal social with CPS members at the next CPS meeting in Berkeley.

CPS business:
Jon Soderholm presented an informational document regarding compensation of postdocs. It was suggested that the CPS present data showing that other universities and research institutions in California are offering more competitive salaries than UC.

The Mentoring Checklist was tabled until the next meeting.

A new logo for CPS was presented and feedback provided. (Subsequently a logo was chosen in web discussion and placed on the website)

Website: Jerry Breslin announced that Graham Davies (UCLA) had moved the website from UCD to the UCLA postdoc server. They are working on improving the content and design.

Campus Report Highlights:
CalTech: Budget has increased, but PDO funding was cut. Chad Haynes presented copies of the CPA 2005 annual report, which they send to the Provost, Vice-Provost, President, all Division Chairs and Director of Human Resources annually.

UCSD: Currently does not have a PSA, but does have a PDO. Michelle Juarez and some other postdocs and the GSA are trying to organize a career symposium in San Diego for Oct. 14 or Oct. 21. It was proposed that the next CPS meeting occur at UCSD in this time frame.

UCSF: Christina Lewis reported the PSA awarded its first Outstanding Faculty Mentorship Award. Over 100 nomination letters for 32 different faculty were received. The PSA also appointed two new faculty advisors. They wil be conducting an outreach program to East Bay postdocs. Recently they had a successful ski trip, and a sailing trip is coming up.

UCI: Jason Poole and Jaan Mannik reported that there is no official PSA, but they have a biomedical trainee network (15-20 people normally attend). There is an NSF grant pending for postdoc (women and minority) career advancement program that ties in with UCR and UCLA. Currently there is no graduate dean (search in progress) and the career center is not currently providing services for postdocs.

Scripps: Adam Mullick presented the annual report for the Scripps (TSRI) Society of Fellows (SOF). There are 809 postdocs at TSRI. Events include a distinguished lecturer series and a lot of social events that sell-out quickly.

UCB: Jon Soderholm reported the BPA has some new members (4 on the executive board), and that about 15 members actively participate in the PSA. About 50 postdocs attended a recent holiday party. They have monthly meetings and are planning a weekly happy hour. The BPA is looking into collaborations with the LBL postdoc association, and will meet with the Vice Chancellor of Research to discuss goals and start a dialogue. Jon also described the VSPA workshop series and some teaching opportunities for postdocs.

UCD: Jerry Breslin described the PSA’s postdoc teaching initiative. The PSA is currently reconstructing its website, which was very outdated. A change in the funding cycle for UCD postdoc travel grants has been implemented in order to try to get more applications and make the process easier for postdocs.

Stanford: Christiane Chen announced Standford postdocs now have vision insurance with no out-of-pocket premium. Status is now officially postdoc instead of graduate student. There were complaints that employees were given a holiday bonus and that postdocs were left out, but this was later resolved. SUPD now has a budget.

Next meeting:
The proposed date for the next meeting was May 6. June 3 was proposed as a backup date. The meeting will be at UC Berkeley.

The meeting concluded at 4:30 pm.