Seamless Travel Adventures
Unlocking Priority and Protection with UC San Diego's Managed Travel Program
By Kelsey Moon, Travel Program Manager
Earlier this year, a good friend of mine took herself to Thailand for her 40th birthday. She was thrilled to show me the bargain airfare she purchased on a public travel website, excitedly telling me about all the plans she made for herself, starting the trip with a stay at a luxurious spa resort complete with massages and chef's table meals.
Her departing flight ended up getting waylaid in Guam due to a tropical storm. A few hours' delay turned into a 3-day delay for her. She sat in the airport watching other travelers board flights out. By the time she was re-accommodated, the only option was to fly on a series of connecting flights before finally landing in Thailand days after her resort reservations had ended. She missed her own birthday.
Why did this happen? Her bargain flight came without protections. The trip insurance she bought may have reimbursed her for some ticket costs, but it did not cover re-booking priority or rights. She was among the last of the travelers to be re-accommodated and she ended up paying for it with her time and comfort.
Purchasing your airline ticket in UC San Diego's managed travel program* means that our travelers get priority treatment when it comes to situations like these. Booking within airline contracts ensures our travelers get on those planes and keep as close to the original schedules as possible. Between our partner travel agencies Balboa and Kahala and our contracts with airline partners, UC travelers are better situated to handle whatever situation arises.
*Want to know more about UC San Diego's managed travel program? Our brand new Travel Benefits Blink page is a great place to start!
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Travel, Entertainment, and Card Program Resources
Enhancing Professional Growth
The Travel, Entertainment, and Card Program Team offers different Virtual Instructor-Led Trainings (VILT) monthly (excluding December and July). VILT course offerings include:
• Concur: Event Expenses & Other Reimbursements
• UC San Diego Travel: Before You Go
• UC San Diego Travel: Reporting Expenses
We also have an extensive selection of Knowledge Base Articles (KBAs) that provide step-by-step guidance on many of our processes. If you prefer visual guidance, check out the Concur Video Walkthrough YouTube Playlist! The number of videos in this playlist is growing by the day, so we encourage you to bookmark and share this YouTube playlist with your department.
If you were not able to attend the Moves & Relocation: Policy & Procedure training and you wish to become more familiar with the process, watch the recorded session. Visit this VILT Link for more info!
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Campus Mail and Outbound Shipping Operations
A Key Move in UC San Diego's Logistics 2.0 Transformation
As part of the broader Logistics 2.0 initiative to reduce the duplication of efforts and to increase integration, Campus Mail and Outbound Shipping have recently moved from their on-campus site to our Logistics Hub at Trade Street to align functions and reduce redundant routes. This transformation of UC San Diego’s last-mile infrastructure supports the University’s long-range development plan and enhances the client experience.
Another forward-looking aim of this project is that the aforementioned on-campus space will now be fully utilized by Student Mail. Along with the ever-increasing growth of UC San Diego, the number of students requiring mail-related services has increased. This past year Student Mail processed 369,219 packages for the 17,881 on-campus students. The newly constructed Theatre District Living & Learning Neighborhood (LLN) opening this fall will gradually provide on-campus housing for 2,000 students. With the Ridge Walk North LLN and Pepper Canyon West LLN in development, additional housing for 3,700 students will be added, increasing the need for more space as the mail & package volume grows.
As the Logistics 2.0 initiative continues moving forward, the next focus is on the electrification of its fleet. Receiving & Distribution recently began leasing a fully electric delivery truck, XOS.
We are excited for what the future holds.
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Discovering the Advantages of Private Mailboxes
Convenience and Versatility for All
Private Mailboxes (PMBs) serve a diverse clientele, from Etsy shop owners to school organizations and businesses. They offer a permanent address, ensure a professional image, and accept shipments from all major carriers, including FedEx, UPS, USPS, and more. Simplify your mailbox rental with our convenient auto-pay program. With PMBs, you get a reliable and consistent mailing solution, accommodating various carriers and streamlining your mailbox management. Sign up today to enjoy these benefits and make your mailing experience hassle-free. Visit The Trove site to learn more.
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Calling all Pinball Wizards and Transformers Fans!
Check out this Transformers pinball machine, on sale now at Surplus Sales.
Designed and engineered for the home by Stern Pinball under License from Hasbro, the Transformers pinball machine features art, music, speech, and sound effects from the Transformers franchise. Complete with Bumblebee-themed Stand-up targets and 7 dedicated shot paths.
View details on the Surplus Sales website: Lot Number 231394
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Alejandra Gutierrez-Burgos
By James Hern
Alex started working for UC San Diego in 1993 with Disbursements in a temporary position that turned into a full-time position a few months later. Alex has held just about every role there is in Disbursements. She has experience with prior systems, which has given her the knowledge to tackle most issues that cross her path.
Before working for UC San Diego, Alex worked in data entry at Synaptic in San Jose. She has always worked in sales and vaunts her ability to sell almost anything. Alex came to San Diego on a whim to provide moral support to a close friend but ended up staying permanently after being charmed by the city. She loved the accessibility of the beaches and that she could be closer to family members who lived in both San Diego and Tijuana. Alex briefly worked for a mortgage company in downtown La Jolla before coming to work at UC San Diego.
Currently, Alex handles the Problem Resolution role in Accounts Payable like a pro and doubles as the Work Lead for undergraduate students within AP. Working with students has been immensely rewarding for Alex and continuing to connect with them after they have graduated is a blessing to her. She prefers a more hands-on learning method, being present in the office as much as possible, having open discussion meetings, and facilitating two-way communication with different authority levels, which has been a great example to the students.
Outside of work, Alex is a strong advocate for physical activity, loves to decorate and travel, and encourages other women to build communities with each other for support, sharing, and connection. Alex believes in the positive effects that physical activity can have in all aspects of our lives and encourages everyone to engage in some form no matter the difficulty level or age. She frequently attends various classes like running, spin, boxing, and more! Alex loves decorating the interior of her home, especially for the holidays. She can easily envision the design of a room just by looking at one piece of tile.
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Travel is big for Alex, and she loves to go on trips with any of her friends and her family. She met her husband, Andre, at UC San Diego in Business and Financial Services who at the time worked in Systems as a Linux expert. Together they have three wonderful kids and one beautiful granddaughter.
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Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) Committee
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Boosting Wellness
IPPS Initiatives for Employee Health and Connection
At the beginning of August, IPPS started participating in the Injury Prevention Program where a certified trainer comes to our location once a week. The goal of these visits is to provide guided mobility, stretching, and strengthening drills and techniques that we can implement on our own time to help prevent work-related injury. Many of our staff members spend a lot of their time sitting down and in front of a screen, and these sessions have been really helpful in incorporating more movement during our workday. If you want to learn more about the Injury Prevention Program, please contact Teresa Guglielmo, Employee Wellness Program Manager - tguglielmo@ucsd.edu.
With wellness in mind, we also had the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) virtually provide a workshop for IPPS employees, where we were given tools on how to prevent stress-related illness, burnout, and fatigue. The name of the workshop was Hard Times, Soft Tactics: Mind-Body Skills for Busy Professionals. If you want more information on how to request a workshop for your department, please reference the FSAP Blink page.
Lastly, we wanted to highlight the BIPOC Support Group which meets on the third Thursday of the month with a focus on connecting around different identities and exploring shared common experiences. To find the best support group for you, check out FSAP Classes, Workshops and Groups on Blink.
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Campus Partnership Program
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Campus Partnership Program
University Credit Union
UC San Diego | University Credit Union members can show their Triton spirit with credit and debit cards designed exclusively for the UC San Diego community! The official Triton card products feature the Triton Athletics logo and an iconic image of the UC San Diego Geisel library. Visit the UC San Diego | University Credit Union member website and open an account today!
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| Ashlyn Bernal
Finance Training Manager
Ashlyn Bernal has accepted a new role within Business & Financial Services (BFS) where she will be positioned to help develop an overarching training strategy on behalf of the entire organization. This newly created role will allow Ashlyn to take what she’s learning in her Masters of Instructional Design & Technology Program at the University of San Diego, and all of the work she’s done within IPPS, to create something incredibly impactful for the entire campus.
Ashlyn has built strong working relationships with colleagues, she is looked to as a Subject Matter Expert in a variety of areas, and she is respected for her ability to impart knowledge. She is highly regarded across campus and her reputation precedes her in many areas, so having her take on such a critical function in support of her existing clients is going to lead to even greater successes for everyone. Congratulations, Ashlyn!
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| Jay Okuma
MRO Commodity Manager
Jay, a native San Diegan and UC San Diego alumnus, boasts extensive supply chain expertise, having held pivotal roles in Food Services and Furnishings. In his new role, Jay will manage the sourcing, procurement, and contracting for equipment, linens, and lighting. Jay's diverse interests include photography, sports, home/car audio, and quality family time. Welcome, Jay!
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| Monica Hall
Payables Policy and Project Senior Analyst
Monica brings unique skills to IPPS from her 14-year career in Athletics as their Director of Travel and Strategic Operations. Monica has a wealth of knowledge from her direct experience with travel policy and Concur. In her new role in IPPS, she’ll join the Payables space to work on strategic projects and process improvement. Welcome, Monica!
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| Ornetta Smith
Moving Services Crew Lead
Ornetta started as a TES mover assistant, but after a few months became a crew lead. She has nearly 20 years of experience in various fields that require a wide variety of skills. She was an Amazon driver and has a retail background at Home Depot, Pier 1 Imports, and Best Buy. Her hard work, dedication, and enthusiastic attitude make her the perfect addition to the team. Welcome, Ornetta!
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| Steve Van Duine
Surplus Sales
In 1981, Steve Van Duine was a student at UC San Diego seeking employment. He came across a job with a department called Surplus Sales and decided he would check it out. He never could have imagined that decision would lead to a 40+ year career with the university. During his tenure, he grew Surplus Sales from 'one guy and a truck' into the most successful Surplus operation in the UC system, and one of the best in the entire country. Through his team's efforts, Surplus Sales diverts well over 1.5 million pounds from the landfill every year and gives back close to a million dollars to campus departments. Known as a “jack of all trades,” Steve routinely repaired, fixed, and fabricated just about every piece of equipment at Trade Street, saving the organization over $600,000 during his tenure.
In 2016, Steve was the Principal Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year at UC San Diego because of his contributions to the university. There is no replacing Steve, and he will be missed!
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| Gabe Aborqui
Logistics
Gabe Aborqui joined UC San Diego in 1995 and worked in the Bookstore with his brother Sid. Nine years later, Gabe transitioned to join Logistics as a delivery driver. He has been an outstanding member of Logistics and the lifeblood of the group for 21 years. Gabe's colleagues often refer to him as “The Mayor of UC San Diego” because, no matter where he went on campus, people would greet him with a wave or stop to say 'hello' - he had so many friends and built a great network within the campus community during his 29-year tenure. Always upbeat and positive, his energy and kindness will be greatly missed.
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Frank Carlson
Logistics
Frank joined the Logistics team in 2002 as a delivery driver. This was Frank’s “retirement” job, having spent his entire life flying, which was his true passion. Frank had his pilot’s license before he had a driver’s license and became a private pilot for the CEO of one of the country’s largest hotel chains. This passion allowed him to see the entire world until he met his future wife, Eva. Frank realized he needed a job that kept him home so he could spend as much time with his new passion, Eva. Working at UC San Diego fit the bill perfectly, and Frank graced us with 21 years of excellent service. Campus clients appreciated his attention to detail and frequently sent notes to supervisors about how great Frank was. Thank you, Frank!
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