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 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

November 25, 2025 

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences) 

People Leaders:  For staff without ready access to email, please print and post a copy of this email. 

As we approach Thanksgiving (happy Thanksgiving, to those who celebrate), I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting - not just on gratitude itself, but on what it really means to practice it with intention. And I’m not referring to the casual “thx” we offer as we rush from one thing to the next, but the kind that invites us to pause… breathe… and truly acknowledge the people who make our days lighter, our work meaningful, and our lives richer. 

This season can be tender for many of us. Joy and grief often sit side by side, and we don’t always know the stories, emotions, and histories others are carrying into every room they enter. We never know if this could be our last Thanksgiving with someone we love, or if someone we care about is spending their first Thanksgiving without someone dear to them. 

I was recently listening to Shola Richards’ Kindness Extremist podcast, and he talked about how often we feel gratitude but never actually speak it out loud - assuming that somehow, people just know. And when he said that, I emphatically nodded my head in agreement, because expressing gratitude - clearly, intentionally, authentically - is how we nourish one another. It’s how we build connection. It’s how we create the culture of equity, inclusion, care, growth, and purpose that we talk about so often and must live out even more intentionally. 

So I want to challenge us - myself included - to practice intentional gratitude not just this week - but beyond. Let’s call it a gratitude streak. Think of at least one person you can acknowledge: a colleague who supported you in a tough moment; a team that carried a heavy load with grace; someone whose kindness shifted the tone of an entire day. 

Let them know. Tell them why they matter.  

I am deeply grateful for the UC San Diego community - your resilience, your generosity, your compassion, and the countless ways you show up for one another. You inspire me every single day, and I don’t take the privilege of serving alongside you for granted. 

As Shola said in his podcast, “We are living in an appreciation-starved world, and every one of us has the power to change that.” Try nourishing someone with an authentic thank you. You might just offer the sustenance their heart has been quietly longing for. 

Lead with grace and courage, 

Terri S. Winbush   

Campus Chief Human Resources Officer  

The 2026 Payroll Timekeeping Deadline Schedule is now available on Blink. Effective January 2026, the payroll deadline cutoff time will move from 2:30 p.m. to 12 p.m. (noon), and all weekend and holiday deadlines have been eliminated. These changes are designed to support work-life balance for timekeepers; please review the schedule now to prepare your department for the new year. 

As 2025 comes to a close, be sure to review important reminders and announcements related to your pay, taxes, and benefits. Some items may require action on your part, so please note the upcoming deadlines in this UCPath newsletter. 

As outlined in the UC Payroll Policy (see pages 2 and 3 regarding holiday payroll schedules), the first payroll for both monthly and biweekly schedules will be processed on Jan. 2, 2026. Some employees may expect payments to be made on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2026); however, as outlined in the UC Policy, payments will be issued on the next banking day, which is Jan. 2, 2026. For a complete list of 2026 payroll dates, visit Blink. For payroll questions, submit an inquiry to UCPath. 

Did you know that more than 15,000 UC San Diego employees are still receiving physical tax forms? Going paperless with UCPath is a convenient and secure way to receive your tax forms and paycheck. View steps to enroll for an electronic W-2 and 1095-C on UCnet. 

Beginning January 2026, UC will change how voluntary disability plan premiums are deducted for monthly employees. Currently deducted in arrears, premiums will instead be collected during the current coverage month, consistent with other benefit deductions. For example, your January 2, 2026 paycheck will include the deduction for January 2026 coverage. To transition to this new schedule, your December 2025 voluntary disability premium will be split across your October 31 and December 1 paychecks. All other benefit premium deductions will remain unchanged. For questions about benefits premium deductions, contact UCPath.

An important reminder that all university non-faculty employees are required to submit their time worked, report absences, and/or acknowledge they have no absences to report by the deadlines established for each pay period. Subsequently, all supervisors (including faculty supervisors) are expected to review and approve these timecards. Accurate and complete time and leave reporting not only ensures that we get paid properly, but also that the university meets its obligations to pay for work performed while helping ensure the responsible use of public funds. 

Missed the Nov. 13, 2025 Staff Town Hall? The full recording and accompanying resources are now available on Blink. Check Blink soon for upcoming Staff Town Hall dates.

Thank you for participating in this year’s survey! More than 3,200 of you shared your feedback, helping us provide an objective framework for continually assessing the effectiveness of campus departments and capturing the voice of the customer to guide improvements. Survey reports will be available in early to mid-December. Please remember to pick up your thank-you gift from the UC San Diego Bookstore Customer Service Desk by Friday, December 12. Learn more about the Customer Satisfaction Survey on Blink, and contact customersatsurvey@ucsd.edu with any questions. 

Is your department fully leveraging work-study? The Work-Study Program helps cover a portion of student wages, which reduces departmental labor costs while providing meaningful, paid, on-campus opportunities for students with financial need. Watch this short video on Blink to learn how work-study funding can support both your department and student success. To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact the Student Employment Office at studentemployment@ucsd.edu. 

UC President James B. Milliken reflects on his first 100 days at UC, acknowledging recent challenges and reaffirming UC’s commitment to excellence, access, and public service. He also outlines priorities for the months ahead. Read President Milliken's full message on UCnet.

The Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) welcomed the Systemwide Human Resources Benefits Programs and Strategy team at an all-staff town hall on Oct. 22, providing more than 1,700 UC employees the chance to hear directly from leadership about Open Enrollment and changes planned for the 2026 benefits year. A recording of the webinar and the FAQ areavailable on CUCSA's website.

Read the latest edition of UCnet's UC Spotlight - a monthly feature celebrating the people and teams who help make UC a great place to work. Do you know a UC San Diego staff member whose story should be shared? Read the November spotlight and learn how to submit a nomination on UCnet. UCnetwork is emailed monthly to University of California staff, and all members of the UC community are invited to subscribe. Get UCnetwork delivered to your inbox. 

UC San Diego staff can access an evergreen 20% food and beverage discount at all Estancia La Jolla outlets with a valid ID. The resort is offering seasonal programming, including The Frosty Saddle, Santa’s Suite, and holiday dining options. Staff may also view current room packages, including suites with seasonal décor. Estancia La Jolla is located near campus. Learn more about discounts on the Estancia La Jolla website, and learn about additional employee perks on Blink. 

During the 2025 holiday season, UC San Diego (excluding the hospitals and clinics) will officially close for seven (7) days between Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Thursday, January 1, 2026. The closure period includes four (4) university paid holidays (December 24, 25, 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026). Learn more about winter curtailment in this recent campus notice.