Are you looking for a little excitement at work? Maybe some entertainment, fun, and self-care? Plan to join Campus Life Services for some frivolity as Arts and Events returns to the UCSF campus.
“We’re hoping to reignite that spark,” said Associate Director, Arts and Events, Conference, and Retail Services, Jen Dowd. "Our goal is to make it fun to be on campus."
Over the next year, the UCSF community will see more in-person events and opportunities to meet people, engage, and reconnect with colleagues. “Bringing people together to create a sense of community is the primary goal,” said Events & Engagement Coordinator for Arts and Events, Jamie DeAraujo. “Arts and Events will provide resources for people to feel appreciated. We want the events to feel like a celebration of our community. A little fun can go a long way.”
On July 1, the Community branch of Wellness and Community will return to its original roots, and once again become Arts and Events. “We want to enrich the lives of UCSF employees, faculty, researchers, and learners through creative arts, performance, and social events that highlight the university’s diversity, fosters social wellness, and celebrates our community,” Dowd said.
The vision is to create opportunities for connection and celebration through:
• Community
• Togetherness
• Events
• Inclusivity
• Fun
This includes the return of the Block Party to Mission Bay. The tentative plan is to revive the popular event in October. Prior to the pandemic, this was one of the major events that connected people throughout the UCSF community. “The Block Party showcases the best of UCSF,” Dowd said. “It’s one of the signature events that makes it fun to be on campus.”
DeAraujo said a series of entertaining and lively happenings will be held across UCSF’s campuses to show appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of the UCSF community. “Over the last couple of years, this community has worked hard to support the institution. We want to thank them with some fun at work. We’re going to bring back the smiles and laughs.”
Dowd said it’s going to be a big party for UCSF. “We’re going to create events that make it fun to be on campus. We want to ignite the UCSF spirit by bringing the community back together and producing smiles.”
DeAraujo said her favorite part of organizing activities at UCSF is seeing everyone have a great time. “We really noticed how much fun people had when the llamas visited Mission Bay. Those shared memories help connect and expand our community. We’re really excited about what’s in store for the future.”
Besides the Block Party, Arts and Events will support volunteer opportunities, Staff Appreciation Breakfasts, the Retail Discount Program, staff Registered Campus Organizations, and more. It will also support the Chancellor’s Concert Series, AIDS Walk, Earth Day cleanup, piano room rentals, and Fun in the Library.
Revitalizing some of the popular events from the past and adding in some appealing new events will help Arts and Events better understand what the UCSF community wants. “It provides a foundation for future planning,” DeAraujo said. “It will be a learning year for us. We want to understand what the UCSF community needs and wants.”
Although Wellness and Community is moving to new departments (Wellness to HR and Community/Arts and Events to Retail Services), the UCSF community can still anticipate collaboration between the two teams through programs like UC Moves and Step It Up. Arts and Events will also continue to host events to support the 7 Pillars of Wellness, particularly social, environmental and career wellness.
