IDEA$ Already in Progress

They say great minds think alike — and it turns out that more than a few IDEA$ were submitted for efforts that are already underway at UC Davis, in one way or another.

Because we value your input and support, we wanted to highlight a few of these important efforts to increase awareness of what is already in progress.

Check back for updates

If you’re aware of other ideas that have already been implemented or are in progress, please reach out by email, as we continue to build out this list.

Add smart thermostats to reduce HVAC costs

The majority of campus buildings have digital controls and can be viewed remotely.

Seek out opportunities to reduce HVAC based on occupancy in labs

This example project saves annual energy costs, while providing more local control of temperatures in an animal research and laboratory building.

Allow employees to work flexible schedules

Flextime is an arrangement between an employee and their supervisor related to their scheduled time at work, including start times, end times and breaks.

Sell native plants from a campus nursery

The Arboretum Teaching Nursery holds several popular plant sales, including native plants and Arboretum All-Stars, each fall and spring.

Adjust HVAC systems based on occupancy

Facilities teams are working to match HVAC schedules to occupancy patterns in buildings and provide flexibility to after-hours occupants with local controls.

Reduce leases for office space

UC Davis aims to save $4 million annually through incentives for campus teams to consolidate unused workspace – especially now that remote work is more common.

Install more solar panels

About 14% of UC Davis’ electricity needs are met by a solar farm and solar panels on parking lots and rooftops.

Sell UC Davis-brewed beer

In partnership with Sudwerks, the Iron Brew Competition sells beers brewed by UC Davis students.

Set standards for remote work, to consolidate office space needs

HR provided guidance for space and equipment allocations based on hybrid or remote work situations, as part of flexible work arrangements.

Improving hiring and onboarding processes on both campuses

The Hiring Experience is a two-year, multi-pronged initiative aiming to elevate recruitment, hiring and onboarding employees – starting with UC Davis Health.

New onboarding surveys for new employees

Surveys of new employees will offer potential improvements for HR onboarding processes, for both Davis and Sacramento campuses.

Sell campus-grown crops at campus eateries

The UC Davis Student Farm sells fresh, local produce at wholesale prices to UC Davis Dining Services and the ASUCD Coffee House for dishes served on campus.

Sell campus-bred plant varieties

Foundation Plant Services sells propagation materials for grapes, strawberries, fruit and nut trees, roses, and sweet potatoes – mainly to commercial nurseries.

Offer employee discounts for tuition

New scholarships are available for employees and family members, particularly for UC Davis’ MBA programs.

Adjust building temperatures for comfort and cost savings

TherMOOstat collects feedback from students, faculty and others to identify heating and cooling issues in classrooms, in real time.

New law allows UC Davis to sell wine to the public

Work is under way to establish a nonprofit organization, following a state law that enables sales of wine produced by UC Davis students.

Install signs about how to report a water leak

As part of a drought response plan, directions for how to report water leaks were posted broadly on campus.

Encourage employees to make choices that decrease energy use

Energy Adventure invites employees and students to learn about how energy is used on campus, so they can identify ways to cut energy waste.

Expand veterinary medical services with new orthopedic surgery center

A new orthopedic surgery center increases capacity for patient care and training using state-of-the-art technology funded by our donors.

Support flexible work arrangements

UC Davis has embraced flexible work arrangements when possible, after what began as a pandemic response has become an enduring feature of the modern working world.

Sell campus-grown flowers

Flowers for events and CSA members are grown and sold by the UC Davis Student Farm.

Sell campus dairy products

Milk produced at the UC Davis Dairy Teaching and Research Facility is sold to a cheese company.

Maximize using sustainable energy sources on campus

UC Davis has a new Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan, which maps out how we can reduce 95% of the fossil fuels used in our university’s operations by 2040.

Earn revenue from fruit and nut breeding

UC Davis has an active licensing program for strawberries, grapes, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peaches and prunes bred by campus researchers.