Staff Enjoys Networking and Public Service Event

UC Merced staff members recently got a chance to bond with colleagues and learn about campus landmarks and places of interest – all while helping a local emergency shelter.

Staff Assembly and the Office of the Chancellor co-sponsored “Where in the World is Rufus,” a scavenger hunt that was part of the new Networking and Public Service series (NPS). Eleven teams from units across the campus participated in the event held in late March. Each team received clues that took it to different campus locations - including the Early Childhood Education Center, the Bobcat sculpture, the rock pathway near Facilities, the Ombuds office, the Marketplace in student housing and others.

Volunteers positioned at each location provided interesting facts about the site, and the final destination for all teams was the Beginnings sculpture. Prizes were awarded to teams who had the quickest and slowest finish times and were the most spirited.

“Everyone had such as great time,” said Pam Taylor, who serves as Staff Assembly’s finance officer and helped organize the scavenger hunt. “It was an opportunity for people to participate in a fun team-building activity with their co-workers, learn some interesting things about the campus and provide much-needed support to a local agency.”

Participants were asked to bring travel-sized toiletries that were later donated to Valley Crisis Center, a domestic violence shelter that serves Merced. The next Staff Assembly event will be Staff Appreciation Week held the week of May 19, and the next NPS event will be in the fall.