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All �ٺ���Ƶ computer users, whether working on desktops, laptops or mobile devices, will soon see something different when logging in via the Central Authentication Service, or CAS:

• Smartphones and small tablets — Information and Educational Technology will introduce a login screen that has been optimized for these mobile devices, effective Tuesday, Aug. 6.
• Standard CAS login — IET will add new language to this page, plus an “extended validation certificate” in front of the “https://” in the address bar, effective Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The new looks may vary slightly depending on device, software and browser.

To ensure you are on a genuine �ٺ���Ƶ CAS page, look for “cas.ucdavis.edu” at the beginning of the URL (not including the “https://,” which shows up in all addresses except on the iPhone). IET emphasizes: If you do not see “cas.ucdavis.edu,” the page is a hoax — do not use it.

The login screen changes are part of a CAS upgrade this summer to improve the service and add more security features. The other changes to CAS are taking place in the background.

UC responds to same-sex marriage decisions

The UC Office of the President has posted a briefing of primary interest to employees and retirees in same-sex marriages, about steps the univertsity is taking to comply with the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

As a result of the rulings, employees in same-gender marriages are no longer subject to taxes on the imputed income for UC’s contribution to the cost of health insurance coverage provided for a same-gender spouse enrolled in UC-sponsored benefits.   

In addition, the employee’s portion of the cost of health insurance coverage for his or her spouse may be deducted on a pretax basis rather than on an after-tax basis.

“We know employees and retirees are eager to see these changes go into effect, and we are working as quickly as possible to make them,” said Dwaine Duckett, vice president of Human Resources.  “Unfortunately, implementation is more complicated than it may seem, and it will take more time than we would like.”

Work has begun on the programming and administrative details to implement the changes, and UC expects them to be ready by mid-September.

In addition, UC announced a special enrollment period during which employees and retirees have the opportunity to enroll their same-sex spouses in UC health benefits or, in some instances, to change plans.

Watersheds without the wet

Sandboxes have come a long way.

A new interactive, augmented-reality exhibit brings watersheds to life at �ٺ���Ƶ’ Tahoe science center (officially the ) in Incline Village, Nev. Participants run their hands through real sand, forming mountains, lakes and rivers, while a 3-D camera and digital projector allow users to create virtual topography in real time, make it "rain" and watch where the water flows.

"It's a teaching tool for all ages," said Professor Geoffrey Schladow, director of the university's , or TERC. "Usually, when you talk to kids about topography or what a contour line means, they're asleep in 30 seconds. With this exhibit ... it becomes a game, and they've done it without really knowing they've learned something."