Purchase Orders/P-card Orders  

Orders Form

Spreadsheet Link for Orders Status

Please submit orders via the Orders Form above. The spreadsheet link is to view the status of your orders (view-only for researchers). 

Our CER business office has developed a new order processing system to unify and streamline order processing and allow researchers to track order status. For new orders starting Monday, April 5, please submit your orders via the Order Form link above. Feel free to save this Order Form link as a bookmark. There is a separate orders spreadsheet link to see the status of your orders. This is a view-only spreadsheet for non-business office staff personnel. 

As a reminder, the person submitting the order will be responsible for obtaining PI approval and index/project-task the PI wants charged prior to placing the order, completing all details including vendor, catalog link, quote, account/project-task they would like to charge the order to. For the quote, please copy/paste the link the quote file on corresponding field. As a recommendation, save the document on a designated online folder like a google drive orders folder you can create, or alike, so Laura and fund managers can access the quote via the link.

Our business office would appreciate you using the new system exclusively for purchasing. If you have any suggestions for improving the process or questions, please contact Octavio Ochoa.

Order Questions: please contact Laura Purkey

FOR Shipping/Receiving Requests please submit yourself ONLINE! Please forward backup documentation to your fund manager. 

• Shipping memos found at UC San Diego-Bling page: 
  • https://blink.ucsd.edu/facilities/services/shipping/memo.html 
• Include description of contents: describe what is in box - indicate if batteries are included, estimated weight and box dimensions (LxWxD) 

For any other requests, please contact the corresponding fund manager or Octavio Ochoa, if unsure whom to contact. We will make sure your request is adequately managed.  

Please continue to refer to our CER online regarding guidelines for each of these items. Do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any further questions or for information not listed on our site. 

Please submit travel requests and reimbursement requests through our new CER Travel/Reimbursement Request process. Similar to our orders process, complete the Online Request Form. You will then upload all forms and receipts to your invidividual online folder in our OneDrive set up for each individual. If you don't have a travel folder please email us for set up. For privacy purposes, individual folders can only be accessed by the UCSD employee/student and our business office. Please create a new folder for each trip and reimbursement and label each folder accordingly. 

Travel & Reimbursement Request Form

To hire new personnel within CER, please complete the corresponding form for the appropriate title:

• Postoctoral Hire - please note that a 2-year initial appointment is required per union policy.
• Undergrad Hire - please note that it takes an average of 3 weeks to set up appointments. Please make sure the student does not work until their appointment is approved and set-up. HR will notify the student and PI when approved.

Postdocs

We have put together this information to help new postdocs transition smoothly into their new position. You can also download this information.

Top 2 Things to do as a New Postdoc

1. Attend a New Postdoc Orientation Session

   The first thing you should do as a new postdoc is sign up for an orientation; they are held once per month on the UC San Diego campus. Find a date and register here.

   Postdoc orientations are planned by the UC San Diego Office of Postdoctoral & Visiting Scholar Affairs, a department meant to connect you with relevant and helpful information. They also run a postdoc email list you can subscribe to from their website.

2. Enroll in Health Insurance and Benefits

   You have 31 days from your appointment start date to enroll in health benefits. You can enroll and watch a slideshow tutorial about your options here.

   Learn more about your health insurance and other benefits through the Office of Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholar Affairs.

UC San Diego Photo ID Card

UC San Diego ID cards allow you access to University services like the library and on-campus transportation. Specific instructions on how to btain an ID card can be found here.

For further assistance, email campuscards@ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-6606.

Housing Assistance

• UC San Diego Off-Campus Housing Directory

  The UC San Diego Off-Campus Housing Directory provides rental and roommate listings exclusively for the UC San Diego community. In order to access the Online Housing database, you will need to input your student information. If you are not a student yet, email offcampushousing@ucsd.edu to request a log-in and password. For general questions please call (858) 246-0323.

• La Jolla Del Sol Apartments

  La Jolla del Sol is a UC San Diego apartment community that is close to campus and specifically designated for faculty, staff, fellows, and postdoctoral scholars. All apartments are unfurnished, and are either one-bedroom, two-bedroom/one-bath and two-bedroom/two-bath layouts. All units feature a full size washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, range and dining room ceiling fan.

• Craigslist

  You can find just about anything on Craigslist, including housing. It can be a great resource, but be careful with any information you provide and with meeting people in person, as anyone can post on craigslist, and there are people who want to scam you!

Transportation

Getting to Campus

Getting Around San Diego

UC San Diego Postdoctoral Association

The UC San Diego Postdoctoral Association (PDA) is comprised of volunteer postdocs who strive to enhance the postdoctoral experience by organizing professional development, social programs, and networking opportunities.

International Postdocs

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and the International Faculty & Scholar Office (IFSO), offer a wide array of services and programs for international students and their dependents at UC San Diego.

Social Security Card

A social security card is required for students who will be earning money in the USA. A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR ANY OTHER REASON.

Application Process

You must wait at least 10 days from arrival into the USA before applying for a Social Security card. This will allow enough time to activate your SEVIS record. You must apply in person at a local Social Security Administration office.

The following documents are required to apply for a Social Security card:

• Passport
• 1-94 card (small white card stapled in passport) Copy the front and back of 1-94to include with your application.
• UCSD ID Card, driver's license, or other form of photo identification.
• J•1: Valid DS-2019 and a letter from the UCSD International Student Advisor and a job offer letter from UCSD

Upon application for a social security card, a receipt will be issued. The card will be mailed in approximately three weeks.

Where to Apply

The two Social Security Card Centers that serve southern San Diego County residents are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am through 3:30pm. The nearest center from UCSD is downtown San Diego at 109 West Ash St., San Diego, CA 92101.

For a more complete list of offices and services, visit their website or call (800) 772-1213.

For bus routes to these offices check out San Diego’s Traffic, Transit, & Commute Information, or visit UC San Diego’s Transportation and Parking Services website.

California Driver's License

The State of California's Department of Motor Vehicles requires California residents to have a California driver's license even if the resident possesses a valid international driver's license. Students and scholars are considered to be California residents (for driving purposes only) if they have rented an apartment, are being paid any money and will be paying income tax, or are going to school in California.

Application Process

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires a written test and a road test. No appointment is necessary for the written test, but an appointment and a car are required for the road test. A US Social Security card is not needed to apply for a driver's license. The DMV is often crowded, so allow enough time to complete the process. Appointments are also available online.

For DMV locations or more information call (800) 777-0133 or visit the DMV website.

Under current law, a temporary license will be issued pending USCIS confirmation of the applicant's 1-94 status in the USA. It may take as long as nine months to receive the actual driver's license in the mail. Temporary permits can be renewed until the card is received.

Where to Apply

The closest DMV Office to UCSD is located at:

Department of Motor Vehicles
4375 Derrick Drive
San Diego, CA 92117

Toll-Free Number: 800 777-0133

Banking & Money Matters

In the US, it is customary to use checks and credit cards rather than using cash because it is easier and safer. It is best to open an account at a bank so that money can be taken out of the account when needed.

Most banks are open Monday through Friday from morning until mid-afternoon, and some are open also on Saturday morning. Upon opening an account, a "cash machine" card will be offered so you can withdraw money at any hour, day or night. These cards can be used at automated teller machines (ATMs) all over the world. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are located behind the Price Center on campus and at the Student Center. Using an ATM at a different bank may cost $1-$5 each time it is used.

The two main types of bank accounts are:

• Checking Account: Allows checks to be written for purchases and for paying bills.
• Savings Account: Offers a place to keep your money and earn interest.

Some checking accounts also pay interest. Most people in the USA pay their bills with checks. Cash should NEVER be sent in the mail to pay for a bill or for any other reason.

Opening a Bank Account

To open an account at most banks, you will need one or two valid forms of identification and a local postal address to receive mail. A passport and a UCSD identification card are usually sufficient. At least $100 is usually required to open an account, and there will be a monthly service charge for the account unless a "minimum balance requirement' (as much as $500 or higher) is maintained. There will also be a charge to have checks printed. Banks often have "hidden" fees so be sure to inquire about all possible fees. Not all banks require a US Social Security Number to open an account, however, bank services may be limited (no online banking etc.) if you do not have a Social Security Number.

A list of banks close to UCSD.

Transferring Funds from your Home Country

Full-service banks with international banking capabilities sell international money orders and receive deposits from banks outside of the USA. The best way to transfer funds from your country of origin to the USA is by electronic wire transfer directly from bank-to-bank. This method allows immediate credit and use of the money. Other methods of obtaining funds from abroad (example: money order, checks, etc.) will cause a delay of two weeks or longer in availability of funds.

Additional Resources

We have tried to include the most important information in this document. The following websites have more information that may also help you.

• UCSD Office of Postdoctoral & Visiting Scholar Affairs
• UCSD Postdoctoral Association
• Paying U.S. Taxes
• UCSD Campus Tours
• Daycare, schools, and babysitting
• Cultural Adjustment
• Help with speaking English
• What to do in San Diego
• Safety
• U.S. Holidays
• Travel and Re-entry into the U.S.

Please contact Octavio Ochoa for any requests regarding your office or building.

Visit UCSD’s Blink page on funding opportunities to subscribe to email alerts and search databases.

Also check the following Agency websites for current funding opportunities:

Every UC San Diego department must have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). You can view and download CER's plan below, as well as explore UCSD's emergency response resources.

We encourage you to sign up for campus email and phone emergency notifications, it takes less than 5 minutes.

Out of Town Visitors

You can download the information below as a word document, as well as a list of amenities near UCSD

Great information for Visiting Scholars - https://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/ovrs/visiting-scholars/info-current-scholars.html#Housing

Office keys can be checked out from Octavio Ochoa in SERF 209, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please make sure to email ahead of time to make sure we have keys available and the keys are ready for checkout. 

• CER Space Policy (Last Updated 07/29/2021)

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