Rocky horse graphic over an illustrated image of the UC Davis skyline
Rocky

UC Davis AI Chat & Campus Guide

Rocky Use Cases

Rocky is learning more every day, and so are we! Whether you are new to AI or an early adopter, we curated some ideas or use cases to help you interact with UC Davis's newest AI chat. Scroll down or choose the topic links below to navigate to each use case, sample prompt, and Rocky's response. 

Decode | Navigate | Connect | Grow | Support | Simplify 

UC Davis sign

Decode

Rocky can help new and veteran employees decode the many acronyms that make up UC Davis professional and academic culture.

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: What are the most common acronyms used at UC Davis?
    Rocky Response: At UC Davis, several acronyms and abbreviations are commonly used across campus. Here are some of the most frequently encountered ones (abbreviated):

     -ARC: Activities and Recreation Center
     -CAES: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
     -CBS: College of Biological Sciences
     -COE: College of Engineering
     -COHO: Coffee House (located in the Memorial Union)
     -DC: Dining Commons
     -I-House: International House (Davis community organization)
     -L&S: College of Letters & Science
     -MU: Memorial Union

    These acronyms are part of the everyday language at UC Davis and can help you navigate the campus more effectively 1.
    Citations: UC Davis Jargon

UC Davis Coffee House

Navigate

Rocky takes the headache out of the campus parking equation, providing the best parking lot or structure options relative to where you’re going on campus.  

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: Where should I park if I want to go to the Coffee House?

    Rocky Response: If you're planning to visit the Coffee House at UC Davis, the best parking options include:

    Visitor Parking Lot 1 or 2: These lots are accessible from Old Davis Road. After exiting I-80, you can follow Old Davis Road past the Visitor Information Kiosk to reach these lots. You can use the AMP Park app to purchase a daily parking permit, and hourly parking is available through COSMO permit dispensers at select parking lots 1.

    West Entry Parking Structure: This parking structure is another convenient option. You can use the AMP app to manage your parking needs. Parking is free on weekends unless there is a special event, and weeknight parking is free before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m. 2.

    For the most current parking rates and availability, it's advisable to check the Transportation Services website.

    Citations:
    Maps, Directions and Local Amenities – UC Davis Library
    Class Schedules, and Contact

Students reading on campus

Connect

Rocky makes finding like-minded groups on campus and getting involved quick and easy. 

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: Are there any book clubs or reading groups at UC Davis that I could join?

    Rocky Response: Yes, UC Davis offers several book clubs and reading groups that you can join:

    Sac Aggies Book Club: This club is affiliated with the Sac Aggies Alumni Chapter and has a roster of 60 to 65 members. They hold monthly discussions on the third Thursday of each month. The club reads a variety of books, and past selections have included classics like "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers and "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville1.

    Interprofessional Book Club: Hosted by the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and sponsored by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this book club is part of the UC Davis Campus Community Book Project. It invites UC Davis and non-UC Davis community members to participate. The club discusses books that reflect shared social challenges, and reading the book is not required to participate2.

    These clubs provide a great opportunity to engage with the UC Davis community and explore diverse literary works.

    Citations:
    NOVEL WAYS: Sharing a passion for the written word
    The Interprofessional Book Club presents Hate in the Homeland - Session Two

Woman on a computer

Grow

Whether you’re a supervisor or support staff, Rocky can help you find resources and guidance to aid in your career development at UC Davis.

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: Does UC Davis offer free career development resources for staff?

    Rocky Response: Yes, UC Davis offers several free career development resources for staff to help them advance their careers within the university. Here are some of the key resources available:

    My UC Career: This is an online portal that provides resources for career discovery, job searching, resume building, networking, and interview tips. It is designed to help staff explore and advance their careers within the University of California system 1.

    Career Management Toolkit: This toolkit offers guidance on career planning and development, helping staff to create a professional development plan and understand core competencies needed for career advancement 23.

    UC Learning Center: Offers a variety of eLearning resources and courses that staff can access to enhance their skills and knowledge. This includes a career planning bundle that can be particularly useful for those looking to grow their careers 4.

    Release Time for Professional Development: UC Davis provides release time for staff to participate in professional development activities, allowing them to attend workshops, courses, and other learning opportunities during work hours 43.

    Tuition Assistance Programs: These programs offer financial support for staff who wish to pursue further education and training, which can be a significant asset for career growth 4.

    For more detailed information and to access these resources, you can visit the UC Davis Human Resources website.

    Citations:
    The 7 essential steps for redesigning your career | UCnet
    Career Resource Library
    Tuition Assistance Programs
    Career Development
Gunrock at the gym

Support

Rocky can connect you with the right services and resources for health, recreation, tech, or any other issues that pop up. 

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: Does UC Davis offer discounts to fitness classes for staff members?

    Rocky Response: Yes, UC Davis offers several discounts on fitness classes and related services for staff members. Here are some of the available discounts:

    TEAMride: UC Davis staff can enjoy a 15% discount at TEAMride, a locally-operated indoor spin studio in Sacramento. The first ride is free, providing an excellent opportunity to try out their classes 1.

    Self Made Training Facility: Located in Folsom, this facility offers a 20% discount on memberships or private training sessions for UC Davis staff. You will need to show your UC Davis Campus ID upon sign-up to receive the discount 1.

    UC Davis Health - Sports Medicine: Staff are eligible for a 10% discount on Sports Medicine Health Assessments, which include comprehensive fitness assessments, DXA body composition scans, and metabolic testing 1.

    These discounts are part of UC Davis's commitment to promoting health and wellness among its community members. For more details, you can visit the Health & Fitness Discounts page.

    Citations: Health & Fitness Discounts

Man working at laptop

Simplify

Struggling to comprehend technical language or understand complicated financial processes? Rocky can simplify complicated university processes and policies into plain, easy to understand language and action steps.

  • Example Prompt & Rocky Response
  • Prompt: How do I submit a reimbursement for an unauthorized purchase at UC Davis?

    Rocky Response: To submit a reimbursement for an unauthorized purchase at UC Davis, you need to follow a specific process. Here are the steps you should take:

    Complete the Unauthorized Purchase Statement: Use DocuSign to fill out the Unauthorized Purchase Statement. This form can be initiated by the employee who made the purchase or another employee within the department. The declarant must digitally sign the statement in DocuSign 12.

    Prepare Supporting Documentation: Gather all necessary receipt documentation and any other supporting materials related to the purchase.

    Submit a Professional Expense Report: If the reimbursement is for a UC Davis employee, complete a Professional Expense report in AggieExpense. Attach the completed and signed Unauthorized Purchase Statement along with the supporting receipt documentation to the report. The report will be reviewed and approved by the AggieExpense Department Approver, the financial department approver, and central Accounts Payable12.

    Payment Request Form for Suppliers: If the payment is due to a supplier, complete the Payment Request Form and select the Payment Type of Unauthorized Purchase. Attach the Unauthorized Purchase Statement and receipt documentation to the form, and email it to invoicing@ucdavis.edu12.

    Approval and Processing: The Invoicing team will review the request. If all required information and documentation are included, Accounts Payable will create an invoice in Aggie Enterprise, which will route to the fiscal officer for approval12.

    For more detailed guidance, you can refer to the Supply Chain Forms web page or the Finance & Business website.

    Citations:
    Unauthorized Purchasing Reimbursement Process Changing 1/17/25
    Unauthorized Purchasing Reimbursement Process Changing Friday, January 17th