For the first time ever,former JapaneseAmerican UC students who were prevented from completing their education because of interment during WWII will be given honorary degrees bythe University of California.A task force was prompted initially by UC San Francisco’s inquiry to honora JapaneseAmerican former student whowas interned in1941.The task force will determine how many other former students were prevented from earning their degreedue to internment.

Research at the UC Davis School of Medicine will receive a boost in funding, thanks to a large grant provided by the federal government. The $1.6 million grant was awarded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was signed by President Obama in February and is part of a joint effort with the National Institutes of Health to support university research. The money will fund six different projects at the school, including research studies in prostate cancer, radiation poisoning, traumatic brain injury and viral infections in airway tissues.

Editor’s Note:Megan Ellis studied abroad this summer through the UC Davis Summer Abroad program.This is her personal perspective on her experience. There are seven simple rules to surviving studying abroad.It took five weeks touring the United Kingdom with23fellow students for me to realize that not everyone has been tutored in the art of tourism.

Davis bats test positive for rabies County health officials are advising caution among local residents after two dead bats found in Davis last week tested positive for the rabies virus. A local resident walking her dog came across seven dead bats near the West Covell Boulevard bicycle overcrossing,where a local bat colony is known to roost.The Yolo County Health Department tested four of the bats and found three were positive for rabies.The other three could not be tested.

Chancellor-designate Linda Katehi’s name was not among those accused of participating in a problematic admissions processat the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A report submitted last Thursday by the Illinois Admissions Review Commission identified several administrators,including the chancellor and an assistant provost,of having been involved in the admissions scheme.

Editor‘s note:Kelly Krag-Arnold has been a lifeguard at the UC Davis Recreational Pool for over two years.This is her perspective as an employee. It‘s110degrees outside in Davis,my air conditioning has been broken for days and the thermostat in my apartment is steadily creeping toward the triple digits.Man am I glad to head to work at the UC Davis Rec Pool!

Austin Graham doesn’t believe in summer vacations.A native of San Clemente,Calif.,Graham led the UC Davis men’s golf team to the NCAA Tournament in May.He’s been firing on all cylinders ever since,winning the prestigious Southern California Golf Association Amateur Championship in July and qualifying for the upcoming U.S.Amateur Championship.

Harper Junior High School’s gymwill betransforming into a consignment shop from Aug.13to16. Worth Repeating,a new Davis company,and the Davis Schools Foundation are partnering to transform the gym into ashop. Worth Repeating organizes children,teen and maternity consignment sales events in the Yolo area.Products sold at Harper’s event will include children’s clothes,toys,baby furniture,bicycles and DVDs.

What does Miss California 2009 runner-up and UC Davis student Jenna Harvey hope for other than world peace? “That was going to be my answer!” Harvey said. “Other than world peace, I’d say people need to have realistic expectations, get up and do something.” The Miss California contest took place in Fresno on June 27. Kristen Cavender of Orange won the Miss California title. Over 50 counties were represented in the contest.

Experimental rock is probably the biggest umbrella a band canhide under to avoid criticism.Blunt genrelabeling ishurtful,so embracing the avant-garde approach to songwriting is an easy method for success in the underground world. Animal Collective’s brand ofexperimentation takes a broad approach to music creation.On the first listen one might think there’s way too much going on,and on the second and thirdspins the listener mightnot change his mind.Animal Collective piles on layers and layers of electronic sounds to what sounds like an electronic/rock equivalent of a beginning band’s warm-up routine.

Sometimes money from stimulus packages and research grants simplydoesn’tpay the bills.Sometimes it takes a petting zoo to make ends meet.The Bohart Museum of Entomology in1124Academic Surge has expanded its collection of insects that visitors can “pet,” bringing in a steady stream of visitors,free of charge but open to donation.

With traffic and car lights beaming brightly,a serene shade of blue sky andweather slowly cooling down,last Thursday night’s indie folk show at the John Natsoulas Gallery presented a great opportunity to enjoy the sounds of downtown Davis while soaking up the summer atmosphere. Local artist Ally Hasche performed at the John Natsoulas Gallery (located on the corner of First and E Street) with a set featuring various covers and some new music from her upcoming EP.Later,Scott Bartenhagen followed with a mellow folk set featuring new music from his own upcoming album,10Songs,10Men.