Campus News

Tired of the University of California failing to “bargain in good faith,” theUniversity Professional and Technical Employees(UPTE) unionheld a one-day strike at the Berkeley campus and University Office of the President on May6. “It was very exciting,the enthusiasm about standing up for their rights and letting the university know that we’re unhappy about not getting raises and that the bargaining hasn’t been going well,” said Colette Williams,a senior research associate at UC Davis who attended the demonstrations.

Though some students have been able to receive refunds for last month’s cancelled E-40concert at Theta Xi fraternity,tensions are still high with the promoting company used to plan the concert. The concert,which was scheduled to occur onApr.25,was organized by6trees Production Company,doing business as Dallas Imbimbo’s company,Twyce Incorporated Promotions.

UC Davis researchers received a$7million grant for stem cell research onApr.29,allowing labs to conduct groundbreaking research on Huntington’s Disease and in utero treatments for inherited blood cell disorders.The grant is one of fifteen provided by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine tomultiple research centers across California.The overall package totals to just over$67million and is meant to spur development in the relatively new field of embryonic stem cell therapy.

More Aggies are becoming addicted to “crack”berries and Mac’s cachet is growing among students,according to a yearly tech survey taken by Computer Lab Management (CLM). In March,CLM sent out two surveys,one focusing on computer printing labs on campus and computer ownership,and the other on the prevalence of smartphones. Forty-three percent of students own smartphones – cell phones that have advanced features like e-mail and internet – the most popular of which are iPhones and BlackBerries.

Forgery A senior was referred to Student Judicial Affairs for providing false information for academic reasons.The student submitted a doctor’s note to qualify for a late drop for a course.However,after submitting the doctor’s note to the dean’s office,the assistant director suspected that the note was not authentic and contacted the doctor to investigate the matter further.The student was found to be in violation of forging the doctor’s note,and for providing false information to drop a course.The student agreed to be placed on deferred separation to complete a writing assignment regarding the importance of upholding the standards of integrity and fairness.

Never a slouch in achievement; UC Davis graduate students had another successful year collecting National Science Foundation fellowships,even by their own high standards.Eighteen of the950NSF awards nationwide landed on the UC Davis campus,the second greatest total ever,said Deborah McCook,external fellowship advisor in the Office of Graduate Studies.

UC Daviswill reach its turn to represent the UC system beginning July1,when Rex Hime,a distinguished UC Davisalumnus,takes his post asanex-officio member of the UC Board of Regents– the governing body of the University of California. As an “ex-officio” member,Hime will work alongside an additional University of California alumnus,a student regent and23other voting members who represent state government and the University of California system to make major decisions on all financial and policy issues for the university.

In a long anticipated decision,the University of California Board of Regents voted to raise student fees by9.3percent,or$662per year,last week. The increase – the sixth in seven years – brings the average systemwide fee for undergraduates to$8,720per year including individual campus based fees.

After a temporary halt in construction due to funding challenges,building has resumed on UC Davis’s Martin Luther King Jr.Hall. King Hall,which houses the UC Davis School of Law located on the southern edge of campus,has been undergoing construction since fall of2007as part of an expansion and renovation project,said Karl Mohr,assistant vice chancellor for Resource Management and Planning.

On Friday,the Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall was half full of Davis affiliates eager to welcome their next chancellor to the UC Davis family. Just one day prior to the welcoming reception,UC regents approved Linda Katehi as chancellor of UC Davis,beginningAug.17.

With the second year of Lobby Month coming to an end,ASUCD’s Lobby Corps students have made their way into the California state Capitol. Lobby Corps,ASUCD’s external advocacy unit,lobbies on behalf of student issues to the nearby state government in Sacramento.Lobby Month occurs around the time of the May budget revision,in which state budget numbers are tweaked after the original budget is passed.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at6:10p.m.Times listed are according to the clock at the May7meeting location,the Memorial Union’s Mee Room. Meeting was called to order at6:10p.m.