Campus News

The average college graduate is $20,000 in debt – but the Cal Aggie Alumni Association has a plan to ensure their fees don’t add to the weight on recent graduates’ shoulders. Currently, CAAA dues are paid after a student graduates – should they choose to become a member. New alumni can choose either to pay a $50 yearly fee, or a $700 lump sum for a life membership.

In the June1article “Senate hears next year’s budget,” Senator Trevor Taylor was quoted as saying that he did not think it would be more beneficial to lobby the administration to do more outreach,when in fact he does believe this would be more beneficial.The Aggie regrets the error.

Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor is receiving national recognition,including the approval of UC Davis School of Law Dean Kevin Johnson.Sotomayor has a range of experiences that make her unique from the other justices,such as her time spent as adistrict attorney in Manhattan.Currently there are no justices with adistrict attorney background.

The lawn in front of Mrak Hall will house more than just ducks and eggheads for the next few days–UC Davis students in disapproval of budget cuts,increased student fees and increased administration salary will be protesting until Friday at6p.m.

This weekend members of ASUCD presented their proposed budgets for the2009-2010school year for the senate’s consideration. Hearings of the budget occurred throughout Friday,Saturday and Sunday on campus.The hearings are required to take place every year in order to allow ASUCD senatorsan opportunityto examine and modify the budgets of all units,such as UNITRANS,the Bike Barn or Pathfinder.

The University of California Student Association is using YouTube tactics to demonstrate flaws in graduate health care. Graduate students are invited and encouraged to submit a video online at ucsa.org to share their experiences with the Graduate Student Health Insurance Program,or GSHIP.UCSA plans to show the testimonials at the nextregentsmeeting,in July. Regents and decision-makers aren’t aware of the impact that cuts have on the clients and services of GSHIP,and video testimonials show the reality,saidLucero Chavez,president of the UCSA.

UC regents may have less control over their policy– including their pay– if a proposed constitutional amendment passes giving managing control of the institution to state legislators. Five legislators,including Senators Leland Yee and Roy Ashburn,held a press conference last Wednesday to announce their authorship of an amendment to the California constitution that would remove theregents‘ autonomy.

UC Davis‘ centennialis being honored with more than just the commemorative sweatshirts sold in the bookstore.The campus is now recognized and honored by the U.S.House of Representatives. House Resolution448,unanimously passed by the House,was introduced by Representative Mike Thompson (D-Calif.),to congratulate the university on100years of excellence.The bill thanks UC Davis for its contributions to local communities,the State of California and the nation.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at6:10p.m.Times listed are according to the clock at the May28meeting location,the Memorial Union’s Mee Room.

The UC Davis Regional Center for Change is conducting an unprecedented study on the Sacramento region’s youth to better understand the disparities in youth well being. The study will focus on four different sectors – education,health,employment and civic engagement.

As the Office of Student Affairs looks to bridge its budget deficit, ASUCD is searching for reassurance that money won’t be taken from student-voted campus-basedfees. Following several weeks of meetings between ASUCD and the Student Affairs administration, Associate Vice Chancellor Janet Gong announced last week that the additional $1.34 to $1.64 million budget shortfall for next year will not be met by assessing, or taking from, campus-based fees themselves. Instead, the money will be pulled from a surplus in building reserves, which are still part of the campus-based fee’s budget but are set aside for maintenance and repairs.

Access Denied A student of senior standing was referred to SJA for the second time for downloading copyrighted music without the permission of the copyright holder through a campus network connection. After the student’s first music download, the Campus Digital Millennium Copyright Act notified him that a second incident would result in termination of his campus network privileges. After the second violation, he was not able to connect to a computer device registered in his name through a campus wireless network. As a result, the student has lost campus network privileges for the duration of his university career.