Campus News

090528_ca_sexefficiency.cHeadline: Energy Efficiency Center helps birth emerging technologiesLayercake: Encourages focus on efficiency rather than simply increasing supplyBy: Mike DorseyAggie News Writer There’s nothing exciting about an air conditioner or an unlit room. Practical energy saving methods like pre-filtering air and switching off the lights don’t provide the physical image and awe that comes from a […]

Until now, UC Davis students without cars have had to get around by bike, bus or the occasional pity ride from their more fortunate friends. This may soon change. Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is currently working on a contract to bring Zipcar to UC Davis before fall quarter, said TAPS Director Clifford Contreras.

Construction will begin June10on three new dorms in the Tercero area,with expected completion in fall2010.The buildings will hold roughly600students,and be environmentally sustainable – a first for UC Davis dorms. The new buildings– named Wall Hall,Campbell Hall and Potter Hall – will hold about50students per floor plus a resident advisor in a cluster format,with a common living area so that students can feel a sense of community,said Julianne Nola,project manager.

One out of seven patients entering a hospital needs blood.Yet,of the four out of ten people in the United States eligible to donate,only one does – if at all. In order to raise that number to accommodate more patients who depend on blood transfusions for survival,the male queer community is insisting that the donor guidelines be updated to include them.

ASUCD’s Academic Affairs Commission held the Seventh Annual Excellence in Education awards Wednesday evening,during which six UC Davis professors were honored for their teaching achievements. The winners,from left to right,are Stephen Lewis from Engineering,Charles Walker from Social Sciences,Jay Rosenheim from Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,Michael Lazzarra from Humanities,Arts and Cultural Studies,Andreas Toupadakis from Mathematics and Physical Sciences,and Douglass Gross from Biological Sciences.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at6:10p.m.Times listed are according to the clock at the May21,2009meeting location,the ARC meeting room for a special event and the Mee Room for the senate meeting. Meeting was called to order at6:24p.m.and again at7:15p.m.

Senator Leland Yee andRepresentativeAnthony Portantino took the podium during last week’s ASUCD Senate meeting,accepting awards given by Lobby Corps for their contributions to higher education. “Senator Yee andRepresentativePortantino have fought tirelessly to ensure funding for the UC,accountability within the system and an end to excessive pay for top administrators,” said Lobby Corps director Talia MacMath in her introduction of the legislators. “They are much needed and appreciated allies in the capitol.“

From lab assistant to Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, the salaries of all UC Davis employees in 2008 are now on reserve at Shields Library. The UC Office of the President (UCOP) has disclosed employee pay for four years now in an attempt to make the university transparent to the student body and public. The university is required to release its employees’ pay under the California Public Records Act. “As a public institution I believe we have a responsibility to share such information and would rather put it out proactively than wait for folks to ask for it,” said Stan Nosek, vice chancellor of administration in an e-mailinterview. “[Even though] this is standard operating procedure, I believe it is very appropriate.”

George R. Mangun, professor of psychology and neurology and former founding director of the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain, has been selected out of 65 applicants and nominations as the new dean of the UC Davis Department of Social Sciences, replacing former dean of 10 years Steven M. Sheffrin. The social science division, which includes a diverse group of majors including philosophy, linguistics and economics among others, is responsible for the education of approximately 6,000 undergraduate students according to their website, more then any other division on campus.

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef spoke in his final brownbag chat on Monday in the Silo’s cabernet room where conversation focused primarily on the university’s looming budget challenges and transition to a new chancellor in the upcoming school year. Vanderhoef began his talk with a brief discussion about the origins and purpose of the chancellor’s quarterly brownbag chat.

Tonight the UC Davis Sustainable Transportation Center and the student chapter for the Institute of Transportation Engineers will hold “Preparing for the New Paradigm: Implementing California’s Climate Change Goals,” a career panel for students interested in pursuing careers in climate change.

Students might just be a bit safer this Memorial Day weekend when houseboating on Lake Shasta thanks to a program called Safeboats. The Safeboatsprogram,headed by ASUCD Senator Erin Lebe,will provide a dedicated boat with medical aid through EMTsand willpass out water,condoms and sunscreen to students during the weekend’s festivities.This will be the second consecutive year that a Safeboat will be present on the lake.