Campus News

UC Davis is expanding its language program with the Spanish department’s recent introduction of Portuguese language classes. UC Davis will join other UC schools such as UCLA and Berkeley who already offer similar programs. “Most leading university Spanish departments, in the UC and elsewhere in the United States, offer some level of Portuguese,” said Robert Newcomb, assistant professor of Luso-Brazilian Studies, who joined the Spanish department in the fall. “Our goal in introducing Portuguese into our curriculum was to make our department more compatible with this model and to make us more competitive in attracting undergraduate and graduate students.”

2009 will mark Mark Yudof’s first full year as president of the University of California system. There will be no shortage of challenges, as UC grapples with severe budget cuts while trying to increase accessibility and maintain affordability. In a video posted on the UC president’s web site, Yudof acknowledged that 2009 “will be a traumatic year.” Still, he urged Californians to consider the impact UC has on the state, from cutting-edge medical research to solving global warming.

UC Regents to consider cutting freshman enrollment next fall The University of California Regents will hold a special meeting Jan.14via teleconference to discuss a plan that would cut freshman enrollment at UC campuses for the2009-2010academic year as a result of insufficient state funding.

With Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef’s time as leader of UC Davis approaching an end in June, the search for his replacement continues. An advisory committee consisting of 18 regents, students, alumni, staff and community members has been leading the search since their first meeting on Oct. 23, 2008 and will continue to meet every month until they make their final decision in February. The next meeting will be in January; however, university policy forbids the disclosure of the exact date.

A long-standing method for determining tannin levels in wine developed at UC Davis is being challenged by an outside research group. Larry Brooks of LM Brooks Consulting published a study that claims to invalidate the Adams-Harbertson tannin assay, developed at UC Davis by Dr. Doug Adams and Dr. Jim Harbertson. The assay is a scientific method for tracking tannin concentration in wine.

Gloria Steinem,the renowned feminist and political activist,has cancelled her scheduled speaking engagement at UC Davis. Steinem,who decided to bow out of her appearance to express support for UC service workers,was scheduled to speak at the Mondavi Center forthe Performing Arts on Jan.16.

The former Silo Café and Pub will re-open today as the Gunrock Pub after a facelift that includes a new menu,new decorations and an environmentally conscious attitude. Changes have been made to the pub’s décor,which has been the same since its opening in1991,to include new tables and chairs,freshly planted olive trees at the entrance and new artwork to create a more formal,yet still casual feel.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at6:10p.m.Times listed are according to the clock at the Dec.4meeting location,the Memorial Union’s Mee Room.

On Christmas morning,21-year-old UC Davis senior Randy Davis left girlfriend Kelsey Hudson’s housefor a skiing session on the fresh snow of Squaw Valley. Following his first run of the morning,at approximately11:15a.m.,an avalanche claimed the life ofthis passionate competitive freestyle skier.

The New Year is here again and the Activities and Recreation Center is encouraging students to stick to their exercise resolutions with free access to all facilities during Try Before You Buy week.

In the Dec. 5 issue of The California Aggie, the article “Grad students feel effects of struggling health insurance industry” incorrectly stated that Jeffrey Gibeling will become the president of the Council of Graduate Students, when he will in fact become the chair. The Aggie regrets the error.

Several California universitieshave discontinued family health insurance programs for graduate students,claiming they are more cost than benefit for both parties involved. Rising rates have recently caused UC Berkeley to cut health care for the dependents of graduate students,while Stanford students lost theirs two years ago.