Campus News

Apparently nothing gets hormones pumping like climbing trees – or they’ve all maxed out their 10 free condoms per week from the Love Lab. Whatever the reason, it’s been the eastern fox squirrels’ time of the season for loving for too long – and their campus population has become unmanageable, spawning a birth-control research program.

University of California employees may soon be feeling the effects of the recent downturn in the stock market. An18-year “contribution holiday” during which both the university and UC employees were not required to contribute to theUC Retirement Plan (UCRP) will likely come to an end as early as nextsummer,according to a Sept.12letter from the UC Office of thePresident to all UC employees.

To relieve financial stress for UC Davis students,Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef spoke about the economy and its effects on higher education at the Memorial Union on Monday. Chancellor Vanderhoef – along with interim director of financial aid Kathryn Maloney and Dr.Droje M.Jennette of Counseling and Psychological Services – answered students‘ financial aid questions and dispelled budget rumors.

Providingfalseinformation A student was referred to Student Judicial Affairs for claiming he had medical reasonsforwhy he failed to turn in a written assignment on time.After some discussion with a Judicial Officer,the student admitted to providing false information for the purpose of getting an extension on the assignment.Because providing false information is a violation of the Code of Academic conduct,the student agreed to a Disciplinary Probation until fall quarter2009.Due to the personal circumstances of the student’s situation,the student also agreed to seek professional psychological counseling for stress management from UC Davis Counseling and Psychological Services.

Ever wondered what happens with$10.7million in grants and student fees each year? Ask ASUCD.

The transformation has already begun,UC Davis transportation expert Dan Sperling told Prime Minister Gordon Brown and a conference of international transportation professionals in London lateOctober. Sperling,director of the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies,gave the keynote address at a two-day conference commissioned by Prime Minister Brown to explore the challenge of bringing electric vehicles to market.The speech,titled“Toward kinder,gentler cars,“ outlined Sperling‘s predictions and visions for a post-petroleum transportation system.

The University of California Board of Regents formally approved the final version of the system’s2008-2009budget on Oct.21. Three weeks into the fiscal year may seem late– but theregents were handcuffed by theremarkablytardypassing of California’s state budget,andwereunable to make precise calculations untilthe state budgetwas passed.

Wannagrab pizza at“Saucy and Bossy?” Or how about a sandwich at“Lunch Meat Baby One More Time?” Coffee at “Pour Some Sugar On Me?” In approximately12to18months,eating and drinking at these destinations will be apossibility,as many “Cohoians” are in the process of naming the seven platforms in the new and improved Coffee House.Plans for the expansion are currently being finalized and construction is scheduled to begin in June of2009.

The Causeway Classic football showdown between UC Davis and Sac State takes place this weekend, but impatient students can get an early start on the competition off the field starting Tuesday. BloodSource, a Sacramento-based blood bank and research center, is adding a twist to this year’s event by hosting a contest to see which school can register the most blood donors before Saturday’s big game.

The leaves start changing colors,the air is crisp and it is already that time of year again – flu season.Student Health Services is offering vaccination clinics this week available to all registered students – no appointments are required.Students on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) can receive the vaccine for a reduced price of$25and all other students with private plans can get it for$35.Charges will be billed to students‘ campus accounts.Students who cannot make the clinic times are encouraged to schedule an individual appointment.

Finding a parking space at the garage near the Memorial Union may be harder than normal for a couple weeks while the structure undergoes lighting improvements. The North Entry Parking Structure is going through a light replacement project that aims to save energy,money and providepatrons with a safer and better-lit structure.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the Oct. 30 meeting location, the Memorial Union’s Mee Room.