Campus News

Students gathered on the Memorial Union patio at lunchtimeMondayto hold a rallyin honor of WorldAIDSDay and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.In the United States,up to25percent of the HIV infected populationareundiagnosed and unaware of their status,according to the Yolo County Public Health Department.In California there have been almost180,000cases since reporting began,and over280cases in Yolo County.

This year’s Campus Community Book Project will reach its culmination today with appearances by the book’s featured author, Tracy Kidder. Kidder will participate in a panel discussion and conduct a lecture. Michael Wilkes from the UC Davis School of Medicine will moderate the panel “No Boundaries – Globalizing Health Care from Haiti to California and Beyond.”

In the last three years, the UC Davis Medical Center has seen a 60 percent increase in the number of 12- to 17-year-olds who end up in the ER as a result of alcohol related injuries. While the average adolescent drinking age is decreasing – currently at 15.8 years old – the dangers are increasing, as more youth are at risk for severe post-adolescent drinking disorders and alcohol related motor vehicle fatalities.

In an attempt to move toward a more sustainable system, the Silo Union will no longer give the option of paper or plastic bags to its customers. Instead, University Dining Services of Sodexo is now offering reusable, biodegradable bags for $5 as a more environment-friendly option.

Drug use in the dorms A first-year student was reported to the Student Housing Office and SJA after smoking marijuana in her dorm room.Believing that the odor would not be detected,the student smoked the marijuana and blew the smoke out the window.When meeting with the Judicial Officer,the student admitted that she had frequently used the drug for the past three months and was unaware of the cannabis odor around her.The student was allowed to remain in the dorm on condition that she cease the drug use and adhere to her housing contract.

As global warming becomes an increasinglytalked about issue amongelected officials,one ASUCD senator had the opportunity to listen to top world leaders discuss their ideas for combating global climate change.

Preventing childhood malnutrition in developing countries is one step closer to reality thanks to a recent grant given to UC Davis researchers by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The$16million grant will provide funding to test alipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS),a peanut butter-like paste filled with necessary nutrients and minerals.It will be distributed to malnourished children between the ages of6months and2years,as well as breast-feeding and pregnant women in Ghana,Burkina Faso,and Malawi.

In the midst of a devastating budget crisis, the regents decided that freshmen enrollments could be curtailed by 10,000 students next fall if the state does not provide sufficient funding. During their Nov. 20 meeting in San Francisco, the regents approved a 2009-2010 budget proposal for UC. While the university is facing a large pitfall for the 2009-2010 academic year if the state does not meet its needs, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed an additional $65.5 million mid-year funding cut to UC for 2008-2009.

Cruz Reynoso, professor emeritus of law at UC Davis, will be assisting in President-elect Barack Obama’s transition to the White House. Reynoso was appointed as a member of the administration’s agency review team, one of several leaders in a justice and civil rights sub-team. He and other experts from across the country will review the current departments, agencies and commissions and advise the president-elect on future policy decisions.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the Nov. 20 meeting location, the Memorial Union’s Mee Room.

The annual UC Davis study of California business leaders reported disappointing results – women are significantly underrepresented in the top levels of the state’s largest firms. The UC Davis Graduate School of Management and the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives publish the study annually, which reports the numbers of women in director and executive officer positions in the top 400 corporations in California.

As part of the Distinguished Speakers Series, former Senator George Mitchell spoke about his time in the Senate, his investigation into steroid use in baseball and the threats the world faces at the Mondavi Center Wednesday night. “There isn’t a man, woman, or child that doesn’t trust George Mitchell,” said Don Roth, Executive Director of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, in his introduction of the former senator.