Campus News

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the California 2008-2009 state budget Tuesday - an action that meant mixed news for the University of California, which faces numerous budget challenges in the upcoming year.

While the finalized budget included the $100 million in UC funding that was on the chopping block earlier this year, state funding for UC remains essentially flat. The budget does not provide for increased costs due to inflation or growing enrollment. As a result, the UC system will still face a net shortfall of $100 million in state funding, according to a press release from the UC newsroom.

2007-2008 Summary

The number of referrals to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs decreased in the 2007-2008 year, but this by no means implies that any less emphasis should be placed upon the issues of academic honesty and social responsibility. SJA handled 618 different academic cases. Sixty-eight different departments referred students for academic misconduct. English, math, psychology, chemistry, and history had the highest number of cases referred.

In the near future, freshmen won't have to leave campus at the end of their first year to brave the distant Davis outskirts.

UC Davis has just put the finishing touches on plans for the West Village, a new housing structure for university students, faculty and community college students. Officials predict it will open by fall 2011.

University of California President Mark G. Yudof provided the public with a comprehensive progress report on each of the system's 10 campuses - accomplishing one of his major initiatives a few months into his tenure.

The draft report, available online at universityofcalifornia.edu/accountability, measures performance in 102 ways. Data are displayed to show trends over time and are compared between campuses, and against eight other universities to provide context.

The wine industry has been making increased efforts toward environmentally responsible practices and increased consumer and producer education on green issues, according to two recent UC Davis studies.

The annual studies - conducted by UC Davis professor Robert Smiley, director of wine studies in the Graduate School of Management - focus on the predictions and current undertakings of vintners, distributors and growers.

The former UC Davis freshman whose interest in powder chemicals and explosives caused the evacuation of 450 Tercero residents last March won't serve any jail time.

As part of his plea agreement, Mark Woods - a 19-year-old former economics major - pled no contest in Yolo County Superior Count on Wednesday to a felony count of unlawfully possessing an explosive.

Over 600 people turned out to the Muslim Student Association's 8th annual Fast for a Day Friday evening at the Davis Senior Center. The event is one of the largest iftars - an evening meal after a day of fasting - in Northern California, according to MSA.

In the Sept. 26 article "Illegal aliens could pay heftier price for California college education," interim director of financial aid Kathryn Maloney was mistakenly identified as Katherine Maloney. The Aggie regrets the error.

In the Sept. 25 article “Where do I go and what do I do?” it stated that the Bistro 33 Pub Quiz was held every Tuesday night. The correct date for the event is every Monday night. The Aggie regrets the error.

    In the Sept. 26 article “From Biking to Walking, Transportation for UC Davis students,” it was stated that the Tipsy Taxi’s hours are Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. This is incorrect. Tipsy Taxi’s hours are Friday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Aggie regrets the error.

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the Sept. 25 meeting location, the Memorial Union's Mee Room.

As the new school year starts up, some UC Davis students are foregoing traditional dorm or apartment living in favor of an alternative style.

The Cal Aggie Christian Association opened a multi-faith living community behind the Christian Association House on Russell Drive this month and held its opening ceremony on Wednesday night. The community currently houses 37 undergraduate and graduate students from a diverse array of religious and cultural backgrounds.

During the first six weekends of fall quarter, the Davis Police Department and UC Davis Police are increasing their presence in downtown Davis in an attempt to minimize the drinking-related complaints that are especially prevalent at the start of the fall quarter.

Illegal aliens who attend California schools may soon have to pay nonresident fees.

On Sep. 15, a state appellate court ruled that a lawsuit challenging AB 540, a California law that allows illegal aliens to pay in-state rates, may go forward in Yolo County Superior Court.

Ministers at UC Davis' Bike Church are keeping the faith in hopes of avoiding closure to their bicycle-blessed sanctuary.

The Bike Church, located on Orchard Drive, next to the Domes Sustainable Research area, is a resource center that provides instruction and used parts in exchange for donations. Their officials, or ministers, lead workshops free of charge designed to teach visitors how to fix their bikes and to understand the bicycling lifestyle.

UC Davis community, faculty, staff and students gathered in Jackson Hall of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts for the annual Fall Convocation on Wednesday to kick off the new school year.

UC Davis will welcome a variety of biology and ecology experts to its campus next week when it hosts the Harlan II International Symposium from Sept. 14 to 18.