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UC Davis medical student awarded prestigious scholarship

Features

Features Editor

December 1, 2011

Monique Chambers, a UC Davis medical student, has been living her life with purpose, value and commitment to her passion for health care. This past month, she was recognized for her hard work and effort.

Chambers, now in her third year at the UC Davis School of Medicine, was one of five students nationwide to receive the $5,000 Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship at the annual meeting of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) in Denver, Colo. This highly prestigious award recognizes efforts by students to reduce current disparities in health care and to improve medical education and health care for all.

To receive this award, students must exemplify these characteristics and show true commitment to excellence in these fields. Students are then nominated by their school and the winners are chosen by the AAMC.

“Only a handful of medical students across the nation receive this award. The school only nominates the very best and most accomplished students,” said Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine, and the one who nominated Chambers for this award.

This past year, Chambers was a co-director of the Imani Clinic, a student-run community clinic serving the largely African American and Latino populations of the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento. While there, she provided basic health and preventative care to patients, and led a staff of undergraduate and medical student volunteers.

“I love working with patients and everything I do on the medical side of things, but those would mean nothing without mentorship. I think mentorship is so important,” Chambers said. “Through students that I come in contact with, I hope to reignite the burning passion and desire in them to help others.”

Chambers is also a student coordinator for Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition and works to increase awareness of breast cancer screenings and help to dispel some of the trust concerns that the African American population has with health care professionals — a cause that is very near to her heart.

“It’s always a battle to convince those people who have had such hurt and distrust with the health care system. Being a member of both the African American population, as well as the health care profession, I see myself as a conduit and hope to use this to bridge the gap between these two groups,” Chambers said. “We need to not only stop ignoring the problem, but also look for solutions and move forward in a way that helps both groups.”

In the classroom, Chambers became chapter president of the Student National Medical Association and through that, helped to institute a new course within the medical school that focuses on reducing health disparities in minority populations.

“She is a true leader here at the medical school and a great advocate and role model,” Pomeroy said. “From the first day that she walked through the UC Davis School of Medicine it was clear to me that she was a leader, as she has the core values we so value here at UC Davis.”

Since she was very young, Chambers always knew she wanted to become a doctor. She grew up mostly in a low-income neighborhood in Englewood, California, but also moved around quite a bit during her childhood. In 2009, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in movement and sports science.

As she got older and her dream of becoming a doctor became closer to reality, she realized the need to provide health care for all, especially the underrepresented populations.

“Although I moved around quite a bit, one thing that was consistent across the nation was disparity in health care,” Chambers said.

Chambers used these experiences to drive her passion in providing health care for all.

“Monique has shown a real dedication beyond herself to reach out to others in making their lives better, particularly those populations that are most vulnerable,” said Shelton Duruisseau, Associate Vice Chancellor of Diversity & Inclusion at UC Davis School of Medicine. “She is truly an example for others to emulate. I am delighted that the AAMC has recognized Monique for her leadership and commitment to building healthy communities for all.”

An awards ceremony was held a few weeks ago at the AAMC National Meeting, at which Chambers was recognized and presented with her award in front of the Nickens family and medical school leaders across the country. She was also honored at an awards ceremony at UC Davis.

But Chambers believes the true reward is being able to attend an institution like UC Davis that allows her to accomplish her goals.

“It feels good to be honored for my accomplishments, but at the same time I don’t really think of these things as accomplishments. I’m living life with a purpose that I know I was born to live,” Chambers said.

CLAIRE MALDARELLI can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

Freshman Athlete of the Quarter

Sports Editor

December 1, 2011

Matt Wiesenfarth, a Sacramento native, came to Davis a local hero but quickly emerged as a widespread terror to other team’s goals. Whenever the UC Davis men’s soccer team needed a goal, he seemed to be there. Wiesenfarth led the Aggies with five goals, three assists and 18 shots on goal this season.

His goal against Sacramento State in the 87th minute tied the game and sent it to overtime. Against Cal Poly, Wiesenfarth performed his late-game magic again, scoring in the 84th minute to give UC Davis a 1-0 victory. In another game against the Mustangs, he scored with seven minutes remaining to set up the Aggies’ late game victory.

Wiesenfarth was named the 2011 Big West Freshman of the Year, and the sports desk at The Aggie also recognizes him as the UC Davis Freshman of the Quarter. If Wiesenfarth’s season of late game magic and offensive prowess are indicative of anything, it is that no opponent goal is safe as long as “Wiesie” (Pronounced Weezy) is on the field.

MATTHEW YUEN can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.

Column: Wrap it up

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

December 1, 2011

It’s finally here. The moment you’ve been waiting for when the light at the end of the tunnel has crept passed the glazing glass of your car and into the pupil of our eyes where it slowly adjusts like a camera to reveal what’s on the other side. And there my friend, at the end of the tunnel, lays a coffee table where a giant mug of frothy peppermint hot chocolate comfortably sits. It’s been waiting for you this entire time.

As cheesy as this may be, I can’t resist the temptation to dedicate this entire 17-inch space of newsprint to my favorite season of the year: winter. Perhaps it’s the misty, cold air or the twinkly lights draped all over town, but when this time of year rolls around, I somehow become one of those crazy holiday geeks that, unfortunately, thinks the tackier and uglier the Christmas sweater, the better. What other time of year can you get away with wearing a super tacky thrift store purchased woolen sweater?

This is the one time of year that you can skew the limitations of your creativity and sanity in your favor.

It’s pretty easy to go to your nearest local corporate store, say your local Target or Macy’s, and just buy something. But you don’t want to do that. You want to make it as hard as possible for the gift giver. In fact, when my sister asked I wanted for Christmas, I told her I wanted a hand-knitted scarf. Now instead of stopping by the store for a few minutes to “grab” me something, she’ll have to sit there for hours and make me this scarf. Though slightly cruel, every time I’ll wear that scarf, I’ll appreciate the fact that she knitted each individual thread herself and that she cared enough to even take the time to make it.

I remember the best present I’ve ever received was a drawing that my little brother gave me one Christmas when he was nine years old. And last year, I wrapped all of my presents using rejected editions of The Aggie. When my family looked under the tree, they knew which gifts were from me.

Like many Disney or cheesy Holiday flicks would teach you, the holiday isn’t about the glitz and glamour of material things but more or less, the traditions that you keep on making. (And I absolutely love these movies.)

Every year since 1998 when the album was released, my sisters and I listen to ‘N Sync’s Home for Christmas album. That’s right, no shame! No shame at all. This is by far, my favorite holiday tradition. Thinking about this tradition always makes me smile.

It’s subtleties that make this time of year incredible.

The next time when you see it raining outside, take a look at the windowpane dripping with tiny drops of water and condensation. Make sure you watch the drops slide down the glass and collide with one another and admire the smallest droplet build its way down so gradually. Or, watch the way the streetlights reflect in the wet pavement. See the way the red, green and yellow illuminate.

But most importantly, don’t forget to value the time with your family. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful winter break!

UYEN CAO would like to know what are your favorite holiday traditions. Let her know by e-mailing arts@theaggie.org.

Katehi holds town hall meeting for faculty and staff

Campus Editor

December 1, 2011

Katehi holds town hall meeting for faculty and staff

On Tuesday evening, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi held a town hall meeting to give faculty and staff a chance to ask questions and voice their opinions about the pepper spray incident on campus.

The meeting took place in Freeborn Hall. Faculty and staff ranging from Ph.D. students to tenured professors spoke. Molecular and cell biology professor Ken Burtis led the discussion.

Speakers had a chance ask questions of the panel, made up of Katehi, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph Hexter, interim UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael and Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Resource Management John Meyer. The meeting began with opening remarks from Katehi and Hexter.

Katehi made many promises to the campus; to restructure if needed, to get to know the students better and to listen to what faculty, staff and students have to say.

“If reform is needed, reform is going to happen,” Katehi said.

Katehi once again expressed her sadness about the pepper spray event.

“As a Chancellor, as a faculty member, I pledge to you and the entire community, that I will do everything in my power that nothing like this happens again. And that implies a lot of work,” Katehi said.

Katehi also spoke of the future, and said that this experience could be a chance for the university to move forward.

“Great universities have become great, not because they have a set of values or because nothing wrong has happened to them. Great universities have established themselves because they have managed the crises and the challenges,” Katehi said.

Hexter then made an opening speech, which included a list of the independent investigations pertaining to the pepper spray incident.

He said investigations are being done by the UC Davis Academic Senate, UC Davis and the Yolo County District Attorney and Sheriff’s Office. The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) will be doing two investigations, one specifically about the pepper spray incident at UC Davis and also a systemwide review of all UC campuses.

Members of the audience who wished to speak were asked to take a number at the beginning of the meeting, and speakers were chosen by picking random numbers out of a fishbowl.

Ann Stevens, professor of economics, said that she believes there are many faculty and staff members who have opinions on the issues, but don’t have time to come and speak about them. She also highlighted the fact that she hoped that the real issue, tuition costs, would not be forgotten.

One speaker suggested that Katehi should take a salary cut, not because it would necessarily help the budget issue, but as a symbol of her commitment to the students.

Nathan Brown, the assistant English professor who authored a well-publicized letter calling for the chancellor’s resignation, came to speak at the meeting.

Brown said that the chancellor showed poor leadership, and that she made the wrong decision in calling in riot police.

“There is every reason to expect that when riot police are called onto campus to disperse a student protest, those students will be beaten by the police,” Brown said.

While some, like Brown, did say that they would like Katehi to resign, the majority of the speakers supported the chancellor.

Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology Emmanuel Epstein, UC Davis graduate class of 1940, was one of many faculty and staff members who said they support Katehi.

“Chancellor Katehi is an outstanding academic leader, second to none,” Epstein said.

Many speakers said that blame should be placed on the lack of funding for the UC system, not the chancellor. The theme of the current UC budget crisis was prevalent throughout the night.

Epstein also commented on the budget crisis, and seemed to summarize what many of the other speakers had to say.

“The real question, the real problem, is money, funds. Student unhappiness is primarily that tuition has become so expensive,” Epstein said.

Neither Hexter nor Meyer said a lot during the meeting, and no questions were directly addressed to them.

Many speakers brought up the issue of police on campus. Some advocated the dissolving of the campus police force while others looked to Carmichael about how the police force would change in the coming future.

When Carmichael was asked about what he is going to do to minimize crimes against the minorities on campus, particularly African Americans, Carmichael emphasized the idea of communication.

“The start is to open the doors, and then listen, and then learn,” Carmicheal said.

Throughout the meeting, Katehi said that she would be working hard to get to know students, faculty and staff better and would be trying to gain their trust.

“Trust, I think, is the result of many actions. No one just gets trust by default,” Katehi said. “Trust is earned.”

The entire meeting was recorded and can be found online at news.ucdavis.edu/special_reports/campus-demonstrations.

HANNAH STRUMWASSER can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

International grad student enrollment increases eight percent nationally

City News

City Editor

December 1, 2011

On Nov. 8, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reported its findings from its 2011 international graduate admissions survey. The survey consisted of three phases. Data was collected in February, June and October.

For Phase I, CGS collected data on an initial summary of applications from prospective international students. For Phase II, data was collected on final applications. For Phase III, final offers of admission and first-time and total international graduate enrollment data were recorded.

“Data from this year’s Phase III survey reveals that offers of admission to prospective international graduate students increased nine percent in 2011, the largest increase to occur since 2006,” the CGS survey report stated. “This year’s increase in international first-time graduate enrollment is also the largest since 2006. Total international graduate enrollment increased 2 percent in 2011, up slightly from a 1 percent gain in 2010.”

The CGS found that overall there was an 8 percent increase in first-year enrollment of international graduate students, a jump from a 3 percent increase in 2010.

“CGS breaks out four different countries of origin: China, India, South Korea, and the Middle East and Turkey because these are where the majority of international students come from,” said UC Davis Director of Analysis and Policy for graduate studies Helen Schurke Frasier.

For students from China, there has been a more significant increase in graduate enrollment. There was a 21 percent increase from 2010 to 2011 as compared to a 20 percent rise from 2009 to 2010. There was also a 16 percent increase from 2008 to 2009 and a 14 percent increase from 2007 to 2008.

In regard to students from India, there was a 2 percent jump from 2010 to 2011. There was no change for students from South Korea, and for students from the Middle East and Turkey, a 14 percent increase from 2010 to 2011.

“For UC Davis, in Fall 2010, we had 907 total non-U.S. citizens and in Fall 2011, we had 917,” Frasier said. “It’s a modest increase.”

According to Frasier, the trend for UC Davis has not always been the same as what the CGS found in the national enrollment trend. She said that in Fall 2009, there were 909 international graduate students, a number that slightly fell the next year.

“Our numbers have made very, very slight adjustments in the past three years,” Frasier said. “Going from 909 to 907 to 917 is not a huge difference.”

UC Davis has recently seen a large surge in the number of applications from international graduate students. For admission to Fall 2010, the school received 3,922 applications as opposed to the 4,737 received in 2011, an overall 20.8 percent change.

Fraiser said first-time enrollment for international students went from 230 in Fall 2009 to 242 in 2010 and to 227 this year.

The university offered admission to 675 students this year. In 2010, 627 offers of admission were given.

“For UC Davis international graduate enrollment, in Fall 2010, we had 322 students from China and in Fall 2011, we had 351 students,” Frasier said. “From India, in Fall 2010, we had 61 students and in Fall 2011, 51 students. From South Korea, we had 63 in both 2010 and 2011. From the Middle East and Turkey, we had 63 students in Fall 2010 and 57 in Fall 2011.”

Frasier said the deadlines for applications are different for every graduate program, but many of the graduate programs have their deadline by Feb. 11 although there are still many that have open application deadlines until May 31.

“I am pleased to see strong interest in graduate study at UC Davis from around the world,” said Dean of Graduate Studies Jeffery Gibeling in a statement. “We are actively and continuously working to develop partnerships and agreements with universities and foreign governments to provide opportunities for their talented students to pursue graduate degrees here at UC Davis.”

CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Female Athlete of the Quarter

Sports Editor

December 1, 2011

She was a player who changed the program.

Senior Betsy Sedlak entered the UC Davis volleyball program in 2009 as a transfer from Oregon, and she has been a feature in the UC Davis starting lineup ever since.

With the contributions she’s made to the Aggies, Sedlak now leaves the program as one of the best players in program history.

“She’s an incredible player all around,” said fellow senior Katie Denny. “She’s led this program to a great place.”

Sedlak finished her career as UC Davis’ career leader in hitting percentage at .336 — well ahead of the previous mark of .306 set by Candy Lynch. Sedlak also ranks second in career blocks in school history with 393.

For her efforts, Sedlak received All-Big West Conference recognition in each of her three seasons as an Aggie — including all first team honors in both 2010 and 2011.

This season Sedlak led UC Davis with 124 blocks, and finished fourth on the team with 261 kills.

She also had an effect on the Aggies off the court.

As one of just two seniors on this year’s team, Sedlak took on leadership responsibilities this season.

“She’s a team captain,” said coach Jamie Holmes. “She holds everyone to a high standard and that really helped our team.”

UC Davis will certainly miss Sedlak, but she has left her mark on the UC Davis program.

As Holmes put it after the team’s final game at the Pavilion –– Sedlak was simply a “program changer.”

TREVOR CRAMER can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.

Getting to Know Crossbill

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

December 1, 2011

Crossbill Records, a local music label residing here in Davis, is what you might call a one man operation. In fact, that is precisely how Michael Leahy, founder, owner and president of Crossbill Records describes it. Essentially, he is Crossbill Records. Or at least, he is Crossbill from the managerial side of things.

“I do it all,” Leahy said before describing how Crossbill started more as a hobby than a business venture. A hobby, he noted, that is taking up more and more time.

“[Crossbill] started in 2006 in Davis and I was a KDVS DJ at the time and putting on a lot of live shows in the Davis Sac area,” Leahy said. “In particular, I felt a need to further the advocacy of musicians and friends, so that is how it got going.”

As a local record label residing here in Davis, Crossbill is what you might call the “little guy”; a small venue with an indie styling and a vibrant pulse.

However, listening to Crossbill’s housed artists, the music sounds far from “little”.

The Loom is a Brooklyn-formed six-man indie rock band composed of various instrumental assortment–the French horn, the banjo and trumpet, to name a few. The band has a rich and varied sort of sound that reverberates somewhere between the melancholic and the colorful. They are not to be ignored.

Sea of Bees, the solo name of Julie Ann Bee, or Jules as she is often called, carries her songs with a wispy, indie, folk-like tune that echoes down far and lingers. She sings something haunting like, and her songs give off a bittersweet life.

When asked why she chose a career in music, she replied with simple honestly.

“Because other than love, I have nothing else,” Jules said. “I want the good vibes, the things people crave and envy. Maybe I will never be a Bob Dylan or Jim Morrison, but I can be happy being me and doing my best in this life.”

Her next album, Orangefarbene, the German word for the color orange, will be about her first love.

Matt Bauer, another artist under Crossbill, has a bluegrass, country leaning vibe, though it is difficult to call him either. Overall a strict generic classification is obfuscated by his attractive and varied contemporary stylization. Piano, guitar, and duet vocals, to note a few approaches to his songs, add up to something poignant and varied.

“Back in 2004, when I was still living in San Francisco, Michael Leahy had me out to Davis to play at the Delta of Venus and to play on his radio show and we became good friends pretty quickly,” Bauer said, describing the history of his involvement with Crossbill.

“We had an early bonding moment watching Jimmy Kimmel late at night after the show. Bobby Brown was the guest and he couldn’t remember the names of all his kids,” Bauer said. “I also have Michael to thank for any number of friendships I have with musicians I met because of him. Garrett Pierce, Jolie Holland, Tom Brosseau, Angela Correa, Terra Lopez, on and on.”

Bauer’s most recent album is The Jessamine County Book of the Living.

Those are three of Crossbill’s artists, but there are others. Appetite, Mad Cow String Band, Silver Darling, Jake Mann and the Upper Hand and Garret Pierce are currently under Crossbill — while perhaps more up and comers of serious quality will eventually find a home with Crossbill.

And that is what ultimately makes Crossbill unique — it’s a home for up and coming artists, or a temporary way station or a jumping off point toward what may perhaps be a bigger platform.

“We just want to put ourselves in front of as many people as possible. That is really the goal of the label,” Leahy said. “To put out solid records and work them to the best of our ability so hopefully they can go on and move up the chain of labels.”

JAMES O’HARA can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

In review: Allen Stone at Odd Fellows Hall

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

December 1, 2011

In review: Allen Stone at Odd Fellows Hall

If I could, I would leave this entire review blank. There are no words to describe my experience at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday night at the Allen Stone concert. All I can say is, for those of you who weren’t there, you really missed out on one of the best opportunities to come to this small town in a long time.

The air smelled of paint, the lights were dimmed, everyone was standing, and the tiny room was filled with Urban Outfitters-clad young adults. DJ Rock Bottom, The Afterglow, The Spokes and Ant Chedda opened the show each with their own set. During Ant Chedda’s performance, Allen Stone took the time to sign autographs, take pictures and get to know his audience in the back of the room.

It would be a waste of my time and space to talk about the opening acts. I need all the space I am allotted to pour out my feelings about this gift from above.

Holy s***. Allen Stone: the range of Jessie J, the clarity of James Blunt, James Morrison and Jason Mraz, the profound lyrics of Adele and the soul of Aretha Franklin and Jesus.

There is no reason why this 24-year old singer shouldn’t be making trillions for every single performance he does. He connects with his audience, engaging them in dance-offs and a sing-along to “Bare Necessities”. With his cover of “Is This Love” by Bob Marley, he caused every single jaw in the room to drop.

Stone performed most of his songs from his sophomore self-titled album, and closed the show with “Satisfaction,” one of his better-known songs. Noting that there was an actual crowd for him that night, he genuinely seemed happy that he could share that experience with us.

He exited the stage to mingle with the crowd, blind to the fact that everyone was cheering for an encore. There was pure joy and excitement radiating from his face as he practically ran through the crowd and jumped onto the stage to perform the chilling song “Last to Speak.”

I wish I had more space to convey my appreciation and utter obsession with Allen Stone’s voice — someone please sign him so he can be heard all over the world.

ELIZABETH ORPINA can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Editor’s note: Click HERE to see a video of UC Davis psychology major and Liquid Hotplates member, Melissa Cancio, do a post-performance jam session with Allen Stone. Cancio, who did a cover of Stone’s “Unaware”, was contacted by a music label after her cover received major views on Youtube. In witnessing this heartfelt and impromptu rendition of “Unaware” with Stone himself on a cold Davis night, there’s no denying that this was an unforgettable night for Cancio who considers Stone a major musical influence.

Additionally, the concert was presented by ASUCD Entertainment Council. (Detail addition made on December 1st, 2011).

Column: Pricks and sticks

Opinion

November 30, 2011

Picture yourself as you were when you were 14. You wake up one morning and you are a pound lighter. The next morning you are another pound lighter. And again the next morning, and so on. The doctors don’t think there is anything wrong; you’re supposed to hit puberty and lose that baby fat around now anyway.

Flash forward six months. Thirty pounds lighter, constantly lethargic, tired for no reason and always thirsty. Another six months, another 20 pounds lighter, you are sleeping 14 hours a day and it is a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning. You are drinking two gallons of water and consuming 5000 calories daily, but you are always hungry and always thirsty. You hear your family whispering what you have been thinking for a long time; something is very, very wrong.

Eighteen months from day zero and you are in a doctor’s office, being told that in another few days you would have been in a coma you may not have awoken from. Instead of being afraid, you are relieved. The doctor caught it. They know what is wrong. They can fix it.

This was my life for the 18 months before I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 14, which is relatively old for a diagnosis. I consider myself lucky, though. I was old enough to comprehend what was happening, old enough to understand what I had to do.

There is a common misconception that diabetes means you are overweight. Obesity is generally characteristic of type 2 diabetes, a condition brought about by poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition in which the pancreas stops making the hormone insulin, the hormone required for your cells to absorb glucose, and has little to do with lifestyle.

A diabetes diagnosis can cripple some people. The fear and doubt are often overwhelming. Simply accepting that you have this disease is often the highest hurdle to clear. With the support of family and friends — which, sadly, not everyone has — recently diagnosed diabetics can not only survive, but thrive.

Diabetes requires structure. Even with a highly-structured life, maintaining the clarity of mind to handle debilitating low blood sugars is a lot to handle. It becomes even more complicated when you move away from the structure of home and into the chaos of college.

College life takes any semblance of structure you may have and casts it asunder. Frat parties, dorm socials, class at all hours of the day, all-nighters and pizza delivery all conspire to throw you off balance. There is the added difficulty of doing what needs to be done — shots of insulin, finger pricks to check blood sugar, etc. — in front of people you have just met. It takes a special breed to maintain composure when those situations arise.

Type 1 diabetics often live in a shroud of “can’t.” Can’t eat candy, can’t compete in sports, can’t do what “normal” people can do. This is false. Did Gary Hall, Jr. let diabetes stop him from winning 10 Olympic swimming medals? Did Sonia Sotomayor let diabetes stop her from becoming the first Hispanic United States Supreme Court justice? I think you get the point.

In my eyes, there are two kinds of diabetics: those who let diabetes control them, and those who take control of their diabetes. Members of the second group, myself included, see diabetes as a challenge to do everything that people tell us we can’t do.

My outlet for that challenge was competitive swimming. I can swim three miles without stopping and can do a one-hundred-yard sprint in 49 seconds. A very close diabetic friend of mine here at UC Davis took the challenge to run a marathon. She trained hard, finished the Nike Women’s Marathon and is thirsting to tackle many more.

Type 1 diabetics take better care of ourselves than most other people. By setting and surpassing our goals, we have made ourselves healthier and more fit than 90 percent of our friends. Diabetes has made me comfortable and confident in my ability to take care of myself.

What I want you to take away from this is that I can do everything I want, and diabetes will never hold me back. A newspaper column is not nearly enough room for me to say all I want to say, or mention all the amazing people I want to mention. In a strange way, diabetes is one of the best things to have happened to me. It is what made me who I am. I am not saying I wouldn’t take a cure if it was available, but I would never go back and prevent it from happening.

HUDSON LOFCHIE is an athlete, nerd, and type 1 diabetic. Have diabetes and want to meet others? Search “UC Davis Diabetes” on Facebook. He can be reached at science@theaggie.org.

True or False

Science & Technology

Science Editor

November 30, 2011

Cold and flu season is just starting to take off, and if you scroll down your Facebook news feed, chances are that one or more of your friends will have a cold. I’ve had three friends complain about it just this week alone.

It’s also likely that when you or your friend posts a status about the misery of the common cold, someone will chime in, “Make sure you drink lots of orange juice and stay in bed!”

But why orange juice in particular? Proponents say that the vitamin C in the orange juice helps treat and even prevent colds. This remedy was first promoted around the 1970s; since then, however, the claim has not survived scientific scrutiny.

Let’s back up a bit. The common cold is caused by a virus, most often a rhinovirus but could also be a coronavirus or a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More than 200 viruses have been identified that cause common cold symptoms; about 110 of those belong to the rhinovirus group. This diverse array of causes is why no one has yet found a single vaccine or cure for the common cold.

What about vitamin C? Vitamin C, found in a great deal of fruits and vegetables but especially oranges and other citrus fruit, is a vital nutrient. The vitamin maintains bone, muscle and blood vessels, as well as forms collagen and helps the body absorb iron. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is about 90 milligrams for men and about 75 milligrams for women, which can be easily achieved through eating fruits and vegetables.

Despite the many general benefits of vitamin C, however, fighting off colds isn’t one of them. The majority of studies done on the subject have found vitamin C to be no better than a placebo in the majority of patients. The only group that showed a significant decrease in colds from taking vitamin C were people in “extreme conditions,” such as marathon runners. For most adults and children, there was no real difference.

So, what should you do to fight a cold? First of all, don’t take antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria but do nothing against viruses; the best-case scenario is that you’re wasting money, and the worst-case scenario is that you’re increasing antibiotic resistance among the bacteria.

The only thing to do for a cold is to simply wait out the symptoms. Most symptoms last five to seven days, so get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water in that time. Wash your hands often, especially during the first three days, as that is when you are most contagious. If you develop a fever or you start vomiting, it’s probably the flu or another illness and you should see your doctor.

AMY STEWART can be reached at science@theaggie.org.

John Ortiz-Hutson says goodbye to UC Davis

Features Editor

November 30, 2011

John Ortiz-Hutson says goodbye to UC Davis

Upon walking into the nearly-empty ASUCD Coffee House at 8:15 a.m., it takes approximately 30 seconds for John Ortiz-Hutson to begin waving friendly “hellos” to colleagues and friends.

“I don’t know if ‘famous’ is the right word,” Ortiz-Hutson said, at the suggestion that he appears to be a celebrity of sorts on campus. A young woman has just smiled and greeted him, the third in a span of 45 minutes. “I’ve just been around, and I’m visible.”

For the past 23 years, Ortiz-Hutson has indeed been a fixture on the UC Davis campus, first as a senior learning skills officer at the Student Academic Success Center and then as the student affairs officer of the African American and African studies program. He will officially retire this week, culminating in a career that has allowed him to mentor and advise hundreds of students, as well as collaborate with dozens of campus departments.

“I feel fortunate. I know that UC Davis has been, for the most part, good to me and good for me, and I’ve worked with some marvelous, fascinating people who I’ve learned a great deal from,” Ortiz-Hutson said. “It’s been a blessing to do the work that I do. I think I’ve stayed in my current position a bit too long, because I love it so much. But it’s been rewarding and I’m thankful and I feel blessed.”

Born in Boston and a graduate of Vallejo High School, Solano Community College and San Jose State University, Ortiz-Hutson began his career as a counseling assistant at Los Angeles City College.

Five years later, he returned to Northern California to be closer to his two sons, and landed a job as a learning skills officer at UC Davis in 1988. There, he worked closely with the African American student population through the Special Transitional Education Program, monitoring students’ academic progress and teaching study skills courses.

Ten years ago, Ortiz-Hutson became the student affairs officer for the African American and African studies program. In addition to advising students majoring and minoring in African American and African studies, as well as in other majors, he also coordinated the African American theme program in the Campbell Hall dorm. This fall, he helped launch the Linda Frances Alexander Scholars program, which provides academic and cultural enrichment for African and African American students.

Ortiz-Hutson hesitated to describe his work as a “strategy” for advising the many students that stop by his office in Hart Hall. He said he is simply curious.

“[Students] think they can navigate a major research institute in isolation, which they should never do,” Ortiz-Hutson said. “My number-one goal is to see to it that students feel better when they leave my office than when they came in. So I consider myself a holistic advisor. I like to know who the student is. And I don’t pry. We just talk.”

Though each student comes in with unique challenges, certain pieces of Ortiz-Hutson’s advice remain constant: take advantage of university resources, explore different majors and, perhaps most importantly, connect with your cultural background.

“If this were my university, I would see to it that every student was grounded in their culture first, whatever their culture is,” Ortiz-Hutson said. “Find out more about who you are as an individual and find out more about the history and culture and significant contributions of your people. Ground yourself in yourself, and then move forward.”

Senior sociology and African American studies double major David Thompson first met Ortiz-Hutson as a member of the African American residence hall theme program and then worked with him as a resident advisor for the program. Ortiz-Hutson helped him survive a system that he warned would “chew him up and spit him out.”

“As college students, we think we’ve seen it all. So he appeals to our college student-ness and lets us find our own way, but guides us to our way,” Thompson said.

On UC Davis School of Education student Lorraine Wilkins’ first day at UC Davis as an undergraduate math major, she was told to find Ortiz-Hutson.

She took her four children, then aged three to nine, straight to his office.

“We went to see him at about 5 p.m., and we were there until 7 p.m. He gave my kids crayons, and asked about my goals,” Wilkins said. “He’s like a social worker within the school.”

After leaving UC Davis, Ortiz-Hutson’s future plans include spending time with his grandchildren, finishing his Master’s thesis and possibly joining the Peace Corps. Throughout his time at this university, he hopes students understood that they have an obligation to complete their education, in honor of those who have fought for this right.

“I like to help students realize, truly, their greatness. You have to realize you’re in the right place. Get on with your life, do this thing and do it well,” Ortiz-Hutson said. “What else are you going to do with your time? If you weren’t here you’d be asking someone if they wanted fries with their hamburger.”

ERIN MIGDOL can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

Oceanography catches a new wave

Science & Technology

Science Editor

November 30, 2011

A new partnership formed by scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Liquid Robotics could yield a substantial advancement for scientists and people throughout the world through the creation of an unmanned sea craft with attached seismometers.

The device they will be using, which looks like a surfboard with solar panels mounted on it, could provide earlier detection and warnings for earthquakes and tsunamis.

“The Wave Glider is a little surfboard-sized device connected by an umbilical that provides motor power through the conversion of wave power,” said Jonathan Berger, lead geophysicist in the Scripps team at UC San Diego.

The Wave Glider floats on the surface of the water. Meanwhile, the seismometer it is attached to, via the umbilical, stays deep down in the ocean getting vital measurements for scientists.

“The plan is to use the device as a gateway between seismic data and land,” Berger said.

Along with the solar panels on the Wave Glider, which are there to provide energy to keep the flow of data going, is an acoustic modem that is used to receive information the seismometers collect. The modem is then able to send the data up to a satellite, which can then be received by scientists within minutes for analysis.

“It’s critical for detecting earthquakes; we need data to be transmitted without delay,” Berger said.

The Wave Glider allows for the placement of seismometers in places not feasible before, allowing data to be available to scientists within minutes. Due to these new possibilities, people could experience impactful differences in the timeliness of tsunami warnings.

“It’s important with tsunamis to be able to make a measurement of the wave as it passes overhead,” Berger said . “That’s why we’re adding pressure measurements, to be able to transmit data back to shore quickly.”

According to Berger, another positive for the technology is the fact that it is much more cost-effective than previous methods of data collection. He said that with older technology scientists would have to hire ships to go out to a buoy’s location and perform maintenance, which is something that is not necessary with the unmanned Wave Glider.

“Ships cost about $50,000 per day, which amounts to about $250,000 for an entire trip. The Wave Glider will make it more affordable, bringing costs down to somewhere around $50,000 [total],” Berger said.

John Orcutt, co-principal investigator in the Scripps team at UC San Diego, said that the device is great because it could mean even coverage of the Earth for seismologists.

“It is important that every part of the Earth be sampled. It is important for us to have even coverage,” Orcutt said.

He said that one of the current problems with collecting data is that it is difficult to get any data in parts with little landmass nearby. According to Orcutt, many islands are used today as stations; these stations in turn are where data collected from seismometers goes before it is available via the internet for scientists.

“This is an inexpensive way to get the data we want without land,” Orcutt said.

He said that another possible use for the Wave Glider is the ability to have it monitor for nuclear tests. Places that today may be inaccessible could potentially be monitored with the help of the Wave Glider.

Orcutt believes that the Wave Glider is a sustainable way — especially since it does not use any fuel — to get better data from places where there is not much data currently.

“It doesn’t take up too much energy, only a few watts, and is a good way to fill in the bulk of the earth with good seismic stations,” Orcutt said.

According to the official website of Liquid Robotics, Wave Gliders have numerous applications beyond oceanography and tsunami warnings; national defense, transportation safety, fisheries management and offshore renewable energy are just a few of the possibilities of this new technology.

With events such as this year’s devastating tsunami in Japan showing the importance of earlier tsunami warnings, it is possible that in the future Wave Gliders could help save lives.

ERIC C. LIPSKY can be reached science@theaggie.org.

Students continue occupy Dutton Hall, business disrupted

Campus Editor

November 30, 2011

Students continue occupy Dutton Hall, business disrupted

After a general strike on Monday, students have continued to occupy Dutton Hall, which houses university services such as the Cashier’s Office and the Financial Aid Office. Over 15 tents were set up outside and inside Dutton Hall Tuesday night.

According to the Cashier’s Office, it was still open on Tuesday, and let people in at the emergency door if they knocked.

The Financial Aid Office said that the windows were closed Tuesday, but it was available by phone or e-mail. It said that it may offer an off-site for limited services in the near future, but no decisions had been made yet.

Protesters decided Monday night that they would be occupying Dutton Hall for two weeks.

— Hannah Strumwasser

Dining in Davis: De Vere’s Irish Pub

Features

Features Editor

November 30, 2011

In Review: De Vere’s Irish Pub
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Food: ****
Ambience: ****
Cost: $$

Key
Food and ambiance quality
**** I’m dining here every day
*** Almost like eating at home
** Better than my roommate’s cooking
* Only if I’m starving

Budget
$$$$ chancellor $20+
$$$ professor $15-20
$$ graduate student/alum $10-15
$ undergraduate $5-10

Rarely does a new restaurant come into Davis that lives up to its hype. Generally, when a new bar/eatery opens after much anticipation, one or two visits will likely suffice for the appeal to wear off.

De Vere’s Irish Pub, which opened to the public two weeks ago, is an exception to this trend. Besides today, when I’m here at the crack of dawn enjoying their bottomless coffee, there have only been a few empty seats in the whole place each time I’ve visited.

For me, it was easy during the first experience to find reasons to come back again — the beer selection was great, half the food items were slathered in bacon and cheese, forever raising my standards for bar snacks, and everyone inside seemed genuinely relaxed and happy. What was there not to love?

The reason I feel De Vere’s is a place to return to time and time again is that it is not just a bar, at least in terms of what Davis is used to — it’s much more than just a stop on an average Friday or Saturday night downtown.

De Vere’s is open more hours than it is closed, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. during the week, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on the weekends. It has a packed schedule of events and activities, including Trivia Night on Mondays with Dr. Andy Jones, Whiskey Dinners and Burger Thursdays. They hold an early-morning study hall every Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free Wi-Fi, bottomless coffee for $1.95 and a growing selection of breakfast items. Obviously, I don’t know the owners personally, but they deserve a ton of credit for opening a venue that offers something that literally every person in Davis can fully appreciate.

The pub’s appearance is notable itself. It has an intriguing green exterior, iron-like letters above the doorway and stained glass windows that make it a unique addition to the streets of downtown Davis. Inside, the wooden furniture is a warm, rich espresso color and there’s soft lighting throughout the entire place. The Irish family that owns the pub imported all the fixtures, including the massive bar, directly from Ireland.

There’s more that puts De Vere’s in a category of its own. There are squashy couches and Irish-themed art completely covering the walls. The bookshelves in the back, stocked with leather-bound books and board games, give me a feeling of contentedness like I am hanging out in, say, my grandfather’s old house with my entire family. Needless to say, it’s definitely a comfortable atmosphere, with a bold feeling of authenticity that can’t be found much around Davis.

On my most recent visit, we arrived during happy hour, around 5:30 p.m. De Veres has pretty generous happy hour specials every weeknight from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., offering discounted appetizers, such as chicken strips for $5, and smaller portions of dinner items, such as a half-order of fish and chips for $6. They have a small selection of beer for $3 a glass (or $12 a pitcher — we went for this option, twice) and some wines and spirits for $4.

The hearty food and drink in the cold weather seemed to have a wide appeal, as there was hardly an unoccupied seat in the house. We ordered a pitcher of Smithwicks while waiting for a table and enjoyed it around a square foot of empty bar space until a waitress ushered us to a table around only five minutes later. The table was crammed slightly in a corner, but even with my mild claustrophobia I felt contentedly cozy and not cramped.

The three of us sat enjoying our deliciously-dark beer until our food appeared in front of us — Newport Nachos, $5 for a huge pile of potato fries covered in cheese, bacon, chili, tomatoes and sour cream, and three fresh fish tacos, which were $2 each.

The food was great for several reasons. First, it came to us quickly, and the bartender was able to scout us even after we were herded into the corner. Second, the tacos came with a hefty piece of crispy cornmeal-fried fish inside each, accompanied by a delicious guacamole-like spread that had a perfect amount of kick to it.

Third, the portion of Irish ‘nachos’ was enormous and easily enough for an early dinner. The spiciness of the chilies was complemented well by the cheese and sour cream, and easily neutralized with our second pitcher of beer.

There was absolutely nothing better than taking a break that day and devouring food and beer that hearty for such a good price. Likewise, there was nothing like waking up and coming to De Vere’s first thing in the morning today. I’m contentedly finishing this review while seated on their luxurious couches, listening to the Beatles and enjoying a stress-free start to the day with my roommate.

Generally, these reviews should focus on food, but De Vere’s stands apart from the rest because it has so much else to offer that is worth noting. The food is incredible — that’s a given. But people will find something extra if they come in just expecting a meal. The atmosphere, hospitality and whole idea of the place will surely make it a popular location for months and years to come. I can definitely say that I will be returning.

LANI CHAN can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

“Have some SWAG, bring your own BAG”

Campus Editor

November 30, 2011

A new campaign advocating for a plastic bag-free campus will potentially make UC Davis the first campus in the nation to ban plastic bags entirely.

The “Have some SWAG, bring your own BAG” campaign, launching Jan. 2, will encourage students to use reusable bags at all UC Davis stores as opposed to wasting a single-use plastic or paper bag with every purchase. A fee of 25 cents will be charged for single-use bags and reusable bags will be sold for 75 cents. Students are encouraged to bring their own bags, free of charge. The policy will be effective at all campus store locations, including the Memorial Union, The Corral, ARC Pro Shop, the Silo and the Veterinary Bookstore.

The policy comes in the wake of efforts in sustainability to make UC Davis a zero-waste campus by 2020. A working group consisting of members of ASUCD, CalPIRG, the UC Davis Bookstore and the Bookstore Advisory Council was created this past year under the Campus Unions Recreation Board (CURB) to discuss and draft a proposal and to implement the campaign. The ASUCD/CURB group hopes to eliminate the use of plastic bags on campus by Fall 2012.

California State University, Long Beach has plans to reduce and eliminate plastic bags, as well.

“We hope to see a drastic reduction in the number of plastic and paper bags wasted at the Bookstore, since the 25-cent charge will make people stop and think if they really need that bag or not,” said senior Darwin Moosavi, former ASUCD senator.

Moosavi started the project two years ago and continued to push for the initiative when he became a senator last year.

“This project has been a long time coming. My hopes are that by the end of the year when we review the proposal, a decision can be made to end the supply of plastic bags entirely,” Moosavi said.

A portion of the money collected from the fee will go toward the cost of the plastic bags themselves, which will be 100-percent biodegradable.

“Sustainability is very important and limiting the use of plastics is a good idea,” said Chuck Kratochvil, the Bookstore director. “The best thing is for students to use what they already have, which in this case is their backpack.”

Cash operations manager Chris Dal Porto is also concerned with the environmental footprint.

“A large amount of non-renewable resources are used to create single-use plastic bags which live a very short life span, and soon after end up in our landfills for thousands of years,” Dal Porto said.

According to Dal Porto, as an incentive to use reusable bags, ASUCD will offer customers a choice of a free scantron or blue book each time they use a reusable bag, for a limited time.

STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

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