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CD review: Sufjan Stevens

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

October 21, 2010

Artist: Sufjan Stevens

Album: The Age of Adz

Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Rating: 4

Though he is known for having a folk sound carried by guitars and gentle vocals, Sufjan Stevens mixes electronic into his 10th album. His use of synths and drum machines makes certain tracks sound more “artificial” than what many of his loyal listeners may be accustomed to. In addition, his former whisper has evolved to louder singing in order to keep pace with more frenetic instrumentals. Still, with song names like “Impossible Soul” and “Futile Devices,” the Detroit native’s latest album adheres to his gold standard of lyrical impeccability.

Like birds with untrimmed wings, each track soars for eight to 10 minutes, making the album into more of a tasteful show and less of a product marketed to the masses. The term “multi-faceted artist” truly fits Sufjan Stevens. Where else can you find elements of opera (“Now That I’m Older”), electronic (“Too Much”) and folk (“Vesuvius”) all on the same album? Age of Adz at once provides meditation, contemplation, mental connection and vacation.

Give these tracks a listen: “Futile Devices,” “Now That I’m Older”

For fans of: Iron & Wine, Jose Gonzales

– Eleni Stephanides

Edible garden planted on UC Davis campus

Features

Features Editor

October 21, 2010

This past summer, UC Davis took another step toward promoting environmental sustainability by implementing an edible garden.

Started by ASUCD Senator Levi Menovske, the garden will offer students the opportunity to pick fresh fruit on campus at no additional cost.

While attending a multi-organization meeting, Menovske was inspired by the suggestion of an edible campus.

“I did a little bit of research and it sounded really cool,” Menovske said. “I thought, how cool would it be if students had that opportunity, to be walking to class and stop and pick an apple from an apple tree?”

The Student Co-ops currently have gardens on campus open to the public, but Menovske was concerned. While it was important for students to have a sustainable option on campus, he felt that they did not feel comfortable enough to use the preexisting gardens at the Co-ops.

“It’s kind of like their house,” he said. “So students don’t really eat [the Co-ops’] vegetables.”

Working together with CalPIRG, Menovske decided to put the edible garden plan into action. He wrote ASUCD Senate Bill 61, which allowed him to plant nine fruit trees on the grass plot in front of Mann Laboratory, between Hoagland Hall and the soccer field, out of ASUCD funds.

Once fully grown, the trees will bear fruit such as plums, pomegranates, lemons and persimmons. Student volunteers from CALPIRG will maintain the garden, as well the Campus Senate for the Environment, who will hire a volunteer coordinator to be in charge of student interns to help on campus, including the edible orchard.

When asked about his opinions on the garden, ASUCD President Jack Zwald was skeptical at first.

“We’ll see if Levi’s plan to maintain it will work out,” Zwald said. “But there’s no reason to doubt that it will.”

Menovske, on the other hand, is optimistic.

“The plan is Campus Grounds is going to be putting in an automated drip system to water them, so we don’t have to have people manually watering them all the time,” he said.

Students can get involved with the project by joining organizations that are already working on it, such as CalPIRG, the Aggie Public Arts Committee or the Campus Center for the Environment.

Noelani Velasquez, a junior wildlife, fish and conservation biology and anthropology double major, supports the idea of students working on the garden.

“It would be cooler if it were student-run,” Velasquez said. “It’s a good idea and I think it would be cool if we had something like that. I mean, we are Davis after all.”

Menovske envisions much more than just a few trees for the garden. He hopes to see it developed into a space that students will want to use, complete with walkways, picnic tables, benches and drinking fountains – a place to study, read and hang out, all while having access to healthy, fresh fruit, he said.

Zwald also considers the garden a positive, regardless of what it becomes.

“We get some nice trees and foliage,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s a positive; whether or not it will catch on, I don’t know.”

In retrospect, Menovske is glad to have run for senator with the garden as a platform issue. He believes that doing so sparked interest in a variety of campus organizations that will continue to contribute long after his term as senator is up.

“I’m excited to come back in 15 years and see the trees full grown and students eating lots of fruits,” he said.

JENNIFER SCOFIELD can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

UC receives $3 billion

City News

City Editor

October 21, 2010

Earlier this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2010-11 budget, allocating $3 billion to University of California.

This is an increase of $199 million from the previous fiscal year, during which the state legislature cut 20 percent of funding from UC. Combined with a one-time federal stimulus package of $106 million that was approved in September, UC’s total funding has been increased $305 million from its 2009-2010 budget.

For the first time since 2007, the budget is accounting for UC enrollment growth. The new budget allocates $51.3 million to fund 5,121 of the 16,000 students for whom UC previously received no state support.

The budget also recommends that $353 million go directly to capital facility projects, such as building new classrooms and updating existing structures’ seismic safety measures.

Though UC is not yet fully funded, it was one of the few items, along with California State University and California Community Colleges, in this year’s budget to receive an increase in funds.

“We maintain education funding because a well-educated workforce is essential to California’s future prosperity,” said Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) in a public statement.

For CCC, however, $189 million of the promised budget allocations have been deferred for payment until next year. This puts the system under obligation to expand, without immediate access to the resources necessary to do so.

On par with UC, CSU also received a $199 million increase in allocations, compared to their state funding for the previous year.

UC president Mark Yudof said in a press release that the new budget indicates significant improvement from recent years.

“As a result,” he said, “UC will be able to begin restoring course offerings and essential student services.”

Reflective of California’s roughly $19 billion deficit, state funding for UC is still 10 percent below what it was during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

MELISSA FREEMAN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Column: Epic froyo adventure

Opinion

Opinion

October 20, 2010

I had a horrible realization last Wednesday: I’m not perfect.

It started when I was munching on Padrino chips ($2.60) and checking my e-mail. A reader, Marshall, brought to my attention last week’s food tip of the week where I talked about Cargo Coffee and its locations on campus. His e-mail went something like this: “Did you not realize that the King Hall Cargo Coffee Co. burned to the ground in APRIL?”

He was right. I ran outside, threw my hands up and cried out “Why, why, oh why?!” I did know about the fire in April, I was heartbroken for weeks and then I blocked it out of my memory. All I can say is Alzheimer’s is coming for me fast, people. By tomorrow, I’ll have no clue what you mean if you say the words “recession” and “student loans” to me. Anyway, to make myself feel better about my error, I decided to eat massive amounts of frozen yogurt. Welcome to my Epic Froyo Adventure.

All six frozen yogurt shops in Davis have the option of nonfat yogurt, and they are all self-serve except for Pinkberry, which has full service. The prices are the same at most of the froyo shops (39 cents), except for Cultivé (31 cents in October), Yogurt Shack (38 cents) and Pinkberry (different flat rates for five different sizes). At every yogurt shop, I asked staff the question: “What makes this place the best yogurt shop in Davis?” Here’s what I found out:

The cashier at Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, located next to the North Davis Nugget, said they have 10 flavor selections and they change flavors every two weeks. She explained the best thing about their store is their family-friendly environment and their love of getting involved in the Davis community. They donate 20 percent of their funds to local clubs by hosting fundraisers, and they helped raise $3,000 for Delta Epsilon Mu. Now that’s what I call giving a helping hand.

Yolo Berry Yogurt, located across from Central Park, has fun decorations displayed to celebrate the Halloween season. The cashier answered the question by pointing out their topping options (over 100), and their friendly staff. This place also allows you to get your own samples. Sweet, sweet freedom.

At SugarPlum, located at the U-Mall, you will find a TV screen on the wall which, when I went in, was playing “How I Met Your Mother” (high-five!). One reason they say they’re the best froyo shop is because of their 16 different flavors. If you want options, come here.

Pinkberry, located at the Davis Commons, is a new addition to the Davis community. The cashier/shift lead answered the question by pointing out their cool interior (a floor that looks like you’re at the beach), their daily cut fresh fruit and their premium ingredients (all-natural when possible). They also offer endless samples of their six flavors.

The cashier at Cultivé, located next to Chipotle, said that their shop offers the most tart flavors. You can find their 10 flavor options inside a clean, friendly environment. They also allow you to get your own samples. Oh, the joy.

Yogurt Shack was the first froyo shop in Davis and is located by Beach Hut Deli. The cashier at the “original froyo shop” explained that their environmentally-friendly yogurt cups are biodegradable and that they offer dairy-free and sugar-free alternatives to their nonfat flavors. Their down-to-earth staff and yogurt are great reasons to stop by for a treat.

After my Epic Froyo Adventure, not only did the pain of my error go away, but I also found my favorite froyo shops. Life is good. And now it’s your turn, dear reader. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples and a nutrition guide.

Now for the food tip of the week! The Davis Food Co-op, located on the northern part of G Street, is a great place to grocery shop if you’re into organics, or have a frustrating food allergy (or what I call an FML!! allergy).

Many of their products are gluten-free and are made with organic ingredients. For all-natural food that might be cheaper here than at other stores, look for their eggs (25 cents an egg or $2 to 3 per dozen), soy milk ($4), yogurt (80 cents per cup), organic peanut butter ($4.50), mac & cheese ($2), chips ($2.80) and oreos ($3.50).

And if you’re looking for a fun time, go down the grains/snacks/soups/granola/nuts/spices aisle. You can scoop up as much or as little as you want and pay per pound. I felt like a little kid in an ice cream store looking wide-eyed at all my ice cream options, except that in reality I’m in my 20s and I’m staring wide-eyed at healthy stuff. My inner kid isn’t smiling, but my inner adult is.

JENNIFER RICHWOOD wants to hear your froyo and Co-op stories! E-mail her at jcrichwood@ucdavis.edu.

Column: “Spitting Game”

Opinion

Opinion

October 20, 2010

Urban
Dictionary
defines “spitting game” as “when a person tries to pimp someone of the female
persuasion. Many times it involves one male macking on many other females.”

Why
are you trying to “spit game” at that girl, bro? When, in the grand scheme of
your life’s plan, did that strike you as a good idea? Was it when you started
hanging out on the “Jersey Shore,” kicking it with Pauly D and The Situation as
you posted up in your dope hot tub with some “dirty dirties?” Because I can see
how, within the realm of that hyper-specific scenario, spitting game might have
seemed an applicable tactic. But this is college, not the sleazeball ridden
streets of late night Miami, or that cesspool of a thing Snooki might call a
hot tub.

So
I’ll ask again, why are you trying to spit game at that girl? Do you think
she’s stupid? That her gender indicates a lack of intelligence, thus
qualifying her as susceptible to
the extremities of your charm? Or is it an arrogance thing? Are you another
victim suffering from the narcissistic delusions of self-love? And now, in your
self-enraptured state, you falsely believe that if you spit that game in
maximum efficiency mode, that brief stint where you’re “in the zone,” you
automatically must woo any given female?

Either way, I think you’re wrong. Not
just ethically speaking, but in your essential approach to girls altogether.
Bro, you’re just going about it all wrong. But don’t mistake me here, readers.
I don’t want you to think of this as an “advice column.” Because who am I, a
lowly junior undergrad, to tell you what to do with your lives? I can hardly
live my own life, let alone tell you how to properly live yours. So don’t think
of this particular column as “advice,” per se. Think of it as optimism
expressed through pessimism. Or, rather, idealism communicated from a critical
perspective. Because that’s how I do. I want the world to be this, but I see
that, so I say this.

So
forgive me for my momentary self-righteousness (optimism) when I say, in my
most “James-esque” manner, that I think “spitting game” to be conceptually
bullshit. Yeah, fools, I went there. Wassup. Wanna fight? Yeah, me neither. I’d
rather just explain why I think spitting game a fallacious idea.

Now,
while I get that a guy generally has to make a move on a girl (because that’s
how this stuff goes down, unfortunately), I find it a disturbing prospect when
a guy — generally young, wanting to portray confidence — acts as if getting a
girl via “spitting game” was entirely up to him. In other words, guys often
apply the phrase as if picking up girls depended entirely on how effectively
they “spat game” at any given female. And not to sound like some pretentious,
quasi-feminist douche who is, secretly, only motivated by a desire to get his
own D sucked, but it is demeaning in regards to women. Because yes, when you
break it down, it is a sexist notion. Believe it or not, girls do have a choice
in the matter.

Of
course, I’m aware most of us know that, especially the mostly-intelligent
college demographic. But even the best of us forget at times. Occasionally, it
even seems like guys “forget” its politically incorrect status on purpose, as
if spitting game was actually code for some sort of psychological mechanism
that allows a temporary (and perhaps false) boost in confidence.

But
ask yourself seriously, does spitting game actually work on a consistent basis?
I’m not talking about the promiscuous beezle-berries you see drunk at a club in
New Jersey. I’m thinking college girls. You know, the supposed intelligent
types. So really, does “spitting game” at them ever actually get you somewhere?
Maybe, depending on the scenario. A party in the form of a blackout fest,
perhaps? Something along those lines? But otherwise, not so much.

Maybe
this is just me, because I don’t really “spit game” in the strict sense of the
phrase. I do something else. I’ve found it pretty effective in the last year or
so, too. I talk to
girls. You know, like they’re human beings? Shockingly, girls tend to
appreciate that.

But
don’t take my word for it. Just ask a girl how they like having game “spat”
upon them, as opposed to being talked to, and learn yourself a lesson.

You
probably aren’t going to get some sort of high score depending on how smoothly
you deliver that joke. How cleverly crafted that line was probably won’t
matter. But feel free to e-mail JAMES O’HARA about your successful “game
spitting” stories (or not successful) at jpohara@ucdavis.edu.

Summer programs offer popular alternatives to quarter abroad

Features

Features Editor

October 20, 2010

For students considering studying abroad, participation in a summer abroad program is a way to avoid falling behind in studies or missing out on employment, while still being able to experience a foreign country.

The UC Davis Education Abroad Center sends students all over the world, but the summer abroad programs are particularly popular. Last year, 800 students went to another country during the summer versus 200 for a quarter.

Since summer programs only last four weeks, they tend to be faster paced and more rigorous, said Eric Schroeder, the summer abroad director.

“The summer abroad program is a way for students to have a very intense abroad experience in a very short period of time,” he said.

This program is convenient for students with busy schedules, who cannot take time out of the school year to go abroad. This was the case for Milton Carl Jackson III, a senior music major who participated in the “Music and Culture in Latin America” program in Argentina last summer.

“Last year, I was a Resident Advisor and was not in a position to leave in the spring,” said Jackson in an e-mail interview. “I’m also a fourth-year this year and I’m finishing up my major and have to be on campus to do so. This left the summer as the perfect opportunity to study abroad.”

Students can choose from programs on every continent except Antarctica, and each location has specific programs designed for it.

“We try to pair the content of the course with the location the students are going to,” Schroeder said.

For instance, there is an “Introduction to Winemaking” program that takes place in France, a program called “Engineering of Historic Constructions” in Rome and another called “Latin American Icons in Film, Literature and Popular Culture” in Argentina.

UC Davis alumna Amy Hartstein had high praise for the course curriculum of the program she participated in, “Community and Everyday Life in Japan.”

“It was a more interesting and engaging course than I have ever taken on campus,” Hartstein said in an e-mail interview. “Professor Fujimoto created a program that combines in-class study with class trips and individual field work that allows students to study what most interests them.”

Some of the programs offered are not tied to one country or location. The “Grand Tour” program takes students to France, England and Italy to learn about literature, culture and art. Another program, called “Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe,” takes students to Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and Switzerland.

The programs offered for summer abroad cover a wide variety of topics and disciplines, but the Education Abroad Center takes particular pride in the expansion of the science and engineering programs.

“Everybody has programs in the arts, but not everyone has programs in science and engineering,” Schroeder said.

Most students have found their time abroad to be valuable and enlightening.

“About 98 percent of feedback is extremely positive. Many students use phrases like ‘life-changing’,” Schroeder said.

UC Davis alumna Julie Westberg, who studied abroad in South Africa in the summer of 2006, said the experience gave her a new perspective.

“Definitely going to South Africa, you realize how lucky you are to have a roof over your head and food on the table,” she said.

Westberg also said her time abroad gave her an important life experience.

“I was 19 at the time, and it was my first time traveling on my own. I think it helped me grow up a little bit, mature to some extent [and] realize what was out there,” she said.

Jackson also feels gaining perspective was an important aspect of his experience in Argentina.

“I learned so much about the Argentine culture and the music they enjoy,” he said. “It gave me a global perspective on popular music, allowed me to meet incredible people and guided me to work at the Education Abroad Center.”

Going abroad also provides students a unique chance to meet new people.

“My favorite part of the program was getting to know the Ryukoku student volunteers who acted as our tour guides and translators, and quickly became our friends,” said Hartstein. “Those friendships last to this day, and we always meet when they visit the U.S. or when one of us goes to Japan.”

Cost is also an important consideration for students who want to go abroad. The total cost of the program incorporates fees for the program itself, the course, the UC Davis summer campus and an accommodation fee. They vary depending on the location of the program.

Students on a budget can find a list of programs with a total cost of less than $5,000 on the summer abroad web site. These low-cost programs include locations in Japan, China and Argentina, as well as a number of European countries.

Schroeder advises students interested in summer abroad to apply early.

“If the program is popular, students should prepare their application early and turn it in as soon as possible,” he said.

Hartstein encourages other students to take advantage of the school’s study abroad resources.

“I believe that the UC Davis study abroad programs are the most valuable programs offered at this school,” she said. “So, go to the Education Abroad Center and check out your options.”

ELIANA SMITH can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

Mom and daughter make dentistry a family affair

Features

Features Editor

October 20, 2010

Mother and daughter dentist duo Jeanne and Kelly Brewer remember the first time they ever worked together. One of Jeanne’s patients needed to have a root canal over a weekend, and with no dental assistants available to help with the procedure, Jeanne offered the job to her daughter, Kelly.

Kelly was seven years old.

“When you’re doing root canal work the person who’s assisting you suctions next to you. She wanted to make sure it was at a perfect angle, and she sat there just doing it perfectly because that was her big job. She was great,” Jeanne said.

So began a lifelong partnership for Jeanne and Kelly, who now work together at their own dental practice in Davis. Jeanne grew up in Davis and opened the practice after attending UCLA and working briefly in North Carolina.

Kelly, who graduated from UC Davis in 2005 with a degree in biochemistry, was a fixture in Jeanne’s office after assisting on that first root canal procedure. At the age of 13, she passed the exam to become a Registered Dental Assistant.

Most people don’t take the challenging exam until after high school.

“When I went to check in for the exam they were like, ‘do you have your driver’s license?'” Kelly said. “I was 13 so I had my junior high ID and they said, ‘Are you old enough to take this exam?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I am, we checked.'”

Working as a dental assistant while still attending Davis High School meant that Kelly’s patients were often her own friends and classmates.

“I’d be polishing one of my friend’s teeth saying, this is kind of weird,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s fast track to success didn’t end there. At Jeanne’s suggestion, Kelly began taking courses at UC Davis as a high school junior. By the time she entered as a first year in 2000, Kelly had already completed the Organic Chemistry 118 series.

Kelly credits her ability to pursue a diverse selection of extracurricular activities while a student at UC Davis with her consistent enrollment in summer school. She was an ASUCD senator, brewing intern for Anheuser Busch and studied abroad in Italy.

She said all students should feel like they have the time to pursue as many interests as they like.

“I know people hate the notion of summer school but I think it gets a bad rap. It can make your life easier and you have more opportunities to do things,” Kelly said. “Make a list and see what are you most interested in and then tackle it. If an opportunity presents itself, seize it.”

Kelly graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 2009. Now that she is working alongside her mother, this time as a licensed dentist, her journey has come full-circle.

“One of the nice things about growing up working in her office is that we’re used to working together,” Kelly said. “A lot of times when people try to join their parents’ practice or their siblings’ practice, they can have different practice styles. I think that’s kind of a unique situation that we have. We’ve had the ability to work together.”

UC Davis alumna Amanda Scott first met Kelly at a Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority event in 1999. As a patient of both Jeanne and Kelly, Scott said she never felt uncomfortable having a friend as her dentist. Actually, it came in handy during a particularly rough rugby match.

“A player from Sac State got her front tooth knocked out, so I said, hold on, my friend’s a dentist,” Scott said. “We called Jeanne, took the girl and her mom to the office, and Kelly and Jeanne were able to save her tooth.”

For the Brewers, dentistry is the ultimate confidence boost. Using cosmetic dentistry to help patients rebuild their own smiles is their biggest passion, they said.

Jeanne remembered dozens of patients who went from being ashamed of their teeth to wanting to floss and brush every day.

“When you have confidence in your teeth, you’re perceived as a friendlier person. It can make such a difference,” Jeanne said. “It’s art people wear 24/7.”

Kelly and Jeanne agreed that watching people’s reactions when they see even the smallest improvement in their teeth is the best part of the job. When a patient leaves their office unafraid to smile, they know they’ve done their best work.

“You can tell we love teeth,” Kelly said. “Most people don’t get as excited about teeth as we do. We love what we do.”

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

Aggie Daily Calendar

Features

Features Editor

October 20, 2010

TODAY

East Quad Farmers Market

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

East Quad

Support local farmers and get fresh produce, nuts, flowers and more.

Yoga and Meditation Class

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The House, Davis Co-ops

The Mind, Body, Wellness Center at The House offers yoga and meditation class every Wednesday for the rest of the quarter. Check it out.

Runway Designer’s Club Model Casting Call

2 to 6 p.m.

129 Walker

Want to strut the runway on Picnic Day? Drop in between the hours listed above so they can take your measurements.

Enchanted Cellar at UC Davis

3 to 7 p.m.

17 Wright

Need a head-to-toe costume for Halloween? Check out the Enchanted Cellar for all your costume needs.

Davis College Democrats Meeting

6 p.m.

216 Wellman

It’s not too late to get involved. Join DCD and find out how you can get involved in campaigns and politics.

Prytanean Women’s Honor Society Info Night

7:10 to 8 p.m.

100 Hunt

Learn about how to become a part of the country’s oldest women’s honor society. Applications are due on Oct. 29.

THURSDAY

Camp Adventure Information Session

11 a.m. To 1 p.m.

114 South

Find out how you can travel abroad for free to work in rewarding internships with children and youth.

Meat Lab Sale

1 to 5:30 p.m.

Cole C Facility

The UC Davis Meat Lab is offering sales that are open to the public. Cash and check only.

Enchanted Cellar at UC Davis

3 to 7 p.m.

17 Wright

Need a head-to-toe costume for Halloween? Check out the Enchanted Cellar for all your costume needs.

Biomedical Engineering Seminar

4 p.m.

1005 Genome and Biomedical Science Facility

You are invited to this seminar about protein analogous micelles.

Graduate Student Association Social Event

6 to 8 p.m.

Woodstock’s Pizza, 219 G St.

Join your fellow graduate students for GSA’s quarterly social event to see old friends and make new ones.

American Red Cross Club

6 to 7:10 p.m.

167 Olson

Attend their second general meeting and see how you can get involved.

Students in Connection

7:10 to 8:40 p.m.

Moss Room, Memorial Union

A new group on campus, Students In Connection, tries to help improve students’ communication and social skills. Pizza and drink will be served.

Poetry Night Reading: College Poetry Tour

8 p.m.

John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St.

Listen to three Sacramento poets perform their work for you.

FRIDAY

Flu Vaccination Clinic

1 to 3 p.m.

ARC Lobby

Get your flu shot at this special flu vaccination clinic in the ARC lobby.

Meat Lab Sale

1 to 5:30 p.m.

Cole C Facility

The UC Davis Meat Lab is offering sales that are open to the public. Cash and check only.

Enchanted Cellar at UC Davis

3 to 7 p.m.

17 Wright

Need a head-to-toe costume for Halloween? Check out the Enchanted Cellar for all your costume needs.

To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, e-mail dailycal@theaggie.org or stop by 25 Lower Freeborn by noon the day prior to your event. Due to space constraints, all event descriptions are subject to editing, and priority will be given to events that are free of charge and geared toward the campus community.

Students and community make final push for props, candidates

City News

City Editor

October 20, 2010

With the Nov. 2 election less than two weeks away, campaigns are working to inform students about their causes and encouraging everyone to vote.

One such campaign is No on Prop 23, led by CalPIRG, a California student public interest group. Prop 23 would suspend the Global Warming Act of 2006, a clean air and energy act to increase renewable energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. If passed, this proposition will be in effect until unemployment falls below 5.5 percent.

“If it does get passed, first of all, it’s a health issue. For anyone that goes outside, it’s going to affect them,” said Jacob Rin, CalPIRG UCD chapter chair and Global Warming Solutions campaign coordinator. “It will allow oil companies to pollute without restriction.”

Proponents for Prop 23 argue that it will help the economy. Resources devoted to the implementation of the Global Warming Act can be used to help decrease the unemployment rate. No on Prop 23 argues that the Global Warming Act will help create new jobs.

“The green sector of the economy is growing 10 times faster than any other sector. It will create jobs and a better economy for us, the future workforce. We’ll have a better environment and a better economy to get jobs when you graduate,” Rin said.

No on Prop 23 is garnering support, especially from students and the university. On Thursday, a resolution will be introduced to the ASUCD senate which will proclaim that the associated students oppose Prop 23.

“It’s important to show the senate that students do really care about it, and that students are behind this campaign,” Rin said. CalPIRG said they urge supporters to attend the senate meeting, located in the MU’s Mee room at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, to show their support for getting this resolution passed.

Additionally, CalPIRG is trying to get more support through outreach events. They will host a pledge drive today and tomorrow to get 6,000 students to sign pledge cards promising to vote against Prop 23. Volunteers will be tabling at the MU patio and all around campus to educate students on this proposition.

Another student organization one will find tabling at the MU is the Prochoice Students for Boxer, a campaign run by the Feminist Majority Foundation. Barbara Boxer, a Democratic senator since 1993, is seeking a fourth term in office.

“We’re tabling all over campus to get more support from students. Last week we [tabled] at the MU and the activities fair. This week we’re tabling at the Silo, we’re going to do it at the Farmer’s Market,” said Ali Bollbach, organizer for the Prochoice Students for Boxer and president of Feminists for Equality. On Oct. 29, they will be doing a “Boxers for Boxer” tabling event, in which volunteers will be wearing boxers on campus to remind people to vote.

Today, Prochoice Students for Boxer is doing a silent coat hanger canvass on campus. They are hanging wire coat hangers in classrooms and around main buildings to symbolize back alley hanger abortions. This was a practice done before legalized abortion practices, in which women used wire coat hangers to do unsafe “at-home” abortions.

“The hanger demonstration is there to remind people to never go back to a time when these practices were done,” said Bollbach. “A lot of people don’t know how different things were [before women had a right to choose].”

Feminists for Equality, a UCD campus club, is also planning an information session on election issues. On Oct. 27, they will also be hosting an informational meeting about propositions and other balloted issues. This meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Cross Cultural Center.

In addition, Roosevelt Institute Campus Network (RICN) at UC Davis is hosting a debate on Oct. 28 to discuss broader political issues such as the budget crisis. On Nov. 12 and 13, they will also be hosting a conference at the ARC conference rooms to showcase student solutions and improvements on current policy.

“The point of the conference is to address the gaps in California governance with student research and solutions,” said Rajiv Narayan, RICN president and columnist for The California Aggie, in an e-mail.

“For example, I’ve published a policy piece on food stamps … I’ll be taking my proposal directly to the new crop of elected officials. Roosevelt is pretty good about connecting students with the relevant policy professionals interested in working with our ideas,” Narayan said.

Other organizations are using different strategies to reach out to students. Davis College Democrats (DCD) has been tabling at the MU to register voters and held a rally to support Jerry Brown, the Democratic ticket for the gubernatorial election. DCD has also been going out into the city every Saturday to educate voters individually.

“We’ve been walking precincts in Davis that are student-heavy, going door to door to talk to people and dropping off literature,” said Sam Mahood, DCD president. DCD will continue going out into the city up until Election Day, as well as doing phone banking to encourage others to vote.

Outside of campus organizations is Pancakes and Politics, a community event on Saturday. Organized by members of the community, this event invites volunteers to learn about a proposition or an office and share their information with the group over a plate of hot pancakes.

“Instead of getting election information through reading, it’s like going and talking to a friend about it over coffee, but on a much larger scale,” said Alan Miller, one of the main organizers for the event.

In past election campaigns, the group tried creative ways of outreach to the public, such as creating and distributing comic book voter guide on what people have discussed.

There are 24 positions, calling for 24 volunteers to sign up for Propositions 18 through 27, and 14 state offices.

With over 18,000 UC students registered to vote, part of the over 30,000 student voters from the UC and CSU systems alone, college students make up a large part of the voting pool.

“For a lot of these issues, if it doesn’t affect you personally as a student, it may affect your friends and your neighbors,” Bollbach said. “A lot of people don’t vote in the mid-November elections because it’s not as big. If enough students vote, students really could be a force to be reckoned with.”

SARAHNI PECSON can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Landfill extends hours of hazardous waste disposal

City News

City Editor

October 20, 2010

Residents of Yolo County can now take advantage of household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off days at the Yolo County Central Landfill free of charge.

As of Oct. 1, HHW is accepted every Friday and Saturday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Yolo County Central Landfill located at 44090 County Road 28H. In prior months, drop off days were only held once a month.

“The household hazardous waste drop-offs are providing a service to residents who live in Yolo County,” said Linda Sinderson, deputy director of the Yolo County planning and public works, “so that they are able to dispose of hazardous waste properly as opposed to throwing the hazardous materials in the trash, which causes environmental and health concerns.”

Yolo County has seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in the volume of waste brought in by the public in the last seven years. Weekly drop off collection days have only recently begun and the percentage of collected waste is expected to increase as the service becomes more available to the community.

Left unprocessed, HHW can cause serious health and environmental defects on account of its toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity and reactivity.

“Some hazardous materials are flammable and others should not be stored near each other because of potential dangers with interaction and old medicines have expiration dates after which you don’t want to take them,” Sinderson said.

“So, with that being said, it is always better to remove hazardous waste that you are not using instead of just letting it sit around. A trip to our HHW facility, where the waste can be disposed of properly or reused, is better than leaving it around, where it is potentially a risk.”

The Yolo County landfill limits the amount of waste an individual can bring in each visit to 125 pounds or 15 gallons of HHW per vehicle. This is in accordance with the Department of Transportation regulation. The law is in place to prevent dangerous complications on the road.

In addition to HHW, electronic waste can be recycled at the Yolo County central landfill every day at no cost. E-waste includes televisions, monitors, computer components, microwaves and other small electronics. Medical or infectious waste, explosives and fireworks are not accepted on HHW drop off days.

Though the new schedule has been intact all month, some students said they were unaware of the program’s existence.

“I don’t really think college students think about things like hazardous waste,” said junior early modern and medieval studies major Sara Wilson. “But now that I know about it, I think it’s awesome for students to have access to hazardous waste disposal.”

Small items like batteries and CDs are currently collected at on-campus locations including the Memorial Union and the ARC. However, the campus locations do not collect large items.

“I will definitely be bringing in my hazardous waste once I accumulate enough of it. What a great service to have available to UCD students,” Wilson said.

California state law identifies HHW to include acids, antifreeze, automotive products, batteries, transmission fluid, cooking oils, fire extinguishers, floor and furniture cleaners, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, gasoline and flammables, mercury thermometers, paint of oil and latex base, pesticides and herbicides, pharmaceuticals, poisons, pool chemicals, solvents, syringes and used motor oil and filters.

CARLY HAASE can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

UAW 2865 contract negotiations to continue

Campus News

Campus Editor

October 20, 2010

United Auto Works 2865, the union representing over 12,000 Academic Student Employees (ASE) including teaching assistants, tutors and readers throughout the UC system, met with the UC’s bargaining committee in Los Angeles on Oct. 14 and 15 to exchange contract proposals.

After two days of swapping contract proposals, UAW and UC reached no agreement. The current contract has since been extended until Oct. 29. Appointment notifications, childcare reimbursement and wages were among the main points of contention in the contract debates.

“The things we are asking for would benefit more people than just those covered by the contract,” said Molly Ball, union representative for UC Davis and graduate student in the English department.

Union members stress how integral their jobs are in maintaining the high quality of education provided by the UC system.

There was little movement made on either side, particularly in reference to increased childcare reimbursement for ASEs. Based on calculations made by the UAW 2865 members, the improvements in childcare they are requesting would cost the UC system $75,000 to fund.

“A number of the things we are asking for wouldn’t cost much money at all,” said Brian Malone, union representative for UC Santa Cruz.

Leslie Sepuka, media representative with the UC Office of the President, said UC intends to work toward a satisfactory contract.

“UC’s objective is to reach a multiyear agreement that recognizes the contributions Academic Student Employees make to UC’s teaching mission, funds graduate student education and reflects the budgetary challenges the University has to face,” she said in an e-mail interview.

The union and the university have been engaged in successor negotiations for UAW 2865’s sixth contract since May.

ASEs are unhappy with the current contract articles regarding appointment notifications for class assignments. While there is a degree of job uncertainty that goes along with being an ASE, union members are striving for appointment notification 45 days before the start of the quarter. Currently the contracts require 30 days notice before the start of the quarter.

“It’s not so much about strictly adhering to a number of days, it’s more about departments not waiting until the last minute,” Ball said.

ASEs need sufficient time to prepare for the classes they will be teaching in order to provide the best possible undergraduate education, Ball said. Appointment notifications vary among departments and there are many where it is not an issue.

Although they recognize the UC budget is stretched thin, union members believe wage increases are key in maintaining the high standard of individuals employed by the UC.

“The UC needs to offer the kind of wages that will continue to attract really high caliber people,” Ball said.

The recently approved state budget, which will give $305 million to the UC system, gives hope to ASEs, Ball said. With this increase in the budget there is more money to meet their demands regarding childcare and wage increases.

“Our wages haven’t kept pace with increasing costs of living and inflation over the past few years,” Malone said.

Union members feel the work they contribute to the UC is underappreciated and this is reflected in their wages.

While a new contract failed to materialize during the negotiations in Los Angeles, the UAW 2865 union members remain confident that eventually a contract that satisfies both the UC Board of Regents and the union members will transpire.

During the protest on Oct. 7, the ASEs discussed the possibility of a strike on Nov. 1 if they do not come out of Los Angeles with contracts.

Union representatives will meet once again with the UC bargaining committee on Oct. 27.

KATIE LEVERONI can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

Campus Judicial Report

Campus News

Campus Editor

October 20, 2010

101020_ca_CJR.c

Headline: Campus Judicial Report

“Communicate” your own ideas

A first-year communication major was referred to Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) for allegedly plagiarizing a paper assignment in her upper division writing class. Nearly half of the paper was taken verbatim from a website. Upon meeting with a judicial officer, the student admitted to the wrongdoing and accepted the sanction of disciplinary probation, along with 10 hours of community service and an online tutorial regarding plagiarism. If she violates campus policy while on disciplinary probation, she would likely receive a suspension or dismissal from the university.

Stealing can be hazardous to your bank account

A sophomore neurobiology, physiology and behavior (NPB) major was referred to SJA for stealing two textbooks from the bookstore. After bookstore staff approached the student, she dropped the two books and left the Memorial Union. She did, however, return the next day after receiving an e-mail from the bookstore regarding the matter, to purchase one of the textbooks and pay the civil demand fine of $200. The bookstore assesses a $200 fine in addition to the price of the item for all cases of theft, whether it is the theft of a Scantron or an iPod. In addition, the student accepted the sanction of disciplinary probation from SJA.

When in doubt, ask!

A junior was referred to SJA for alleged unauthorized collaboration on an assignment. The student admitted to the collaboration, saying that his TA had recommended that students work together in groups. The student and several others turned in identical electronic copies of their assignments, including many identical typographical errors. Although the instructor had encouraged students to use each other as resources on the assignment, he had not given them permission to work together to such a degree that their assignments would be identical. The student admitted that he and his classmates had worked together beyond what was permitted, and that he had violated university policy as a result. He therefore accepted the sanction of disciplinary probation for the unauthorized collaboration. The rule prohibiting “unauthorized collaboration” can be confusing to students because, unlike other rules, what is permitted may vary from class to class. Students may not work together on assignments without the express consent of the instructor – and then only to the degree that the instructor allows.

The Campus Judicial Report is compiled by student members of the Campus Judicial Board. Additional information about SJA and the Campus Judicial Board may be found at sja.ucdavis.edu.

News in Brief

Campus News

Campus Editor

October 20, 2010

Students can seek out potential jobs at the Internship and Career Center’s (ICC) annual fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ARC Pavilion.

All 128 companies present are listed online at iccweb.ucdavis.edu. Students can search by variances like industry, location and recruited majors. Each company will have a table with one to five company representatives, such as a UC Davis alum, human resources representative or hiring manager, who could do a mini-interview on the spot.

ICC recommends students bring a resume and their student ID card to check in at the front door.

In addition to local opportunities, some companies offer internships abroad. For example, SSA Global Ed provides international internships and long-term jobs in Singapore and Intrax Intern Abroad offers business-oriented internships with host companies in London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Beijing and Tokyo.

Both SSA Global Ed and Intrax Intern Abroad are recruiting all majors, as are other companies ranging from the Central Intelligence Agency to Abercrombie & Fitch. Majors receiving the most recruitment are mechanical engineering and computer science, with 35 and 32 interested companies, respectively.

– Janelle Bitker

News in Brief

Campus News

Campus Editor

October 20, 2010

Students, faculty and staff that have not upgraded their eight character passwords to passphrases will experience difficulties accessing their accounts starting Nov. 1.

Information Educational Technology (IET) will block an individuals’ account access to all campus services until he or she upgrades to a passphrase. A passphrase is 12 to 48 characters long and can include words from the dictionary.

Passwords will expire on a rolling basis and users will be notified two weeks prior to their expiration. IET began sending out warnings on Monday.

Julie McCall, communications analyst with IET, said that all passwords will expire between November and February.

“If you do it now, you don’t have to worry about it later,” she said. “It’s not optional. There are no exceptions for anyone.”

Access to anything that uses UC Davis authentication will be denied until passwords are upgraded. Since network problems do happen, students should upgrade as soon as possible, McCall said.

“They don’t want to get caught during midterms or finals with an expired password,” she said. “They don’t want to be in crisis mode.”

IET launched the Passphrase Change Campaign in late April. As of yesterday, 65.53 percent of students have upgraded their passwords, with 9,102 students still needing to do so.

To upgrade, go to computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu and select “change your passphrase.”

– Janelle Bitker

Campus debate

Campus News

Campus Editor

October 20, 2010

On Monday, the UC Davis School of Law hosted a debate on Proposition 23, where experts discussed how the suspension of AB 32 could affect the economy.

Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, argued that the proposition will increase manufacturing in California, whereas Steve Maviglio, a spokesperson for the No on 23 campaign, argued that Prop. 23 is being pioneered by oil companies and will undermine the current efforts of the clean tech industry.

“That’s what Prop. 23 is all about – it’s in the self-interest of two oil refineries that would rather invest a few million dollars in a ballot initiative than clean up their pollution,” Magvalio said.

If enacted, Prop. 23 would suspend AB 32 until unemployment in California is lowered to 5.5 percent for four consecutive quarters. Currently California’s unemployment rate is at 12.5 percent, said Richard Frank, visiting professor from UC Berkeley and moderator of the debate. By 2020, AB 32, the Global Warming Solution Act, aims to lower California’s greenhouse gas emissions back to where they were in 1990.

Stewart argued that California has lost two million jobs due to pressure on manufacturers. California has worked to replace these positions with service jobs, but this has not been a very successful tactic due to the fact that service jobs pay about $20,000 per year than manufacturing jobs.

In 2006 when AB 32 was implemented, California’s unemployment rate was 4.8 percent and has now risen to 12.4 percent. Proponents are concerned that continuing to move forward with AB 32 as scheduled will be detrimental to California’s economy.

If Prop. 23 is passed, manufacturing will be brought back to California and in turn will improve California’s economy, Stewart said.

In addition, Steward argued that AB 32 is not required to maintain high emission standards.

“The emission standard in AB 32 includes many things that don’t require AB 32 to implement them,” he said. “So, we get to 70 or 80 percent of our emission reduction goals with legislation that is not a part of AB 32.”

Magvalio pointed out that 98 percent of the Prop. 23 campaign is funded by oil companies and 89 percent is from out of state. The two main contributors are Texas-based oil companies Tesoro and Valero, both of which are top 10-polluters in California.

“I don’t think Texas oil companies care about our economy,” he said. “They care about two things: their profits and how to evade pollution standards set by the state of California.”

In the last 40 years California’s unemployment rate has only been below 5.5 percent three times and suspending AB 32 will only worsen California’s economy, Magvalio said.

Oil companies such as Valero are not creating more jobs for California, he said. Meanwhile, California has roughly 500,000 clean tech jobs and the industry is growing six times faster than any other industry in California.

“If you go to Valero’s website, they have a total of five jobs – three of which are internships if anybody is interested,” Magvalio said. “The jobs that are being created in the state are by new clean tech companies.”

JASPREET BAHIA can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

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