September 22, 2022

ANTISEMITIC BANNERS HUNG FROM OVERPASS DETERMINED ‘HATE

INCIDENT’ BY UC DAVIS POLICE

Chancellor Gary May later released a statement condemning the act

BY SONORA SLATER campus@theaggie.org

Content warning: This article includes discussions of antisemitic language which some readers may find disturbing.

The UC Davis Police Department sent out a crime alert to campus community members at 6:07 p.m. on Aug. 28, reporting a “hate incident” involving signs that were hung on the Highway 113 overpass facing vehicle traffic with antisemitic messages written on Accordingthem.to the crime alert, the signs read, “HOLOCAUST IS ANTI WHITE LIES” and “COMMUNISM IS JEWISH.”

The alert states that witnesses reported seeing three or four white male adults wearing black clothing and masks standing on the Blue Ridge Road Bikeway overpass at Highway 113 and hanging the signs at around 3 p.m. on the day of the crime report. One of the witnesses confronted the subjects and tried to take

the signs down which led to a verbal argument but no reported injuries.“The subjects were filming encounters with counter-protesters and law enforcement and may have been trying to [elicit] responses,” the alert reads. “They took down the signs and left on foot, later displaying their signs on the Russell Blvd overpass according to [the UC Davis Police Department].”

The subjects were last seen on foot headed into the city of Davis through West Village, according to the alert.

The incident “did not rise to the level of a hate crime,” according to the crime alert, but the UC Davis police did determine it to be “a hate incident of concern for our campus community.”

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May issued a statement about the incident on the day the event occurred, noting that he had recently received a report indicating that a similar incident took

place during the weekend of Aug. 20-21.

“We are sickened that anyone would invest any time in such cowardly acts of hate and intimidation,” May said in the statement. “We encourage our community to stand against anti-Semitism and racism. White supremacy, hate and intimidation have no place here.”May also directed students who need support in light of the incident to reach out to Student Health and Counseling Services and for faculty and staff to reach out to the Academic and Staff Assistance Program.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at theaggie.org.

UC PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE SIGN JOINT RESOLUTION TO INCREASE STUDENT VOTER PARTICIPATION

The resolution encourages UCs to facilitate easier access to a variety of voting options

BY SONORA SLATER campus@theaggie.org

A joint resolution signed by UC President Michael Drake, Board of Regents Vice Chair Richard Leib and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber on June 29 announced an initiative that seeks to increase student voter participation across UC campuses.

The resolution plans to build on progress that has been made in the past few years, according to a recent press release, including a permanent ballot dropbox installed on the UC Davis campus on April 19, 2022, and a UC student voter turnout of more than 75% in the 2020 election, up from less than 50% in 2016.

Specifically, according to the press release, the partnership is committed to “facilitating greater access to ballot drop boxes or voting locations on [all UC] campuses,” as well as increasing awareness of voting options. The press release also states that the resolution requires each campus to designate someone to coordinate “the dissemination of voting information and […] voting center locations” prior to the November 2022 elections.

The University of California plans to conduct outreach through both social media and the UC Votes webpage, which, according to a press release on April 21, was recently redesigned and relaunched ahead of the 2022 primary and general elections. The page includes information about voter registration, mail-in and in-person voting options and ballot content, as well as an email sign-up option for Election Day reminders.

In a speech at a media event announcing the partnership, Weber reflected on her first voting experience as a student at UCLA and described progress that she has seen in both students’ and Californians’ voting access.

“I remember how difficult it was to vote — I had to go all the way home to do so,” Weber said. “I remember how difficult it was, but nonetheless how determined I was to make sure that my vote was there, that it was counted, that I was making a difference in California. I am pleased that we are working constantly to make it easier for people to vote, to give them more days and more ways that they can vote.”

Weber added that she wants to make students aware not just of the opportunity they have to vote, but also of their “responsibility [to vote] to make sure that this democracy lives.”

“We can’t just be driven by the issue of the day,” Weber said. “We should be driven by the fact that we are Californians, that we are Americans, that we have the right to vote and we have the responsibility.”UCPresident Michael Drake also spoke at the media event,

offering his view on the goals of the partnership and echoing Weber’s sentiments regarding the importance of voting.

“We want to do all that we can to raise awareness of options to vote, and the obligation that we really have to participate in our democracy and to vote,” Drake said.

According to a press release about the event, Drake later stated that the University of California was “committed to cultivating and supporting civic engagement” among students, and that he was “pleased to sign this resolution affirming [the UC’s] partnership with the Secretary of State.”

Weber also said that she believes it is important to ensure that college students — a historically underrepresented demographic — take the time to vote, and do so in an informed manner.

“I could be a student, and I get one vote,” Weber said. “I could be secretary of state, and I’m going to get one vote. I could be the governor, and I get one vote. I could be the president of the United States, and I still only get one vote. That one vote is power.”

Gwen Chodur, the President of the UC Graduate and Professional Council, also spoke at the media event, focusing to

the “importance of the student voice.”

“Even though it’s not always convenient, it’s not always conducive to a quick answer, we benefit from having more voices in the conversation,” Chodur said. “For UC Davis students, we want to turn voting into something that is a norm, a practice, a habit for the rest of their lives.”

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May commented on his view of the culture of civic engagement at UC Davis, saying that he felt it was strong, in part because of its proximity to Sacramento, which allows students to see “democracy in action,” but also because of a “strong culture of activism” among students.

“UC Davis is committed to making voting easy and accessible to students of our community, who really are the future of our country,” May said during the media event. “The partnership we’re announcing today will help to advance that commitment.”

Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at theaggie.org.

BY KAYA DO-KHANH campus@theaggie.org

For fall 2022, UC Davis offered admission to 44,661 first-year and transfer students out of a record 110,189 applicants, according to campus statistics from the UC Office of the President. There was a larger number of applicants admitted in fall 2021 with 52,254 applicants admitted out of 105,850. According to Robert Penman, executive director of undergraduate admissions, this decrease is because the university went over its enrollment target number of first-year students by several hundred students in fall 2021.

“Over-enrollment has the potential to cause a lot of pain points on campus—everything from housing and course availability to academic advising to parking can be impacted,” Penman said via email. “We generally try to get as close to our enrollment targets as possible to avoid causing these types of pain points for students, faculty, staff and the community alike. With an applicant and admit pool the size of ours, plus the uncertainty of the pandemic, enrollment planning can be challenging.”

The fall 2021 class increased by 13.4% from the previous year and was 10.9% above the enrollment target. Data from the UC Office of the President for fall 2022 also shows that the number of first-year applicants increased by 8.7%, and the number of international applications grew by 6.7% this year. Penman explained that in order to hit enrollment targets this year, the university had to make adjustments in its admissions approach,

“We just took a more cautious approach to admission this year to ensure that we meet our enrollment targets, and that appears to have been successful,” Penman said via email. “In fact, if you compare our first-year admit rate this year to fall 2019 (the last prepandemic year), you’ll note that they’re virtually the same (37.4% and 38.9%, respectively).”

In addition to over-enrollment, Chancellor Gary May also stated that fall 2021 was the first time that the university failed to meet the 2:1 freshman-to-transfer ratio since fall 2010. According to statistics from the UC Office of the President, 42,726 out of the 52,254 admitted applicants were of first-year status in fall 2021. For fall 2022, 35,563 out of 44,661 admitted applicants were of freshman status.

According to Penman, with UC Davis being a land grant institution, there are future plans to open many doors for and focus on outreach efforts for the historically marginalized, firstgeneration college-going and limited-income students.

AGGIE FILE

FEWER UNDERGRADUATES ACCEPTED TO UC DAVIS FOR FALL class admitted in order to meet the university’s for last year’s over-enrollment

“UC Davis just experienced a period of substantial growth over the past decade, so our plans for the foreseeable future are to keep things rather steady in terms of campus enrollment, with only minimal growth at the undergraduate level,” Penman said via email.

UC Board of Regents Vice Chair Leib, California Secretary of State Weber and UC President Drake sign voting resolution at UC Davis. (Karin Higgins)

CENTER WORKING WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS

TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF LAKE TAHOE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

BY LEVI GOLDSTEIN features@theaggie.org

Lake Tahoe is a popular retreat destination throughout the year for outdoorsy Californians, including hikers and boat enthusiasts in the summer and skiers in the winter. But with climate change and global warming leading to the deterioration of the environment, the future of the lake is uncertain. However, students and professors at UC Davis have hope that scientific research may help preserve Tahoe’s beauty.

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), founded in 1958, conducts research on the status of Lake Tahoe through regular monitoring practices and programs involving the lake’s diverse ecosystem. As part of a mission for education and public outreach, the TERC’s annual State of the Lake Report informs government agencies and community organizations on the best practices for maintaining the lake’s health, according to Director Geoffrey Schladow.

“Every year, we’re building on that longterm record, seeing how trends are evolving, seeing whether the last year is in some way very different than the previous years or the previous trends and trying to explain why it was different [or] why it was the same,” Schladow said. “[The State of the Lake Report] is an opportunity to present these latest research results to give the broader community a sense of what UC Davis and scientists, in general, are doing.”

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), founded in 1969 through a bi-state contract between California and Nevada, is one of the many organizations that uses data from the TERC’s State of the Lake Report. The TRPA’s Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) seeks to reverse environmental destruction and create sustainable communities, and according to Sustainability Program Manager Devin Middlebrook, scientific studies inform its programs.“Wedo have a lot of science that has gone into studying the climate and climate change at Tahoe, and that has told us what impacts on the environment are most likely to occur and how they’re going to occur,” Middlebrook said. “We then use that science to inform policy and programs and implementation of projects.

The TRPA’s EIP relies on research conducted by its own scientists and by leading organizations such as the TERC. One trend the TERC has measured and reported on in the State of the Lake Report is the declining population of crustaceans in the lake, which is concerning because it may have repercussions for the lake’s TAHOE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

the reasons why it’s essential to keep Lake Tahoe healthy — tourism. Tahoe as a vacation destination is important to the region both culturally and economically, according to Schladow.“Lake Tahoe is iconic to people in the west, people who have had the fortune to go up there as children with their parents or their grandparents and they have these memories of it,” Schladow said. “It’s regionally extremely important. Something like 50 million people a year go to Tahoe. […] It generates a five-billiondollar economy. There’s a lot of people in that region who depend on Tahoe being healthy and being perceived as healthy.”

The research being conducted at Lake Tahoe, including at UC Davis’s TERC, is also influential to the scientific community around the world.

“Because of [Lake Tahoe’s] iconic status, a lot of people look to it to see what progress is being made,” Schladow said. “Anything we do to improve its health is looked upon, not just in the U.S. but all around the world. […] Because it’s in the richest state in the nation, there are resources available to study it, and what we learn from having those resources people in other locations build on that. In a way, we’re helping other people maintain their own lakes, their own reservoirs, their own aquatic systems.”

[…] This year, we created an updated climate resilience strategy for the region that outlines a 10-year project list for building climate resilience in the Tahoe basin, and that revolves around five focus areas: sustainable recreation and transportation, wildfire forests, watershed biodiversity, infrastructure and communities and science and stewardship.”

food web, according to Schladow. Another recent trend that is of concern to scientists is increasing algae“We’vegrowth.seen almost an explosion in algae, particularly around the shore of the lake,” Schladow said. “It used to be that you would go to the beaches and the sand was golden brown and the water was clear. This year, in many parts of the lake, the water is bright green and dead algae washes up on the lake and starts to rot and decompose. It smells, there are flies […] it defies your memories or your imagination of what [Tahoe is] like. It’s totally unlike most people’s experience.”Thealgae bloom directly impacts one of

Schladow expressed that the future of Tahoe is uncertain and that scientists are unsure of how extreme the coming changes will be. However, studying Tahoe and monitoring its health to inform communities and guide sustainability programs should help reduce the impact of climate change and keep Tahoe an iconic destination.“Thescience has shown us that climate change is here and the impacts of climate change will be more severe into the future,” Middlebrook said. “We want to ensure that Lake Tahoe and the beauty that it holds can be here for future generations to enjoy and the communities that call this place home or the visitors that love coming to Tahoe can continue to have that experience.”

Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at theaggie.org.

SOCIAL MEDIA SPARKS READING CRAZE IN TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS

BY JALAN TEHRANIFAR features@theaggie.org

In the past few years, there has been a rise in the popularity of reading among teens and young adults. Although reading has always been highly encouraged throughout grade school and even in college, the influence of social media has led students to read outside of class now more often than ever.

Ashlynn Wang, an incoming second-year communications major at UC Davis, read a lot as a child because her parents would take her to libraries and bookstores after school, but the time she spent reading decreased when she started junior high school.

“I would say that it was slightly out of character for me to randomly pick up reading again this summer, but I think some of it can definitely be attributed to childhood habits,” Wang said.

Wang described social media as a “double-edged sword”.

“[Social media] has broken my reading streak and shortened my attention span, but some recommendations on BookTok

have also made me curious to read more,” she said. “I read The Midnight Library and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo because of BooktokBookTok.”isasubcommunity on the social media platform

TikTok where video creators share book recommendations and engage in discussions related to books they have read. The rise of the trending hashtag “#Booktok” on TikTok has had a heavy impact on book sales, influencing Barnes and Noble to adopt the hashtag as a marketing strategy and partner up with creators on TikTok and the social media platform itself to create a social media challenge.“Ivisited Barnes and Noble and picked up a book I saw trending on BookTok in an attempt to get back into reading and it worked,” Wang said.

Wang also got back into reading this summer due to her abundance of free time as a result of the school year coming to an end. Her reading recommendation for college students is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and advises students to read the list of trigger warnings before purchasing the book.

“It’s a short, philosophical and brief read that faces the hypothetical question of ‘what if my life was…’ that many of us think about,” Wang said. “I think it’s a really good read for college students especially during a time period where self-discovery and identity is such a revolving theme.”

Leeann Ramirez, an incoming first-year biology major at Cal Lutheran University, said her dad encouraged her to read a lot as a child because “knowledge is power,” but recently rediscovered her love for reading as a way to indulge in creative things.

Ramirez believes that the trending book-related TikToks and the COVID-19 quarantine have recently influenced reading popularity.“Ifeel strongly that the pandemic hit many people hard,”

Ramirez said. “Many started to incorporate new things or just started new hobbies and I think reading was definitely on

the top list, especially since BookTok became very popular [and] many people actually started reading again. I know [BookTok] did get me reading a lot more with that time at home.”

Many students found themselves with little to do during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period, allowing them to branch out and pick up new hobbies. During this time, the BookTok community grew, re-introducing reading as a hobby for many.Ramirez’s reading recommendation for college students is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, a book that led her to grow as an individual when she was experiencing tough times.“[The book] is about a man who dies and he goes through five stages and learns a lesson from each one,” Ramirez said. “I think all the lessons from each person we can somehow relate to due to past experiences or ones we are facing now. I think it’s a wonderful book to recommend to college students because we are entering a new environment and we won’t have our parents with us all the time so the people we meet [and the] experiences we make really impact our lives. Acceptance, eternal peace and sacrifice [are] just some elements you find throughout the novel.”

Many bookstores have dedicated an in-store bookshelf to display books that are trending on social media, such as large chain bookstores like Barnes and Noble and even Downtown Davis’ very own Avid Reader on 2nd Street.

Emily Sardaryan, an incoming first-year psychology major at Pepperdine University, said social media not only convinced her to start reading but was the source that recommended some of the best books she’s ever read.

“I’ve always liked the aesthetic of going to a bookstore and reading, but that was about it,” Sardaryan said. “Now, I’m actually reading, and it’s all because book recommendations won’t get off my TikTok.”

College students across California discuss how Tiktok inspired them to start reading more and share their book recommendations

Tahoe State of the Lake Report 2022 reveals decreasing plankton populations, rapid algae growth, and high fine particle concentrations. (Tahoe Environmental Research Center / Courtesy)

The 2022 Tahoe State of the Lake report informs programs to combat environmental destruction and maintain Tahoe as a popular vacation spot

BY SYDNEY AMESTOY campus@theaggie.org

Davis residents, as well as residents in some other central valley communities, can now check local COVID-19 rates based on their city’s wastewater via the Healthy Central Valley Together (HCVT) program, a collaboration between UC Davis and UC Merced researchers.According to the HCVT website, the program currently tracks the spread of COVID-19 via wastewater from water treatment plants in the cities of Davis, Woodland, Winters, Esparto, Merced, Turlock, Modesto and Los Banos.

Dr. Heather Bischel, an assistant professor at UC Davis and one of the lead researchers on the project, described the scope of the project’s recent expansion.

“We are working with seven new cities and their wastewater treatment plants to measure COVID-19 rates, and working with public health departments in three different counties to increase access to public health data,” Bischel said.

Data from each community, including Davis, can be found on the HCVT website and measures for three different variants of SARS-CoV-2. According to the website, information taken from the sampling of local wastewater updates once or twice a week.

“This kind of test is not biased by the test-taking behavior involved in people going out and getting tested or taking a home test in which that information doesn’t get reported to a public health officer,” Bischel said, “As home tests get more popular, the public health agencies get less information, and that gap in data can be measured through wastewater tracking.”

According to Bischel, the surveillance project’s expansion to the central valley, as well as other cities in Yolo County, was born due to a lack of COVID-19 wastewater monitoring in these communities.“Therewas a real gap in [wastewater] monitoring,” Bischel said. “Most of the monitoring had been done in urban or coastal areas and fewer areas in more rural or disadvantaged communities. Knowing that this was valuable public health knowledge, we wanted to work with smaller rural communities.”

Colleen Naughton, an assistant professor at UC Merced and another lead researcher on the project, also spoke on the goal of

improving wastewater testing in disadvantaged communities.

“We are doing a lot of advocacy to expand [wastewater tracking] to other communities, even if it is not through us,” Naughton said.

“Healthy Central Valley Together’s framework is equity, and as we expand and think long-term, we should prioritize communities that have less access to public health data,” Dr. Bischel said.

The information gathered from HCVT is not only on their website but is also a part of the California Surveillance of Wastewater Systems, otherwise known as ‘Cal-SuWers,’ according to Naughton.

“Any data that is submitted to the [Center for Disease Control and Prevention] national wastewater surveillance system, goes through the California Surveillance program,” Naughton said, “So either [Cal-SuWers] themselves do the monitoring and data, or they partner with organizations such as Healthy Central Valley Together, SCAN (Stanford University’s Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network) or other monitoring organizations and coordinate that data as part of their funding by the state.” NOW

BY SONORA SLATER campus@theaggie.org

Parking changes on the UC Davis campus, including increased prices and an increased number of parking lots available for students to park in during the day, were put into place on Sept. 1, according to a recent press release. New prices range from $2.25 a day in L or motorcycle spaces, up from $2 previously, to $3.50 a day for C lots, up from $3, to $4.60 a day for A lots, up from $3.60. According to the release, “the tiered system is meant to balance demand for lots that are constantlyElectricfull.”vehicle parking has increased to $4.50 a day, up from $3.50, which includes four hours of charging per day, and visitor parking permits now cost $15 a day, up from $12 previously. There remains no charge for parking with a disabled placard, according to theTherelease.release goes on to explain that the changes were made partly because the switch to remote and hybrid work has decreased the number of drivers on campus daily, severely cutting revenue for Transportation Services (TAPS). This lost revenue, according to the release, would otherwise be going toward maintaining roads and pathways and paying employee salaries for the organization.

Perry Eggleston, the executive director of TAPS, further explained the funding challenges the organization has faced over the past two “Transportationyears. Services is 100% funded through parking revenue, which is roughly half of what it was before the pandemic,” Eggleston said via email. “We don’t use state, tuition dollars, or student fees to pay for infrastructure or programs. We needed

to raise rates in order to keep Transportation Services operations running, keep parking areas safe, maintain roads and pathways for pedestrians, and keep traffic flowing throughout the campus.”

Data from the press release shows that only 51% of campus parking capacity was used in fall 2021, as compared to 83% in fall 2018, the last full pre-pandemic school year.

Parking fees were last increased in 2020, 2019 and 2017.

Eggleston said that in addition to supporting increased TAPS revenue, the parking price increases also seek to help the campus surpass a TAPS goal to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle trips to campus by 10% by 2027.

“The rate increase partly stems from the success of our long-term strategy to reduce vehicle trips to campus by encouraging all modes of sustainable transportation, including biking,” Eggleston said via email. “Regarding our mandate to reduce single-occupancy trips to campus, [...] Transportation Services’ underlying motivation isn’t just to meet mandated goals but to support the university’s sustainability goals through sustainable commuting.”

TAPS also announced that certain spaces in A lots, which were previously reserved for employees only during the day, will now be converted to C+ spots and can be used by students for $4.60 a day. C lots 30 and 57 will also be converted to cheaper L lots, giving people the opportunity to park further away from the most popular areas in order to save money, according to the release.

Eggleston acknowledged that it’s always hard to predict exactly what will happen with traffic flow on campus but said that TAPS will be monitoring levels of parking use throughout the year.

“We’re very interested to see how commute patterns emerge and evolve this fall,” Eggleston said. “This is our first post-pandemic fall with all the students back, but a large number of employees [are] working [a] hybrid mix of on- and off-site work.”

PARKING ON ceremonies due to extreme heat

BY SONORA SLATER campus@theaggie.org

Makeup commencement ceremonies for spring 2022 UC Davis graduates were held on Aug. 26 and 27, according to a recent press release, providing an opportunity for about 300 graduating students to celebrate their milestone accomplishment after June’s ceremonies were cut short due to extreme heat. A third makeup ceremony is scheduled to take place on Dec. 10.

The university sent out a survey to spring 2022 graduates following the canceled ceremony, asking them to vote on suggested times for makeup commencement ceremonies, as well as to rank the importance of various graduation elements.ErinKlausen, a member of the class of 2022 who graduated with a degree in environmental sciences and management, described the survey after she took it in July.

“[They] asked us to rank the importance of certain graduation elements from not important to very important,” Klausen said via Instagram Direct Message. “I hope they actually take some of that feedback to heart.”

According to the press release, both days’ programs were streamlined, lasting only around 30 to 45 minutes. The release went on to say that speakers included biology graduate Sana Sayyid and UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, who announced a gift for students who registered to graduate as part of the class of 2022.

Annabella Christen, a fourth-year sustainable agriculture and food systems major and resident advisor (RA) at the Green, described her frustration with the price increase.

“Last year [...] I was paying $3 every day I had to go to campus, and that was a lot,” Christen said. “Because [I’m an RA], I now live in the Green which is significantly further away, so it’s even more likely that I’ll have to drive to campus, and they don’t pay for parking for EgglestonRAs.”said that he hopes that the daily parking rates on campus help students and staff be conscientious about their transportation decisions.

“Our hope is that daily rates keep customers thinking about daily commute decisions, which hopefully include more nondriving options,” Eggleston said via email.

NEW DAILY RATES

A+ Reservation Parking — $15 A Zone (employees only from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.) — $4.60

C+ Zone (employees and students) — $4.60

C Zone — $3.50

L Zone — $2.25

M (motorcycles) Zone — $2.25

Electric Vehicle — $1 add-on to base permit rate

Disabled Parking — $0 Visitor Parking — $15 (or $16 for electric charging)

More information is available on the Transportation Services website.

CHRISTINA LIU / AGGIE

Past UC Davis graduation ceremony for the class of 2022. (Victor

Fernandes /

Courtesy)

BY UMAIMA EJAZ

Content warning: This article contains discussions of homophobia and trnsphobia that some readers might find disturbing.

Disclaimer: Some sources have chosen to remain anonymous for their safety. Saeed Zaheer and Sumaira Khan are pseudonyms for these sources’ identities.

Allah, can I please not cry once a month, when I’m not dressed as a woman?” Saeed Zaheer, a fifth-year Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior (NPB) major, said.

Zaheer, whose name has been changed, has lived as a brown cis male for 23 years. There were days when he wore khaki pants and a brown hoodie while he played his favorite instrument, a bass guitar. He said that it wasn’t until September 2021 that he recognized that there was more to his identity than he had previously thought.

Nowadays he still wears khakis and a hoodie, but on others, he wears his black midi-length cotton dress, black eyeliner and favorite sneakers. Zaheer now identifies as a bisexual, bigender Muslim — bisexual meaning that he is attracted to more than one gender and bigender meaning that he identifies as a man and a woman simultaneously.Ithasonlybeen a week since Zaheer made the decision to publicly share his identities, but he said that as a Muslim queer person, this means his problems “don’t add up — they multiply.”

Although Zaheer grew up in a Muslim household, he said that it wasn’t until college that he truly embraced the religion. He said his family has been one of his biggest support systems, especially his father, who has always instructed him in the art of humility and acceptance, which he believes Islam teaches.

Zaheer said that he has struggled to find a place within the community — especially at the mosque — and he often does not want to go at all because he feels like he does not fit in.

“The Quran says the male is not like the female, but I’m not going to force anyone to be in those boxes,” Zaheer said. “I get tossed back and forth between these two boxes as a bigender person.”Zaheer sees emulating his religion’s central figure, the Prophet Muhammad, as the ideal way to lead one’s life. He believes that the Prophet Muhammad would always address someone the way they wished to be addressed, as it is a Prophetic characteristic to be respectful to people, to speak to people gently and to call people what they wish to be called, especially if doing otherwise would cause them psychological distress.“Even the Quran commands us to go observe the natural world,” Zaheer said. “There are researchers at the [American Pyschological Association (APA)] who believe biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences and experiences later in adolescence or adulthood may all contribute to the development of transgender identities. The

psychological evidence that this doesn’t go away is convincing.”ForZaheer, the conflict that comes with having both of these identities has proven to be a threat to his faith, community and happiness. While Zaheer is trying to balance his life with his family’s help, he said that not all can.

Sumaira Khan, another student whose name has been changed, identifies as a bisexual secondgeneration Pakistani-American. She said that she spent most of her Sundays with her friends studying the Quran and eating the food her mother made in their home in Roseville. This home was far away from her roots, but she said that in these moments, she felt complete. She had found everything — her identity and community — in her hometown.

When she began to go through puberty, Khan recalls finding that she was attracted to girls, and how that changed this Sunday tradition for her.

“I still remember how and when my favorite Sundays started feeling suffocated,” Khan said. “I felt like an imposter around my friends. They would make homophobic jokes, and I would stop and think, ’Oh my God, nobody in this room knows that I’m attracted to girls,’ and I feel like if they did, they would all be very uncomfortable with the fact

that I was here.”

Khan wondered if perhaps, despite her friends’ close-mindedness, her parents would accept her true self if she were to reveal it to them. But that was not the case, she said.

“I told my mom and my dad, and they freaked out,” Khan said. “Like with many other Muslim parents, it was a blame game. It’s your mom’s fault, or it’s your dad’s fault. ‘What did we do while raising you?’ After that moment, I think they’ve decided that I just never said that. They’re choosing to pretend like I didn’t say it. Every now and then, they say, ‘Thank God you’re not attracted to girls anymore.’”BothKhan and Zaheer shared experiences of feeling that the Muslim community had generally been hostile toward the queer community.

Imam Azeez, a senior imam (leader of prayer) and cofounder of the Tarbiya Institute, an Islamic organization, has been open about his apprehension towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

According to Azeez, Islam doesn’t define people by a particular identity but teaches that God advises that there is a healthy way to live and that being queer is “not a healthy lifestyle.”

“LGBTQ is a way of life that is not conducive

to happiness,” Azeez said. “Islam doesn’t require me to impose anything on them or force anything on them. Islam requires me to maintain a cordial relationship, to maintain a mutual respect.”

He nonetheless acknowledged that judging other people can indeed be harmful and emphasized the notion that everyone should be welcome at places of worship.TheAggie reached out to the Muslim Student Association (MSA) for a comment but didn’t hear back from them.

Many young queer muslims still often feel unsafe in their communities, but some are working to improve their situations. Zaheer wants to study clinical psychology because he believes that there needs to be more people of color in the mental health field.“Some people’s view of gender is not something that can be applied to queer Muslims,” Zaheer said. “Telling a Muslim kid struggling with their gender that ‘gender is all made up; it’s just society,’ is not going to help. There needs to be more Muslim therapists.”

CITY OF DAVIS ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF PUBLIC PIANO IN THE KEY OF

BY RIDDHI PURANIK city@ucdavis.edu

The city of Davis announced the return of its public piano program, In the Key of Davis. The six pianos across town add to the appeal of Davis as a quaint town with an affinity for the arts. A stroll around town while spotting the vibrantly painted pianos is an activity enjoyed by all.

The city of Davis website outlines the locations of all six pianos. You can find them at Davis Commons (500 First Street), Davis Food Co-Op (620 G Street), Hunt-Boyer Plaza on the corner of Second and E Street and Mary L. Stevens Davis Branch Library (315 E. 14th Street).New additions to the collection include pianos at Manetti Shrem Art Museum (245 Old Davis Road, UC Davis campus) and at Central Park on the corner of Third and C Street.

The new piano at Central Park was designed by Birch Lane School’s sixth grade teacher Amy George’s students. The website states that the students were inspired to design the piano while conducting an in-depth study of Yosemite National Park.

In the Key of Davis is supported by the City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, and according to the city of Davis website, it was founded by two local teenagers, Isabelle and Hailey Shapiro. Laura Shapiro, organizer of the In the Key of Davis program and mother to Isabelle and Hailey Shapiro, elaborated on the inspiration behind the program.

“The Davis program was started after my family traveled to Seattle and Vancouver and saw public pianos in those towns. My daughters both play the piano and really enjoyed playing those pianos. It was so fun to surprisingly happen upon the pianos on our vacation,” Shapiro said “Our daughters thought Davis would be a perfect town to have a similar program because it values art and it is dry all summer so we wouldn’t have to worry about the pianos getting rained on like in the cities we visited. When we got back, they wrote a proposal to the city and the city approved the program and agreed to help sponsor it.”

The colorful pianos located all over the city are available for the citizens of Davis to practice their musical skills and form spontaneous connections over the shared joy that music offers. In a press release, former mayor Gloria Patrida recognized the importance of the public piano program.“The City recognizes the social and emotional health benefits of making and listening to live

music,” Partida said. “The pianos help create a positive space to bring the community together.”

The press release also mentions that the pianos will be tuned during the summer after they are placed into their respective locations in the community.The program aimed to add an artistic element to downtown Davis. Shapiro talked about what they hoped to achieve by beginning In the Key of Davis.

“Our hope was that it would encourage community building and allow people to feel that rush of excitement of discovering a new beautiful

piano in an outdoor space,” Shapiro said. Shapiro talked about the nature of the organization. Since it is a volunteer run organization, they appreciate people keeping an eye out on the pianos and using them appropriately so they do not get destroyed.

The community’s response to the pianos has been very positive. Shapiro mentioned some of the positive effects that access to the public pianos has made.

“Little kids getting exposure to a piano, people being able to practice when they don’t have access to their own piano, people being able to show off musical ability and impromptu jam sessions,” Shapiro said, “Kids have a sense of pride in creating something for the community. Some of the pianos have been painted by local artists or people associated with the Manetti Shrem museum so there is always a local connection.”

The pianos add a unique artistic component to the already vibrant city of Davis. This reinstatement of the program offers everyone an opportunity to try their hand at playing the piano, regardless of skill level. FAITH

Public piano program returns to Davis. (Laura Shapiro / Courtesy)

AGGIE FILE

CHRISTINA LIU AGGIE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers,

I am so excited to welcome you to the first official issue of The California Aggie for the 2022-23 school year. For those of you who did not happen to pick up a copy of our summer issue, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sophie Dewees, and I am the editor-in-chief of The Aggie. I’m a fourth-year majoring in economics with a double minor in Spanish and history, and outside of the classroom, I love exploring the outdoors, rock climbing and learning new songs on guitar.

I applied to The Aggie on somewhat of a whim my freshman year. I had experience with journalism from high school, but I was unsure if a college newspaper at a university as large as UC Davis would have the same chaotic yet homey feel as the features publication I had worked for, with doodles on our classroom whiteboards, old copies of the magazine pinned on the walls and an exercise bike in the corner. But when I walked into Lower Freeborn for my staff writer interview, I immediately felt at home. The beat-up couches, photos and memes from various TV shows such as “Freaks and Geeks” and signatures from old editors on the walls felt so familiar.

I had my interview with the then Managing Editor Hannah Holzer (a lovely human being who endlessly encouraged me throughout my first year at The Aggie) and I knew almost instantly that this would become an important part of my college career.

I worked on the features desk for two years, first as a writer, then assistant editor and then editor. I loved the creativity that came with writing features articles, and I had the opportunity to work alongside Anjini Venugopal, who went on to become our fearless editor-in-chief from 2020-22. The following year, I became the campus news editor where I tackled breaking news pieces, Senate reports, campus protests and more.

Although much of my time at The Aggie was interrupted or altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, I have made some of my best friends

in college through working for this publication, and I can honestly say that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at UC Davis so far. I am honored and excited to serve as the editor for a staff of tenacious, talented and passionate student journalists.

As we begin this new year, there are many ways in which I feel The Aggie can grow, one of which being in staff diversity. In journalism, we strive to report honestly, without any of our personal biases coloring our writing or presentation of the facts. Perfectly unbiased reporting, however, is often elusive — it is difficult to leave out such biases in not only one’s writing but also in the stories one chooses to write about and the sources selected for interviews. Diversity is thus essential for any newsroom to have the widest range of ideas when it comes to reporting. For the past three years, we have produced an annual diversity report through the efforts of our Outreach and Engagement Board. Our past reports have revealed that The Aggie is lacking in diversity in many areas, and I hope that through hiring initiatives and increased community engagement organized by our outreach director and the Board, we can work to rectify this issue over time. I also plan to implement internal source diversity reports to track the breadth of sources covered across The Aggie’s different desks.

While The Aggie has been in existence since 1915 and I will only be the editor for one year, I hope that in this role I will build upon the work of my predecessors and improve the content that we produce for the UC Davis community. As journalists, we strive to question, educate and inform in an act of service for our community. And as editor, I hope to provide guidance for this group of spunky student journalists so that we can fulfill these duties with passion and vigor. I look forward to a wonderful year.

If you ever wish to contact me, please send me an email at editor@ theaggie.org.

BRING BACK A DAVIS PUB

BY OWEN RUDERMAN opinion@theaggie.org

The Downtown Davis area has a lot to offer students and residents alike. Unique little shops like the Kobe Mini Mart and Armadillo Music dot the busier streets of downtown, and there always seems to be a restaurant nearby to grab a snack or sit down for a filling meal. You can spend a whole day wandering around downtown, window shopping and exploring.

When the day turns to night, you can head to the G Street area to get a drink or two, and, if you’re lucky, you might end up participating in a trivia night or singing karaoke. Despite the plethora of options that Downtown Davis offers, however, it feels like there’s a piece missing.

That missing piece is, I think, a pub. And we used to have one — de Vere’s was an Irish pub that opened in Downtown Davis in 2011. The first and only time I visited de Vere’s was a magical experience. A friend and I went in the evening to grab a few drinks and chat, and de Vere’s was the perfect backdrop. The music wasn’t too loud and the atmosphere was calming. We had delicious European-style drinks to sip on as we sat and talked for hours. It really felt like a hidden gem — a classic Irish pub experience.

But since de Vere’s permanently closed in October 2021, there

doesn’t seem to be a place in Davis where you can find that sort of vibe. Where else am I supposed to get a delicious plate of fish and chips and a Guinness? Where else can I go to feel like I’ve been transported across the pond? After de Vere’s closed, it left a hole in Downtown Davis.

You might point me towards a place like Three Mile Brewing Co. or University of Beer, claiming that these places are similar enough. But the sad truth is that there simply isn’t another place in Davis that can declare itself a pub. Luckily, not all hope is lost.

A new restaurant is filling the space where de Vere’s used to be, and I’m cautiously optimistic that it could be the place I’ve been looking for. The new place, called Bull ‘N Mouth, is aiming for a September opening and is a “modern American pub.” While I was hoping that the new restaurant would also be UK-themed, I’ll take what I can get. I’m just hoping that Bull ‘N Mouth can replicate the chill vibes that de Vere’s Irish Pub had cultivated over its decade of operation in Davis.

If not, I’m worried that we might never get a proper pub in Davis, but it’s important to give new establishments a chance. I’ll be going to Bull ‘N Mouth in the fall to see if it can fill the empty

space left by de Vere’s.

AGGIE FILE

If you’ve also identified this gap in Davis’ nightlife, I’d encourage you to voice your interest in a pub in Downtown Davis. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll finally find that missing piece.

BY JENA TUFAIL California Aggie.

Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, has a yearly monsoon season running from the months of April through September. Due to climate change, however, the country is facing one of the worst floods in history this year, leaving devastating effects on the nation.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, with over 230 million people. However, little coverage has been made about the devastating effects occurring on the country and its people. So what exactly is taking place?

As someone who is of Pakistani descent,

I myself did not understand the extent of the monsoon season this year. Hearing my parents talk about the yearly monsoons, I nearly brushed off this year’s occurrence. Growing up in Northern California, I have been fortunate enough to never witness the devastating effects of climate change such as floods. However, California has, in recent years, begun to become more affected by prolonged heat waves. But while the US is responsible for 11% of the world’s carbon emissions (the second largest in the world), a third-world country such as Pakistan emits less than 1% of that total yet is experiencing much larger consequences of climate change. The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan are primarily being affected by the flooding. A

total of one-third of the country is underwater, with over 33 million people displaced and more than 1,200 killed. The devastating effects of the flood have been estimated to be over 10 billion dollars in damages, which will potentially take the country decades, or even more, to recover. Towns, crops and livestock have become fully submerged in water. The government is warning the nation that an impending food crisis will occur as well.

This is devastating news, and I believe it is time for us to actively take part in helping the climate crisis in any way we can, no matter how big or small. Now you must be thinking, “How can I make a difference or change that may potentially help individuals on the other side of the globe?” For starters, taking small steps to help reduce your carbon footprint is a great way to help climate Greenhousechange.gases are emitted when goods are produced or consumed. A carbon footprint is a concept that quantifies the impact of this through what people consume, activities done and the effects an entire country has on climate change. In order to lower your carbon footprint, there are several things one may do: Shop seasonally – Buying fruits and vegetables in season can not only save you money, but it can also help reduce your carbon footprint!

1. Take short showers.

2. Buy only what you need (limit your waste!)

3. Use public transportation, use your bicycle or walk as much as you can.

4. Unplug your electronics when not using them.

5. Shop for clothes responsibly (if possible), donate clothing and thrift!

6. Delete junk emails, and clear out unnecessary data off the cloud.

These actions can potentially lower your carbon footprint, and while they may not seem to be that impactful, small changes like these can make a huge difference in helping our world.

Another way to help the growing climate crisis is to get involved in local climate change initiatives. UC Davis has our very own climate change initiative called Fossil Fuel Free Davis, which is run by UC Davis staff, faculty, alumni and students. They are committed to ending fossil fuel use on the UCD campus by 2030 and have much more information and ways to get involved on their website.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to be involved with the initiative, and I personally feel that it is a great way to understand the severity of climate change, fossil fuel use and how to actively get involved and help the community and our world!If you are also looking to aid those who have been affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan, an organization whose donations go directly to those affected by the flooding is the Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan. Although this may not directly correlate to helping lower carbon emissions, if you are able to help supply relief to those who are affected by the climate crisis, it can make a huge difference to those in need.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

The closing of de Vere’s has left a hole in Downtown Davis

Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at theaggie.org.

Activists hold up signs in front of the Los Angeles City Hall during the Climate Marchalone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie. (Aggie File)

Grades aren’t the only thing that matters when applying to graduate

Have you ever taken a course while at university and overstressed yourself in order receive the highest possible grade? individuals who hope some type of graduate bachelor’s is always one

BY PRISCILA JIMÉNEZ CORRALES pjimenez@ucdavis.edu

— “How do I get an A?”

There is a common fear that no graduate, law or medical school, or any graduate education program in general, will accept you if you do not have all A’s and a high grade point average. At most universities this narrative is also pushed: One must receive the highest grades possible in order to have a chance in making it into any graduate program. While grades are a factor in determining admissions decisions,

GRADESGETTING A SPOT AT THE LIBRARY

they are not the only factor. Students need to understand that there are many key factors on your application besides grades that help determine your eligibility and acceptance into these competitive programs. We must stop overstressing ourselves to have “perfect” grades, as there is much more to the application process that admissions counselors look for!

BY JENA TUFAIL its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Museum exhibits, concerts and more to kick off the school year in style

BY CLARA FISCHER arts@theaggie.org

Fall Season Celebration (Manetti Shrem Museum, 4:30 - 7 p.m. on September 25)

Join the Manetti Shrem as they celebrate their new season with a night of live music, discussions, artistic activities and more. Along with “Young, Gifted and Black: The Lumpkin-Boccuzzi Family Collection of Temporary Art,” which is already on display, the Shrem will gain two more standalone exhibits for visitors to enjoy — “Loie Hollowell: Tick Tock Belly Clock” and “Roy De Forest: Habitats for Travelers / Selections from the Manetti Shrem Museum.” Find out more here, and be sure to check out the festivities!

International Festival (Davis Central Park, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on October 2)

“Cultural Awareness, Global Appreciation,

and Belonging for All.” That’s the slogan of the 2022 International Festival, hosted by our very own International House. Featuring a variety of cultural events, performances and music, the festival is the perfect way to kick off the new school year and celebrate the diversity of our community. Details about the performance lineup as well as more about the logistics of the event can be found here.

San Francisco Symphony (Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. on October 6)

San Francisco’s world-renowned symphony orchestra is coming to cowtown! Enjoy a selection of classical pieces, including Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” as the Mondavi Center celebrates

the orchestra’s first performance in Davis in two decades. Tickets can be purchased at this link.

Salon Series: How Art Became My Life with Kurt Fishback (The Barn Gallery, 5:307:30 p.m. on October 20)

YoloArts is hosting the Salon Series, events at which members of the community can connect with artists of Yolo County in a more intimate setting. This installation of the series features Kurt Fishback, a California artist and juror of the 15th annual Art Farm Exhibition. He will be giving a talk on his over sixty years of experience in the field, including his beginnings under mentorship from the likes of Ansel Adams and more. Register for the free event at this link.

A SNAPSHOT OF G-NAILS & SPA: WHERE GREAT SERVICE MEETS PURE ARTISTRY

BY ANGIE CUMMINGS arts@theaggie.org

Sometimes picking a salon to get your nails done can be as easy as crossing the street and going in, but there are times when it can be as difficult and complex as finding a life partner. There is so much that goes into the decision to commit to a new salon; one must factor in prices, reviews, the ambiance of the environment and so much more. Luckily for those of you who have yet to find a nail salon to return to for the remainder of your time at UC Davis, I have done the due diligence and investigative journalism to confirm that G-nails & Spa will provide anyone with the most satisfying and even enriching nail experience in Davis.

Run by husband and wife duo, Kiet Le and Tina Tieu, G-nails sits comfortably right on 2nd Street, in close proximity to the myriad restaurants in the heart of downtown (in case one were to be a bit peckish post-salon visit). Upon first entering the storefront, G-nails looks to be set up much like any other nail salon, with its rows of spa chairs, comfortable waiting area and minimalist yet cozy decor. Once you are seated for your appointment you may start to notice the lack of any harsh overhead lighting (which is replaced by warmly lit hanging fixtures) and unique photography across the walls of this spa.

“The photos [in G-nails] cheer it up instead of just a picture of the nails or a foot with a flower,” Le said of his choice in decor, in comparison to the standard types of ornamentation in nail salons.

While I might not be an expert on quality photography, it is clear to see that the photos Le has chosen are of a high standard and possess an artistic character you just cannot obtain from stock photos or decor bought from a department store. When I had my first appointment with Le last year, I asked where he got all these photos and learned every single one was taken by him. This was when I knew I needed to know more about his and this salon’s story.“I’m not a nail guy, I’m a photographer,” Le said towards the outset of our interview.

Le attended San Francisco Art Institute for photography, has been featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries throughout the Bay Area and continues to work as a professional photographer when he’s not delivering excellent service at the nail salon.

“[I used to do] travel photography, but after she [his wife, Tina] opened up here, I helped her out and we had more and more customers coming back requesting me,” Le said about his transition from traveling six days a week to having a prominent role in the running of G-nails. While he admits photography is still his primary passion, “nails are art too [...] if you don’t have an artistic eye you can’t paint a nice nail or a design,” Le said as he effortlessly applied the gel polish to my right hand.

When asked if he had a favorite of his photos up on the walls, Le promptly stated, “they’re just like your children, you know,

they all equally get love [...] each of them has their own story and memories”.Le’sdeep connection with these photos is quickly revealed as he discusses his intentions with traveling and taking them in the first“Iplace.gohome to visit family in Vietnam and sometimes Thailand [...] to document the places I’ve been before as a refugee [...] to bring back the memories of the old days,” Le said. “A lot of my work is historical [...] I know Vietnam is a developing country so it changes a lot [...] even my own house I can’t recognize.”

The backstory of these beautiful photos only adds to their artistic value — with each framed photo on the wall, Le is able to give a deeper glimpse into the country and culture he grew up in. From stories of how plants are transported on motorcycles to a look into the covered markets he remembers his mother working in, Le provides so much more than just nail services.

“It’s something you can look at and learn more about another culture,” Le said about what his photography adds to the environment of the salon.

Le not only takes pride in his passion for photography but in the quality of the experience and service at G-nail. “We’ve got a lot of local regulars [...] but it gets crazy busy when they [UCD students] come back [..] customers only give you a hard time when you don’t do a good job — so we don’t get that very much,” Le said with a smile on his face.

“Most people are pretty happy when they’re here because the environment is so relaxing,” Le said of his customer base.

G-nail & Spa is where the social environment of a nail salon meets artistry at every level. By the end of my interview with Le, I had a flawless set of maroon squoval gel nails and a new breadth of information and appreciation for the rich histories and cultures he shared with me.

“You got your nails done by a photographer today, so don’t complain, I’m no specialist,” Le said jokingly and all too modestly.

The Macabre: A Harpsichord Halloween (Ann E. Pitzer Center, 12:05 - 1 p.m. on October 27)

Rounding out the spookiest month of the year, Dr. Faythe Vollrath, UC Davis lecturer in music and harpsichord player, is putting on a chilling celebration of the season. She will be performing a variety of pieces that encapsulate the Halloween spirit and are sure to send a chill down your spine. Free to everyone, Halloween lovers of all ages are sure to enjoy the recital.

G-nails and Spa is the place to go for so much more than a gorgeous fresh set

SCIENCE AND TECH

UPPERCLASSMEN’S RECOMMENDED STEM COURSES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

BY YASH RATHI science@theaggie.org

Freshman year is critical for college students. First-years start to settle in a completely new environment, make friends and explore new interests through courses and clubs. As a toptier public research university, UC Davis offers freshmen ample opportunities to explore diverse STEM classes and be a part of relevant research on campus.Allstudents must complete a certain number of STEM-related general education (GE) classes, and those pursuing degrees in the college of biological sciences and engineering generally have to take more. After taking a short survey of current UC Davis students, these are the courses they recommend for freshmen, whether they are majoring in a STEM-related field or not.

BIS 2A, BIS 2B, the MAT17 series and the CHE 2 series are requirements for majors which falls under the College of Biological Sciences, and a great place for first-year students to start.

Esha Putra, a second-year majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, suggested some important courses for first-years interested

in STEM“Freshmendegrees.should take general chem, BIS 2B and start the math series if needed,” Putra said. “I definitely think CHE 2A and BIS 2B are easy classes. They help you understand the major concepts that will be emphasized throughout the series and teach you how to manage your time. I also recommend freshmen to take a BIS seminar class because it helps in understanding how classes at university work.”

Pranav Bhartiya, a second-year majoring in computer science engineering (ECS), shared what classes she thinks incoming engineering majors should try to complete during their freshman year.

“It is crucial to complete the MAT 21 series, [the calculus series], as these are the prerequisites to other STEM classes,” Bhartiya said. “I highly recommend completing PHY 9A and PHY 9B in the first year as it may be hard to balance lab work with your major upper division classes in your second or third year. I also highly recommend completing one major-specific class every quarter … so that you can start with your upper division classes a bit early.”

UC Davis also offers many STEM-related general education courses and first-year seminars

for freshmen who are undeclared or pursuing non-STEM majors. Some classes include Food Science, Introduction to Brewing and Beer (CRN 34459), Discoveries and Concepts of Nutrition (CRN 43194), Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World’s Favorite Drink (CRN 46601) and Chocolate, Covered: The Past, Present and Future of Cacao (CRN 46618), which talks about chocolate. Other courses include ENG 004, which is a course for freshmen to learn about engineering graphics in design, and ENG 006, which focuses on engineering problem-solving.

There are also multiple first-year STEM seminars designed to help students decide if they have an interest in particular STEM fields. ENG 001 is a one-credit course that provides a basic understanding of engineering, and FRS 002 is a seminar dedicated to learning about mitochondrial dysfunction in Schizophrenia patients. FRS 002 curriculum focuses on both the biological causes of Schizophrenia and teaches students the statistical skills needed to write a research paper on the condition.

Second-year Angela Min took FRS 002 last year and was able to publish a research paper that she began in this seminar she completed during

her first quarter of freshman year. She described her experience as a student in the class.

“Originally, I took this course because I wanted to pursue something in the medical field, specifically in research, and I thought this seminar would be the best way to start getting ahead,” Min said. “What I loved about it was that because it was once a week, I was able to have more time to focus on the work that I was doing; I also loved that the class was very small, which was about 15 students, and so we had lots of one-on-one time with the professor to talk about what we were doing wrong and how to fix problems early on.”

UC Davis has these and many more STEM classes freshmen should consider, whether it be to fulfill a GE requirement or explore a potential career

“Forinterest.allfreshmen, I do believe that taking a seminar is helpful,” Min said. “I didn’t think that it would make a difference, but having that bond with the professor can help you achieve more for your future. Now I am working with my seminar professor and a classmate to go further into the research that we did in class.”

NEW FOR DOGS CAN HELP RESEARCHERS UNDERSTAND LUNG CANCER THERAPIES

BY MONICA MANMADKAR science@theaggie.org

Comparative oncology is one of five research programs within the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, which has a long history of supporting collaborative comparative and translational research between the medical and veterinary schools. This is in part because many models to study cancer require the induction of tumors into animals that have compromised immune systems, which can limit researchers’

ability to study novel immunotherapies for cancer.Naturally-occurring cancer is the leading cause of death in domesticated dogs, and several of these cancers are clinically, molecularly and genetically similar to cancers that occur in humans. Because dogs naturally develop these cancers in the presence of an intact immune system, studying novel immunotherapy strategies in dogs has the potential to help both dogs and people.Surgical oncologist Robert J. Canter at

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and canine oncologist Robert B. Rebhun at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are the corresponding authors of a study on immunotherapy for dogs that is helping them understand lung cancer therapies that could potentially be adapted for human use in the future as

“Cancerswell.that dogs get [are] very similar to the cancers that people get, so dogs are an innovative [model] to develop and translate novel cancer therapies — especially for immunotherapy,

which is hard to study in mice and hard to test in humans because clinical trials are timeconsuming and expensive,” Canter said. “We had an idea that delivering immunotherapy via a breathing treatment would overcome some of the barriers to success of this specific immunotherapy approach previously.”

The key results of the study were established from the first published trial which determined the safe dose of interleukin-15, an inhaled protein that serves to activate the immune system to fight cancer. Because it is inhaled directly to the lung, it is aimed at metastatic tumors that spread to the lungs.

The goals of the study were to establish protein’s safety and determine if it helped to shrink any of the tumors. The researchers found that this treatment was well tolerated and, importantly, some of the dogs experienced durable responses despite only receiving a short two-week-long therapy.

While interleukin-15 has been shown to activate the immune system in human patients with cancer, when injected by itself, it has not proven

“Oureffective.trialshowed that delivery of inhaled [interleukin-15] directly to the lungs of dogs could lead to durable responses,” Rebhun said. “However, based on the results from human trials and because less than half of the dogs appeared to benefit from this therapy, it is believed that [the protein] may be more effective when combined with other immunotherapy strategies.”

Canter also explained that the study found that the approach was well-tolerated and easy to administer with acceptable side effects. He said that since the immune system was activated in response to the treatments, the treatments were likely having at least some of the intended effects.

Since not all of the tumors responded, the researchers hope that ongoing studies will help identify whether patient- or tumor-specific factors could predict whether an individual patient, either dog or human, might be likely to benefit from this therapy. These results could also help guide the researchers in selecting different therapies for lung cancer, and ways of testing these therapies, in the future.

Graduates will either receive a one-year complimentary membership to the California Aggie Alumni Association or, if they were already a lifetime member, a $30 gift certificate to the campus bookstore, according to the release.

The release also explained the process involved in reading names as students crossed the stage.“The university used professional name readers — with acting and voice-over experience — to announce the students,” the release reads. “Alongside the ramp to the stage, Neil Tanner and Maura Soden shared duties for checking with students on pronunciation and reading theirReceptionsnames.” that followed the ceremony included cookies and lemonade.

Marielle Rikkelman, a member of the class of 2022 who graduated with a degree in animal science, described her experience at the Aug. 27 makeup graduation.

“[It ran] smoothly and it was very fast, but the whole time I still felt like [...] the original thing [...] was stolen since I wasn’t graduating with all my original friends,” Rikkelman said via Instagram Direct Message. “Only about 1/4 (give or take) of the people who could have come did, so it still felt foreign the whole time despite being run quite well.”

Academic compatibility is a huge factor in determining if you are a right fit for a university’s program. If you have similar goals to the department or institution you are applying to, and make this apparent in your application, universities will take note of this. Admissions committees want to make sure that you know of the resources and tools available to you if you gain admission. When applying to graduate programs, it is also important to create general cover letters, as well as statements of purpose, and to tailor these for each program you apply to.

Another part of the graduate school process is to have letters of recommendation from professors. It is important to request these letters from professors who you know will be able to make a strong letter of recommendation on your behalf. Besides grades, this is another crucial part of applying to graduate school. These letters not only allow programs and admissions committees to see who you are, but also show admissions that you have the potential to succeed at their programs, as well as who you are behind your scores. All of this information is, again, a huge factor in whether admissions believe you are a good fit for their program.

Professional experience, as well as being “unique,” are other factors that are a staple in helping your application stand out when applying

to graduate school. Admissions counselors are known to favor individuals who have original or out of the ordinary experiences, as they do not just want to admit people who are all relatively the same. Your writing samples and interviews (if you have them) are both great ways to reveal who you are. It is important to use your assets to your advantage and to tie these things into how they will make you a great fit for a program, as well as what you can offer to the program. Professional experiences during your undergraduate degree can also show your dedication to the field you are applying to — a valuable asset that can help you in gaining admissions as well.

Next time you stress about gaining a certain grade, or overstress yourself for a certain outcome in a course, just remember that grades are not the only asset that may help you in admissions for graduate schools. It is important to enjoy your time during undergraduate education, find what you love and enjoy what you learn while finding passion in your intended fields. Above all, passion for a subject will reveal a lot more about who you are than your transcript. Always try your best, but remember — don’t lose your passion within your grades!

“MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON” AND HIS GROWING STARDOM

From a niche internet sensation to the big screen

BY CORALIE LOON arts@theaggie.org

On June 24, 2022, a new film with a long history, “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” (2022), hit theaters in the U.S. and Canada. This sweet mock documentary extends the storyline of a few videos, first uploaded to YouTube over 10 years ago, into an hour and a half of heartwarming conversation, lighthearted comedy and emotional nuance.

For those who missed the series of YouTube videos titled “MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON,” the concept of the 2022 movie may seem random and at least a little bizarre.

The original premise of Marcel the Shell is simple: he is a 1-inch tall shell fashioning a googly eye and a pair of brightly-colored sneakers, living alone and spouting innocent wisdom about the trials and tribulations of being a shell.

It wasn’t until the release of the motion picture this year that fans of Marcel became privy to new information: that Marcel identifies as a he (not a she, despite being voiced by actress Jenny Slate), living with his grandmother Connie in an Airbnb, and used to have an entire family before being separated from them in a traumatic incident.

The unusual concept for a full-length movie could be attributed to its story’s humble origins, which perhaps allowed it to break from normalcy and enter a realm as unpredictable as it was Itcharming.allstarted in 2010, when Slate and her then partner Dean Fleischer-Camp spontaneously created a video with items bought from a craft store, creating a video in 48 hours that was only ever intended for a friend’s stand-up comedy show. As Slate improvised Marcel’s questions and answers, Fleischer-Camp (who never appears on screen) voiced a human who conversed with Marcel from behind the camera.

It wasn’t until later that the film was uploaded to YouTube, quickly becoming an internet sensation that has now gathered over 32 million views.

Maybe it was the series’ unique combination of humor and strangeness, or sweetness and depth, that made it so likable. It was hard for me not to fall in love with Marcel in the first minute, when his tiny raspy voice introduced himself: “I like myself, and I have a lot of other great qualities as well.” One of the most tender moments in the movie — when Marcel quietly asks: “Guess why I smile a lot?” (What?) “Because it’s worth it” — was also in the second YouTube film.

The success of the original “MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON” short film on youtube led to a second (and finally a third) installation, each expanding the character of Marcel by a few minutes. In total, the three YouTube videos don’t even add up to 15 minutes, leading some (like myself) to wonder what a 90-minute movie could do to both honor Marcel’s spirit of smallness and sustain the audience’s attention.

As an original Marcel the Shell fan, I was excited for the theatrical release but also a little nervous that the filmmakers wouldn’t succeed in doing Marcel justice. After over a decade of anticipation, the pressure was on the movie to either go big or go home.“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” definitely did go big — in the smallest and most spot-on way possible. It took some of the most iconic lines from the original videos and refashioned them, such as the phrase: “Sometimes people say that my head is too big for my body and then I say, ‘compared to what?’”

These small references are scattered within a larger story about loneliness and how one both grows into and out of it. As Marcel begins the search for his long-lost family, he experiences the hugeness of feeling lost, of belonging to a world that is partially out of his grasp.

The film couldn’t have captured the tone of the original videos any better, quietly and comedically exploring what it’s like to be so small in such a big world. It neither dragged nor lost its simplicity in the midst of a flashy plot, reminding me of the true heart and purpose of indie films in showing life just as it is: silly and fiercely profound.“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” is a phenomenon that all ages can enjoy; while the youngest viewers may be enthralled by its cleverness and charm, older viewers are even more in touch with its heart, truthfulness and timelessness. This is a film that every person, whether they feel especially human or not, should watch.

The major motion picture is playing until August 17 in select theaters in the U.S. and Canada, but will hopefully be available to stream or rent digitally in the near future.

Theatrical release poster of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On. (Courtesy of A24 / fair use)

Editor’s note: This article first appeared online at theaggie.org.

UC DAVIS AGGIES GALLOP TO A 30-POINT WIN OVER USD

UC Davis Health Stadium saw a record-breaking opening night on Sept. 17

BY GABRIEL CARABALLO sports@theaggie.org

On Saturday night, the Aggies came into their home opener with an 0-2 record but were greeted by a thundering roar from a record-breaking 14,392 fans in attendance at UC Davis Health Stadium. As the University of San Diego started their opening drive, the Aggies’ defense swarmed their offense, leading to a tackle and a loss of yards, taking it to second down. On the next down, Aggies’ fourth-year linebacker Justin Martz delivered a sack straight to the opposing quarterback. The sack dragged San Diego back 12 more yards, causing a fourth down.

Next, the Aggies took their opening drive of the first quarter, and it couldn’t have started better. After rushing the ball for a couple of first downs, second-year quarterback Miles Hastings threw his first of three touchdowns of the game to third-year wide receiver Justin Kraft for a 16-yard completion, putting UC Davis up 7-0 early in the game.

“It’s been a long road,” UC Davis Head Coach Dan Hawkins said. He went on to credit his team’s “grit, perseverance, and resiliency” that brought home the win.

The Toreros continued their offensive slump when quarterback Judd Erickson threw an interception to the Aggies’ first-year linebacker Porter Conners, who returned it for an extensive 22yard gain. It was on this offensive drive that fourth-year running back Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., who rushed for 107 yards and completed a touchdown by the end of the contest, rushed for an epic 44 yards and broke the UC Davis rushing record with 3,590 career-rushing yards. This led the team to another endzone score, extending their lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

“I’m really proud of him [...] to see Ulonzo break all the running back records is surreal,” Hawkins said. “We’ve got a very good offensive line and talented backs. If you want to win the championship or win the last game, you have to run the ball and stop the run that’s just eternal.”

The Aggies garnered a total of 194 yards and three touchdowns while rushing the football against the Toreros.

The second quarter started with a bang as linebacker graduate student Evan Tattersall blocked USD’s punt attempt, allowing the Aggies to start at the Toreros 19-yard-line, which ultimately led to a rushing touchdown, putting the Aggies up 21-0.

“Evan Hicks, our special teams coach, has worked hard and [has] done a nice job […] — as well as Brett Arkelian — getting things schemed up,” Hawkins said. “We wish we would’ve scored on it, but that was big.”

By the end of the second quarter, UC Davis led 35-7.

To start the third quarter, the Aggies missed a field-goal attempt and allowed the Toreros to make it into the endzone, making the score 35-13 in favor of the home team. With about four minutes left in the quarter, Hastings threw his longest pass of the game, an epic 62-yard touchdown to second-year Josh Gale.

“He can run; it was fun to see [Gale] have some success. He’s talented,” Hawkins said.

This touchdown ended the third quarter, and with it, any hope for a comeback by the Toreros. The score was 43-13 after a successful 2-point conversion.

The Aggies rushed for a total of 196 yards and passed for a total of 281 yards while the Toreros totaled 166 yards rushing and 186 yards through the air. The Aggies scored on all five of their end zone

“We’rechances.going to enjoy this win and tomorrow get crankin’ on Weber [State],” Hawkins said.

Next, UC Davis will host Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 pm/pst. Following Weber State, UC Davis will travel to face Montana State, Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 pm/pst.

AGGIES’ MEN’S SOCCER TEAM OFF TO A ROUGH START THROUGH SIX NONCONFERENCE GAMES

BY MARLON ROLON sports@theaggie.org

On Wednesday, September 14, the UC Davis men’s soccer team faced off against San Jose State at Aggie Soccer Field. Despite being down 3-0 in the first half, the Aggies stormed back with two late goals in the second half but they fell just short of tying the game.

Coming into the match, the Aggies were expected to be on the offensive early, but that wasn’t the case. They started playing defensively, with San Jose State dominating the early portion of the first half. The Spartans controlled the pace of the game in the early portion of the match with quick passes keeping UC Davis away from the ball.Inthe first half, the Aggies could hardly generate any offense against a tight Spartan defense that broke up almost every play the home team attempted. On offense, the Spartans spread the field with their superb ball placement on the wings, which also gave the home team issues.

However, in the fifth minute of play, Aggie first-year striker Chase Tanon brilliantly curved a shot from outside the box, narrowly missing the top post. The Spartans midfielder, graduate student Herminio Padilla, immediately responded with a lob pass across the field to firstyear striker Riccardo Scarafia, who cut inside the pitch in a one-on-one maneuver, creating enough space to shoot the ball into the net. Within the first seven minutes of the first half, UC Davis

trailedThe1-0.goal gave momentum to the visiting team, playing team ball with patience throughout the pitch, countering every time the Aggies pressured. In the 27th minute, San Jose State capitalized on an error made by the UC Davis defense, scoring a second goal. The Aggies attempted to pass to the backfield when Spartans’ third-year defender Joel Garcia stole a pass that came up short in a three-on-one scenario. Garcia cut through the traffic and put the ball through the bottom center of the net to make it 2-0.

The Aggies could not contain the Spartans’ offense; just under 10 minutes later, San Jose found the back of the net once again. The goal came off of a header from a well-placed corner kick; second-year midfielder Beau Leroux placed the ball perfectly near the left post to put San Jose State up 3-0.

UC Davis looked deflated as the first half came to a close. The Spartans’ dominance was evident in the stats; San Jose State shot nine times compared to two shots from the Aggies.

Coming together as a team has been an issue for the Aggies so far this season — growing pains are to be expected with 13 newcomers.

Heading into the second half, the Aggies needed a miracle to make up for their early deficit. UC Davis Head Coach Dwayne Shaffer swapped goalkeepers, subbing out second-year

Spencer Gillen for redshirt second-year Charles Janssen in hopes of preventing the opposition from scoring. The change paid off, and the home team looked like a completely different team in the second half.

The Aggies came out with a sense of urgency, something they lacked in the first 45 minutes of play. Within the first two minutes of the second half, second-year striker Keegan Walwyn-Bent let his presence be known with a brilliant shot that sent the Spartans’ goalkeeper diving to get a hand on it, sending the ball out of bounds.

From here, UC Davis took control of the game, finding success from the wings attacking with crosses and long passes throughout the second half. Eventually, the Aggies got on the scoreboard in the 68th minute thanks to a precise lob pass from third-year striker Ethan Hoard to second-year midfielder Kevin Welch. Seeing a two-on-one scenario, Welch drew the goalkeeper toward him and brilliantly passed to fourth-year Max Glasser, who tapped the ball into the net to make it

This3-1.goal broke a scoreless drought for UC Davis who hadn’t scored a goal since Sept. 4. After scoring, the Aggies looked rejuvenated. The offense played with high intensity, pushing the ball into Spartan territory, and threatening the defense with crosses inside the box in the waning minutes of play.

In the 69th minute, UC Davis missed a crucial goal-scoring opportunity that could have changed the result of the game. Glasser used his speed to cut into the right side of the box and crossed the ball across the middle to third-year midfielder Ryan Dieter within five feet of the goal, but Dieter missed the wide-open shot.

The final 11 minutes of regulation were arguably the best 11 minutes the Aggies have played so far this season. Dieter magnificently crossed the ball toward the far post into the box, but the goalkeeper somehow managed to flicker the ball away before the Aggies could head it. Three minutes later, UC Davis threatened to score once again. This time off, Hoard headered the ball into the crossbar. Dieter attempted to shoot off the rebound, but his shot was deflected away by a defender.

In the 82nd minute, the Ags notched their second goal of the game thanks to a fantastic finish by first-year defender Zack Lillington — the goal was his first at the collegiate level. UC Davis trimmed the score 3-2, but there wasn’t enough time left on the clock to equalize the game.San Jose State held off the Aggies’ late rally as time expired. With the loss, UC Davis extended their winless streak in non-conference play. They now sit at 0-5-1 with two non-conference games left on their schedule.

UC Davis is going through a transition phase due to the departures of 15 players. Some of last year’s graduates were key pieces of the team that made an appearance in the 2019 NCAA tournament, their lone appearance in program history. With 13 new additions and 15 returning players, it will take some time for the players to gel with one another. Moreover, the Aggies are a young team with 11 freshmen, and their lack of experience has been evident thus far on the pitch.

As the season progresses, the relatively young group will hopefully gain confidence and valuable experience. There is still time to right the ship, but they have to start stringing wins together sooner rather than later if they plan to finish in the top three in the Big West Conference, as was predicted by a Preseason Coaches Poll.

A look ahead

UC Davis will be on the road starting Sept. 20 against the University of Pacific. Then, the Aggies will travel to Santa Clara on Sept. 24 to finish their non-conference run.

UC Davis will host the first conference game of the season against Cal Poly on Sept. 28. On Oct. 1, the Aggies will travel to Riverside to face off against UCR. The Aggies will host UC Irvine on Oct. 5, and on Oct. 8, UC Davis will travel to Northridge to play against CSUN. On Oct. 12 and Oct. 15, the Aggies will host home games against CSU Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton. UC Davis will hit the road again to play against UC Santa Barbara on Oct. 19. The Aggies will host the last home game of the season on Oct. 22 against UC San Diego and will close the season on the road against their cross-town rivals Sacramento State on Oct. 29.

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UC Davis’s late rally falls short against San Jose State, leaving them with a 0-5-1 record

Photo of UCD Men’s Soccer team. (Aggie File)

UC Davis football team wins the first home game of the season against the San Diego Toreros. (Isabella Smithsuvan / Aggie)h