December 1, 2011

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volume 130, number 124

thursday, december 1, 2011

Student Affairs faces reorganization Budget cuts lead to major changes in Campus Unions By ALICIA KINDRED Aggie News Writer

Recent budget challenges have led to the reorganization of Campus Unions in the Student Affairs Department in order to generate revenues.

Due to the estimated $2.3 million in budget cuts in Student Affairs, the Memorial Union Auxiliary Enterprises will be cut. The departments such as the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), Campus Unions, UC Davis Bookstore, Retail Dining and Catering Services, the UC Davis Conference Center and Trademark Licensing will be aligned with other divisions. These changes will be effective in January 2012. “Campus Unions is going to be absorbed. Campus Recreation will be taking over the unions,

and the UC Davis Conference Center, said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Fred Wood in an e-mail to faculty and staff. Retail Dining and Catering services will now be overseen by Student Housing as of 2012. All food services besides the ASUCD Coffee House will be under Student Housing, said Brett Burns, former executive director of Memorial Unions Auxiliary Services. CSI and its services, such as Picnic Day, The Buzz, and the 500 + student clubs will move under

staff, reservations, etc,” said Adam Thongsavat, ASUCD president. “In the past the Campus Recreation department used to oversee the Memorial Union because of the budget. It will become one department again.” John Campbell, Director of Campus Recreation, will oversee Campus Recreation and the facilities that were managed previously under the Memorial Union Auxiliary Enterprises. These facilities include the Memorial Union, Freeborn Hall, Putah Creek Lodge

Katehi holds town hall meeting for faculty and staff

Survey finds rising trend in Chinese international students By CLAIRE TAN

Aggie Staff Writer

On Nov. 8, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reported its findings from its 2011 international graduate admissions survey. The survey consisted of three phases. Data was collected in February, June and October. For Phase I, CGS collected data on an initial summary of applications from prospective international students. For Phase II, data was collected on final applications. For Phase III, final offers of admission and first-time and total international graduate enrollment data were recorded. “Data from this year’s Phase III survey reveals that offers of admission to prospective international grad-

Speakers at the forum brought up several different issues currently plaguing UC Davis and also had the chance to ask questions of the panel.

By HANNAH STRUMWASSER Aggie Campus Editor

OnTuesday evening, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi held a town hall meeting to give faculty and staff a chance to ask questions and voice their opinions about the pepper spray incident on campus. The meeting took place in Freeborn Hall. Faculty and staff ranging from Ph.D. students to tenured professors spoke. Molecular and cell biology professor Ken Burtis led the discussion.

Speakers had a chance ask questions of the panel, made up of Katehi, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph Hexter, interim UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael and Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Resource Management John Meyer. The meeting began with opening remarks from Katehi and Hexter. Katehi made many promises to the campus; to restructure if needed, to get to know the students

See FORUM, page 5

Current UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi has been under fire for her involvement in the pepper spraying of peaceful protesters on Nov. 18, 2011. The beleaguered chancellor has attempted to reconcile with students through numerous avenues, including various e-mails, speeches, conferences and television appearances, meant to instill student trust and confidence back in the hands of the chancellor. Katehi’s current position in the battle between the student activists and the right to peacefully protest is being questioned, due to her past as an active student protester in her native Greece. Katehi attended the National Technical University of Athens, popularly known as Athens Polytechnic, home to 17 November, a massive student uprising against the oppressive Greek military junta from 1967 to 1974, a right wing military government also termed “The Regime of the Colonels.” The stringent military regime present in Greece in the year 1973 abolished rudimentary human rights, rejected the idea of political parties, exiled politicians and attacked individuals who

Today’s weather Breezy High 61 Low 38

See GRAD, page 2

Bill passed in order to cut costs This overrules a part the bill, proposed in January, that would have continued counting pizza as a vegetable only if it had more than a quarter-cup of tomato paste per slice. It also would have halved the amount of sodium in school meals over the next 10 years. These points were not passed, leaving the old regulations A in place.

By Zander Wold Aggie News Writer

Next time your mother asks you to eat your vegetables, ask for a slice a pizza. In a controversial spending bill which passed on Nov. 14, United States Congress upheld a decision which allows pizza with at least two tablespoons per slice of tomato paste to be counted as a vegetable.

voiced or expressed negative opinions in relation to the active government. Students attending Athens Polytechnic were outraged by the junta’s grip on not only the politics of the country, but the student body as well. The university was subject to forceful draft of left-wing students, the banning of student-run elections and the enforcement of non-elected student syndicate leaders in the EFEE, the national student’s syndicate. “I never considered myself to be an anarchist or a radical element. I would say my views are very democratic and progressive. I felt that I was demonstrating not because I believed in anarchy or wanted no government, but because I believed that government was not good for Greece,” Katehi said last week. A series of junta actions culminated into the uprisings on November 14, 1973; students in attendance went on strike, and subsequently barricaded themselves within the confines of the university. The students built a radio station, whereby “Here is Polytechneion! People of Greece, the Polytechneion is the flag bearer of our struggle and your struggle, our common struggle against the

See GREECE, page 2 Forecast With the exception of high winds, dense fog and freezing temperatures, it’s almost as if Mother Nature is saying “Stay inside and study!” It’s not like you’ve been procrastinating studying anyways, right? Alex Neigher, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team

Evan Davis / Aggie

student eats her Congressionally ordained See PIZZA, page 5 vegetables in the DC.

News iN Brief

What happened during 17 November? Aggie News Writer

uate students increased nine percent in 2011, the largest increase to occur since 2006,” the CGS survey report stated. “This year’s increase in international first-time graduate enrollment is also the largest since 2006. Total international graduate enrollment increased 2 percent in 2011, up slightly from a 1 percent gain in 2010.” The CGS found that overall ie there was an 8 percent increase g g / A in first-year enrollment of interm Ta a s national graduate students, a jump Iri from a 3 percent increase in 2010. “CGS breaks out four different countries of origin: China, India, South Korea, and the Middle

Congress still considers pizza a vegetable

Ask The Aggie

By GHEED SAEED

See STUDENT, page 7

International grad student enrollment increases eight percent nationally

Speakers focus on budget cuts, discuss calls for chancellor’s resignation

Brian Nguyen / Aggie

the control of Griselda Castro, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs, Burns said. ASUCD is autonomous of the cuts, Thongsavat said. “ASUCD is not really restructuring, only our business manager has changed, which is our big change,” said Bree Rombi, ASUCD vice president. “In either January or February there is going to be a campus wide search for a permanent business manager.”

Chicana/o Studies film festival is this weekend The Chicana/o Studies department will hold ¡Creating Cultura! A Xican@ Film Festival this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in 194 Chemistry. Emanuel Avila-Martin, a

2011 UC Davis Graduate and Chicana/o Studies Director of Advertisement, said the department combined a variety of topics geared to enrich understanding of Chicana/o cul-

ture and allow students’ to make short films concerning education. One of the filmmakers, Sylvia Morales, will also hold a sit down forum. The event is free for all.

UC Regents raise administrative salaries After protesters disrupted Monday’s University of California Regents meeting, regents reconvened in a smaller room. Before leaving the first room, regents voted to ask the state to raise the university’s funding from $2.3 to $2.7 billion for the 2012-13 fiscal year. In the smaller room, the regents approved raising the salaries of around a

Friday

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dozen university administrators and attorneys by as much as 21.9 percent. Regents voted to raise salaries for 10 administrators and managers, including a 9.9 percent increase to UC Irvine’s Vice Chancellor of Planning and Budget Meredith Michaels. Her yearly pay will increase from $225,000 to $247,275. Six campus lawyers

also received salary raises. Steven A. Brown, chief campus counsel and associate general counsel at UC Davis, received the largest raise from $205,045 to $250,000 annually. UC President Mark G. Yudof said the pay increases were necessary to attract and retain talented employees. –– Angela Swartz

The countdown has begun: officially 9 more days until winter break. Good luck with your finals and see you next quarter! Amanda Nguyen


page two

2 thursday, december 1, 2011

daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org

TODAY

Social Justice Yoga

Exchange an Unhealthy Snack for a Brubar 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial Union Quad tables Exchange a snack for a local, vegan and healthy Brubar.

Biomedical Engineering Distinguished Alumni Seminar 4:10 p.m. Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility Auditorium Dr. Tracy Richmond McKnight will discuss investigating glioma growth and metabolism with MR methods.

2 to 3 p.m. 3001 Plant and Environmental Sciences Participate in a all-level class for yoga right before finals with Moira Delgado to clear your mind and de-stress. No experience necessary.

Alotta Capella 7:30 p.m. 1100 Social Sciences The Liquid Hotplates host an a capella show, featuring five other on-campus groups. Tickets cost $3 at Freeborn in advance and $5 at the door.

SATURDAY Chicano Film Festival

Downtown Davis Holiday Celebration 6 p.m. Downtown Davis, various locations The annual celebration will feature a children’s parade, holiday tree lighting, musical performances and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit davisdowntown.com for a complete list of events.

American Red Cross Club Meeting 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. 118 Olson For more information, check out the ARCC website at arccdavis.co.cc and the Facebook page: American Red Cross Club at UC Davis.

Delta Epsilon Mu: Toys for Joy 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Freeborn Hall Watch performances by the Popping Club, Elite Dancing Company, The Liquid Hotplates and more. Tickets cost $5 for students and $7 for non-students. All proceeds go to the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Toy donations welcome.

FRIDAY

1 p.m. 194 Chemistry Watch student-made films about education and Chicano culture. Chicana filmmaker Sylvia Morales will hold a sit-down forum and screen her latest documentary, Crushing Love: Chicanas, Motherhood and Activism.

Arboretum Guided Tour: Planting for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects 2 p.m. Arboretum Teaching Nursery, Garrod Drive Those thinking about adding to their home landscapes can tour the new demonstration plantings. The guided tour will focus on the best plants for our garden climate that attract and provide habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds and other native pollinators. 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.

uate students. For admission to Fall 2010, the school received 3,922 applications as opposed to the 4,737 received in 2011, an overall 20.8 percent change. Fraiser said first-time enrollment for international students went from 230 in Fall 2009 to 242 in 2010 and to 227 this year. The university offered admission to 675 students this year. In 2010, 627 offers of admission were given. “For UC Davis international graduate enrollment, in Fall 2010, we had 322 students from China and in Fall 2011, we had 351 students,” Frasier said. “From India, in Fall 2010, we had 61 students and in Fall 2011, 51 students. From South Korea, we had 63 in both 2010 and 2011. From the Middle East and Turkey, we had 63 students in Fall 2010 and 57 in Fall 2011.” Frasier said the deadlines for applications are different for every graduate program, but many of the graduate programs have their deadline by Feb. 11 although there are still many that have open application deadlines until May 31. “I am pleased to see strong interest in graduate study at UC Davis from around the world,” said Dean of Graduate Studies Jeffery Gibeling in a statement. “We are actively and continuously working to develop partnerships and agreements with universities and foreign governments to provide opportunities for their talented students to pursue graduate degrees here at UC Davis.”

grad

Cont. from front page East and Turkey because these are where the majority of international students come from,” said UC Davis Director of Analysis and Policy for graduate studies Helen Schurke Frasier. For students from China, there has been a more significant increase in graduate enrollment. There was a 21 percent increase from 2010 to 2011 as compared to a 20 percent rise from 2009 to 2010. There was also a 16 percent increase from 2008 to 2009 and a 14 percent increase from 2007 to 2008. In regard to students from India, there was a 2 percent jump from 2010 to 2011. There was no change for students from South Korea, and for students from the Middle East and Turkey, a 14 percent increase from 2010 to 2011. “For UC Davis, in Fall 2010, we had 907 total non-U.S. citizens and in Fall 2011, we had 917,” Frasier said. “It’s a modest increase.” According to Frasier, the trend for UC Davis has not always been the same as what the CGS found in the national enrollment trend. She said that in Fall 2009, there were 909 international graduate students, a number that slightly fell the next year. “Our numbers have made very, very slight adjustments in the past three years,” Frasier said. “Going from 909 to 907 to 917 is not a huge difference.” UC Davis has recently seen a large surge in the number of applications CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@ from international grad- theaggie.org.

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countries thus far and I know that number will at least triple by the time I leave. This winter, I’ll get some solo experience. I’ll get quiet time in a tiny village. I’ll hopefully Janelle get some self-discovery. And Bitker next semester, I’ll only be able to feel more local, with an internship like a normal person and everything. I had always assumed that most students wanted something like this out of their study abroad ome things don’t experience. But, alas, this is change from culture not the case. to culture. Whenever Some students have made I tell anyone my winter traveling their number one break plans, I get the same priority. There are girls here response. who are gone for four days “But ... you’re spending out of virtually every week, Christmas alone?” gallivanting around all of The tone is always some Europe. It’s exactly what they combination of shock and wanted, and they are content. — my favorite — pity. I have a friend in Spain Most Americans studying abroad for the year go home who has only left Spain once. He wanted an immersion, for the holidays. The break and he got one. He’s is one month long, so the perfecting journey the across the world makes Travel, of course, but not all the language, sense. But time — you’ll never truly feel at hanging with locals the way I see home otherwise and truly it is, I have becoming one month free to travel, to have bizarre part of the culture. It’s exactly what he wanted, and he is European experiences and enthralled. to test myself. I have a friend in London Why would I pass that who has only left London up? once. He isn’t doing an Let me outline my plans immersion, though, and for you: there is no new language One day after my last skill to be perfected. He final ends, I fly out to Vienna. From there, it’ll be a has no desire to travel on whirlwind of poor planning weekends. He is living a perfectly normal life. He — couchsurfing, hostels sought out the challenge of when I can’t find couches, starting over, and he got it. scenic trains, overnight Then there are, of course, buses and desperately those who studied abroad trying to stay warm. I’ll be to party. Their satisfaction traveling through Vienna, comes easily. Salzburg, Munich, Prague There is no singular and Bratislava, probably, before returning to Brussels perfect study abroad experience. Everyone for some much-needed comes into it expecting recuperating. and wanting something I’ll spend New Years different. To experience Eve with some European friends, and then I’ll take the everything would mean a more permanent move, a train through Belgium and transfer, which isn’t all that France, eventually winding uncommon either. up in the countryside near My advice? Bordeaux. I’ll work on a Deeply consider what small organic farm for two you want before choosing weeks, caring for goats, skinning rabbits and making your program and location. If you want to immerse sausages. Then I’ll trek around for a few days, doing yourself in a culture, don’t live with Americans and something, somewhere. don’t choose a big city, It’ll be a game-changer, I hope. I’ll be simultaneously which will always have an international feel. Travel, struck by so much beauty of course, but not all the and thrown so far out of time — you’ll never truly my comfort zone, that something profound will be feel at home otherwise. bound to happen. Seriously, And while it may seem impossible to befriend the though — a California locals, do try. The “they native, basically homeless aren’t interested in being in freezing cold Slovakia? friends with us” mentality Once darkness strikes, I’ll exists on both sides, for probably end up shivering no real reason but selfinside shopping malls until perpetuation. security forces me to leave. Don’t be afraid to enjoy But, that’s the point. When the normal and the every planning my study abroad day. In fact, don’t be afraid experience, this is exactly at all. Take the plunge. Go what I wanted. So far, I have away for as long as possible. pretty much gotten all that I Deadlines for next fall are originally hoped for. almost here and, a year I’ve felt part of a culture, made possible by living with from now, you could be a Belgian family and learning writing this travel column. the language. I’ve met and befriended Europeans. JANELLE BITKER hopes she was decent I’ve done things that locals company this quarter, and she’s always do in a brand new city. willing to answer your study abroad-related I’ve traveled through five questions at jlbitker@ucdavis.edu.

Bon voyage

S

greece Cont. from front page dictatorship and for democracy!” was played on repeat throughout the city of Athens. On Nov. 17, 1973, the number of protesters flourished in the thousands to include the citizenry at large, joining activists within the university as well as outside the walls of Athens Polytechnic, standing against the oppressive military government. Approximately 25 AMX 30 tanks were ordered on the campus premises, crashing through the gates of Athens Polytechnic, killing an unaccounted for number of students and supportive protesters.

sound like, but hear me out: I promise these are not just the justifications of some proud nymphomaniac. In spite of my selfrespect, however, I would Dylan gladly look at my body as Gallagher a less important aspect of myself than my mind and personality. I don’t feel that physical intimacy (even highly altered versions of intimacy, as in strip clubs or the Red Light District) is something that should be necessarily more difficult to attain than mental intimacy. I feel that it’s On a recent trip to preferable to treat the Amsterdam, my cousins gradual revealing of mental and I took the tourist traits as a more meaningful walk of shame through finish line than to dangle the Red Light District. We one’s sexuality in front of didn’t patronize as much someone else as some sort as we did window shop, of relationship incentive. staring through the panes But like I stated before, in incredulity at the fact that, for only two euros, we that’s just my opinion. What I am saying is that could watch what the signs if a person chooses to use called “live porno homo their body sex” or buy freely and a condom Despite what John Mayer says, I candidly, in the shape of a personally don’t think my body is there’s no less validity windmill. a wonderland to that But decision as I took than choosing to conceal that exotic stroll past the one’s figure with sensible various window displays, clothes. Both are just something else amazing preferences, nothing more, happened: finding myself and should be treated as on the straat, a flock of such. swans nestled in the If I may quickly remind canal to my right, and an you of one of the more enthusiastic prostitute overexposed childhood to my left spinning her nipple tassels in a perfectly truisms, it’s what’s on the inside that counts the circular motion, I had an most (if you promise to epiphany. Self-respect is a nebulous keep reading, I promise I’ll never repeat that idea that differs from again). Even with this ageperson to person — it isn’t old knowledge tucked something that can be under our belts, though, accurately measured or quantified in any particular I continue to hear people terms. The way that people who speak out against sexual freedom or bodily use their bodies is a free exposure as “undignified” decision — hopefully and and “degrading.” If it’s truly usually, the right decision what’s within that counts for themselves — and the most, though, then why should not be basis for should the body’s exterior others’ judgment. or the ways it’s used be It seems very often (not any indicator of a person’s universal, but certainly dignity or character? often, from what I have Naturally, there are observed) that people who exceptions to this. You make a choice to be more reserved about their bodily won’t find me defending the actions of a man like Tiger assets tend to look down Woods under the premise upon people who choose that “Hey, he isn’t ashamed otherwise. of his sexuality so it’s all You may think that cool!” Being unfaithful? your body is a temple or Bad. Having unsafe sex? a Sistine Chapel to be Bad. Having unsafe, appreciated from a safe unfaithful sex? Very bad. distance, or some other But otherwise (for the most euphemism for celestial part; I’m sure I left a couple chastity, and it’s fine if that notion works for you. If you bases uncovered) people who can so confidently can happily live for a long carry themselves in body period without intimate and soul are owed respect interactions, then four for doing so. for you, Glen Coco. Your Think about that restraint is remarkable. while, in my mind, I’ll But that doesn’t work for still be standing between everyone, and it’s equally the forthrightness of as important to respect the prostitutes and the someone else’s preference innocent romanticism of as it is to stay true to your the swans trying to figure own. out where I fit into this Despite what John whole equation — I’m Mayer says, I personally pretty sure it should be don’t think my body is a somewhere north of the wonderland. I love myself two euro mark. (no surprises here) and I treat my body well, but I don’t feel that I need to DYLAN GALLAGHER is beautiful in every be perfectly, 100 percent single way — words can’t bring him down. chaste and pure to do that. I But you can always try at dylaaaaan@gmail. know what this is starting to com or cleverblog.tumblr.com/ask.

Unlike a Virgin

“There were students holding the bars (of the perimeter fence) and screaming. We were outside (of them), screaming,” Katehi said. “Then they brought the tanks, later at night, and they just walked over the students, practically, to enter the building. And then they had snipers, so we ended up running,” Katehi said. The events that occurred during 17 November set the stage for the restoration of Parliamentary democracy and an end to the corrupt reign of the military junta. “The events of 1973 are regarded — rightly or wrongly — as the beginning of the end of the military dictatorship in Greece, the catalyst of a new political order and an ideological point of reference for the post-1974 politi-

cal landscape,” said Greek Columnist Costas Iordanidis in an article. Perhaps the real question is: “Do we hold Chancellor Katehi to a different standard knowing she was involved in 17 November?” said UC Davis assistant professor Victoria Langland. Katehi directly referenced 17 November on November 21, 2011 when she delivered a tearful speech on the Quad, apologizing for the previous week’s incidents. “I was there, and I don’t want to forget that,” Katehi said. Some information in this article was found at athensinfoguide.com. What would you like to ask The Aggie? Send your questions to campus@theaggie.org.


OPINION

The california aggie

thursday, December 1, 2011 3

Letters to the editor

Response to “World population growth could spur food shortage”

editorials

Regents meeting

Listen to students On Monday, the UC Regents meeting took place on four different campuses — UC Merced, UCLA, UCSF and UC Davis. The regents gave students a chance to speak and share their opinions, and public comment was even extended for an extra half hour, which was good. However, this was followed by a decision to raise the salaries of multiple UC vice chancellors and UC lawyers. This was completely inappropriate given the theme of the students’ discussion. Furthermore, the four-way teleconference was confusing and seemed unnecessary. The regents should not be afraid of students and they should have held the meeting at one location in order to make it more efficient. Protesters at all four campuses showed no suggestion of violence, and the regents should acknowledge this and take it into account when planning the next meeting. As people who make extraordinarily important decisions about the UC system, they should trust UC students. Regents should create more opportunities for students to voice their concerns similar to the open comment session at Monday’s meeting.

For example, we would love to see regents hold open office hours on campus, as was suggested at the meeting. Overall, the extension of the public comment session was a partial success. Students had a chance to voice their opinions. Because students on multiple campuses took over the large conference rooms to have their own meetings, regents were forced to move to different rooms in order to continue the agenda. This interruption made the meeting less efficient and meant that the audience was not aware of significant votes, such as the vote to raise salaries. Regents should work hard before the next meeting to understand what the students are saying, and make their decisions reflect these opinions. Chair of the UC Regents Sherry Lansing suggested that students and regents work together to ask the legislature for more money for higher education, which seems to be a step in the right direction. Both students and regents agree that higher education needs more state funding. Regents need to make more of an effort to work with students in order to make their actions more effective.

earth population

#OccupyMars On Oct. 31, the United Nations announced that the world human population reached seven billion. Obviously the number is just an estimate, but since the population reached six billion only 13 years ago, there are many hard questions that need to be answered of how we can deal with such a crowded world. Here are a few easy suggestions that should solve this difficult problem instantly: Ignore the problem: Turning a blind eye is a method that has a long, proud history. It’s easy for us to ignore the billion additional people that have arrived on our planet since 1999. The real challenge will be when the world is so crowded that the average apartment will have 10 roommates. However, if we really put our minds to it … we can put the issue out of our minds. Party: Speaking of crowded apartments, having more people will make for better parties. Supplying that much alcohol will be expensive, but that’s what cheap beer is for. If we get drunk enough, the problems of overpopula-

tion will seem much smaller, at least compared with the more immediate problem of a massive hangover. Invest in diapers: What our poor economy needs (in addition to cheap beer) is increased investment. And an increasing population makes diapers the most sensible choice. Whether you buy stock in cloth or disposable diapers, the prices will be going up. All we would need to be worried about is creating a diaper bubble, which frankly sounds disgusting anyway. Stork hunting: Stork hunting is a good option for decreasing the number of new babies. Hunters would have to be careful not to shoot the birds already carrying babies, but all other storks are fair game! Holiday dinner tip –– roasted stork is a delicious addition to any family dinner. Occupy Mars: Forget Wall Street and the Quad. Mars is the next step of human conquest, though it is a shame there are no known Martians that we can conquer; that might help the seven billion of us finally unite about something.

Editorial Board Jason Alpert Editor in Chief Becky Peterson Managing Editor Melissa Freeman Opinion Editor

Hannah Strumwasser Campus Editor Angela Swartz City Editor Erin Migdol Features Editor

Uyen Cao Arts Editor Trevor Cramer Sports Editor

Amy Stewart Science Editor Jasna Hodzic Photography Editor

Editorials represent the collective opinions of The California Aggie editorial board. The Opinion page appears Tuesdays and Thursdays.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GUEST OPINIONS

The California Aggie welcomes letters from its readers. Letters must be typed and no longer than 200 words. As The Aggie attempts to represent a diversity of viewpoints on its letters page, we reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed, and letters become the property of The California Aggie. All correspondence must be signed with the author’s name and telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication, although names may be withheld upon request.

The California Aggie welcomes guest opinions from its readers. Guest opinions must be typed with an approximate word count of 600 to 800, or character count around 3,000 to 4,000. The same standards of letters to the editor apply to guest opinions. Guest opinions may reflect a variety of viewpoints. Any member of the campus community is eligible and encouraged to highlight issues regarding UC Davis, regional or national issues. Address letters or guest opinions to the Opinion Editor, The California Aggie, 25 Lower Freeborn, UC Davis, CA 95616. Letters may also be faxed to (530) 752-0355 or sent via e-mail to opinion@theaggie.org.

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This is yet another piece whose drum beats are as old as Methuselah. I for one would beg to differ at best or remain a skeptic at worse. Here is why: Most human population growth predictions say that the global population should stabilize by 2050 as more and more couples are having lesser number of children than their grandparents. The trend of negative or zero population growth that we see in countries like Italy, Japan, etc. will eventually filter down to the less developed countries, where there is maximum growth at present. Even in the worse case scenario, I doubt that with the new technologies available to us in crop improvement we will ever run out of food. We may most likely have a problem with food distribution from the food surplus areas to the hungry

Medical costs of Nov. 18

Dear Chancellor Katehi, We are writing you in regards to the university’s promise to assume financial responsibility for the medical costs incurred by student protesters harmed by the events of Nov. 18. In light of the fact that the demonstrations were at least in part due to the atrocious tuition hikes that students have had to endure, we find it upsetting that you have volunteered university funds to pay the medical expenses of these students. We certainly agree that their medical expenses should be paid for by those responsible. However, we feel that if the gesture is intended as an effort

Invoking Virginia Tech massacre

Chancellor Katehi: At town halls over this last week you have invoked the Virginia Tech massacre on multiple occasions to defend a need for a weaponized police forces on college campuses. When students and faculty are professing concerns about the campus police, I ask you if such a reference is relevant or appropriate. As a native Virginian, I hold a deep conviction that the events of April 16, 2007 should never become a catchphrase to conjure up fear for a broad variety of campus safety issues. Clearly, the fears I felt in the crowd on the UC Davis Quad were entirely different to those of a school

ones, but we will never run out of things to eat. Another factor that food doomsday pundits do not take in to consideration is that man has only scratched the surface of the food pile as far as edible crop plants are concerned. The main food source for a very large number of the world’s poor and rich comes from only a handful of the crop plants and food animals. There are a number of plants out there that can be domesticated for food. Likewise, there are also a number of animals that we do not yet use for food. It is just a matter of developing a taste for them. We now have tools such as biotechnology which can move desirable genes or gene segments, not only from one plant to another from the same family, but also from other species. In addition, gene transfer from the animal world is also now possible with gene manipulation — an antifreeze gene from Arctic flounder has been introduced

into strawberries to extend their growing season in northern cold climates — which is why we get strawberries all year long. As we have seen with geneticallymodified cotton, we can breed varieties of crops on which pests and diseases can make no impact, thereby increasing their yields manifold. The potential impact of these new technologies at increasing food supply globally is almost unlimited. Look where we have come as far as computers are concerned in the last 30 to 40 years. We now have laptops that are as or more powerful than the main frame computers occupying an entire floor about 35 years ago. If the same brainpower is applied to food production, I am sure we have nothing to fear from the world population growth as the article suggests.

toward correcting the damage wrought by the incident, using the limited funds of the university ignores one of the most pressing issues that lead students to protest in the first place. Using university funds to pay the expenses of these demonstrators is essentially using the tuition hikes to fund the reparations for the mistakes made by university administration and police. We urge you to consider paying their expenses out of your own salary. Personally assuming financial responsibility for these events would demonstrate that you not only understand the underlying issues that caused students to protest, but that you truly

assume responsibility for the incident, and that you are sincerely dedicated to repairing the damage done by the police actions.

shooting and should be respected as such. Not once on the day of the massacre itself or during the memorial services have I been comforted by the thought of more weapons on college campuses, regardless of the hands that hold them. In fact, the 32 deaths of students and faculty in 2007 have prompted legislation that limited the use of guns, not broadened their application. I realize that “Virginia Tech” is now a phrase that describes the realities of administrating higher education; such notoriety has led to useful reforms such as the WarnMe system that alerts UC Davis students of safety hazards. Nevertheless, I would ask you and the UCD administration

not to refer to the tragic events of another community in such an offhand manner. Just as language referencing the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 should not be used to support the Patriot Act, I urge all of us to avoid utilizing the massacre at Virginia Tech to explain the unfortunate events on our own campus. Perhaps Virginia Tech could instead serve as an economic model for UC Davis; Virginia public schools facing budget cuts have managed to keep tuition within a reasonable price range, which to me, is a far higher priority than weaponizing the police.

Adi B. Damania Associate in the agricultural experimental station Department of plant sciences

Kathleen Troy, Nora Badal, Leigh Trout, Melania Gharakhanian, Elizabeth Schuh, Kimby Lo, Cho Cha, Lois Wu, Zuhal Elhan, Jennafer Olsen, Stacy Hall, Ruthie Parsley, Greg Frankfurter, Allison Reichert, Sarah Rippy, Samantha McDonnel, Catherine GuntherMurphy, Josh Krumheuer, Leon Tu UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Megan Ammirati Graduate student, comparative literature

punitive actions against Sotiris, a professor at the protesters. We would not only University of the Aegean, reports, see a decrease in the number Chancellor Katehi and the other of arrests on this campus, but committee members called for we would also see more active an “authoritarian form of Higher Jordan involvement on the part of the Education without democratic chancellor. The threat of recall procedure and without strong Carroll would encourage the chancellor and politicized student and to come, in person, and speak faculty movements.” to protesters instead of sending The report Katehi signed onto out perfunctory e-mails after argued that Greek universities students have been jailed. should be “managed and Democratic overseen by elections would an appointed, ... the chancellor remains also eliminate the independent pervasive sense aloof and abstracted from our board of of estrangement overseers.” uring public comment struggles students Furthermore, at Monday’s Regents have from the the report meeting, we learned chancellor. advocated for a exactly how much say we are Chancellor Katehi has little system in which administrators allowed at this university: one are chosen by “dedicated search minute’s worth per student. And, experience at this university compared to those she leads committees” rather than the as students spoke, we saw how and, by her own admission, democratic decisions of the carefully the administration she needs to “get to know” us university. listens. While one student better. If elected from among Chancellor Katehi’s aversion to condemned police brutality the faculty, the chancellor would democratic self-determination on campus, Chancellor Linda Katehi stared intently at her lap, have a long history with his or her gives us greater insight into why constituents. she felt threatened enough by the looking as if she were texting An elected chancellor would occupations to call the police. someone. have first-hand knowledge of The occupations represent As the meeting showed, working at this university. Now, a form of direct democracy students have little real input we are governed by someone in which students, faculty, into decision-making at our who has never taught a class staff and citizens decide their university. This is in part here. We would not hire a futures outside of unelected because the vast majority department chair without oversight and control. These of members of the Board experience at this school — organizations are dangerous to of Regents and top-tier why is it any different for a the administration because they administrators, including the show us that, while the university chancellor, are appointed rather chancellor? Indeed, the administrators of authorities may need our money than elected. They don’t listen and labor, we do not need the because they owe their places to this university have few interests administration to organize and the governor or the UC president in common with the faculty, students and staff they manage. manage ourselves. –– not the university. Under Chancellor Katehi will never have Knowing this, we must these conditions, public forums to worry about what happens demand a more democratic become meaningless photo when her class size or tuition university system, beginning opportunities. doubles or when staff positions with the election of a new We can change that. UC Davis are cut in half. Without shared, chancellor. is a public institution receiving material interests with the rest Contrary to what the state funds. As positions which of the university, the chancellor administration may think, those serve the common good, the remains aloof and abstracted from most affected by decisions should office of chancellor and the have the most control over regents should be democratically our struggles. We already know what them. Unless we achieve that elected by students, faculty and Chancellor Katehi thinks of autonomy, meaningful dialogue is staff. this. Katehi took part in an impossible. If the chancellor were elected international committee to by popular vote, he or she assess Greek higher education would be forced to consider JORDAN S. CARROLL is a graduate student in the and give recommendations the opinions of stakeholders at English department. He can be reached at jscarroll@ for its reform. As Panagiotis this university before initiating ucdavis.edu.

Democratize UC Davis

D


4 Thursday, December 1, 2011

Bus Full of Nuns

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Wednesday’s puzzle solved

There are no refunds/credits for cancellations.

Michelle Lam: A Boat

House For Rent

3bd, Southeast Woodland, 10 minutes from UCD. 1312 Tyler Ct, 1/2 mile off Gibson cent h/a, gas fireplace insert. $1,350/mo. Apps taken, phone 916-687-7094

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Sudoku

Happy Holidays from the Aggie! :]

Very Hard

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing.


thursday, december 1, 2011 5

The california aggie

UC Davis medical student awarded prestigious scholarship Monique Chambers works toward equality in health care

courtesy

UC Davis medical student Monique Chambers was awarded with the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship for her efforts in fighting health care inequality.

By CLAIRE MALDARELLI Aggie Features Writer

Monique Chambers, a UC Davis medical student, has been living her life with purpose, value and commitment to her passion for health care. This past month, she was recognized for her hard work and effort. Chambers, now in her third year at the UC Davis School of Medicine, was one of five students nationwide to receive the $5,000 Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship at the annual meeting of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) in Denver, Colo. This highly prestigious award recognizes efforts by students to reduce current disparities in health care and to

improve medical education and health care for all. To receive this award, students must exemplify these characteristics and show true commitment to excellence in these fields. Students are then nominated by their school and the winners are chosen by the AAMC. “Only a handful of medical students across the nation receive this award. The school only nominates the very best and most accomplished students,” said Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine, and the one who nominated Chambers for this award. This past year, Chambers was a codirector of the Imani Clinic, a studentrun community clinic serving the largely African American and Latino populations of the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento. While there, she provided basic health and preventative care to patients, and led a staff of undergraduate and medical student volunteers. “I love working with patients and everything I do on the medical side of things, but those would mean nothing without mentorship. I think mentorship is so important,” Chambers said. “Through students that I come in contact with, I hope to reignite the burning passion and desire in them to help others.” Chambers is also a student coordinator for Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition and works to increase awareness of breast cancer screenings and help to dispel some of the trust concerns that the African American population has

When the magic slips away Students, psychologists discuss Santa Claus By PRISCILLA WONG Aggie Features Writer

Laura Guapo, junior managerial economics major, discovered at age eight that her parents were the real Santa after she found presents in her parents’ closet while playing hide and seek. Not wanting her mother to know that she had found out the truth, she pretended to still believe. “My Christmas holiday has felt the same, but a spark of excitement has been missing every since,” said Guapo in an e-mail interview. Though finding out the truth about Santa Claus does not always have a profound impact on young people, for many it does have positive and negative effects. UC Davis professor of psychology Phillip Shaver said that believing in Santa Claus adds a lot of excitement and mystery to Christmas. This belief is just one type of fantasy children enjoy participating in and parents usually enjoy helping their children believe in a myth like Santa Claus. “Children usually stop believing gradually as they become cognitively sophisticated enough to realize that mall Santas aren’t really Santa and that reindeer can’t fly and land on a roof,” Shaver said in an e-mail interview. “Children often like to linger in a fantasyland between believing and not believing for awhile, but step by step they move from believing firmly, to doubting but perhaps still hoping, to no longer believing.” Houa Vue, a sophomore design major, first realized at age 10 that the character and story of Santa Claus could not be true after watching the Santa Claus movies starring Tim Allen. Sophomore undeclared major Yee Xiong found out about Santa Claus from her older sibling when she was 7 years old. She had always thought that there was something

unbelievable about what Santa did at night, like riding around with reindeer and climbing down chimneys, she said. “After finding that out, the Christmas holiday didn’t feel too different. However, I did feel like something was missing, maybe just the Christmas spirit in general,” Xiong said in an e-mail interview. Associate professor of psychology and psychologist at the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain Kristen Lagattuta said that children typically feel disappointed when learning the truth about Santa Claus and can be surprised that their parents lied to them. “Christmas loses some of its magic. I remember the first Christmas when I didn’t believe — I still stayed awake on Christmas Eve still wishing I could hear the reindeer’s hooves and sleigh bells on my rooftop,” said Lagattuta in an e-mail interview. Ryan Cheung, sophomore neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, came to the United States when he was four years old and started kindergarten and grade school. It was during this time that he started to adopt American holiday spirit, including the belief of Santa Claus. He was seven years old when he found out Santa wasn’t real. “I felt bad about it, I mean my parents lied to me in a way, but...I got over it,” Cheung said in an e-mail interview. “By that time, I had adopted some sort of belief of Christmas and Santa and when my parents broke it to me, I was flustered, they laughed, but then it hit me and I was just like whatever, not everything is perfect in life.” Unlike Cheung, junior linguistics major Kathryn Burris did not find it distressing to learn that Santa was not real. In fact, for her, it was quite amusing. “I found out Santa wasn’t real when I was four or five. It made me laugh

Irisa Tam / Aggie

because I imagined my parents walking around in Santa costumes, which is just quite a sight. I mean, come on, my mom with a beard. Enough said,” Burris said in an e-mail interview. Developmental psychologist and lecturer at UC Davis Liat Sayfan said that though there are studies that show that children experience disappointment, sadness and sometimes anger when discovering the truth about Santa, these feelings are minimal and not long lasting. For Sayfan, it is neither healthy nor unhealthy for young children to be told that Santa does not exist. “Most children cherish those past memories of believing in Santa and the magical atmosphere surrounding Christmas,” Sayfan said in an e-mail interview. Lagattuta said that as children grow older and enter adolescence, many still really enjoy the magic and fantasy of Santa and the North Pole. Many feel nostalgia for their younger years. “I believe there are benefits to believing in myths. It gives everyone a sense of hope and feelings of happiness. They may not be true, but it is still something to believe in,” Cheung said. “Like believing in God or heaven or vampires or Harry Potter and magic, we do not know if it exists or not, yet we choose to believe in it because it makes us feel good.” PRISCILLA WONG can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

with health care professionals — a cause that is very near to her heart. “It’s always a battle to convince those people who have had such hurt and distrust with the health care system. Being a member of both the African American population, as well as the health care profession, I see myself as a conduit and hope to use this to bridge the gap between these two groups,” Chambers said. “We need to not only stop ignoring the problem, but also look for solutions and move forward in a way that helps both groups.” In the classroom, Chambers became chapter president of the Student National Medical Association and through that, helped to institute a new course within the medical school that focuses on reducing health disparities in minority populations. “She is a true leader here at the medical school and a great advocate and role model,” Pomeroy said. “From the first day that she walked through the UC Davis School of Medicine it was clear to me that she was a leader, as she has the core values we so value here at UC Davis.” Since she was very young, Chambers always knew she wanted to become a doctor. She grew up mostly in a low-income neighborhood in Englewood, California, but also moved around quite a bit during her childhood. In 2009, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in movement and sports science. As she got older and her dream of becoming

FORUM Cont. from front page better and to listen to what faculty, staff and students have to say. “If reform is needed, reform is going to happen,” Katehi said. Katehi once again expressed her sadness about the pepper spray event. “As a Chancellor, as a faculty member, I pledge to you and the entire community, that I will do everything in my power that nothing like this happens again. And that implies a lot of work,” Katehi said. Katehi also spoke of the future, and said that this experience could be a chance for the university to move forward. “Great universities have become great, not because they have a set of values or because nothing wrong has happened to them. Great universities have established themselves because they have managed the crises and the challenges,” Katehi said. Hexter then made an opening speech, which included a list of the independent investigations pertaining to the pepper spray incident. He said investigations are being done by the UC Davis Academic Senate, UC Davis and the Yolo County District Attorney and Sheriff’s Office. The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) will be doing two investigations, one specifically about the pepper spray incident at UC Davis and also a systemwide review of all UC campuses. Members of the audience who wished to speak were asked to take a number at the

Pizza

a doctor became closer to reality, she realized the need to provide health care for all, especially the underrepresented populations. “Although I moved around quite a bit, one thing that was consistent across the nation was disparity in health care,” Chambers said. Chambers used these experiences to drive her passion in providing health care for all. “Monique has shown a real dedication beyond herself to reach out to others in making their lives better, particularly those populations that are most vulnerable,” said Shelton Duruisseau, Associate Vice Chancellor of Diversity & Inclusion at UC Davis School of Medicine. “She is truly an example for others to emulate. I am delighted that the AAMC has recognized Monique for her leadership and commitment to building healthy communities for all.” An awards ceremony was held a few weeks ago at the AAMC National Meeting, at which Chambers was recognized and presented with her award in front of the Nickens family and medical school leaders across the country. She was also honored at an awards ceremony at UC Davis. But Chambers believes the true reward is being able to attend an institution like UC Davis that allows her to accomplish her goals. “It feels good to be honored for my accomplishments, but at the same time I don’t really think of these things as accomplishments. I’m living life with a purpose that I know I was born to live,” Chambers said. CLAIRE MALDARELLI can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

beginning of the meeting, and speakers were chosen by picking random numbers out of a fishbowl. Ann Stevens, professor of economics, said that she believes there are many faculty and staff members who have opinions on the issues, but don’t have time to come and speak about them. She also highlighted the fact that she hoped that the real issue, tuition costs, would no be forgotten. One speaker suggested that Katehi should take a salary cut, not because it would necessarily help the budget issue, but as a symbol of her commitment to the students. Nathan Brown, the assistant English professor who authored a wellpublicized letter calling for the chancellor’s resignation, came to speak at the meeting. Brown said that the chancellor showed poor leadership, and that she made the wrong decision in calling in riot police. “There is every reason to expect that when riot police are called onto campus to disperse a student protest, those students will be beaten by the police,” Brown said. While some, like Brown, did say that they would like Katehi to resign, the majority of the speakers supported the chancellor. Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology Emmanuel Epstein, UC Davis graduate class of 1940, was one of many faculty and staff members who said they support Katehi. “Chancellor Katehi is an outstanding academic leader, second to none,” Epstein said. Many speakers said that blame should be placed on

the lack of funding for the UC system, not the chancellor. The theme of the current UC budget crisis was prevalent throughout the night. Epstein also commented on the budget crisis, and seemed to summarize what many of the other speakers had to say. “The real question, the real problem, is money, funds. Student unhappiness is primarily that tuition has become so expensive,” Epstein said. Neither Hexter nor Meyer said a lot during the meeting, and no questions were directly addressed to them. Many speakers brought up the issue of police on campus. Some advocated the dissolving of the campus police force while others looked to Carmichael about how the police force would change in the coming future. When Carmichael was asked about what he is going to do to minimize crimes against the minorities on campus, particularly African Americans, Carmichael emphasized the idea of communication. “The start is to open the doors, and then listen, and then learn,” Carmicheal said. Throughout the meeting, Katehi said that she would be working hard to get to know students, faculty and staff better and would be trying to gain their trust. “Trust, I think, is the result of many actions. No one just gets trust by default,” Katehi said. “Trust is earned.” The entire meeting was recorded and can be found online at news.ucdavis.edu/ special_reports/campusdemonstrations. HANNAH STRUMWASSER can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

income children. However, the USDA is determined to continue its efforts to make school lunches healthier. Meanwhile, food companies have said the department has been too strict and neglected nutrients that potatoes and tomato paste offer. The bill blocks the department from limiting starchy vegetables to two servings a week, which was intended to cut down on French fries. It also allows USDA to count two tablespoons of tomato paste as a vegetable, like the previous regulation. Applegate said even though pizza is not typically thought as a healthy food, the ingredients inside could have benefits. “Tomato paste is a great source of lycopene,” Applegate said. “[There’s] a benefit in reducing risks of getting cancer and heart disease.” While this bill may make many elementary school students excited, it could increase the risk of obesity in children. However, pizza can range from bad for your health to good for your health all depending on the ingredients and proportions used. “It all depends on how you serve it,” Applegate said. Wallach also believes the healthiness of pizza depends on the portion of the each of the ingredients. “I don’t think the type of pizza they serve should count as a vegetable,” Wallach said. “The tomato sauce to cheese ratio isn’t [high] enough.”

Cont. from front page “The only words that can describe Congress’s decision are ludicrous and comical,” said first-year food science major Josh Herskovitz. “This is another instance in which Congress is trying to [cheat] the educational system.” The proposed changes were meant to reduce childhood obesity by adding fruits and vegetables to school menus, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “It’s disappointing,” said nutrition professor Elizabeth Applegate, who was not happy about the decision, but still feels optimistic. “We can make pizza a healthful food.” Nutritionists claim that in an effort to cut costs by continuing to count pizza as a vegetable, Congress avoided having to pay for additional fruits and vegetable being added into school lunch programs. “It comes down to a budget battle,” said Joshua Wallach, a senior economics major. “It is a decision made to save money rather than worry about sodium and cholesterol intake.” A large part of Congress’ decision comes from the response of school districts. Many have said that some of the USDA proposals go too far and are too expensive at times when the budget is extremely tight. The schools take broad instructions from the government on what they can serve in some of their meals because the government subsidizes meals that are given for free or at a reduced cost for low- ZANDER WOLD can be reached at city@theaggie.org.


6 volume 5, number 30

Uyen T. Cao

Wrap it up It’s finally here. The moment you’ve been waiting for when the light at the end of the tunnel has crept passed the glazing glass of your car and into the pupil of our eyes where it slowly adjusts like a camera to reveal what’s on the other side. And there my friend, at the end of the tunnel, lays a coffee table where a giant mug of frothy peppermint hot chocolate comfortably sits. It’s been waiting for you this entire time. As cheesy as this may be, I can’t resist the temptation to dedicate this entire 17-inch space of newsprint to my favorite season of the year: winter. Perhaps it’s the misty, cold air or the twinkly lights draped all over town, but when this time of year rolls around, I somehow become one of those crazy holiday geeks that, unfortunately, thinks the tackier and uglier the Christmas sweater, the better. What other time of year can you get away with wearing a super tacky thrift store purchased woolen sweater? This is the one time of year that you can skew the limitations of your creativity and sanity in your favor. It’s pretty easy to go to your nearest local corporate store, say your local Target or Macy’s, and just buy something. But you don’t want to do that. You want to make it as hard as possible for the gift giver. In fact, when my sister asked I wanted for Christmas, I told her I wanted a hand-knitted scarf. Now instead of stopping by the store for a few minutes to “grab” me something, she’ll have to sit there for hours and make me this scarf. Though slightly cruel, every time I’ll wear that scarf, I’ll appreciate the fact that she knitted each individual thread herself and that she cared enough to even take the time to make it. I remember the best present I’ve ever received was a drawing that my little brother gave me one Christmas when he was nine years old. And last year, I wrapped all of my presents using rejected editions of The Aggie. When my family looked under the tree, they knew which gifts were from me. Like many Disney or cheesy Holiday flicks would teach you, the holiday isn’t about the glitz and glamour of material things but more or less, the traditions that you keep on making. (And I absolutely love these movies.) Every year since 1998 when the album was released, my sisters and I listen to ‘N Sync’s Home for Christmas album. That’s right, no shame! No shame at all. This is by far, my favorite holiday tradition. Thinking about this tradition always makes me smile. It’s subtleties that make this time of year incredible. The next time when you see it raining outside, take a look at the windowpane dripping with tiny drops of water and condensation. Make sure you watch the drops slide down the glass and collide with one another and admire the smallest droplet build its way down so gradually. Or, watch the way the streetlights reflect in the wet pavement. See the way the red, green and yellow illuminate. But most importantly, don’t forget to value the time with your family. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful winter break! UYEN CAO would like to know what are your favorite holiday traditions. Let her know by e-mailing arts@theaggie.org.

The California Aggie’s Arts and Entertainment Magazine

Thursday, december 1, 2011

Behind the Myth MUSE interviews Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman of Discovery Channel’s hit show, MythBusters By JAMES O’HARA Aggie Arts Writer

Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, perhaps better known as the guys from Discovery Channel’s ubiquitous “MythBusters,” are hitting the road for their all-new upcoming stage show, “MythBusters Behind the Myths Tour.” While many have long witnessed Savage and Hyneman’s scientifically based antics, specifically where they “bust” myths of a varying sort on TV, they’ll be giving audiences a live opportunity to witness their unique scientific methods that are, ironically, something close to mythical themselves. And no, they will not be limiting themselves simply to a pack of mentos and a dozen liters of Coca-Cola. Savage and Hyneman will be performing in Sacramento Jan. 9, where, as advertised, audiences can presumably get “behind the myths.” Tickets are currently available and can be purchased at the Sacramento Convention Center Box Office or on Tickets.com (ranging from $15 to $58 for various seatings). This week, MUSE had the opportunity to talk to Savage and Hyneman. Here is what they had to say:

tion is then, how do you guys generate ideas from episode to episode? Will you ever run out of myths to bust? Savage: It’s not actually difficult to come up with things to do. We’ve got a nice fat list of stories. We’re always about 50 or 60 stories ahead and the master list is often up to a couple hundred stories that we’re thinking we may tackle. So the possibilities are myriad. Sometimes we get tweets or e-mails from fans suggesting things that we realize are really good tests. Or sometimes Jamie or I will come across something we want to explore. And then there are things fans suggest to us when we’re doing appearances. We had a kid just recently suggest to us that we should test how well we really know the back of our hands. And as soon he said it we realized that’s actually a really good story and we could totally tackle that. Have there ever been “myths” or hypotheses either of you have wanted to test but haven’t been able to for, say, reasons of safety or practicality or political correctness? Hyneman: Yeah, of course generally we can’t test things that involve nuclear bombs. And there are other things to do with say product testing, whether a product works or not, that we’d be liable for so we can’t go there. As far as politically correct stuff we wanted to go into the Dick Cheney shooting but we weren’t allowed to do that. [Laughs]. We are constrained but I think we do a pretty good job of pushing the limits anyway.

MUSE: First off, what brings you guys out from behind the camera for the upcoming “Behind the Myths” tour? What’s it all about? Savage: Well, we’ve been doing appearances most of the time we’ve been doing “MythBusters”, doing colleges, corporate events and stuff like that. And it’s been on our mind a long time to take some of Savage: It’s funny because a lot the stuff we do on the show and of people imagine in their heads find a way to do it in a wide setting. that there must be this narrative It took us until this year, first of all that Jamie and I always want to do to get to the production team gocourtesy this really cool stuff but Discovery ing and second of all to write the Jamie Hyneman (left) and Adam Savage (right) won’t to let us. But the fact is after show. But the key thing for us is that most science shows are demonstration shows. People will be all these years we have a great relationship with them editorially. expecting us to do stuff like mentos and soda on the stage. We real- If we’re interested in doing something and we say it’s going to be ly want to do something more like playing around in a way that isn’t spectacular then they pretty much trust us to do that. super scripted every night, that is a little looser with a lot more auJamie: Ya, they learned a long time ago that if we’re having a good dience participation and I think we’ve achieved it. time it makes for good TV which is sort of the ideal job. And a good Hyneman: Plus, the other thing is, while there’s been a lot of de- time for us is actually pushing the limits of things, so we like it. mand wherever we go — even on talk shows like [“Late Night Show with David”] Letterman or so on — to do something on stage. The I’m sure you guys get this question all the time, but I have to ask: problem is a lot of the stuff that we’re known for doing is too dan- Do you guys have a favorite myth that you’ve busted? gerous to actually do in front of people and so it kind of sets up an Savage: Actually yes. And it turns out to be the same one. The lead expectation that we’re going to do something spectacular and then balloon. We made a 14 foot diameter floating helium balloon uswhen we can’t, it’s a problem. So it took us a while to figure this out ing nothing but 28 pounds of rolled lead sheet and scotch tape and and, of course, we’re not using explosives on stage, but we’ve fig- it was totally pointless but I guarantee you nobody has ever done ured out some ways that are appropriately exciting and spectacular it before. Not as cleanly as we did it. But yeah, the problem solving process, and the depiction of the problem solving process, makes that we can do in front of people. that our all-time favorite episode. We particularly like that there Regarding the TV show, I’m always curious about whether “MythBusters” will ever run out of myths to bust. I guess my quesSee MYTHBUSTERS, page 7

In review: Allen Stone at Odd Fellows Hall

Stone live performance proves to be voice and soul of this generation If I could, I would leave this entire review blank. There are no words to describe my experience at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday night at the Allen Stone concert. All I can say is, for those of you who weren’t there, you really missed out on one of the best opportunities to come to this small town in a long time. The air smelled of paint, the lights were dimmed, everyone was standing, and the tiny room was filled with Urban Outfitters-clad young adults. DJ Rock Bottom, The Afterglow, The Spokes and Ant Chedda opened the show each with their own set. During Ant Chedda’s performance, Allen Stone took the time to sign autographs, take pictures and get to know his audience in the back of the room. It would be a waste of my time and space to talk about the opening acts. I need all the space I am allotted to pour out my feelings about this gift from above. Holy s***. Allen Stone: the range of Jessie J, the clarity of James Blunt, James Morrison and Jason Mraz, the profound lyrics of Adele and the soul of Aretha Franklin and Jesus. There is no reason why this 24-year old singer shouldn’t be making trillions for every single performance he does. He connects with his audience, engaging them in dance-offs and a sing-along to “Bare Necessities”. With his cover of “Is This Love” by Bob Marley, he caused every single jaw in the room to drop. Stone performed most of his songs from his sophomore self-titled album, and closed the show with “Satisfaction,” one of his better-known songs. Noting that there was an actual crowd for him that night, he genuinely seemed happy that he could share that experience with us. He exited the stage to mingle with the crowd, blind to the fact that everyone was cheering for an encore. There was pure joy and excitement radiating from his face as he practically ran through the crowd and jumped onto the stage to perform the chilling song “Last to Speak.” I wish I had more space to convey my appreciation and utter obsession with Allen Stone’s voice — someone please sign him so he can be heard all over the world. ­— Text by Elizabeth Orpina — Photos by Aaron Juarez


The California Aggie’s Arts and Entertainment Magazine

Thursday, december 1, 2011

volume 5, number 30 7

Studio 301 does a twist on The Odd Couple By PETER AN Aggie Arts Writer

Starting today, UC Davis’s student-run production company, Studio 301, will host performances of The Odd Couple: Female version. The play is originally written and directed by Neil Simon. Though this time the directorial efforts of UC Davis undergraduates Stephanie Moore and Ulysses Morazan will attempt to bring out the laughter on the Wyatt Pavilion Stage. It comes with a twist, however, that this play is not done from the original but features a reversal of the cast so that the actors are almost exclusively female, save for two. The Odd Couple: Female version centers on two eclectic characters Florence Unger and Olive Madison played here by Rachel Wagner and Annie Dick. Forced to move in with one another, the situation dissolves when the two discover the polarity of their relationship. In a play set originally during the ‘80s, Studio 301’s vision places the characters in the mid 2000s. Dick believes the production is for the contemporary audience by keeping the jokes modern in order to produce an “uproariously funny” play. “[The period where the play takes place] gives it a slightly modern twist,” Dick said. The intimacy of the three-fourths thrust stage of the Wyatt Pavilion will offer audiences an experience in closeness. Co-director Morazan claims that any laughter or emotional stakes here will impose directly onto the audience, creating altogether a “high paced comedy” of tremendous funny without the lack of dramatics in between. “It’s the feeling of being whoever I want, emulating whoever I please”, said TJ Lee, who plays the role of the absent-minded character Vera. The crew of Studio 310 shares this same sentiment, achieving with the idea that The Odd Couple is a balance between a professional and student production. Studio 301 chose to produce The Odd Couple because they believe that many students can relate

A Lotta Cappella Friday, 7:30 p.m., $5 Social Sciences 1100

Studio 301 Production of The Oddcouple: Female Version

to the pains of moving in with their friends. When the idea of moving in is full and ready, the characters Florence and Olive soon finds out, reality is far from the subjective force of personal fantasy. Things start to fall apart, but like any great friendship they pick up once again when the irksome things appear small and the benefit of laughter appears big. Morazan believes that in the theatre world, there are not enough written parts for leading female characters and hopes that this production will give emphasis on the need to showcase the female talent at UC Davis. “With every five great male roles there is maybe one great female role,” Morazan said. For this reason, Studio 301 decided to stage The Odd Couple in its female form to carry a greater cause with it, going beyond an executive choice in order to be mindful of the talent trove among

courtesy of Kyle Lochridge

UC Davis’ female actors. Aside from two male actors, the reversal of roles from the male version of The Odd Couple affords a cast heavy with significant female actors. Studio 301 believes that the female cast gives the actors an opportunity to command the audience towards their display of humor, dramatics, of the roommate situation, and of how to cope with the sudden rush of life. The Odd Couple: Female Version runs from Dec. 1-3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Both performances will be held at the Wyatt Pavilion Theatre located on Old Davis Road across from the arboretum. Tickets can be purchased at the Memorial Union box office, for the price of $10 for students and $12 for general audience. You can also phone in at 752-1915 for any inquiries. PETER AN can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

The annual show, A Lotta Cappella, is hosted by Liquid Hotplates. Just as their name suggests, the smooth quality of their vocals have the power to burn you. Joining LHP will be other a Capella groups such as the Lounge Lizards, The Afterglow and Jhankaar. If you like coordinated dances with top 40 songs sung acoustically, this event is for you.

Ladies Night Out Featuring Ginuwine, Jon B, Next, Silk, and All4One. Dec. 9, 8 p.m., $65various Stockton Arena, 248 W Fremont St., Stockton

For those of you that might be in the Stockton area after finals, here’s your chance to listen to some classic ‘90s R&B. Genuwine, Jon B, All4One are a few of the old school R&B names that you might recognize. Tickets are currently on sale and you can purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.com.

Getting to Know Crossbill Former KDVS DJ runs record label to house local musicians By JAMES O’HARA Aggie Arts Writer

Crossbill Records, a local music label residing here in Davis, is what you might call a one man operation. In fact, that is precisely how Michael Leahy, founder, owner and president of Crossbill Records describes it. Essentially, he is Crossbill Records. Or at least, he is Crossbill from the managerial side of things. “I do it all,” Leahy said before describing how Crossbill started more as a hobby than a business venture. A hobby, he noted, that is taking up more and more time. “[Crossbill] started in 2006 in Davis and I was a KDVS DJ at the time and putting on a lot of live shows in the Davis Sac area,” Leahy said. “In particular, I felt a need to further the advocacy of musicians and friends, so that is how it got going.” As a local record label residing here in Davis, Crossbill is what you might call the “little guy”; a small venue with an indie styling and a vibrant pulse. However, listening to Crossbill’s housed artists, the music sounds far from “little”. The Loom is a Brooklyn-formed six-man indie rock band composed of various instrumental assortment--the French horn, the banjo and trumpet, to name a few. The band has a rich and varied sort of sound that reverberates somewhere between the melancholic and the colorful. They are not to be ignored. Sea of Bees, the solo name of Julie Ann Bee, or Jules as she is often called, carries her songs with a wispy, indie, folk-like tune that echoes down far and lingers. She sings something haunting like, and

her songs give off a bittersweet life. When asked why she chose a career in music, she replied with simple honestly. “Because other than love, I have nothing else,” Jules said. “I want the good vibes, the things people crave and envy. Maybe I will never be a Bob Dylan or Jim Morrison, but I can be happy being me and doing my best in this life.” Her next album, Orangefarbene, the German word for the color orange, will be about her first love. Matt Bauer, another artist under Crossbill, has a bluegrass, country leaning vibe, though it is difficult to call him either. Overall a strict generic classification is obfuscated by his attractive and varied contemporary stylization. Piano, guitar, and duet vocals, to note a few approaches to his songs, add up to something poignant and varied. “Back in 2004, when I was still living in San Francisco, Michael Leahy had me out to Davis to play at the Delta of Venus and to play on his radio show and we became good friends pretty quickly,” Bauer said, describing the history of his involvement with Crossbill. “We had an early bonding moment watching Jimmy Kimmel late at night after the show. Bobby Brown was the guest and he couldn’t remember the names of all his kids,” Bauer said. “I also have Michael to thank for any number of friendships I have with musicians I met because of him. Garrett Pierce, Jolie Holland, Tom Brosseau, Angela Correa, Terra Lopez, on and on.” Bauer’s most recent album is The Jessamine County Book of the Living. Those are three of Crossbill’s artists, but there are others. Appetite,

mythbusters Cont. from page 6 are no big explosions in it. It isn’t spectacular on paper. But what we achieved was spectacular and we’re really proud of that.

And, inversely, what was a surprising “myth” that proved to be true? As in, what myth did you surprisingly not bust? Savage: I’d say the most iconic example of that is when we were in South Africa filming an episode of Shark Week south of Cape Town where the great white sharks leap all the way out of the water and we got delayed off the water for a few days because a hurricane was coming through. This is very expensive to our crew so we decided to head inland for a few days and get some filler. And we thought, for filler, why don’t we test if elephants are afraid of mice? And we totally did not expect to get a positive result from this story, and yet we totally did! We found out that elephants are, in fact, if not afraid of mice, quite wary of them and totally notice them which we were completely surprised about. Hyneman: But yes, it happens all the time to the point where we approach things that just seem absurd on the face of it — like the elephant and the mice thing — and we’ve gotten in the habit of actually being super cautious no matter how silly or ridiculous it seems. More often than you would think, some of these things turn out to be true.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Today to Saturday, 8 p.m., $12 (students) Main Stage, Wright Hall

After taking a nearly week long break for the Thanksgiving holiday, the cast of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead have returned to the Main Stage to bring the production to a vibrant finale. This weekend marks the last opportunity to witness the play, which is a comedic take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Second Friday, ArtAbout Dec. 9, various times, free Downtown Davis (various locations)

Photos Courtesy of Crossbill Records

Mad Cow String Band, Silver Darling, Jake Mann and the Upper Hand and Garret Pierce are currently under Crossbill — while perhaps more up and comers of serious quality will eventually find a home with Crossbill. And that is what ultimately makes Crossbill unique — it’s a home for up and coming artists, or a temporary way station or a jumping off

vice can you give to college students, or whomever, who want jobs as cool as yours? Hyneman: Well, I’d say a couple of things: If you look at Adam and me in general, we’re quite different in terms of our personalities. But one thing we have in common is that we both have insatiable curiosities about the way things work. We read anything and everything. We’re very active and aware of everything going on in the media and with technology. That kind of thing leads to a broad foundation that will allow you to pursue things that you find interesting and make you aware of the possibilities out there. That’s all we’ve done. We’ve just been very fortunate, but we’ve also been very focused in our effort to get what we want in terms of career and how we spend our time. Savage: I’ll add to that one of the reasons we both got into special effects is because we are generalists. We’re interested in a wide range of things and that made us very good in the special effects industry where everything is different every single day. And it turned out to be the perfect skillset for a show like “MythBusters” where the interest range needs to be relatively unlimited. So we would suggest to anybody interested in a career path like “MythBusters” [laughs], which is sort of hilarious, to be generalists. Honestly, we find when we call scientific experts that the ones that can really help are not the super specialists. It’s the ones who understand how two or three or however many fields connect to each other, rather than people who know their own fields in and out.

Any last words for fans here at UC Davis? A lot of college kids, my engineer major roommates Savage: [laughs] Get ready! in particular, are pretty envious of your careers. How did you guys end up with such cool jobs and what ad- JAMES O’HARA can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

point toward what may perhaps be a bigger platform. “We just want to put ourselves in front of as many people as possible. That is really the goal of the label,” Leahy said. “To put out solid records and work them to the best of our ability so hopefully they can go on and move up the chain of labels.” JAMES O’HARA can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

STUDENT Cont. from front page Brett Burns has replaced Geoff Straw as the interim business manager since June 2011, Thongsavat said. “I will be working closer with ASUCD and their overall financial health,” Burns said. “I have served an advisory role for them previously.” ASUCD was not part in the decision making for student affairs restructuring made by Fred Wood, Thongsavat said. Tuition fees will not increase due to the shifts in Campus Unions, Rombi said. “I do not think there will be a loss of student jobs due to this shift. They will be adding student jobs over the next six months with the opening of the new Student Community Center,” Burns said. The new Student Community Center, located across from the Chemistry Building, should be open to students by January 2012. “Hopefully this shift will happen behind the scenes and that students will still get the same, or even better, service,” Burns said. ALICIA KINDRED can be reached at campus@theaggie. org.

Join downtown Davis in the opportunity to celebrate art and music. Participators will have the opportunity to experience Davis for what it has to offer through various events and installations. This month there are 27 venues and receptions held at locations downtown. Look at davisdowntown.com for details on the different events taking place.

Davis Art Center Holiday Sale Friday, Noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6p.m.; Sunday,10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free Davis Art Center, 1919 F Street

Looking for something sentimental to give to a loved one for the holiday season? The Davis Art Center annual holiday sale is the perfect opportunity for purchasing one-of-a-kind artwork made by local artisans and artists of the Davis community. There will be ceramics, textiles, paintings, and other forms of artwork that will be sold.

SickSpits Open Mic Night Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., free The Quad, Memorial Union In conjunction with the Occupy Davis movement, SickSpits has decided to move their open mic nights to the Quad. This will be the perfect opportunities for students or any community member to express themselves through spoken word, music, monologues, etc. Make sure to bring mats to sit on and bundle up to shield yourself from the cold weather.

UYEN CAO can be reached at theaggie.org.


8 thursday, december 1, 2011

The california Aggie


THE BACKSTOP thursday, december 1, 2011 9

The california aggie

FALL ATHLETES OF THE QUARTER FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE QUARTER: Betsy Sedlak

MALE ATHLETE OF THE QUARTER: kevin peat

Kristina Geddert / Aggie

Senior goal keeper Kevin Peat set the UC Davis record for saves in a season this year.

By RUSSELL EISENMAN Aggie Sports Writer

The core of the UC Davis men’s water polo team is going to look a little different next year. After four seasons as the starter, Kevin Peat will leave the school as arguably the best goalkeeper in UC Davis history. The Walnut Creek, Calif. native finished the season with 335 saves, a UC Davis record. The senior became the third Aggie to surpass the 1,000-save milestone, amassing 1,011 stops over the course of his career. “Some say Andrew Luck should win the Heisman Trophy because he is like a coach on the field and calls his own plays,” said Head Coach Steve Doten. “Kevin has done the same for us this year and more, running our defenses in games and training our young goalies in practices. He is not only reliable in the

cage, but in the weight room, the classroom and the locker room. He is a great teammate and leader.” As team captain, Peat’s responsibilities extended beyond guarding the cage, including coming up clutch in big games when the team needed it most. Peat’s 17-save performance against Loyola Marymount University in the Western Water Polo Association Conference Tournament not only helped him earn first-team all-tournament honors, but gave the Aggies a chance to upset the four-time defending champions in triple overtime. “I had never beaten [Loyola Marymount] previously while playing at UC Davis,” Peat said. “The team couldn’t have played any better. It was the best and most rewarding game I was a part of in my career.” Each season brings change as players graduate and move on, and to replace a player of Peat’s quality will be no easy task. “The worst part of this season is that when it is over we graduate [Peat]” Doten said. “Not having the team captain and one of the best goalies in UC Davis history in the cage, will be the biggest change in 2012.” RUSSELL EISENMAN can be reached at sports@ theaggie.org.

program to a great place.” Sedlak finished her career as UC Davis’ career leader in hitting percentage at .336 — well ahead of the previous mark of .306 set by Candy Lynch. Sedlak also ranks second in career blocks in school history with 393. For her efforts, Sedlak received All-Big West Conference recognition in each of her three seasons as an Aggie — including all first team honors in both 2010 and 2011. This season Sedlak led UC Davis with 124 blocks, and finished fourth on the team with 261 kills. She also had an effect on the Aggies off the court. As one of just two seniors on this year’s team, Sedlak took on leadership responsibilities this season. “She’s a team captain,” said coach Jamie Holmes. “She holds everyone to a high standard and that really helped our team.” UC Davis will certainly miss Sedlak, but she has left her mark on the UC Davis program. As Holmes put it after the team’s final game at the Pavilion –– Sedlak was simply a “program changer.”

Brian Nguyen / Aggie

Senior Betsy Sedlak left her mark on the UC Davis volleyball program by setting the career record for hitting percentage.

By TREVOR CRAMER Aggie Sports Editor

She was a player who changed the program. Senior Betsy Sedlak entered the UC Davis volleyball program in 2009 as a transfer from Oregon, and she has been a feature in the UC Davis starting lineup ever since. With the contributions she’s made to the Aggies, Sedlak now leaves the program as one of the best players in program history. “She’s an incredible player all around,” said fellow senior Katie Denny. “She’s led this

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

freshman athlete OF THE QUARTER Matt Wiesenfarth By MATTHEW YUEN

Aggie Sports Writer

Matt Wiesenfarth, a Sacramento native, came to Davis a local hero but quickly emerged as a widespread terror to other team’s goals. Matt Wiesenfarth Whenever the UC freshman Davis men’s soccer team needed a goal, he seemed to be there. Wiesenfarth led the Aggies with five goals, three assists and 18 shots on goal this season. His goal against Sacramento State in the 87th minute tied the game and sent it to overtime. Against Cal Poly, Wiesenfarth performed his late-game magic again, scoring in the 84th minute to give UC Davis a 1-0 victory. In another game against the Mustangs, he scored with seven minutes remaining to set up the Aggies’ late game victory. Wiesenfarth was named the 2011 Big West Freshman of the Year, and the sports desk at The Aggie also recognizes him as the UC Davis Freshman of the Quarter. If Wiesenfarth’s season of late game magic and offensive prowess are indicative of anything, it is that no opponent goal is safe as long as “Wiesie” (Pronounced Weezy) is on the field. MATTHEW YUEN can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.

ATHLETE OF THE QUARTER Honorable mentions Aisha Lott

Aaron Salit The 6’6” Mill Valley, Many people have Calif. product finished trouble staying afloat in his career with 161 water for long periods goals, good for sixth of time. Imagine having all-time. Salit had a to do it with one or two knack for scoring, espeople always on your pecially when the back. team needed a goal. That’s what center Never was this more Aaron Salit did, playing apparent than the trientire water polo matchple overtime upset of es with someone draped Aaron Salit Loyola Marymount in over him. It didn’t seem senior the WWPA Conference to stop him, as Salit’s 83 Tournament in goals for the year ranks third in UC Davis history, and November. With the team barerepresents the highest total by a ly having enough energy left in player in the Western Water Polo the tank to swim back and forth each time, Salit was left alone Association this season.

on the outside during a counter attack. With the clock winding down, Salit fired a laser of a shot to give the Aggies the lead with 11 seconds left. “It was unbelievable,” goalie Kevin Peat said. “For Aaron to hit the shot he doesn’t usually take, just blowing it by the goalie, putting us through to the championship, it was just an amazing moment for everybody.” A dominating force throughout the season and his career, Aaron’s play earned him FirstTeam All-WWPA honors. — Russell Eisenman

Jonathan Peterson

Jonathan Peterson senior

Come next season, the men’s cross country team will be feeling the loss of senior Jonathan Peterson. The Clovis, Calif. native’s successful career with the Aggies has included school records, All-American honors, and two trips to the NCAA Division I championship. This season Peterson led the Aggies in every race that he ran, including a first place finish at the Aggie Open. He

— Trevor Cramer

Allison Whitson

placed third in the Stanford Invitational in September and his strong performance at the Big West Championship was good for fifth. He finished 10th at the NCAA Regionals with a time of 29:30 earning All-West Region accolades and an at-large bid to the national championship where he finished in the top third of runners.

Allison Whitson junior

— Kaitlyn Zufall

Men’s basketball PREVIEW Teams: UC Davis vs. Idaho, at UCLA, at Cal State Fullerton, vs. UC Riverside, vs. UC Irvine Records: Aggies, 1-6; Vandals, 5-2, Titans, 3-2; Highlanders, 3-4; Anteaters, 0-6. Where: The Pavilion; Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif; Titan Gym, Fullerton, Calif; The Pavilion, The Pavilion When: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Dec. 17, noon; December 29, 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 5, 7 p.m.; Jan. 7, 7 p.m. Who to watch: Freshman point guard Tyrell Corbin has brought quickness and energy to the UC Davis backcourt. The Columbia, S.C. native has 24 assists on the season and is averaging 7.6 points per game. If he is able to limit his turnovers – he has 23 through seven games– Corbin has the potential to become one of the top guards in the Big West Conference. “I have to take more of a leader roll [because of the injuries to Eddie Miller and Ryan Sypkens,” Corbin said. “As far as getting other guys shots, I have to get in the paint more and get more opportunities.” Did you know? With Cal State Northridge suspended for postseason play this season, the Aggies are guaranteed a spot in the 2012 Big West Conference Tournament this season. Preview: While many of us are studying for finals or enjoying our month long winter break, the men’s basketball team will

picked to finish eighth in the conference’s preseason poll. Lott was a central feature in the UC Davis defense that allowed just 1.32 goals per-game this season. For her efforts, Lott was awarded first-team AllBig West honors for the second time in her career. With Lott now graduating, UC Davis will have quite a void to fill in its back-line next season.

It was a landmark year for the UC Davis women’s soccer team, and the heart of that team was senior defender Aisha Lott. While the Milpitas, Calif. native scored just one goal this season, the majority of her work was done stopping op- Aisha Lott ponents from finding senior the net. Her defense and leadership helped spark the Aggies to their first ever Big West Conference tournament appearance this season — despite being

be hard at work, preparing for Aggies’ ability to score and be a crucial stretch of games. productive on the offensive Between now and the be- end. ginning of winter quarter, the Josh Ritchart and Harrison Aggies will play in eight con- DuPont are the only two playtests, five of them on the road. ers averaging double digit scorWith UC Davis sitting at 1-6 on ing per game, averaging 15.6 the year, these games have the and 12.8 points respectively. potential to turn the season Sypkens was averaging 14.5 around. points per game, but a knee injury seems “Guys can slip into to be threatening his getting used to losparticipation this ing,” Head Coach Jim season. The team has Les said. “That’s the not released any dipath of least resisagnosis. tance [and] we’re attempting to change Les called the sethat culture. To win it nior Miller’s status takes putting yourself “day-to-day” and it in uncomfortable sitis likely that he could uations. It’s not easy.” Tyrell Corbin return to action at some point over the The final home freshman break. game of the 2011 calendar year will be this “When you have Saturday when Idaho tips off guys out your margin of error against the Aggies. shrinks,” Les said. “Our execu The team then begins its lon- tion has to be better, our free gest road trip of the year, play- throw shooting has to be beting at Hawaii before traveling ter [and] we have to finish our to Los Angeles for a marquee opportunities.” matchup against Pac-12 oppo- Les also talked about why nent UCLA. After the Bruins, he is undaunted by the prosthe Aggies will play two more pect of five consecutive away away games before beginning games. conference play on the road “On the road it’s a you against Cal State Fullerton. against the world mentality,” The Big West Conference he said. “We want to make that schedule continues the follow- by the time we get to the Big ing weekend, with games in the West Conference we create a Pavilion against UC Riverside bond and mentality that is going to allow us every night to and UC Irvine. While Les has been stressing compete to win games. the team’s defensive mentality, “That’s the goal, to get ready recent games have shown that for the conference season.” the injuries to starters Sypkens and Miller have affected the — Caelum Shove

Junior Allison Whitson was the player UC Davis volleyball could count on when it needed a spark. The Palo Alto, Calif. native started every set for UC Davis this season and was far and away the team’s leader with 421 kills. She also finished tied for second on the team with 305 digs and alone in fourth with 66 blocks. Whitson was a key part of UC Davis’ early season run. She was named to the all-tournament

team in each of UC Davis’ four early-season tournament appearances. Her success was highlighted by MVP honors at the Northern Colorado Classic and the Aggie Invitational. For her efforts in league action, Whitson was named to the All-Big West Conference first-team this season. With her senior year still to come, UC Davis will be expecting big things from Whitson again in 2012. — Trevor Cramer

women’s basketball PREVIEW Key Games: UC Davis vs. Sacramento begin for Head Coach Jennifer Gross State; at Saint Mary’s; vs. Cal State and the UC Davis women’s basketball program. Seven games are scheduled Fullerton Records as of this writing: Aggies, over winter break, beginning with a 5-1; Hornets, 3-3; Gaels, 4-3; Titans, game against Saint Mary’s on Dec. 10 and concluding with a contest 3-2 Where: The Pavilion; McKeon against UC Irvine on Jan. 7. The contest on New Year’s eve Pavilion –– Moraga, Calif.; When: Sunday at 2 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 5 against Cal State Fullerton marks the beginning of Big West p.m.; Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. Conference play. Having Who to watch: Statistically won the Big West tournaspeaking, senior Kasey ment last year, UC Davis, Riecks is having a year much who had a strong start to like the last. She is one of the 2011-12 season, is the the Aggies’ more consistent team to beat. performers, averaging 8.2 Yet, Gross says this does points per game so far this not create extra pressure season. Yet, she has a histoon them. The season is still ry of catching fire in the secyoung, and as the games ond half of the season. Kasey Riecks come, the Aggies will only Riecks knocked down 15 senior improve. points against Santa Clara on Monday. Her leadership UC Davis is not the same and experience will play a key role team it was last year, and the Aggies for UC Davis as the Aggies progress bring a different playing style to the further through the season. courts. Did you know? Don’t pity the Aggies “Our younger players are getting for their eight games over winter more comfortable and we’re confibreak just yet. Among the games dent adding to the depth we have,” the Aggies have scheduled over the Gross said. “Our team confidence is course of winter break, three will growing day by day.” be in Hawaii. UC Davis will particiThe team will travel to Hawaii bepate in the Chevron Wahine Rainbow fore its first Big West match-up when Shootout from Dec. 18 to 20. it hosts the Titans. The Aggies are un The women’s basketball program defeated in three games at home this has had some good results in the season. Aloha State, as it won three games “Our focus is defense and rein Hawaii back in the 2007-08 cam- bounds, I’m really expecting the girls paign in the Waikiki Beach Marriott to dig in and commit to improving Classic. those areas,” Gross said. “We keep Preview: The Aggies will play getting better and the winning will Sacramento State on Sunday, but come.” once finals are over, the real work will — Matthew Yuen


10 thursday, december 1, 2011

The california Aggie


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