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volume 131, number 4
thursday, january 12, 2012
Guantánamo Bay cell constructed on Quad Students and community members come out against prison By GHEED SAEED Aggie News Writer
UC Davis students built a lifesized Guantánamo Bay prison cell on the Quad on Wednesday to mark the 10-year anniversary of the prison’s opening. Almerindo E. Ojeda, UC Davis Director of the Center for the Study of Human Rights in the Americas, respond-
ed to students’ wishes to protest against the maintenance of the Guantánamo Bay facility by approving the construction of the cell on the quad, manned by a volunteer simulating the actions of a prisoner. The building of the cell was initiated by a Flock of Artists, a student organization that supports the Occupy movement. In 2002, the Bush
Administration established Guantánamo Bay — also coined Gitmo, after the military abbreviation GTMO for the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base — as a maximum security prison holding detainees from the Afghanistan War. Guantánamo Bay is notorious for its widely known Brian Nguyen / Aggie
See PRISON, page 2 Students constructed a life-size Guantanamo Bay cell in the Quad on Wednesday.
Bill proposes part-time legislature in California $11 million a year would be cut from politicians’ salaries By CHLOE BREZSNY Aggie News Writer
Teach-in held at on-campus bank UC Davis campus police officer Ralph Nuno, along with another unidentified officer, locked the doors of U.S. Bank during a teachin Wednesday afternoon. English professor Joshua Clover gave a talk on the history of private banks on college campuses. Students sat on the floor of the U.S. Bank office in the
Memorial Union for about 25 minutes before the officers ushered non-sitting students and reporters out of the room and locked the doors. Clover finished his lecture around 1 p.m. and the remaining group left the bank. U.S. Bank reopened later in the day. — Becky Peterson
News iN Brief
UC Davis Summer Abroad now accepting applications The UC Davis Summer Abroad enrollment period opened yesterday. Applications will be accepted in the Education Abroad Center (EAC) office, located at 207 Third St., on a first-completed, first-reserved basis until April 6. The financial aid application deadline is in early May. Students can choose from 43 programs in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. New programs include “Sight, Sound and Space: Art, Music and Architecture in Austria” and “Castles in Northern Britain: From Hadrian’s Wall to Bolton,
and Mary, Queen of Scots.” EAC Marketing and Social Media Outreach Specialist Blake Cooper said there were about 30 students waiting to apply at the EAC offices at 7:30 a.m. yesterday — twice as many as last year. Cooper attributed this increase to a change in the program fee, which was lowered by 25 percent. For more information about programs, upcoming info sessions and financial aid, students can visit summerabroad.ucdavis.edu. — Erin Migdol
By this time next year, Californians could see significant change to the structure of the State Legislature. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) has proposed a bill that would reduce the working days of the legislature from a full year to just 90 per year. In addition, the 40 senators and 80 members of the assembly would be subject to steep pay cuts. The current salary for someone who holds a legislative office in California is approximately $95,000 a year, but with the passage of the bill, legislators would receive a stipend of only $18,000 for their three months of service. Grove stated that this bill, if made law, would increase
legislative productivity by holding senators and assemblymembers accountable for the time that they spend on each order of business. “The first three and a half months that I was in office not a single bill was introduced,” she said. “Right now we get paid whether we are passing bills or sleeping in our own beds.” In addition to salary reductions totaling about $11 million a year, the legislature would also be required to pass a budget by June 15 of every odd year, or else risk losing their salary for every day that the budget is overdue. Besides that, legislators, upon leaving the State Capitol, would be barred from accepting state employment for five years, giving others a chance to serve.
Grove hopes to reduce the state’s education budget cuts and to rebuild aging infrastructure with the money gained from reducing legislative salaries. Not all legislators have jumped on the bandwagon, however. Members such as Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) cite time shortage, the economic need for year-round legislation, and increased power to Gov. Jerry Brown and lobbyists as reasons to defeat the bill. Grove disagrees with these statements, saying that Gov. Brown and lobbyists must wait for legislative action before passing or defeating a bill, part of the checks and balances that were set up to regulate government. She also
See BILL, page 2
New Student Community Center opens Community Center aims to bring all students together
Davis City Council proposes underage public drinking restrictions At Tuesday night’s Davis City Council meeting, the council unanimously voted to begin the process of examining an ordinance that would place limitations on underage drinking. The Minor Alcohol Preclusion Act Ordinance would make it illegal for anyone under 21 years old to have a blood alcohol content equal to or greater than .01 percent on any street or highway, in any public place or in any place open to the public. According to a staff report, the ordinance is intended to deter underage alcohol consumption. Those in violation of the proposed ordinance would face fines or other citations. Before making any decisions about the proposal, the councilmembers approved sending it to the CityUCD Student Liaison Commission, headed by ASUCD President Adam Thongsavat, as they want input from the commission. The commission will hold a special meeting to come up with recommendations about the proposal for the council. At the council meeting Mayor Joe Krovoza said it was important to get most of the feedback on the proposed ordinance from community. He wanted to hear most from the city’s police chief, Landy Black, and his staff. Krovoza was also concerned
Today’s weather Sunny High 63 Low 33
with how reasonable cause would be applied in the community. Councilmember Dan Wolk said with the proposal coming up very quickly, input is important, especially since this is a significant ordinance. Councilmember Sue Greenwald had mixed feelings about the potential ordinance. “My mind is not made up on this,” she said. “I want to think about the civil liberties implications, whether it really is a deterrence or not. Prohibition didn’t work and I’m concerned about young people being arrested for feeling that the police are not on their side to a larger degree.” “Twenty-one is a pretty high drinking age,” Greenwald said. “I’m not sure I want to be on the forefront of the very aggressive enforcement of behavior that for the most part only hurts the person.” This proposal is modeled after a similar ordinance in another county. If approved, the ordinance would become effective 30 days after its final passage and adoption. Jan. 24 is the next slated date for a council meeting and the council is hoping to receive recommendations from the commission before this date. — Angela Swartz
Jasna Hodzic / Aggie
The on-campus Community Center opened this Monday and now houses centers such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center and the Student Recruitment and Retention Center.
By ALICIA KINDRED Aggie News Writer
The Student Community Center (SCC) opened its doors to students, faculty and staff on Monday. The SCC, located by the Chemistry Building and Shields Library, had a low-key opening day as students and faculty returned to classes for the Winter Quarter. “The SCC has been in the works for 10 years and has been highly anticipated by the student interns at all the centers throughout this time. So far, the reaction has been very positive. It is an absolutely beautiful building in a
Forecast A slight warming trend is in the forecast for today and Friday. But don’t get too excited, Jack Frost will still be nipping on your nose! Bundle up in the morning and you shall defeat the bitter cold while the afternoon heats up to a toasty 63 degrees. Matthew Little, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
Friday
Saturday
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great location,” said Griselda Castro, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, in an e-mail interview. “Its location will be transformative for the campus in that it expands the central core of the campus and will feature a promenade or walkway from the corner of California and Shields Ave. to the front steps of Shields Library. It will be a great place for students to study, meet friends, attend events and get involved with diverse communities.” The SCC includes campus programs that were previously located in separate areas on campus, such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Resource Center, the Undergraduate Research Center, the Cross-Cultural Center, and the Recruitment and Retention Center. “[Moving to the SCC] has had a huge impact; it has given us the opportunity for the center to provide service to a much wider student body,” said Steven Baissa, Director of the Cross-Cultural Center. “Hopefully it will create a lot of traffic to the Cross-Cultural Center.” The SCC includes an extended-hours study and reading room, a cafe operated by the ASUCD Coffee House
See COMMUNITY, page 2 Researchers have discovered that “opiorphin,” a substance found in human saliva, has yielded a natural painkiller six times more powerful than morphine. Looks like you’ll be able to get your daily fix by swallowing your own spit. Amanda Nguyen
page two
2 thursday, january 12, 2011
daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org
TODAY
and Natasha Burr
Shinkoskey Noon Concert: Undergraduate Composition Concert 12:05 p.m. 115 Music Works by undergraduate composers Andrew Hudson, Spencer Lascone, Laura Schwartz, Kenny Mac, Nathan Jackson and Kieran Toovey will be performed by Ben Kreith, violin, Leigthon Fong, cello, and others.
Biomedical Engineering Seminar: Dr. Jennifer West 4:10 p.m. Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility Auditorium Dr. Jennifer West, Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University, will discuss biomimetic materials in tissue engineering.
Botany and Environmental Horticulture Club 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. 3090 Sciences Laboratory Building All are welcome to attend the meeting. Attendees will have the opportunity to plant some cuttings and there will be free pizza.
American Red Cross Club Meeting 7:15 p.m. 230 Wellman For more information, check out the ARCC’s Facebook page: American Red Cross Club at UC Davis.
FRIDAY Entombed in Alcatraz Noon to 1 p.m. 1002 Giedt Former Alcatraz inmate Robert Luke will speak about his experiences on the Rock and his book Entombed in Alcatraz. Bring your own copy of the book to the Bohart Museum of Entomology (Academic Surge) for a book signing with Luke from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Master Class with Faith Prince
1 to 4 p.m. Wright Hall, Lab A Tony Award-winning actress Faith Prince has appeared in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls and in television shows including “Drop Dead Diva,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House.” Prince, along with theater teacher, director and acting coach Natasha Burr, will instruct students in their audition pieces, monologues and songs, and will hold a Q&A about the business. The class will be $35 for each student and limited to 50 participants. Register at minimoonproductions.com.
“Honey: The Art of Sweetness” 7 to 10:30 p.m. The Wardrobe, 206 E St. Robin Harlan, the owner of Henry’s Bullfrog Bees and Pure Honey and Lavender products, will offer a honey tasting, followed by a talk by Emmet Brady, Cultural Entomologist and creator of the Insect News Network. Starting at 9 p.m., the Wardrobe will host the premiere screening in Davis of the honey bee documentary Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?
SUNDAY “California’s Death Penalty: A failed public policy and how we can abolish it” Noon Friends Meeting House, 345 L St. Ellen Eggers, an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender in Sacramento, will discuss the controversial death penalty. She has been representing death row inmates in their appeals to the California Supreme Court for over 20 years and is a board member of Death Penalty Focus, a national organization working to end the death penalty in California. 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.
police briefs MONDAY The invasion begins
A man offered to fix a car in exchange for the owner’s insurance card, on Chiles Road.
There was a large gathering of turkeys on Pole Line Road.
Whose fault?
No one is safe
Someone graffitied a tennis court on E 14th St.
Someone stole a locked tricycle on Shasta Drive.
Naughty list
RIP Hedwig A deceased owl was found on Emerald Bay Drive.
TUESDAY Nigerian prince needs work
Christmas lawn ornaments vandalized on Cowell Boulevard.
were
Police Briefs are compiled by TRACY HARRIS from the City of Davis daily crime bulletins. Contact TRACY HARRIS at city@ theaggie.org
campus Judicial reports Joy ride, Davis style A sophomore was referred to Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) when a police officer had caught her allegedly trying to steal a bicycle on campus property. The student had been seen kicking the lock of a bike in what looked like an attempt to steal it, leading to a witness calling campus police. When the UC Davis police arrived they found the student jumping on the bike itself. The police discovered that the student was intoxicated and referred her to SJA. Upon meeting with a Judicial Officer the student denied that she was trying to steal the bike but stated that she was intoxicated and messing around. The Judicial Officer gave the student a non-disciplinary Administrative Notice. An Administrative Notice is a written reminder of UC Davis’s Code of Academic Conduct.
White-out mistakes Following the submission of an internship evaluation form with a name that had been whited out and written over, a student was referred to SJA for potentially providing false information. His supervisor believed that the evaluation had potentially been taken from another student and that the name had simply been whited out and replaced with his own name. The student stated to a Judicial
Officer that he had simply lost his form and had photocopied another friend’s form that had already been written on. He stated that the evaluation itself was all his own work, which was later proved in a comparison of the evaluations themselves. The student was found innocent.
Don’t forget your bag UC Davis Police referred a student to the Judicial Office when a bag of marijuana had been discovered in the student’s bag. The student had left their bag at a table; during a search through the bag for the owner’s identity, a large package of marijuana was found. When meeting with a Judicial Officer the student stated that they had a prescription for medical marijuana and had just come from a dispensary. Although the prescription was confirmed, campus policy states that the possession or use of marijuana is not allowed on campus grounds. The student was given deferred separation until graduation. Under deferred separation, a student has given up their right to a formal hearing if they are referred to Student Judicial Affairs again and would likely receive a suspension or dismissal from the university. Campus Judicial Reports are compiled by members of STUDENT JUDICIAL AFFAIRS.
accuracy The California Aggie strives to ensure that all of its facts and details are accurate. Please bring any corrections to our attention by calling (530) 752-0208.
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Jasna Hodzic Photography Editor Michelle Huey Design Director Janice Pang Asst. Design Director Mimi Vo Night Editor Amanda Nguyen Asst. Night Editor Irisa Tam Art Director
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Religion hadn’t actually crossed my mind for a while until I was reminded of it in the wee hours of the morning at the airport over break. Chelsea Besides being surprised to Mehra learn that Johnny Rockets Burgers now serves breakfast, I was perhaps equally startled to see a lonesome boy about my age (18, for all the bachelors interested) say grace before attempting to digest powdered eggs and imitation bacon. tend to learn the rules I think I forgot for so I know how to break a moment that young them properly. adults don’t only bow If the Dalai Lama, their heads towards a pretty religious guy, newfangled gadgets. From subscribes to this belief, that moment on, the I don’t see why I, a mere idea of faith seemed to mortal, can’t do so as well. dwell in my brain just as For the next three weeks, persistently as a split end I’ll be writing on the on a fly hair. three topics your parents God kept knocking forbade you to discuss at on my door, practically the dinner disrupting table, the the Sure, I get upset and have strong furniture Bermuda triangle opinions, but if it came down to of my of taboos: it I wouldn’t die for that belief inner religion, sex house, and politics. when Just this past weekend, someone told me a three Tibetan monks quasi-Bible story about practiced self-immolation a boy who was whipped by setting themselves for stealing an apple. on fire in opposition to She ended, almost Beijing’s rule in Tibet. The dramatically, with the deaths, which bring the question: “If the boy total number of suicides ought to be whipped for to 15 in the last year, one apple, what do we suggest China continues deserve for our sins?” to grapple with quelling I don’t think the answer Tibetans’ demands for is self-immolation, but religious license. it does lie in a sort of That Buddhist monks metaphysical sacrifice. were so devoted to their We need to hold fast cause — up to the point of to our beliefs, knowing paying the ultimate price there may be difficult — is as mystifying for us consequences or as eating cheese-flavored unfortunate endings. corn probably is to them. The major problems the Physically dying for world faces today often one’s convictions is less appear too intimidating a Western world ritual to be addressed. An than it is an Eastern one. overarching feeling of I personally don’t yet care resignation abounds, enough about a topic, a and most are consumed movement or an event by the personal desire to to purge myself of all simply do well in their feeling. Sure, I get upset pursuits. However, we are and have strong opinions, becoming an ever more but if it came down to disengaged and detached it I wouldn’t die for that generation. belief. My column, unofficially Others at UC Davis, titled “Peripheral Vision,” however, may already will begin to reconstruct be set enough in their the dialogues that convictions. When appeal to our incubating watching the nowpassions. Global matters infamous video footage seem to have little of those who refused significance in how we to budge during the college students presently protests, even while being conduct our lives, but pepper sprayed, I couldn’t it is the habit of taking help but ask, “How come a critical look at how they aren’t getting up decisions are made that yet?” is the antidote to the While these protests disaffected attitude our were less extreme generation is tending versions of what is towards. now occurring in Asia, If we cannot take interest occupiers believed in news as accessible as in a cause enough to The Aggie, the task to look withstand abuse, similar beyond ourselves will only to the Buddhist clergy get harder. members willing to down themselves in gasoline Lose yourself in CHELSEA MEHRA’s Bermuda and spark a flame against triangle by contacting her at cmehra@ ucdavis.edu. religious regulation.
Meet your martyr
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prison Cont. from front page use of torture techniques on inmates, including waterboarding, sparking a national cry in defense of human rights. On Jan. 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order to close down Guantánamo Bay within a year. Earlier this year, however, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which
stifles the process of shutting down the controversial prison. Ojeda was joined by community volunteer Julia Hunter-Blair, who openly states her opposition to the normalization of the Guantánamo Bay issue. “I used to say, ‘America has lost its soul when it condones Guantánamo Bay,’” said Hunter-Blair. There remain 171 prisoners incarcerated on Guantánamo Bay. Many students and supporters
COMMUNITY
vast setting? Businesses today have to take into consideration a wild number of factors when marketing their Victor products. Google Analytics Beigelman and SEO (Search Engine Optimization), social media strategies and a whole bevy of other boring-sounding tools are used to target an audience and grab their attention. This game of find-andattract-the-consumer is so progressive these days thanks to the advancement of technology, but also in hen I’m surfing part because it has to be. the net as I often Gone are the days when do, I always American minds could be notice the abundance brainwashed by taglines of advertisements lining like “Christmas morning each web page I land on she’ll be happier with a and wonder what Don Hoover!” and “For a better Draper would think about start in life, start Cola advertising these days. earlier!” alongside a woman For those of you who fawning over a vacuum and have somehow avoided a baby, respectively. watching amazing Ad television, campaigns stop what So what can aspiring Don these days you’re doing right now Drapers of the internet age do to have to into and go burn achieve success in advertising? take account through that the all four American public is a hell seasons of AMC’s “Mad of a lot more self-aware Men.” Not only will you learn a great deal about the than it was in the ‘60s. Mass media has given us the history of advertising, but you’ll also thoroughly enjoy ability to share information and do research faster the depiction of rampant than ever, and advertising sex, drinking and general firms have had to adapt. debauchery based on Madison Avenue ad men in Unfortunately, this makes it very possible that even if the 1960s. we appear smarter than the Don Draper, aptly dopes that fell for cocaine portrayed by a shit-this-guytoothache drop ads back is-good-looking Jon Hamm, in the day, we really aren’t. is the creative director of Consumers fall victim to one of the biggest ad firms the same traps today, due in New York City. He and to strategies that might his team design attractive appear archaic and foolish ad campaigns for their another 50 years from now. clients which both brand Would Don be able to their company in a unique keep up with the modern way and boost sales of their day trends? Would he be product or service. able to work in partnership While Don and the other with major corporations chauvinist ad men live like Google and Facebook, in the ’60s and thus work who help businesses primarily on designing cleverly pervade our print ads and early TV internet experience with commercials, it would be sometimes irresistible ads? interesting to consider how It’s interesting to consider they would react to getting fast-forwarded 50 years into a how far advertising has landscape where the internet come since the “Mad Men” days, and where it might go is king, social media sites in the future now that the present opportunities no one could have expected and interweb has a hold on our brains. print media is grasping for So what can aspiring Don survival. Drapers of the internet age I previously worked as do to achieve success in an ad sales rep for your advertising? Or would the very own California Aggie, world be better off if they and although my job didn’t turned their creative energy include a constant flow into entertaining society of whiskey, cigarettes and instead of emptying its sexism, I did work a fair wallets? amount on the process of I think the answer to designing ads for print, much the second question is like good old Don Draper. probably yes. But I’ll be Partway through my damned if Jon Hamm tenure as an ad rep, I went doesn’t make sitting at work on a “Mad Men” binge in a full suit with a glass of and it got me thinking whiskey in hand just look about what challenges the like the best job ever. infamous ad man would face today. How would Don tackle the job of creating Join VICTOR BEIGELMAN for an Old Fashioned With a Twist at the bars or contact an image for a company him with questions at vbeigelman@ucdavis. online knowing the media world today exists in such a edu.
Modern Mad Man
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agree that Guantánamo Bay is a step backwards for the United States. “I don’t just want Guantánamo Bay to close down, I want the whole [notorious prison base] culture to shut down; human rights should be respected,” said Ojeda. “They are continuing to hold prisoners and providing them with very inhumane treatment; as a voting, tax-paying citizen, I am very disappointed in the government and President
This includes $8 million from the 2002 Campus Expansion Initiative (CEI). The remaining $14 million debt and operating expenses came from sources such as the CEI, the 1999 Facilities and Campus Enhancement Initiative, student service fees and campus investment funds, according to a press release. Students pay roughly $531 a year in undergraduate tuition to the CEI, Thongsavat said. Campus community and alumni are invited to join in the Dedication Ceremony and Celebration on May 18, Castro said. “I think the new space gives [the resource centers] a much easier opportunity for collaboration. We can serve a much higher body of students; the exposure will clearly benefit everyone in the building,” Baissa said.
Cont. from front page (CoHo), a reflection room, traditional and gender-neutral restrooms, two outdoor balconies, a computer lab, study lounges and a multipurpose room. The SCC will be opening the ASUCD CoHo South Café on Jan. 17. “The South Café is a hybrid of a hang out place, an educational place, food components, and it is making the campus a progressive place,” said Adam Thongsavat, ASUCD president. “It is much smaller and quieter than the CoHo. It is a little more like a café.” Construction for the building began in 2010. The building cost an estimated $22 million, which is being paid for largely from fees that students approved in referenda in 2003. ALICIA KINDRED can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
Obama,” said Peter MenardWarwick, a Student Housing employee and volunteer. Senior international relations majorWillee Roberts was one of multiple students gathered on the Quad. “They put an institution like Guantánamo Bay off United States soil so we don’t have to think about it, but with the National Defense Authorization Act, it’s going to hit closer to home,” Roberts said. GHEED SAEED can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org
BILL Cont. from front page recalls the period before the 1966 bill passed to make California’s state legislature full-time, when California simultaneously had a part-time legislature and the fifthlargest economy in the world. She said moving the legislature to part-time will help the economy grow from its current position as the eighth-largest economy in the world. Furthermore, the governor would have the power to reconvene the legislature in the event of an emergency, in the form of a special session lasting no more than 15 days. Nevertheless, it will be up to voters to decide whether or not to approve the constitutional amendment that would place the legislature back on a parttime schedule. At this time, 807,615 petition signatures are needed in order to place the bill on the November 2012 ballot, according to Ted Costa of the lobbyist group People’s Advocate. CHLOE BREZSNY can be reached at city@ theaggie.org.
OPINION
The california aggie
thursday, january 12, 2012 3
editorials
What’s next
Get on the ballot The events of Nov. 18 are still fresh on the minds of the UC Davis community. Similarly, what the protesters are standing for, lower tuition and more state funding toward higher education, is still a hot-button issue in California. Therefore, it’s time we take productive steps toward ensuring our goals for more state funding toward higher education. Luckily, California is one of the easiest states to get laws passed without going through Sacramento. By means of direct democracy, any organization or group of people can get any proposition or initiative on the general election ballot without the approval of the state legislature or governor. If the ballot initiative is passed, it acts like a law just as if it came from Sacramento. In order to get anything on the ballot, organizers need to get 480,000 signatures of registered voters. The deadline is 131 days prior to the statewide election. This can seem like a daunting number, but it’s by no means unreachable. Given the right amount of time and resources, we can get something on the ballot relating to state funding of higher education. According to the UC Office of the President, there are 234,464 students, 18,896 faculty, 189,116 staff members and over 1,600,000 living alumni, which totals over 2 million people to possibly support the petition. This is a real, practical way to make substantial change
to the state of California and how it views higher education. Because getting something on the ballot only involves signatures, it eliminates the gridlock that could ensue if the measure were to go through Sacramento. Some possible ballot initiatives could include capping tuition, reforming the UC Regent selection process or mandating more state funding toward state education. These are measures that could have strong support among California voters. Along the same lines, it is budget season in California, meaning it’s almost time for our representatives to vote on Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed 2012-13 budget. In his proposal, Brown would cut $444 million dollars of state funding toward higher education. This, compounded with the trigger cuts put in place last December, means less and less money for the UC system. We can write, call, Facebook, tweet or visit our local representatives in Sacramento and continue to remind them that cutting from higher education is unacceptable. There are a few, effective ways for non-politicians to enact change in California. It’s time we take advantage of them and keep pushing for our cause. And don’t forget, Sacramento is just a short trip away. The longer we wait to take action, the more our movement will lose attention.
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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Letters to the editor Live birthing in California unacceptable
Remember the pregnant cow and her unborn calf who were gunned down at the 2010 State Fair? After being pursued by an SUV, she was ordered shot by a UC Davis veterinarian, who referred to the distraught animal as a “nutjob.” Despite great public outcry, these abusive “birthing” exhibits continue. The baby calves are separated from their mothers at birth, never even allowed to nurse. Worse still are the pregnant sows imprisoned in those god-awful farrowing crates for three weeks, unable to move and forced to give birth on a metal grid, before gawking crowds and nightly fireworks. An Animal Auschwitz, as it were. Most state fairs do not allow birthing exhibits (Texas, Oregon, Colorado, etc.), due to animal
Jordan Carroll
War on campus diversity
U
C Davis’ campus diversity centers provide vital services that enrich the lives of students and faculty at our school. While some might argue that we should cut programs like the Women’s Resource and Research Center (WRRC), Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) or the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC), I believe funding for them should be expanded. In a recent column, Sam Hoel argued that diversity programs are “administrators’ weapons of choice,” a way of obtaining a greater portion of the budget. As evidence, he cited the salary of the Vice Dean in charge of the Office of Campus Community Relations (OCCR). It’s true that too much money is spent on administration at UC Davis. However, it requires a verbal sleight of hand to conflate the administrators overseeing the OCCR with the programs it coordinates. The School of Medicine is served by a dean who made $803,247.68 in 2010. Should we cut that program, too? These programs aren’t the product of a management “fad” or a scheme to funnel money to administrators. Instead, they represent a long history of gains won by the grassroots struggles of students. The CCC, for example, was founded in 1992 only after
welfare concerns. Every veterinary study I’ve seen opposes the transport of animals about to give birth, noting the animals’ need for solitude, away from noisy crowds and bright lights. Suggestion: Drop the cow and sow birthing exhibits, but keep those featuring sheep and goats. The latter, at least, are allowed to stay with their young in deep straw and seem far less stressed than the cows and sows. Instead, display cows and sows with their eight to ten week-old young. THIS is what the public wants to see, not the actual birthing process itself, which can be traumatic for all concerned. Please express your concerns to the UC Davis veterinarians, the State Fair General Manager & CEO, Norbert Bartosik, and the CalEXPO Board of Directors: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. E-mail: calexpoboard@ calexpo.com.
ERIC MILLS Coordinator, ACTION FOR ANIMALS
The Little Red Tent
During the Holiday recess Only 3 tents remained Until the New Year When a little red tent Came to bloom As if Spring was premature.... A few days later 2 more sprouted up And then would come Thursday The official day The occupiers would return Town Hall meetings would resume And the media trucks Yeah, As Thunderclap Newman sang “Something’s In The Air” GARY SAYLIN Shields Library, technical services, KDVS Radio
four students held a hunger strike a vandal spray painted the center demanding it. with homophobic slurs. Far from superfluous Meanwhile, more recent events bureaucracies, these programs such as the yellow ribbon noose directly provide guidance and incident and the Ku Klux Klan hood resources for students, faculty posted on the African American and staff while giving them a themed floor of Campbell Hall show space to organize and empower that, yes, we still need programs like themselves. the Cross-Cultural Center. For example, the WRRC offers But it’s true that we don’t need a confidential community spectacular instances of hatred counselor. With the center, to realize that heterosexism, women-identified homophobia, students have sexism and These programs aren’t the product racism are alive a safe and supportive space of a management “fad” or a scheme and well on our where they From to funnel money to administrators campus. can talk about subtle forms of personal and discrimination to professional issues. The center the absence of unisex bathrooms in also organizes peer education, most campus buildings, we can see workshops and scholarships, while our campus has a long way to go. maintaining an extensive library. Indeed, the fact that these issues These services cannot be carried are invisible to some on campus out by students and faculty on is part of the problem. While the their own time. An informal majority of students condemn student group that meets every blatant forms of bigotry, most week would be unable to provide remain unaware of their own the same level of consistent, privilege. campus-wide support. Effective For example, as a white, cultural diversity programs require heterosexual male and a native university funding, including paid speaker of English, I can be sure staff and office space. that my cultural heritage will be And the campus desperately well represented in my department. needs them. Between 2008 and Moreover, unlike female instructors, 2010, campus police reported 66 I don’t have to worry much about forcible sex offenses. Programs my classroom apparel and, unlike like the WRRC provide support for gay instructors, I do not have to victims of sexual assault, education think very hard about revealing my to raise awareness about the issue sexual orientation. and advocacy when student needs In fact, my privilege has allowed are overlooked or ignored. If we me to remain heretofore unaware of cut those programs, students many of the services these centers lose community, comfort and a provide on campus. (Nobody has powerful voice on campus. ever needed to formally mentor a The same could be said about the male heterosexual to put him in LGBTRC, whose queer mentorship touch with other heterosexuals.) program and social events allow But this is not the fault of UC students who are coming out or Davis diversity programs, which just new to UC Davis a chance to expend a great deal of time and participate in a safe and welcoming energy on outreach. Rather, the campus community. If you drop fault lies with the indifference of by the center, you’ll also find Safe privileged members of the campus Zone training, queer leadership body. Clearly, we should provide events and free, confidential HIV greater material support and antibody testing. solidarity for cultural diversity on Anyone who thinks the LGBT our campus. community in UC Davis can do without the center has a short JORDAN CARROLL is a PhD student in English at UC memory. Less than two years ago, Davis and can be reached at jscarroll@ucdavis.edu.
4 thursday, january 12, 2012
The california Aggie
WOMEN’S BASKETBALLPREVIEW
MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW Teams: UC Davis at Long Beach State, at Cal State Northridge Records: Aggies, 1-14 (0-3); 49ers, 10-6 (3-0); Matadors, 4-9 (1-2) Where: Walter Pyramid — Long Beach Calif.; The Matadome — Northridge, Calif. When: Thursday at 7:05 p.m.; Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Who to watch: Sophomore forward Harrison DuPont is third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.8 points per game. He was the high scorer for the Aggies in their loss to UC Irvine last week. The Midwest City, Okla. native is not worried about the Aggies’ recent struggles affecting the team in the long run. “We’re just sticking to it,” DuPont said. “We’re trying to maintain the continuity [in the locker room]. We’re trying to stay positive, work every day, get better and see where that takes us.” Did you know? In Division I men’s basketball, UC Davis is one of eight teams across the country with one or fewer wins. The Aggies currently have
the lowest RPI of all 344 Walter Pyramid tonight teams in NCAA Division I and earn their signature men’s basketball. win of the year. Preview: For the Aggies, “We’re excited,” head this weekend’s Big West coach Jim Les said. “That’s Conference matchups will why you come to be a provide opportunities for Division I basketball playboth a great uper, to get a chance set and the team’s to play these second win of the types of teams on season. their home floor. On the road “I’m expecting our guys to against Long be ready for the Beach State, UC challenge.” Davis has nothing to lose. The 49ers Long Beach stand in first in State will provide the Big West and a stiff test on both after a strong Harrison DuPont sides of the ball non-conference sophomore for UC Davis. showing earlier D e f e n s i v e l y, this season, are the Aggies likely to make an NCAA must find a way to contournament appearance tain Casper Ware, a 5’10” in March. guard who leads the 49ers Long Beach State had the with 16.6 points per game. most difficult non-con- Bleacher Report named ference schedule of any Ware the fourth-best school in the country, play- mid-major point guard ing perennial basketball in the country and the sepowerhouses Pittsburgh, nior has received national Louisville, Kansas and attention for his play this North Carolina. season. The 49ers knocked off DuPont says the Aggies then-No. 9 Pittsburgh will not change from their 86-76 in their second game defensive strategy to stop of the season. one player. Now UC Davis has the opportunity to go into See BASKETBALL, page 5
Teams: UC Davis vs. Cal State Northridge; vs. Long Beach State Records: Aggies, 9-6 (1-2); Matadors, 8-7 (3-0); 49ers, 7-9 (2-1) Where: The Pavilion When: Thursday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. Who to Watch: If rebounding is the Achilles Heel of the UC Davis women’s basketball program, Lauren Juric will hopefully be the brace that keeps it stable. Juric sat out for the first half of the season due to injury, but debuted in the Aggies’ victory over UC Riverside. The senior will provide height and some help on the boards for the Aggies, who have been starting five guards for much of the first half of the season. Juric had the most rebounds of all the players returning from last year, with 110 in the 2010-11 season. Did you know? Hana Asano tallied 25 assists over winter break, bringing her career total to 256. This places her in 10th all time on UC Davis’s career assists list. Asano passed Suzy Charles’s mark of 253 from 1993 when she tallied two
assists in the Aggies’ win over UC Riverside. Her 50 assists on the season leads the team. Preview: Despite the recent struggles the Aggies have had — going 1-2 to start Big West Conference play — the team knows there is no reason to panic. UC Davis began league play last season with a home loss to Cal State Fullerton, but still ended up winning the conference Lauren Juric tournament. senior UC Davis can also be encouraged by the return of Juric and sophomore Kelsey Beard, and the new dynamics they bring to the floor. Both players provide height for the Aggies, who have started five guards for much of the season. The team has not shot as well as it is can, but head coach Jennifer Gross is not discouraged, although she recognizes the team has much room for improvement. “I’ve seen great improve-
ment every day and our communication is getting better,” she said. “We’ve been focusing on defending and rebounding in practice and those have gotten better.” The Aggies will kick off the week against Cal State Northridge, which currently stands atop the Big West with a 3-0 record. UC Davis beat the Matadors twice last year in regular season play. UC Davis will also host a solid Long Beach State team, which is at 2-1 in the Big West. The 49ers’ sole conference loss was to CSU Northridge, and the Aggies know not to underestimate either team. With a rigorous Big West schedule ahead, UC Davis will count on its depth to carry it. “Over break a lot of players had pivotal roles and gave us quality minutes,” Gross said. “They’re really going to give us some depth entering conference play.” — Matthew Yuen
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Room in House 4bd/2bath house in Woodland seeking 2 roommates. $550/mo plus utilities. Quiet neighborhood 5-10 minutes from campus. Large landscaped backyard with a covered patio. Contact Patti at (916) 396-1432 or hwwirz@yahoo.com
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thursday, january 12, 2012 5
The california aggie
Wellness Carnival aims to jump-start New Year’s resolutions Annual event promotes physical, spiritual health
By CLAIRE MALDARELLI Aggie Features Writer
As most students know, college is often the time when proper health, nutrition and wellness are forgotten. But with a New Year and quarter ahead, this may be the perfect time to make a change. To help students get started, UC Davis’ Health Education and Promotion (HEP), a branch of the Student Health and Counseling Services, and Campus Recreation have once again partnered up for the fifth annual Wellness Carnival taking place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Activities Recreation Center lobby. This year’s event theme is “The Well Factor.” The event focuses on the seven realms of wellness: social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, occupational, emotional and environmental. “[The goal] of the event is to inform students about these seven realms of wellness and increase student involvement within their group,” said Haleigh Reichert, a wellness student assistant and event coordinator at HEP in an e-mail interview. At the event, more than 30 different organizations from all over campus will have a table and an interactive activity at the event. Each group will represent at least one of the seven realms of wellness. Students will have the opportunity to visit any of the booths throughout the twohour-long event. “There will be activities from jeopardy wheels to craft decoration to a first impression handshake analysis,” Reichert said. Sodexo, for example, has been involved in the event since it began five years ago. This year, UC Davis Dining Services, in
basketball Cont. from page 4 “We stick to our [defensive] principles regardless of who we are playing,” DuPont said. Offensively, the Aggies must find a way to score more points, having been held below 65 in their last seven games — a stretch dating back to the beginning of December. Sophomore Josh Ritchart leads the team with 11.7 points per game and is the only UC Davis player averaging double digit scoring per game. In the second game of the week, Saturday at Cal State
Northridge, the Aggies will face a beatable Big West foe. The Matadors have been held below 70 points in their last five games, and a strong defensive effort from UC Davis would put them well within reach of their second win of the season. After losing to Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine by a combined three points last week, the stage is set for the Aggies to break their 11-game losing streak this weekend. “We haven’t put a full 40 minutes together,” Les said. “We need to be able to sustain in order to come out on top and that’s what we’re striving to do.” –– Caelum Shove
films Cont. from page 6 because something potent is detectable through all its poetical obfuscation and there is so much beauty in every frame that the desire to thematically explicate is dissipated and replaced by awe at the intricacies of all things.
3. Midnight in Paris If it got released in the fall and wasn’t a Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris could and perhaps should win an Oscar. Though it probably won’t win much of anything, it is still a brilliantly delightful movie and pretty much the allusion-loving English major’s wet dream. 4. Contagion
mote environmental awarepartnership with Sodexo, ness and the Intramural will be offering free Sports Club to prosamples of their mote physical wellpopular whole ness. In addigrain salad at tion, the Fitness the event as and Wellness well as recCenter will ipe cards promote diffor cookferent ways ing whole of exercisgrains at ing and the home. Mobility They Assistance will be Program showwill proing how mote social to chose wellness. healthier “We hope and more to provide a sustainable one stop shop food items to find out about everywhere on wellness,” said campus whethElisabeth Sherratt, er it is at the Silo, Assistant Director of Scrubs or the Dining Fitness and Wellness for Commons. Irisa Tam / Aggie Campus Recreation. “Guests at our table will Other student groups that will be also have the opportunity to learn involved at the event include: Counseling more about when fruits and vegetables are in season in the Northern California and Psychological Service programs the region and why it is important to supHouse and Mind Spa, the LGBTRC, the port local growers,” said Danielle Lee, Experimental College, Camp Kesem, the Sustainability Manager at UC Davis Colleges Against Cancer, the ICC, Dining Services in an e-mail interview. Athletes in Action and many others. Sodexo will also provide free Starbucks Prizes and donations from local busicoffee to students who bring their reusnesses will also be given out. Some of able mugs with them. these confirmed prizes are gift cards Campus Recreation will have four to Taqueria Guadalajara, Sophia’s Thai booths at the event, all of which pertain Kitchen and Tres Hermanas, coupons to to the seven realms of wellness. These in- the Pro Shop and two one-month-free clude the Crafts Center, which will progroup exercise passes from the Fitness
king Cont. from page 6 bring Kevin McKiernan to the showing. “I hope this film will help broaden students’ knowledge about Dr. King’s stances on anti-violence,” Shelton said. “His I Have a Dream speech was an incredible contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. He spent time in India trying to help end oppression. He also was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War, and vastly criticized the U.S. Government for allocating its financial resources to foreign wars rather than domestic poverty.” King is essentially the story of Caitrin, who is Kevin McKiernan’s daughter, and her struggles to con-
Contagion is a clinical rebuke to the adolescence of Michael Bay’s and Roland Emmerich’s recently and regrettably characterized disaster film. Director Steven Soderberg’s take, refined and distant to the extreme, is so anti-bombastic that it verges on lifelessness for those of us trained to expect the most intensified form of anything. But Soderberg’s stubborn distance and refusal to throw cheap punches is, ultimately, what allows Contagion to become the terrifyingly cold film it is. That is, not unlike the disease it so brutally articulates. 5. Margin Call Perhaps the best screenplay of the year, Margin Call takes place over a single night precipitating the Wall Street crash in 2008. Not unlike Contagion, it is a cold and
and Wellness Center. The Wellness Carnival was started five years ago by undergraduate students working at HEP as a way to raise awareness about health resources on campus. “We want students to become aware of these seven realms of wellness and to find ways to incorporate them into their daily lives,” said Stacey Brezing, Physical Activity and Nutrition Health Educator at HEP. Originally it was held in May, but for the past three years it has taken place in early January with the idea that a new year will bring New Year’s resolutions to stay healthy. Both HEP and Campus Recreation are very excited about this year’s event and are anticipating over 300 students to attend. “Both of these departments strive for a healthy student body and love to see student involvement in wellness-related activities,” Reichert said. She added that the entire event is truly a students-for-students event. “Nearly all the organizations at the event are student-led and we expect most of the attendees to be students as well,” Reichert said. The Wellness Carnival is geared toward the entire UC Davis Community, but specifically students — both undergraduate and graduate. “It’s never too late to join a campus club or organization, so the event is for all students to gain knowledge of various groups on campus that work to increase wellness,” Reichert said. CLAIRE MALDARELLI can be reached at features@theaggie.org.
nect the United States with China. A big reason behind her wanting to produce a play about King is because she wanted to show the Chinese public a more “positive” side of America as well as the fact that not every single American supported the Iraq War. “I wanted to show them another side of America, a pacifist America,” Caitrin said. “I found that by talking about Dr. King’s ideas, we talked about how we wanted the world to be. Dr. King was a springboard for dialogue. It started small, with dialogues in schools. It expanded to larger exchanges and eventually the premiere with the National Theatre of China.” Caitrin faced a lot of obstacles, mainly because she is a white woman who can speak Chinese fluently. She
superbly acted film with a cast of greats (Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, etc.) who effectively fill out their smart, and fair, Wall Street roles. If not for Contagion, it would be easy to say first-time director and writer J.C. Chandler has crafted the scariest movie of 2011.
MICHELLE RUAN can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
a phenomenally shot, scored and acted film, proving to anyone who still needs proof that Fincher is one of the best working today.
About an awkward fat kid in high school, Terri is an odd and poignant movie that explores life in general. It feels deeply honest and is perhaps one of the best, most 7. Hugo intimate viewing experiences of Warm and beautiful, Martin the year. Also, John C. Reilly plays Scorsese’s Hugo has a huge ticking the school administrator/mentor heart. It is also a movie that really of your dreams. loves movies and makes us want to love movies too. Who can argue 10. Harry Potter with that? A truly epic conclusion to a series that seemed to have no end. But 8. Like Crazy what an end it was! How long ago Like Crazy is kind of like the pro- was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s foundly depressing, less-cartoon Stone? We’re adults now and these (500) Days of Summer. Frankly, it just movies (or books) have followed felt real to a point of heartbreaking us all the way from youth. For that, proportions. Warning: college stu- at least, they should be respectfuldents are in extreme danger of pain- ly acknowledged, if not loved. ful, probably uncathartic relation.
6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo David Fincher doing serial killers is like Woody Allen playing Woody Allen. It’s his bread and butter. The interesting thing here is David Fincher being better than ever at being David Fincher and the new faces he brings along for the ride. Those being Rooney Mara as the enigmatic Lisbeth Salander and Daniel Craig, hallow, haunted facial structure and all, as the inover-his-head detective lead. Just 9. Terri
boss Cont. from page 6 cover this in the Evil Boss comic strip. We joke about the benefits cuts that everyone is facing today.
courtesy
is very much of an enigma — she may know and understand the country’s main language, Mandarin, but she had a hard time relating to Chinese culture. However, director Kevin McKiernan notes that Caitrin’s struggles to bring King’s teachings to the Chinese resulted in Caitrin’s gaining a larger sense of herself and the world around her. “The heart of this story, however, is the protagonist’s self-doubt: her struggle to deal with the threat of losing her father, her decision to abandon journalism and her questioning of whether Dr. King’s 1960’s vision of global peace still has relevance in a post-9/11 world,” McKiernan said.
JAMES O’HARA can be reached at arts@theaggie. org.
like everyone else. I know you run a consumer advocacy business called “LetterChamp.” Are you an evil boss? If not, then what makes you different? I am not an Evil Boss. I treat people the way that I want to be treated. I really believe this and have followed this my entire life. We are all people and we are all created equal. Everyone and their opinions matter. This is how I have managed the LetterChamp.
What style of comic is Evil Boss portrayed in? We are very honest and make fun of what has gone on in corporate America for the last 20 years. There is a lot of truth to what we cover. Truth is always stranger than fiction. People can relate to our comic strips because they deal with What do you hope to achieve these issues on a regular basis. with Evil Boss? I want to entertain people and How does Evil Boss support the make them laugh. We all have to work so if I can make someone’s Occupy movement? We show that the Evil Boss gets day better with a comic strip then punished. It is a chance for the I have done a great thing. One of 99 percent to feel like the Evil my other goals is to promote our Boss got what he deserved. e-book called Greed is Bad and People deal with these issues Corporate Bosses are Evil! Staying on a regular basis and are pow- Ahead in Tough Times and Saving erless. Evil Boss lets them live For a Life of Royalty. We show vicariously through our com- people that they have the power ic strip. In our comic strip, the to cut the evil boss bonus check. Evil Boss gets punished and Revenue less expenses equal tortured for his bad and greedy profit. Throughout our book, we behavior. Payback is a bitch and show the consumer that they you will see Karma get the Evil can decrease the company revBoss which will be fun for ev- enue and increase the compaeryone. Read, laugh, enjoy and ny expenses which cut the company profit. Without the customsmile through his pain. ers there would be no company What can one learn of the sen- so customers have the true powtiments across America from er. The 99 percent can control the company. Our e-book will reading Evil Boss? We can learn that we are not show you how to save money, get alone. Everyone can relate to things for free and get the qualiwhat is going on in the work- ty products that you paid for and force. The main thing I wanted to deserve. point out is that even if you are a boss you are just an employee PETER AN can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
The California Aggie’s Arts and Entertainment Magazine
6 volume 6, number 1
Thursday, january 12, 2012
Bringing King to Davis
Martin Luther King Jr. still resonates in the modern world By MICHELLE RUAN Aggie Arts Writer
Cyrano Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., $8 for students Veterans Memorial Theatre, 203 E. 14th St.
Acme Theatre Company in Davis presents Cyrano, a story about heroism with a slight twist of comedy and adventure. The story is about a poet and swordsman named Cyrano who pines for his cousin Roxane. Due to his large nose, he is ashamed to tell her and therefore writes love letters in the name of the man she loves.
Alexi Kenney and Hilda Huang Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., $17.50 for students Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center
Alexi Kenney (violin) is the 2010 senior grand prize winner of Mondavi Center’s Young Artists Competition. Kenney began playing violin at the age of four. Alongside Kenney will be Hilda Huang, who was the junior grand prize winner of the same competition. Both will surely bring their impressive talents to the stage for a two-night performance.
August 28, 1963 was a hot, humid summer day but the thousands of people gathered at Washington, D.C. couldn’t have cared less. One man stood before the crowd, prepared to make a speech that he hoped would encourage people to work together toward a greater good. He spoke of a dream in which segregation wouldn’t exist anymore, in which his children and every child would be able to play together with no regard to their skin color. Martin Luther King Jr.’s simple words have echoed throughout the following decades, influencing not only people here in America but even in far flung countries such as the People’s Republic of China. Caitrin McKiernan is one of many who have been inspired by King’s words, action and spirit. After graduating from Stanford with a degree in Chinese History, she became a Fulbright Scholar and taught in Beijing. Whilst in China, she worked on bringing a play about King written by Clay Carson to the Chinese public. Her actions and experience are documented in the film Bringing King to China, which will be shown at the Chem 194 building at 7 p.m. on Jan.17. It will be held in conjunction with the Black Law Student Association’s culture week. King’s director, Kevin McKiernan, will also be present at the showing of the documentary.
By PETER AN
Allen Banez graduated from the University of California system in 1988. After seeing the recent lambasting of UC Davis students by the gauzy orange burn of pepper spray, he was inspired to create Evil Boss, a weekly comic making light of the social slavery surrounding the populace. “I was totally disgusted with the UC Davis security department,” he exclaims. As a postmodern critic on everything from the 99 percent to the
Rarely do students get the opportunity to view the work created by their professors. In this exhibition, faculty members (Gina Werfel, Timothy Berry, Robin Hill, Bryce Vinokurov and many more) will showcase their body of work for the public to see. The reception will be held tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m.
UCD Art Studio Visiting Artist Lecture: Fred Tomaselli Today, 4:30 p.m., free Technocultural Studies Building
As a part of the continuing Artist Lecture series, UC Davis’ art department welcomes Fred Tomaselli. Tomaselli is a New York-based artist that focuses on highly detailed paintings done on wooden panels. Utilizing resin and other unique materials, Tomaselli is a unique artist that makes a very intriguing series.
Three Painters/ Three Flavors: A Local Celebration of Art and Community Today to March 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free Nelson Gallery
Leslie Shows, Fred Tomaselli and Peter Edlund combine to make up the “three flavors” in this exhibition, presented by the Nelson Gallery. Each carrying their own powerful style, these artists will present their work which primarily focus on the natural landscapes. Through collage and other mediums like oil paint and resin, each artist depicts their own interpretation of the subject matter. UYEN CAO can be reached at theaggie.org.
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The showing of the film was the pipe dream of Brandon Shelton, a UC Davis Law Student and a former post-production intern of the film. Shelton loved King and the messages that it contained. He worked with the Black
Law Students Association to fund the showing. Chancellor Katehi and Dean Johnson of the Law School also contributed a grant to
See KING, page 5
Artists of the week: Allen Banez and Jon Wilson Aggie Arts Writer
Between the Quotes: Work by UC Davis Art Faculty Today to Feb. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., free Pence Gallery, 212 D Street
Bringing King to China
A boss of one, another
one percent, Evil Boss breaks routine by utilizing sparse yet effective imagery. Together Banez and Jon Wilson collaborate on Evil Boss to further social commentary and bring awareness to those asunder, in order to bring about solidarity. The Aggie sits down with Banez to dig deeper behind the social and political statements behind the comic. You cite that the Occupy movement inspired your comic Evil Boss. Can you explain to me how? The Occupy Movement is about the 99 percent which are the people who are fighting against the one
percent. The one percent has all of the power which is the like the Evil Boss while the 99 percent are the people who are trying to survive financially. The main twist is that the Evil Boss gets punished in every issue. It was our chance to show the one percent losing for a change. How did the characters in Evil Boss come to be? The characters are the people that we deal with in the workforce daily. They are the people that are just trying to make a living. I wanted everyone to relate to the good and bad employees in a company.
MUSE’s Top 10 films of 2011 By JAMES O’HARA Aggie Arts Writer
Some years, there are maybe two movies that are truly memorable. Sometimes fewer. Perhaps there is no clear Oscar front-runner for 2011, but this year gave us movies to be passionate about. These films do not just entertain, but also reach depths of emotional and intellectual penetration that feel permanent in their impressed profundity. And for that reason, I’d call 2011 a great year for film. 1. Drive So it’s sort of like director Nicolas Winding Refn took the word “cool” and made it into a movie and called it Drive.
Starring the new coolest person alive or a near-enough archetype, Ryan Gosling, Drive is violent and violently polarizing but pulsing with more life than any other film released this year. From the moment it goes, Drive revs with a polished style that speaks to something unforgettable — though, for better or worse, it may vibrate with a cultish vogue for a time. 2. Tree of Life Terence Malick’s ambitious Tree of Life feels like an astounding achievement that leaves everyone wondering what was achieved. It hardly matters, though,
See FILMS, page 5
Think about any of your current or previous jobs and you will see characters like ours. As an alumnus of the UC system, what can you say has changed? And does this reflect in Evil Boss? A lot of the company benefits have been decreased since I graduated. For example, insurance copayments and insurance payments from our paychecks have increased. We have also have benefits cut like pensions and tuition reimbursement programs. We
See BOSS, page 5