Best of Davis
Indulge yourself. Read Sam Wall’s touching column.
Vote for Davis’ best restaurants, entertainment and more at theaggie.org until Jan. 30. Results will be revealed Feb. 16.
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volume 131, number 9
Tuesday, january 24, 2012
News iN Brief
City of Davis to hold job skills workshop
Jasna Hodzic / Aggie
The Domes reopens after necessary repair work following its closure last year due to the inability to meet safety regulations set forth by the university.
Residents move back into the Domes
Solar Community Housing Association takes over leasing responsibilities for next five years By STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN Aggie News Writer
After a five-month hiatus, residents have begun to move back into the Domes. On Dec. 23, a ground lease was signed with UC Davis and the Solar Community Housing Association (SCHA), a non-profit housing association, that enables the Baggins End Domes to have SCHA take responsibility in renovations and maintenance as a third-party manager over a period of five years. The cooperative housing com-
munity was closed in August due to failure to meet the university’s safety regulations. Structural degradation and fire code issues were among those reported. However, after beginning necessary repair work in November, university safety inspectors approved seven of the 14 domes as safe to live in and occupancy permits were issued on Jan. 4. Residents moved in immediately. “SCHA has been working closely with the university in order to address health and safety regulations,” said Margareta Lelea,
a member of the association’s board of directors and formter Domes resident. “Passing a series of inspections was required before students could be offered leases.” According to Lelea, a total of 26 spaces will be available for fulltime UC Davis students to live in by July. Currently, nine students have moved in, while five more have been accepted to fill 14 spots. “Residents have optimism for clear communication with this new administration,” said JayLee Tuil, a Domes resident
and doctoral student in geography. “While there has been an incredible amount of work done by a great many individuals, in many ways, with the signing of this lease, our work really has just begun. In the next five years, we need to establish ties with many and varied departments on campus, we need to propose and solidify projects with research potential on site and we need to identify funding sources for these new and innovative
See DOMES, page 2
The City of Davis will be hosting the sixth annual Recreation Job Fair and Skills Workshop on Feb. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, located at 203 E. 14th St. The workshop will feature scenarios and skits demonstrating good and bad interview and employee behavior, a presentation about how to secure a position and a customer service video. One hundred participants will also participate in a mock interview with recreation supervisors and will receive feedback on their performance. A sign-up sheet for the mock interviews will be available at the beginning of the workshop. Recreation programs currently hiring teens and young adults for summer positions will be on display at booths set up at the theater. Though the Recreation Job Fair has been held for the past six years, City of Davis community services coordinator Sandra Montgomery said the workshop element was added this year to make the event more educational for those who are not hired. “With the economy the way it is, each year we have more [employees] coming back [for summer positions] and less space for new staff,” Montgomery said. “We want to show you how you can increase your chances of standing out, even if you don’t get the job.” Montgomery encouraged those interested in employment to apply early, as many positions only accept the first 50 applicants. Download applications on the City of Davis website, cityofdavis.org/jobs/parttime.cfm, and submit them to the Community Services Department at 600 A St. Suite C, or by fax to (530) 758-0204, Attn: Community Services Department. — Erin Migdol
Unitrans general Local cold weather shelter houses homeless manager to leave after 16 years of service
Individuals staying for longer periods of time
By CHLOE BREZSNY
Geoff Straw takes new position in San Luis Obispo
Aggie News Writer
The Cold Weather Shelter is one of the many local programs that provide services to the homeless. Founded in 1993 as part of Davis Community Meals, the shelter offers homeless men and women a warm, safe place to sleep during the winter months. Officially opening its doors in mid-November when temperatures begin to drop, the shelter operates daily through the end of March. It has maintained a house at 512 Fifth St. since 2006, a location that is within walking distance of other resources. There is currently room enough to house eight homeless men and two homeless women per night at the shelter. During the 2008 winter season, it provided 66 different individuals with lodging. In more recent years, the number of individuals has gone down, but the activity of the shelter remains the same. “People are staying for a longer time,” said Bill Pride, the executive director for Davis Community Meals. “This means that space fills
Today’s weather Partly cloudy High 56 Low 39
By DANIELLE HUDDLESTUN Geoff Straw became a Unitrans driver in 1985, the general manager in 2004 and is now moving on to become the executive director of regional transit in San Luis Obispo. Beginning on Jan. 30, Straw will be
Kristina Geddert / Aggie
morning. Meals are provided, and those who stay at the shelter sleep on bunk beds. Books, games and a television are available for use. There are usually three volunteers working at the shelter, two of whom spend the night to ensure everything runs smoothly. While participants who use the shelter are not required to be clean or sober at the time of their stay, there are certain
See SHELTER, page 3
Forecast The rain is gone for now folks! Expect fog in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon and a light breeze throughout the day. Raymond Chan, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
See UNITRANS, page 2
Aggies spring into action
The Davis Cold Weather shelter provides housing for the homeless from November to March and is located downtown. up pretty quickly.” To obtain a bed at the shelter, individuals must receive a voucher from the Davis Community Meals Resource Center on H Street. Pride also said that it is the policy of the Cold Weather Shelter to allow an individual to stay up to 14 consecutive nights. However, people are able to wait a night and then return to the shelter for 14 more consecutive nights. The shelter’s hours are 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. the next
working in San Luis Obsipo, also a college town. He said he feels very confident in the staff he is leaving behind and is ready to take on the new opportunity. Mentoring student employees as
UC Davis gymnastics flies high in win over Air Force By KAITLYN ZUFALL Aggie Sports Writer
New England’s advancement to the Super Bowl was not the only reason that Patriots fan and gymnastics head coach John Lavallee was celebrating on Sunday. While the Patriots and Ravens were battling it out on the gridiron, his team was dominating Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rival Air
Wednesday
Thursday
Mostly sunny
Sunny
High 60 Low 40
High 61 Low 40
Force in front of a hometown audience. The UC Davis gymnastics team defeated the Falcons by a score of 191.450 to 185.750 in their first home meet of the season. The meet began with UC Davis on vault while Air Force simultaneously performed on the uneven parallel bars, a style of competition new to the Pavilion. “We tried a new format
at the home meet today and I think it went pretty well,” said Lavallee. “We’re trying to make it a little more head to head.” The Aggies’ score of 48.550 on vault was a season high, with not a single athlete scoring below a 9.6. Davis swept the category with junior Katie Yamamura placing first (9.825), sophomore
See GYMNASTICS, page 2
A new horse fly that was recently discovered in Australia was named Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, after the famous Beyonce. Why, you ask? For it’s “bootylicious” golden-haired bum. Popular culture and science ftw. Amanda Nguyen
page two
2 tuesday, january 24, 2012
daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org
TODAY
for the College of Letters and Science. Learn more about this paid position at the info
The House Peer Counseling Info Session 7 to 8 p.m. Moss Room, MU Third Floor Get information about becoming a peer counselor at The House and pick up an application.
Summer Abroad Info Session, “Palaces of the Gods” Noon Education Abroad Center, Third and A Street Learn how you can study comparative literature in Pondicherry, India. Meet the instructor and ask questions.
Summer Abroad Info Session, “Americans in Paris” 4 p.m. Education Abroad Center, Third and A Street Learn how you can study comparative literature in Paris. Meet the instructor and ask questions.
L&S Peer Adviser Info Session 7:10 p.m. 1 Wellman Apply to become a 2012-13 Peer Adviser
session. Applications are due Feb. 3.
WEDNESDAY Orientation Leader Info Session Noon to 12:45 p.m. 1150 Hart Interested in being an Orientation Leader for Summer 2012? Applications are due Jan. 30. Attend the info session to learn more about hiring opportunities in Student Housing.
Relay For Life Team Meetings featuring The Spokes 7 to 8 p.m. 202 Wellman Learn how to get involved with UC Davis Relay For Life and enjoy a special guest performance from the lovely ladies of The Spokes. 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 THURSDAY
A man was yelling at someone to run and also asking to talk to them on Loyola Drive.
Too wired A man was selling fiber optic cable door to door in a threatening manner on Luz Place.
Too many Wickys Someone accidentally called 911 from Cafe Bernardo on D Street.
Time to sublet? Someone stole $300 of items from their roommate on El Segundo Avenue.
SATURDAY
SUNDAY Needs a mug shot A burglar attempted to break open a door using a soda can on 10th Street.
Trolling Someone was yelling and singing under a bridge near Shasta Drive.
Go with “run”
Police briefs are compiled by TRACY HARRIS from the City of Davis daily crime bulletins. Contact TRACY HARRIS at city@theaggie. org.
university and SCHA. “We are pleased to begin this new partnership that Cont. from front page will allow the cherished projects.” heritage of the Domes to Mary Hayakawa, execu- continue,” Hayakawa said tive director of the real es- in a press release. tates services at UC Davis, led the contract negotia- STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached at tion efforts between the campus@theaggie.org.
DOMES
GYM Cont. from front page Madeline Kennedy coming in second (9.725) and sophomore Anna Shumaker and freshman Tiana Montell tying for third (9.700). “[It] was probably our best vaulting in… maybe a couple of years,” said Lavallee. “We really stepped up on that event.” The Aggies’ commendable performance was not limited to vault. Though the squad appeared to struggle on the uneven bars — the only event in which they were outscored by Air Force — strong performances on balance beam and floor contributed to the team total of 191.450. It is the team’s highest score of the season. Kennedy had three careerhigh scores, including a second place performance on floor with a routine that received an enthusiastic response from the Aggie fans. “It was so much fun,” said Kennedy. “I love being home. It’s a different experience … when you know everyone in the crowd you can make eye contact … it’s fun.” Yamamura won the
Kristina Geddert / Aggie
UC Davis outscored Air Force on the balance beam on its way to a 191.450-185.750 victory. all-around title after first place finishes in both vault and bars. Freshman Kayla DeFrancesco also had a standout performance, coming in second in the all-around after tying her personal best of 9.650 in a second place finish on beam. “We really had a very good day as a team. Our freshmen were excellent,” said Lavallee. The team will return to the Pavilion on Friday against California and Seattle Pacific, and the Aggies are counting on another supportive audience. “The more people the better,” said Kennedy. “It was a great turnout. I’d love an even bigger crowd next time.” KAITLYN ZUFALL can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
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come back to interest rates? Well, it all starts with a common misconception. Almost everyone thinks that inflation is a bad thing, but this isn’t really the case. Danny Inflation affects people in Brawer different ways and some people actually benefit from inflation. Let’s make a ridiculous assumption that between the time you were a first-year and senior in college you saw your tuition increase by almost 100 percent, and as a result had to take out student hh, the good old days. loans. Preposterous, I know, Remember those? A but humor me. gallon of gas used to Let’s keep things really be a quarter. If you found simple and imagine you a dollar on the street you needed to take out a could take your friend out $10,000 loan for one year, to that great new movie knowing you’ll be able to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes pay it off with that great (yes, that was an actual job you have lined up after movie back in the day), buy graduating. Assume you “soda pop” and popcorn are charged a 3 percent and still have a dime left interest rate. As we know, over to this means buy an ice that a cream on the Almost everyone thinks that year from way home. inflation is a bad thing, but when you Remember? receive this isn’t really the case No? Well, the money that’s you will probably because the year owe $10,300. Now, lets was 1953, and we have had factor in inflation and 59 years of inflation since. imagine that for whatever Inflation simply refers reason, inflation jumped to the decrease in the to 5 percent in that same purchasing value of a dollar time period. This means over time. For example, that the $10,000 you got with the 3 percent inflation is actually worth $10,500 rate in 2011, a bag of chips a year from when you sold by Universal Chip received it. As a result of Distributor (UCD) that inflation, you didn’t just used to cost you $1 now get an interest-free loan; costs you $1.03. That same the bank essentially paid dollar no longer bought you you $200 to hold onto their the same amount of goods money for a year. Not a or went as far as it used to. bad gig. There is no universal What really matters agreement on what really is whether inflation is causes inflation, but there anticipated or not. If are two theories that are that bank had known most accepted. The first is that inflation was going called Cost-Push inflation. to jump to 5 percent, When the costs of running they would have charged a business increase, the you something like 8 business needs to increase percent on your loan, its prices to maintain the which would have then same level of profit. If UCD given them an effective experiences an increase interest rate of 3 percent. in the cost of running Where the borrower gets their factory, that burden screwed is when inflation then gets passed off to the is overestimated. Imagine student. Er, consumer. inflation was predicted to The second theory be 5 percent but is actually is called Demand-Pull 1 percent. You’re then inflation. This can be stuck paying 7 percent summarized by the phrase interest. Good for lenders, “too much money chasing problematic for borrowers. too few goods.” As the The larger problems government prints more occur when inflation and more money to pay is unanticipated or off our now over $15 overestimated, which hurts trillion debt, the costs of the economy for a variety of goods rise. This can be reasons. The biggest losses seen using the Quantum occur when uncertainty theory of money MV=PY about the future causes where M is the money consumers to spend less. supply, V is the Velocity From our equation earlier, of circulation (how often MV=PY, we can see that if money changes hands), P everything else remains the is the Price level, and Y is same, less spending results the National Income. We in a lower national income, can see that if M increases and nobody wants that. and V and Y remain the same, prices will have If you’d like to talk to DANNY BRAWER to increase to keep the about V, Y or any other letters of the equation balanced. alphabet, contact him at dabrawer@ ucdavis.edu. So how does this all
Inflation nation
A
UNITRANS Cont. from front page bus drivers and improving the bus fleet of Unitrans, Straw has made an invaluable impact on the UC Davis transit system, according to ASUCD President Adam Thongsavat. “Whoever fills Straw’s position has huge shoes to fill. Unitrans is very well run because of him. In transit, he is respected nationally and because of him we will be able to continue in the future. We have the next 10 to 15 years planned,” Thongsavat said. When Straw was a student at UC Davis, he became involved in Unitrans when he applied with his roommate to drive buses. Growing up in San Francisco, he was very familiar with the bus system, and was excited to actually drive a bus. In 2004, he rejoined the Unitrans staff, hired by Mark Champagne, Straw’s direct supervisor. “There were three reasons we hired him. He was a UC Davis graduate, so he had actually worked for Unitrans. He worked at Utah State, which is a similar town to Davis, and also with
Faith Cont. from page 4 “We’re trying to have an environment that’s welcoming for everyone, so we want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and that their beliefs are validated,” Burns said. Krystal Gutierrez, a junior sociology and Chicano studies major who considers herself to be a mixture of religions, originally expected the multifaith center to push her toward Christianity; however, any attempts of conversion to any religion are prohibited to maintain an open environment for students to grow.
in the mood prior to seeing their partner. So, if you find out your partner likes porn, don’t panic (you might even find you like watching it with them). The only time to Sam be concerned is if they are Wall neglecting your relationship or their other responsibilities to watch porn (the same goes for masturbating). Whether or not you choose to tell your partner about your fantasies or porn preferences is best determined case by case. You need to keep in mind hen I said I’d whether the discussion is talk about hypothetical or whether masturbation, its purpose is finding new I didn’t mean that I’d be activities to try. You don’t providing a handy (ha!) want to suggest something how-to guide. Masturbation that goes against your is pretty private, and most partner’s beliefs or makes people have figured out them feel insecure. If you their preferred method, so get off on the thought of you don’t need my help. kicking puppies and your What I can do is tell you that partner is an animal lover, masturbating is a normal better to keep it to yourself. activity with The best a number of kinds of benefits. For ... porn encompasses a wider fantasies to example, range of images than you share are the broad (such think hormones it as being releases can tied up). lower feelings of anxiety and That way, there is likely to help you sleep. So, during be an interpretation that midterm season it might you and your partner can be helpful to take a few both enjoy. moments for yourself (as it Now, there are many were). people who object to porn, Masturbation can also be and there are reasons an educational opportunity why it’s problematic. The for you and your partner. If, mainstream porn industry for example, your partner tends to reduce people is not quite making the (particularly women) to right motions during sexyobjects, presents some times, you can demonstrate identities or bodies as ideal for them the locations and while fetishizing others, movements that work best. and focuses mostly on This way you don’t end up male pleasure. But porn frustrated, they feel more encompasses a wider range confident about how to of images than you think. please you and they get a sexy I recommend reading show. Making Authenticity Additionally, masturbation Explicit: How Women-Made is an aid in situations in Pornography Constructs which you have sexual needs “Real Sex” by UC Davis but no outlet. You may be professor Jill Bakehorn (you between partners, or your can find it via the Melvyl partner(s) are far away or database), which examines you may be in the difficult genres of porn that claim to situation of practicing combat these problems. abstinence while having If you are someone human urges that you want who finds stereotypical to act on. In these cases a porn arousing in the little self-love is the easiest physiological sense but way to ease the pressure. uncomfortable in the Now, I would be remiss if mental one, the best thing I talked about masturbation to do is shop around. without talking about fantasy Get a sense of what you and porn. After all, those like on sites like Redtube are the main aids people and NoFauxxx. Watch use when masturbating. straight porn, gay porn, Plus, I am astounded by the alt porn and everything number of advice columns in between (if something in which someone is freaking makes you immediately out because they found out uncomfortable, turn it their partner has fantasies/ off ). Experiment until watches porn. It’s time to set you find something that the record straight. really appeals to you. If you discover that your Whether you choose partner is watching porn, you post-punk-lesbian or should not take it as a sign horny housewife-meetsthat they are not attracted to delivery boy, at the end of you or don’t find you sexually the day it’s your pleasure satisfying. Porn is a common and comfort that are indulgence, and is just one of important. many ways of getting aroused and getting off. I know SAM WALL can tell you much more about multiple people who use it as porn. Ask for details by e-mailing sewall@ ucdavis.edu. a way of getting themselves
Porn for everyone
W
a consulting company in Tahoe. He had good reports with people skills,” Champagne said. Straw’s legacy on Unitrans will continue to live on. His major improvements to the entire system have impacted those who work closely with him, according to Scott Weintraub, one of Straw’s two assistant general managers. “The [impacts] come in two ways. Physical things, such as the Silo terminal remodel, which has been in the works for over decade, was seen through by Geoff,” Weintraub said. “He also began work on the Memorial Union terminal. He has modernized the bus fleet and replaced older buses. The mentoring with employees and students in ASUCD will help them find careers in the future.” Straw has kept the current bus fleet at no more than three years old. “I have done a lot for funding, getting 35 new buses. We do not have to worry about breaking down and have implemented the West Village service, weekend service, and O line. However, what I am most proud of is the mentoring of students,” Straw said. Last Friday, a going-away party
“This has opened my eyes to religions that I have never heard of,” Gutierrez said. “It’s been a life-changing experience.” One way residents connect with each other’s religious beliefs is the multifaith dinner held every Wednesday night. The different houses take turns cooking a meal that is kosher, vegetarian and halal, also offering a vegan option. Helping to guide this and other events is Chelsea Guenther, the community coordinator. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, she graduated with a religious studies major from Agnes Scott University. “I love the multifaith as-
was held for Straw; 150 students and employees attended. “We had 150 people that turned out to wish Geoff the best, and say goodbye to bus number 1014. This bus is going to a museum in England because it couldn’t run according to air quality standards,” Weintraub said. Bus number 1014, one of two original London Unitrans buses, was sold to ASUCD in 1967. It is now going home to be on display in a London museum, according to Adam Palmere, Straw’s other assistant general manager. Selling bus #1014 was one of Straw’s going-away presents, along with a shop jacket. Not only does he run Unitrans, but on the weekends he works as a mechanic, so the shop jacket was very special, according to Weintraub. ASUCD and the business office are currently recruiting nationally for a new general manager. Until a new general manager is hired, Palmere will be serving as interim general manager. DANIELLE HUDDLESTUN can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org.
pect,” Guenther said. “What we have here is pretty unique in the country, helping to develop understanding between people of different faiths and providing a rich environment for students to live and learn.” Students of many different faiths have developed relationships with each other, and in the course of living together they have created goodwill and understanding, Stoneking said. Many students have reported that living in the MLC has been the most significant experience of their college careers. “I wish I had lived here for another year,” said Roxy Donay, a senior psychology
major. “It’s like a little gem that not many people know about, and these are some of the nicest, good-hearted people that I’ve met at Davis.” From celebrating birthdays to asking a neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar, the residents of the MLC are very tight-knit and family-oriented, the reason why Gutierrez chose to stay for a second year. “I feel that all of us are very close,” Gutierrez said. “We’ve all been through a lot and we all grow with each other, whether it’s spiritually or not.” DEVON BOHART can be reached at features@theaggie.org.
OPINION
The california aggie
tuesday, january 24, 2012 3
editorials
Research works act
Don’t restrict access to science The Research Works Act, currently awaiting decision in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to keep federal agencies funded by taxpayers from permitting the distribution of “private-sector research works” without the consent of the publisher. However, the bill’s definition of privatesector research works include scientific studies funded by taxpayers, as long as the journal made some kind of contribution. The only contribution journals make after accepting a paper are finding scientists to peer review the paper before final publication, often not even compensating these peers for their time. Then, the scientific journal is allowed to copyright and take ownership of the paper, almost always requiring a steep payment from those who want to access and read the paper. Essentially, taxpayers are paying for research twice: once to conduct the study, and again to access the results. This could lead to a system where everyone pays for research, but only the wealthiest institutions may be able to afford to read the results. In an era of free access to many resources over the internet, solidifying control in the hands of journal publishers is counter to the concept of free knowledge,
particularly since this bill includes research paid for by taxpayers. Journal publishers already have a great deal of control over how much is charged for access to papers, and some journals are prohibitively expensive. UC Davis currently has access to about 50,000 academic journals, and it would be disappointing to see that decrease. The country is in a budget crisis already, and the legislators are the last people we want to see making decisions regarding access to public knowledge. As UC Davis tries to find costcutting measures, expensive journal subscriptions may be left by the wayside. If this bill passes and solidifies cost control in the hands of journal publishers, the journals have two options: Either they cater to the wealthy, or they make access cheaper. Highly influential journals like Nature are already on the way to establishing the second option by creating open access versions of their journals on their websites. Open access to journals is becoming the future of academic research and a trajectory we would like to see in all academic journals. Privatizing some research is reasonable, but if the public paid for it, the public should easily be able to see it without jumping through corporate hoops. There are approximately 110 to 130 homeless people in Davis according to a recent census that was conducted by the Yolo County Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition. Of these, the census says that 50 to 60 percent are temporarily housed. This leaves 55 to 65 people who are in need of shelter throughout the year, many of whom are picked up by the Cold Weather Shelter in the winter months. In addition to the shelter, Davis Community Meals offers emergency, permanent-supportive, family-supportive and transition-aged youth housing. Two other programs provide meals and a day resource center. To donate food or other items to Davis Community Meals, call (530) 756-4008. Those interested in volunteering for any of their programs may call (530) 220-4089.
SHELTER
Cont. from front page rules that everyone must follow. “Individuals can’t be argumentative,” said Pride. “They also need to be able to take care of themselves and live in a community setting.” Many of the volunteers are UC Davis students from clubs on campus, such as H.E.L.P., a community service club whose mission is to fight poverty. Danny Fonseca, an intern at the shelter and member of H.E.L.P., said that his favorite part about working at the shelter is talking with the guests. “We get to talk one-on-one,” he said. “Some of the people there are not used to social interaction because no one really talks to them during the day. They can tell some touching stories; what they did before they were homeless, their families.” CHLOE BREZSNY can be reached at city@theaggie.org.
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.
courtesy newsday.com
guest opinion
Stop barricading banks By JONATHAN NELSON
Student assistant, Aggie Student Store
In the last few years, plenty has been written about the banks. Articles, editorials and blogs tell the story well about the greed and dishonesty that was and is standard fare by corporate bigwigs hot in pursuit of a bigger buck. The backlash is obvious, and nowhere is this clearer than here on campus. The tents in the Quad, the nowinfamous spray-happy police officer, the rallies — all students here know about these. And this dissent is good for our democracy depends on it. However, this article is different. I’m writing this not to attack, but instead to defend. If you’ve walked through the MU recently, you might have seen a group of students in front of the small on-campus US Bank branch barricading the entrance. I am not part of this group, so I won’t speak on their behalf about
their philosophy or goals. Instead, I just want to speak about what I see, hear and know about the effects this barricade is having on the employees there. I work in a nearby store, so I’ve gotten the chance to get to know the great people who work at the bank. It’s a small staff. A few students work there to help pay for the horrendous cost that is now public higher education. Examples of the staff’s generosity are abundant. Last quarter the bank hosted a potluck for the neighboring stores. One lady who works there is one of the most generous people I know. When she found out that one of my coworkers would not be going home for Thanksgiving, she promptly opened up her home. Not many people would do that. I could tell more stories. I could tell about how one staffer who, instead of dropping by the store where I work and making everyone’s day with her
smile and quick humor, now has to stand guard near the door of the bank, watching for protesters. I could tell about how one of the students who works at the bank has to have a police escort in order to make it to classes. And I can tell about how the sight of the staff behind shuttered glass doors brings to mind a cage — something, to me at least, that should never happen on a university campus. If the goal of the barricade is to close down the bank permanently, then they’re well on their way. No business can stay running for long if the doors are mostly shuttered. Such a result would be devastating on the employees there — employees who have nothing to do with the excesses of Wall Street. The protesters are targeting the wrong people. All of them are part of the 99 percent. Enough lives have been wrecked by CEOs; let’s not wreck the lives of these fellow students and neighbors.
are at a staggering $117 trillion and This guy is special, I thought. rising. Aristotle once said, “Youth is Since the national government easily deceived because it is quick is taking in a trillion dollars less per to hope.” Fast forward three years year than it is spending, the debt since President Obama’s election and Sam will continue to grow — at least until the world hasn’t changed — not for Hoel creditors suspect the obvious and the better, at least. In fact, it’s gotten call in their debts. At some point, worse. When Obama took office the federal government won’t be the national debt was an already able to sustain its programs. And unmanageable $10.626 trillion with debt exceeding national GDP, dollars. “Change we can believe in” increasing taxes won’t solve the quickly became “more of the same,” problem. Young and the debt has people have to spiraled to over Aristotle once said, “Youth is face the reality $15 trillion. And that the great while Obama easily deceived because it is social programs schizophrenically quick to hope.” that their parents calls for reduced enjoy — Social debt and Security and Medicare, especially increased spending (“investments”), — will no longer be possible. It’s a the debt only goes in one direction. t’s a tough time to be young and type of reverse age discrimination: In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, hungry. Boomers resist reform and keep the government spent $3.6 trillion Youth employment numbers the welfare state limping along long and took in $2.3 trillion. are historically bad. National enough to fund their retirement, For many, the mind-boggling student loan debt is somewhere thus ensuring that later generations numbers are just another north of the $1 trillion mark. And get all of the costs and none of the confirmation that the future isn’t to top it off, a boomer-controlled benefits. Hello Darwin, goodbye as bright as it once was. As if the federal government is racking up safety net. burden of crushing personal debt trillions of dollars of debt that they It wasn’t supposed to be this way. and joblessness after college weren’t expect young Americans to pay for. I was an undergrad slogging through enough, politicians desperate to In the dirty world of big-money midterms when I first felt the hope shore up the failing welfare state politics, the young are prime and change sweeping through are borrowing incomprehensible targets for exploitation. Absorbed campus. Candidate Obama was amounts of money against the in their technological fantasy young, hip and educated, a perfect human capital of the youngest land or perhaps just unaware, antidote to the familiarly leathery generations. the millennial generation seems hacks he opposed in the primary Not surprisingly, President Obama wholly unprepared for the and general elections. He performed is now himself asking Congress crushing burdens prepared for earth-shaking miracles in the world again to increase the debt ceiling them by cynical or delusional of politics, not the least of which was by $1.2 trillion. Perhaps he could politicians. But aware or not, convincing young hipsters to forsake profit from his own words offered young people will inherit a their studied nonchalance and join during the 2007 debt ceiling debate: hopelessly broken economy and a the movement for Real Change. “Washington is shifting the burden bankrupt government. The blame In 2007, when President Bush of bad choices today onto the backs lies with our leaders, and no leader asked Congress for yet another debt of our children and grandchildren. is more responsible than our ceiling increase, Senator Obama America has a debt and a failure current president. protested vigorously, noting “the of leadership. Americans deserve As I write this, the U.S. National fact that we are here today to debate better.” Debt is $15,262,027,000,000 (or raising America’s debt limit is a sign Americans do deserve better. close to it; the debt goes up so fast of leadership failure… a sign that the Unfortunately for the younger that I can’t catch the last six digits). U.S. government can’t pay its own generation, it’s only likely to get Worse still, the unfunded liabilities bills. It is a sign that we now depend worse. of the federal government, on ongoing financial assistance from including Social Security, Medicare foreign countries to finance our SAM HOEL is a law student at UC Davis School of Law and the prescription drug benefit, government’s reckless fiscal policies.” and can be reached at swhoel@ucdavis.edu.
Debt and lies: government spending out of control
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SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DO NOT WORK
4 tuesday, january 24, 2012
The california Aggie
Aggie Digest Women’s water polo No. 16 UC Davis split its first weekend of the season at the Spartan Invitational in San Jose, finishing 2-2. Opening the year against Big West Conference foe No. 8 UC Santa Barbara, junior Jessica Dunn led UC Davis with three goals in a 12-8 victory over the Gauchos. Dunn also added another goal in the Aggies’ loss to Cal. In addition to Dunn’s hat trick, seniors Ariel Feeney and Alicia Began and freshman Allyson Hansen each tallied two goals. Davis scored four unanswered goals during a span that stretched from the end of the second through early in the third periods. During the late afternoon game, the Golden Bears stormed out to a 7-1 lead within the first 12 minutes of action. Junior Carmen Eggert netted a pair of goals to trim the lead to 8-4, but Cal was just too much in the end, as the Bears won 13-5. Head coach Jamey Wright played three of his four goalkeepers and 20 of his 21 field players at some point during
Saturday’s action. The second day of play ended with the same results as the first. Freshman center Allyson Hansen notched her first collegiate hat trick in the 13-6 win over Santa Clara. Feeney and Dunn each added two goals to assist Hansen in the win over the Broncos. Against host No. 5 San Jose State, Eggert scored the game’s first goal; however, the Spartans responded with three unanswered and took a 5-2 lead into halftime. Feeney later scored again early in the fourth quarter to bring UC Davis within a single goal at 6-5, but San Jose State scored on the next possession and held a two-goal margin the remainder of the game to hand the Aggies an 8-6 loss. The Aggies return to action on Saturday at the Cal Invitational in Berkeley. UC Davis will have a rematch against San Jose State in the morning and then finish the day against defending NCAA champion Stanford at 4:30 p.m. — Russel Eisenman
Students bond over religious differences Multifaith Living Community integrates religions under one roof By DEVON BOHART Aggie Features Writer
Whether you believe in one God, many gods, no god or aren’t quite sure, you are eligible to live in the Multifaith Living Community. The Multifaith Living Community (MLC), located behind the Cal Aggie Christian Association building (CA house), is a residence option for UC Davis students. Forty students have the opportunity to live in any of the six townhouses, offered to students of any religious affiliation. Kristin Stoneking, the director and campus minister of the CA House, came up with the idea of the MLC when she first joined the CA House in 1999. There was a shortage of housing options available for students, with vacancies below 1 percent, so the concept of a multifaith community took root. “Changing the vision [of the CA House from an all-
Christian community] to a multifaith residential community made sense and was consistent with CA House’s long tradition of being at the forefront of social justice issues,” Stoneking said in an e-mail interview. “As a Christian organization, CA House is grateful for the development of the MLC because it allows us to live out our values of seeking peace, creating understanding, offering hospitality, and addressing issues of social justice. We envision a world with more peace and understanding and the MLC helps us to ‘be the change we wish to see in the world.’” Construction did not begin until 2007, and therefore the MLC was not opened for residence until 2008, due to protests and legal battles. “The neighborhood behind CA House opposed the development because of concerns about student residents, noise and other aspects of the proposal,
a few of which were directly related to the multifaith nature of the program,” Stoneking said. Stoneking fought these issues to establish a community that could serve students such as current resident Karianne Burns, a fifth-year classics major living at the MLC for her second year. “I really wanted the diversity, especially with regard to spirituality,” Burns said. “I feel like a lot of university activities are very secular and there’s not that much room for spiritual dialogue among people.” This diversity is a highly valued aspect in the MLC, but this diversity requires openness to other’s opinions. The application to live in the MLC includes an interview, which examines an applicant’s ability to welcome other perspectives. “Experiencing the openness and welcoming attitude is grounding,” said Cagsar Apaydin, a sopho-
Aaron Juarez / Aggie
Established in 2008, the Multifaith Living Community offers housing to students of all religious faiths. more neurobiology, physiology and behavior major. “You meet people who share the same faith as you do, but come from a different culture so you get to see and experience that.” Despite the fact that the MLC is technically part of the CA House, Jews, Sikhs and Muslims live in the townhouses along with atheists and agnostics. Services for all of these religions and more are offered throughout the week and any resident is welcome to attend.
See FAITH, page 2
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Sudoku
Michelle Lam: A Boat
Room for Rent 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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Medium 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.