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volume 131, number 113
wednesday, november 28, 2012
Complaints filed against ASUCD Senate slates
News iN Brief
Downtown Window Decorating Contest begins tomorrow
Four senators-elect may not be seated at tomorrow’s Senate meeting
Sixteen businesses in Downtown Davis are embarking on a quest of having the best decorated window. The contest starts tomorrow and will end on Dec. 12. The contest has a People’s Choice Award, in which after viewing the windows, people can cast their votes online for the best storefront at surveymonkey.com/s/ davisdowntownpeopleschoiceaward. “We are very excited to have this new addition to the Davis Downtown promotional line-up,” said Stewart Savage, director of Davis Downtown, in a press release. “Visitors to Downtown Davis can stroll through Downtown Davis and enjoy the
Brian Nguyen / Aggie
Complaints were filed against NOW and SMART slates following the Senate election results. Felicia Ong, Tal Topf, Armando Figueroa and Alyson Sagala may not be seated if the complaints are not resolved by Thursday’s Senate meeting.
By MUNA SADEK Campus News Editor
A series of official complaints to the ASUCD Elections Committee were filed this month against the NOW and SMART slates following the recent Senate election. According to Internal Affairs Commission Chair Sergio Cano, this could result in senators-elect Felicia Ong and Tal Topf (NOW) and Armando Figueroa and Alyson Sagala (SMART) not being seated, should the complaints remain unresolved by tomorrow’s Senate meeting. Bottoms filed a complaint against the SMART slate for allegedly falsifying their expenditure forms by failing to report the purchase of alcohol for a Nov. 10 party for SMART sup-
porters during the campaigning period. Candidates are required to cite all expenditures during the campaign in expenditure forms, according to ASUCD Bylaw 412D. “No campaign executive may falsify expenditure forms. This may include, but is not limited to, false signatures, incomplete forms, and/or not claiming purchases/donations used for campaign purposes,” the Bylaws state. According to Elections Committee Chair Aaron Hsu, full details of the formal complaints will not be released as of yet. “The complaints may or may not affect the final outcome of the election, depending upon the final assessment of violation points by the Elections Committee,” Hsu said.
The number of violation points are given depending on the severity of the situation. According to the ASUCD Bylaws, if a candidate garners three or more campaign violation points, the Elections Committee will disqualify the candidate. Sagala said that the allegations are false. “The party was not held in any way to actively campaign, just as a fun get together for our supporters. The party itself was BYOB (bring your own bottle/booze) so partygoers brought and consumed their own alcohol. Nothing was provided by me, and certainly not Armando, since he is not even 21,” she said in an email interview. Bottoms said it was essential that
See SENATE, page 5
UC extends Fall 2013 application deadline for students impacted by Hurricane Sandy Students can request Dec. 15 deadline if necessary By STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN Aggie News Writer
courtesy
The University of California will extend the deadline for students affected by superstorm Sandy to Dec. 15.
Today’s weather Windy with rain (90%) High 58 Low 48
In response to Hurricane Sandy, the University of California is providing applicants affected by the superstorm the option of an application deadline extension for Dec. 15. Applications for Fall 2013 enrollment are due Friday, and students are encouraged to meet the deadline. However, if necessary, students on the East Coast can seek authorization from the UC Application Center to extend the submission deadline for the application and official test score submission beginning Dec. 3. In addition, UC will accept January SAT scores from
See SANDY, page 2
Forecast Yikes, terrible weather is in forecast as there will be heavy rain, wind and potential flooding for the rest of the week. If that doesn’t stop you from biking, I guess nothing will! Justin Tang, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
bright and festive decorations and lights the participating business will put on display. It is really going to add a huge splash of light and color to the many events taking place downtown during the holidays.” Participating businesses include French Cuff Consignment, Davis Ace Hardware, Bubble Belly, Nestware, Outdoor Davis, UC Davis Store Downtown, Icekrimski, Preeti Girl, The Wardrobe, Pinkadot, Cultivé Frozen Yogurt, USE Credit Union, Davisville Travel, Pomegranate Salon, Haute Again Consignment and Whole Foods Market. — Claire Tan
‘Light Up the Holidays’ event tomorrow evening A holiday tree lighting and parade will initiate this year’s “Light Up the Holidays” Downtown Davis event. At 5:30 p.m., parade participants will begin to converge at the Davis Food Co-Op, with the parade officially starting at 6 p.m. The parade will consist of a double-decker Unitrans bus, a fire truck, bicyclists, strollers and walkers. They will start south on G Street, go west on Third Street and south on E Street to the plaza.
The holiday tree in the plaza will be lit at 6:30 p.m., and Santa will be on hand to greet children until 8:15 p.m. Free screenings of How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown at the Varsity Theatre at 616 Second St. There will also be free horse-drawn carriage rides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., departing every 10 minutes in front of The Avid Reader at 605 Second St. — Claire Tan
Highest-paid UC Davis faculty members from medical, professional programs Top five comment on salaries By NATASHA QABAZARD Aggie News Writer
During recent budget cuts and proposed fee increases to the University of California system, highly paid faculty members have come under fire. At UC Davis, top paid faculty members include neurological surgery professor at the UC Davis Medical Center J. Paul Muizelaar, at $858,999.91; CEO of the UC Davis Medical Center Ann Rice, at $798,230.14; co-director of the UC Davis Spine Center Professor Kee D. Kim, at $746,955.14; vice chancellor at the UC Davis Medical Center and dean of the School of Medicine Claire Pomeroy, who will be stepping down in June, at $734,378.38; and medical director of the UC Davis Vascular Center Professor John R. Laird at $575,000. University of California is unusual in having a pay scale. The main pay
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scale is for faculty on regular ninemonth appointments in non-professional school departments, notably in the College of Letters and Science. The usual progression begins at Assistant Professor Step 2, six years later promoted to Associate Professor Step 1, then eventually to Full Professor Step 1. Promotion to Full Professor Step 1 takes 12 years from the start. Then every three years after that, one would move up a step, according to A. Colin Cameron, a professor in the UC Davis economics department. “On average, more productive people get paid more than people in disciplines with strong non-university sector demand, e.g., business professors, doctors,” Cameron said . The pay system is one-size-fits all. In theory, English professors earn the same as chemistry professors and in most fields the UC pay scales
See EARNERS, page 5
Does this newspaper smell like chloroform to you?
Allison Ferrini
page two
2 wednesday, november 28, 2012
daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org
TODAY Circle K International General Meeting 6 to 7 p.m. 6 Olson If you are interested in doing community service, developing leadership skills and gaining friendships, then go to the Circle K International meeting to see what the club has to offer you.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Yocha Dehe Grand Lobby, Mondavi Center Watch the UC Davis Baroque Ensemble in this free concert.
Analog vs. Digital vs. Digital: Technocultural Choice and the Hip-Hop DJ 4 to 6 p.m. 203 Music Watch this free concert by musicologist Mark Katz.
Biomedical Engineering Departmental Seminar
7 to 8:30 p.m. Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road Free yourself from excess weight and/ or obsessional thoughts about food and body image. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a 12-step fellowship based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Meetings are open and free to the public. Go to foodaddicts.org for other meeting locations.
4:10 to 5 p.m. 1005 GBSF The Biomedical Engineering Departmental Seminar Series continues with a talk given by Dr. Larry Galuppo, professor and chief of equine surgery at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, in his seminar about stem cell therapy for soft tissue orthopedic injuries in horses.
Multiple Band Performance
Open House at the TriCooperatives
7 to 8 p.m. Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center Watch the Concert Band directed by Pete Nowlen, the UC Davis Gamelan Ensemble directed by Henry Spiller and the Mira Loma High School Concert Band. The program features music from video games such as Halo, Super Mario Brothers, Kingdom Hearts and World of Warcraft and also includes the West Coast Premiere of 20 Minutes on the Midway Plaisance, a musical tour of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Tickets are $8 for students and children, $12 for adults.
Free Screening of ‘The Art of Flight’ 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Rock Hall Watch this snowboard movie, The Art of Flight, sponsored by the UC Davis Waterski and Wakeboard team, to benefit the non-profit disabled sports. There will also be a raffle.
THURSDAY UC Davis Energy Institute Fall 2012 Seminar Series 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 1003 Kemper Hall Join Dr. Konstantinos Papamichael, codirector for the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) and a professor in the design program at UC Davis, for the final seminar of the quarter as he discusses the California Lighting Technology Center. There is no cost and all are welcome to attend.
Shinkoskey Noon Concert 2:05 to 3 p.m.
FRIDAY 2 to 7 p.m. Co-op Houses across the street from Regan Dorms Check out the Tri-Coops at their open house. The garden party starts at 2 p.m. followed by a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. The Tri-Cooperatives offer low-cost student housing and specialize in tofu scrambles. Swing by anytime and bring your friends — everyone is welcome.
Senior Recital 3:30 to 4 p.m. 115 Music Watch Peter Kim play the piano in this free senior recital. He will be performing Schubert: Impromptu in C Minor, Op. 90, Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Debussy: Images, Book No. 1 and Scriabin: Two Etudes.
Student Chamber Ensembles 5 to 7 p.m. 115 Music Watch the Student Chamber Ensembles in this free concert.
Women’s Basketball Game 7 to 9 p.m. The Arc Pavilion Watch the UC Davis women’s basketball team play against Stanford. To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, email 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.
Walter Robinson. “I’m sure there are some outstanding applicants affected by the storm ... who can make meaningful contributions to the intellectual, social and cultural vitality of our campus community.” The U.S. Department of Education has also encouraged colleges and universities to be accommodating of students impacted by the hurricane. “Many colleges and universities have recognized the unanticipated difficulties that students are facing in completing their college applications, and some institutions have already extended their deadlines. We encourage other institutions to consider being as flexible as possible in the coming weeks to accommodate students whose lives were disrupted by Hurricane Sandy,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a news release. The extension applies to all nine UC undergraduate campuses. To seek an extension, students must email ucinfo@applyucsupport.net with “Sandy Extension” in the subject line and the campuses to which they are applying in the message body.
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Cont. from front page students unable to take the November SAT or SAT Subject Test due to the superstorm. According to the UC Office of the President, about 5,150 students, or approximately 3.2 percent of all Fall 2012 UC applicants, reside in states affected by Hurricane Sandy. “I think the deadline extension will give students on the East Coast a bit more of a chance to get things in order because we know how deeply the hurricane affected them,” said UC Davis admissions advisor Jessica Melgar. “I’m hoping it’ll spread the word about the UCs and give students on the East Coast a chance to apply. It could affect our numbers in a positive way.” The extension appears to be a part of a nationwide effort to help mitigate the application deadline for affected students. Colleges and universities across the country have offered similar accommodations. “This extension can only serve as a positive outcome for both the applicant and the UC Davis campus,” said UC STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached at Davis admissions director campus@theaggie.org.
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.
Janelle Bitker Editor in Chief
Zenita Singh Opinion Editor
Hannah Strumwasser Managing Editor
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Muna Sadek Campus Editor
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Claire Tan City Editor
Amanda Nguyen Night Editor
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Allison Ferrini Asst. Night Editor
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Given that technology is now analogous to “being social” and offers a wealth of social hubs, it makes quite a lot of sense that it would give rise to Andrew a culture of people who Poh use the internet to “seek companionship.” eHarmony.com, christianmingle.com and blackpeoplemeet.com are but a handful of sites created in the hope of bringing peootStud69 has en- ple together for a little bit tered the chat room. of love and maybe even a xXPrincessAnge- long-term commitment. luvXx has entered the chat Yes, you can filter out room. who you want to meet by HotStud69: Hey bbygurl race, religion, age, height, wuts crackin? lol gender, shoe size, etc. to xXPrincessAngeluvXx: find your 100 percent perNothing muchhh (: fect match who shares xXPrincessAngeluvXx: your same views on My Just laying around in my Little Pony and happens to underwear, hbu? (; be born on a month where HotStud69: Mmmm just your lunar calendars align. thinkin bout u babe lol Or at least, that’s what HotStud69: Tell me a lil their profile says. And semore bby lol riously, what kind of dirt xXPrincessAngeluvXx: bag would go out and lie Okayy (: Im home alone on their internet dating watching a scaryyy movie profile, right? xXPrincessAngeluvXx: Im The anonymity brings a a lil lonely and scareddd 2 certain thrill to it, or so I’ve (: been told by purported suc xXPrincessAngeluvXx: I cessful internet companion wish sum1 would come and finders. And I have heard of keep me companyyy ): a surprising amount of sto HotStud69: A/S/L? lol ries. There’s the story of the xXPrincessAngeluvXx: guy who met a girl through 18/F/CA (:, hbu? Tumblr, in which their ro HotStud69: 20/M/CA lol. mance culminated with a Cool, mebbe I can cum over flight out to Missouri foland keep u lowed by company? fucking. I mean, true enough, the Because honlol xXPrin- person on the other end was estly, when cessAna guy forks a girl as promised... geluvXx: over $500 for O k a y y y, a plane tickmy address et and flies is ______________ (: out to see you, putting out HotStud69: Mmm, alrite is both expected and justibby ill b there in 20 c u soon fied. lol Then there’s the xXPrincessAngeluvXx: I’ll Craigslist ad romance b w8ing sexy (; in which a series of tim HotStud69 has left the id emails progressed into chat room. full-blown cover-your Hundreds of thousands lap-intense sex fantasies of conversations like this written in excruciatingtraverse the expansive high- ly vivid detail. This one way that is the World Wide only ended in an encounWeb on a day-to-day basis. ter that proved to be awkThe users and their interac- ward “in real life.” IRL. I tions may not be as direct mean, true enough, the and forward as our friends person on the other end HotStud69 and xXPrinces- was a girl as promised, sAngeluvXx, but their un- but when one is given the derlying goals are unified time to think things over under one cohesive desire: and hide behind the veil of raunchy, uninhibited and the computer screen, one the best of all no-strings-at- will come off much more tached sex. suave, charming, endear It’s a phenomenon that ing and lovable than they has its seedy roots bur- actually would “in real ied deep within the nu- life.” trient-rich loam of the It’ll be a strange tale when dot-com era. A platform you tell your kids about how from which one can easi- you met. ly solicit sex anonymous- “Oh yeah, I met your faly was a godsend for per- ther online on a dating verts and loveless-mar- website. He had a 97 perriage businessmen alike, cent match with me!” among others. The pur- Your parents didn’t meet suit of sex via the inter- online, nor did your grandnet used to be something parents and certainly not done furtively in one’s your great grandparents. mother’s basement or on They didn’t need to utilize anonymous public com- the crutches of the internet puters. It was also some- to find companionship or thing that only the lowli- to find someone to lie with er forms of people would on a cold, winter’s eve. flock to: pedophiles, fe- But hey, if it’s an optishists and degenerates. tion for you and you feel Does Chris Hansen’s “To comfortable with doing Catch a Predator” ring a so, then all the more powbell? er to you. I can do nothing But in today’s mod- more than sit behind my ern world, fraught with computer screen and write technology, this rather snarky columns for a colfrowned-upon practice has lege newspaper. branched out and oddly enough become somewhat ANDREW POH is 16/F/in your thoughts, so if acceptable in some veins you’re looking for a good time holla at him, of society. ahem, her at apoh@ucdavis.edu.
A/S/L?
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California rape law criminalizes any sex act that occurs without the consent of at least one sex partner. This includes instances when the suspect used Katelyn physical force, false repreRingrose sentation, intimidation and threats — or if the victim is unaware that the sex act is occurring, intoxicated, unable to make informed decisions or has a mental or physical impairment. Sexist assumptions can harm survivors. Victims are fter a sexual assault, often thought of as weak, survivors are told young passive females to call the police, while rapists are seen as get the support of their strong, male strangers. The concept that vicfriends, seek medical help, press charges and avoid tims are partly responsible taking a shower. This is for rape, are women and great advice that will help must report immediatesurvivors. But what if they ly can produce feelings of shower, don’t have a rape shame in people who don’t kit done, don’t tell anyone fulfill these requirements. The reality of the situation and time goes by? We live in a society that — according to the Rape, expects instant punishment Abuse and Incest National for the rapist and instant re- Network (RAINN) — is that porting from the survivor. two out of three rape vicHowever, this does not al- tims know their rapist and ways happen and many one in every ten victims is survivors feel that if they male. It is extremely likedid not immediately report ly that you or someone you the rape, they aren’t left are close to has been a victim of sexual violence. with other choices. About every two minAll survivors have options, whether they decide to re- utes, someone is raped in port the sexual assault or the United States. Be connot. The victims’ advocates scious that your own actions at the Campus Violence have an impact on not only Prevention Program (CVPP) your own future, but the future of othoffer super rape vicport, inforVictims are often thought tims. Stop mation and assistance of as weak, young passive b e l i e v i n g in myths with living situations, females while rapists are seen about rape as strong, male strangers. and break academthe silence. ic settings The healing process and health. CVPP also provides does not require, nor end guidance to other campus at, an immediate response. resources such as Student Whether you are one of Judicial Affairs (SJA) and the 54 percent of rape surUC Davis Counseling and vivors whose sexual asPsychological Services sault hasn’t been reported (CAPS). CVPP resources or belong to the 46 percent are confidential and free who have, you have opto any UC Davis student tions and you aren’t alone. Get support from peo(both undergraduate and graduate), staff and faculty. ple who will listen: famiIt’s important to realize ly, friends, therapists and that no matter how impor- counselors, and understand tant pressing charges is, that healing from a rape isn’t it is equally important to easy or quick; rape is a life take care of your own well- altering event. It’s imporbeing. Just because you tant to not make or believe didn’t take immediate ac- assumptions about rape or tion doesn’t mean you are shame others. Victims who assume guilt and don’t seek unable to heal. I interviewed a wom- help have a much harder an who was raped at four time recovering. Never think of your emotions as irreleyears old. “When she held the knife vant; every survivor reacts to against my neck, I wasn’t sexual trauma differently. According to a CAPS thinking about what she was doing, I was thinking psychiatrist, surviving a I was afraid of the knife. rape can lead to future Afterwards I kept thinking, problems — both mental ‘She said if I told anyone, and physical — including she would stab me with PTSD, flashbacks, drug or the knife.’ So I never told alcohol abuse, discomfort anyone, ‘til about 30 years in relationships, inability to overcome feelings of later,” she said. We are taught what to vulnerability, etc. We tend do in the immediate, but to forget that individuthose lessons often disre- als, not statistics, are the gard the long-term effects ones affected by sexual violence, and that every stoof sexual violence. Our society presses that ry and healing process is we shouldn’t “invite rape.” different. The myths we hear Don’t wear those clothes, don’t walk in that neigh- about rape are spread borhood, don’t act like through ignorance. Learn that. This shaming implies as much as you can and that if a rape does occur, support mental and physithe fault lies with the vic- cal health in the aftermath tim, rather than the rapist. of sexual violence. You can contact the It conditions us to assume responsibility over some- CVPP at (530) 752-3299. thing that ultimately we are not responsible for — KATELYN RINGROSE would love to hear someone else’s unaccept- your perspective; email her at knringrose@ able actions. ucdavis.edu.
Surviving rape
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Ask DOC JOE and Katy Ann Doc Joe is a psychologist and attorney who has consulted with and advised people of all ages. Katy Ann is a licensed marriage and family therapist, who, like Doc Joe, has counseled and advised people of all ages. The discussion and advice offered in their column is not offered as a clinical recommendation or as a substitute for clinical treatment. Rather, Doc Joe’s and Katy Ann’s comments are intended to stimulate thought, often with a sense of humor. Sometimes they agree; sometimes they don’t. So, read on…
ago. It wasn’t his idea to break up, and he still brings her up when we talk. When Ginny and I would hang out with Jonathan and Carla, Carla and I would often talk and laugh with each other. She had a good-natured way of teasing me. It seemed that it was Carla and I that had the chemistry. One of my friends commented that it seemed like Carla and I were the real couple of our group. But I never even considered making any moves on my best friend’s girlfriend. I’d never do that.
Dear Doc Joe and Katy Ann, I know that you often say “follow your heart.” But, lately, my heart is leading me in two opposing directions. Here’s what’s going on.
So, when Carla saw me in the quad, she ran over and gave me a big hug. She told me that she had missed seeing me, and said that she’d enjoy “hanging out.” She said that she always thought that I was “awesome.” That was really nice to hear.
I’m a college senior. I broke up with my girlfriend, Ginny, last year, after she graduated and moved to Southern California. We had been together since high school, but we both started to become restless, and so we decided that it would be best to separate after she moved. Since then, I’ve dated a few times, but haven’t really been interested in starting a relationship with anyone. I’ve been pretty lonely. Last week I ran into Carla, who was my best friend Jonathan’s girlfriend until they broke up about a month
After that, I asked Jonathan how he’d feel about my hanging out with Carla. He didn’t look happy; he just looked down. He said, “We broke up. She’s free to see who she wants.” I can tell that Jonathan wouldn’t be happy if I started seeing Carla. Jonathan is my best friend, and I don’t want to hurt him. But I haven’t been excited about dating a girl since my last break up. As I said, my heart and head are confused. I could easily call up Carla and
get things started. But my seeing Carla would probably drive a wedge between Jonathan and me. Seamus, in California. Dear Seamus, Katy Ann: I know that it’s hard to get over a breakup. It really does take time to grieve over that loss, and then, it can take time to meet someone who you’d like to befriend or date. It is totally understandable that you would be drawn to someone that you know and like. Doc Joe: Seamus, let’s talk statistics. It’s estimated that California has 1,200,000 women between the ages of 20 and 24. Allowing for 25 relatives, women you have previously dated, and girls who kicked you in the shin during elementary school, along with Carla, there are still 1,199,975 women in California who might be available for dating… Katy Ann: … Not counting those who are in committed relationships. Doc Joe: Yes. Not counting them. Well, that still leaves a lot of women for Seamus to meet that were never his best friend’s girlfriend.
See ASKDOC, page 4
The california aggie
Science &Technology
wednesday, november 28, 2012 3
the chimps and bonobos that actually causing you to laugh; we share an ancestor with. In it is the context and the way it chimps, an essential aspect is delivered. Content plays alof social behavior is the act of most no role in determining grooming. Grooming, an activwhat is funny. ity usually practiced in pairs, Why is it funny to watch Hudson fortifies bonds between memWile E. Coyote and the Road Lofchie bers of a group. Runner and see the coyote get flattened by an an As group sizes increased, vil, or blown up by copious and the first humans began amounts of dynamite? Why do to emerge, complex language we watch “America’s Funniest also emerged as a way to form Home Videos” and burst with bonds between multiple memlaughter when someone falls bers simultaneously. While through a trampoline, and why grooming can only accommooman to Winston Churchill: Sir, you are is it funny when someone trips date two or three individuals, on the sidewalk but doesn’t get conversation can include 10 or drunk. more individuals, and a verbal Winston Churchill to Woman: hurt? presentation can reach hunAnd you are ugly. But tomorrow, As a scientific experiment, dreds or thousands at once. Of and not just for laughs, reI will be sober. course, not evsearchers ery group memtickled three Humor is as much a part of Laughter has even been proved ber can activehuman inbeing human as anger, sadfants, seven ness, joy or any other emoto be closely related to blushing, ly participate in a conversaorangutans, tion. Even more fascinating is an involuntary act. tion, so laughing five gorillas, the fact that humor spans evemerged as a four chimery single culture on earth. signal that indipanzees, five Regardless of language, relividuals could use to show that bonobos and one siamang. gion, ethnicity or geographic they were engaged and part of region, humor permeates writ- The “family tree” that was the larger group. created by analyzing laughten letter and spoken word. ter vocal patterns was an ex Laughter has even been This pervasiveness exists beact match for the true genetic proved to be closely related to cause humor comes from blushing, an involuntary act. within. It is hardwired into ev- family tree. When a member of a group is The evolution of laughter ery one of us. We can stop not participating in a converis intrinsically linked with the laughter if we really try, but evolution of the human brain. sation, neurons in parts of the that feeling of laughter we exbrain responsible for vocalizaLaughter and a sense of huperience on the inside is immor are part of what make the tion become overexcited, but possible to fake. without any language passing Take a look at any comedian human brain so amazing, and who performs on the stage and so superior in capacity to even through the vocalization areas, you will notice that it is almost our closest relatives. Humans See PUNCH, page 4 are social species, and so are never the content itself that is
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away, and the mountain of tasks not shrinking along with them autonomously, it’s easy to start believing that all of one’s attention must go to the job at hand. However, a change of scenery and attitude can often reAlan sult in seeing the problem from a Lin fresh perspective. Why would a shower really help with thinking about problems creatively or differently? The answer lies in how dramatic of a change in setting the shower really represents. Many college students identify themselves as competent multitaskers. It’s a really good euphemism for saying my generation is distracted the vast majority of the time. The sight of a college student with a laptop in their room isn’t t’s the most wonderful time of the a terribly uncommon one, and while it is a great tool for all things proyear! ductive and academic, it provides People are coming back from 24-hour access to an all-you-can-eat their Thanksgiving breaks, eyes locked ahead on the upcoming win- buffet of information, and an even larger source of fun diversions. ter holiday. Oh, and finals are right The hyperbole “mind-numbing” around the corner. All of that work comes to mind when describing the and information from the past few vast quantity of inweeks is culminatformation available. ing in either a large Why would a shower really help However, it isn’t enexam or paper. Throw in whatever with thinking about problems tirely inappropriate. The sheer volume of personal issues the creatively or differently? information available, average Aggie goes both pertinent and through on a dayextraneous, provides to-day basis and a very easy outlet for procrastination. early winter becomes a stressful The shower eliminates a lot of time. Fortunately, there’s a simple the potential for distraction by beway of finding at least a moment of mental focus and creativity. Step ing a generally unfit environment to bring electronics. But apart from it back. Breathe. Take a shower. Go ahead and laugh incredulously. With the precious seconds ticking See DISTRACT, page 4
Distractions from distractions
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Buying more than you bargained for New study highlights exposure to food contaminants
Charles O’Rear / Aggie
Pesticides used on crops bioaccumulate in humans through diet. Eating organic food and reducing meat consumption can lower exposure to toxins.
By NICOLE NOGA Aggie Science Writer
People are seemingly more and more concerned with what goes into their bodies. The diet craze began decades ago with the re-
lease of everything from dieting books to pills to yoga classes, all promising a healthier lifestyle. Proposition 37 strove to educate consumers about genetically modified foods and where they come from. One would think that the health-savvy consumer would know about what they are eating, but according to a recent study done by researchers at UC Davis and UCLA, there is more to our groceries than meets the eye. "Contaminants get into our food in a variety of ways," said principal investigator of the study Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor and chief of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health at UC Davis, in a press release. "They can be chemicals that have nothing to do with the food or byproducts from processing. We wanted to understand the dietary pathway [that] pesticides, metals and other toxins take to get into the body." In the study, researchers at UC Davis and UCLA honed in on foods with high levels of contaminants and measured the exposure in adults and children. Arsenic, dieldrin, DDE (a DDT metabolite), dioxins and acrylamide were among the different toxins examined in the study. According to Marc B. Shenker, professor in UC Davis Public Health Sciences, symptoms of arsenic exposure include difficulty concentrating, decrease in energy, decrease in appetite and hair loss, most of which correlate with a variety of disorders making exposure hard to detect. The other toxins are connected to cancer and developmental disabilities. “Cancer is not the only health impact of exposure to foodborne toxins,” said Rainbow Vogt, lead author of the study. “Exposure to
Final exam tech tips for the hopeless procrastinator By KELLY MITCHELL Aggie Science Writer
Finals are just around the corner, and if you are like most college students, you have a serious problem with procrastination. By studying on your computer and having your cell phone nearby, you are at risk of being seduced by your technology and the vast amount of distractions that it can provide. Technology can seriously harm your studying if you are pulled away by every ding and ring on your digital devices. However, technology can also save you from technology. The following applications are easy to use and are very effective in curbing procrastination. The first program is Freedom, which is $10 at macfreedom.com. Freedom completely disables all access to the internet for a set amount of time. Getting online once Freedom has start-
ed is very difficult, so it is good at keeping you focused. Freedom costs $10, but there are free alternatives as well. LeechBlock, an extension for the Firefox browser, which you can get at addons. mozilla.org, will not cost you a dime, and is more customizable than Freedom. It does not block all your internet access but instead only blocks sites that you tell it to. LeechBlock is useful when a lot of your studying material is online so you still need to access the internet. In addition to internetblocking programs, there are also activity-monitoring programs that can mock your weakness and show you how much you are letting your technology distract you. RescueTime, which is free at rescuetime.com, will actually track your online activity and provide you with informative charts that reveal just how much time you
spend on your favorite, distracting websites. This is a good way to visualize how much time you are wasting, and can be effective when used along with Freedom or LeechBlock. As for your cell phone distraction, you could simply choose to just turn it off for a certain amount of time. If you cannot bring yourself to part with it, don’t worry, there’s an app for that. It’s called StudyBuddy, 99 cents for iPhone/Android, and it will use a graph, like RescueTime, to show all the times you stopped working to send a text or play your new game. Technology can be your greatest study partner, or your academic downfall. Luckily, there is enough technology available that it can help negate some of its own negative effects. KELLY MITCHELL can be reached at science@ theaggie.org.
pesticides, metals and persistent organic pollutants in our environment has also been linked to reproductive toxicity, hormone dysfunction, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, neurological impairment and behavioral problems.” The individuals with the higher exposure to the foodborne toxins were young children around 4 or 5 years old. Pesticide and persistent organic pollutant exposure was high in tomatoes, peaches, apples, peppers, grapes, lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, spinach, dairy, pears, green beans and celery, but the mechanisms by which the toxins get into food are less obvious. “Pesticides are used on the [crops] which are fed to an animal, [such as] a cow,” said Takayuki Shibamoto, professor in the UC Davis Environmental Toxicology department. “Then people eat the meat … [ingesting] very, very small amounts of [toxins].” Vogt also said that often toxins bioaccumulate, meaning toxin concentrations increase the further up the food chain the product goes. Even with fresh fruit, it is best to rinse before consuming it. Although there is no way as a consumer to check for toxins in food items, there are ways to reduce exposure. Eating organic foods will reduce pesticide exposure, and reducing meat consumption will reduce exposure to organic pollutants. Also, as a general rule, it is better to consume grains and fish lower on the food chain, meaning it has not been processed — processing is where much of the contaminants originate from. Tortilla chips and precut French fries, for example, have acrylamide, a carcinogen that is also found in ciga-
rette smoke. “In addition to food, we are exposed to environmental pollutants from a number of sources including personal care products, household products and cleaning products,” said Vogt. “I recommend being an educated consumer by becoming informed about ways to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors like BPA and flame retardants, in addition to pesticides.” A few ways to lower exposure to toxins, in addition to eating organic foods and lowering consumption of animal foods, are to reduce the use of plastics — especially in the kitchen — and to improve air quality by dusting and vacuuming frequently. Reducing the use of plastic in the kitchen is important because when plastic cookware is heated or burned, toxic fumes are released into the air and can be inhaled. Keeping houseplants and opening windows can also improve indoor air quality. Eating healthy is important, and by no means does this study label all vegetables, fruits and meat as toxic appetizers. Shibamoto commented saying that people should be more worried about the lipids in meat than pesticides and the like. People should just be aware of these substances in their food and take precautions to avoid any long-term exposure. So while it is not necessary to go on a drastic organic-only diet or wash your fruits vigorously, there is a lot of truth to the saying, “Be careful about what you put into your mouth; you don’t know where it has been.” NICOLE NOGA can be reached at science@theaggie.org.
The Sleeping Beauty app By ALLEN GUAN Aggie Science Writer
REM, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep, is a beautiful state in which we wander the surreal realms of the mind in the quest for organizing and sorting information we accumulate throughout the day. Unfortunately for us college kids, we can never seem to get enough of it. Like many, I suffer from sleep deprivation. Countless nights, I’ve stayed up to write seemingly endless papers, complete homework assignments, or cram furiously for tests. This sleepiness or grogginess is due to the lack of, or interruptions in, the REM sleep cycle. Every night, the average person gets between 90-120 minutes of the all-important REM sleep. When we are woken up in this sleep stage, we face possible grogginess, and, in my case, “the grumpies.” Luckily, there’s an app that ensures that we do not wake up during this critical period. SmartAlarm (free, or 99 cents for the pro version on iOS/Android) is a fantastic app that helps people wake up at the appropriate times without ruining REM sleep. Once activated, the app
uses the phone’s accelerometer to track slight movements while you sleep. You simply place the phone next to yourself (or under your pillow) while you sleep, and the app does the rest. By monitoring the patterns of movement, the app can predict when your REM sleep stage is over. There’s even an option where you can see a graph of your sleep cycles! The app isn’t perfect and can cause you to wake up slightly past the time you set. It can also drain your phone’s battery quickly, so keep it charging. An alternative to SmartAlarm is SleepTime (99 cents for iOS and Android). SleepTime has similar functions to SmartAlarm but also has some added features. When you set an alarm for 8 a.m., the app will wake you up anytime between 7:30 and 8 depending on where you are in your sleep cycle. It offers the ability to lull you to sleep with the sounds of nature, and can wake you up with a standard alarm or sounds from your iTunes library. Both of these apps are available on the iTunes store or Android marketplace. ALLEN GUAN can be reached at science@theaggie.org.
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have developed a preference for what is called “benign violation.” The incongruity, or violation, only evokes humor and laughter if it is Cont. from page 3 benign. If Coyote had an anvil fall on him, he the result is a “panting cackle” that we call would be crushed to death and there would laughter. It is the social importance of laughter only be one episode of the show. The fact that that has evolved, not laughter itself. he only gets flattened, proceeds to spring back Laughter is so important to the human sense to normal and continues his mission without a scratch on him is what makes his pain humorof socializing that we have come to associate socializing with substances that lower our inhi- ous, benign. bitions and make us laugh, such as alcohol and Sarcasm and irony are essentially an artifimarijuana. cial creation to elicit the feelings of humor that But what exactly is humor? What is it about we so enjoy. We find humor in the irony that the a certain sentence, phrase, action or expresAlanis Morrisette song “Irony” has absolutely no sion that makes us laugh? If laughter is meant irony in it. Or we may find a mirthful pleasure in for bonding, what makes us laugh at Coyote’s learning that a meter maid gets their drivers liplight and something embarrassing that some- cense suspended for having too many unpaid one did, versus not laugh at someone falling parking tickets. out of a 10th-floor window? Freud had a theory that humor and laugh Perhaps laughter comes from a desire for ter were related to sexual tension. But of superiority, when laughter from thousands course, what wasn’t related to sexual tension comes at the cost of shame for a few. Public in Freud’s mind? Freud’s idea ties back to the shaming or bullying causes many people to incongruity idea, but it’s more sex-oriented. laugh, but directly hurts those who are at the A sexual topic is brought up in conversation, receiving end of it. but the conclusion or punchline is not what the brain was expecting. Maybe humor comes from the hilarity of incongruity; when something happens Roses are red, violets are blue, I suck at poetthat is completely opposite to what we were ry, show me your boobs. expecting. Humor evolved because it rewards humans A man at the doctor’s office is reading a pam- for being able to resolve false mental assumpphlet on relationship facts. One fact states tions. Humor is the brain’s way of keeping itself that one out of every three people in a relain check and preventing runaway assumptions tionship is unfaithful. The man thinks to himfrom harming us. self, “Hmm, I wonder if it’s my wife or my girl Children learn the humor of irony when friend?” their parents tell them that they have no idea The joke gets set up, but the punchline how the presents got under the tree, and that causes the brain to correct its first assumpthey have no idea who ate the cookies and tions. Writer David Sedaris has managed to drank the milk. turn this incongruity/resolution form of humor Humor, sarcasm and irony can be painful and into an art form in his books and short stories. humiliating, but it is often that pain and humilHe tells a story about learning that the first per- iation where we find the lessons we were supson on earth to live to be 200 years old has alposed to learn from the situation. So when your ready been born, and prays to god that the per- friend asks if you actually paid money for that son is not his father. new haircut, learn from it. Get a different cut next time. Of course, not all incongruities are funny. Grave injury, child abuse, severe gambling losses … these are all incongruities to social norms, but are not funny. HUDSON LOFCHIE tries really hard to be funny. Sometimes, it works. He can be reached at science@theaggie.org. These do not trigger laughter because we
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askdoc Cont. from psge 2 Katy Ann: I’ll take the friendship perspective. Seamus, I’ve known many people who stayed close to their best friend for their entire life. Best friendships are a joy to maintain. Usually, they need a little bit of shared time. But, they also need loyalty.
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distract Cont. from page 3 being impractical to be on Facebook or Reddit while you’re scrubbing, the shower does a number of other great things to put the mind at ease. It provides a moment’s rest from the day-to-day sensory overload we’ve become so accustomed to. The brain is very receptive to sensory stimulation and has specialized regions for deciphering inputs from the surrounding environment. The human ear is receptive to changes in the surrounding air pressure caused by sound waves. An incoming wave vibrates the eardrum at a certain frequency. The drum’s movement causes a set of bones to transfer the vibration into the cochlea, where different vibrations would cause different sensory hair cells to detect the change and send nerve impulses to the brain. The above package results in the sensation of sound. The repetitive noise of the water droplets coming out of the shower head is arrhythmic, irregular, and to the mind’s understanding, inconsequential. It has the same soothing effect as the faint rumblings of a car when one is a passenger in the back seat. The mind wanders comfortably and the rider is often lulled into a deep tranquility. In the case of the shower, instead of having your concentration yanked away by Skrillex, your housemate loudly playing video games or your upstairs neighbors getting into a competition of who can drop the heaviest objects on their floor, your auditory cortex is granted respite by the pitter patter of synthesized rain on the wall. Another of our senses that is constantly accosted throughout the
Doc Joe: Guys really don’t feel right about friendship with Jonathan has to come first. their friends flirting with their girlfriend, or I’m guessing that she’ll respect that. dating their ex. Katy Ann: And having a best friend to Katy Ann: I agree. Seamus, I can tell that walk through life with is truly a gift from you like Carla, and that you sense a good heaven. connection with her. But your loyalty is to your best friend. You sound like you are a Doc Joe: Sounds like we agree. So, there you nice, caring guy. For the sake of your friend- have it. ship with Jonathan, I think the right thing to do would be to let Carla know that your Postscript: The above letter is from our
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day is our vision. Flashing colors on computer screens, swerving bikers in the roundabouts, lecture slides, etc. On the retina, images trigger an arrangement of photosensory cells to send information to the brain via the optic nerve. At our desks, there are all kinds of images being formed and dealt with by the brain. For the most part, the shower is empty (save for bottles of soaps and shampoos, maybe some kind of brush or scrubber). The uniformity of the tiles doesn’t really provide us with the same kind of mental engagement that a bright flashing popup saying “INSTANT WINNER” does. As a result, in the shower, our brain can tune out much of the input from the occipital lobe for a while and let the mind focus on more important things. The ability to enter an environment in which visual and auditory stimuli can be ignored lets us harness the brain’s massive processing power and redirect it from external problems towards more abstract internal solutions. Ultimately, the creative retreat to the shower might not be a major innovation in the cognitive science of productivity. At the very least, however, it serves as a moment’s pause from distraction, during which the mind is free to recuperate in its own private meditation pod. In addition to all the mental and creative benefits of showering, there are also clear social rewards. Surrounding peers will be incredibly grateful for the reduced olfactory assaults caused by reluctance to bathe. When not in his white noise pod, the well-groomed ALAN LIN can be reached at science@theaggie.org.
archives. Four years later we heard from Seamus. He’s married to Rebecca and has a child on the way. His best friend, Jonathan, and his wife, live in the same neighborhood. He thanks us. DJ and KA. If you’d like to get Ask Doc Joe & Katy Ann advice, please contact us at askdocjoeandkatyann@aol.com. Include your name, state of residence and your question, along with a brief description of the situation. FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 25, 2010
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ACROSS 1 Quick kiss 5 Bond player, seven times 10 Confiscated auto 14 End of a fronton game? 15 Back list 16 Court cry 17 Detectives assigned to unsolved mysteries? 20 Buddy boy 21 Calls, in a way 22 Waste not 23 Navig. guide 26 Quarterback Roethlisberger 27 Stable diet? 30 Soak through 33 Siesta shawl 35 Local groups 37 Start of a theory 38 Intermission queues? 42 Hawaii’s “Valley Isle” 43 Midwestern landscape 44 Ring setting 47 Carrying capacities 51 Pavement warning 52 Word processor setting 54 Mad Hatter’s drink 55 Fjord relative 56 Like some bio majors 59 Daphne eloped with him on “Frasier” 61 Shower gifts for brie lovers? 65 Word that can precede each word in 17-, 38and 61-Across 66 Crucial artery 67 Regarding, to counsel 68 Fesses (up) 69 Watch secretly 70 “Just a coupla __” DOWN 1 Get ready to go
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2 Kay Thompson’s impish six-yearold 3 Mobile maker 4 William the pirate 5 Hamm of soccer 6 Switch positions 7 River forming part of Germany’s eastern border 8 Betty Ford Center program 9 Oozes out 10 Prefix with tiller 11 Sleeping aid 12 A pop 13 Jigger’s 11/2: Abbr. 18 Clear and convincing 19 High Court count 24 Poker holding 25 Condescend 28 Big louts 29 House call? 31 Partner of words 32 Gay leader? 34 Unilever laundry soap brand 36 Like a whip? 38 Train guide 39 Continental
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40 Gin and tonic garnish 41 Away from the coast 42 Roast hosts, for short 45 Sport __: family vehicles 46 Equal to, with “the” 48 Actress Dahl 49 No-calorie cola
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50 Gets fresh with 53 Dizzy’s jazz 57 Wine list heading 58 Fishing craft 60 Cow-horned goddess 61 Comic Margaret 62 Cut off 63 From __ B: basic step 64 Fled or bled
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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.
wednesday, NOVEMBER 28, 2012 5
The california Aggie
UC Davis students rank high when it comes to Honest-tea
Davis and ASUCD plan Adopt-AStudent initiative
Honest Campus sale puts honesty to the test By LAUREN MASCARENHAS Aggie News Writer
This October, UC Davis students displayed their honesty while quenching their thirst at Honest Tea’s “Honest Campus” sale. Honest Campus is a sale in which Honest Tea bottles are set up at unmanned stands on campus. Payment ($1, collected in a clear box at the stand), is made under the honor system. Once the stands are up and the bottles are out, Honest Tea staff stand back and watch from afar as their thirsty customers’ honesty is put to the test. “The idea is to see if people will pay the $1 for the tea (the honest approach) or just grab one without paying,” said Darin Schluep, Foodservice Director with the Associated Students Dining Services at UC Davis, in an email interview. Honest Tea approached Davis in early October with the hopes of conducting this social experiment on campus. On Oct. 24, Davis students were put to the test. Honest Tea staff discreetly watched the stand from nearby, tracking the results of the sale. As it turns out, UC Davis is extremely honest — at least by Honest Tea standards. An initial report told of a 107 percent return from the sale. Not only was every bottle paid for in full, but some people even paid more than $1. “If that's true then that would make us the Most Honest Campus in
Ann Rice
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Abigail Alcala / Aggie
UC Davis was rated as the most honest campus by Honest Tea’s Honest Campus Sale. Honest Tea set up unmanned booths, relying on customers’ honesty for payment. the country (out of all the campuses that have done this ‘experiment’)!” Schluep said. The money acquired from the sale will be donated to the UC Davis charity of choice: The ASUCD Scholarship Fund. Honest Campus is an extension of
Claire Pomeroy
EARNERS Cont. from front page are below the salaries people receive at comparably-ranked universities, according to Cameron. “Most of us work between 40 and 100 hours a week, including massive amounts of middle of the night and weekend and holidays work. Compared to lawyers, administrators, business people and private practice neurosurgeons, our pay is actually low, and if calculated as per hour/overtime pay it is really low,” Muizelaar said in an email interview. Muizelaar said that only the best are admitted to medical school, and of that group, only top students are accepted into neurosurgery training programs. After seven years of grueling training at around age 34 to 40, students graduate.
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He said that despite the high “status” of neurosurgery, there is already a noticeable decrease in interest in going into neurosurgery, probably in part due to the mismatch between talent and working conditions and pay as compared to many other fields. Some still do not agree with the amount of pay UC faculty members continue to receive during the state’s ongoing financial crisis. “I find it disturbing that you could take $100,000 out of each person’s salary and they would still be part of the one percent and not even feel the effects of losing that money ... Right there we would have $1 million that could then go back into a school that is already facing severe budget cuts,” said Rachel Elefant, a third-year religious studies and history double major. According to UC Davis Interim Executive Director of Strategic
SENATOR Cont. from front page complaints were filed after elections, as it is required in section 411F of the ASUCD Bylaws which state any suspicious behaviors must be reported to the Elections Committee. “[By] reporting potentially unlawful (by ASUCD, not state or federal) election behaviors, we are attempting to safeguard the election process from things that would overfranchise certain candidates or encourage breaking of university codes,” he said. “By reporting these issues, we encourage candidates now and into the future to follow our bylaws and encourage the fairness and transparency of ASUCD elections.” A case was also filed against the NOW slate by ASUCD Refrigerator Services director Eddie Truong, also alleging that NOW falsified its expenditure forms by not properly citing alcohol expenditures at a party. As former Elections Committee chair, Cano said he believes the cases which have been presented are “childish” and have been filed in response to complaints against both slates. “I can only hope these complaints are resolved in an expedited manner because
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Jan Paul Muizelaar
the “National Honesty Index,” a social experiment the company put into effect this summer. Across the country, unmanned stands were set up, and the virtue of Honest Tea drinkers around the nation was tested. Over 50 stands were set up in 30 cities. Honest Tea then used their findings to rank the honesty of cities, genders, business districts, hobbies and more. “Though our experiment might not pass muster with a social scientist, the results present fascinating and fun insights about the American population,” said Seth Goldman, President and “TeaEO” of Honest Tea in a press release. According to Honest Tea’s National Honesty Index, Salt Lake City and Oakland were both 100 percent honest, while the least honest location was Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn, NY (61 percent). Women ranked more honest than men; men with beards won over men in suits; bikers beat out comic book fans … and the comparisons continue. "It was great to see that by and large, people across the country are honest," said Peter Kaye, Honest Tea vice president of marketing, in a press release. The full Honesty Index, including all comparisons and statistics, can be found at nationalhonestyindex.com. LAUREN MASCARENHAS can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org.
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Kim Kee
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Communications Barry Shiller, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi’s salary at $408,915.96 was temporarily reduced during previous systemwide employee furloughs, which were imposed as a cost-cutting measure. “[The] chancellor’s salaries are set contractually and subject to approval by the UC Regents. Chancellor Katehi’s compensation is the same as it was when she was appointed in 2009,” Shiller said. Most recently, the newly appointed UC Berkeley chancellor, Nicholas B. Dirks, was awarded a $50,000 increase in his salary, which is now $486,000. During a recent UC Board of Regents meeting, it was stated that this would be paid by private donations, not state funds, according to a UC Office of the President statement. NATASHA QABAZARD can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org.
I think all these cases are a joke … You have candidates ... filing complaints against other candidates and at the same time advocating to be a representative for students. Such complaints are only hurting the student body,” Cano said. According to Cano there were eight complaints filed, including a case filed by senator-elect Felicia Ong, which alleges that campaigners from Figueroa’s campaign approached her on a Unitrans bus and called her “racist,” potentially violating the ASUCD Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights states that one has a right to be free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, status within or outside the university or political belief in all activities sponsored or conducted by the University, its affiliates, ASUCD or campus student groups as addressed in the UC Davis Principles of Community. Cano said that only the Elections Committee has the ability to enforce election regulations explicitly stated in the Bylaws. Another complaint was filed that alleges that SMART candidates campaigned near the Memorial Union bus terminals, which violates section 411C of the ASUCD Bylaws,
Program to be introduced next year
Irisa Tam / Aggie
By WENDY CHAO Aggie News Writer
ASUCD and the City of Davis Student City Liaison Commission have begun building an Adopt-A-Student program, which would provide food to UC Davis students made by local families. The idea is currently in an early planning stage and will allow all incoming and current UC Davis undergraduates who are struggling to provide food for themselves to eat home-cooked meals with host families. ASUCD President Rebecca Sterling and ASUCD Vice President Yena Bae first presented the initiative to the campus community when they were running for executive office last winter. “Rebecca [Sterling] and I were looking at some practical and tangible ways that could create a stronger sense of community with families and the community of Davis,” Bae said in an email. The pair said that their inspiration for this project stemmed from a need for togetherness in the student body. “We are initiating this program because the college town model of Davis is unique today, and something special that we should all benefit from,” Sterling said in an email. “This is an opportunity to supplement students' education while at Davis, and connect permanent residents more with the large population of students.” The creators of Adopt-A-Student said that the procedure also presents a sense of home and belonging to undergraduates in a college atmosphere. “With the growth of the university, and more and more students yielding from out-of-state and international areas, we felt like this would be a great way to cater a sense of home away from home. I think this could be a huge support as most of them do struggle with not being physically near home or with their family,” Bae said. In addition to the project's effects on student participants, the members of ASUCD's executive office also said that they are hopeful for the initiative's future. “We hope that this year's kickoff of the program will be organized well enough so that there is no 'termination' date set for the program. We hope to make this a permanent presence in the Davis community,” Sterling said. UC Davis students have commented on the program, stating that they like the idea because of the opportunities it presents concerning personal relationships, as well as health. “If those [UC Davis] students don't have good relationships with their families, they can get a second chance in building more relationships. They can actually get nutritional food as opposed to the unhealthy preservatives in junk food,” said first-year civil engineering major Elvia Velazquez. The program is planned to launch next year with more information in social media advertising campaigns. Students and families interested in the event may register online when the program begins. Interests, dietary restrictions and allergies are some of the key components in matching students and hosts during the adoption process, as well as an assured safe and healthy environment from the host family. WENDY CHAO can be reached at city@theaggie.org.
which states that no campaign executive or slate may use the endorsement of an ASUCD unit, unless the endorsement was conducted through proper procedures. A complaint was also filed against NOW for allegedly campaigning in dorm buildings. Sagala said she believed that the initial complaint against SMART was filed for political reasons, as it was filed after the election results were announced. “The accusers are simply trying to find petty reasons to prevent Armando and [me] from being seated in ASUCD, which is very sad considering we were looking forward to working with them and making a positive impact on campus,” Sagala said. As the Election Committee is presently reviewing the complaints, Bottoms explained he will not discuss evidence of the allegations. “I do not want to slander anyone, especially since they will probably be my coworker soon,” he said. Bottoms added that the complaints were not filed based on slate affiliation. “I happened to see information regarding this suspicious incident and I decided that it was my duty to report it. I did not file anything regarding any of the independent candidates because I simply did not view anything that could have potentially bro-
reduce.
ken the bylaws,” he said. ASUCD Senator Jared Crisologo-Smith, a founding member of the SMART slate, said he believes that the complaints were filed against SMART candidates in order to garner more seats for NOW candidates. “This is an outrage, and represents an egregious offense to the principles of democracy that ASUCD was founded upon,” he said. Sagala said that this will not handicap her goals as a senator-elect. “I plan to always work hard in a positive direction regardless of detractors to those efforts. If anything, this has only mobilized me and my support to make sure students aren’t having their voices suppressed … I hope that after this is handled we can move forward as was originally intended to work hard to improve UC Davis,” she said. According to Hsu, the Elections Committee plans to release violation point assessments and their associated complaints later this week. Senators-elect will be sworn in tomorrow during the Senate meeting at 6:10 p.m. in the Memorial Union Mee Room. Current senators who will term out will also offer their official farewells to the Senate. MUNA SADEK can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
recycle.
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The california Aggie
wednesday, NOVEMBER 28, 2012
Award-winning Aggie traditions Completion of 50 traditions awarded with medal at graduation
Biran Nguyen / Aggie
Above: Seeing a show at the Mondavi Center is a UC Davis tradition. Jeff Perry / Aggie Brian Nguyen / Aggie
Going to football games is the ninth tradition on the California Aggie Alumni Association’s list of top 50 UC Davis traditions.
By JOYCE BERTHELSEN Aggie Features Writer
Taking the Unitrans bus, going to the Silo Union and eating at the ASUCD Coffee House (CoHo) may seem like a daily routine to most students. Little do they know that these are part of 50 Aggie traditions that could earn them a medallion to walk with at graduation. The 50 Aggie traditions is a challenge that began in 2008 but has never been truly promoted until this year. The Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) created a list of 50 activities and events unique to the Davis community. Once a student has completed all 50 during their time at UC Davis, the Student Alumni Association (SAA) awards them with a medal and traditions booklet at the end of the school year to acknowledge them as a true Aggie. “If you keep track of the traditions, they’ll help you keep track of what’s going on on campus,” said Sarah Ng, a secondyear sociology and psychology double major and SAA director of traditions. “And it’s just a way that the whole campus comes together to promote UC Davis.” The challenge was created a few years ago, but not many students knew about the traditions. This year, the SAA is working to better promote and implement the challenges by tabling at events, posting flyers
around campus and advertising through Facebook. Students who complete all 50 traditions this year will be the first group to do so. “I’m determined to finish all of them, which is actually totally possible,” said Angelica Thornton, a fourth-year political science major and SAA vice president of outreach and alumni relations. “I’ve been taking pictures, completing a bunch of them this year, and I’m on track to finish all [of ] them, so it’s possible.“ Thornton said she has completed about 45 traditions but has not recorded them. She is starting over this year and wants to capture photos at each event for her own keepsake, and thus she is currently at 12 for the year. Although there is a total of 49 traditions — with the 50th being a tradition you make yourself — students find that they have completed many of them from simply attending UC Davis. For instance, traditions include visiting the Arboretum, reading The Aggie and studying in the library. However, some require more conscious effort, such as seeing a show at the Mondavi Center, riding the Davis bike loop and taking part in Pajamarino, which only happens once a year. “I have mixed feelings on how difficult it is to achieve,” said Mandy Hanou, a fourthyear human development major. “I mean,
Below: Mr. Hollingshead, a Band-Uh and UC Davis alumnus, was one of many participants in this year’s homecoming Pajamarino at the train station.
you can’t make it too easy so that everybody could do it. You have to have a certain amount of Aggie pride and want to try it to earn the medallion.” Hanou has been in the UC Davis Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! since her freshman year, and says she owes her completion of 40 traditions to all the events they have attended. Students can fill out a PDF form available online and submit it to the SAA for their medallion and booklet at the end of the school year. Although students are encouraged to take pictures at each event, it is not required, which brings up the question of honesty. “I love the fact that we’re giving out a medal and a booklet, but I don’t believe that students would intentionally lie just to get one medal from SAA,” Thornton said. “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not a gold medal. So it is done on the honor system. There’s no purpose for a student to lie about it. If they like the idea, then they’re most likely going to do it for the fun of doing it and the spirit of being an Aggie.” Fun and Aggie spirit are only two reasons the SAA is advocating the traditions. Ng, who is halfway through the challenge, also said that the traditions are essential to the UC Davis experience as a way to get involved on campus, to know about all the
Saturate Yolo to show iPhone images of Yolo County
events, to promote UC Davis and to meet new people. “They’re all really realistic things to do, and they’re all things that you should do while you’re at Davis to really take advantage of all that the campus has to offer,” Ng said. Along with CAAA and ASUCD, the SAA is working with different on-campus organizations, such as the CoHo and ASUCD Bike Barn, to hold events promoted as the name of the event and tradition number. The Aggie Traditions Facebook page invites students to events, such as football games, which are tradition number nine. However, Thornton said that the SAA is working with organizations now in hopes that these organizations will hold their own events to promote Aggie traditions in the future. The list of traditions and PDF form can be found online, but Thornton said the SAA is in the process of creating a phone application to help students keep better track of the list. She said that this will make it easier and hopefully encourage students to take part in the challenge. “You’re not going to have this forever,” Thornton said. “It’s going to be gone in a flash, so enjoy it while you can [and] remember it while you can. Make some memories; have some fun.” JOYCE BERTHELSEN can be reached at features@theaggie.org.
campus CHIC.
Exhibit will allow people to get involved, share their own pictures
Brian Nguyen / Aggie
The Davis Art Center will host Saturate Yolo, a collection of images of Yolo County taken with an iPhone. The exhibit will coincide with the City of Davis’ “Phone Art Month.”
By PAAYAL ZAVERI Aggie Staff Writer
A new type of exhibit will be displayed at the Davis Art Center in January. The center will host Saturate Yolo, a display of images taken using an iPhone and focusing solely on Yolo County. Local Davis resident and artist Dave Webb created the exhibit, which will feature over 60 printed images and a five-frame electronic installation that will rotate dozens more images.
The exhibit will coincide with the City of Davis’ “Phone Art Month.” During the month of January, people will be free to post their own phone images on a Facebook page synced with Saturate Yolo. Webb said that research has shown 85 percent of American adults own a cell phone and 76 percent of those users take pictures with those devices. He also said new technology allows people to share those images instantaneously, which most people do via some social media platform. They also use their phones to edit and manipulate the images. “Declaring January ‘Phone Art Month’ is an invitation for people to submit their stuff on Facebook for others to look at,” Webb said. “There’s something about the arts that's really critical and I think that phone art allows people to get involved.” Webb started noticing the artistic quality of these images when he used his iPhone and started sharing his images on Facebook in 2008. He uses a range of iPhone applications to saturate the images. “It seems like a really cool exhibit; I’ve never heard about anything like this before,” said Kevin McCormick, a third-year English major. “I didn’t realize you could use camera phones to create artwork on this scale. It’ll be interesting to see what kinds of images people post on Facebook.” This exhibit reflects the ever-changing nature of the art scene in Downtown Davis, according to Mayor Joe Krovoza. He stated that in the last 18 months, the Davis art scene has simply exploded and is taking Davis creativity to a new level. All the new exhibits will contribute to the monthly 2nd Friday ArtAbout. The exhibit will be shown from Jan. 5 to Feb. 2 at the Tsao Gallery in the Davis Art Center on F Street. There will be a reception on Jan. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the Facebook page will go live on Jan. 5. “One of the things I’m most proud of is the real multimedia and multidimensional aspects of our art [in] downtown,” Krovoza said. “We have always been a city that has thrived on sculpture because of the John Natsoulas Gallery. But then with the Transmedia Art Walk we really jumped into the digital age and this is another step in that direction.” PAAYAL ZAVERI can be reached at city@theaggie.org.
By STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN Aggie News Writer
Victoria Yuen-Ruan, secondyear linguistics and Chinese double major Spotted in the Memorial Union Bookstore The Aggie: What are you wearing? Yuen-Ruan: “Today I’m wearing a velvet jacket from Zara, a skeleton T-shirt dress and deer antler ring from Ebay, H&M ankle boots and an Urban Outfitters bag.”
How did you decide what to wear today? “I got a new jacket so I knew I wanted to wear it. I wanted something to keep me warm, and this jacket is incredibly warm.” Where do you find inspiration? “Japanese street style. And I like Alexander McQueen.” What is your favorite winter accessory? “A giant, massive, overwhelming scarf!” STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.