Aggie flashback
MLK controversy Are you still under the impression MLK was a pacifist? Turn to page three to read political columnist Rajiv Narayan’s thoughts on how history made him that way.
Take a trip into the past with this new spotlight, featuring photos from past Aggie photographers.
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Opinion | Page 3
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www.theaggie.org
volume 130, number 103
tuesday, october 25, 2010
Banks to start charging debit card users monthly fees Some banks still testing the waters By CLAIRE TAN Aggie News Writer
More banks are jumping on the bandwagon to charge debit card users a monthly fee, since the enactment of the Durbin Amendment on Oct. 1. The new law reduces approximately 50 percent of the amount retailers have to pay to banks for debit card swipe fees. The amendment caps debit card transactions for retailers at 21 cents per transaction, as opposed to the previous 44 cents per transaction. The Durbin Amendment is a part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. According to Govtrack.us, the bill promotes financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system, to end “too big to fail,” to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts, to protect consumers from abusive financial service practices and for other purposes. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said the amendment makes retailers more profitable. In particular, gas stations, since
they lose profit due to debit cards. To compensate for the loss of revenue due to slashed debit card fees, banks are either charging a debit card usage fee or offering more rewards to credit card owners to make credit card usage more appealing. In addition, some banks are ending debit card rewards. According to Cardratings.com, banks are more likely to find credit cards more profitable under the new law. On average, for purchases over $10.50, the credit card issuer will make more in fees if a credit card is used instead of a debit card. Currently, Bank of America plans to charge their customers a $5 monthly fee beginning early 2012. Chase and Wells Fargo are already testing a $3 monthly fee in some states. U.S. Bank, which has locations on the UC Davis campus, is waiting for feedback about the fees from other bank customers before planning to instigate a debit card surcharge. “U.S. Bank has no immediate plans to implement a monthly debit fee,” said California U.S. Bank spokesperson, Teri Charest in an e-mail.
For many major banks, these fees will apply to those who use debit cards for purchases and not for those who don’t use their cards for purchases or who use them only for ATM transactions. For some banks, a balance under $1,500 will call for the monthly charge. “The fees that banks can charge businesses for the use of debit cards has been reduced and this is hurting profits,” said UC Davis professor of economics Kevin Salyer in an e-mail. “Charging the users of debit cards directly is a way to recoup some of those losses, but comes at the risk of customers taking their business elsewhere.” Some banks, such as Ally Bank and Charles Schwab Bank, have offered free debit cards and checking accounts with interest without any additional surcharges. An Ally Bank spokesperson said the bank hasn’t increased fees or implemented any new fees due to the new law. “Banking is a highly competitive business environment!” Salyer said. CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.
Shazib Haq / Aggie
Some banks will begin charging their customers for debit card transactions beginning in 2012.
Mumps outbreak contained at UC Berkeley Berkeley Student Health Services work to prevent spread By HUDSON LOFCHIE Aggie Science Writer
Plastic bags are so last year Monday marked the beginning of CalPIRG’s Oceans Week, which began with a Ban Plastic Bags event in the quad. “We’re trying to get petitions to ban plastic bags in the city of Davis. We want 6,500 petitions to try to get a quarter
of the campus to say that they’d support a plastic bag ban. Right now we have 4,300 petitions signed,” said Donna Favard, UC Davis CalPIRG vice chair. Favard said that they were also attempting to show the
UC Davis Bookstore that there are students on campus [who] would be interested in banning plastic bags from the bookstore. — Text by Hannah Strumwasser — Photo by Madison Dunitz
This fall, students have more to worry about than just the common cold. UC Berkeley students must take extra care with their health this season, as there is currently a confirmed outbreak of mumps on campus. “The outbreak is holding at 15 confirmed cases,” said Kim LaPean of the UC Berkeley University Health Services. Fifteen may not seem like much, but when factoring in the extreme contagiousness of the virus, it could potentially be a huge problem. Like flu, the mumps virus can be spread extraordinarily
See MUMPS, page 2
Child with mumps.
Day of the Dead to be celebrated at the Davis Cemetery
News iN Brief
Wunderbar opens on G Street
Holiday shows death doesn’t have to be sad By CASEY SPECHT Aggie Features Writer
Ever since Diego Rodriguez–V, employee at de Luna Jewlers in downtown Davis, was a little boy, his family remembered their deceased loved ones by celebrating Día de los Muertos, translated to Day of the Dead. “We take a picture of a dead family member, make an altar for them and make their favorite meal,” said Rodriguez–V, as he showed traditional Mexican calavera (skull) art pieces on display at de Luna Jewelers. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that is celebrated Nov. 1 and 2 as a way to honor those that have passed. Instead of being a somber holiday, Día de los Muertos is a day to remember and celebrate the lives of family members that are no longer here. For the first time, Día de los Muertos will be celebrated at the Davis Cemetery on Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Today’s weather Sunny High 73 Low 48
“For two years we’ve been planning this event, trying to get as many people involved as possible,” said Joe Finkleman, Davis Cemetery community outreach director and landscape designer. The Davis Cemetery partnered with Slow Food Yolo, an advocacy group that promotes local food producers and vendors, to create the event as a way to expand and explore different cultures that people in Davis may not be familiar with. “It seemed like a natural way to come together because Slow Food Yolo is all about expanding people’s food traditions and Day of the Dead has very strong food traditions,” said Davis Cemetery office manager Susan Finkleman. “It was a real natural way to bring the cemetery, food and expanding cultures into one event.” The holiday is traditional in Mexican culture and is connected to All Saints
courtesy
Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos altars See DAY, page 5 represent the person who has passed on.
Forecast It is a really sobering thought to realize that, in a few short weeks, our maximum daily high temperatures will be around where our current minimum low temperatures are ... brrr. But, until then, do yourself a favor and continue to enjoy the weather while it’s still nice out. Alex Neigher, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
Wednesday
Thursday
Sunny
Sunny
High 73 Low 44
High 74 Low 45
Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
After eight months of construction and renovations, Wunderbar opened last night around 5 p.m. The 228 G Street location previously housed G Street Pub, which closed in February. The business’ manager Chris Armanini said he is relieved with the opening since there was a lot of time put into building the new bar. “There will be some specials in the future,” Armanini said. “Right now we’re just happy to be open: it was time.” In addition to the bar, the business offers food and features pool tables and various arcade games. Wunderbar was originally set to open on Sept. 1, but this was delayed briefly. The store’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. — Angela Swartz
Barack Obama just launched a Tumblr for his 2012 campaign. Good job Obama, you now have the indie-hipster vote in the bag. - Hannah Strumwasser