November 29, 2011

serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915

www.theaggie.org

volume 130, number 122

tuesday, november 29, 2011

Students speak with UC Regents at meeting Regents listen to public comments, discuss UC finances

By MELISSA FREEMAN and MAX RUSSER Aggie Opinion Editor & Aggie News Writer

The November UC Regents meeting was held Monday via teleconference, with regents present at UC Davis, UCSF, UCLA and UC Merced campuses. The regents discussed recent police violence on campuses and possible tuition hikes.

Each campus involved in the meeting was open to the public as students and faculty voiced their concern after the board members’ opening remarks. The separated gatherings were linked through a four-way teleconference call, and a live web stream was available for viewing online.

Only student Regent Alfredo Mireles, student Regent-Designate Jonathan Stein and nonvoting, ex-officio Regent John Pérez were present at the UC Davis campus.

Through a negotiation with many people involved with the meeting, police presence was reduced due to the fact that only Mireles, Stein and Pérez were on campus. Many felt

that heightened police presence would be detrimental considering the campus climate.

“I wish more regents could have been there, but I was really happy with the very minimal police presence,” Mireles said.

The meeting began with opening remarks by UC Regents Chair Sherry Lansing.

“We cannot change the past but we can change how we act in the future,” said Lansing, in reference to the acts of police violence at the UC Davis and Berkeley campuses.

The regents meeting was originally scheduled for Nov. 16 and 17, but was rescheduled due to fear for student safety, Lansing said.

Lansing stated that former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton will head up an independent investigation of the events that took place at UC Davis and UC Berkeley and that Chancellor Katehi has asked the District Attorney to drop all charges against the students arrested during the UC Davis pepper spray incident.

Lansing also noted that many of the current

Brian Nguyen / Aggie

Student demonstrators called for a “People’s Regents Meeting,” forcing the See REGENTS, page 5 Regents to relocate to another private location for their teleconference.

Students take part in general strike against tuition hikes Protesters to occupy Dutton Hall for two weeks

By ALICIA KINDRED and HANNAH STRUMWASSER Aggie News Writer & Aggie Campus Editor

On Monday, UC Davis students took part in a systemwide general strike, which was organized by Occupy UC Davis. The strike was against tuition increases and was intended to shut down the UC Regents meeting, which took place at UCLA, UC Merced, UCSF and UC Davis.

Many students chose to participate in the strike and not attend classes, despite the fact that finals are next week. Some professors cancelled classes in anticipation.

Teach-ins, or open lectures and discussions on topics relevant to the general strike, were taught at different locations Shazib Haq / Aggie on campus by professors and Assistant English professor, Nathan Brown, was among other professors graduate students. Teach-in who held teach-ins on Monday. Teach-ins were an opportunity for students topics ranged from meditation to the history of the Marxist to learn while still being able to participate in the strike.

Mysterious “whip guy” revealed

By CLAIRE MALDARELLI Aggie Features Writer

Today’s weather A.M. fog High 61 Low 42

on Marxist theory, which ended with a question and answer session until 3 p.m.

“I have found that the best way to go about this as a faculty member during this time is to be open about your position,” Brown said. “I have drawn support from my department and other faculty members through my openness. In general, people should have the courage to speak out, people are inspired by action and want to help. Cancelling class is nothing compared to the courage of the student linking arms and taking that punishment for political change.”

Charles Shaw, an author and documentary filmmaker, furthered the discussion of action through a talk about historical police militarization, at 3:40 p.m.

“How did this event of police brutality on campus come

See STRIKE, page 5

Survey finds Californians are worried about public higher education

UC Davis undergraduate practices whip cracking as sport Students may recall hearing the sound of a whip crack — almost like a gunshot — on the Quad, only to look over at an almost 7-foot-tall man cracking his very own whip.

But who is this mysterious person practicing this odd sport who has come to be known by UC Davis students as “The Whip Guy?” Matthew Olmsted, a senior computer science major, is the “Whip Guy.” Aside from the fact that he has chosen such a unique sport to practice, Olmsted is a pretty typical college student. But his passion remains in the art of whip cracking.

Although Olmsted just started practicing whip cracking on campus this past year, he first learned how to crack a whip at a Renaissance Fair about four years ago.

“It all started with a friend of mine I met at a Renaissance Fair. I was watching him teaching a few people how to crack a whip and I thought it didn’t look too hard, so I gave it a shot,” Olmsted said.

Olmsted learned mostly by imitating others,

theory.

At noon, an estimated 100 protesters held a general assembly in the Quad, and then marched to Dutton Hall, which houses the Student Financial Aid Office and the UC Davis Cashier’s Office.

The number of protesters occupying the building fluctuated throughout the afternoon. Protesters crowded around the entryway and staircase of Dutton Hall throughout the open lectures and discussions.

The building officially closed at 4 p.m. The cashier’s office doors remained closed throughout the assembly.

UC Davis police officer Ralph Nuno circled around Dutton Hall on his bike during the open lectures.

Nathan Brown, assistant English professor and author of a highly publicized letter calling for Chancellor Katehi’s resignation, gave the teach-in

Most still oppose paying increased taxes to make up for budget cuts

By CLAIRE TAN Aggie Staff Writer

Evan Davis / Aggie

“Whip guy” Matthew Olmsted first began practicing the art of whip cracking after discovering it at a Renaissance Fair. including his friend who first introduced him to it.

He explained that whip cracking is not too hard to learn once you get the two basic ideas: form and timing.

“After a few tries, I started really getting it. It was pretty exciting when I fired my first shot,” Olmsted said.

Olmsted further explained that although most people can pick it up quickly, whip cracking does require some skill. The whip must be carefully manipulated to produce the distinctive crack.

“Whip cracking is like a language — the whip does what you tell it to do,”

Olmsted said.

Ian Holser, a Davis resident and fellow whip cracker, said he got into whip cracking after trying other various skill arts, such as juggling. But he admits that whip cracking can be quite challenging.

“Whip cracking is a challenge and an art that many would underestimate the difficulty of,” Holser said.

Olmsted said he enjoys practicing the art of whip cracking just as much as he enjoys teaching others how to crack a whip. He started whip cracking on

See WHIP, page 5 Forecast

Don’t worry, guys, Davis isn’t the next target of a zombie outbreak.

We are just experiencing a little A.M. fog today. The next couple of days will be breezy followed by sun at the end of the week.

Alex Neigher, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team

On Nov. 16, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released results from a survey done to determine Californians’ perceptions of budget cuts on public higher education.

The survey found that 62 percent believe the public higher education system is headed in the wrong direction. Sixty-one percent said overall affordability of education for students is a big problem and 69 percent said the overall state budget situation is

also a problem.

“Since the onset of the economic downturn, all three branches [University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges] have undergone significant reductions in state funding,” said Sonja Petek, a project manager of the survey, in a video that this is their fifth annual survey on the topic.

“Now one of the key findings that emerged from our survey is that there are serious and growing concerns Irisa Tam / Aggie

See SURVEY, page 4

News iN Brief

WarnMe test cancelled for today The UC Davis WarnMe test that was scheduled for today has been cancelled, due to current activity on campus.

WarnMe is part of the campus emergency communication system that sends students and faculty text messages,

Wednesday

Thursday

Breezy

Sunny

High 60 Low 40

High 62 Low 41

phone calls and e-mails informing them about emergencies on campus.

The test will be rescheduled for a future date, which will be decided on next week.

— Hannah Strumwasser

You think coming back from a four day weekend was torture, wait ‘til you come back from a MONTH long weekend. I’m just saying. But I ain’t playin’. Yadidimean?

Mimi Vo

page two

2 tuesday, november 29, 2011

daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org

TODAY Gorman Museum Lecture: Double Vision 4 p.m.

1316 Hart Hall Veronica Passalacqua and Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, the creative minds behind Double Vision: New Works by Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, will give a presentation about their curatorial and artistic collaboration.

Tom Mueller Book Release 5:30 p.m.

UC Davis Conference Center Tom Mueller will hold the world release of his new book Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil. RSVP at https://registration.ucdavis.edu/Item/ Details/28.

EC Presents Allen Stone with Special Guests 7 p.m.

Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St. Allen Stone, who recently performed on “Conan,” will perform, along with DJ Rockbottom, Ant Chedda, Afterglow and The Spokes. Tickets are $13 online at ec.ucdavis/tickets at the Memorial Union Student Services desk and from members of Afterglow and The Spokes. Tickets will be $15 at the door.

The Body Spoken 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Memorial Union, Griffin Lounge Modeled after the Vagina Monologues and Open Mic Night, The Body Spoken is a production of students singing, dancing, moving and speaking about their bodies.

There will be a set of performers, including poets from SickSpits, and others are invited to join in, as well. E-mail rrnarayan@ucdavis. edu to sign up to perform.

WEDNESDAY De-Stress for 30 Minutes Session 1: 11 to 11:30 a.m., Session 2: 1 to 1:30 p.m.

South Hall, Basement Conference Room Counseling and Psychological Services counselor Paul Kim will show useful ways to de-stress with breathing exercises to help students keep it cool during finals week.

Junior Recitals: Milena Schaller and Stephen Hudson 3 p.m. Milena Schaller, 5 p.m. Stephen Hudson 115 Music Milena Schaller, on cello, will play works by Haydn and Bach. Stephen Hudson, also on cello, will play works by Beethoven, Bach and Brahms.

THURSDAY Exchange an Unhealthy Snack for a Brubar 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Memorial Union Quad tables Exchange a snack for a local, vegan and healthy Brubar.

Downtown Davis Holiday Celebration 6 p.m.

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

American Red Cross Club Meeting 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

118 Olson For more information, check out the ARCC website at www.arccdavis.co.cc and the Facebook page: American Red Cross Club at UC Davis.

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

Personal foul A stranger attempted to join a pickup football game on Sycamore Lane.

Your tax dollars at work There was someone walking down the street on Secret Bay Drive.

FRIDAY

SUNDAY Bah, humbug!

A man in a Santa hat was drunk and belligerent on G Street.

It’s just Parseltongue Someone was hearing voices and hissing noises in their apartment on Wake Forest Drive.

SATURDAY Too keyed up Someone locked themselves in their room and couldn’t get out on Alvarado Avenue.

narayan Cont. from page 3 the rally accommodated everyone. A lady on-stage translated the speeches into sign language. Where speakers were lacking, the crowd used a human mic to echo speeches into earshot.

To help those at the back see, us in the front sat down on the wet grass. Decisions were made by consensus.

I would make note that many of us were there for different causes, but allied for the same reasons.

Many students at the rally called for the resignation of Chancellor Katehi. A lot of students came out against the use of police force on campus. Most students were there to rally against cuts to higher education that are increasingly pricing us out of social mobility. But everyone was there in the most visceral form of community I’ve ever seen.

Shortly after the rally,

Zoolander approves People were using a gasoline pump to hit each other at Shell on Olive Drive.

Police Briefs are compiled by TRACY HARRIS from the city of Davis daily crime bulletins. Contact TRACY HARRIS at city@ theaggie.org.

and through the rest of the week, the campus still had that electricity in the air.

On my Facebook newsfeed later that evening, there was a flood of status updates and comments, each expressing what I’d heard throughout the day from virtually everyone — that this is the proudest they’d ever felt to be a UC Davis student.

Color me cynical, but I don’t think this kind of pride is going to make headline news. It lacks the violence and agitation initially, and then consistently, pinned to the recent stories on our campus. And with one day to go, high school seniors aren’t looking for reasons to redeem colleges while they’re trying to cull their lists. So I hope you take from the rally the principle of the human mic, and echo your Aggie pride.

If he could do it all over again, RAJIV NARAYAN would still choose UC Davis. Let him know what you think at rrnarayan@ucdavis.edu.

gigantic lit tree behind Liz Lemon. Even though it’s just a tree covered in intricate decorations, the time of year makes it special.

Medha Not only do we have a fake Sridhar tree, but because I come from an Indian background and have been raised a Hindu, our Christmas celebrations have always been a little different. Sure, there’s Christmas music while we decorate, but my dad always interjects with requests for Indian movie songs.

Ultimately, the decorating t’s the most wonderful takes longer than necessary time of the year (if we because we end up sweating disregard those pesky it out while jumping to finals, of course). The food comas experienced following loud Tamil, Bhangra and Bollywood beats. that Thanksgiving turkey To add to this dancing, (or in my case: Tofurky), there has been a recent getting pushed around the mall during those early Black emergence of YouTube Friday deals and shaking out videos involving Indians and Christmas. If you haven’t every last bit of moolah in that wallet for Cyber Monday seen it already, there’s “The 12 Days savings: that of Indian part is over.

Even though it’s just a tree Christmas,” The holiday season is covered in intricate decorations, which I here and it the time of year makes it special guarantee will get stuck all starts, at in your head least in my and always gets my family family, with a tree. rolling around in laughter.

I’m the most spirited in Another video, part of the my family when it comes to the month of December. series “Keeping Up with the Guptas”, celebrates what they It’s probably because it’s a month of no school, getting call “Vishnumas”. In any case, and giving presents and my video-watching has become birthday. Whatever the case, a new tradition in our treeas soon as we decide to put decorating process.

As we all know, especially up the tree, I become the from stepping onto the house DJ, blasting “Happy scale, the holiday season is Chrismahannukwanzakah a time of decadent sweets. to You”, much to the rest of Making cookies for “Santa” my family’s annoyance. (hopefully I’m not blowing Some people go out and the secret for anyone) is buy a tree the day after usually a tradition for the Thanksgiving. Personally, night before Christmas, but that’s not my style. That Friday, you can find me at a since we usually end up decorating the tree at the store reaching over shorter people to get that hot dress last-minute, baking begins when we put up the tree. in my size. After shopping, Cookie decorating tends to there’s no way that I would take place later in the evening have the energy to start (especially if there’s a good decorating a tree. Props to NFL game on), so the cookies those that do. are made at the same time In fact, at my house, decoration of the tree doesn’t as our dinner. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always start until after finals and a curry on the stove, but often just falls around a the aromas of the spices weekend whenever we feel like getting up from watching certainly do add a unique fragrance to the decorating football. It doesn’t even atmosphere. And all of that involve going out to buy a hard work is always paid off tree because our six-foot tall afterward when we sit down plastic tree is sitting in the for a traditional South-Indian basement, collecting dust. meal.

Yes, I admit it, we cheat when it comes to Christmas Traditions are a big part of the holiday season. trees. Rather than trying Whether it’s lighting the to maintain a live tree, we menorah for Hanukkah hook on plastic branches or the kinara for Kwanzaa, to a large pole and then blending cultures while smother the entire tree in tree-decorating like my ornaments and lights to cover the fakeness. Hey, it’s family, or even drinking hot the spirit that counts, right? chocolate while reading a good book by the fireplace, The tree has become so get into the holiday spirit. prominent in the portrayal We’ve got a whole month of Christmas in culture off. It’s time to celebrate. that we have become accustomed to it. I was watching an episode of MEDHA SRIDHAR really should start thinking “30 Rock” and it took some about finals but is too caught up in the holiday cheer. Contact her at mdsridhar@ucdavis.edu. time before I noticed the

Tree traditions

I

Jason Alpert Editor in Chief

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Michelle Huey Design Director Tani Wong Asst. Design Director Mimi Vo Night Editor Amanda Nguyen Asst. Night Editor Irisa Tam Art Director

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Aggies fall to Eastern Washington

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food shopping and getting exercise.

But if everything we did while procrastinating was productive, then we wouldn’t be allowed to act cool and Aaron say things like, “OMG, I’m Weiss so lazy!” when referring to ourselves in online chats. So obviously there has to be a long list of things to get in the way of what we actually need to get done. There are a few obvious hindrances.

For myself, the issue stems from my lifestyle choice of saving all of my work to be t UC Davis, finals week done on Sunday, only to be can mean one of many halted by an all-day barrage of professional football. things. A flurry of Another distraction take-home exams followed present in the lives of by spending finals week laughing at your friends with many students is the website Reddit. As it was actual exams, a struggle to find even one uncomfortable referred to by my cousin’s boyfriend this Thanksgiving wooden chair in the library, as “the best website in or an overdose on study the history of the internet drugs that results in your and anything ever,” if you room being completely haven’t redecorated heard of it, but not Procrastinating is not a you should any actual learning. laughing matter. Just kidding, it go check it out.

So what totally is I explained can I tell Reddit to you about my parents as essentially a how to handle finals giant online bulletin board week? I’m not here to where you post links to give a lecture about study other things on the internet. technique or keeping Millions of other people on task. To be perfectly will then have access to this honest, I might be at link and have the ability to the very bottom of the post their own comments list of people you would on your content. You can want to ask about that. I also “upvote” or “downvote” am, however, very wellinformed in what might be submissions, sending them closer to the front page even more important than where they will be seen by getting prepared for tests.

I’m talking, of course, about millions, or down to the depths of the internet where everything but getting few dare to venture. prepared for tests, also The real time-sink aspect known as procrastination.

I know everyone reading is of the site involves browsing page after page of links to probably thinking that they the best funny pictures and know how to procrastinate videos the web has to offer. already. What you don’t Allowing oneself to click just realize is that there is a fine one more can often result in art to doing it right. Any old an hours-long spree during chump can spend a few which users become unaware hours of Facebook instead of the passage of time. of getting their work done, Procrastinating is not but Facebook binges are for a laughing matter. Just amateur procrastinators. I kidding, it totally is. In may or may not be saying fact, if it wasn’t, this would this because I already probably be a very awkward exhausted all my material column to read. I include on Facebook in a previous specific time in my study column, but that’s my story hours to account for my and I’m sticking to it. tendency to procrastinate.

One of the very best The occasional visit to things you can do while ESPN.com to read about avoiding the looming the Niners and browsing threat of exams is to get online shopping ads to buy productive in other ways. my Dad some blu-rays for As I mentioned earlier, Christmas are as essential to a room redecorating or my learning experience as just a deep clean is not an the books I’m supposed to uncommon activity for be reading. By factoring in a someone with other more few minutes of distraction, important things to do.

I keep my attention span I usually do my laundry, going just long enough to not when my clothes are scrape out a final page on dirty, but as a last-resort the essay I have nothing left attempt to resist starting to say about. my essay. I also often spend my should-bedoing-homework time on If you are working now but have a hard time activities such as planning procrastinating, contact AARON WEISS at a schedule for next quarter, atweiss@ucdavis.edu. Congratulations, you just procrastinated! calling my grandma, going

UC Davis goes cold in the northwest

By CAELUM SHOVE

accuracy

The california Aggie

The UC Davis men’s basketball team is a work in progress.

Sunday’s 59-79 loss on the road against Eastern Washington was the Aggies’ third loss in a row and drops their record to 1-6.

While the early season results may not inspire fans, the team continues to make strides as it adapts to Head Coach Jim Les’s defensive style.

The issue plaguing UC Davis has been a lack of consistency, which was a problem last week against Sacramento State and again this weekend in Washington.

The Aggies were sound defensively in the first frame against the Eagles, but got away from their strengths in the second period.

“I was pretty happy in the first half,” Les said. “We were more active [and] more mobile, [but] when you come to the second half you have to go win a game. People aren’t going to give you a game.

“It comes down to getting defensive stops.”

Les changed his starting lineup for Sunday’s contest, replacing center Alex Tiffin with freshman forward J.T.

Adenrele, the first career start for the Roseville, Calif. native.

Josh Ritchart was the other forward, with Tyrell Corbin, Harrison DuPont and Ryan Howley playing as guards.

The Aggies were tough defensively in the first period, holding the Eagles to 37 percent shooting.

Ritchart was the high scorer for UC Davis, posting 19 points on 7-12 shooting; 5-10 from behind the arc.

Five three-pointers tied the career high for Ritchart.

After falling behind early in the contest, the Aggies fought back, equalizing the game at 26 before finishing the half down by just two.

The game was tied again at 46 with 13 minutes remaining, before the Eagles went on a dominant 19-1 run, taking control of the contest.

Eastern Washington shot 60 percent from the field in the second half, outscoring the Aggies were 30-48 in the final frame. “[If ] you let players at this level play to their strengths, bad things are going to happen,” Les said. “We haven’t been able to put two halves together and that’s a big key for this team.”

On their end, the Aggies shot 35.4 percent from the field in the game, below their 42.9 percent season

Kristina Geddert / Aggie

Sophomore Josh Ritchart scored a team-high of 19 points in UC Davis’ loss to Eastern Washington on Sunday. average.

They got to the free throw line 26 times, but only converted on 17 tries.

The Aggies also had 17 turnovers, leading to 21 Eastern Washington points.

“We missed some opportunities to score and then took that to the

defensive end,” Les said.

“On the road you want to give yourself a chance to be in the game … and it comes down to defensive stops.”

You can follow CAELUM SHOVE on twitter @CalAggieHoops or you can e-mail him at sports@theaggie.org.

OPINION

The california aggie

tuesday, november 29, 2011 3

Letters to the editor Solidarity from McGill University

editorials

suggestions for katehi

Change needs to come Since the Nov. 18 pepper spraying of protesters, Chancellor Katehi has received pressure to resign.

Most of the press associated with the event has been directed toward Katehi and she has become the face of this issue. If Katehi were to resign, it would not revolutionize the way this campus is run, it would merely be a symbolic gesture to help the university progress past recent events.

In response, the Aggie Editorial Board has a list of steps for her to protect the university, as we remember that one of the main points of recent protests is that tuition is too high. Should Katehi not resign, we’d like to see her implement the following changes.

1. Katehi should actively fight against tuition increases and explicitly state that she is an advocate for lower student fees. She also needs to restructure the way money is spent at UC Davis by reducing non-essential bureaucracy. We want to see funding go toward our education, not paperwork.

2. She should cut her own salary to show students her commitment to directing funds toward education.

3. Reforming the campus police force is necessary, as they have proven themselves to be harmful. The campus police department should be merged with the city police forces. This seems reasonable, as shown by the recent consolidation of the campus and city fire departments. Furthermore,

UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza, and both officers involved in pepper spraying, should be fired immediately.

5. Katehi should make more of an effort to meet students on campus. Katehi doesn’t have a good track record of being seen outside of Mrak Hall, but she has a reputation of calling police to campus on multiple occasions. To turn this around, she should continue reaching out to student organizations and clubs, and increasing her visibility on campus.

6. It’s important that Katehi take forums seriously and make changes based on student and faculty concerns.

These meetings should not simply just be held to blow off steam.

7. Katehi needs to reach out to donors, some of whom say that they will no longer give to our university while she still holds the position of chancellor.

Similar actions should be taken by UC chancellors, including UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau, as he allowed for police violence against protesters this past month.

With winter break two weeks away, Katehi and other university leaders should not assume the UC Occupy movement and remembrances of the events of Nov. 18 will die out. We will not let go of what happened to our fellow students or our fight for an affordable public education. Things are going to change and this is only the beginning.

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

We are writing to offer our solidarity in the aftermath of the events that occurred on your campus on Nov. 18 and to express full support for the general strike you called for Nov. 28. Like so many others around the world, we have followed the stories, photos and videos that emerged from your university and are horrified by the police brutality you endured as well as the inadequate response to it from your administration. At the same time, we are heartened by your steadfast actions and the ways in which you continue to mobilize as a community.

The struggles you face — massive tuition fee increases, cuts to public education and other social services, the securitization of your campuses and the criminalization of student dissent — are struggles that we face here too. On Nov. 10, 200,000 university and college students across the province of Quebec staged a oneday strike and 35,000 marched in Montreal against a proposed 75

Investigation guidelines

We, the Chicana/o studies department faculty, join our colleagues on the UC Davis campus in decrying the unwarranted and excessive use of force by the UC Davis police on peaceful student demonstrators on Nov. 18, 2011. We echo the calls around campus for a full investigation into the incident and an analysis of the larger structural inequalities giving rise to the protests here at UC Davis and across the country. We are deeply concerned about the utter disregard for students’ rightful protests against rising tuition costs and the difficulty it poses particularly for underrepresented groups who have traditionally lacked economic access to the University of California.

To that end, we support the creation of a task force to carry out the investigation and believe that it must include individuals

An opportunity for change

UC Davis students have a golden opportunity for negotiation and dialogue they shouldn’t let go to waste. With Chancellor Katehi over a barrel, they might agitate and press for her resignation, but what would that accomplish? It wouldn’t fix the structural problems that have produced outrageous tuition.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GUEST OPINIONS

The California Aggie welcomes letters from its readers. Letters must be typed and no longer than 200 words. As The Aggie attempts to represent a diversity of viewpoints on its letters page, we reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed, and letters become the property of The California Aggie.

All correspondence must be signed with the author’s name and telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication, although names may be withheld upon request.

The California Aggie welcomes guest opinions from its readers.

Guest opinions must be typed with an approximate word count of 600 to 800, or character count around 3,000 to 4,000. The same standards of letters to the editor apply to guest opinions.

Guest opinions may reflect a variety of viewpoints. Any member of the campus community is eligible and encouraged to highlight issues regarding UC Davis, regional or national issues.

Address letters or guest opinions to the Opinion Editor, The California Aggie, 25 Lower Freeborn, UC Davis, CA 95616. Letters may also be faxed to (530) 752-0355 or sent via e-mail to opinion@theaggie.org.

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Rajiv Narayan

Applying the human mic

U

C applications are due tomorrow, Nov. 30. That sentence alone perhaps fails to capture the interest of The Aggie’s readership. You are, after all, already here. But this year, that deadline matters more than we realize.

Let’s take a moment to walk down memory lane. Remember what it was like to apply for college? If you didn’t black out

percent tuition fee increase.

This demonstration was followed by a student occupation of the James Administration Building at McGill University to protest McGill’s unfair labour practices and central role in lobbying the Quebec government for higher tuition fees. The 14 student occupiers were beaten by campus security personnel and two hundred supporters demonstrating outside were clubbed, pepper sprayed, teargassed and ultimately forced off campus by riot police.

As you know, similar scenes have recently taken place at UC Berkeley and CUNY’s Baruch College, and these recall earlier confrontations in Puerto Rico, Chile, the United Kingdom, Greece and elsewhere. The students affected by these events all stand for the same principles: freedom of speech and assembly, accessible post-secondary education and the democratization of all facets of university life. Increasingly, crucial decisions about our universities are being made by a small but interconnected group of administrators whose primary

allegiance is to the corporations that direct their governing boards, not the students, faculty and staff who make up our communities.

We have just learned that our own principal, Heather MunroeBlum, sits on your Chancellor’s Board of Advisors. We are also aware that your Chancellor, Linda Katehi, has served as an advisor to the Greek government, which recently abolished the nearly 40-year old law that had banned police from entering university campuses upon her recommendation. These are not mere coincidences.

Given the international context of the challenges we collectively face, our student movements cannot remain isolated from one another. As we strive to build strong relationships across national borders, we can learn from each other’s experiences and continue our struggles knowing that we stand together in solidarity. The students of McGill University are with you, now and always.

with knowledge and experience in civil rights and human rights.

We request the appointment of someone like the Honorable Cruz Reynoso, a former California Supreme Court Justice and UC Davis School of Law professor, whose expertise and ethics would lead to an effective and just plan of action.

We also believe that the task force must include the students who risked everything to make the university accountable to its principles. As leaders in this movement, we need to ensure their voices are represented.

Given the importance of accountability and transparency in this process, we would also like the task force to include in their recommendations how specific campus policy changes in the campus Policy and Procedure Manual can be developed so that we can protect all Davis community members’ civil and

democratic rights to protest and voice their discontent without fear of intimidation or excessive force.

We also believe that no thorough investigation can be done in the next 30 days, given that the holidays approach and that most students, staff and faculty will be away during the break. As such, we call for an extension of the 30 day deadline.

Finally, we expect a swift yet accurate and equitable response to the incident on the campus Quad on Nov. 18, and the larger unsettling developments across the country. As the eyes of the nation and, arguably, the globe descend on UC Davis, we need to demonstrate a leadership that takes into account this nation’s commitment to civil rights and human rights.

And what guarantee is there that her replacement wouldn’t be worse?

Katehi appears sincerely concerned about last week’s pepper spray incident. This places students in an unusual and even enviable position of being able to insist on a meeting with her to present grievances and petitions.

For that, of course, students would have to come up with a list

of specific concerns and requests — something more difficult than mere protesting, but also much more productive.

Ultimately we must get beyond exclusive reliance on conflict as a means of solving disagreements and redressing injustices.

The students of Nov. 10 McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

Chicana/o Studies department

John Uebersax Californians for Higher Education Reform

guest opinion

Weary of blame

By Fred Wood

Vice Chancellor, student affairs

Let me begin my comments by sharing my heartfelt sorrow: what happened Nov. 18 on our campus and the impact on so many, was nothing less than a tragedy.

When I learned what had happened, I was horrified and sickened. I am so very sorry for the students who were sprayed, those who were witnesses — for all of our students and their families — as they have all been impacted by these events.

I am sorry for the staff and faculty, alumni and community members, as we have all been impacted too.

As many of you know, for over 30 years I have been affiliated with this campus community as a student, as a faculty member and as an administrator, and to be sure there have been dark days. Last Friday was, however, without doubt, the darkest. That is not the Davis I know.

That is not the UC Davis I love.

I am still deeply troubled and still searching for answers. I look forward to working with all the various

reviews, with complete openness and honesty, to understand what happened as a first step to ensuring this does not happen again in the future. I admit I find my emotions oscillating between deep sorrow, frustration and even anger. And like many, I too, find myself wanting to find someone or some group to blame for this tragedy. In these hard times, there are many to choose from. Some may choose the police, some the administration, some may focus on the disproportionate distribution of wealth, the power of corporations, the disinvestment in higher education, the financial times and/or the fear that is bred by these uncertain times.

But, I am weary of blame.

At some point in the coming days, weeks and months, I hope we can all find our way to move beyond the blaming, and to instead focus on the healing. We must find a way to heal these terrible wounds. For me, this has begun with a prayer for all those impacted. A prayer for all of our students, the members of our community, and yes, this includes

the memory as a kind of repressed past, Thanksgiving break, multiple family then you probably remember how little members and friends asked if I was pepper we knew about each of the institutions sprayed, or at the rally or in a tent on the to which we sent our applications. I don’t Quad. Before I can respond, they usually think this is for a lack of trying — it’s begin to express their broad opinions difficult to understand how individual of the Occupy movement. With all the colleges differ if you’ve media attention, it makes hardly experienced sense for their questions I’m afraid our brand as a school to take this form. While I different high schools.

My perception of is being subverted by images of wish folks would ask me about my course load or colleges was heavily hostility and volatility research, at least I can influenced by their balance their perception brand, which itself was with my interpretation of the past few a joint project of what current students weeks. told me, how the media stereotyped schools and what the colleges themselves But I can’t do that for the dozens of did to highlight their strengths. To this thousands of students deciding what end, in 2008 UC Davis meant a relaxed campus boxes to check on the UC atmosphere, an agriculture-veterinaryapplication. UC Davis has had the fortune viticulture giant and emerging Public Ivy, of rising applicant pools over the past in that order. several years. Between the 2007 and 2008 As the deadline draws near, though, I’m cycles, our pool of applicants increased afraid we’ve become the “pepper spray 20.6 percent — the highest increase in school.” the UC system — from 35,088 to 42,311 applications. It’s the breadth of our During the brief reprieve of

the police officers that were involved.

Like many, in order to mend, I need to work actively. I need to know that I am serving the campus in a productive manner. With this goal, I have made a commitment, an absolute promise, to do all that I can to ensure that such an event does not happen again on this campus. It is my hope that through a and by caring for each individual, the community that is UC Davis will again be made whole.

I have hope for healing. I have hope for one reason: our students.

While there is much shame to share, I have felt nothing but pride for our students. I have been proud of their efforts for peaceful demonstration and protest and for their continuing efforts to maintain peace during this troubling time.

It is my sincere hope that each of us finds a way to look forward and to heal. And I hope that, together, we can collectively work for integrity and understanding, for change, and to heal as a campus community.

applicant pool that allows us the privilege to build a diverse body of students.

With how little high school students know about college, I’m afraid our brand as a school is being subverted by images of hostility and volatility — or worse, memes of Lt. John Pike.

At this point, I don’t know how much the admissions office can do to sell our campus to prospective students. So that leaves us.

If I had an internet-sized megaphone that could reach all those cramming to finish their UC application, I would tell them about my version of the last week.

I would point to the rally of 5,000-odd students, with an emphasis on the odd.

When I went to the rally on Monday, I stood unintentionally next to a past coworker and a former roommate, behind a friend of an old dormmate and in front of a fellow writer at The Aggie. In every direction and at every distance I saw someone I know.

I would point to the ways in which

See NARAYAN, page 2

4 tuesday, november 29, 2011

The california Aggie

UC Davis vet med co-hosts holiday pet basket project

SHAWCing Tips: Finals Mythbusters Edition

Coordinators seek more donations in hard economic times

By CHLOE BREZSNY Aggie News Writer

On Dec. 10, the Mercer Veterinary Clinic and the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital will hold their 16th annual Holiday Pet Basket distribution. The wrapped boxes filled with goodies are given to homeless pet owners who come to the Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, which houses the clinic.

Gifted items include pet food, treats, grooming tools, skin care products, leashes and toys. This year, volunteers expect to hand out 130 pet baskets, 80 for dogs and 50 for cats.

Eileen Samitz, the program’s coordinator, said that she has seen a rise in the need for pet baskets in recent years due to hard economic times. The giveaway began in 1995 with just 25 baskets, but now that number has grown significantly larger.

“Despite all of life’s troubles, the pet baskets still manage to put a smile on everyone’s face,” Samitz said. “People look forward to this every year.”

Samitz said the baskets allow owners to give their pets

more than they could otherwise afford. Volunteers, too, are happy because the baskets represent a successful culmination of the year’s endeavors.

The Holiday Pet Basket project is an extension of the work done at the Mercer Clinic. Every second Saturday of the month, volunteers provide free veterinary care to the animal companions of the homeless that reside in the Sacramento area. The volunteers are students, residents and faculty from the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

In addition to providing support to homeless people and their pets, the Mercer Clinic administers a necessary public service, Samitz said. All of the animals that come through the clinic are vaccinated, thus combating disease. Owners are also given referrals to have their pets spayed or neutered as a way control population.

The clinic is one of the few programs of its kind in the country, the coordinator said. It is a nonprofit organization, relying completely on community funds and of donations of

survey Cont. from front page about state funding and student affordability and the potential effects on educational quality.”

Petek said that together California public colleges serve over 3.5 million students and makes up the state’s third largest area of spending after K-12 education and health and human services.

“Findings are based on a telephone survey of 2,503 California adults residents interviewed on landlines and cell phones from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8,” a PPIC press release said. “Interviews were conducted in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Vietnamese and Korean.”

According to Mark Baldassare, president

courtesy

A 1995 staff newsletter meeting about holiday charity projects led to the creation of The Holiday Pet Basket. supplies from pet stores.

The economic downturn has also meant fewer donations coming into the Mercer Clinic. This affects the amount of critical supplies that can be purchased and the number of services that the clinic can continue to provide. Regardless, Samitz assures that the volunteers at the Mercer Clinic will continue to work with what they have.

“The animals provide warmth, companionship,

and CEO of PPIC, the survey was a random-digit-dial sample that was funded with support from The James Irvine Foundation. “[The survey’s] goal is to inform state policymakers, encourage discussion and raise public awareness about Californians’ opinions on issues involving the state’s public colleges and universities,” Baldassare said in an e-mail.

The survey also stated that 74 percent of Californians think there is not enough state funding for higher education.

Californians are also more critical of how Gov. Jerry Brown is dealing with higher education than of his overall job performance, with 53 percent of likely voters disapproving of his handling of public higher education.

“Californians place an increasingly

and sometimes even protection,” she said. “They mean everything to [their owners].”

For those who wish to contribute, monetary donations are accepted year round and are tax-deductible. Funds can either go to support Mercer Clinic operations or toward the project.

The donations can be made on Mercer Clinic’s website, or by sending a check by mail.

CHLOE BREZSNY can be reached at city@ theaggie.org.

Myth #1: More Energy Drink, More Focus As exams near, energy drinks and coffee are worn as badges of pride by weary students. From what researchers know about energy drinks and coffee, the extra additives do little to boost your energy. Because caffeine is the active ingredient in coffee and energy drinks, if you get more energy from the latter it’s because the dose of caffeine is far higher.

But you don’t need that much caffeine. Low doses (12-50mg) have been shown to improve mood and cognitive function, and 200 mg doses improve alertness. When you exceed 250 mg daily, you increase the risk of incurring health problems that include heart palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea and even insulin resistance.

On average, a single cup of coffee has 100-150 mg of caffeine, a cup of tea will have 20-50 mg and a typical energy drink will have 320 mg per can.

Myth #2: No one sleeps, why should you?

There’s a perception that

high priority on state spending for public colleges and universities,” the PPIC said.

“Fifty-nine percent of Californians favor more state spending on public colleges and universities even if this means less money for other state programs.”

But even with the serious fiscal dilemma California’s public higher education is in, 52 percent of California residents would prefer not to pay higher taxes to maintain current funding. Sixty-nine percent of adults and 65 percent of likely voters are opposed to increasing student fees to maintain funding and 52 percent of residents approve of admitting out-of-state students to maintain funding.

Baldassare said since this was the fifth annual survey in the series, some of the questions were repeated from earlier years to compare trends over time.

it’s not only permissible, but normal to sleep less during these last weeks.

While many studies indicate that college students don’t feel well rested, the only longitudinal study (done through an entire semester) found that students actually get more sleep as the term comes to a close in November and December. Perhaps Rutgers University captured our view best when they handed fortune cookies out to stressed students last year. They all carried the same message: “It’s not the event that disturbs us, but the view we take of it. Keep it real.”

The ASUCD Student Health and Wellness Committee has declared this week “Be Good to Your Body Week.” Check out our Facebook page for more details on how to get free nap kits and vegan energy bars, when to find an open mic night and yoga class, and where to learn breathing exercises. If you have SHAWCing suggestions, questions, or tips, please e-mail us at shawcucd@ gmail.com and/or “Like” our Facebook page.

“We reviewed the recent national surveys on this topic and some were included to compare California with the nation,” he said. “We spoke with policy experts and reviewed the budget and other news.”

Seventy percent of Californians disapprove with the way the legislature is performing and 71 percent disapprove of the way the legislature is handling public higher education.

“It is important to know that nearly two in three Californians say the state’s public higher education system is headed in the wrong direction and that this negative view is reflected in the low grades the residents give the governor and legislature for their handling of the state’s public colleges and university system,” Baldassare said.

CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

classifieds The Ag-gregate: Study

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by Vancey Le

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Monday’s puzzle solved

There are no refunds/credits for cancellations.

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

Employment Customer Service representative needed. Ability to perform multi-task and work extra hours. Must be a computer literate. Valid identification identity needed. Earn $450 weekly.

Resumes to amo_techinc@live.com

Sudoku

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.

tuesday, november 29, 2011 5

The california aggie

Music Spotlight: Allen Stone Nationally acclaimed singer, Allen Stone, speaks with MUSE before his concert tonight at Odd Fellows Hall

By UYEN CAO Aggie Arts Editor

Things are getting hectic for 24-yearold singer Allen Stone, who grew up in the quiet countryside of eastern Washington.

Just last month Stone released his sophomore and self-entitled album, and now he is getting ready to kick off a full tour.

Stone began singing in his father’s church, where over the years the sincerity of gospel and soul music infiltrated deeply into his voice and lyrical style. With major recognitions from critically-acclaimed sources like The New York Times, NPR, Billboard and The Washington Post, attributing him to names like Stevie Wonder and Anthony Hamilton, it’s quite humbling to note the calm disposition in Stone’s voice while he spoke with MUSE over the phone. Upon sharing his love for soul to his creative process to politics, Stone comes across as a regular guy who happens to really love his job and be really good at it.

Tonight at 7 p.m., Stone will bring the Davis community together with his unique rhythm and soul at the intimate Odd Fellows Hall (located on 415 Second Street. The show is hosted by ASUCD’s Entertainment Council and tickets can be purchased at the door for $15.

MUSE: First off, can you take us way back to when you first started singing and how you made your way into soul music?

Stone: I grew up in countryside where there was no soul, R&B or even much music happening there. So soul music was kind of my thing. What I really loved was John Legend at the time and Stevie Wonder, The Temptations — all the ‘60s and ‘70s soul. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13 but I wasn’t playing soul music at the time. I wasn’t trying to play soul music until high school. But I guess you can say that I’m still learning for sure and I perhaps don’t have it all down yet.

MUSE: You’ve done quite a bit of live shows before. How would you describe your experience as a musician performing live on a stage rather than in a studio?

Stone: I’ve just always tried to create music that people might enjoy but the music I made in the past has always been introspective and in my heart. In some instances, I think about how the song

REGENTS Cont. from front page board members have participated in peaceful social movements in the past and that they serve on the board “without any compensation.”

UC President Mark Yudof also made an opening speech.

“We have worked very hard to keep our costs down,” Yudof said. “We can expand the footprint of this university and not contract it.”

Yudof said he is asking the state for a partial restoration to the $3.2 billion high point in state funding.

During the public comment session, people at each of the four campuses were allowed to talk via the teleconference. Five speakers from each campus were allowed to speak at a time. The public comment section of the meeting was ultimately extended a half an hour longer by Lansing, as many students and community members came out to speak.

Student and staff repeated the message that they would like to see less talking and more action toward the regents during the open forum.

Ian Lee, a first-year student at UC Davis who was pepper sprayed earlier this month, said that the regents were to blame for shifting university funds to capital and private investment.

Another student from Davis, who identified herself as Robin, expressed anger at the regents meeting cancelled last week.

“We are not interested in the false dialogue of the UC Regents,” she said.

A speaker from UCLA said, “I want

STRIKE

is going to be interpreted live. There’s a song I have called “Celebrate Tonight,” and it was my attempt at ushering people into a good time at a show. I try to make music that I would enjoy listening to [as] a soul connoisseur. And then lyrically and melodically, I hope people will like it. It’s like a huge box of Trix with all these different colors that all seemingly taste the same but you have to look at the whole box of cereal. Um, that’s a really weird analogy [laughs]. But as a musician, there’s always that moment when you hope people will like your music. It’s my main objective when I write music.

MUSE: Who are you current inspirations?

Stone: I listen to a lot of Tingsek. He’s from Sweden and he’s the man — he’s real jazz. There’s a really cool movement of northern soul happening right now where a lot of really great music is coming out. And if you really dig in deep you can really discover a band that is just killin’ it everyday. But I also like to revisit old catalogues, you know, like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. Those are the typical R&B soul and I listen to a little bit of hiphop, too.

MUSE: How does your writing process work? Do you work off of inspiration a lot?

Stone: Yeah, I used to write based on all inspiration, but I started co-writing more.

Co-writing is so regimented that you go in [the studio] and you say ‘I’m going to go in there and meet with this person and write the song’. Usually, it’s a person you don’t know and you just got their name from someone that knows your mana.ger or something like that. The objective is to meet and write a song, and hopefully within two hours you have a song written.

Co-writing has taught me to not always base everything off of inspiration.

Allen Stone

Courtesy of Jason Tang

or gave me health care. Anything that would help me as a 24-year-old or that would affect me personally. That song was written on that basis and I came to a realization at one point that everything in this country is taxed, like, nine times before I even get to buy it, and then when I get to buy it, it gets taxed again. But then again, our government is so stupid and in such a bad business of corporations that at the end of the day, that’s what it is — a business. That’s when you hear the line [in “Unaware”]: “Everyday our taxes increase, so is this our land or is this our lease?”

MUSE: Your song “Unaware” has a lot of powerful commentary on the current political system. Do you normally look at the news for sources of inspirations when you write your songs?

Stone: When I wrote “Unaware,” it was about a year before Obama had been voted in and I was keeping track of his campaign of change and hope and I wasn’t seeing any of that change. There weren’t any changes that brought the cost of tuition down or changed gas prices

MUSE: What do you think about the Occupy Wall Street movement that is taking place?

Stone: The running of this country seems so lopsided in the sense that the people seem to have such little say in this country. And especially with this deficit.

We always hear about this deficit. Ever since I was 16 or 17, around election time, I would hear about this deficit. They’re always talking about this deficit. And yet, the deficit happens and somehow the people are okay with them raising taxes, and then the next year they overspend by trillions of dollars. But, I don’t know, I would probably freak you out with all of this political stance [laughs]. I don’t trust anybody in office. I don’t trust anyone that

to know why a police officer working in public education makes more than many professors,” after quoting Lt. Pike’s salary at $100,000.

UC Students Association President Claudia Magana concluded the public comments.

She said the regents need to do a better job holding meetings on different campuses and allowing for student comment, and that she hopes they will follow through with the meeting planned for January.

“We stand in solidarity with UC Berkeley and UC Davis,” she said.

Lansing proposed a joint effort march in Sacramento in January with students to request more funding from the state.

UC President Yudof spoke next, announcing that former California Supreme Court Justice and current UC Davis law professor emeritus Cruz Reynoso will be the Chair of the UC task force addressing the Nov. 18 pepper spray incident.

“We will do our best to listen to suggestions from students today,” he said.

Public comment ended around 11:30 a.m., when the meeting was set to move into a discussion of the UC Regents Committee on Finance. The meeting was to continue being broadcast, but was closed to public comment.

Over the speakers, another campus could be heard using the microphone to ask that the budget discussion be made open to public comment. An unknown regent responded that it would be best to put any questions into writing.

During the meeting, the regents called for reinvestment in university quality, including increased graduate student

support, increased class options and more faculty.

To fund this, they proposed an enrollment growth of one percent. They also said that a $2.3 billion increase in funds from the state would prevent a further increase in tuition.

After about 15 minutes of the Finance Committee meeting, students gathered inside the ARC Ballroom and suggested that the meeting be open for public comment.

Unacknowledged by the regents, students proposed to move to the front of the room and requested that the speakers broadcasting the regents meeting be turned down.

Through the speakers, listeners could hear a similar student gathering at UCLA interrupting the meeting taking place there.

Chancellor Katehi joined this new meeting, which was called the “People’s Regents Meeting,” for a few minutes before the regents continued their original meeting in another room.

Stein and Mireles remained at the People’s Regents Meeting.

“I really felt like I was able to understand the Occupy Movement by being able to talk with them while they were holding their meeting,” Mireles said.

One participant in the people’s meeting, senior international agricultural development major Bryndan Stueve, said that he believed a valuable opportunity was lost by overriding the UC Regent meeting.

“We need to have dialogue with the regents and engage them, rather than ignore them. What we’re doing today is almost counter-productive,” he said. “...

is not a privilege, it is a right. I can afford to pay for the poor on my salary, but I can’t afford the rich too. I am here because I am representing a strong sense of volunteerism,” said Keenie Andrus, a nurse who spoke at the occupation of Dutton.

A group of artists congregated in the Quad, where they silkscreened posters that read “Hella Occupy, Ocuppy UC Davis.”

Approximately 1,000 posters were made, and students stood in line for over an hour to get their free posters.

After occupying the building for the afternoon, protesters held a general assembly in Dutton at 6 p.m.

“There’s no time for symbolism,” said a female speaker at the General Assembly. “I think we actually have the ability to do something.”

At the meeting, two proposals passed. Protesters first decided to occupy the building overnight and subsequently decided to have a strategic blockade at Dutton Hall for the next two weeks.

The blockade is intended to control access to the building.

Cont. from front page about? Was it an accident, a fluke or poor training? It was in fact part of a 50-year process of militarization of the American police force. Federal money came into the state toward police forces in the 1960’s and ‘70s,” Shaw said.

Participants sat and listened to the lectures, which were followed by an open-ended question and answer period. Open discussions were encouraged by participants.

“These revolutions always begin with the poorest and most disenfranchised individuals, and it eventually grows. What we saw in the past couple of weeks is the beginning of a movement.

Unfortunately, all nonviolent revolutions are very violent,” Shaw said.

Occupy UC Davis kept protesters informed through a text-in system, in which people could receive updates about the strike.

People from outside of Davis came to support the student protesters, including students from other UCs. “Like the movement represents DANIELLE HUDDLESTUN contributed to this article. all works of life, I believe that HUDDLESTUN, KINDRED and STRUMWASSER can be health care should be for all. It reached at campus@theaggie.org.

WHIP Cont. from front page campus, mostly on the Quad, because he decided it would give him and the sport great exposure, as well as entice other students to try it. Students have reacted in many ways.

“I have had such mixed reactions. Some students are really into it and want to learn how it’s done. But others are not as excited about it,” Olmsted said.

Specifically, the UC Davis Police Department has had numerous complaints in regards to his whip cracking.

“Every once in a while we will get a complaint that his whip cracking alarms people. The cracking sound is usually the complaint. It causes some fear, but others could care less,” said interim UC Davis Police Chief Matthew Carmichael.

Olmsted said that shortly after he began whip cracking on the Quad, he received an e-mail from the university asking him to move to Solano Field, located across from the Arboretum. But Olmsted affirmed that he is not breaking any laws or statutes and believes practicing on the

had to shake a dirty hand for a campaign dollar.

MUSE: Where do you see yourself going with music and performing in the next few years?

Stone: I would love to just tour 300 days of the year and play all over the world. Whether it be a hundred people or a thousand, either one of those is a blessing. And in reality, I just want to pay my rent, which wasn’t really attainable 20 to 30 years ago [in the music industry]; so I really count my blessings. I’m doing this on a very small level right now as a musician, but I can’t wait to see where it could potentially go and I would love to play for as many people as I can. But I’m not going to get in a box stand and convince people that I’m the best soul singer or the best writer.

MUSE: Any last words to the Davis fans specifically?

Stone: Do your best to warn them because when we come, it’ll be an all-out dance party. I pray that they come prepared to enjoy themselves — there’ll be slow R&B jams and powerful soul music. I hope they come prepared to get a little sweaty.

UYEN CAO can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

We are in a difficult position because we need to embed ourselves in the system and also maintain credibility in the eyes of the regents,” Stueve said.

Several students responded that the regents chose to leave the ballroom and isolate themselves.

Stein was present for the people’s meeting and faced pressure to sign the students’ pledge.

“I am the strongest supporter for the principles that underlie that pledge.

I’m not refusing to sign the pledge, but actively doing advocacy on behalf of your positions,” Stein said.

Nick Perrone, a graduate student in history and an active voice in the meeting, said that he refused to work with the regents.

“I will not walk with that woman,” he said, in reference to Lansing. “We are way past working with the regents.”

A junior UC Berkeley student, Alex Kravitz, made two proposals at the meeting: to require UC Regents to hold office hours on UC campuses and to have UC student body presidents be designated as liaisons between students and the regents.

Mireles said that he was glad that students had a chance to have their voices heard by the UC Regents.

“I was really inspired. I think today might have been my favorite day as a regent thus far. We got to hear students speak to us for over an hour and a half.... Today we got to hear from dozens and dozens of students from all different campuses,” Mireles said.

HANNAH STRUMWASSER contributed to this article. FREEMAN, RUSSER and STRUMWASSER can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org.

Quad is a good way to educate people about the art, as it is such an unknown sport.

He created a Facebook group called “UC Davis Whip Cracking” for anyone who wants to learn how to whip crack or possibly start a club here at Davis. Olmsted thinks with the right exposure, whip cracking could be something students would be interested in learning, since it is so popular in many movies such as Indiana Jones and Zorro.

“In Zorro, there is a part where the original Zorro is using a whip to put out candles which is actually extremely realistic and also really fun. I have done that a couple times myself,” Olmsted said.

Other tricks that Olmsted can do with a whip include cutting a piece of paper from far away, cracking the whip and then wrapping it around someone’s wrist and even using the whip to cut celery sticks. But Olmsted warns that everyone should learn the basics of whip cracking before they go out and try any of these tricks.

Holser said that his favorite part about whip cracking is using fire.

“What I like most about whip

cracking is a tie between the challenge of getting a good crack through good form and the fireballs created by a fire whip. My favorite trick is definitely creating fireballs,” Holser said.

For Olmsted, whip cracking is quickly turning from a hobby into a small business. Shortly after he began the sport, he started making his own whips.

The whips are made from gutted parachute cord, an extremely tough and strong cord. Olmsted even acknowledged that he has begun to use them as shoe laces.

“They just work better than traditional shoe laces,” he laughed.

Although the standard length for a whip is around six feet, they can range in length anywhere from four feet to as much as 30 feet. Olmsted now sells his whips online for around $150 at his website, entishcreations.etsy.com.

Those who would like to try whip cracking can contact Olmsted via the Facebook page.

CLAIRE MALDARELLI can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

6 tuesday, november 29, 2011

The california Aggie