January 10, 2012

serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915

www.theaggie.org

volume 131, number 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

Egghead statues on campus vandalized Students arrived at campus the first day of the quarter to find the infamous Egghead statues had been “pepper sprayed.”

The statues, created by sculptor Robert Arneson, had been spray painted with what appeared to be orange spray paint, clearly intended to represent the pepper spray incident of Nov. 18. Statues in front of Shields Library and Mrak Hall were among those vandalized.

Andy Fell of the UC Davis News Service said that any vandalism incident on campus is reported on and investigated.

According to the police, the incident took place sometime between 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday.

The statues have since been cleaned and the spray paint is no longer visible. Police are investigating the incident.

— Hannah Strumwasser — Photo by Geoffrey Wildanger

Davis Police promoting bicycle safety this week Officers enforcing use of bike lights at night

By ZANDER WOLD

Aggie News Writer

You might want to think again before taking your bike for a night ride without a light this week.

The Davis Police Department is conducting a Bicycle Safety Education and Enforcement Operation, which began Monday and continues throughout the week.

Officers are patrolling areas frequented by bicyclists to address traffic violations that lead to collisions. The police are basing this operation on two strong indicators, according to Lt. Paul Doroshov, the police department’s public information officer.

These two indicators are bike accidents and public complaints to the police department. In 2011, the police department responded to at least 54 collisions involving bicycles, 93 percent in which the bicyclist was injured.

Public complaints were made mostly about bikers not using bike lights at nighttime and failing to stop at stop signs.

“If you are riding a bike you are liable for all the same laws as a car,” Doroshov said.

The department identified the need for bicycle education and enforcement and decided to team up with local bike shops to educate the public about the safe and

lawful use of bicycles.

“This is something different,” Doroshov said. “We are hoping to raise awareness.”

Doroshov said that throughout the week officers may educate and warn offenders as well as enforce sections of the State Vehicle Code and the City of Davis’ Municipal Code that prohibit riding a bicycle on downtown sidewalks.

Officers are likely to be stringent on having a bike light at both the front and the rear at nighttime.

However, a citation would not be a complete loss, since it can be taken to one of six different bike shops in Davis to receive a 10 percent discount on a new bike light.

The participating bike shops are Apex Cycles and Service, B&L Bikeshop, Blisworks Bikes, Davis Wheelworks, Freewheeler Bicycle Center and Ken’s Bike, Ski and Board.

The police department has announced a few safe riding practices that can help reduce risk of injury.

Safe riding includes biking in a bike lane if available, or if not, at least in the same direction of traffic. Bicycles must stop for stop signs and obey all traffic laws and signals, and riders under 18 must wear a fitted helmet.

ZANDER WOLD can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

News iN Brief

Yolo Superior Court receives bomb threat At around 8:30 a.m. Monday the Yolo County Superior Court received a bomb threat, according to a press release from the Court. Court officials, along with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department and Woodland Police Departments, evacuated all court facilities.

Members of the California Highway Patrol and West Sacramento Police Department also joined in a bomb search. The search lasted until about 10:30 a.m. at which time members of the public and employees were allowed back in the buildings. Court operations were delayed and no bomb was found.

The last time the Court received a bomb threat was in 2005 and the suspect in that case was arrested and charged.

According to Penal Code section 148.1, any person who maliciously informs any other person that a bomb or other explosive has been or will be placed in any public place, knowing that the information is false, could be found guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment.

An investigation is underway and the authorities said they have several credible leads.

–– Angela Swartz

City’s Occupy Davis movement changes direction Melody Tan / Aggie

The Davis Police Department partnered with bike shops, such as B & L Bike Shop at 610 3rd Street, to promote bicycle safety.

Protesters take down encampment to regroup

By ANGELA SWARTZ Aggie City Editor

INSIDE the game with...

Aggie Pack MC Akshar Gopal

By KIM CARR

Aggie Sports Writer

He’s majoring in exercise biology and economics, minoring in management and technology. He’s at the CoHo cash registers taking your ticket slips. But most importantly, he’s at almost all UC Davis sporting events.

His name is Akshar Gopal and his official title is “marketing and promotions intern,” but he’s best known as the “Aggie Pack guy.”

Akshar has been leading loyal Aggie fans in cheers since his sophomore year and he doesn’t plan on stopping. Somehow he manages his double major/minor combo, his CoHo job and about 12-15 hours of Aggie Pack duties every week. This week he found a free hour to sit down with Aggie sports writer Kimberly Carr to chat about his life at the helm of UC Davis’ student sports section.

Last year was the first time you took the microphone from [former Aggie Pack MC] Adam Darbonne and led the Aggie Pack in cheers. What were you feeling right then?

Well, there’s a back-story to how I got involved with the Aggie Pack. I met Adam and Tommy [former Aggie Pack leaders] before I came to college. I didn’t do much with the Aggie Pack my freshman year because I was still getting settled in. But I did this sort of thing in high

Today’s weather Cloudy High 61 Low 34

school and I’ve always loved sports so I wanted to get more involved. I started volunteering my sophomore year and they were looking for a replacement for Tommy because he was graduating in the winter, so Adam asked me to try out at the game. I was so scared when Adam handed me the microphone, but it was okay. There were some kinks, but I kept volunteering, and when they needed someone for basketball that’s when I really started emceeing.

Akshar Gopal leading the Aggie fans at the Homecoming football game.

Adam Darbonne was such a beloved goofball. Were you nervous to fill those shoes?

I was so nervous! Everybody loved Adam and he left some very big shoes to fill and it was tough. The very first game I did by myself there were people asking if the guy with the backwards hat was coming back. He really left a good impression.

So how can people get more involved in the Aggie Pack?

Well, we have our website aggiepack.com and you can get in touch with me and other people through that. There’s also our Facebook page. You start by volunteering and if you like it you can apply to be an intern and you start marketing the games. It’s all volunteer, but there are perks! I have tons of free shirts and all kinds of gear now. We’re a team — I lead the

games, but there are a bunch of us that put this all together.

How many hours a week do you work for the Aggie Pack?

It varies a lot. Anywhere between 5-30 hours. I think it averages to 12-15 a week, though.

So between work and the Aggie Pack, do you even have time for class? How do you make it all work?

I just have to prioritize. It does make me work a lot harder, though, because I really have to study when I can.

What’s more annoying? When people come to games for tube socks or when they stand in line for shirts and then leave?

It’s hard when people stand in line for hours, get a shirt and leave. I really wish they would stay and cheer for our teams.

At least the crowd gets loud for

Forecast Enjoy the sunshine while it’s here. Small chance of rain today, but prepare yourself for the real deal early next week.

Raymond Chan, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team

courtesy

tube socks!

Speaking of loud, how does your voice hold up after football games?

Umm… it doesn’t (laughs). One morning after a game I woke up and tried to say “hi” to a roommate and nothing came out.

I just have to drink a lot of hot chocolate. It’s hard working at the CoHo after games because people can barely hear me. I try really hard to be loud enough!

What is your favorite memory as the Aggie Pack guy so far?

The men’s basketball game against Stanford [on Nov. 18].

I love basketball and I love the crowd atmosphere. There were so many people there and the crowd was feeling it. It was so much fun running all over the

See GOPAL, page 2

Wednesday

Thursday

Sunny

Sunny

High 65 Low 32

High 64 Low 33

As of Dec. 7, 2011, Occupy Davis ended its continuous occupation of Central Park. The tents and structures, which protesters originally put up on Oct. 15, 2011, came down after a majority vote by those present at the Dec. 5 General Assembly.

In a letter to the public on the Occupy Davis website, the protesters issued a statement saying, “This does not mean that our movement is ending or that we will stop having actions, rather that our movement will now be proceeding in a new way.”

The first General Assembly since mid-December took place on Jan. 7. Those at the meeting decided to suspend the Sunday Weekly Solutions Forum for the time being to consider changes of process and venue.

Ten people attended the meeting. One participant addressed the concern that not enough people attended the Jan. 7 Assembly to make important decisions for the movement. Those present formed a working group to explore ways of making Occupy Davis more inclusive. The group also plans to explore the idea of writing a mission statement and ways of supporting the Occupy UC Davis movement in its fight against tuition and fee increases.

Robin Kozloff, an owner of a local line of art products called Freights, has been involved in Occupy since the first General Assembly in October. She said she was glad the decision to remove the encampment was made at the level that it was, by the campers.

Julie Jenkins of the Davis Empowerment Project was one of the campers and was not in support of the decision to remove the encampment.

See OCCUPY, page 2

Evan Davis / Aggie

Davis’ Central Park, now empty of tents, was the home of the Occupy Davis encampment for the movement’s 55 day stay.

Beyonce recently gave birth to a baby girl named Blue Ivy Carter. At least it’s not Jermajesty.

Written By the Night Crew

page two

2 January 10, 2012

daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org

TODAY

weather, explore the pleasures of the winter garden and get a little exercise.

Orientation and First-Year Experience Info Session 11 to 11:45 a.m.

1065 Kemper Hall Learn more about how to become an Orientation Leader for Summer 2012 and a First-Year Experience peer advisor for the 2012-13 school year. Another info session will be held Wednesday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. in 1130 Hart.

The House of Bernarda Alba Auditions 6 to 10 p.m.

Main Theatre, Wright Hall Sign-ups in 101 Art for auditions. Prepare a contemporary or classic monologue, one to three minutes long, and a one-minute story of a time you felt oppressed in some way. Bring resume and head shot.

Students First Information Session 7 p.m.

1007 Giedt Learn about exciting internships and jobs with education reform organization in Sacramento. Internships in marketing/ communications, business, policy, etc. are open to students of all majors and recent graduates.

WEDNESDAY Walk With Warren Noon UC Davis Arboretum Gazebo, Garrod Drive Join Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts for a lunchtime stroll in the UC Davis Arboretum. Enjoy the crisp

Rebecca MacKinnon: Internet Freedom and Censorship 4 to 5 p.m.

King Hall, Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom, Room 1001 UC Davis School of Law and the California International Law Center present TED Global Talks 2011 Speaker Rebecca MacKinnon, former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief, expert on Chinese internet censorship, and Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation. MacKinnon will discuss her new book, Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Vet Aide Club General Meeting and Internship Sign-Up 7 p.m.

176 Everson Apply for pre-veterinary and animal science internships at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and more. Be sure to bring completed membership and internship applications and $5 quarter dues. Please visit iccweb.ucdavis.edu/ aes/vetaides/Internships.htm for more details on how to apply.

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

Cheaper than dentists

More money, more problems Someone gave a transient money but the transient was asking for more, on Mace Boulevard.

FRIDAY

A man was asking people to look in his mouth on Russell Boulevard.

SUNDAY Paint’s from Wal-Mart Someone sprayed “anti-corporate” graffiti and dumped paint on Russell Boulevard.

Field of Screams A man was in a baseball field yelling and banging on random objects on B Street.

Sounds phony A man claiming his car was stolen borrowed a phone and stole it on Mace Boulevard.

No ifs or ands allowed either Someone threw a cigarette butt onto the road on 11th Street.

SATURDAY

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

bureaucrats are pulling the wool over students’ eyes by claiming solidarCont. from page 3 ity while simultaneously bigger trough for self-in- robbing us blind. For what terested administrators to it’s worth, Sun Tzu also fafeed from. mously said: “Know your Which brings us back to enemy.” Perhaps it’s time Sun Tzu. The great stratfor students to get to know egist was right when he the administration. posited deception as the moving principle in all SAM HOEL is a law student at UC Davis wars. In the current UC School of Law and can be reached at budget battles, well-paid swhoel@ucdavis.edu.

hoel

gopal Cont. from front page stadium. It was so cool — it felt awesome to be leading all those people in cheers and stuff.

So what are your plans for the future of the Aggie Pack?

We’re just trying to get more people to games.

We’re working with ASUCD to start something like Thursday activities in the Quad where teams come out and play a game of dodgeball with students, or something like that. If we can personalize the teams and athletes, we can get more fans out to cheer, and that’s our main goal. We want as many fans as we can get at every sport. I

love all sports so I can go to a water polo game or a tennis match and find them interesting.

Some sports, like football, are definitely easier to cheer for, but I’d love to get more people to every game — even the sports that aren’t as mainstream.

So you will leave UC Davis with a couple of degrees and as one of the world’s most fearless public speakers. What are your plans post-Davis?

I want to get an MBA. I want to go into business and marketing. My dream would be to work marketing for a professional sports team.

KIM CARR can be reached at sports@ 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.

to raise capital in order to invest or finance a new escapade, they have a number of options — some more complicated than others. The two most Danny popular are borrowing Brawer money, a fairly well-known route, or selling stock.

Stocks are referred to as equity because they are just that: a stake in the company. When one owns stock, even just a single eer, party, overslept, share, one does in fact studying, finals, own a part of the company houseboats, Picnic and can therefore attend Day (Picnic Day, Picnic shareholders meetings Day), poor and starving. and voice one’s opinions What do all of those words (think Adam Sandler in Mr. have in common, you Deeds). might be wondering? Well, All companies start out odds are if you go to Davis as private. However, the (which, seeing as you owners have the option to are currently holding the take the company public Davis paper in your hands, and have it publicly traded is a good bet), you’ve through a stock exchange probably said them at one such as the New York Stock time. Today I’m going to Exchange (NYSE) or the talk about National those last AssociaThe logistics of the stock two. tion of I’m sure market are actually pretty Securities you’ve Dealers simple heard of the Automaadage “a ted Quotapenny saved tion (NASis a penny earned,” but DAQ). This is usually done ignoring the IRS for a either to expand or to raise moment (usually not the capital. At this time, they best idea), why can’t the can offer an Initial Public reverse be true? Aside from Offering, or IPO, for, say, getting a job, one great $10 a share. way to start earning extra As soon as the stock money is to invest in the goes public, the company stock market. is now partially owned With interest rates so by thousands of people low, the stock market is all across the world. The a great alternative for first few days of trading your hard-earned cash. are usually very active and However, very few students volatile, but eventually choose to invest in the the stock will settle at a market either because price representative of they don’t think about what people are willing to it or don’t know enough pay for it. Within one day, to make good decisions. that $10 share could either The great thing about the decrease by half, triple, or stock market is that in any remain very close to where 10-year period the stock it started — it all depends market has gone up, so on public perception of being students, we have that company and what time to make long-term a share is worth. As time investments. If you are goes on, the price of a interested in learning but stock will either rise or fall, don’t know where to begin, depending on a number of I guarantee either a parent, complicated factors that professor or friend can affect public perception of help you out, but for now that company’s future.

I’ll do my best. So without The simplest answer further ado, here is Stocks to the question of what 101. factors determine a Today’s lesson: How stock’s price is the exactly does the stock company’s current and market work? For that future earnings. While matter, what are stocks? the former is (usually) Why do they exist? What well known, the latter determines the price of can be rather hard to a stock? How come some predict and is determined companies are publicly by a combination of traded and others are not? many factors. These The logistics of the stock elements can be nearly market are actually pretty anything, from changes simple. Stock owners in the company, industry decide what price they are or world, to stock willing to sell at, those who momentum, oil prices or want to buy decide what the economy. There is no price they are willing to way to know or predict buy at, and when those two exactly what the price will numbers are in congruence be, but stock prices tend a transaction occurs and to follow the expectations the stock trades hands. of the company’s future.

But where exactly did the stock come from in the first IIf you do find a way, DANNY BRAWER place? would love for you to make him very rich by When a company needs letting him know at dabrawer@ucdavis.edu.

Stocks 101

B

Amy Stewart Science Editor

Becky Peterson Managing Editor

Melissa Freeman Opinion Editor

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Kamry Zhang Copy Chief

Grace Sprague Advertising Manager

Joey Chen Asst. Copy Chief

Hannah Strumwasser Campus Editor Angela Swartz City Editor Uyen Cao Arts Editor Erin Migdol Features Editor Trevor Cramer Sports Editor

Jasna Hodzic Photography Editor Michelle Huey Design Director Janice Pang Asst. Design Director Mimi Vo Night Editor Amanda Nguyen Asst. Night Editor Irisa Tam Art Director

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Reproduction in any form whatsoever is forbidden without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

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any sexual behavior with someone without their permission. But in the moment, there are many ways it becomes unclear.

The rush of hormones, the Sam desire to not be labeled a Wall tease and sometimes the presence of alcohol or other substances can lead to pushing or being pushed farther than you or your partner really wants to go.

The best solution to this is to agree to boundaries ecently, I was (i.e., no penetration) prior reading a certain to the heat of the moment. popular women’s However, if that doesn’t magazine and wondering happen, then you’re going if my masochistic streak to have to ask during the was widening. It was the interaction. If you want to only reason I could think do something but aren’t of for why I continue to sure if it is OK with your read articles entitled “500 partner, ask them. Be Ways to Please Your Man” willing to stop if they say (because apparently only no, regardless of how much straight girls read it), even though I know it will be the you want to do that certain thing. If you are the one same tips from the “_ Ways asked, answer honestly. to _ Your _” piece I read Your last month. partner It’s not We all have our quirks, kinks might even that be taken the advice and preferences when it aback or these comes to sex frustrated, articles but if they offer is are worthy of your sexy bad — it’s just that there presence they will not push is a tendency to only talk or pressure you. about a set number of While communicating sexual activities. Unless I’m consent may seem like reading an “alternative” it only matters in the magazine, the advice early stages of a romantic comes from a world in relationship, it is also an which there are never any issue for long-term couples. gay or lesbian couples and no gender non-conforming Granted, if you have been intimate with someone for folk. “Alternative” sexual a while you probably have behaviors are mentioned, a sense of their preferences but all too often there and boundaries (and is an undertone of if you don’t, you might OMFGSOOOWEIRD. want to start paying Not cool. more attention). But I am a sex positivist. something that felt good That means, as far as I’m before may suddenly concerned, if a sexual become uncomfortable. activity is consensual and If that happens, the same safe for you, then your rules apply. If it’s your partner(s) should go for boundaries that have it. We all have our quirks, changed, be willing to say kinks and preferences so. Length of relationship when it comes to sex. does not cancel out And some of us want to consent, so if you’re the one explore our sexuality and being told to stop, stop. find new quirks. So, in the Lastly, a few words on coming weeks this column protection (there will will feature advice and be more when we talk information on everything about foreplay). Read any from foreplay to fetishes. article regarding whose To begin with, however, responsibility protection is I want to talk about the and you will be confronted most important aspect of with pages of vitriolic any intimate relationship: comments. It’s a touchy communication. subject. My advice? If you When communication between partners is unclear are entering a situation in which sexy-times are or, worse, non-existent, it a possibility, bring your can lead to all manners of contraceptive of choice problems. On the milder end, there is dissatisfaction with you. That way, when you have the (pretty much or frustration with the mandatory) “Do you have experience. There are also far more severe instances in protection?” conversation, which poor communication everyone can reach into their purses/wallets and go leads to sex with someone “ta-da!” Remember, sharing when that person doesn’t responsibility is a total want it or you don’t want turn-on. it, or sex without sufficient Next week, we talk about protection. This is why the greatest zones in the the most important parts world and why lube is your of communication are discussions of consent and best friend. protection.

The concept of consent SAM WALL wants you to send her your sex questions and concerns at sewall@ ought to be obvious. You ucdavis.edu. don’t get to engage in

Sex ed

R

nity we are going to come together again.”

The City of Davis was involved in some of the changes that came to the camp, but ultimately it was the campers’ vote that decided the occupation would end.

On Nov. 17, 2011 city staff delivered protesters a notice that Occupy was violating some city codes with its encampment. Changes to be made to the encampment included fire safety concerns due to dry grass underneath the tents, health permits for cooking, removing pets and signs on oak trees in the park and other stipulations.

Protesters complied with the requests and remained camping for a

few weeks.

Mayor Joe Krovoza said he was pleased the protesters decided to go in this new direction.

“City council wanted to make sure we leaned as far as possible toward free speech,” Krovoza said. “We did still want to serve the public’s interest and remind them that there were city code violations. [Occupy] did a fantastic job of addressing our concerns.”

Weekly General Assemblies will be held every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Central Park. The next meeting will be held Jan. 14.

With some protesters pledging to return, the university remained tightlipped about what action, if any, it Cont. from page 4 would take. individuals.

It is important to “The administration would assess understand that SJA does not pursue the situation based on the facts, discipline for any activity that is and take action in the overall best considered free speech.” interests of the university,” Morain

said.

On Monday morning, the first morning of the quarter, Dutton Hall was business-as-usual again, with no protesters in sight.

occupy Cont. from front page “It seemed like we just gave up,” Jenkins said. “But it was a democracy vote, not a dictatorship.”

Former camper Jessica Castorena of Pawsitive Groomers supported shutting down the Central Park camp.

“We were finding it hard to sustain safety and energy,” Castorena said. “We needed a new outlet of forward movement and wanted to put our hearts and minds into it. It was becoming draining and we needed a break to regenerate. As a commu-

dutton Jason Alpert Editor in Chief

The california Aggie

ANGELA SWARTZ can be reached city@theaggie.org.

RICHARD CHANG can be reached at campus@theaggie. org.

RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE

SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DO NOT WORK

OPINION

The california aggie

tuesday, january 10, 2012 3

guest opinion

Boycott Katehi’s town halls

editorials

Happy New Year

The end is nigh Welcome to 2012, a year wrought with the promise of anguish and disappointment. Hell, add fear to that list as well. The President has just further secured his legal ability to detain you without trial through the National Defense Authorization Act For The Fiscal Year 2012, and though the legislation was passed in 2011, this is the year where we’ll really see results. That is, assuming it’s not done in secret.

If you’re concerned about the implications of such a law, you’re a rational human being. If you choose to express such concern in a public forum, we wouldn’t be surprised if you are labeled a terrorist and disappear without notice.

While President Barack Obama has said that his administration won’t detain American citizens without due process, he might not be in charge for much longer.

The 2012 election will likely not bring about any real change, no matter who is elected.

Additionally, Congress is currently sitting on the Stop Online Piracy Act, which would essentially mandate the censoring of websites accused of copyright infringement. Search engines and internet providers would be expected to prevent their users from accessing such sites.

If you don’t have an opinion on “intellectual property law,” it’s time to form one.

If you want one ready-made, here you go. Copyright laws in the United States have

evolved past their original purpose to protect individuals into protection for large, wealthy corporations to ensure that they can profit from products, such as Mickey Mouse, long after they have become embedded into popular culture.

A vote on the act has been postponed until Congress is back in session. The act could be voted on as soon as Jan. 17, which means you’d better start cramming in the illicit episodes of “Breaking Bad” now.

Back on the home front, University of California students can look forward to having their livelihoods, once again, put in the hands of the UC Regents. The regents meet every two months and could be voting on fee increases at any time.

As for America’s progress on universal health care, the Affordable Care Act is off to the Supreme Court this year for a possible repeal. Even if it does slide through the Justice Department unscathed, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in December that all states will be allowed to determine their own minimum health care standards, meaning going from uninsured to insured might not be much of a leap.

But as with all things, there is a silver lining. According to reliable and not-insane experts on the Mayan calendar, the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012. And not even Congress can escape death.

Dempsey Report

Make decisions for the right reason The pepper spray incident of Nov. 18 placed the UC Davis administration in uncharted waters. We all know about the calls for Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi’s resignation and the six ongoing investigations, but what has largely been ignored are the more subtle effects the events of Nov. 18 may have had on seemingly unrelated decisions.

During October and November it looked almost certain that the university would be hiring a bigtime athletic director, and UC Davis would be following the recommendations for sweeping change made by the Dempsey Report — possibly including the cutting of sports.

But Friday, Katehi released a letter stating that she has no intention of making major changes to UC Davis athletics. By no means does this statement translate into any type of official action, but it does present a drastic departure from previous expectations of what Katehi had in mind for UC Davis athletics.

We may never know the true motivation behind Katehi’s statement.

Maybe she was swayed by

the strongly anti-Dempsey Report sentiment expressed at each of the four town hall meetings. Maybe she was truly convinced that UC Davis could not support a major sports program.

Regardless, the immediate reaction of many was that Katehi’s decision was based on a post-pepper spray desire to avoid another controversy, like the one seen when four sports were cut in 2010.

While we have publicly opposed the cutting of sports by a new athletic director, we also believe it is important for the UC Davis administration to not only make the right choice, but to make it for the right reasons.

Judgments that affect the lives of UC Davis students need to be made based on logic and reason, not a fear of controversy. The university is constantly being faced with difficult decisions, and simply choosing the less-controversial option could ultimately cause more harm than good.

The pepper spray incident remains a black eye on this university, but our administration cannot have its hands tied by past events.

Editorial Board Jason Alpert Editor in Chief Becky Peterson Managing Editor Melissa Freeman Opinion Editor

Hannah Strumwasser Campus Editor Angela Swartz City Editor Erin Migdol Features Editor

Uyen Cao Arts Editor Trevor Cramer Sports Editor

Amy Stewart Science Editor Jasna Hodzic Photography Editor

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

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dents and watch while our anger melts away.

After she had finished speaking, the crowd was almost un If there’s one thing we can say sure of what to do. We felt angry about Chancellor Katehi since the but couldn’t remember why. We pepper spray incident of Nov. 18, are humans after all, and we like 2011, it’s that her public relations to give people second chances becampaign has been extremely efcause we would want the same. fective at quelling calls for her res- However, this principle of “the ignation. Excessive pandering to golden rule” undermines our ferstudent concerns with town hall vor in ending Katehi’s tenure at UC forums reached absurd, almost Davis. Katehi’s power and sphere pathetic levels before winter break, of influence — including her acnot to mention her duplicitous cess to the media and ability to e-mails that sought to rationalcontrol the narrative using her ize her judgment in calling on riot massive 30,000 student e-mail list police to handle non-violent stu— practically negate any accountdent protests. Katehi should have ability that she might be subject to known full well that when riot po- at the university level, which ought lice wield hammers, everything to to make her unworthy of sympathem looks like a nail. thy from those who are subject to disciplinary measures. Ultimately, Which takes us to her first pubKatehi’s diplomatic but empty geslic appearance after the incitures mask her sincere lack of culdent. At the subsequent General pability, but considering her level Assembly, Katehi spoke to an anof wealth and position within the gry but open-minded audience of students who sought answers. Her university, who else but her should be held accountable for this misvoice began to quiver as she apologized, and for just that moment, I carriage of justice? felt compassion and clemency for So I say this to all students in her. Who would want this sort of the strongest terms possible: boyinternational embarrassment and cott Katehi’s town hall meetings! ridicule anyway, from Jon Stewart Legitimate answers to student to Icelandic TV? But my sympathy concerns are clearly secondary was a profound reminder of how to Katehi, who is seeking to pacieasy it is for powerful and person- fy us until the momentum for her able technocrats like Katehi to slip resignation dies out. Katehi’s fabsomas to upset but forgiving sturicated solidarity with students

By JOSH CADJI

Graduate student, community development

over fee hikes and her collapsing of complex issues of state violence against student dissent into canned arguments about “health and safety” is revolting and unworthy of our diplomacy. Let our silence be our power!

It is clear that the only hope we have as students is to send this message to anybody in power, including the chancellor: “If you fuck with us or do anything to endanger our safety or raise our fees, your job is finished.”

Isolating Katehi, unfortunately, seems to me to be our only way forward if we wish to produce her exodus. We’ll worry about who’s installed next by the regents and the university’s internal corporate structure when we get to that bridge. Remember, Katehi’s resignation and structural change of the UC system are not mutually exclusive; the former is simply the first step.

So in the end, just like with every other movement for systemic change, the burden falls on us, the people. The question is, are we angry enough to make the change, or will this be our dream deferred?

The fierce urgency of now is upon us. May we not wait for another Lt. Pike to inspire us to act again, only this time after something far worse than pepper spray.

Game Over, Katehi: Jan. 27, 2012.

Change needed on Russell Boulevard

By ARI POLSKY

Senior, art studio major

Imagine waking up every day, getting ready to go to class and fearing for your life as you walk to campus. That is the experience that I, along with my neighbors on Russell Boulevard, face daily. Crossing Russell at California Avenue to get to campus is like playing a twisted, real-life version of Frogger. It’s dangerous — cars don’t stop for pedestrians; pedestrians do not make the necessary safety checks to cross.

The problem stems from a false sense of security for pedestrians.

When they press a button, they expect a protected cross signal, as happens at other intersections.

Instead, a yellow flashing “yield” light is triggered, which drivers and pedestrians alike seem to misunderstand. Approximately 20,000 vehicles drive on Russell each day.

According to one source, only 25 to 30 percent of people actually stop when seeing the “flashing beacon.”

There are several options for improvement to the intersection. At a December meeting, three members of the Safety Parking Advisory Commission recommended making this a fully functioning signaled intersection, which would cost $250,000.

One nearby resident commented:

Sam Hoel

Knowing your enemy

S

tudents following the UC budget battles would do well to remember Sun Tzu’s well-worn maxim: “All war is deception.”

With the latest round of budget cuts prompting the usual protestations from UC administrators, one might be excused for believing that the UC system has been, in the words of budget VP Patrick Lenz, “cut to the bone.” But the reality is that administrators’ version of fat-trimming is predictably self-interested.

The problem is a typical one.

Like most bureaucrats, administrators tend to prioritize political correctness over academics. As a result, students find themselves facing the twin menaces of a cashhungry army of paper pushers, and a slew of redundant and expensive “diversity” programs.

Since 2006, full-time administrators have outnumbered faculty nationally. While students face tuition hikes and professors see class sizes expand, administrators preside over an almost sacrosanct collection of programs that are best described as wasteful irrelevancies. The traditional model of faculty-run universities has gradually given way to a vast apparatus of lawyers, administrators and generic bureaucrats who have expanded overhead functions while pro-

“People drive so fast through this crosswalk and ignore the flashing lights that it’s only a matter of time before some is killed here […] Wouldn’t traffic signals be cheap compared to a tragedy like that?”

Supposedly, several steps were taken to improve safety, such as a police presence and added signage over the summer. From my observation, the added “safety” measures have done little to curb the dangers or the misunderstandings between driver and pedestrian.

To date, three people that live at my complex have been hit crossing the street at this intersection.

In some instances, this was even after they took the necessary steps to ensure safety, and drivers did not stop.

In the most serious incident, a certain student was hit by a City of Davis vehicle while crossing, throwing her to the ground and leaving her with a skull fracture, a serious concussion and an overnight hospital stay. The victim, junior Liana Glicksman, commented, “It is even scarier for me to cross the street here after being in an accident ... The thing that scares me most is that I cannot think of a way in which to prevent something like this happening again. I was … crossing at an intersection … in a town where I felt safe and secure. If something like

this could happen to me, someone who knew to be careful at this crosswalk, and in optimal conditions, it terrifies me to think about the future.”

On a party night during Fall quarter, I noticed some drunk freshmen, too unaware of their surroundings, attempted to sprint across Russell without making safety checks. Now imagine the dangers of being located on Frat Row, especially when typical Davis conditions like dense fog and rain occurs.

The Facebook group “I have almost been hit Crossing Russell at California” has 65 members, who have been active in trying to improve the situation. When I spoke to city traffic engineer Roxane Namazi, I told her it was dangerous and one day, someone will likely get hit and they will not survive, and it will be the city’s liability. Namazi admitted that the city would be liable if someone were seriously wounded or killed, though the city does not have the money to properly address the situation.

It’s time you take action. It’s time the others who live, work and cross the street here take action.

Pi Beta Phi, Theta Chi, SAE, SAE∏, LDS Office and the other residents who live and cross here — please join me in urging the city to finally take action, and keep us safe.

get crisis last year, UC President lifically fabricating new roles for Mark Yudof protested: “We cannot themselves. save or streamline our way around Faddish “diversity” institua problem of this magnitude.” tions are often the administraMeanwhile, administrators at tors’ weapons of choice, benefitBerkeley pressed forward with ing from the reluctance of critthe Initiative for Equity, Diversity ics to risk accusations of bigotry and Inclusion, a costly program by questioning their importance or functionality. Not surprisingly, that funded five newly endowed chairs in “diversity-related rediversity administrators ride the coattails of a generationally tolsearch.” And while UC San Diego erant student body, while doing was eliminating degrees in electrilittle to reach the cal and computvast majority of er engineering, Of course, no one wants to live on it was simultastudents.

Here at UC a campus marred by hatefulness, neously creating Davis, a vast neta new full-time discrimination or bigotry work of such in“vice chancelstitutions exist. lor for equity, diThey are headlined by the Office versity and inclusion,” who supof Campus Community Relations plemented the apparently in(OCCR), which oversees a dizzying adequate Chancellor’s Diversity array of programs that funnel pre- Office, which already had an associous tuition dollars into the pock- ciate vice chancellor for faculty eqets of needy administrators. uity, and an assistant vice chancelOCCR itself, headed by Vice lor for diversity. And that’s just the Dean Rahim Reed (annual comtip of the iceberg. pensation $156,000), oversees a Of course, no one wants to live morass of often redundant ention a campus marred by hatefulties such as the Staff Affirmative ness, discrimination or bigotry.

Action & Diversity Office, The But the intellectual ferment of the Center for Human Services classroom and the rich social exCivil Rights and Diversity, The perience of the student body are Multicultural Immersion Center, the true guarantees of a tolerant The Diversity Education Program, and diverse university. The ficThe Cross-Cultural Center, The tion that eliminating condescendConsortium for Women and ingly named enclaves of political Research, The Women’s Resources correctness would lead to a hateand Research Center, The consumed campus is demeaning Sexual Harassment Education to students and teachers alike. In Program and Campus Council short, I trust my fellow community on Community and Diversity, to members to remain open-minded name a few. without the assistance of campusAnd each center or consortium funded enforcers. comes with its eager contingent of Finally, the idea that grandioseprogram directors, staffers, coorly named programs somehow predinators and education adminisvent the rare acts of universaltrators, all striving for their slice of ly condemned on-campus hate the budget pie. crimes is a ludicrously thin disOf course, UC administrators guise for the real purpose of acat the top see the impenetrable ademic bureaucracy; to create a thicket of extracurricular programs as essential. Speaking of the budSee HOEL, page 2

4 tuesday, January 10, 2012

The california Aggie

First-year student crochets for a better future Indian women, children empowered through Crafts of Hope

By DEVON BOHART Aggie Features Writer

Needles and yarn have never looked more valuable.

Rupali Saiya, first-year computer engineering major, has proven their value with her organization called Crafts of Hope.

Crafts of Hope is a program that empowers underprivileged women and children by teaching them how to crochet.

The women and children crochet hats, scarves and more, all for sale on the Crafts of Hope website, craftsofhope.com.

“They can empower their own livelihood and sustain themselves,” Saiya said. “It kind of gets them out of the downward spiral of male dominance and believing that they can’t do anything.”

Saiya started Crafts of Hope at the Mijwan Welfare Society in Uttar Pradesh, India to help women. In India, women are subordinate to and dependent upon males in society, Saiya said. By teaching them to crochet, they are given confidence to support themselves and are shown that they can be independent.

“Women there are married off at the age of

12 or 13 and they can’t do much with their lives.

This way we show them something else they can do,” Saiya said. “They earn their own money so they’re not dependent on their husbands and some of them have actually come up and said that now they want to be an engineer, now they want to be a nurse, I want to be a doctor.

And they believe they can do something more with their life than they could before.”

Along with these women, Crafts of Hope also helps the Society of Education of the Crippled (SEC), located in Bombay. The SEC provides schooling, nutritional programs and counseling for handicapped people.

Children can participate in Crafts of Hope through the SEC. “In India, if you are physically disabled or handicapped and you aren’t in the upper class, then there’s not very much treatment for you. People look down on you in society and think that you’re useless, which is not true at all,” Saiya said. “Basically, Crafts of Hope gives them the opportunity to do something different.”

The organization began after Saiya’s involvement with a charity called

Home of Hope. Home of Hope identifies schools and orphanages in India that are in need. Nilima Subharwal, a doctor based in the Bay Area, founded this organization after helping to raise $7,000 for her friend’s orphanage.

After Saiya volunteered with this organization, she wanted to instigate her own ideas within her own branch of the charity.

“I wanted to do something to help them,” Saiya said. “I wanted to do more than just volunteer at functions and just stand behind a table and give out flyers.”

So, three years ago, Saiya developed the idea to teach women and children how to crochet, a skill her grandmother had taught her.

“It’s such an easy skill and you can do so much with it, so I figured, why can’t it be used?” Saiya said. “It’s something that you can do at your own leisure and you can do other things while doing it.”

The proceeds from crocheted garments’ sale on the website are donated to Home of Hope. Items cost between $3 and $30.

Saiya has help from various sources to continue the organization’s growth.

Her family gives her the support to continue her efforts, the Home of Hope board gives her suggestions to make the program an even bigger success, and even her friends help her by modeling the items for sale on the website and spreading the word about the program.

However, despite all of the help from others, Saiya still has made sacrifices to spend more time on Crafts of Hope. On top of schoolwork, Saiya has to keep up with sales and supplies and deal with the time change in India, often staying up later to contact people there.

Saiya is driven solely by the happiness she sees in those whom she helps through Crafts of Hope.

She said that because she is so fortunate, she takes it upon herself to help those who are not as lucky as she is.

“It just feels good to give back to the community,” Saiya said. “I feel like I should be doing something, so I do my best to help as much as I can.

The best part of the entire experience is knowing that all of this effort is going to a good cause and knowing that those women and children are happy and are now able to achieve and go

Rupali Saiya / Aggie

Indian women crochet learn how to crochet, thanks to first-year student’s non-profit Crafts of Hope. for bigger dreams. It makes me happy when they are happy.”

Saiya said that traveling to India and seeing the women and children has been one of the most valuable experiences she has had thus far.

“I visited the SEC and it showed me that no matter what’s going on in your life, a simple smile can make it better,” Saiya said.

“All of these children had such a hard life, yet they were still able to smile and get through it and were as happy as I am.”

Crafts of Hope has a promising future, with Saiya hoping to expand across the globe and include more types of crafts.

Saiya’s mother, Hina Saiya, said that she believes the program her daughter started could go on forever — as long as there are others willing to put in the effort that Rupali has.

“She has set up the groundwork and established that this is a viable project. In order for this to grow, she needs more volunteers to help her in all the aspects of this venture,” Hina said.

“The world needs to know about what Rupali is doing,” Subharwal agreed.

“She is an icon and a real inspiration. I hope [others] can learn from her and join her.”

DEVON BOHART can be reached at features@theaggie.org.

Occupation of Dutton Hall ended without incident Clean up and repair of building to cost $7,000

By RICHARD CHANG Aggie News Writer

The two-week occupation of Dutton Hall

by Occupy UC Davis protesters ended Dec. 11 without incident.

Galvanized by the Nov. 18 incident where students were pepper-sprayed by police, the Occupy UC Davis movement, in the final days of Fall quarter, voted to occupy Dutton Hall until the end of final exams.

According to Student Affairs Associate Vice Chancellor Emily Galindo, departments located inside Dutton were impacted by the occupation, resulting in reduced services and closures. The Student Aid Accounting office was temporarily relocated to the Transportation and Parking Services building. Some offices, however, remained open and continued providing services. The Student Academic Success Center was one department that chose to

remain open in spite of the occupation.

“A lot of people who were dealing with the occupation had to put in long hours to make things work smoothly,” said Carol Hunter, assistant director of the Student Academic Success Center.

During the occupation, protesters pitched tents in and around Dutton and a few dozen stayed overnight each day.

After protesters left, the university sent in a facilities crew to clean up and repair the

building. UC Davis spokesperson Claudia Morain said the clean up and repair costs totaled $7,000.

When asked whether individual students would be held responsible for the damages incurred in Dutton, Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) director Donald Dudley released a statement.

“Any damage to property during the occupation was caused by unidentified

See DUTTON, page 2

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