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volume 131, number 59
thursday, may 3, 2012
Legislation plans to lower federal Stafford Loan interest rates Congress scrambles to resolve increasing student loan debt By CLAIRE TAN
Associate City Editor
Adding to the increasing levels of student loan debt in the United States is the possibility of having federal, or subsidized, Stafford Loan interest rates double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1. In a report, t h e
for five years. According to the Stafford Loan website, federal Stafford Loans are one of the most common and inexpensive ways to pay for tuition. Congressman Gary Peters, D-Mich., the first co-signer of H.R. 3826, is working with Courtney on lowering interest rates. “He thinks college education is key to helping our country survive,” said Vicki Christner, Deputy Press Secretary for Congressman Peters. “We have the most educated workforce in the country, and if college becomes unaffordable, then we won’t be able to sustain that.” Christner said the bill now has over 150 co-sponsors. On
Federal Reserve Bank of New York said student loan debt has surpassed the nation’s credit card debt, fueling a nationwide debate on keeping college affordable. Congressman Joe Courtney, D-Conn., introduced House Bill 3826 (H.R. 3826) on January 25. The bill potentially caps federal student loan interest rates by the July 1 expiration of the 2007 legislation that capped student interest rates
Irisa Tam / Aggie
Vandalism at Shields Library increases
Tuesday, Peters held a press conference at Wayne State University’s Farmington Hills campus in Michigan about lowering student loan interest rates. Three students — an upcoming graduate, a current student and a prospective student — explained the effects of increasing loan interest rates, and financial aid advisors and local community leaders spoke about the importance of keeping interest rates down. “We don’t want to burden students more than they need to be,” Christner said. Josh Zembik, communications director for Congressman Courtney, said H.R. 3826 is currently in the hands of the committee. “What we’re looking at right now is competing proposals,
See LOAN, page 4
Queer (In)Security Conference to take place this Friday
Library staff and students notice more graffiti, other types of vandalism By ADAM KHAN
Students will lead discussions about issues of security and militarization
Aggie News Writer
To the everyday Aggie, vandalism on campus is an all-too-familiar sight. Whether it is tagging in bathrooms or painting on hallway walls, the defacement of collegiate property for comedic relief or civil discontent is often to be expected. Following the wake of the November protests, a flurry of politically oriented art cropped up in virtually every major hall on campus. This year, however, a new location has seen a dramatic increase in defacement: Shields Library. On average, 8,000 to 10,000 people use the library every day. Misconduct within the scholarly walls ranges from immature to overtly sexual, but crime is mostly limited to electronic device theft. The past two quarters, however, have seen the highest rates of tagging and other forms of defacement in the past five years. This year has also had the most extreme cases of such acts that have since cost the school thousands of dollars in damages. Since January, there have been dozens of reported cases of graffiti on both the interior and exterior walls of the facility. In most instances, the writing is small and localized to easily targeted objects such as bathroom placards and book carts. While many are attempts at sarcasm either aimed at the library or at fellow students, there are numerous examples of rhetoric and symbolism that many would find deeply offensive. According to incident reports from library staff, signs depicting images of women often fall prey to misogynistic doodling, and notes left behind for others
By LILIANA NAVA OCHOA Aggie News Writer
On Friday, the Queer (In) Security Conference organized by the Militarization and Gender Research Cluster and Queer, Feminist, Trans Studies Research Cluster (QFT) will take place at the Student Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Since 2007 the QFT has put on a conference that discusses different issues, but this year, the QFT worked in conjunction with the Militarization and Gender Research Cluster to create an interdisciplinary conference. The theme of the Queer (In)Security Conference is safety, security and surveillance in relation to militarization and queer studies. The pepper spray incident of last November was the inspiration for the conference. “I think a lot of inspiration came out of the situation with the Occupy Movement in UC
Courtesy of Peter J. Shields Library
See VANDALISM, page 4 The vandalism in Shields Library has increased dramatically.
Davis, the pepper spray incident and this idea that the police force on UC campuses are more militarized than peacekeeping. That they have this pepper spray and guns and they’re university police and it seems like there’s a disconnect,” said sixth-year graduate student in the Cultural Studies doctoral degree program and co-chair of the QFT Tallie Ben-Daniel. The conference is composed of a roundtable, panels, discussions and a performance at the end. The topic of the roundtable will be the Occupy movement. Individuals from the Occupy UC Davis, Davis and Oakland movements along with students not involved in them will discuss queerness and security. According to co-chair of the Militarization and Gender Research Cluster and postdoctoral student in Cultural Studies Hilary Berwick, in
See QFT, page 4
News iN Brief
University releases proposed reforms in response to Reynoso report A series of proposed reforms were announced Wednesday in response to the Cruz Reynoso Task Force report that investigated the Nov. 18 pepper spraying of student protesters. The release offers steps to improve campus protest management, police response and communication between parties. The University said that efforts have already begun in response to Reynoso Report recommendations. This includes a review of campus police operations and policy and the creation of a Campus Community Council which will serve as a medium for communication between university administration and university constituents, such as students, staff, alumni, emeriti and community members. According to the action plan, expectations include recommendation implementation, the development of interim actions with the consultation of all parties involved and the
Today’s weather Chance of rain High 65 Low 52
evaluation of the effectiveness and intended outcome. Recommendations that have been issued for the administration and leadership response include the establishment of an “agreement on policies regulating protests and civil disobedience,” to which the University proposed assigning a task force to discuss and edit campus policies concerning protest activity. The report also suggests the development of “standardized policies for managing campus events and incidents.” The university has begun to update the Davis Campus Emergency Operations to bring them in accordance with the National Incident Management System/ Standardized Emergency Management System. Officials also plan to “heal the campus and apply Principles of Community in a practical fashion” by reviewing the Principles of Community so that they are better implemented throughout the
campus, as suggested by the Reynoso Task Force. Other recommendations include a review of the “protocols and procedures of the UC Davis police department” and the creation of a systemwide inter-agency support system that would call for the respect and support of campus procedures by responding parties. It was also recommended that all members of the campus community adhere to the Principles of Community. Kroll report recommendations are also highlighted in the proposal, including systemwide changes to the policing at the University of California and the establishment of a clear decision making process by the campus community. The University said it will continue to make changes to the action items in coming weeks. Responses to the proposals can be sent to reviews@ ucdavis.edu. — Muna Sadek
Forecast There is a slight chance of rain on Thursday as a weak cold front approaches central California bringing colder temperatures and possibly moisture. Don’t get too discouraged though. The weekend looks bright and sunny; the perfect weather for procrastination. Matthew Little, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
Ron Paul campaign comes to UC Davis today Republican primary candidate Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is scheduled to speak today at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union West Quad during a campaign rally from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to Mike Pinter, the chapter leader for Youth for Ron Paul at UC Davis, this is the first time a presidential candidate has visited campus in about eight to 10 years. “Ron Paul is a very polarizing political figure. Whether or not you agree or disagree with him, these rallies are really great in general and useful for anybody who lines themselves with any political par-
ty or political ideology,” he said. “Generally, there is something for everyone.” Paul has been appearing at colleges and universities across the nation, including California universities UC Berkeley, UCLA and California State University Chico, with a minimum of 5,000 people in attendance. For early seating opportunities and to receive an early seating voucher, register at RonPaulatUCDavis-eorg.eventbrite.com. After 6:30 p.m., early admittance is no longer guaranteed. — Michelle Murphy
Bike Auction this Saturday This Saturday, May 5 is the biannual UC Davis Bicycle Auction at the West Entry Parking Structure — located at the intersection of Hutchison Drive and Dairy Road. Over 400 bicycles will be available, ranging in size, type and con-
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dition. The bikes can be viewed from 8 to 9 a.m., before the bidding begins at 9 a.m. For more information please call 752-BIKE (752-2453) or visit taps. ucdavis.edu/bicycle/auctions. — Hannah Strumwasser
Kevin Richardson, the fifth member of the Backstreet Boys, is finally rejoining the group. Yup, Kevin’s back, alright! Mimi Vo