August 6, 2012

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volume 131, number 63

monday, AUGUST 6, 2012

Proposition 30 promises to address UC budget deficits Governor’s measure elicits mixed reviews from student body

UC Davis researcher to cycle 585 miles for tree research Tour des Trees cycling event to benefit the TREE Fund

Courtesy

UCD researcher Julia Bartens and the bike she’s riding in the Tour des Trees fundraising event.

By CLAIRE TAN City Editor

Brian Nguyen / Aggie

Governor Jerry Brown proposes Prop 30 to raise 6.8 to 9 million dollars in 2012-13. Should the measure fail, the UC system will be charged with a $250 million dollar “trigger” cut.

By GHEED SAEED Aggie News Writer

If Proposition 30 does not pass in this fall’s election, UC students could face a 20 percent increase in the middle of this year. Proposition 30, proposed by California Governor Jerry Brown, conventionally known as the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012, promises to raise between $6.8 billion, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and $9 billion, according to the Department of Finance, in revenue in 2012-2013. Proposition 30, which the University of California Board of Regents recently voted to endorse, would raise sales

and use tax by a quarter cent for four years. By creating three additional tax brackets, the measure will, if enacted, increase personal income tax rates on income above $250,000 for seven years, according to the Proposition 30 fact sheet. An estimate of approximately $5.4 billion to $7.6 billion is assumed between 2013-2018. Should voters choose not to pass the initiative, the University of California System will be charged with a $250 million “trigger” cut, which could lead to an approximate 20 percent fee increase at the UCs. Proposition 30 proponent and University of California Student Association (UCSA) Communications

UC Davis Police Lt. John Pike fired by newly appointed police chief

and Organizing Director Darius Kemp addressed what will happen to UC students if the measure fails to pass. “An immediate and noticeable impact for all UC students, if Prop 30 passes: students will not see any fee increases this year. The approval of Prop 30 establishes a ‘status quo’; fees and tuition for this year will stay the same. We will be facing close to 20 percent or more in fee hikes if the measure does not pass. Consequences if it does not pass are more immediate,” Kemp said. Proposition 30’s supporters maintain their position as protectors of the public school system, emphasizing

See TUITION, page 5

On Sunday morning, with her trusty bike and fellow tree lovers, UC Davis urban forestry researcher Julia Bartens began her sevenday, 585-mile Tour des Trees ride through Oregon. The fundraising event will last Aug. 5 to 11. The annual Tour des Trees is organized by the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund and sponsored this year by STIHL. Participants were required to raise at least $3,500 to take part in the seven-day event, or $600 per day for part-time participants. Bartens said money raised for the event will primarily go to the TREE Fund as well as funding the event itself. “This fundraiser is from a nonprofit that funds research and education on urban trees,” Bartens said. “And they funded part of my

Ph.D.” Bartens said she became interested in urban forestry in graduate school. Initially, she studied horticulture, but when she worked on an urban forestry project while pursuing her master’s, she found it to be fascinating. The tour is held at a different location every year. Bartens said it’s usually held where the International Society for Horticultural Science annual conference is held. “I was thinking of participating [in the tour] last year, but I hurt my knee,” Bartens said. “Unless my body fails or my bike fails, I'm going to try to do it for the whole week this year.” Bartens initially lived in Virginia and the Tour des Trees took place there last year. However, she moved to California a year ago to do research at UC Davis. “It’s in my neck of the

See TREES, page 2

UC sued for failing to address alleged antiSemitism, case dismissed UC President organizes Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion

Chief Matthew Carmichael rejects internal affairs investigation findings

Jeff Perry / Aggie Brian Nguyen / Aggie

Lt. John Pike (pictured above middle) sprayed seated protestors with pepper spray last Nov. 18. Pike was fired Tuesday by chief of police, Matt Carmichael.

By MUNA SADEK Campus Editor

Lt. John Pike, the campus police officer who most notably sprayed seated UC Davis students in a Nov. 18 protest, has been fired. According to documents obtained by the Sacramento Bee, newly appointed UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael fired Pike Tuesday, reject-

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ing findings by an internal affairs investigation conducted last November that declared Pike acted reasonably in his decision to employ pepper spray. Pike, who had served the UC Davis Police Department (UCDPD) for 11 years, had been on paid leave since the incident. UC Davis spokesperson Claudia

See POLICE, page 5

UC President Mark Yudof assembled the Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion to attempt to improve Palestinian and Israeli presence and relations on UC campuses.

By LILIANA NAVA OCHOA Aggie News Writer

UC Berkeley announced that on July 11, alumni Brian Maissy and Jessica Felber dropped their lawsuit accusing UC Berkeley and the UC system of failing to address anti-Semitism on campus during 2010 protests. The lawsuit originates from

Forecast It’s getting hotter as we speak. Enjoy the first week of Summer Session II and the blasting ACs in classrooms and homes alike. Weather report courtesy of weather.com Written by Janice Pang

an incident on March 5, 2010 when Felber, plaintiff and member of Tikvah: Students for Israel, was allegedly assaulted by former Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) leader Husam Zakharia with a shopping cart at an Apartheid Week event. At the time, Felber was holding a sign stating “Israel wants Peace.” “The allegations accusing

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UC of failing to address a hostile environment during the protests in March 2010 are baseless,” UC Davis SJP president Danna Elneil said. “While I cannot speak specifically for the environment during the March 2010 protest since I was not there, given my experiences at similar events at

See CAMPUS, page 2 Yale University’s Esther Kim’s words of wisdom in keeping strangers from sitting next to you: avoid eye contact, pretend to be busy or asleep, or place your bag next to you. I say just don’t shower for a week. written by Claire Tan


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