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serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915
www.theaggie.org
volume 131, number 86
monday, october 1, 2012
Plastic bag recycling ordinance extended Grocery stores still required to have recycling programs By CLAIRE TAN Aggie City Editor
On Sept. 19, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a measure that prolongs Senate Bill (SB) 1219 until Jan. 1, 2020. It was set to sunset on Jan. 1, 2013. SB 1219 by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) requires California grocery stores to have a recycling program for plastic bags. Besides single-use carryout bags, plastic products such as plastic bags for bread, dry cleaning, shrink wrap and other types of plastics are accepted by the recycling programs. In 2006, Assembly Bill (AB) 2449 was passed, requiring grocery stores to have recycling programs for single-use plastic carryout bags. However, it prohibited California local governments
from enacting a fee on such bags, thus many local governments ended up outright banning plastic bags and charging for carryout paper bags. According to the bill’s analysis, the extension repeals a preemption prohibiting local governments from implementing their own separate plastic bag recycling programs, additional auditing or reporting requirements and fees on plastic bags. In support of the bill are 1 Bag at a Time, Command Packaging, Western Plastics Association, League of California Cities, California Association of Counties and the Regional Council of Rural Counties. “One of the things that is helpful for local governments is that it provides a source-separated stream that can be recycled or
kept out of the landfill,” said Kyra ending up in landfills and storm Ross, a legislative representative drains. of the League of California Cities. “We look at this bill as anoth“And for us, that’s a very er tool to deal with plastic important stream, so bags because they are a separate and apart big problem,” said from the discusCara Martinson, sions about bansenior legislative ning plastic bags analyst for the or local orCalifornia State dinances Association that have of Counties. been talk“We see a ed about lot of these or done for bags and that matremnants of ter, we think bags in stormhaving this water drains continued takeand causing sigback stream is nificant issues on Irisa Tam/ Aggie still important in that end.” and of itself.” SB 1219 is seen as complementary to plastic bag Having plastic bag recycling programs diverts the bags from bans.
“Even if you ban plastic bags, there’s still going to [be] a stream of plastic coming through, at least for a certain period of time,” Ross said. “Where it is used, we think this is an important part of the overall stream that keeps plastic bags source-separated. It’s an alternative to showing up in the grocery curbside container or showing up at the landfill.” Martinson said she considers the bill part of the solution, but not the total solution. “There are a number of cities and counties in California that have already either instituted bans on plastic bags or have imposed fees,” Martinson said. “I know the rates or the analysis of the bill I’ve read are pretty low for recycling, but I think that coupled
See PLASTIC, page 3
“24-hour room receives renovation” ASUCD senate bill calls for new paint, artwork
Pepper spray settlement calls for ACLU to assist in UC campus reforms
Lucas Bolster / Aggie
ASUCD senate bill 120 allows for the 24-hour study room to recieve its first renovation in 20 years.
By LILIANA NAVA OCHOA Aggie News Writer
After a year and a half, the 24-hour study room on campus is getting the restoration needed for a more welcoming study space for students. “It smells like sweat and defeat in that place. Maybe some plug-ins or working AC would be nice, anything to get rid of the smell,” said Krystal Gutierrez, fourth-year sociology and Chicana/o studies double major. Former ASUCD senators Andre Lee, Rebecca Sterling, Bree Rombi and Yena Bae were involved in the project to renovate the 24-hour study room. According to ASUCD Senate Bill 120, ASUCD — along with the Aggie Public Arts Committee (APAC) — began the project to beautify the 24-hour study room in fall 2010, but until now it was placed on hold due to “lack of communication.” Along with the library’s funding of $1,043, the beautification of the 24-hour study room cost ASUCD $993 — $743 from Senate Reserves and $250 from APAC — according to ASUCD senator Joyce Han, who authored the bill. “One reason behind the renovation was continuing collaboration between different groups on campus, for example ASUCD and the library. Also, so many people I know complain about the 24 hour study room. Although it isn't directly under ASUCD, it is important for us to recognize what the student body wants and needs to help improve UC Davis as a whole,” Han said in an e-mail interview.
Today’s weather Sunny High 100 Low 58
The renovation of the 24-hour study room began after Summer Session II on Sept. 17 and was scheduled to be completed Sept. 30, during which time students were not allowed to study in the room. According to Han, due to lack of proper funding, the room had not been painted in 20 years. “I am an avid user of the [24-hour study room] and think it is a great part of campus, especially when you really need to cram … it could use some sprucing up, though: The desks are old and scratched up, the chairs could use cushions and the place always smells [like] funk,” said Malisa Meemari, fifth-year exercise biology and Spanish double major. During its renovation, the 24-hour study room received a new paint job — mint green walls — along with artwork from multiple campus groups, such as APAC and Mustard Seed Ministry. “The original idea is for it to be a rotating art gallery like the art gallery in the Coho. It's another way of supporting the arts on campus and giving students the opportunity if they'd like to contribute to the campus,” Han said. Han also said that she researched colors that are best for a study atmosphere and consulted professional painters and interior designers. “Although this renovation doesn't fix all problems of the 24-hour study room, it's a first step in the right direction. I want to continue to work with the library to create a better atmosphere in this room for all of us,” Han said.
Details of the settlement between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the University of California regarding the Nov. 18 pepper spray incident were released last Wednesday on the UC Davis Quad during a press conference at which some of the settlement’s plaintiffs and attorneys spoke. A total of $1 million was distributed between the plaintiffs, the attorneys and the ACLU. The settlement also details an agreement between the ACLU and the UC system, and UC Davis in particular. The ACLU
will assist all UC campuses in a series of reforms that were decided on following the aftermath of the incident last November. The reforms will aim to reduce police involvement in on-campus incidents, garner increased student, faculty and university staff involvement and reexamine the UC’s Freedom of Expression guidelines. The changes will necessitate community involvement in major decisions. “We are very, very optimistic about the upcoming year,” said Barry Shiller, executive director
of Strategic Communications. “We know there are still potential concerns based on what happened in November ... we’re going into the year well prepared to manage conflict.” Students, including pepper spray plaintiff Ian Lee, agree that reforms must be made. “I think the settlement is a step in the right direction, but we need to do more ... If campus police are to exist, they must be accountable to the students,” he said.
The BUZZ took place from 6 to 10 p.m. last Friday on the Quad. As one of the most anticipated and well-attended events of the Fall Welcome festivities, the night included casino games, arts
and crafts, food, raffle prizes, a mechanical bull ride, video games, inflatable games and many tables for campus groups to hand out free items. The live performances of the night included a cappella
group performances, a Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! show as well as a miniature concert by Shwayze and MK Modern.
— Rohit Ravikumar
— Elizabeth Orpina
LILIANA NAVA OCHOA can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
Forecast Triple digits today in Davis! Keep hydrated and stay out of the heat as much as possible. Incentive to actually go to your classes with free AC! Written by Amanda Nguyen Weather report courtesy of www.weather.com
Tuesday
Wednesday
Sunny
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High 95 Low 55
High 89 Low 55
Second week of the quarter! Only....9 more weeks to go? Amanda Nguyen