serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915
www.theaggie.org
volume 131, number 100
thursday, october 25, 2012
UC Davis primate center under fire for alleged animal cruelty Animal rights protesters discuss center’s experiments
Former campus police officer sues University for alleged discrimination Former campus police officer sues By DANIELLE HUDDLESTUN Aggie News Writer
Bijan Agahi / Aggie
Protests were held against the UC Davis California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) on Oct 14. The CNPRC is one of eight primate facilities in the nation funded by the National Institute of Health.
By MEE YANG
Aggie News Writer
On Oct. 14, members of the Sacramento Animal Rights (SAR) group protested at noon outside the UC Davis California National Primate
Research Center (CNPRC) at Road 98 and Hutchison Drive. About 20 members were present with the purpose to draw media attention against the alleged use and mistreatment of animals in CNPRC experiments. “We have been here twice a year ev-
ery year,” said Linda Middlesworth, an assistant organizer for SAR. “We go to the Quad and give students information; they have no idea that there is even a primate center and what hap-
See ANIMAL, page 2
New additions to come to the Mondavi Center
See POLICE, page 2
Free concerts, food truck added to Corin Courtyard
News iN Brief
By ANDREW RUSSELL Aggie Arts Writer
Monster Bash returns for a fourth year
Adjacent to the ticket office of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center, there exists a hidden courtyard with shaded tables and chairs set near the buildings’ sandstone façade. While this location has remained mostly underused since the Mondavi’s inception, the center’s 10-year anniversary has provided a new opportunity to make some lively changes. The year-long focus on the arts brought about by this milestone event means that students and visitors alike are being encouraged
courtesy
Concerts will be held in the Mondavi Center’s courtyard as part of the Mondavi Center’s 10-year anniversary. See COURTYARD, page 4 Fusion Fresh Café, a food truck, will be present during the weekdays to provide food for the community.
Issues with printer prevent unit from completing orders Since the week of Sept. 15, the ASUCD unit Aggie Threads has stopped printing T-shirts due to continuous problems with their printer. Aggie Threads expected to have their printer back on Oct. 18 to resume their T-shirt printing services, but the printer is still not up and running. “From the very beginning we encountered several problems with our print quality along with it constantly breaking down and having to do constant maintenance to keep it functional. So it’s very inconsistent with printing out T-shirts for us,” said Dan Caldwell, Aggie Threads unit director. According to Caldwell, the printer was sent to the company to receive the adjustments necessary to provide students with reliability, customer service and print quality. Due to the number of printers the company, Anajet, is receiving for repair, Aggie Threads was unable to send their printer for maintenance until Oct. 12. Anajet, who is covering the repair cost of the printer, was initially supposed to repair the printer last Monday. The printer was supposed to be received three days later, but due to issues during repair, the arrival was delayed. For individuals whose orders have not been fulfilled due to printer issues, Caldwell is issuing a “heavy discount.” The downtown UC Davis Store allowed Aggie
Today’s weather Partly cloudy High 69 Low 48
Nearly 10 years ago, Calvin Chang, the first openly gay and Asian American officer on his force, allegedly faced racist and homophobic slurs during his time with the UC Davis Police Department. He filed a discrimination lawsuit in 2009. The case is still active. “Chang’s lawsuit seeks a reinstatement to his position as a UC Davis Police Officer, and damages for the loss of his career and retirement benefits,” stated a press release from the Luti Law Firm. According to Chang, there will be a civil jury trial in Sacramento County that is expected to last about a month. They plan to summon UC Davis police as witnesses, including former police chief Annette Spicuzza. “They do not have to produce her since she is no longer employed, but we plan to look for her,” Chang said. In 2002, when Chang was first employed with the UC Davis police force, he was excited to be working for his alma mater after working on the City of Davis police force. Chang said he is most frustrated with the University’s inability to take action. “This is a continuous pattern. They have policies, but do not follow them,” Chang said. Over 300 documents were filed with the court and there were six denied attempts by the University to have the case dismissed. Ultimately, there has been a jury trial date set for Nov. 5. “I’ve been asking for reinstatement. I have not been hired since 2008. My only option is to [be reinstated] as a police officer for UC Davis. I want individuals to be held accountable,” Chang said. According to Claudia Morain, news service manager at University Communications, Chang resigned from his position in 2009. “This month the court threw out those claims, with prejudice. ‘With prejudice’ means that these complaints cannot be brought back to the courts,” Morain said. “With this latest victory for the university, 90 percent of Mr. Chang's complaints have now been dismissed. Only two minor complaints related to the handling of his personnel file remain. He will now have to persuade a jury that he was wronged.” Chang said that shortly after the lawsuit was filed
On Oct. 27, the Fourth Annual Monster Bash Halloween Costume Party will take place at the Odd Fellows Hall on 415 Second St. from 7 p.m. to midnight. The event is open to people ages 21 and older. Proceeds will go to the Davis High Madrigal Singers’ outreach tour in June 2013, in which the group will sing at choral festivals in Russia and Italy. The Davis High Madrigal Singers is an auditioned 36-member mixed chamber choir that performs a cappella in Renaissance-inspired costumes. Sacramento-area band Custom Neon will perform classical rock at the fundraiser. A cash bar, costume contest and prizes will also be featured. Although costumes are encouraged, they are not required. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, contact S. Kinkle at (530) 756-5002 or visit the Watermelon Music Store in Downtown Davis. — Claire Tan
Pumpkin Smash Bash on Oct. 27
Threads to finish some shirt designs there. If Aggie Threads continues to experience problems with the printers after the repair from Anajet, they will be looking into purchasing a new printer from a different company. However, Anajet has ensured Aggie Threads that the upgrades the printer will receive will
fix all previous issues. “It’s been really frustrating because you have this really cool shop here in the MU, [and] students want to use it,” Caldwell said.
Forecast Nice weather will return. Although, if you’re like me, you’ll miss the rain and nip to the air. Happy first storm, freshmen, but be ready for many more this year. Tyson Tilmont, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
—Copy by Liliana Nava Ochoa —Photos by Brian Nguyen
Friday
Saturday
Mostly clear
Sunny
High 73 Low 50
High 74 Low 51
The First Annual Pumpkin Smash Bash, hosted by the Heidrick Ag History Center, will be on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1962 Hays Lane in Woodland. The fundraising event will feature adult trick-ortreating (beer tasting), a pumpkin smashing contest, costume contest, a raffle and other festivities. The winner of the raffle will get to take a helicopter ride donated by Joe Heidrick and smash a pumpkin 100 feet in the air. Included in the price of admission are four complimentary beer tastings, a free pumpkin and one food serving. The Heidrick Ag History Center contains over 300 farming and transportation implements and vehicles. Tickets for the event are $30 for members and $35 for the general public. — Claire Tan
Fun fact of the day: the M&M in M&M’s stands for Mars and Murrie. Forrest Mars, Sr., and Bruce Murrie launched the candy. Amanda Nguyen