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volume 131, number 109
tuesday, december 4, 2012
Mike Gravel visits UC Davis Davis Democratic Socialists host former U.S. Democratic senator
Mark Allinder / Aggie
Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel, best known for his release of the Pentagon Papers, spoke to UC Davis students last Thursday at an event hosted by the Davis Democratic Socialists.
By CHANDLER HILL Aggie News Writer
Former U.S. Democratic senator Mike Gravel spoke to students last Thursday at Wellman Hall at an event hosted by the Davis Democratic Socialists. Best known for his attempts to filibuster the Vietnam war draft and his release of the Pentagon Papers, he covered subjects ranging from the war on drugs to the war on terrorism, in addition to a recount of his experiences as a senator. Gravel also promoted his current movement advocating direct democracy in America. The talk itself was a collaboration be-
tween Brett Lemke, a fifth-year evolutionary anthropology major, and the Davis Democratic Socialists club. “I wanted the campus to hear his viewpoint,” Lemke said, “There are very few people who have had the courage and integrity to stand up like him.” Lemke worked with Gravel on his 2008 campaign for president and came to know him personally. Gravel also has a hand in The National Citizen’s Initiative for Democracy, a constitutional amendment providing for the institution of a legislature of the people, in which all citizens can propose initiatives and vote. Some students were fond of the
idea. “More democracy is appealing,” said Phillip Fujiyoshi, a UC Davis plant pathology lab technician. Other students had their reservations. “It would be revolutionary if it gets passed, but I have my doubts,” said Brian McGinnis, a first-year philosophy major. Though not officially associated with or endorsed by Gravel, direct democracy is something that the Davis Democratic Socialists value, club president David Roddy said. Grown out of the Occupy movement of last year, the club espouses a devotion to a democratic society, a revived labor move-
UC system sees increase in private funding Research, students receiving more aid By PAAYAL ZAVERI Aggie Staff Writer
Over the past fiscal year, the University of California (UC) system has received over $1.56 billion from private support. According to the 2011-12 annual report on the UCs’ private support, this is considered a tremendous increase from previous years. Over the past decade, the amount in private support has steadily risen. According to 2010-11 annual private support report, in 2008-09 about $1.3 billion was received. In 2009-10, about $1.35 billion was received. In 2010-11, $1.58 billion was received. The money is being used to recruit faculty, build research facilities and expand student scholarships. According to Daniel Dooley, senior vice president for external relations of the UC Office of the President (UCOP), philanthropic funding is becoming an increasingly important part of the UC budget, although it will never fully replace state funding. "As our state funds have fallen, we've seen donors step up to create more endowed faculty chairs and student scholarships, gifts that go right to the heart of our funding challenges," Dooley said in a press release. Each campus has received different types of donations and the funds are always directed to specific purposes. There are about 250,000 individuals who donate to the university. “Virtually all of this money is directed by donors for very specific purposes,” said Geoff O’Neill, the associate vice president for Institutional Advancement. “The only common theme is that they are individuals, corporations and foundations that are looking to support programs that are outstanding and want to make a difference in the life of the university.”
Today’s weather Showers High 61 Low 50
One example is Project You Can, launched by the UC system in 2009. It is an effort to raise $1 billion for scholarship funding. In June 2012, they hit the halfway mark by raising $500 million. Dooley said it is an attempt to ensure that tuition is never a barrier to students’ access to the UCs. "We're looking to develop partnerships with California's business community and [are] considering a variety of other creative ways to spur private support for our students," Dooley said. A detailed report on private support to the UCs gives details on each campus and what its private funding is being used for. UC Davis in particular raised about $132.4 million during the last fiscal year. As of June 2012, the Campaign for UC Davis has gathered about $826 million in gifts to increase research, scholarships and public service. The “We are Aggie Pride” program was launched by students to provide emergency financial aid to students in need. They have raised about $30,000 from 300 donors over the first five months. “This philanthropic support has brought tremendous benefits to our students by allowing them access to a top-quality education at UC Davis, despite a nationwide recession,” said Sarah Colwell, senior manager of marketing and development communications at UC Davis, in an email. According to Colwell, donors directed about $8 million to support patient care and various programs, including the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, which opened a new building in October 2012. Certain departments are using funds for improvement projects. A donation of $500,000 is
ment and opposition to oppression, racism and sexism. Apart from direct democracy, Gravel voiced his compassion for those pepper sprayed and encouraged those working to do something about it, harkening back to his days fighting against the draft. In closing his speech, former senator Gravel professed that the people must acquire power to affect the problems that affect people the most, as he said the world only changes with power. Gravel’s initiative ballot in its entirety can be viewed online at ncid.us. CHANDLER HILL can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
Odd Fellows Hall kicks off holidays with local bands
Donations to help send children to summer camp By MEE YANG
Aggie News Writer
This Thursday, the Odd Fellows Hall, located at 415 Second St., will be kicking off the holiday season with Christmas music performed by nine local bands. The kickoff will be held at its
monthly Thursday Live! show. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be open and free to the public. The holiday show will feature local bands such as Biscuits and Honey, Frankie and the Fabletones,
See FELLOWS, page 5
News iN Brief
UC Davis and Davis police fail to catch indecent exposure suspect On Saturday, a man led the UC Davis Police Department (UCDPD) and Davis Police Department (DPD) on a wild goose chase. The UCDPD received a call at 3:53 p.m. that the man was masturbating in the UC Davis Arboretum. Once approached by a UC Davis police officer, the suspect fled. The suspect proceeded to run through the Arboretum and Aggie Village before jumping over a fence at First and C streets. As the suspect fled through back-
yards of residences, three more officers joined the aforementioned officer. The DPD also sent six of their cruisers to follow suit. At 4:40 p.m., the officers discontinued their search because the suspect was unable to be located. The indecent exposure suspect is described as a 6-foot-tall white male in his 20s, last seen wearing black running clothes. — Claire Tan
See PRIVATE, page 5 Forecast
The rain is moving back into Davis. Tuesday, showers are possible with a more steady rain overnight. Wednesday we will have some showers, but they should come to an end towards the afternoon. For Thursday, the sunshine will return with clear skies. Dakota Bonds, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
Wednesday
Thursday
Showers
Mostly sunny
High 60 Low 48
High 61 Low 43
Taylor Swift has a new boyfriend, yet again ... One directioner Harry Styles is allegedly Taylor’s latest love interest. Does that mean an album is going to be written about him too? Amanda Nguyen