November 15, 2018

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UC DAVIS TO BECOME HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION, CHICANA/O STUDIES PROFESSORS RAISE CONCERNS Professors think focus should be on currently-enrolled Chicana/o students who feel isolated

BY DE A N A M E D I N A campus@theaggie.org

UC Davis’ efforts to meet the requirements to become a Hispanic Serving Institution came to a close in May of 2018, and now the university is researching how to best use funds granted through the designation it is expecting to receive in Spring 2019. While some believe UC Davis is well equipped to properly serve its Hispanic students, others,

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DAVIS CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES BRINGING E-SCOOTERS TO THE COMMUNITY Regulations, policies being established to monitor e-scooters’ impact on city

BY LAUREN T RO P I O city@theaggie.org

Electric scooters have been popping up in numerous parts of California, and the Davis City Council is discussing bringing them to town.

E-scooters, like the rentable bikes around campus and the city, can be rented and dropped off anywhere. Simply downloading an app allows users to gain access to the electric-powered scooters. The whole rental process is almost identical to the bike-share programs. There have been several concerns, however, regarding the potential issues these e-scooters may cause.

In addition, rules are still being discussed in order to manage e-scooter programs.

An urgency ordinance was implemented to alleviate concerns that starting these programs in the Davis community could result in abandoned scooters around town.

It also was aimed to protect residents from getting hurt or hurting someone and to regulate the number of scooters allowed in

including certain staff members, feel unsure and hesitant about how much success the HSI designation will actually bring to students.

Assistant Professor Clarissa Rojas of the Chicano/a Studies Department is one of those staff members, as her past experiences at different campuses has her hoping UC Davis will make the right decisions.

“At CSU Long Beach, early rounds of HSI fund distribution were not duly informed by the Chicanx students, staff

the area. The Davis City Council came together on Oct. 30 to discuss the best way to determine expected rules and authorization standards so that the safety of the community will remain intact. The public’s peace, safety and health is the council’s number one priority in the case of enabling electric scooters in Davis. Popular companies that offer these rentals include Lime, Bird, Spin, Skip and Scoot.

“Many cities have experienced problems with scooter use,” said Floria Partida, a Davis city council member. “We want this venture to be as successful as possible if it begins operating in Davis. We believe this is a good option for alternate transportation, and it would be more difficult to bring a program back that has ended badly due to poor management. Already, we have received multiple people reaching out to us with concerns. Any program would need to have well thought out regulations to keep everyone safe.”

The city council decided to allow e-scooters to come to Davis as long as they are authorized and permitted. This would allow the council to exert legislative control over the increasingly popular business.

The council’s goal is to ban scooter share companies until they create a policy that can take the city of Davis’ well-being into account.

“The last time we passed such a temporary measure ‘banning’ an activity was for commercial cannabis,” said Will Arnold, a Davis city council member. “In that case, we then immediately began the process of forming a comprehensive policy, which we completed earlier this year. We have now licensed five dispensaries, which are either already open or opening soon, along with a number of manufacturing and other cannabis-related businesses. I expect the scooter-share industry will follow a similar path.”

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VOLUME 137, ISSUE 8 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

and faculty leadership on campus,” Rojas said. “As a result, decisions like a significant amount of funds being used to fund a new Starbucks on campus were made, among others.

These decisions misdirected funds away from the services and vital academic support that Chicanx/Latinx students needed to access for their success.”

Recently, Rojas brought up the topic of the HSI title into her classroom, connecting it to the Young Lords — an organization active during the 1960s and 1970s that strove for self-determination for the Puerto Rican community of New York. Turning to her students, Rojas asked them a question to put into perspective what exactly it was the Young Lords were working towards: “What if you could decide what happened with the HSI funds?” At first, there were just some giggles and smiles, and then multiple hands shot up: “Free books!” “Affordable housing!” “Free parking!”

What if? The answer to that question will have to wait until next spring.

Rojas is not alone in these sentiments. Natalia Deeb-Sossa, an associate professor of Chicana/o Studies, is critical of the designation, specifically citing how there are plenty of students right now who need help and not just those that help the university reach their quota for the HSI requirement.

“For me, it is really important that the university reflects or takes time to understand that they are not adequately serving the CHI/LAT students that they currently have,” Deeb-Sossa said. “So, it’s a disservice to accept more CHI/ LAT students if the students they currently have feel marginalized, alienated, somehow that this institution does not reflect them, doesn’t respect them. They’re not doing well in classes. They don’t graduate. They’re not performing well.”

Deeb-Sossa’s assessment of the university’s current help for Chicanx students made her decision quite easy when she was asked by Carlos Jackson, head of the Chicana/o Department, to be the the department’s representative on the task force.

“I wanted to be at the table and have input on this important committee,” Deeb-Sossa said.

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GRADUATE STUDENT INSTRUCTORS ALLEGE SEASONAL PAY DISCREPANCY “Equal Pay for Equal Work” petition calls to eliminate seasonal pay discrepancy

BY AARO N LISS campus@theaggie.org

Duane Wright, a graduate student instructor in the Department of Sociology, has alleged that there is a “serious problem” with graduate student assistant instructors (AIs) receiving lower pay during summer sessions than they would for teaching courses during the normal academic year.

According to Wright, summer AIs receive two-thirds of the payment that regular session instructors receive. In response, he created the “Equal Pay for Equal Work” petition which demands equal compensation year-round.

Wright believes that since the summer sessions are equivalent to a normal academic year class with regard to courseloads, fees and academic units, graduate student teachers should also receive equalized pay.

Claire Doan, the director of media relations at the UC Office of the President, dismissed Wright’s petition, claiming it was an improper action to take.

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HSI CONTROVERSY on 9 “UAW leaders agreed to the summer compensation rates as part of the four-year contract they reached with UC in August,” Doan wrote. “The proper forum for addressing this issue was and is at the bargaining table.”

Wright, however, said a pay formula exists to determine salaries. Because graduate student instructors were not aware such a formula existed, they were not able to bring the pay disparity up during negotiations.

Neither UC Davis officials nor officials from the UC Office of the President could not be reached for comment on the formula Wright alleges exists at the time of publication.

Wright alleges the omission of the formula makes it so administration themselves are unclear about this stipulation to summer pay, making it harder to uncover and fix.

“That formula cannot be found in the contract, so no one reading the contract would even know that people get paid less in the summer,” Wright said. “I can personally attest to this because I was on the team that negotiated the contract in 20132014 and I had no idea AIs were paid less over the summer, and I never heard my colleagues speak of it — the entire time we were discussing in depth each article of the contract. It wasn’t until years later, this recent summer, when I was hired as a summer instructor that I discovered this practice.”

Wright is unsure whether this is a UCwide or UC Davis-specific situation.

Furthermore, Wright questioned UCOP telling workers to wait till contracts expire, in four years, for any pay increase.

According to wright, fairness in payment towards graduate student workers should be a higher priority.

“I think it says a lot about the executives at UCOP that when an issue of fairness GRAD PETITION on 9

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New leadership, GASC members, Refrigerator Services President discusses targeted attacks within association

BY GE ORG E L I AO campus@theaggie.org

The Nov. 1 ASUCD Senate meeting was held in the Mee Room of the Memorial Union and was called to order at 6:10 p.m. Absent on the roll call were Senators Devo Leichter, Daniella Aloni and Brandon Clemons. Senator Alisha Hacker had to leave early, and Senator Simran Kaur sat in as senator pro tempore in her place.

The meeting opened with a moment of silence for the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

After the moment of silence, the Senate meeting began. The meeting consisted of quarterly reports by ASUCD units, held association member confirmations, voted on existing legislation and introduced new legislation.

Emily Stack, the editor-in-chief of The California Aggie, delivered the newspaper’s quarterly report. Stack highlighted the completion of fall hiring for the newspaper and confirmed that the the staff is at full capacity. She also mentioned that the newspaper was now being printed at The Sacramento Bee as a logistical and cost-saving measure.

Stack also said that the digitization project to scan past editions of the newspaper online received full funding and the effort should be completed by the spring of 2019.

Stack also announced the inclusion of video

features to further foster the publication’s online presence.

Regarding Stack’s report, Rina Singh, the Ethnic and Cultural Affairs Commission chair, asked about the process in which the newspaper’s editorial board opinions are written and approved. Singh then inquired whether the minutes are read beforehand when an opinion piece is written about the Senate.

Stack responded and said that the editorial staff meets four times a week where editors each give two ideas, and then the board decides on the most important topic to write about. She then said that the editors generally read minutes before writing a Senate-based editorial.

Senator Ko Ser Lu Htoo asked if the video service will have any overlap with Aggie Studios. Stack said that she is working closely with the Aggie Studios director, and hopefully the work will generate “discrete enough content so we won’t step on their toes.”

Up next was the Bike Barn’s quarterly report. The Bike Barn is an ASUCD unit that repairs, rents and sells used bicycles on campus. Co-directors Jacob Wagner and Oscar McBain delivered the report and said that the Bike Barn’s move-in weekend event was a record-breaker for the shop. They also highlighted that in October 483 flat tire repairs were made as compared to 293 during the same period in 2017.

Senator Alisha Hacker asked the two SHEREEN LEE / AGGIE

co-directors if the cost of wages affected their pricing. They replied, saying the increased minimum wage has affected their labor costs. They hope that the increases haven’t affected students, however, and they are trying to make processes more efficient to maximize the budget.

Up next was the Refrigerator Services’ quarterly report. The director of the unit, Mohammed Qayum, gave the financial and rental results, outlining that 326 microfridges and 83 mini refrigerators were loaned out.

Microfridge deposit refunds totaled $12,780 and mini refrigerator deposit refunds totaled $830, with total sales at $48,420. Qayum, who is leaving the position, expressed a concern for warehouse safety as refrigerators are stacked three-high, and said that the next unit director will need to issue a plan to get a forklift.

Next came the quarterly report for the Mental Health Initiative Committee.

Co-directors Milly Judd, a third-year animal science major, and Katrina Manrique, a fourth-year English and history double major, delivered the report. They expressed concern about health providers not accepting students covered under the UC Student Health Insurance Program, as well as the providers receiving SHIP decreasing.

They said that in Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) there were long lines and wait times for counseling appointments. Judd and Manrique announced that the Health Awareness Week held earlier in the fall was successful.

They also promoted the upcoming Mental Health Conference which will be held from Jan. 12 to 13 at the UC Davis Conference Center. Conference registration will be free and the event will feature 12 workshops.

The workshops will feature a range of speakers and topics — representatives from Saint James Infirmary will focus on the health and safety of sex workers in the U.S., there will be presentations by the Gender Health Center on how to ally with the transgender communities and The Happiness Project will focus on personal self-care.

Senator Jumoke Maraiyesa asked about efforts to create a buddy system to check

DIANA LI / AGGIE

how people are doing. Judd said that during a meeting this fall, a Google form was posted seeking individuals who may need help and support, and they matched people up as a result. Singh asked about their current outreach efforts. Judd said that though they do not counsel people because they are not health care professionals, they distribute handouts listing resources where people can find help. Judd also mentioned that during the conference there will be panels and professional workers on hand to provide information.

The Senate then moved to unit director and unit member interviews and confirmations. Jose Benito Martinez, a third-year political science major, applied for the Refrigeration Services director position that was to be vacated by Qayum. Martinez was endorsed by Gofman who said Martinez “stood out for his good work ethic” and mentioned his previous experience with refrigerator services. Martinez was confirmed without objections.

The Gender and Sexuality Commission (GASC) member confirmations came next.

Deirdra Bradley, a fourth-year international relations major, Rebecca Canfield, a thirdyear biology major and Daniel Tillman, a fourth-year political science and history double major, were interviewed for the position. The GASC commission chair Joelle Barnard offered her support for the candidates, saying “they were all knowledgeable about the issues and really cared.”

Htoo asked the candidates about what leadership and outreach meant to them.

Canfield said that a leader needs to be a good listener. Bradley said that a leader needs to know when to be a follower and “know when to step back and also know when your idea is valid and stand by it.”

Tillman added that GASC must be representative of the communities they serve, so therefore “listening is important.” All members were confirmed without objection.

Consideration of new legislation came up next.

Up next was the discussion and approval SENATE on 9

Additional blue emergency lights to be installed by UCDPD Four new blue lights will shine at central campus locations

BY PRIYANKA S H RE E DAR campus@theaggie.org

Just don’t double park October 31 “Subject is refusing to pay his bar tab, requesting assistance.”

“Two college-aged subjects followed reporting party’s children while they were trick-or-treating.”

“Groups screaming and setting off fireworks at the park.”

“Male subject walking through complex, appeared to be looking at bicycles parked near leasing office.”

November 1 “Subjects fighting in the limo pulling over into Chevron.”

November 3 “About five transients camped out by the business storage shed. Reporting party’s employee feels uncomfortable accessing the shed with the subjects currently next to it.

The subjects are all awake and seem to be changing or humming.”

“Reporting party’s Door Dash account was hacked and unknown subject ordered four cases of beer delivered to this location.”

November 4 “Reporting party double-parked a few days ago and an unknown subject left a note on his car telling him not to, the next day he found a rock sitting on his car, and today both his plates were bent.”

November 5 “Ongoing issue with reporting party’s car being egged while parked on the street. Reporting party has possible suspicious information.”

On Nov. 7, the UC Davis Police Department (UCDPD) began installing a second series of blue emergency lights at central campus locations. Four new blue emergency lights will be installed on either end of the Quad and Shields Library and near the north side of the Memorial Union.

The lights are an addition to seven existing lights on campus which were installed two years ago and placed along the Arboretum paths and around West Village, according to an article released by the university.

Blue emergency lights are emergency call boxes designed so that those in emergencies or accidents can contact the police, said UC Davis Police Chief Joseph Farrow.

“They’re designed in a way if there’s an emergency, [...they are in] convenient locations where people just pick up the phone,” Farrow said. “They automatically dial into our dispatch center, and we can dispatch police, fire, EMR, whatever we have to [because] we already know where the location is because they are all coded.”

In addition to serving as call boxes to contact emergency services, the new blue emergency lights are outfitted with recording equipment which helps ensure that incidents receive efficient and direct responses. This way any event that is going on at that location will be captured on film, Farrow said.

He also explained that as technology for these emergency call boxes began improving in the early 2000s, the boxes started appearing as a safety precaution in airports, shopping malls, concert venues and college campuses. UC Davis’ blue emergency lights have seen technological improvements since the launch of the first, now discontinued, generation.

“The early version was technology that didn’t work as well as we wanted to because it relied on cellular — they weren’t hardwired to the ground, so when you picked up the phone you had to wait for the phone to engage ... causing a delay,” Farrow said.

“Some of the people who tried to use the phone

thought it didn’t work and hung up prematurely.”

The seven active blue emergency lights currently near and on campus are part of the second generation of blue emergency lights that include numerous improvements, like being hardwired instead of relying on cellular.

Even if it isn’t a “9-1-1 emergency,” this technology allows UCDPD to be “immediately accessible to the public to try and help them,” Farrow said.

ASUCD, the UCDPD and Chancellor Gary May worked collaboratively on this project after concerns about safety were voiced by students.

“ASUCD ultimately came up with a resolution specifically asking the university to explore the use of more of this technology,” Farrow said. “They [...] helped us identify some of the areas where they thought it would be beneficial through walks around campus with students.”

Senate Resolution #11, which voiced support for “the installation of ten new Blue Emergency Lights on the UC Davis Campus,” was passed unanimously by the ASUCD Senate in April of 2018. The resolution acts “in solidarity with marginalized communities on campus and recognizes their need for these Blue Lights.”

This resolution was in response to demands made by the #blackunderattack movement, which initiated a conversation that led to the installation of the initial seven Blue Emergency Lights. In February of 2016, the movement reacted “after an African American student reported that she had been assaulted” while walking near her residence in West Village, a UC Davis News report stated.

Each light costs up to $25,000 because of the need to hardwire into the ground, trench the lights, place pillars and cover the cost of maintenance, Farrow said.

“Through the UC system’s Violent Acts Mitigation Program, UC Davis police, Risk Management and Emergency Services secured $100,000 for four new call stations,” a UC Davis News article stated, adding that further funding from grants may be available over the coming years.

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Makeover for Tower Bridge in Sacramento Tower Bridge replacements in progress in Sacramento

BY ST EL L A T RA N city@theaggie.org

Tower Bridge in Sacramento is undergoing repairs and will receive new suspenders as a safety precaution. California did not want to wait any longer on taking precaution against possible accidents so the maintenance projects have been in effect. Cal-

trans confirmed, however, that the bridge itself is not sagging.

Mike White, a Caltrans engineer, said that the bridge’s two-inch thick cables will be replaced because of the potential for future deterioration.

“They’ve never been replaced before, as far as we can tell,” White said to The Sacramento Bee. “They’re actually in pretty good

shape. But it’s good to be prudent. Nothing lasts forever.”

Dennis Keaton, a Caltrans public information officer, emphasized that the bridge was not sagging and that the state was simply taking care of the bridge.

“What happened is that those were the original supports, [and] the bridge is 85 years old,” Keaton said. “What they have are these suspension supports that need to be replaced.”

Caltrans had specific measurements in mind and went ahead with starting the project.

“They had to do testing, and they wanted to make sure that everything that is in place still conforms to the measurements or they had to be replaced,” Keaton said. “At some point, they made a decision to go ahead and replace that.”

The project serves as maintenance for the bridge, and is expected to be complete in December. Not only will Caltrans consider the suspensions, but other forms of maintenance will be done as well.

In the project’s description, Caltrans noted that “the work will upgrade the existing security/communications system, replace 48 incandescent lights with energy efficient LED lighting, replace the traveling cable system, conduct NDT testing and maintenance of the counterbalance chains, and replace the 96 counterweight wire ropes, required to operate the bridge opening.”

Even though the maintenance project has been ongoing, traffic has not been significantly affected.

“The traffic has been reduced to one lane in both directions,” Keaton said. “In doing so, it typically backs traffic up specifically in the morning and afternoon. But regular times are normal — no major disruptions.”

The estimated repair costs for Tower Bridge totals $5.8 million.

“The project started late September and has been ongoing,” Keaton said. “They had to do some nighttime closures — complete closures — but during the day times, they kept it to one lane opened in both directions.”

Caltrans also warned that motorists will have to be on the lookout for the closures.

According to Caltrans’ press release, it is “alerting motorists to expect continuous lane closures on the Tower Bridge.”

In addition to motorists having to watch out for the closures, bridge access is more limited than before. The press release also stated that “waterway traffic must contact the U.S. Coast Guard for clearance approval and bridge access.”

There are multiple changes being made on the bridge in terms of maintenance, such as upgrading the electrical and mechanical systems. While the expected deadline will be in December, there is some leeway due to other variables — such as weather — that may affect the work.

UC Davis-based online textbook library Organization of formerly incarcerated receives $4.9 million federal grant students holds panel discussion Online textbook library aims to expand its content, cut costs for students, tailor course-specific material REBECCA CAMPBELL / AGGIE

BY E L I Z A BE T H M E R C ADO campus@theaggie.org

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $4.9 million dollar grant to the LibreText Project, an online textbook library founded at UC Davis.

According to the Department of Education website, the grant awarded under the Open Textbooks Pilot Program “emphasizes the development of projects that demonstrate the greatest potential to achieve the highest level of savings for students through sustainable, expanded use of open textbooks in high-enrollment courses or in programs that prepare individuals for in-demand fields.”

The LibreText Project, previously under the name ChemWiki, was developed 11 years ago by Delmar Larsen, an associate professor in the chemistry department.

Larsen provided a supplemental text for Chem 107B: Physical Chemistry for Life Scientists, and the project grew to encompass all chemistry classes and further fields of study. The LibreText Project has amassed

12 libraries worth of content to date.

While developed at UC Davis, the online library is in use across universities and community colleges throughout the country. In addition to providing existing texts, it also provides the option for instructors to contribute their own texts tailored to their classes. The intent is to offer classrooms the ability to read content more directly related to the vocabulary used by a professor in their classes.

Marc Facciotti, an associate professor in the biomedical engineering department, contributed to the textbook library by providing reading modules he had written specifically for BIS 2A: Introductory Biology: Cell Functions.

“I think the students have appreciated that we’ve gone from having a lot of complaints at the end of the quarter about why people were reading the book when it wasn’t as related as to what was going on in the course to basically zero complaints,” Facciotti said.

According to Larsen, the LibreText project, which falls under classification as an Open Education Resource (OER), is the largest, highest ranked of its kind and has the greatest amount of online traffic for an OER. “We have 70,000 pages of content that spans from sciences to social sciences to humanities,” Larsen said. “We’re going to be TEXTBOOK on 9

Beyond the Stats discusses Education As Freedom course

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BY DE ANA ME DINA campus@theaggie.org

Beyond the Stats, an organization created nearly two years ago to provide support for formerly incarcerated students and those impacted by the prison system, held a Q&A style panel on Oct. 30 that featured several of the organization’s members.

Assistant Professor Ofelia Cuevas of the Chicano/a Studies Department moderated the panel, and began by letting attendees know a bit about herself and why she feels such a strong connection to this organization. Her work focuses partly on race and prisons.

“I myself have studied the connection between race and prisons for 25 years,” Cuevas said. “I’m impacted by the system.”

Cuevas continued, providing important background information about the prison system to show why an organization like Beyond the Stats is needed, explaining that over the course of about two decades, starting in 1983, 28 prisons were built while only one UC was.

“These prisons never made an impact on public or private safety,” Cuevas said. “There are 1.6 million people in California with a criminal record. They all have someone, a relative or family that’s affected. I think we’re out there, everywhere.”

After Cueva’s introduction, the panelists first let the audience know about Beyond the Stats before taking turns to discuss how they found a home through the organization.

Tina Curiel-Allen, a co-founder of the organization, described Beyond the Stats as a “support system” which is important for formerly incarcerated students because their “trajectory is different than a third generation college student with wealth and privilege passed down to them. And that’s okay.”

Curiel-Allen said that she simply “wanted to know how other formerly incarcerated students were handling higher education.”

She had the opportunity to ask that exact question in a sociology class which led her to other formerly incarcerated students in the class, including Daniel Mendoza, who would later co-found the organization alongside her.

Curiel-Allen no longer takes with sociologyclasses, as she felt uncomfortable the way she became a subject and was studied as a statistic in those courses. Instead, she switched her major to Chicana/o studies, where she feels that her peers are more willing to discuss incarceration and the prison BEYOND THE STATS on 11

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City of Davis vows to defend against lawsuit claiming housing discrimination

Council members vote to oppose civil rights lawsuit brought against West Davis Adult Active Community

BY T I M L A LON D E city@theaggie.org

The Davis City Council voted on Oct. 15 to defend against a civil rights lawsuit that claimed components of the planned West Davis Active Adult Community (WDAAC) constitute housing discrimination. The suit, Ignacio v. City of Davis et. al, claims provisions in the proposed development plan violate the Federal Fair Housing Act and exclude non-white buyers.

Mayor Brett Lee and Davis city council members unanimously voted to oppose the lawsuit in mid-October, claiming that allegations of discrimination were unfounded.

Lee read a short statement in a public council meeting following a closed session.

“The city has a long history of opposing discrimination in housing, and the city believes that the case is without merit,” Lee

said. “Any program developed by West Davis Active Adult Community would be required to comply with fair housing laws.”

Davis voters gave the WDAAC the green light when the approval for the project appeared on the Nov. 6 ballot as Measure L. Prominently featured in developer’s plans is the Davis-Based Buyers Program — also known as the “Taking Care of Our Own” provision — which is the component the lawsuit takes issue with. This program reserves 90 percent of roughly 500 homes for buyers with a pre-existing relationship to the city of Davis. This includes current residents, close family members of current residents, former employees of Davis schools and those who have attended Davis schools in the past.

Samuel Ignacio, a Filipino-Hispanic senior from Sacramento, filed the action on behalf of himself and “all other similarly sit-

Yolo County offers “Election Night Bash” for youth

Yolo County Elections Office hosts event to educate youth on election process

BY BROO KE HI L L city@theaggie.org

On the night of Nov. 6, the Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Office (ACE) hosted an Election Night Bash at the Yolo County Administration Building in Woodland to engage youth in the local election process. This second annual event gave local youth a front row seat in the ballot counting process. The Election Night Bash is one part of many initiatives by Yolo County ACE to provide opportunities for students to find and express their civic voice through action.

The event occurred at a live polling station, giving youth the opportunity to see the process of ballot counting first hand.

“The Election Bash is an opportunity for Yolo County youth and their families to

come and experience the democratic process on election night,” said Katharine Campos, the program manager for Yolo County ACE. Working with their staff, Yolo County ACE provided tours for youth and families to look behind the scenes at the processing of precinct and vote-by-mail ballots that were already received by the Elections Office.

“We are trying to engage the youth and show full transparency with the entire election process,” Campos said. “The purpose of programs like this is to increase education in the knowledge of politics on a local level, especially how it affects youth directly.”

One of Yolo ACE’s main initiatives is to encourage youth to preregister to vote.

“We believe that the younger we can get students civically engaged and caring about the process, the more likely they are to vote

Brixmor Properties proposes new plans for University Mall Plan calls for complete remodeling of most stores CAITLYN SAMPLEY / AGGIE

BY JO HN REG I D O R city@theaggie.org

University Mall, a 1966 establishment, is soon to be remodeled. Brixmor Property Group, Inc., the landowners of University Mall, have made plans for a redevelopment of the mall in order to better suit the needs of the Davis community. Andrew Gracey, the vice president of Brixmor, explained the fundamentals of the redesign.

“Originally, we went in there, to the city, to look at either [demolishing] it or the redevelopment of that center,” Gracey said.

“Some of the space and the way it’s laid isn’t the most functional, so we were going to address that. The feedback we’ve been getting has been welcoming, and the center could use some redevelopment.”

The proposal is currently under review by the city of Davis. George Phillip, a land use and zoning attorney, outlined the public process.

“The scoping meeting that will be held in the next 30 days will be the first opportunity where there is a notice that will go out to the public,” Phillip said. “People can attend that scope meeting and provide feedback for the project in terms of what they think [and also] environmental issues that they want analyzed. Then, that will be taken into consideration. It will take about five months to prepare. Once that is released, there is another one that is released and a 45-day comment period. Then there will be public hearings.”

The redevelopment has called for the complete demolition of 90,653 square feet of the existing mall to create a new mixed-

uated racial and ethnic minorities who desire to purchase residences in the proposed West Davis Active Adult Community,” according to a press release by his civil rights attorney Mark Merin. In addition to the City of Davis, the lawsuit also targets Binning Ranch Holding Company and J. David Taormino.

Taormino and Binning Ranch are named as the developers of the WDAAC in the agreement with the city.

Merin argued that the “Taking Care of Our Own” provision constitutes de facto housing discrimination against non-white buyers. He believes that because Davis has a predominantly white senior population that the development plans inherently exclude minority purchasers from outside of Davis.

“The result of this ‘local resident’ restriction, as alleged in the civil rights complaint, is the continuation of a racially imbalanced community and the exclusion of minority would-be purchasers in violation of the Federal Fair Housing Act,” Merin wrote in the press release.

Specifically, Merin’s complaint argued that the project is in violation of Sections 804(a) and 805(a) of the Federal Fair Housing Act. These sections explicitly prohibit discrimination against buyers on the basis of “race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.”

Merin and other opponents of “Taking Care of Our Own” blame past discriminatory housing practices for Davis’ “racially unbalanced” senior populations. “[Davis’] senior population is disproportionately ‘white’ as a result of historic racially restrictive covenants, red-lining practices, and previous University of California hiring practices,” Merin wrote.

The California Aggie reached out to Merin but did not receive a response before the time of publication. Alan Pryor, the chair of the Yolano Sierra Club Chapter, was also among those who opposed the project in the run-up to the Measure L vote. He clarified some of the claims of historical housing discrimination in Davis that appeared in Merin the future,” Campos said.

Jesse Salinas serves as the Yolo County Assessor and emphasizes the importance of registering to vote on time.

“Majority of the people here are college students, maybe 80 percent” Salinas said.

“The problem is that this building is packed with youth who didn’t register to vote on time. It’s great to see youth engaged in voting, but we need to teach them to register to vote on time, or else confusion on the voting process happens, and that can be easily avoided.”

Failure to register to vote by the Oct. 22 deadline didn’t prohibit many from voting, but it did lengthen their process at the polling station.

“I’ve been standing in line to receive my ballot for maybe 30 minutes,” said Vanessa Ancic, a student at Woodland Community College. “I came to here to vote with my friends, but I didn’t know that if I missed the voter registration deadline, that I would have to wait to fill out a conditional ballot.”

A conditional ballot allows voters who miss the registration deadline to register to vote during regular voting, but it requires

use development. Brixmor plans to refurbish not only the current stores but also add new shops and residential buildings. Approximately 150,000 square feet are being set aside for retail, restaurants and other uses.

“We’re looking for a retail mix,” Gracey said. “Our goal is to then heavily seek the tenants that we would like to come over here and be able to be successful [in order] to provide those services. [The mall] would work well and be something that would be special, with not only the students but with the community as well.”

In order to accommodate the increasing demand for housing, Brixmor has also proposed 264 multi-family residential units spanning 1,124 square feet of the property.

These new houses will consist of one, two, four or five bedroom units and a total of 894 beds.

In addition to the many new buildings and parking structures, the proposal includes outdoor lounges, benches and other outdoor accommodations for residents. It will also include a pool and a workout room.

The proposal also calls for the addition of a multi-level parking structure and ground level parking. The structure will have 693 total parking spaces, with 264 being reserved for residents and the rest for retail

in’s lawsuit.

“As late as the 1950s, 1960s, some new developments in Davis were put in that had actual deed restrictions on them, on the grant deeds to the house and on the title maps for the entire neighborhood, that these properties could not be sold to anyone who is non-Caucasian,” Pryor said.

Pryor appeared to be referring to property deeds that were recently retrieved by Rik Keller of the blog The Davisite from the Yolo County Clerk Office.

“No persons except those of the white Caucasian race shall use, occupy or reside upon any residential property in the tract of land hereinabove described, or any future subdivision thereof, except when employed as a servant or domestic in the household of a white Caucasian tenant or owner,” the property deeds in question read.

Pryor explained the history of hiring practices at UC Davis.

“This started out making Davis basically completely white to begin with,” Pryor said.

“The University’s hiring practices all the way through the ‘80s greatly favored white people. Now here we are, 40 years later, where all of these professors who came to town to purchase homes [...] they are going to be the primary market for this new West Davis Adult Active Community.”

Pryor viewed the WDAAC as a continuation of Davis’ historical housing discrimination. “[The Davis-Based Buyers Program is] clearly a racially discriminatory housing policy,” Pryor said. “It will have that disparate impact on perpetuating these demographic imbalances.”

Voters approved Measure L on Nov. 6, meaning that the progress on the WDAAC will move ahead as planned as will Merin’s lawsuit. Mike Webb, the city manager of Davis, confirmed in an email on Nov. 7 that the city would continue to defend against the lawsuit going forward, citing the mayor’s statement on Oct 16.

OLIVIA KOTLAREK / AGGIE

their polling station be the Yolo County Election Office.

“Tonight was more than just teaching kids the voting process,” Salinas said. “It was about teaching youth the importance of how voting policies affect the election process.”

In both Yolo and Sacramento counties, officials pushed initiatives to increase education in the knowledge of elections on a local level.

Elected in June of 2018, Karina Talamantes serves as the Sacramento County Board of Education Trustee. One of Talamantes’s platforms is centered on pushing civic education.

ELECTION NIGHT on 11

use. Currently, there are 427 parking spaces.

Along with parking availability, electronic charging stations may also be added, but are not built into the formal plan as of now.

Bike parking is planned for the first level of the parking garage, as well as 124 additional spaces outside any retail stores. One bike slot will be provided per bed.

University Mall has been a part of the Davis Community since its opening in 1966. In 1970, the mall added Lawrence’s, a department store. That space is now occupied by Cost Plus World Market. In 1999, the mall went under a large renovation, relocating many long-standing businesses. In 2004, the mall was acquired by Brixmor, which is now the current owner.

Eui Hyung Lee, a first-year economics major, expressed his appreciation for the renovation.

“My first impression [of the mall] wasn’t positive,” Lee said. “When I went there, I didn’t really like it. There were no features that grabbed my attention. It looked empty and mundane. [The renovation] would definitely attract more people. It looks modern.

It really resembles current outlets that I usually go to. It [is surprising] how it can accommodate more people and provide more parking.”

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 | 5

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

ANDREA GONZALEZ / AGGIE

Student-parent relationships in college

Students discuss their relationships with their parents

BY R A BI YA O BE R O I features@theaggie.org

While moving away from college means meeting new people and cultivating new friendships and relationships, it may also mean an increasing drift in student’s lives and relationships from back home — particularly relationships with their parents.

“We’re less of an everyday type family, so I don’t end up sharing a lot of the minutiae with him from my day-to-day,” said Alyssa Buchthal, a third-year computer science and communication double major. “I share big news or events with my dad. Whenever I get a big grade back or we’re planning holidays or there’s big family news, that’s when we talk.”

There are also some students who are more closely in touch with their parents.

“I talk to my mom around two to three times a day via call and talk to my dad via text/phone one to three times a week,” said Isabella Sanchez, a second-year materials science engineering major.

There are times when, like in any other relationship, students and parents have disagreements. Different people approach con-

flict in different ways.

“My dad and I are really good at being logic-minded, even in personal conflict,” Buchthal said. ”If we ever are in a tough spot, we can pretty reliably talk about it and work it out without raised voices or actual fighting.”

Third-year economics major Sarah Ramadhania spoke about avoiding confrontation with her parents to avoid any further complications.

“I’d pretend to agree with them just so that we don’t get into an argument,” Ramadhania said.

Sanchez approaches conflict much like Buchthal — by clearly talking it out with her parents.

“When my parents and I argue, we usually call each other and talk it out instead of holding it in,” Sanchez said. “It’s better to get over things faster than to let it drag out or else it just hangs over us like a cloud.”

Students voiced their opinions on what areas they tend to disagree with their parents about and how they come to a resolution.

“My parents like to push me to pursue a ‘wall-street’ career like working at McKinsey or Goldman but that’s just not what I want,”

Ramadhania said. “I want to work in something that blends my passion for economic development and travel. I can’t do the corporate 9-to-5 life.”

Buchthal talked about the differences in political beliefs between her and her father.

“We tend to disagree on some politics,” Buchthal said. “My dad and his fiancé are pretty liberal, but they have a couple extremely conservative political views that don’t mesh well with me and my brother.

Thankfully, they’re open-minded people with the right intent, so when we do get into political discussions, they are good at listening to my side and explaining their own. Usually, my brother and I teamed together have enough information on our side to sway them, and thankfully they’re not so close-minded or prideful that they’re unwilling to change their view in the face of facts.”

Romance, a huge part of many college students lives, can be quite a controversial topic when it comes to discussions with parents. Some students are more open when talking about their dating life than others.

“Definitely not,” Ramadhania said. “It’s not a taboo, but in our family we just don’t talk about it. Mostly because I feel uncomfortable opening up about what’s going on in my love life in fear of judgment and they don’t really bother to ask either.”

In contrast, Buchthal seems to have a more communicative bond with her dad and his fiance.

“My dad and his fiancé are definitely more eager to talk about my love life with me than I am to talk about it with them,” Buchthal said. “They think I’m boring and definitely pressure me to get out there more.”

Students in college may not have the time anymore to spend a significant amount of time with their parents, but they do still have some memories that they fondly reminisce on.

“My dad never missed a single one of my

basketball games in high school, no matter what,” Buchthal said. “He works full time, and some of my games were very far away, but he was always there. My team also lowkey sucked, so he had to sit through a lot to support me like that, and I’m insanely grateful for it.”

For Ramadhania, it was a memorable birthday celebration.

“Celebrating my 16th birthday at the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve,” Ramadhania said. “Though, I’d like to visit them as often as I can. Maybe take them out to a nice holiday or something as simple as going for a walk in the park.”

Ramadhania talked about what she would do differently to maintain her relationship with her parents if she could go back in time.

“I’d like to be more respectful towards them,” Ramadhania said. “I remember always feeling like they were against me, even though that probably wasn’t the case.”

Finally, even though a parent-child (especially as a college student) relationship is surely complex and challenging for students to maintain in a healthy manner, they highlight the dilemma that a lot of students go through: at the end of the day, they understand that parents are also humans, and hence, make mistakes.

“Over the years I’ve learned that my parents aren’t perfect,” Ramadhania said.

“They’re human. They make mistakes. And a part of growing up is learning to understand and accept them for who they are.”

Buchthal talked about the complexity of familial relationships.

“Things aren’t always easy with family, but I think it’s important to remember that — almost always — people are just trying to do their best, and being patient and kind with people is the best way to weather any storm,” Buchthal said. “Even parents aren’t perfect.”

Happy Birthday Harry!

An exhibit in Shields Library celebrates the 21st anniversary of the first Harry Potter book

BY S I E RRA BURGU E NO features@theaggie.org

UC Davis students have been invited to the Harry Potter exhibit at Shields Library on campus. From now until March 2019, students can visit and check out various items on display in honor of the famous “Harry Potter” series by J.K Rowling.

Subject Specialist Librarian Roberto Delgadillo prepared the exhibit with the assistance of Bibliographic Consultant Karen McCoy. The focus of the exhibit, called “Harry Potter Turns 21!,” was to honor the books in a way that appreciates both the phenomenon of and academic sides of the world that J.K. Rowling created. By showcasing the exhibit in this way, those visiting can learn more about the series through various viewpoints.

To relate UC Davis to the book series, selected materials including a 700-page Harry Potter bibliography, critical review essays and an 85 page bibliography that contains academic scholarship were chosen to reflect the disciplines one would see in university. Souvenirs from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Universal Studios, a Marauder’s Map, parchment, a golden snitch and even a mini replica of the Sorting Hat can be found as well.

Student employment and the beginnings of an established career How employment on campus can impact the trajectory of a student’s future

ANH-TRAM BUI / AGGIE

“It’s not just books and things but it’s also things that people can kind of tangibly discover,” McCoy said.

On June 26th, 1997, 21 years ago, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was first published by the Bloomsbury company.

In the series, the character Harry Potter was actually born on July 31, 1980. Since then, the Harry Potter series has grown in popularity and represents different concepts and concerns that connect to people of all backgrounds and disciplines. It has also created a strong fanbase that has built a vast community of “devotees,” according to McCoy and Delgadillo.

The two specialists say that the series raises topics ranging from discrimination, race, gender, sexual relations and more.

“If you read between the lines, you begin to see that, oh, this is just not merely the story of a boy who’s trying to make his way in the world but that there are other underpinnings here,” Delgadillo said.

Delgadillo cited one example of more complex topics in how Hermione is often dismissed because she is a female mudblood.

“Ironically enough, she’s the one who has got it most together,” Delgadillo said.

“Mudblood” is a derogatory term used in the books that references wizards whose parents are “muggles,” or ordinary humans.

BY V INCE NT SANCH E Z features@theaggie.org

Many students’ first job experiences happen during college. While classes and extracurricular activities often occupy a lot of time, finding a job is an introduction to what adult life really has in store. With assets like the Internship and Career Center, students have a wide range of job opportunities to explore. Ranging from paid internships to entry-level positions in a desired field, no matter where students intend to go after college their first job experience can provide the necessary spark for a bright future.

Marcie Kirk Holland, the executive director for the Internship and Career Center, described the many resources available to students once they decide to start looking for a job.

“The Internship and Career Center is a centralized full service available to students of all majors, all classes and all career interests,” Holland said. “Our primary database is Aggie Job Link, and all students have an

BRIAN LANDRY / AGGIE

This idea relates closely to forms of racism that some can relate to outside of the book.

“I think [when it comes to] J.K Rowling and her story, she has a lot of academic background that she brings to this, which is great, but she also brings that capacity for empathy that is so necessary and why books and fiction are so necessary,” McCoy said.

One aspect of the series that makes it unique is the ways in which Rowling really “fleshes out” her characters, according to McCoy. “There has only been one full book character study and that’s on Snape and that’s in the exhibit,” McCoy said. “He carries around what’s really true about himself but he doesn’t want to reveal that to anybody.

And isn’t that so true of all of us? We don’t really want to reveal the best of ourselves for fear of what have you.”

Another way the series is uniquely tied to UC Davis is through wine.

“[...] One of the people associated with our wine collections is actually connected to the Bloomsbury publishing,” Delgadillo said.

While the exhibit touches on many academic ways of reading the texts, it is also meant to be fun and whimsical, allowing fans to relate to aspects of the book in real life. The exhibit stands in the very front of the library, so that the wizarding world can grab the attention of the students upon entry.

Get those wands ready and take a break from studying to check out this interactive and educational exhibit. Beside each book and item follows a brief description of its significance to the display as a whole and what it is about. Even present are the 3D printed items that McCoy herself put together and shared for the exhibit. Students can “expecto” see a lot of interesting things to celebrate 21 years of this iconic series.

account. Students can use this to search for available positions through specific keywords.”

In addition to Aggie Job Link, the ICC also offers workshops where students can participate in mock interviews, learn tips for success in a more formal atmosphere as well as get help with drafting a resume. Holland stressed the idea of strategic job finding, allowing students to explore many different careers before deciding which one is the right fit. Holland provided examples for the types of hands-on experience students can find through on campus jobs.

“For research, a student could work cleaning dishware on a campus lab,” Holland said. “This will allow the student to meet other professional researchers and learn lab techniques while getting familiar with how research is conducted. In business, students can find employment through the bookstores or accounting offices on campus.”

The value of the experience provided by these types of employment options is some-

thing well worth the hours spent. Many job descriptions on campus are starting to include learning objectives, so students know exactly what they will get out of the experience.

“The Campus Recreation and Unions is one example of how jobs are providing leadership training,” Holland said. “A student can work as a Student Assistant 2 and later move up to become an SA 3, eventually working their way to getting supervisor experience even as an undergraduate.”

Holland believes that the role students play in employment is something that keeps the flow of UC Davis alive and well.

“Students often have the mindset of, ‘I just had a student job,’” Holland said. “Students are really the ones that keep things moving. Think of all the places that would not function without student employment: the Coffee House, the Dining Commons.

There is a strong pride in working on campus.”

STUDENT JOBS on 11

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

6 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Opinion THE

C ALIFORNIA A GGIE

Thousand Oaks shooting leaves 12 dead

EDITO R I A L B OA R D

What will newly-elected officials do about gun violence?

EMILY STACK Editor-in-Chief OLIVIA ROCKEMAN Managing Editor HANNAH HOLZER Campus News Editor KAELYN TUERMER-LEE City News Editor TARYN DEOILERS Opinion Editor OLIVIA LUCHINI Features Editor LIZ JACOBSON Arts & Culture Editor DOMINIC FARIA Sports Editor HARNOOR GILL Science & Tech Editor

SYDNEY ODMAN New Media Manager BRIAN LANDRY Photo Director TREVOR GOODMAN Video Production Manager OLIVIA KOTLAREK Design Director JONATHAN CHEN Layout Director HANNA BAUBLITZ Copy Chief CECILIA MORALES Copy Chief ZOË REINHARDT Website Manager HALI ZWEIGORDON Social Media Manager GRACE SIMMONS Newsletter Manager LAURIE PEDERSON Business Development Manager

The news of yet another mass shooting broke on Wednesday, Nov. 7 when 12 people were pronounced dead at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Wednesday marked the 304th mass shooting in 311 days.

Among the victims were three women and nine men ranging from 18 to 54 years old with many being in their 20s. Several college students and recent graduates were among the customers that night who were fatally shot. Sergeant Ronald Helus, 54, heroically ran in at the sound of gunshots but was among those who did not survive.

There were also several off-duty police officers at the bar that night but, due to gun carrying restrictions in bars, were unarmed. A few people outside of the bar, however, helped others escape through the windows. An employee working in the kitchen also saved several lives by directing customers up into the attic, where they hid safely until police arrived at the scene.

The gunman was identified as 28-year-old Ian D. Long, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan. Although Long’s neighbors had previously called the police for a disturbance, Long was cleared by a mental health specialist and “did not qualify for an involuntarily psychiatric hold,” according to officials in a Los Angeles Times report. After taking the lives of 12 people in the bar that night, Long proceeded to take his own.

Despite media speculation about his mental state, it is worth remembering that mental illness is not a predictor of violence. The reason for Long’s shooting spree is still unknown.

This massacre was about a year after the Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and many more injured. Survivors of the Las Vegas shooting created a

group called the “Route 91 Family” that gets together to discuss and work through the traumas they experienced. Borderline was one of their gathering places, several people of the group being there at the time of the Thousand Oaks shooting. Some survivors from the Las Vegas shooting also survived the Thousand Oaks shooting. But Telemachus Orfanos, a 27-yearold Navy veteran, wasn’t one of these individuals.

His mother said to The New York Times: “He made it through Las Vegas, he came home. And he didn’t come home last night, and the two words I want you to write are: gun control. Right now — so that no one else goes through this. Can you do that? Gun control.”

These shootings are nothing less than heinous.

When one life is lost, it affects many more. How many times do we need to be reminded that something must be done about gun control? How many innocent lives have to be lost? For having some of the strictest gun laws throughout the country, California has had far too many recent mass shootings. The most frightening part, however, is that the question is no longer if there will be a shooting, but when. It’s unconscionable that we live in a world where gun death feels routine.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has calling for tightened background checks for gun purchases, while President Donald Trump surprised many by expressing a desire to enact gun safety legislation that is opposed by the National Rifle Association.

The Editorial Board demands that newly-elected officials pass and enforce gun restrictions to advance gun control. People shouldn’t have to hesitate to step outside to go to school or a bar or to get coffee in fear of returning in a body bag. This is a shameful aspect of American culture that has gone on far too long and must not continue to be tolerated or normalized.

We must prioritize healthcare funding STATE BUDGETS SHOULD BE RE-EVALUATED IF AMERICANS WANT AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

BY HA N A D I J O R DA N hajordan@ucdavis.edu

Despite efforts on behalf of Republicans to do away with the Affordable Care Act, 37 states have voted to expand Medicaid. These include Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, which voted in the midterm elections to adopt Medicaid expansion.

While Medicaid expansion has afforded benefits in multiple areas, the program runs the risk of exceeding state budgets as they search for the funds to pay their part of the bill — this is best exemplified

by Montana, which voted on Tuesday to allow Medicaid expansion to expire in July 2019.

Montana has enjoyed the benefits of Medicaid expansion ever since it adopted the program in 2015. Since then, some 120,000 low-income Montanans have

gained healthcare coverage but it has come at a cost to the state’s budget. According to the Foundation for Government Accountability, Montana’s expansion has exceeded the budget by 70 percent. To account for this, legislators proposed a tobacco tax that appeared on the midterm ballot, which would have added $2 to the cost of cigarettes. Had Medicaid expansion been allowed to continue, the tobacco tax likely wouldn’t have alleviated the state’s problem in the long term, due to the national decline of cigarette use as well as a likely decline in Montanans’ cigarette use post-tobacco tax.

Slapping on taxes to account for healthcare budgets could also dampen economic activity and hurt the wallets of those the tax is intended to assist. Relying on taxes won’t be enough and may simply prove altogether ineffective. Time will

only tell for states like Utah, which recently passed a proposal to raise the sales tax from 4.7 percent to 4.85 percent to fund part of its Medicaid expansion costs.

The primary issue emerging from expansion is cost overruns that are a result of enrollment and payment rates that go beyond initial projections. While many states have blown their budget, they haven’t yet felt the weight of debt since the federal government covers 90 percent of the cost for new beneficiaries.

That being said, the federal government will gradually reduce its subsidy over time, and states will be expected to cover a larger portion of the cost. If Republicans get their way, each state’s portion of the burden to fund Medicaid expansion will increase quickly. The GOP has repeatedly asserted its intent to equalize the funding formula, planning to

make states cover 30 to 50 percent of the expansion budget.

Improper payments are also prevalent: in 2016, independent audits of Medicaid in Arizona, Florida, Michigan and New Jersey unearthed 50 dead people who recouped at least $9 million in benefits after they died; 47 providers who registered foreign addresses as their service location; $448 million apportioned to 199,000 beneficiaries with fake Social Security JORDAN on 11

ANDREA GONZALEZ / AGGIE

False intimacy on social media FAKE FRIENDS, FAKE RELATIONSHIPS THAT GET PORTRAYED AS REAL IN THE VIRTUAL REALM

BY KA N WA L J IT S I NGH kjssingh@ucdavis.edu

Social media has undoubtedly connected us in ways that we never really could have imagined, bringing our dayto-day activities to the forefront of our virtual community. We know where a friend of ours went on vacation this summer and which resort he or she stayed at, even if we haven’t talked to them in person for ages. This has led us to form connections with various people in a virtual world, where social interactions are frequently limited to just liking or commenting on a friend’s post. We are witnessing a false sense of intimacy on social media, in which we have multiple friends or followers but aren’t acquainted with or rarely interact with them.

Many of you might be surprised if I told you that most of our friendships on Facebook are fake or meaningless. Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psy-

chology at Oxford University, found that out of the 150 Facebook friends an average user has only 15 who could be counted as actual friends and only five as close friends, according to research he conducted on how Facebook and real-life friendships co-relate. This means that only 10 percent of our friends on Facebook are real friends. An even lower percentage of those friends are close friends.

“There is a cognitive constraint on the size of social networks that even the communication advantages of online media are unable to overcome,” Dunbar wrote.

“In practical terms, it may reflect the fact that real (as opposed to casual) relationships require at least occasional face-toface interaction to maintain them.”

Therefore, even though contact on social media prevents a friendship from completely dying out, occasional faceto-face interactions are required to keep a friendship alive. The term “friendship” has kind of lost its relevance in this day

and age, when a person having hundreds of Facebook friends isn’t actually close with the majority of them.

In the 1890s, Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov observed that every time he rang a bell (which was used to signal meal time), his dogs would salivate — whether food was brought to them or not. Similarly, recent research has shown that people have more brain activity anticipating a reward than actually receiving one. In this case, when we get a notification on our phone, we create — or anticipate creating — intimate relations with the person who messaged us rather than forming productive relations in real life. We aren’t any different from Pavlov’s dogs who salivated when they heard the bell sound, as every time we hear the ping sound from our cell phones, we view at it as a sense of belonging with someone on our friends list. For many of us, the mere thought of being friends on social media is sufficient, so we don’t try turning that idea into

meaningful friendships.

This notion of intimacy has taken over couples as well, and some of them even use social media to eradicate any speculations regarding their future. The couples who share the most on social media are often just seeking reassurance about their relationship from others, and this is done to mask their relationship insecurities.

Here, we observe a false sense of intimacy constructed intentionally to make their relationship seem more stable and similar to how it was in its nascent period.

SINGH on 11

JAMIE CHEN / AGGIE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 | 7

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

HUMOR

Man who smells good confused as to whether he himself smells good or his ability to smell is good IT’S A CLASSIC CONUNDRUM

BY CO N N E R S H AW cjshaw@ucdavis.edu

Holding his arm up to his face, Tyler S. Mell, or “Nose Goes,” as he is more affectionately known by his drinking buddies, takes a good whiff. His eyes roll back in his head as a slight moan escapes his lips. They open again, concerned and searching.

“I thought I used to know the difference,” Mell said longingly. “But maybe I just don’t nose anymore.”

Mell recently suffered a nervous breakdown following an existential crisis anyone can empathize with — not knowing whether his sense of smell allows him to

smell good or that he smells good.

“It’s like, on one hand, there’s the grammar issue,” Mell said. He breathed through his nose, and every sniff is followed by a shudder and then a strange popping noise from somewhere inside his nose. Each time it occured, I grew increasingly close to vomiting in rage.

“From what I understood before, it’s just smelling well, not good,” Mell said.

“But then recently, an English professor buddy of mine patted me on the back after I told him I smelled cyanide dissolving in his drink and told me, ‘Damn, you smell real good!’ So now what am I supposed to think? Especially when that same night he kept breathing over my

shoulder and giving me a thumbs up.”

Mell also said his dating life has suffered as a result of his confusion. On several occasions, he recalled using his signature scent, “Le Nez Mignon,” before meeting a lady friend. Before leaving his apartment, however, he would often “get a sudden urge” to smell himself in order to settle his internal struggle.

Of course, this ended as expected at this point in our story — a missed date, hours of smelling himself and then spending the rest of the night applying combinations of food onto his skin in hopes of finally solving this confusion, only to find that the paradox deepens with each added layer.

Mell looked up at me toward the end of our interview. He requested that I allow him one question of his own, which I granted. After a silent moment, he sniffed.

“What about you, Shaw? How do you smell?” Mell narrowed his eyes at me as he sniffed my fear.

“Tell your readers to really think deeply about it, too. I want to know if I’m the only one who smells good.”

DAVIS WHALEN / AGGIE

A Visit to the Gallery

BY G E N EV I EV E RYAN geryan@ucdavis.edu

D ISC L A I M ER: Th e v iews a n d o p i ni o ns ex p re ss e d by i nd i vidu al colu mn ists be lon g to th e colu mn ists alon e and do no t necessari l y i ndi cate the vi ews and opi n i o n s h eld by The C al i fo rni a Ag g i e. Le tte r s to th e e ditor can be addre sse d to opin ion @theaggi e.o rg.

ISSUE DESIGNED BY JONATHAN CHEN | PATTIE CHEN | ADAN JUNAID | OLIVIA KOTLAREK | SHEREEN NIKZAD | YOON RHA | TAMARA SHOUBBER

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SCIENCE+TECH JER EMY DA N G / AGGIE

FOR THE KIDS UC Davis’ new dairy goat parlor and creamery on the path to fruition

BY MI C HE L L E WO NG science@theaggie.org

Goat cheese. Goat yogurt. Goat milk.

These are just some of the products that could be found on the shelves of local stores in years to come from UC Davis’ new dairy goat parlor and creamery. The initial idea of expansion arose in 2013, followed by more serious discussions with campus planning experts and industrial workers in 2014. In 2017, the team behind the new goat parlor presented the idea to the chancellor’s committee, which led the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to break ground on the new facility on Oct. 15. The goat parlor is on track to be completed by

Winter Quarter of 2019.

According to Dan Sehnert, animal facilities coordinator for the Department of Animal Science, one of the first buildings at UC Davis was a creamery built in 1910.

With the public’s interest in local and farmstead products, such as those sold at farmers markets, Sehnert stated that it seemed like a natural step to bring the facility back. He explained that this new parlor would qualify as a grade A dairy, meaning that the milk produced by the facility would be government approved for human consumption.

In order to qualify, the building is being constructed to follow certain sanitation guidelines: a concrete curb at the base of the walls, metal surfaces, no bare wood or painted sur-

faces, etc. As of now, the milk is being fed back to the goats or given to orphaned farm animals across Davis and Sacramento. Having a grade A parlor would create numerous opportunities for which milk could be used.

For Brittany Cavaletto, the goat facility manager, her goal is to see a complete product line of UC Davis goat products from the dairy being bought and consumed by the community. With the popularity of goat cheese rising in the dairy goat industry, Cavaletto currently plans to focus dairy production on different types of cheeses.

“There’s a lot of market for cheese and it’s an expensive product, but it’s a very desired product as well,” Cavaletto said. “And not only that, but [with] the ability for Davis to be able to market their own cheese and say it actually came from the university and have a start point and an endpoint where we actually raise kids, [...] milk them in a couple of years and then actually produce cheese from them, [people will be] able to see the finished product [from] start to finish.”

As there is a high demand for goat products worldwide, Cavaletto thinks that teaching students and faculty about them would expand their knowledge about the industry and encourage people to meet the growing demands. She hopes that as products from the dairy come to fruition, the public will come out to look at the goats and the facility.

“From a departmental perspective, we really want to teach and educate all levels of the public, government [and] health industry to be able to responsibility, ethically and sustainably produce food,” said Jim Murray, a professor in and chair of the Department of Animal Science.

Murray stated that with roughly 1500

undergraduate students in the animal science department, this dairy would open up teaching opportunities and hands-on experience for students who are interested in production agriculture.

“We [also] have students not just from our major who actually take our courses and work at our facilities, so it’s an opportunity for students from anywhere on campus who are interested to actually get involved with those animals,” Murray said.

In addition, Sehnert believes that goats are a gateway for students to become familiar with farm animals. Within such a large major, a majority of its students come from urban backgrounds and have little-to-no experience with large domestic animals. He explained that, while the general public may have misconceptions of other farm animals, goats are usually perceived as friendly due to people’s exposure to them through petting zoos. With increased opportunities to work with goats, Sehnert believes that students may discover a passion for working with farm animals and develop an interest in working for a swine operation or cow dairy.

Sehnert hopes to eventually hold workshops where people with an interest in creating goat products can visit the facility and experience the process for themselves.

Murray also hopes to continue to expand the dairy goat program, in conjunction with food science and technology. He would like to see further research on cheese production methods and outreach to the public.

“Any time we can expand one of our facilities, it gives an opportunity and we have so many students that will be taken advantage of, so I’m quite looking forward to being able to use the creamery,” Murray said.

DA N IE L L E M O F FAT / AGGI E

MON IQU E VASQU EZ A N D EB ON Y IRICK HA DN OT / COU RT ESY

ADDRESSING POPULATION FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LIVER, COLON CANCERS

UC DAVIS STUDENTS LAUNCH NATCAR.ORG UC Davis students organizing electrical engineering program to make grade school robotics more affordable, accessible

BY P ET E R SM I T H science@theaggie.org

Undergraduate students at UC Davis are developing a new electrical engineering program for high school students across the Sacramento area. These students will receive robotics kits this month and begin a 10-week learning experience that will culminate in a robotics competition at UC Davis on May 5. The project is called natcar. org and it is the brainchild of second-year computer engineering major Dong Gyum “Daniel” Kim. Since 1994, the UC Davis Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has held an annual competition called NATCAR. Natcar.org is an extension of the pre-existing undergraduate program.

Teams build model cars from basic electrical components and rely on sensors and autonomous algorithms to guide their car around a course made of white pieces of tape.

Over the summer, Kim decided he wanted to create the natcar.org program to make high school robotics more practical.

In the early stages of development, Kim and his team of UC Davis students noticed a trend when they spoke with high schools about introducing competitive robotics.

“They were saying they didn’t have the money,” Kim said. “Another thing we ran into was that there were no teachers to teach it.”

Affordability and accessibility became the two defining obstacles that the program would attempt to tackle. The answer to the affordability issue was solved by using the existing NATCAR kits. The kits for the

competition, which are sold by Texas Instruments, are around $100.

“NATCAR is unique because it’s relatively inexpensive compared to a lot of other programs,” said Avery Turk, a first-year computer engineering major who is helping to develop the program.

Many other high school robotics have considerably higher startup costs. Vex Robotics, a popular high school robotics competition, sells starter kits for $599.99 according to its website. Pitsco sells a $709.95 competition kit for the FIRST Tech Challenge, another popular option for high school robotics. These other robotics competitions emphasize the physical variation of the robots, while NATCAR is more focused on computer programming and electrical engineering, keeping costs low.

The natcar.org team has worked all quarter to create an online curriculum that will be available to high schools and individuals who sign up on the program’s website. The natcar.org organization has also arranged for UC Davis electrical engineering students to be available in an online forum, so teams can ask questions and receive help when they get confused. They hope this will make the program accessible to high schools who can’t afford to hire dedicated teachers. The easy-to-understand program will also support individuals who want to participate but don’t have the support of their school.

“It’s explained in a way that people without experience are able to learn,” said Katherine Tran, a first-year electrical engineering NATCAR on 12

The UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine dedicates day to liver, colon cancer awareness

BY FOXY RO B INS O N science@theaggie.org

The Fourth Annual Liver Research Day opened with thoughtful liver and colon cancer surveillance discussions between undergraduates, graduate students, medical professionals and researchers. Attention to the liver signaled the arrival of the final organ-focused research day hosted by the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine.

Before the Liver Research Day were Heart, Lung and Kidney Research Days.

This year’s Liver Research Day was organized by Dr. Valentina Medici, an associate professor in the UC Davis Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Dr. Christopher Bowlus, a professor and the chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The morning sessions focused on liver cancer, offering population perspectives and strategies to improve patient outcomes with hepatitis. Lunch was accompanied by a competitive poster session, in which researchers displayed the progress of their projects. The afternoon sessions highlighted colon cancer prevalence and clinical perspectives to improve colon cancer screenings.

The knowledge gained from Liver Research Day could be beneficial for members across all generations.

“At the event, we discussed that Hepatitis C incidence is high in 50-70-year old’s,” Medici said. “Now, it is also increasing in incidence in people from 20-30 years of age because of the opioid crisis.”

Hepatitis C exposure presents a major risk for developing liver cancer. Addition-

ally, fatty liver disease and chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, are becoming associated with a higher risk of liver cancer. This is a shift from assumptions that liver cancer is always associated with Hepatitis C exposure and alcohol use.

“Liver cancer incidence and prevalence are also increasing in the general population,” Medici said. “This calls for a multi-disciplinary approach to care coordination and how patients can navigate healthcare.”

UC Davis researchers and invited speakers shared the progress of their work to understand liver and colon cancers within specific populations.

Bradley Pollock, professor and chair of UC Davis Public Health Sciences, shared his research highlighting the likelihood of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a common form of liver cancer, in the presence of risk factors such as socioeconomic status and social and medical histories.

Another risk factor that was identified was exposure to aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen appearing in drought stressed crops like corn in south Texas counties.

“Hepatocellular carcinoma rates vary across ethnic groups, but Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics are disproportionately affected by the chronic condition,” Pollock said.

Pollock’s review found an association between lower socioeconomic status, including lower education and income levels, and an increased likelihood of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, in addition to Hepatitis C exposure, alcohol use and smoking.

LIVER on 12

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GRAD PETITION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

THANK YOU!

BY D I A N A O L IVAR E S deolivaresvalencia@ucdavis.edu

HSI CONTROVERTSY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Having a seat at the table would allow Deeb-Sossa to address her concerns and make a difference, although she said that even the task force itself is a problem.

“This task force and the co-chairs in particular are not being supported,” Deeb-Sossa said. “They do not have the funding and the staff necessary to do this important work.

Again, we see how the CHI/LAT community, and in particular the CHI/LAT students are not a priority to this chancellor.”

To better engage public discussion on the matter, a town hall meeting was held on Nov. 1 at the UC Davis Conference Center,

open to faculty, staff, students and alumni as well as members of the public.

Held by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on behalf of the HSI task force, the topic of the discussion was “What Does It Mean for UC Davis to Be Hispanic-Serving?”

The forum was comprised of a brief program followed by small group discussions designed to identify opportunities for UC Davis as one of only nine universities with the highest level of research activities for undergraduate and graduate students that also have the HSI designation.

comes up like this their response is to say to not address it until this contract is expired in four years,” Wright said. “I won’t be here then. I want fair pay now. And you know all those executives making six figure salaries at UCOP aren’t making 2/3rds pay over the summer either! Graduate students are struggling, especially student parents like myself.”

Wright accused the UC administration of continuously under-valuing graduate instructors that teach at the university. Graduate students who are already struggling to pay for rent and food need to make the same as their fall, winter and spring quarter counterparts, he said.

“Graduate students make very little money, yet without their labor the university would cease to function,” Wright said. “When you consider that without summer employment we make about $20k per year, that is not much to live on and certainly isn’t a living wage for those of us with children or dependents. By not getting equal pay for equal work over the summer it really hurts us.”

Another issue for Wright is that summer session AIs often don’t have teaching assistants for courses that would otherwise have assistants during the regular school year, leading to additional work for these instructors.

In the petition description, Wright emphasized that the principle of “Equal Pay for Equal Work” is common sense, and what he sees as an undervaluing of

instructors by the university.

“We demand that UC Davis recognize the amount of work that graduate student summer session instructors put into these courses, and that UC Davis compensate them as such — by paying them the amount they make for teaching the same course during the normal academic year,” Wright wrote in the petition. “We believe that this is is about the principle of ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ — which is about fairness and justice.”

Ellie White, a graduate student in the Center for Watershed Sciences, commented on the situation via email, and said that if these instructors knew they were being compensated at a lower rate than during the regular school year, they would “be outraged.”

“Why should my labor be valued differently from one season to the next?”

White said. “Do chancellors, vice chancellors, and provosts get paid any less?

No.” The petition is currently circling through several affected groups.

“As of right now, the petition has over 100 signatures and it is just getting started because the Davis unit of the UC Student Worker Union UAW 2865, which represents AIs as well as TAs, readers and undergraduate tutors, just endorsed the petition and will be sending it out to all its members at Davis,” Wright wrote. “I expect it to get an even bigger circulation and many more signatures by next week.”

E-SCOTTERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Although the Davis City Council is concerned with the safety aspects of these e-scooters, it is also excited to have these local rentals for students who are looking for means of transportation to classes.

“They are super accessible, and are much more efficient than jump bikes, in my opinion,” said Will Khouri, a sec-

ond-year managerial economics major.

“The only downside is that people sometimes trash them cause they are easier to throw around — at least that is how it is with the scooters placed around my hometown. Still, the pros outweigh the cons, and I do miss having the availability of them.”

SENATE BLUE LIGHTS

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According to an email from Farrow, the emergency blue light project is part of a security initiative currently underway on campus to increase the security and safety of UC Davis community members.

After the new emergency call boxes are installed “at locations in the core campus,” the 2019 Lighting Safety Walk will take place in January.

The goal of the walk is to identify poorly-lit areas of campus and attended by students and staff, will take place in January.

“Finally, the campus Security Management System project continues to progress […] this will unify campus electronic access control and video recording systems onto a single system, allowing Police to view campus-wide electronic security systems,” Far-

row said via email.

Farrow elaborated on the police department’s perspective of this security initiative and the Blue Light project, saying he sees the department’s role on campus as being there for students.

“We truly are here for the students, that’s our job, that’s the only job we have and we try to do the best that we possibly can,” Farrow said. “Traditional law enforcement defines safety as your physical well-being, but on this campus it goes beyond that — it’s about your emotional, psychological security, too. [...] When we work together on projects like this, people will see that [support for students] is truly what we’re working to do and that it’s an honor for us to be here and serve.”

TEXTBOOK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

expanding to the trades which is a vocational based library which is probably more applicable to community colleges.”

Anne Britt, a professor in the plant biology department, has incorporated LibreText’s customizable tool to tailor a textbook for her BIS 2A class. She has found it a useful resource in communicating content to her students.

“Students really appreciate knowing what you want them to know,” Britt said. “If you’re using a regular textbook there’s going to be stuff inevitably in there that’s not really important to you, and the students have a hard time discerning which are your favorite topics. So having a custom textbook is super helpful in terms of getting the most important points to me across to the students.”

The Department of Education set up a 30-day window between July 30 and Aug. 29 in which applicants could submit their proposals for the Open Textbooks Pilot Program.

A consortium of volunteer faculty across campuses involved with the project edited and drafted pre-existing language to submit as their proposal.

Within a month of review, LibreText received the funds from the grant.

“The resources that we are getting from this award is ten times greater than all the re-

sources we’ve had before, combined,” Larsen said. “So you can argue we’d be ten times bigger and ten times better and that is certainly our goal.”

The LibreText Project plans to use the funds for expansion through the development of five independently-operating teams responsible for construction, harvesting, dissemination, technology and an assessment and evaluation team.

Larsen is in the process of hiring 50 to 100 undergraduate students to assist in the curation of additional content.

“The textbook of the future is definitely going to be different from the textbook of the past,” Larsen said. “And that’s why we want to be able to use current and emerging technologies and embed those into the textbook library.”

Among those emerging technologies are efforts to integrate interactive, illustrated figures and simulations, programming for three dimensional calculus and coding and an annotative infrastructure for students and faculty.

“What we’re doing is delivering content in a different way that replaces the textbook but that is, in some ways, richer than the textbook,” Facciotti said. “Or at least maybe richer in the future that’s more modern and adaptable.”

of old legislation.

Senate Bill #7 looked to make grammatical edits to the description of the Ethnic and Cultural Affairs Commission and Gender and Sexuality Commission in the Bylaws. The measure was passed with amendments.

Senate Bill #15 aimed to define and structure the meaning and intent of “urgent legislation” language. After a protracted discussion, the bill was passed with amendments.

Senate Bill #16 aimed to reduce paper waste by eliminating paper copies of Senate meeting minutes. After discussion, the bill was passed with amendments.

Status of Previously Passed Legislation was approved and signed.

Also during public discussion, Gofman

addressed concerns within the association.

“The same people that accuse others of being divisive do the same thing they’re accusing others of doing,” Gofman said. “It’s completely inappropriate to go around the table asking my friends to join their ludicrous attempt to slander my reputation. What good does it go to go behind my back? … Trying to target members of this association and saying they’re corrupt or colluding secretly behind backs for the sake of your own personal political gain doesn’t help students in this university. Do your job. Don’t engage in petty politics.”

Ex-officio Reports and Elected Officer Reports were given. The past meeting’s minutes were approved and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

10 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Studio 301’s Upcoming Review: Movie Musicals!

Fall production to feature compilation of musical staples

JETT ALTENHOFEN / AGGIE

BY I TZ E LT H G AMB OA arts@theaggie.org

In the basement of Wellman Hall there’s a cluster of undergrads singing their hearts out in preparation for the upcoming fall review: “Movie Musicals!” The small classroom does not stop them from running lines and practicing their choreography.

With directions being shouted from the entrance of the hall as the students run their numbers, the group takes the instructions as they go, which goes on for two hours. Studio 301’s fall production will be a review, directed by Myah Daniels, a fourth-year communication major. Stage manager Jillian Yong, a second-year international relations and theatre and dance double major, explains what a review is.

“It’s basically like a concert of sorts,” Yong said. “It’s cabaret style, meaning they’re just going to be performing a bunch of different songs not necessarily in conjunction

ALLYSON KO / AGGIE

The plight of the student gamer

Homework and video games are unlikely duo, but not at UC Davis

BY JA RRET T RO GE R S arts@theaggie.org

“Call of Duty: Black Ops 4” and “Red Dead Redemption 2” were both released in October and more video games, such as “Fallout 76” and “Battlefield V” are scheduled to release later this year. As the big

game titles keep flowing in, 2018 proceeds to be one of the best and brightest years for video games. Which poses the question: How does the full-time student balance school and video games?

UC Davis houses a large community of video game enthusiasts. A few student gamers, who requested to remain nameless

with each other. It’s a lot of fun, it’s just a feel-good show. It’s not going to make you question life afterwards, which is great for midterm season.”

The review will feature numbers from “Hairspray,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “West Side Story” and many other popular musicals. The list of songs was chosen by Daniels, but there was a bit of flexibility to the selection process. Julie Torres, a thirdyear managerial economics major and actor in the show, discussed the process of how the review’s songs were chosen.

“There were some [songs] that people auditioned with, and [Daniels] was like, ‘Oh that person is good for that song, maybe I’ll consider adding that song in,’” Torres said. “So, typically for reviews, the director chooses the songs.”

This year’s review is guaranteed to be one for the books. There will be songs from old musicals and new dance moves to go along

with it.

A member of the Studio 301 Board Gracie Unger, a second-year psychology major and one of the show’s choreographers, talked about her castmates, along with having to deal with the responsibility of choreographing nine of the 13 numbers in the review.

“I think that this cast is just spectacular,” Unger said. “There’s actual choreography, which is really something that we haven’t done for a review before, like having choreographers and actual movements, so I think that this is a step up of where it’s normally been in the past.”

As the students rehearse, Unger can be found showing the steps to the number in the middle of the classroom.

“I think it always helped me having someone visually there,” Unger said. “Especially when you haven’t run something for a while, having someone guide you through it for that first time is super helpful.”

and go by their gamertag, gave compelling insight on how to balance the two worlds.

Some find it harder than others, having to dial back school work to ensure they have enough time to game, while others use video games as a reward for having completed their studies.

Nevertheless, all of the students had great knowledge on how to balance leisure and learning, which is applicable to more than just gaming.

A student who goes by the gamertag G3L0 prioritizes student life during the week and gaming on the weekends.

“Of course, I have to play at least an hour or two of video games some nights, but I try to limit it at that,” G3L0 said. “Either I set an in-game deadline like ‘finish this quest’ or ‘play 4 rounds’ or I set a timer — once that’s up then I need to get back to studying.

Same with studying, I tell myself to do it for a decent amount of time and then I let myself game. It’s important to try and give studying more time than gaming, though.”

Another student-gamer, PinkPikachu finds the greatest difficulty to be time and how to fit gaming into her schedule.

“During low-unit quarters, I can easily

overdo it, but during high-unit quarters I sometimes go two weeks without playing,” PinkPikachu said. “When I sit down to play a game, I want to play it for at least two and a half or three hours, minimum.

That doesn’t seem like a long time until you start thinking of other obligations like classes [and] homework and that three hours is a minimum, which can easily turn into five or six.”

Balancing video games and school also depends on what game PinkPikachu is playing. More competitive games require more attention, but leisure games are easier to put a time limit on.

“Last year, I was so invested in ‘Overwatch’ that every Thursday I’d come home from section at 6:30 p.m., me and four to five friends would queue up, and then we’d play until midnight,” PinkPikachu said. “I was so intent on ranking up that I’d sit there for hours with a break or two in-between.

By nature, ‘Overwatch’ is a volatile game, and you don’t really know how many games it’ll take to get to the rank you want, so you can be sitting there for hours.”

VIDEO GAMES on 12

FAQ #5 Q: How do I get my 50% student discount?

RAUL MORALES / AGGIE

Living room tour stops in Davis An evening with Julia Nunes

BY R OSI E SC HWA R Z arts@theaggie.org

On Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., my housemates and I hosted a living room concert for Julia Nunes, a musician with over 230,000 Youtube subscribers who is known for her heartfelt covers, incredible voice and talented songwriting. As the house bustled with excitement for Julia’s upcoming arrival and performance, the intimate nature of the “living room show” was reflected in the friendship and connection that everyone in the house had established.

By 8 p.m., when the show began, everyone had met each other, shared stories about how they had found the concert and bonded over their connection to Nunes’ music. The various degrees of familiarity with Nunes’ music didn’t matter. Some people had never heard her music before, some had attended previous shows and some had never seen her but had been following her music since her start.

The varied makeup of the group created a special atmosphere of diverse relationships to the music that was about be performed.

Everyone understood that they were about to share an experience that could only be shared in that living room, embracing the vulnerability and irreplicable nature of the present.

When Nunes arrived with her bandmate Chase Burnett, the energy of the house rocketed. As she walked in with the same humble demeanor of someone attending the show, set up her merch on our kitchen

table and sat on one of our rickety chairs, she introduced herself and Burnett in the same friendly manner that everyone in the audience had done with one another for the last hour.

This concert marked Nunes’ third stop on her living room tour.

“I love living room shows because I actually get an answer to my questions that I ask instead of just the ‘woo’ that you get at bigger shows,” Nunes said. “It’s my favorite way to play music and see music.”

Between each song, Nunes explained what inspired her to write the song she was performing, connecting each audience member to her music in personal ways as she described honest feelings of happiness, heartbreak and self-reflection. With each introduction the audience laughed, nodded in agreement or looked around at one another, affirming that Nunes had just sung or said something that related with an experience that everyone could understand.

Austin Carroll, a fourth-year human development major who had never been to a living room show before, enjoyed Nunes’ song explanations.

“I think this was one of the most real performances that I have been at because I really knew what the songs were about and what they meant to her because she got to talk more,” Carroll said. “I think when you go to a bigger show they still perform vulnerable and real songs and even sometimes explain them, but it’s always in a much bigger setNUNES on 12

A: Call or visit the Ticket Office, or purchase online once you have created a Mondavi Center account.

Go to: mondaviarts.org/students for details.

Paula Poundstone FRI, NOV 30 | 8PM

Stand-up comic and quickwitted NPR panelist on Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me makes her Mondavi Center debut.

UC Davis student tickets start at $17.50.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers SAT, DEC 1 | 8PM

Brown leads her troupe through dazzling excavations of ancestral stories—with a keen sense of theatricality, gutsy moves and deep musicality.

UC Davis student tickets start at $12.50.

#mondavicenter

mondaviarts.org mondaviarts.org/students

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 | 11

BEYOND THE STATS

STUDENT JOBS

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system critically. Scharleth Guadamuz, a sociology and history double major and panelist, said she felt the same way about sociology and decided to balance the sociological issues with a historical perspective.

Another panelist was Briana Sue Zweifler, alumna of the UC Davis School of Law. Zweifler currently works as a legal fellow, focusing on the California Youth Justice Initiative at the National Center for Youth Law. Mendoza, a sociology and ethnic studies double major and co-founder to the organization, was also a panelist. He and Curiel-Allen met two years ago in their sociology class and discovered they were dealing with similar experiences.

Mendoza recalled how he felt unsettled with what he saw reflected in other students in his first year at Davis. “When I first came here, everyone seemed to be just surviving.”

Instead of falling into that same trap, Mendoza was determined to set a different standard.

“We [BTS] offer a sense of identity and community. Let’s go from surviving mode to thriving mode,” Mendoza said.

A popular topic among the panelists was the seminar taught under the Chicana/o Studies Department titled, “Education as Freedom: AKA Amerika This Is How You Made Me.” The syllabus was written by Curiel-Allen and another member not present at the panel, which consists of readings from Angela Davis, James Baldwin, Malcolm X and the Black Panther 10 point plan.

Speaking to the course outline, Curiel Allen said that the department wanted to include scholars of color that have just as much to say as white scholars.

“These writers understand their position in relation to social power,” she said. “We are hoping students can do it too. We want to empower them and give them the language to tell their own stories like this.”

Unlike a typical class, this seminar has no lectures and is completely discussion-based

and is meant to be a consciousness raising class. The class is set up in a circle, and before instruction begins, Mendoza said they ask students how they are — “just telling someone ‘I see you.’”

The goal of the seminar is to look at multiple systems and isn’t simply “to tell the saddest thing that’s happened to [us]. Our stories are part of a larger narrative,” Curiel-Allen said.

A long day on campus almost deterred third-year sociology and African/Afro-American Studies double major J’son Jones from attending the event, which he heard about from a friend from the Pan Afro Student Organization where Jones serves as historical counselor. But as he passed Hart Hall, he decided to stop by to support his friend.

The audience members had a chance to ask the panelists questions, prompting Jones to inquire about how to deal with the anger resulting from being discussed as a statistic and subject in sociology classes. Multiple panelists told him to speak up or else it will continue to happen. For Jones, their shared experiences and advice was exactly what he needed to hear.

“I was so mad, so I was wondering if you guys had a perspective on it and you did — so now the next time I’m in that class, I’m gonna say something,” Jones said.

Throughout the panel, Cuevas stated multiple times how proud she was of Beyond the Stats and what they’ve been able to accomplish.

“I’ve never worked with a group of students like this,” Cuevas said. “They came together on their own, they do their work on their own. A very true support system for each other.”

It definitely was a moment to remember for members of Beyond the Stats, as it was literally a dream come true.

“We created a wishlist when we were first starting and having a panel was on it,” Curiel-Allen said. “We’re very happy.”

Breanna Almanza, a second-year managerial economics major, works in the Segundo Market and described what her schooling experience was like before working on campus.

“It was really chill,” Almanza said. “Before working, I had a lot of time on my hands. I love movies, so I had movie marathons all the time. I decided I [needed] something to motivate me to do work.”

After having a job for a few quarters, Almanza learned to adapt to her evolving schedule and make time for both school and work.

“It’s been different every quarter, it’s never the same,” Almanza said. “Time management is key. I’m working and going to school at the same time; most people can’t do that, or they don’t have the opportunity. You feel a lot more accomplished.”

For Manza, working somewhere like the Segundo Market has given her an escape from academics and allowed her to interact with students that make the job feel less like an obligatory experience. She has gained valuable experience that she hopes to transfer into other fields.

“I love working at the market,” Almanza said. “I would love to stay there, but in the future, I either want to move up in my position or go somewhere else to help my career. Maybe interning in accounting would be best.”

ELECTION NIGHT

AGGIE CLASSIFIEDS

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“Civic engagement is the foundation of a healthy democratic society,” Talamantes said via email interview. “Anyone can be civically engaged by learning more about issues impacting their community. Unfortunately, over the past few years, there has been a decline in voter participation, one important aspect of civic engagement.”

The SCOE has established partnerships with various organizations — such as the California Secretary of State Office and the County of Sacramento Voter Registration and Election Office — to create opportunities for youth involvement in local politics.

“These partnerships will engage our youth with voter education weeks, voter registration, mock elections, and education drives,” Talamantes said via email interview.

“SCOE supports opportunities for students

to find and express their civic voice through voting, civic action projects, career exploration, and student advocacy.”

This movement is a part of the goal of various California local governments to integrate civic learning opportunities.

“It is important to build a movement centered around voting and participating in our electoral process,” Talamantes said via email interview. “Being civically engaged and empowering others is the key to change in our country.”

The Election Night Bash is one of many initiatives made by local counties to implement events and programs catered around the empowerment of youth in civic education. Local governments hope these events will encourage youth to vote in local elections.

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billion into the U.S. military for the 2019 fiscal year, this leaves little room to fund things like education, infrastructure, and healthcare. And while proper maintenance of national security is in the best interest of all Americans, we cannot justify the amount currently being spent.

In spite of Republican efforts to eradicate the Affordable Care Act, it remains the law of the land. The adoption of Medicaid expansion by 37 states proves that American support for affordable healthcare is tangible.

Medicaid expansion isn’t a bad idea, but it’s been executed poorly. To ensure healthcare coverage for all, our budget priorities must be seriously reevaluated.

SERVICES

Restaurant Staff

Davis Anxiety Counseling

Now Hiring!

Kevin Ott, LCSW, is a Licensed Therapist with over 10 years of experience in college counseling and private practice. I offer confidential treatment in downtown Davis and Video Counseling throughout California. My approach is warm, supportive and non-judgmental. I utilize and have taught college courses in Mindfulness and Communication Skills. I specialize in addressing Anxiety, Stress, Worry, Panic Attacks & Social Anxiety to become Relaxed, Connected and Productive.

Enthusiastic & High Energy individuals for FOH/BOH @ Zen Toro!

To fill out an application, please fill out an application @ zentorosushi.com & email/drop off during business hours.

California Aggie Videographer Volunteer position, 2-5 hours/week Videographers will shoot footage and assist in editing. They may assist with conducting interviews, collecting b-roll footage, and coming up with creative content. The videographer will work closely with the video director to execute videos through to completion.

FREE 1st Session for Students Call or text 530-760-5678 Email kevin@davisanxietycounseling.com Visit www.DavisAnxietyCounseling.com

Sales Associate Wanted Seeking a smart, friendly, flexible individual for a part time sales clerk position. Candidates should be comfortable with computers and have an interest in general retail sales and an understanding of our mission to support Mental Health Agencies in Yolo County.

Join our creative sales team at All Things Right & Relevant, a non-profit consignment shop in Davis, CA. The position is part time 12 to 15 hours per week with availability 3 to 7 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and occasional Saturdays.

Please reply with your resume to: All Things Right & Relevant, 2801 Spafford Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 759-9648 or areurelevant@gmail.com

SINGH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

We should also keep in mind that two people can be best friends without being connected on social media, and numerous relationships would never have been possible if there was no such platform where strangers could interact with such ease. But substituting social interaction with a virtual platform where one’s bond with somebody is determined by how many mutual friends or followers they have may end up being detrimental for a friendship. We may form a new perception of who our true friends are based on how much they like or react to our posts.

JOBS

Apply by Nov. 16, 2018 https://vacancy.ucdavis.edu/listings/2999/

JORDAN numbers.

Because the federal government has given states a cushion to exceed their budgets by paying 90 percent of the tab, states have exceeded enrollment and created high payment rates. Funding Medicaid isn’t cheap, and states won’t be able to rely on the federal government forever — which, over time, will transform the likelihood of fiscal crises into a reality.

The fatal flaw of Medicaid expansion under this context comes down to a lack of funding. Currently, President Donald Trump is set to run an annual budget deficit that will reach, and very likely exceed, $1 trillion. Combined with pouring $716

Andrew Causus, a fourth-year English major and employee at Spokes Grill, spoke about his experiences working and how being on campus has benefited him more than working off campus.

“Working on campus with other students is a cool dynamic,” Causus said. “In other jobs I’ve had, you work with people of all ages and they have different worldviews and life experience.”

This quarter has proven to be a bigger challenge for Causus than any other because of his goal to graduate soon. His increased workload of 20 units and the 20 hours of work a week do not allow for much free time, but Causus finds peace knowing he can plan accordingly.

“For me, it’s all about scheduling,” Causus said.

Causus’ main objective is to become a teacher, and his job as a tutor falls right in line with his professional goals. Causus described how tutoring and earlier work he did for his high school teachers helped him realize his teaching potential.

“Tutoring is a lot of fun,” Causus said.

“It’s interesting because I have observed and helped out in my high school during the summer. I would work with my English teachers, and they would let me talk to the class every so often. It’s a very different dynamic between tutoring and teaching a whole class. I like that I’ve gotten experience in both of those spaces.”

We refer to social media platforms as a virtual universe and thus we need to make a distinction between real and virtual friends.

We should make sure that we don’t become so immersed in the online world and reach a point where differentiating between the two universes becomes harder day by day.

Being open about our lives online is in no way problematic, but we should recognize where to draw the line, as we may sometimes be giving a false sense of intimacy to people whom we don’t consider to be our actual friends.

Applications available upon request.

ASUCD Hiring Now See all current jobs at https://vacancy.ucdavis.edu/

Love Laundry Lowest prices in town!

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EVENTS 31st Annual Davis Turkey Trot Date: Saturday, November 17 Distances: 2 mile, 5K, 10K, ½ Marathon Location: Civic Center Field Start time: Races begin at 8am Website: changeofpace.com Beneficiaries: A Change of Pace Foundation, Yolo Food Bank Note: Group/organizations can help or help themselves (fundraising opportunities available) Contact: info@changeofpace.com

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR STUDENTS! Buy-Sell-Announce-Promote-Celebrate Place your ad online today! theaggie.org/classifieds Place YOUR Aggie classified ad (print or online) at: theaggie.org/classifieds

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12 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

NATCAR

VIDEO GAMES

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major who is working on the curriculum.

The team was intent on making sure they did not skip steps in their explanation of key topics.

They wanted the high school students to understand how the algorithms control the most basic circuits in the model car.

“So, we go from the volt and the current lighting up an LED,” Kim said. “We then move on to controlling that through very low-level code, and the curriculum keeps going and builds on top of things to make it more ab-

stract, and by the end, they are just designing algorithms.”

The team also wanted to make their curriculum broad and encompassing in order to expose students to all aspects of electrical and computer engineering.

“I think giving them this opportunity allows them to see if they have an interest toward CS [Computer Science], CE [Computer Engineering] or EE [Electrical Engineering,]” said Brandon Trong, a first-year computer engineering major. “It allows them to choose early.”

LIVER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Traces of aflatoxin in the body were found to have increased odds of hepatocellular carcinoma.

“Surprisingly, aspirin and omega-3 consumption seemed to offer some protection against the effects of aflatoxin exposure,” Pollock said.

Sooraj Tejaswi, associate clinical professor at the UC Davis Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and program director of the gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship, shared his work investigating colon cancer rates in South Asians.

“South Asians have not been historically studied,” Tejaswi said. “Our people think rates of colon cancer are low. It reported to be very low, but not every case is tracked in South Asia like it is in California due to resources. Californians with South Asian origin tend to have higher rates of colon cancer than reported.”

According to Tejaswi, South Asians face 13.7 cases of colon cancer per 100,000 individuals in California, while non-hispanic whites encounter 26.1 cases of colon cancer per 100,000 individuals in California. In California, South Asians over the age of 50 experience 66.2 cases of colon cancer per 100,000 individuals. Non-Hispanic whites over the age of 50 face 114 cases of colon cancer per 100,000

individuals.

After looking at colonoscopy patients from the UC Davis Medical Center, Tejaswi found that South Asians have a similar number of tubular adenomas, polyps or growths that may become cancerous, in their colons as other ethnic groups. From 2006 to 2015, South Asian colonoscopy patients were found to have 22.7 tubular adenomas per 100 colonoscopy screenings, while non-hispanic whites were found to have 28.1 tubular adenomas per 100 colonoscopy screenings.

“This is alarming as South Asians take up the same lifestyle as Americans, they may catch up to the colon cancer rates of other ethnicities,” Tejaswi said. “This is an alarm call for people living in the United States and countries in South Asia.”

South Asians represent a fast-growing population in California and the United States.

Effective cancer prevention strategies must account for their needs as a population instead of as isolated individuals to reduce the growing risks of colon cancer.

As colon and liver cancer rates escalate, ethnic populations cannot be treated the same.

Preventative healthcare calls for a specialized approach to research and to understanding cancer.

NUNES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ting. Here, I felt like she was having an open conversation with us when she explained everything behind each song.”

Before the show ended, Nunes hosted a question and answer portion, engaging the audience, urging them to ask her anything they wanted.

“We can talk about any number of things, it doesn’t just have to be about music,” Nunes said, further encouraging openness and honesty.

When an audience member asked Nunes if she still felt nervous before releasing songs, Nunes answered, “Yup,” taking a pause before expanding on her answer in a comical and authentic manner that mirrored her incredible personability.

“The songs that are about about my heart being, you know, pulverized, those are scarier to release, and I honestly think that a big portion of why this next record is taking me so long is because I’m just not ready yet,” Nunes said, testifying to the raw vulnerability and emotion behind her music.

J.J. Flax, a fourth-year design major who had only started listening to Julia Nunes after she

bought her tickets, reflected on Nunes’ honesty.

“I liked when she was talking about her current headspace and how she can’t put up a preformative front right now,” Flax said.“I could tell she didn’t seem like she had put up any wall or mask at any point of the show, which I think set the tone for the rest of the concert because we all settled into this chill realness.”

This “chill realness” continued throughout the night, as she ended her show and welcomed everyone who wanted to take pictures and chat with her. As everyone stood up and looked around, it was apparent that they had all been emotionally moved by Nunes’ music, and moreso her ability to connect with those sitting in the living room.

After everyone left, only my housemates, Nunes and myself remained. We turned up the music as Nunes led an impromptu dance party.

For Nunes to stay and hang out with us, even for a few minutes, was a testimony to the type of person she is. As Nunes laughed and danced with us, she became our friend, leaving us and everybody who attended her show with a role model who embodies comfort, creativity and honesty.

Another student gamer who goes by the gamertag MantisToboggan is so dedicated to gaming that he has altered his schedule, so game time can be a priority. MantisToboggan dropped one class and changed another to pass/ fail, so that he could log more hours on “Red Dead Redemption 2.”

“I have been waiting for this game for about eight years, so I had planned to take a lighter workload this semester,” MantisToboggan said. “But I regret it now because my new schedule could possibly postpone my graduation date.”

The greatest difficulty gamers like G3L0 have faced is staying disciplined in the time they dedicate to video games and homework.

“I love video games, especially this game,” MantisToboggan said. “So the greatest difficulty for me is taking my homework seriously when all I really care about right now is the game. [My] second greatest difficulty is tossing relationships into the mix and trying to find a good time for friends [while] also getting your gaming fix. It’s even harder if your friends aren’t really gamers because then you can’t even talk about video games!”

Gamer PinkPikachu advises practicing self-control, which G3L0 agrees with.

“If I’m playing something single-player like ‘Final Fantasy XV,’ or

not as competitive like ‘Dead By Daylight,’ I have pretty good self-control and can cut myself off after playing for a certain amount of time,” PinkPikachu said. “Games can be pretty addictive, so it’s important for people who like to game to practice self-control.”

Unlike his peers, MantisToboggan felt otherwise.

“Listen, I have a whole camp of people at Horseshoe Overlook who are relying on me to supply provisions for the camp so we can head back east,” MantisToboggan said. “I can’t be thinking about homework.”

The struggle of gaming and being a student may be a difficult one, but at UC Davis, the two worlds have a means to be combined.

In an upper-division course taught

by Stephanie Boluk, an associate professor of both English and cinema and digital media, and Patrick LeMieux, an assistant professor of cinema and digital media, these student gamers thrive in a class called Video Games and Culture (CTS 172) which covers everything from making a video game to making a living playing video games.

According to these students, the homework in this class revolves around beating, building and understanding video games. So rather than attempting to balance homework and video games, why not take a course where video games are the homework?

STUDIO 301 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

“Movie Musicals!” marks the first time Unger has been a choreographer for Studio 301.

“It’s one of the great things about Studio 301 — you can try out anything that you haven’t tried out [before],” Unger said. “Like if I wanted to do tech for the first time ever, they’d be like, ‘Sure!’”

Nicole Richer, a first-year animal science major, is excited to be part of the production.

“Right now, I’m in two numbers,” Richer said. “My solo number is called ‘Still Hurting’ from ‘The Last Five Years’ and it’s such an emotional, indepth number. I love the show ‘The Last Five Years,’ so I was really excited for that, and then I’m singing as part of The Dynamites in ‘Hairspray.’”

Studio 301 was founded in 2007 and is currently run by undergraduate students from a variety of majors. This club targets students who enjoy theatre but don’t necessarily want to pursue it as their major. Studio 301 performs many different types of shows, from reviews to musicals to plays.

“I did theatre a lot growing up,” Unger said. “And there’s nothing like a group of theatre kids that accept you for whatever you are and whoever you want to be and are just such an inclusive environment.”

Studio 301 gives students the op-

portunity to be either in the production, in the club or in both.

“It’s kind of fun to be part of the group that brings everybody together,” Yong said. “I personally am not much of a performer, but I enjoy the arts, so it’s fun to still be a part of that whole process, but in my comfort zone.”

For some, “Movie Musicals!” will be their last production with Studio 301.

“This show means a lot to me because there’s a lot of people that I know in this show that will be leaving next year,” Torres said.

This review is a light-hearted one, mixing different genres of music into one night for people to enjoy.

“Movie musicals just make people so happy and it brings non-theatre people into the theatre world and then they want to learn more,” Richer said.

“Movie Musicals!” has exciting musical numbers that are fun to watch and the kind of entertainment that would make for a perfect night. In rehearsal, the students laughed at themselves when they got the lyrics wrong and this friendly environment is sure to be exemplified during the review itself.

“Movie Musicals!” will be playing Nov. 16 to 18 at Lab A in Wright Hall.

Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for general admission. More information can be found on the production’s Facebook event page.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 | 13

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

UC DAVIS ATHLETICS / COURTESY (LEFT), EMILY RABASTO / THE STATE HORNET (RIGHT)

Causeway Classic Preview Aggie, Hornet sports writers analyze season so far for each team

BY B REN DA N O GB U R N sports@theaggie.org

UC Davis UC Davis enters the 65th annual Causeway Classic tied for first place in the Big Sky conference with a record of 8-2. The Aggies are coming off their first conference loss of the season, a 59-20 defeat on the road versus Eastern Washington. UC Davis was overwhelmed by the explosive Eagles offense, allowing nearly 700 yards.

Overall, the 2018 campaign has been one of the more memorable seasons in program history and by far the most successful since the team moved up to the Division I level in 2004. The Aggies have lit up the scoreboard on a weekly basis and developed a flair for the dramatic, mounting large comebacks and creating plenty of compelling action in the fourth quarter of many games.

One of the team’s signature wins came in an overtime victory over Idaho State on Homecoming Weekend, when the Aggies overcame a 16-point second-half deficit in front of a packed Aggie Stadium.

Another memorable performance was UC Davis’ 49-21 road triumph over Montana in late October. In front of a raucous crowd of over 24,000, the Aggies came back from an early 18 point hole and outscored their opponent 46-0 in the second half.

UC Davis is averaging over 40 points per game, the second most in the Big Sky, and ranks in the top-five in total defense. The team’s +8 turnover margin is the best in the conference.

On offense, the Aggies are led by junior quarterback Jake Maier, a second-year start-

QUINN SPOONER / AGGIE

Aggies end season with a win

Men’s water polo defeats Pacific 12-7 as six seniors are honored

BY RYA N BUG SCH sports@theaggie.org

In front of a large crowd, the No. 10 nationally ranked UC Davis Aggies defeated the No. 7 ranked Pacific Tigers 12-7 in a non-conference match on Sunday. This marked the conclusion of the Aggies 201819 regular season, as UC Davis took down a high level opponent before the start of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) tournament on Nov. 16.

“I just think that the level of energy they

er and transfer from Long Beach City College. Maier has thrown for over 2,900 yards and 27 touchdowns, which both rank in the top-five amongst FCS quarterbacks. He has continued to shatter team records in every start.

Maier’s main target is senior wide receiver and last year’s Walter Payton Award finalist Keelan Doss, who holds the all-time records for catches and receiving yards in UC Davis history.

In addition to Doss, the team has developed a young group of talented playmakers at both the wide receiver and running back positions. Some names to know are redshirt freshman running back Ulonzo Gilliam, sophomore running back Tehran Thomas, junior tight end Wesley Preece and sophomore wide receiver Jared Harrell.

The Aggie defense has improved since last season and the team has depended on this unit to pick up the slack when the offense has struggled. The UC Davis pass rush has been successful in pressure, opposing quarterbacks, with a league-leading 28 sacks. Senior linebacker Mason Moe leads the defense with 8.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and three interceptions. He was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by Stats FCS after a 13-tackle performance in the team’s win versus Montana. In the secondary, senior cornerback Vincent White leads the way with a conference-best 15 pass breakups.

UC Davis is almost guaranteed a spot in the FCS playoffs as long as the team beats its rivals on Saturday afternoon. A victory over Sacramento State would, at minimum, give the Aggies a share of their first-ever Big Sky title.

BY T H O MAS FRE Y sports@statehornet.com

The Sacramento State football team came into this season with high expectations. The senior-heavy squad is coming off a 7-4 record in 2017 and the Hornets were ranked No. 32 in the Football Championship Subdivision. After a 2-1 start, Sac State has lost six straight games and have a record of 2-7, 0-6 in Big Sky Conference.

The Hornets have been hit hard by injuries this season. Senior defensive tackle George Obinna, who was named to the Big Sky Conference first team after having 8.5 sacks in 2017, hasn’t played since the third game of the year.

Senior quarterback Kevin Thomson, who nearly led Sac State to a win over San Diego State in the second game of the year, left in the first quarter of the Oct. 13 game against Southern Utah with an injury and hasn’t played since.

His replacement, senior Wyatt Clapper, has passed for two touchdowns in six games

this year with a completion percentage of 49 percent.

Offensively, the Hornets have been led by sophomore running back Elijah Dotson.

From Sept. 22 through Oct. 27, Dotson recorded at least 140 rushing yards in every game.

In the Big Sky Conference opener at the University of Montana on Sept. 22, Dotson carried the ball 30 times for 234 yards and three touchdown in a 41-34 loss to the No. 19 team in the country.

Defensively, Sac State has seen its two senior starting defensive backs, Dre Terrell and Mister Harriel be hampered by injuries through much of the season. Against San Diego State Sept. 8, Harriel recorded two interceptions and the Hornets held a lead with under five minutes to play. Against Cal Poly Oct. 6, Harriel hurt his shoulder and hasn’t been in the starting lineup since. Despite coming off the bench, he is third on the team in tackles.

While the Hornets were expected to make a run at the FCS playoffs, they have lost six in a row heading into their game against UC Davis on Saturday.

brought today was so fun to watch,” Child and Meisel Families Director of Men’s Water Polo Daniel Leyson said. “We have been talking a lot, and it’s just awesome to see how hard they played and how well they played together especially for the seniors in their last home game.”

This game not only served as a test before the WWPA tournament, but was where six graduating UC Davis seniors were honored, playing their last home regular season match.

Among those seniors are attackers Marcus Anderson and Colter Knight, utility players Nick Coufal, Ido Goldschmidt and Riley Venne, as well as goalkeeper R.J. Quigley.

“For the first time ever we have six seniors on one of my teams and these guys all have their own individual stories that are special,” Leyson said. “Overall, what they have represented is the ascension of our program.

They have been with us when we haven’t won conference and when we have and they have helped our program to come along in ways that are just really special. They are just quality people.”

After they won the sprint to begin the first period, it took the Aggies a few minutes to speed up their play.

Both teams drew six shots a piece ending the first, but it was UC Davis that capitalized on two late goals.

The first came with 2:20 left in the period by sophomore attacker Jack Stafford and the second was scored by Knight with 1:00 remaining, giving the Aggies an early two goal lead to end the first.

Continuing their momentum and winning the second period sprint, an early penalty shot from freshman center Nir Gross increased the Aggie’s lead. The Tigers then began to slow down their play enough for junior center Eric Martel to throw another one in the back of the net for UC Davis’ fourth unanswered goal.

With 2:10 remaining in the half, Pacific converted its own penalty shot on an Aggie exclusion, decreasing the lead to three.

Just over a minute later, a save by Quigley allowed for junior attacker Yurii Hanley to deliver a pass from the two meter line across the pool to a waiting Anderson, who easily slid the ball past the keeper, ending the half with a 5-1 Aggie lead.

Going three-for-three on sprints, the Aggies continued to prove why they are consistently a nationally ranked team. Junior attacker Holden Tamblyn drove a shot from five meters out into the top right corner of the net to open the third period. Soon after, though, the Tigers responded with two of their own even strength goals, which cut the UC Davis lead to 6-3. The remainder of the period delivered an even three goals by each team, so the score going into the final frame

stood at 9-6.

The final period proved similar to the first three, with goals from Goldschmidt, Venne and junior attacker Max Somple and only one Pacific goal to end the game in a 12-7 Aggie win.

In total, the Aggies and the Tigers both finished with 28 shots, and Quigley ended the game with an impressive 13 saves for UC Davis.

“This team is more than a team for me, it’s a family,” Goldschmidt said as he reflected on his last regular season home game.

“We are here for each other in the good moments and the bad moments and have been there for each other every team. For me, coming from Israel half across the world to come play here, I am very emotional about it but very satisfying and I will definitely remember those moments for the rest of my life.”

Finishing the season with a 16-7 overall record and a 6-1 conference record, the Aggies are set to face Concordia University in the first round of the WWPA tournament in Fullerton, Calif. at 1 p.m. on Friday.

“I am hopeful that the feeling they had [today] will continue,” Leyson said. “You don’t know until you know and with the level of energy that we brought across the board it’s encouraging and we are just going to try to keep doing this and see what happens.”

Sacramento State

14 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE