January 18, 2024

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VOLUME 147, ISSUE 12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

City of Davis hosts 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration

The celebration highlighted “peace activism” and featured several speakers and performers.

BY ALMA CULVERWELL city@theaggie.org On Monday, Jan. 15, the city of Davis and the Davis Human Relations Commission hosted their 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Veterans Memorial Theater. This year’s celebration highlighted “peace activism’’ and showcased support and solidarity in the face of adversity.

Josh Chapman, who was recently sworn in as mayor, talked about the importance of the event and said that he’s proud that the Davis community fosters inclusion.

“This annual event is a time to celebrate and honor the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Chapman said. “I am proud to live in a community that fosters equality and supports opportunities for inclusion.

We reaffirm that Davis is a place where all people belong and are welcome and where violence and hate are not part of our basic fabric.”

The event included an exhibit put together by local high school students taking ethnic studies and hosted several speakers and performers highlighting themes of unity, activism and accountability. Some of the speakers present included Rev. Connie Simon from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, chair of the Multicultural Community Council Tessa Smith, dance group Afro Mini Vibes and Davis

Parents of African American Children Davis (PAACD) participates in an event to celebrate MLK day on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Maia Zhu / Aggie) Poet Laureate Julia Levine.

The event also included a variety of media to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. including photos, live music and poetry readings.

UC Davis Fire Department launches program to improve mental health, basic needs access across campus Health 34 is available 24/7 to help individuals find resources and necessities before a crisis occurs

The UC Davis Fire Department, located on Kleiber Hall Drive, provides campus with a variety of emergency services. Recently, the department launched Health 34 to provide the community with non-emergency assistance.

(Jenna Lee / Aggie)

BY MADISON PETERS campus@theaggie.org On Sep. 5, 2023, the UC Davis Fire Department launched Health 34, a new non-emergency service dedicated to reducing crises by providing services for mental health and access to basic necessities across campus. The program is available every day and hour of the year.

UC Davis Fire Chief Nathan Trauernicht started Health 34 in order to address disparities in the emergency system and other institutions, specifically those geared toward mental health.

While the program has been in the works for seven years, it was presented to

READ MORE UC Davis students discuss their unique clothing brand, we2cow

the Chancellor’s Board after witnessing the exacerbation of mental health issues due to the pandemic, according to Trauernicht.

“I use the tagline, ‘reimagining compassion,’” Trauernicht said. “How do we as an institution do something different than what we’ve been doing that’s obviously not helping everyone that needs help? How do we navigate people [towards] resources, and then how do we find out what the barriers are to them accessing it? Then, how do we take those barriers down wherever we can with the goal of preventing crisis wherever we can?”

Trauernicht explained that if someone is experiencing any struggle, from anxiety about school to food or housing insecurity, they can call the seven-digit number: 530-754-3434.

There, they can talk to a Health 34 provider who can either lend an ear to listen or navigate people to the resources they need at zero cost.

“At its core, we are service navigators and health educators available 24/7, 365 days a year to be there with you in the time that you need us, to give you resources and reassurance and to check in and find out if you are continuing to support your ongoing wellness,” Trauernicht said.

This program is unique in that members of the team can come meet the caller in person as long as they are on the UC Davis campus, according to Stormi Homdus, a Health 34 provider.

Founders Brianna Romine and Ian Gomez share how the company got its start, the way it’s run and where it’s going SEE PAGE 10

Health34 on 11

Many speakers urged the audience to focus on solidarity and accountability in the upcoming year.

“I’m going to ask you this year to call people into those tough conversations,”

Smith said. “If we lead with our humanity and lead our conversations centered around our shared values, we can come through this together and be stronger and stay in unity [against] those

things we do agree with.”

Simon similarly urged community members to consider their actions and to be the change they wish to see in their community.

“In many ways, it feels like it is already too late, but I promise you it isn’t,” Simon said. “As long as peace and justice-loving people draw breath, it is not too late for each of us to lean into the work of peace and justice. It’s not too late for each of us to do the work of love. It’s okay if you start simply, because we all have to start somewhere. [...] If you want to see more love, then be love.”

Doors opened for the event at 10 a.m., with speakers and performers starting at 10:30 a.m. The event also included tabling from local civil rights groups and concluded with a march from the Veterans Memorial Theatre to the Solidarity Space in Central Park at 12 p.m.

NJ Mvondo, chair of the Davis Human Relations Commission, acknowledged the work of current civil rights activists during the celebration.

“We can’t honor Dr. King’s principles as well as the civil rights movement without also acknowledging the work of everyone who today is uplifting his legacy by advocating for peace and solidarity, and that includes people in this room,” she said. “We are dealing with lots of conflicts right now, [...] the number one answer to that is showing up in solidarity.”

ASUCD Judicial Council holds first impeachment hearings for President, Internal Vice President

The Jan. 12 hearings were the first of two sessions to decide if the executive team will be removed from their respective offices.

BY VINCE BASADA campus@theaggie.org On Jan. 12, the ASUCD Judicial Council held impeachment hearings for both ASUCD President Francisco Ojeda and Internal Vice President Aarushi Raghunathan. At each hearing, the Judicial Council heard opening statements and presentations of evidence.

Recently appointed Senate Pro Tempore Chasa Monica served as petitioner on behalf of the Senate in both cases: ASUCD Senate v. Ojeda and ASUCD Senate v. Raghunathan. Ojeda and Raghunathan both represented themselves without representative counsel. Presiding over the case were Head Justice Katrine Lee, Deputy Head Justice Albena Goulisheva and Justices Madison Whittemore and Samantha Figlietti.

If the Judicial Council rules against the pair, whose cases are separate, President Ojeda and IVP Raghunathan will be removed from their respective offices. If both are removed from office, Monica will become the new chief executive, as per the ASCUD Constitution.

The hearing, in contrast to the closed special session at which the impeachment resolutions were drafted and unanimously passed, was open to the public.

The Judicial Council first heard opening statements in ASUCD Senate v. Ojeda, during which the petitioner affirmed that while the ASUCD Constitution is somewhat vague in its required threshold for an elected official to have committed “gross misconduct” or otherwise be considered “incapable of their office,” the responsibility of interpretation is left to the Senate.

Ojeda, in his statement, disputed the Senate’s claims that he violated ASUCD bylaws. He also cited a conference in Los Angeles as an explanation for some previously disputed absences.

Upon receiving questioning from Head Justice Lee, Ojeda said that since his impeachment, he has been working on the Inclusive Scholarship to help AB540 students and has attended all necessary meetings required by his position.

Next, Monica alleged that Ojeda mishandled the Priorities Resolution and State of the Association (SR #1), as well as argued that Ojeda failed to establish and maintain executive task forces to aid in the administration of ASUCD. “ The Senate has already demonstrated that President Ojeda is not a strong advocate individually, and [his] failure to establish any advocacy infrastructure whatsoever illustrates that he is conducting negligible advocacy or administrative work as president,”

Monica said.

Ojeda presented no evidence in his defense, saying that he had misinterpreted the deadline for the submission of evidence 24 hours before the start of the hearing as being a strict cutoff, though Head Justice Lee clarified that it had been a flexible guideline.

Additionally, Ojeda later said in an interview with The California Aggie that he was under the impression that the presentation of evidence would be saved for the second hearing.

“I feel like people have been mostly focusing on very few aspects of my performance as president,” Ojeda said.

“That doesn’t mean I have not fulfilled my other performances, and I think some people have seen the fruits and the produce of my other work.”

After public comment on the case and a brief recess, the Judicial Council moved on to hear opening statements in the case of ASCUD Senate v.

Raghunathan.

“The Senate will acknowledge that much of the other listed failures are in connection to the Executive office as a whole,” Monica said. “However, the ASUCD Senate impeached IVP Raghunathan on the grounds of failure to perform duties in connection to conduct towards members of the public.”

Raghunathan then read her opening statement.

“I believe that misogyny has played a huge role in my impeachment,” Raghunathan said. “Not only did I receive far less warning than the other impeachment of a man taking place, mine also has almost no merit and it is not nearly equal in grievance to the president’s.”

Raghunathan cited the fact that only two of the 14 people who voted to impeach her are women.

Petitioner Monica, in the presentation of the Senate’s evidence against IVP Raghunathan, read from

the resolution impeaching her.

“Raghunathan has displayed general unprofessionalism while performing the duties of internal vice president throughout the quarter,” Monica said.

This includes failing to promptly hire Senate and executive staffers, according to Monica.

In her response and evidence, Raghunathan presented several screenshots of correspondence between herself and fellow members of the executive branch and Senate, alleging that they were as unprofessional in their messages as they impeached her for being, as well as being absent from meetings without valid reasoning.

She also said that she had been unfairly blamed for the mishandling of SR #1, which she alleges was not originally her responsibility, but the president’s.

“I have [a text] from [another person involved in ASUCD activities] saying, ‘I’m going to go to the gym to flirt on boys, I might be late,’” Raghunathan said. “That was an hour before our senate meeting. I would say that’s not professional.”

Raghunathan then spoke on her absences throughout the quarter, asking if there is anyone in the association who has attended every meeting of every commission, committee or unit throughout the quarter that they were not required to.

“If we’re going to impeach me on the basis of not showing up to committee meetings, which I’m not required to, I would say we should impeach the entire table for not showing up when that’s actually one of their duties,” Raghunathan said.

She also attributed some of her absences, which were included as a reason for her impeachment, to ongoing health issues.

IMPEACHMENTHEARING on 11 LUNA SU / AGGIE

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Davis City Council discusses partnership with Caltrans I-80 project, thanks Councilmember Arnold for time as mayor The city council discussed a comment letter regarding Caltrans Draft Environmental Impact Report

Victor Lagunes, teacher and union leader, enters District 2 Davis City Council race

Lagunes recently announced his candidacy for city council District 2, currently held by Councilmember Will Arnold

BY HANNAH SCHRADER city@theaggie.org

KELLIE LU / AGGIE

BY CHRIS PONCE city@theaggie.org On Jan. 9, the Davis City Council held their first regularly scheduled meeting of the month.

At their meeting, the council swore in Councilmember Josh Chapman as mayor and authorized letters of intent to partner with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)-led Interstate 80 (I-80) expansion project.

The meeting began with the transition of power from Councilmember Will Arnold to now Mayor Chapman. Chapman was sworn in by his two sons as he recited his oath of office. Chapman read a letter that thanked Arnold for his time as mayor and acknowledged the challenges he faced in 2023.

“Mayor Arnold led the city with conviction, courage, resilience and humor during an especially challenging year that included unprecedented storms, the stabbing deaths of local residents, bomb threats and more,” Chapman read.

“And whereas Mayor Arnold was a stabilizing force for the community and was the right mayor at the right time.”

Yolo County Supervisor and former Mayor of Davis Lucas Frerichs spoke during the public comment section of the meeting to thank Arnold for his time as mayor. Frerichs shared that he has known Arnold for nearly 30 years, dating back to high school.

“Will Arnold was student body president of Davis High School when I was a brand new student at Davis High School, in my senior year,” Frerichs said. “Will was assigned to tour me around Davis High — so I have watched you and [your] love for this community for nearly 30 years.”

Newly elected Vice Mayor Bapu Vaitla spoke at the end of public comment regarding the mayor

transition. Vaitla said that Arnold served during “one of the most difficult years in the history of Davis,” specifically referring to the stabbings that occurred last spring.

“It marked every one of us in different ways. For some of us, we may never think about it again, but we’re going to carry it around as a piece of us,” Vaitla said, referencing the stabbing incidents. “And for some of us, we’re going to think about what happened every day and it’s going to be in the air we breathe.”

Vaitla shared a confidential moment from the middle of the stabbings where the councilmembers shared their feelings and thoughts in the moment. Vaitla said that Arnold told each councilmember what kind of mayor of Davis they would represent. “‘Gloria [Partida], I think of you as the mayor of social justice’ and he [Arnold] went around to [Chapman] and I and gave us all our titles, mayor of something, some essential part of life in Davis he thought was our passion and what we were in the office for,” Vaitla said. “And then he started tearing up a little bit, like he is now, and he said pretty quietly, ‘and I think of myself as the mayor of playgrounds.’”

Vaitla said that this title rang especially true since Arnold loves people and children. Arnold was willing to do anything to protect the people of Davis, according to Vaitla.

The next major agenda item the council discussed was the proposed Caltrans I-80 expansion project.

Caltrans is looking to expand the I-80, as it runs through Davis, according to the Davis city attorney.

The state has held multiple public workshops in the area to gather community feedback on the plan.

Some of the Caltrans proposed options to expand the I-80 are: toll lanes, high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOVs), high occupancy toll lanes (HOTs), express lanes, transit-only lanes and direct connector lanes.

Item 8 on the city council agenda addressed a comment letter response to the Caltrans Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) of the project.

City staff drafted the comment letter about the DEIR in regards to The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regulations.

The DEIR was reviewed by the Bicycling, Transportation and Street Safety Commission and the Natural Resources Commission, according to Councilmember Donna Neville.

The draft letter was presented to the council to gather their direction about the process.

Vaitla expressed concern regarding the DEIR, specifically Alternatives 2-5 which propose building HOVs and HOTs. Vaitla also submitted a public letter to Caltrans with his criticisms of the DEIR, in which he specified that he was expressing his own views and not the city’s.

“A few years after this project opens, the I-80 is going to be congested again, but it’s going to be congested with thousands more cars,” Vaitla said. “[...] We’re not adding lanes to Covell and Mace, so there will be no lag on the congestion effects on us.”

Neville shared concerns that Alternative 6a, which would add a transit-only lane, would incentivize more use of public transit and said that Caltrans should study the effects closely.

“I do think there’s real value in asking Caltrans to study that alternative more deeply,” Neville said.

After a discussion regarding the letter, the council authorized three letters to partner with Caltrans on the proposed project. Chapman expressed his support for the need for toll lanes to fund transit in the area.

“I have been and continue to be in support of a managed toll lane on this freeway,” Chapman said. “There needs to be a way we fund transit.”

Victor Lagunes is a Da Vinci Junior High History teacher and has worked for the school since 2013.

He is president of the Davis Teachers Association and is a board member of the Davis Community Action Network. Lagunes next goal is to be elected to city council.

Before working in the Davis Joint Unified School District, Lagunes obtained his bachelor’s degree in teaching credentials and master of teaching from UC Davis. His experience has influenced his platform for city council, focusing mainly on providing Davis with high-quality education and affordable housing, as well as supporting small businesses in Davis.

“We have a lot of challenges right now in terms of offering housing, and I think that one of the distinct key links that I see from my experience is the link between housing and our schools and the success of our schools,” Lagunes said.

Lagunes said all of the issues his campaign is focused on are related, especially housing and education.

“I think that you start seeing the overlaps and also the importance of how one discussion can’t be separated from another, right?” Lagunes said.

“When you talk about what some of these [issues are], you have to talk about others in connection to those.”

When asked how Lagunes plans to achieve his goals, he said he will try to understand the city’s current situation and evaluate how to integrate these issues to create a realistic plan.

“I think that it is about the needs that the community has in that moment and jumping in and making sure that I am engaging with the community,” Lagunes said. “Or that I am, you know, aiding in the city with the city’s initiatives to engage with the community.”

Lagunes said his ability to learn is what makes him a unique candidate and that he will dedicate himself to serving the Davis community if elected.

“One of the things that I know is that I’m willing to walk the walk and do the work in order to learn what I don’t know,” Lagunes said. “I think that that’s one of the things that’s going to be most critical should I be elected.

I hope that [...] people recognize that I’m going to do what I need to do in order to be successful and I think that I’ve had that experience already.”

Mark Housing, a UC Davis professor of physiology who works with Lagunes with the Davis Community Action Network, believes that Lagunes is an advocate for teachers in the Davis community.

“I think [Lagunes] is acutely aware of [issues facing educators] and has been advocating for solutions to it for years, including higher pay for teachers, and has now gotten on board with Davis candidates and its inception,” Huising said. “I’m grateful for what happened. He’s just a phenomenal leader and a very nice person to vote for.”

Huising said that Lagunes is young and has something to offer that sets him apart from other candidates in this race.

“I think [Lagunes] is young,” Huising said. “I think he’s articulate.

He’s most focused on leadership. As far as [who] he represents, [you] have somebody like him [who] decided to run while he’s still relatively young.”

Huising shared what he believes Lagunes would bring to the Davis City Council if elected.

“We have to ask ourselves some really careful questions [...],” Huising said. “What type of community, housing and neighborhoods are we building for tomorrow? And I’d be stoked to have somebody like [Lagunes] bring these issues to the forefront at the city council because I think we need leadership.

Victor Lagunes recently announced his candidacy for District 2 Davis City Council. (Courtesy / Victor Lagunes)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 | 3

UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning to host ‘Aggies Leading the Way!’ conference on Feb. 3

Registration for the annual leadership conference will close on Jan. 21

BY AALIYAH ESPAÑOL-RIVAS campus@theaggie.org The UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning (CLL) will host their 11th annual “Aggies Leading the Way!” leadership conference on Feb. 3.

Comprised of workshops, keynote speakers and opportunities for networking, the conference aims to provide UC Davis students who are interested in strengthening their personal, professional and leadership skills an event to connect with those who have the same interests. According to the CLL website, it is a free, all-day event open to undergraduates across all majors and class levels. The event will be held at the UC Davis Conference Center.

Director of the CLL Christie Navarro said that the conference was first introduced in 2010, before undergoing a three-year hiatus due to budget constraints and staffing issues.

However, it was revived in 2014 and made its debut with the theme “Discovery, Partnership, Change.”

Since then, the center has hosted the event every year, with the theme of this year’s conference being, “Mapping Your Journey.”

The theme, developed by the CLL interns, was chosen after brainstorming and taking into consideration the suggestions from evaluations given to last year’s attendees. Iris Chen, a CLL peer leader intern and second-year psychology and economics doublemajor, described how hard the process of choosing a theme was, given the many good ideas proposed.

“It was hard to delete some good ideas too — there was one about cooking, like the different ingredients of leadership — but we settled on transportation,” Chen said.

“Mapping Your Journey,” acknowledges the different ups and downs that UC Davis students may

face throughout both their academic and career journeys, equipping students with the skills to continue moving forward with purpose.

“The decision was made to create a space/conference where students explore how to turn their goals and dreams into reality, while also learning from the process itself,” Navarro said via email.

Chen acknowledged the benefits of this conference because leadership is something that most want to be involved in.

“There’s a lot of things about leadership that [attendees will be] able to learn through this conference, such as developing their inner values,” Chen said.

Shanece Stuart, a fifth-year communications major and CLL peer leader intern, also believes that the conference brings awareness to the existence of the CLL itself, which serves as a resource for all students. “[The conference] gives an opportunity for us to expose ourselves, but also teach students different life skills,” Stuart said. “[The] leadership we see is an important skill to have in life in general, but there are also other fun activities and workshops at the conference.”

Chen, who also attended the conference last year, hopes students will not only gain something through the opportunities and resources of the conference but also form friendships with other attendees.

“What I hope students will get out of it this year are the opportunities, knowing that CLL exists and also creating friendships within the conference with those who value the same things as you,” Chen said.

To register, UC Davis students can visit the CLL website to fill out a 15-minute form and answer two short-answer questions to reserve a spot. Registration closes on Jan. 21.

Caption: The Center for Leadership Learning will hold their annual undergraduate leadership conference with the theme, “Mapping your Journey,” on Feb. 3.

UC Davis Mental Health Initiative to hold annual mental health conference

The primary purpose of the event is to create a space dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and discussion

BY RAGAVI GOYAL campus@theaggie.org On the weekend of Feb. 17 and 18, the UC Davis Mental Health Initiative (MHI) will hold its annual mental health conference at the UC Davis Conference Center. The theme of this year’s conference is “Look Forth,” and admission is free.

The conference first began in 2015 and is now one of the largest student-run conferences in California, according to Astha Soni, a fourth-year psychology and human development double major and unit director of MHI. With several planned workshops, seminars from keynote speakers, caucuses led by MHI and interactive healing spaces, Soni said that the primary goal of the two-day event is to create a space to discuss mental health issues.

The organization began planning for this event over a year in advance, according to Antonio Valencia Gallardo, a fourth-year psychology and human development double major and unit director of MHI. “The planning begins with reserving space for the event in advance, reaching out to the keynote speakers beforehand and to other organizations asking them to be a part of the conference, as well as asking other student organizations on campus

to have performances and participate in our conference,” Gallardo said.

“There’s also a lot of graphic work that needs to be done, [which is] why we start pretty early.”

The funding for this conference is allocated through ASUCD. “Being a part of student government gives us the opportunity [to use] school funding, which is really nice,” Soni said. “We’re usually able to cover most of our conference expenses through the budget that we’re allocated.”

However, planning the conference has become more difficult for MHI, especially coming back from the pandemic, according to Soni.

“Last year was our first year back in person, hosting an in-person conference,” Soni said. “So it was a little harder to get attendees. The main challenge [we] face is advertising and getting attendees to come.”

Gallardo said that students should attend the event because it has something to offer to everyone.

“We provide so many activities that you have a place to learn or do something, no matter what you attend,” Gallardo said. “We also have really cute merchandise coming up because of the conference.”

For example, Gallardo said that the Mental Health Association of San Francisco will be hosting a mental health crisis and first aid training at the conference. The training will teach attendees about steps that one should

take when they or their peers are struggling with their mental health, according to Gallardo.

Soni and Gallardo also outlined another workshop that will take place at the conference in partnership with Rethink Ice Cream, an ice cream company based in California that was founded on the basis of mental health advocacy. Soni said that this workshop will be especially interesting as the company will discuss the process of creating their ice cream business with addiction recovery in mind and how this intersects with mental health.

There will be several other activities related to topics such as body positivity, social activism with mental health, queer and trans mental health and bipolar mental health, according to Soni.

“We encourage people to attend the conference to take a break from whatever they might find overwhelming and to give people space to practice self-care and teach them about what self-care can do,” Gallardo said.

Students wanting to attend can find the pre-register link for the conference through the MHI Instagram page. All pre-registered attendees will receive a wellness goodie bag, according to their social media page, as well as a food voucher for food trucks and exclusive merchandise.

The annual Mental Health Conference will be held on Feb. 17 and 18 with the theme, “Look Forth.”

Yolo County announces challenge to encourage reading in 2024 The program challenges participants to see how many books they can read in the year while strengthening community

AGGIE FILE

BY MADELEINE YOUNG campus@theaggie.org With the start of the new year, the Yolo County Library has announced the continuation of its year-long reading program, challenging residents to read more books suggested by provided prompts.

The program, known as “52: A Yearlong Reading Journey,” is free and sponsored by the Yolo County Library Foundation and various friends of the library who have curated a checklist consisting of 52 reading prompts to give participants ideas about what to read.

Public Information Officer of Yolo County Dwight Coddington, who announced the program in a press release, explained how the idea for this challenge came about in 2022. “[The program] takes its inspiration from popular online community reading challenges such as Goodreads’ yearly challenge and Book Riot’s ‘Read Harder Challenge,’” Coddington said in the press release.

“In 2022, the Library introduced its own program where the incentive is the act of reading itself. The 2024 52 Challenge continues to provide readers of all ages a way to spark their intellect, curiosity, and emotional intelligence throughout the year.”

The challenge consists of 52 prompts such as “Read a book with a one-word title” and “Read a book about an artist you admire,” designed to make reading goals more attainable and provide a fun way to choose books for the year.

Margaret Pelrine, an adult services librarian, said that the program was designed to get residents to read to go on a “reading journey” rather than to get a prize.

“We intentionally designed the 52 Challenge as a program whose focus is on the year-long reading journey instead of one where participants check off boxes to get a prize,” Pelrine said. “Every week, we’ll give you an idea in the form of a prompt to inspire your next read. At its heart, 52 is about reading for the joy of reading.”

Beyond this, the program also tries to foster a sense of community where participants can recommend their favorite titles and gain inspiration for their next literary adventure.

“The 52 Challenge is also about community,” Coddington said.

“People often ask library staff to recommend good books to read.

52 provides space for readers to recommend their favorite titles to others in their community. Look for the 52 Challenge display next time you visit any Yolo County Library branch to see what your neighbors are reading.”

This challenge is also a great way to connect with others through book clubs and sharing recommendations.

“The 52 Challenge is an all-ages program,” Coddington said. “The library encourages everyone to spend time reading for themselves every day.

This is an opportunity to slow down, take a break from everyday stresses, improve your body and mind and model great reading habits.”

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ARTS & CULTURE Should the inside of the Art Building be covered in graffiti?

Students weigh in on why they would like to make a space that reflects their creativity

BY SAVANNAH BURGER arts@theaggie.org Despite being the central building for all of the studio art classes on campus and the department building of the art studio major, the Art Building itself isn’t characterized as very, well, “artsy.” In fact, upon going inside, you’ll find that the vast majority of the building is comprised of seemingly endless white walls that occasionally have student art pieces displayed throughout the quarter.

“It’s depressing. It’s sad. There’s nothing going on — it’s blank,” Marceline Bausone, a second-year design and art studio double major, said.

She, along with many other students, agrees that the current aesthetic state of the Art Building is bland, cold and distant.

“It gives prison,” Bausone said. “It’s like I could be incarcerated there.”

The white walls don’t come off as warm and inviting, but rather stale and removed from any sort of personality. In short — the opposite of what someone would expect an art department building to be like. Other students, such as fourth-year art studio major Danielle Dizon, share these same sentiments.

“I remember first touring here before I was a freshman, and there’s just nothing around here,” Dizon said.

“It feels kind of dungy.”

Granted, some may argue that the walls need to be white to contrast and complement displayed artwork.

However, there are many other walls, such as those on the first floor, bathrooms and stairwells, that are left completely devoid of any sort of decoration or display throughout the entire year.

Dizon pointed out that if the Art Department were to allow students to paint or otherwise decorate these walls, it would be a great opportunity to spotlight artists. The department could even choose to paint over large student pieces every year for a clean slate and spotlight another artist in the same wall space.

Additionally, there are muralfocused art courses where the attention could be on students painting murals all over the art building, breathing into it some sort of creative life. What better canvas to paint murals on than a white-walled art building begging for

character?

As the building is the center for hundreds of art majors, it doesn’t come as a surprise that graffiti has been introduced. Treating the white walls like blank canvases waiting to be filled, students has pushed back against the barren walls of the Art Building through the use of graffiti.

These wall illustrations, however, are painted over time and time again.

There are some areas, such as the northernmost flight of stairs on the right side of the building, that are seemingly designated for students’ creative graffiti and not covered up.

The question is: should the rest of the building embrace this freeform, artistic approach to decorating the walls?

Third-year design and art studio double-major Mateenah Muhammad supports the allowance of appropriate, artistic graffiti to cover the halls.

“I think it’s a great way to fill the walls up because this is an artistic, creative space with individuals and also you can see with other people — their styles and stuff like that,” Muhammed said. “I personally enjoy it.”

A lot of the graffiti works to pull away from the perceived cold, lifeless atmosphere that the blank walls produce — some are beautiful, others are funny.

“It brightens my day to see people like the funny little things that they think up in their mind and put on the walls,” Muhammad said.

There are endless ways the walls in the Art Building can be utilized not only for decoration but also as a tool for art majors when creating public murals, installations or other forms of art. The fact that graffiti persistently spreads across the building despite being painted over repeatedly shows that many students want the building to be something more than white and empty and they resist the eradication of their art.

There is potential that the Art Building could double as both a university hall and a giant exhibition of the works of UC Davis’ art majors, ranging from graffiti to murals and sculpted installations.

Although both current and future graffiti should be monitored to filter offensive content, welcoming it and giving consent to students to adorn the building with graffiti could be the first step in starting a student tradition of making the Art Building uniquely and creatively their own.

BY SAVANNAH BURGER arts@theaggie.org Album: “Moveys” by Slow Pulp (2020) With mellow instrumentals, smooth vocals and introspective lyrics, “Moveys” seems fitting for the start of winter quarter, offering listeners a moment of melodious reflection. Chicago-based band Slow Pulp formed the debut album while on tour with Alex G, and the influence of his hazy, magnetic sound can be heard in the album’s steady drums and strong guitar. The opening track, “New Horse,” sets the tone with a looping instrumental and dreamy singing that explores ideas of regret and self-growth. The band’s most popular song to date, “Falling Apart,” captures how easy it is to find yourself in cycles of failure, a moody message hidden in a catchy wave of sound. Each track is able to find the perfect balance between hard-hitting lyrics and an almost groovy, warm set of instruments. Put it on during your first study session of the quarter, while you’re walking to and from the bus stop or having a relaxed night in with friends.

Book: “Greek Lessons” by Han Kang (2023) My favorite read of 2023, “Greek Lessons” details the unique relationship formed by a woman who loses her ability to speak and her Greek language teacher who is losing his sight. As they connect, they each begin to learn more about the other’s past and, through this, gain a new understanding of life and intimacy. A winner of the Booker Prize for her novel “The Vegetarian,” Han Kang’s writing is overflowing with precise detail and sharp observation, especially as she explores the fascination the main character has with the ins and outs of language. This novel is perfect for anyone who needs a quick read that’s still able to carry an emotional punch highlighting the importance and beauty of human connection.

Movie: “We the Animals” dir. by Jeremiah Zagar (2018) A sure hit with “The Florida Project” or “Moonlight” fans, “We the Animals” explores the complexities of familial relationships through the perspectives of the children rather than the adults. An adaptation of the 2011 semiautobiographical novel by Justin Torres, the movie soars to new creative heights by including animated illustrations and surreal scenes taking place in the sky, referencing the book’s strong imagery and metaphorical language. The story follows three brothers as they fight to survive a dysfunctional household and closely focuses on the youngest brother, Jonah, as he comes to understand his sexuality. Each 16mm-shot scene is packed with raw emotion, bright colors and explosive dialogue that leaves you wishing for more.

Song: “I Figured You Out” by Elliott Smith (2017) It’s cold outside, meaning it’s time to start listening to Elliott Smith again, or maybe for the first time. A quintessential indie/folk songwriter of the 90s, Smith has been noted as a large influence on current artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens, pioneering the sad, wispy sound you can find all over the radio today. “I Figured You Out” is an acoustic track on the 2017 expanded edition of his third album, “Either/Or” (1997). Not making the cut for the record’s original edition, Smith gave the song to Mary Lou Lord, who released her version in 1997, two decades before his original demo was finally put out.

While I enjoy both, Smith’s melancholy and almost bitter sound is unmatched, fitting the song’s lyrics about a bad romantic partner. I’d recommend it to anyone in need of a track that syncs the season’s chill.

Graffiti transforms the Art Building’s elevator into a canvas of expression.

(Jersain Medina / Aggie)

Review: ‘Saltburn’

A movie filled with obsession, deception and hunger in more ways than one

By ELIZABETH WOODHALL arts@theaggie.org “Saltburn” was released in theaters on Nov. 17, 2023 and has recently been added to Amazon Prime Video.

It first premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival and has since won over critics, with several nominations at the 81st Golden Globes.

The film is beautifully crafted by director, producer and screenwriter Emerald Fennell, with Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan acting as the male leads. Despite the film’s growing popularity due to various nude and sex-related scenes of Keoghan, this movie has a far more compelling story to tell. It shows how far obsession can take someone — even as far as the grave.

Set in 2006, viewers see Oliver Quick (Keoghan) struggle to fit in as a student at the University of Oxford.

Not only does he appear to be socially awkward, but he shares that he comes from a family that struggles with substance abuse and several mental health issues.

Enter Felix (Elordi), an upper-class student who doesn’t seem to struggle to fit in at school and who takes an interest in Oliver after borrowing his bike. Later in the film, Oliver shares

with Felix that his father has suddenly passed away. As Felix is left with the uncertainty of what to do next, he invites Oliver to his home in the countryside — Saltburn.

Once Oliver arrives at the manor, there seems to be an eerie feeling that something isn’t right. Whether it’s the darker atmosphere, the creepy staff or the focused view of Oliver observing Felix in a seductive manner, the audience notices a shift in how Oliver behaves at Saltburn. Oliver doesn’t struggle at all when introduced to Felix’s family; in fact, he seems to get along with them fairly well. Not only is he charming, but he also provides a natural balance in the house and fits into the family dynamic comfortably.

Even with trying to appeal to his family, they aren’t the only people Oliver is trying to appease as he becomes increasingly obsessed with Felix. This obsession is one that is both sexual and pervasive: not only does Oliver desire Felix sexually, he also desires to become him.

Throughout the film, he continues to play up to his seemingly “humble” background in an effort to become closer to the family. However, this closeness surpasses the realm of normalcy when he observes Felix masturbating in the tub and drinks the

bath water filled with semen.

Oliver attempts to seduce other family members, including Venetia and Farleigh, Felix’s sister and cousin, respectively, but they are no strangers to his tricks. Things start to get more complicated when it’s revealed that Oliver has lied about his upbringing.

Not only is his dad alive, but he grew up in an upper-middle-class family.

This makes the viewers question his demeanor earlier in the film when he acted wary about entering the Oxford higher-education sphere.

Oliver goes from a character who is pitied to a character whose obsession and deceitful nature is feared.

Despite “Saltburn” growing in popularity because of the questionable sexually explicit scenes, this movie has many aspects that should drive viewers to go see it. Not only is the cast incredibly talented in this dark comedy, but the movie’s character’s close up shots, scenery of the countryside and beautiful architecture all work together to make watchers move past discomfort to unveil the dark secrets Saltburn conceals.

Staring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi as Oliver Quick and Felix Catton respectively, Saltburn cinematically depicts a series of horrifying events between the Catton family. (Courtesy of MGM and Amazon Studios / fair use)

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 | 5

Another year of fashion trends

UC Davis students speculate what styles the new year will bring

Affordable meditations offered twice a week to help ease anxiety, suffering

Free and donation-based mantra meditation and kirtan classes bring together and uplift community members in Davis and Woodland

BY ZOE SMITH city@theaggie.org

HEIDI TEJEDA / AGGIE historical events but also in fashion. She is undoubtedly the face of the movement.

From her adorned bedroom to her soft, pastel outfits, Antoinette’s influence will surely continue to reign in the new year.

As fashion trends resurface, people are considering the notion that while wearing certain pieces used to mean one thing, they now represent another.

For example, while feminine clothing and accessories, such as bows, previously symbolized obedience and innocence, women are finding more female solidarity through wearing that style. Therefore, renewed trends are sending a different message.

Or maybe it’s the opposite, and people are wearing these pieces that remind them of their childhood to reconnect with an innocence that they feel has been lost in adulthood.

Regardless, bows are at the height of their popularity; from the looks of it, they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

While it is a difficult task to anticipate where the majority may flock in 2024, many have speculated that this new year will continue to be heavily influenced by the price tag of particular items. Much of this theory has to do with the public viewing cheap items in poor taste and expensive items to be trendy. After all, trends are what creates the increase in prices for whatever item is in high demand. So, if anyone is looking to participate, be prepared.

Communities are sharing their own personal hopes for 2024, as there are new possibilities for the potential resurfacing of old fashion statements that have been ignored in the past.

“Honestly, if anything good comes out of [2024], I hope longer skirts come out of it,” Dominguez said. “Like cute 50s style skirts.”

As for shoes, Uggs are undoubtedly making a comeback in the new year. It is no secret that the lazy, effortless look has been on the rise in the past year, and many are thankful for it.

However, different locations inspire their own impressions. Ren Romero, a first-year undeclared major, brought up the expressiveness of fashion on a college campus: “Especially since coming to Davis, I’ve noticed that there’s a select few people that have a more loud wardrobe,” Romero said.

Layering clothing and accessories seems to be a trend that will stick in 2024, as people are flaunting tights in a bold way.

The wonderful thing about trends is that they are optional. If there is anything to be noted from past events, it is that certain styles fluctuate through being in style one moment and out the next.

Based on the range of opinions, the best fashion trend of 2024 may be the movement to flaunt individuality.

BY JULIANA MARQUEZ ARAUJO features@theaggie.org 2023 consisted of some of the most creative and versatile fashion trends yet, making many excited for what fashion in 2024 will look like. Fashion statements tend to go down in history, especially in today’s generation which focuses extensively on “iconic” images from the past that have largely shaped our styles today. 2024 can be expected to create that same impact.

At one point, the clothes that our parents wore were seen as outdated or “too tight,” but that view has changed.

Nowadays, many are disappointed by the fact that their parents or grandparents have not saved their clothes for their future posterity. This supports the idea that many fashion trends seen today are derived from previous decades, with the early 2000s being one of the popular sources of inspiration.

“There’s never a new trend, everything is old. These [trends] came back probably from the ‘90s or 2000s,” Jade Joya, a third-year psychology major, said.

The majority of trends that arise with every new year often hold a resemblance to, if not a complete copy of, a past look. For example, bows and frills have always been in style — starting as far back as the late 1600s — and although they have consistently held influence in recent fashion trends, they have been gaining attention very quickly since 2023, so much so that the trend will likely follow into the new year.

How better to predict fashion trends than to look at influencers? Everyone with social media has been influenced in some sense. Many would argue that these media figures are the real trend starters.

More than ever, fashion trends are focusing on the aesthetic and character that a person tries to portray. If there is a figure or an aesthetic that one looks up to on a social media app, it is likely that they will try to embody that same character.

While early 2023 relied heavily on baggy everyday wear, the “clean girl aesthetic” rose to popularity towards the end of the year.

“Clean girl makeup, I think, has also drifted over to fashion, cause now the ‘messy’ look is not as popular; [clothes] are more form-fitting,” Genesis Dominguez, a first-year anthropology major, said.

She gave the example of flare leggings having their moment in the spotlight. Many considered them to be a staple piece in one’s wardrobe, not only for their versatility but also for their effortless look while still allowing the body to be comfortable.

When bringing up the topic of the “clean girl aesthetic,” one must also focus on the rise of its counterpart, the “coquette” aesthetic.

Yes, Marie Antoinette has managed to remain a prominent figure in not only

On Jan. 10, 12 locals gathered at the Davis Community Church to participate in a weekly mantra and kirtan meditation hosted by married couple Anna Matthews and Sam Dreis.

The two hold free and donation-based meditations at Davis Community Church every Wednesday from six to 7:30 p.m. The two also host a weekly vegetarian dinner and kirtan meditation at 5:30 p.m. at their house in Woodland every Sunday.

This particular mantra meditation is a series of chants in Sanskrit that praise divine Hindu deities. When these mantras are chanted in a group with music, it is called kirtan.

“It is recommended to focus one’s attention by resting your heart and mind upon transcendental mantras, which are different qualities or names of the Supreme,” Matthews said. “By resting in these healing sound vibrations, a person is able to experience relief from anxiety, an overactive mind, anger and fear. Not only that, but a person experiences their peaceful, loving nature and can gain confidence and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.”

During the meditations, Matthews and Dreis lead the group by playing the guitar and ukulele while singing their chants to different melodies as the participants sing along.

The schedule of these meditations is up on the website, Davis Meditation, where there is also an option to RSVP to different events.

Two studies produced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show the positive effects of kirtan when combatting depression and anxiety which showed notable improvement in participants who practiced these meditations regularly.

“We may be interested in meditation because we want to sleep better or improve our focus, we may be experiencing a lot of stress from school or work,” Matthews said. “The good thing is that by practicing mantra meditation one is able to address these issues and so much more. One can cultivate spiritual love and thereby experience profound happiness that mundane material activities and experiences don’t offer.”

Karina Veal, a recent graduate from UC Davis, has been attending the weekly mantra meditations at the

community church since the summer of 2023. “[It makes me feel] so grounded and so clear,” Veal said. “Like I can get done what I want to get done in a very gentle and calm way. Anything I was worried about before is kind of gone.

Veal said this type of meditation has helped them deal with recent grief in their life.

“My grandma passed away a couple of months ago, and then I was really sick with the flu and just some other heartbreaking stuff [happened] in my life,” Veals said. “I feel like the kirtan just opens you up a little bit and heals your heart in a way.”

The mantra meditation consists of the participants sitting in a circle, getting comfortable, taking deep breaths and chanting along in a group.

“When you surround yourself with like-minded people in this way, who are also chanting mantras, […] you feel camaraderie because you know that you’re all focusing on the solution together,” Matthews said. “And that’s a powerful message to send the world by gathering together and focusing upon the solution rather than getting together and blaming others, [...] then we can go out in the world and see others through those eyes of love and see them as who they are. They also need love, they’re just like me.”

First-time meditation attendee Camille Romero talked about their

experience with the session.

“At first, I felt kind of shy and apprehensive,” Romero said. “But towards the end, I started to remember the music lessons I got when I was in middle school […] I haven’t remembered that in a long time. So I felt very connected to that experience and also the experience we’re having.”

Romero is a part-time bus driver, UC Davis student and lab tech. Romero said that on top of their schedule, they want to make time for meditation now.

“I think the suggestion of implementing the meditation in the morning is really powerful,” Romero said. “Recently I’ve been having a lot of struggles with anxiety and depression and I’ve been using prayer in the morning to kind of ground my soul. So I think this would be nice, in addition to that.”

Matthews has also been able to find relief from anxiety through mantra meditation and kirtan.

“When I first began this process over 20 years ago, I experienced panic attacks a few times,” Matthews said.

“It was really scary and I was always on edge, worrying that it might happen again. When I came across the chanting of mantras, my mind had something to focus on that gave it real rest and my heart began to find happiness.

To this day, I have not experienced another panic attack because I practice regularly.”

Created by individuals deeply impacted by meditation, Davis Meditation offers weekly Friday and Sunday Meditation Evenings in Davis, a safe space for individuals to learn and practice meditation. (Courtesy / Anna Matthews and Sam Dreis)

A guide to license plates

The numbers and letters on your car can reveal more than you think

BY ELI KELLEY arts@theaggie.org Countless groups are devoted to the identification and classification of the natural world. Birds, butterflies and beetles have occupied uncountable hours of hobbyist attention. In cities, options for wildlife enthusiasts are more limited. Though natural fauna has been expelled from many city streets, we’ve constructed strange beasts of our own with a variety that challenges even the beetle. While bird watchers and beetle catchers may be hard-pressed to pursue their interests in these urban circumstances, there’s another kind of creature that’s equally deserving of study.

The curious and the perceptive can find a great deal of interest and pleasure in examining the most ever-present of our urban beasts: the automobile.

Among all vehicles, license plates are the feature that unites them as both unique and of a kind. They’re the DNA of motor vehicles; no two are the same, even as they share a common structure and design. For anyone interested in the dizzying variety of plates out there, this guide will serve as a primer to the license plates you’re likely to see both around Davis and beyond.

With the exception of custom license plates, all California license plates have a structure to them. A skilled observer can discern a surprising amount from a car’s plates. For instance, license plates are made sequentially. The plate printed after “3XYZ891” will read “3XYZ892.” This can let you know how long ago a car was registered. For instance, the first plate printed using California’s current design for standard license plates was “1AAA000.” That was in 1980. As of early 2024, a plate was printed that read “9KVY267.” The first digit is an easy way to tell approximately when a car was registered.

Since no two plates are the same, a nine being in the first position suggests that we’re running out of possible license plates of that format. Once the current well of possibilities runs dry, likely a new format will be chosen and the process will start anew.

A perceptive reader may have noticed a reference to “standard” license plates (and congratulations to that reader — their car-watching journey is off to a good start). Most cars share that format of one number followed by three letters followed by three numbers.

License plate laws differ depending on each state’s regulations, as a result creating a multitude of unique plates differing from numbers and symbols to colors and themes. (Courtesy of Toa Heftiba / fair use) An experienced observer, however, will spot other formations.

One example is vehicles registered for commercial use — this usually means large trucks and vans, but also includes some pickup trucks whose owners discovered that commercial plates allow them to park in “commercial only” parking spots. Recently commercial plates took a format that began with the plate “1A00000.” Since commercial plates have two more digits and two less letters relative to standard plates, there are far fewer possible commercial plates (because there are 24 letters and only 10 digits). This led to a shortage of plates, and now commercial plates take the form of “10000A0.”

Running out of plate combinations is a common occurrence. This is especially true for plates made for permanently disabled persons, which have in total only five digits and letters.

The format for these plates has changed many times in even just the past few decades. Despite the variety of forms that disabled persons (DP) license plates can take, they’re easily identifiable by

the common white and blue “disabled sign” of the figure in a wheelchair. These plates also have in small letters next to the main text of the license plate the letters “DP.” There are also disabled veterans plates that look similar and have the letters “DV.” Some forms these plates have taken over the years include “00001(DP),” “(DP)00001,” “(DP) A0001,” “0001A(DP),” “(DP)001AA” and “AA001(DP).”

License plates can take many forms.

Some are common. Others are deeply obscure. The selection referenced here is nowhere near a comprehensive guide.

But, the fact that it can’t be serves as a testament to one of the core joys of watching license plates: it’s never finished. There are always different and new formats whose purpose can be deduced. There are always surprising combinations of letters and numbers to be found. For better or for worse, cars are a given nearly anywhere you go. Why not then look for the beauty in this system whose reach touches so many areas of modern life?

6 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Argument starter cards

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

The butterfly effect

BY EMMA LAPIDUS eblapidus@ucdavis.edu

BY SANDHYA PFILE sbpfile@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

Caption Contest

First day of school

BY SANDHYA PFILE sbpfile@ucdavis.edu

BY LANHUI ZHEN lazhen@ucdavis.edu

What do you think the caption to this cartoon should be? Submit your ideas to opinion@theaggie.org, or in our comments section @thecaliforniaaggie on Instagram

Winner of the last caption contest: @ucdundergrad, with “You’ve got your head on backwards.” @ucdundergrad, email editor@theaggie.org to claim your prize!

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

From The California Aggie’s Archives: This day in the 80’s

January 18, 1984

This is the way students should be: calm and restful, without a care for decreasing UC Davis enrollment (top story, front page), toxic wastes (second and third stories, front page) or homicidal drivers (police beat, page 2). Photo by Mike Sabelhaus. (Original photo caption) January 18, 1980

Davis Mayor Tom Tomasi and Yolo County Clerk Peter McNamee support the gay rights ordinance. Photo by Jan Johnston. (Original caption)

January 18, 1985 January 18, 1982

Former UC Davis wide receiver Allen Fleming (40) runs a pattern during a 49ers summer training camp workout. Photo by Mike Weber (Original caption).

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 | 7

OPINION

We’re making your 2024 New Year’s resolution for you: Read more books Practice by reading this editorial

WRITTEN BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD We know what you’re thinking, avid California Aggie fans: This year, our editorial board has written a tutorial on crafting the perfect email, made a case for home economics skills to be taught in schools again and penned a word of warning toward social media usage, especially for young children.

Are the nine of us secretly a group of senior citizens masquerading as twentysomething undergrads?

As cool as that would be — senior discount AND student discount?? — the answer is no. But in the interest of continuing our mysterious mixture of progressive opinions and grandma hobbies, we’re back today with another 85-year-old approved hot take: Reading is cool, kids. And our challenge to you all this year is to log into your old Goodreads account, head to your local library and make 2024 a year of reading.

Now, this isn’t actually as much of a hot take as it might’ve been a few years ago. Recently, reading has had a resurgence in popularity. In fact, a 2022 survey by the American Booksellers Association found that nearly 70% of independent bookstores who responded reported higher sales in 2021 than in pre-pandemic 2019.

It’s hard to know exactly what caused this, or if it will continue, but two factors that may be contributing to the reading revolution are a desire for

READ MORE Read our online editorial about kids and social media

escapism, and a desire for education.

As kids, the first of those two was likely what inspired our reading. When we picked up “Percy Jackson,” “Harry Potter” or “Magic Tree House,” it was to imagine ourselves having fantastical adventures that took us briefly away from our boring math classes or sixthgrade insecurities.

But imagination isn’t just for kids.

Let’s be real: It’s an election year, our timelines are full of war coverage and anyone who is graduating this year is also figuring out their future. If anything, we could use escapism even more now than we did in elementary school.

Getting out of your head for a few minutes and into someone else’s shoes by reading about characters finding their way out of seemingly hopeless situations can be a breath of fresh air in the face of crushing existential dread about adult life.

The second pinnacle of our thesis on why you should commit to reading in the new year is probably the reason you were taught to in the first place: It’s a great way to learn.

When educational reading is forced upon you, it sometimes takes the fun out of the experience (sorry, English majors). Whether it was “All Quiet on the Western Front” or “Heart of Darkness,” you likely have a book, or several, that you can remember slowly corrupting your love of reading into a hatred for color symbolism and fiveparagraph essays.

But seeing the world through someone else’s eyes is one of the most powerful tools that books will offer you, whether you’re navigating college, relationships or politics. Reading about the way someone else thinks and lives can give us more empathy and more knowledge of how the world works.

And if everyone did that, we might feel a little less need for escapism in the first place.

If you like the idea of starting 2024 off with a little more knowledge and a little less time spent tethered to reality, but you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with a collection of some of our favorite books.

The Editorial Board’s 2024 Reading List Sorted by Genres That Should Be Real: Cheaper Than Therapy and Less Stressful than Talking to Your Mom “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”

by Ocean Vuong (2019) “Eggtooth” by Jesse Nathan (2023) “Educated” by Tara Westover (2018) Wait, Maybe I Could Be Happy “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed (2012) “The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green (2021) “Our Souls at Night” by Kent Haruf (2015) Women Who Would Have Been Termed Hysterical in the 1800s “Slow Days, Fast Company” by Eve Babitz (1977) “My Year of Rest and Relaxation”

by Ottessa Moshfegh (2018) “Immortal Longings” by Chloe Gong (2023) Speculative Fiction “Future Home of the Living God”

by Louise Erdrich (2017) “Life After” by Katie Ganshert (2017) “Circe” by Madeline Miller (2018) Memoirs You Won’t Stop Thinking About “Just Kids” by Patti Smith (2012) “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin (1963) “Play It As It Lays” by Joan Didion (1970) “Why Fish Don’t Exist” by Lulu Miller (2020) The Terrifying Reality of the Human Experience “The Girls” by Emma Cline (2016) “Woman at 1,000 Degrees” by Hallgrímur Helgason (2011) “Three Women” by Lisa Taddeo (2019) WWII (We Are Not Middle-Aged White Fathers) “Mother Night” by Kurt Vonnegut (1962) “The Happiest Man on Earth” by Eddie Jaku (2020) “Winter Garden” by Kristin

Hannah (2010) I Laughed “Almost Invisible” by Mark Strand (2011) “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer (2017) “Talking As Fast As I Can” by Lauren Graham (2016) Books Editor-in-Chief Sonora Slater Insisted on Finding a Taylor Swift Song For

“Lovely War” by Julie Berry (2019) — ‘Timeless’ from Speak Now “Community Board” by Tara Conklin (2023) — ‘A Place in this World,’ from Taylor Swift “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck (1952) — ‘Better Than Revenge’ from Speak Now, ‘No Body No Crime’ from evermore “Renegades” by Marissa Meyer (2015) — ‘You’re On Your Own Kid’ and ‘Anti-Hero’ from Midnights

Who is Santa?

The big guy is more complicated — and more interesting — than you might think

BY JOAQUIN WATERS jwat@ucdavis.edu It’s a new year! And you know what that means: it’s officially time to pack up all the Christmas decorations and stop being festive for the next 11 months.

Even though winter has technically just begun, the holiday that the season is most associated with has come and gone, so it’s time to pack up all the trimmings. Everything must go: the wreaths, the nutcrackers and especially the eighty-something Santa Claus figurines that your grandmother has covered every square inch of her house with, turning the living space into an anxiety-inducing porcelain labyrinth from which there is no escape. So, in honor of the end of the season (and because I committed to writing this piece weeks before Christmas), I figured now is as good a time as any to explore the ubiquitous question: who is Santa Claus?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: what a dumb question! Everyone knows who Santa Claus is. He’s a functionally immortal jolly old man in a red suit who lives in an industrial factory located at the northernmost point of the planet, and who travels around the globe once every year in a sled pulled by reindeer at what must surely be supersonic speeds, delivering moral judgment upon the children of earth and rewarding the worthy with LEGO sets and T-shirts that are two sizes too big. But these are merely the basics. Have you ever actually thought to ask the question of where the big guy comes from? What is his origin story? Is he an alien exiled from Planet Christmas? Was he bitten by a radioactive reindeer? Well my friends, the answer is actually far more complicated – and interesting – than you might think.

The modern version of Santa Claus originates from the famous children’s poem “Twas’ the Night Before Christmas,” supposedly written in 1823 by the American writer Clement Clarke Moore. It was this poem that popularized the image of a jolly, bearded old man delivering presents on Christmas Eve with the aid of a sled pulled by eight reindeer.

From practically the instant the poem hit shelves, its version of Santa Claus became the symbol of Christmas in the United States. The American version of Santa Claus was further solidified (but not created, as is commonly thought)

As minimalist interior design choices rose to trends, it is no surprise holiday interior decor followed suit with reduced color palettes and limited decor displayed.

(Courtesy of Samule Sun / fair use) by a series of Coca-Cola ads that ran in the 1920s which featured Santa in a bright red coat (possibly to draw a visual connection to the bright red color of Coca-Cola cans). So there you have it; the modern origin of Santa. But still the question arises: where did these ideas come from?

The most commonly accepted origin posits that the “secret identity” of Mr. Claus is none other than the legendary figure of Saint Nicholas. Very little is known about the historical Saint Nick. Traditional accounts claim that he was born in the third century in the Greek port city of Myra, to wealthy parents who raised him as a devout Christian. In later years, he came to be worshiped in Greece as the patron saint of sailors – sort of a Christian substitute for the pagan god Poseidon – but as his popularity grew, his role was soon eclipsed. Among many other things,

Saint Nicholas came to be known as the patron saint of children. As is wont to happen to legendary figures, the singular image of Saint Nick eventually fragmented into several variations all across Europe. The Dutch variation, Sinterklaas, who is garbed in a long red robe and rides a white horse, is usually cited as the most direct source of inspiration for the American vision of Santa Claus.

But while Saint Nicholas may have been a source for the jolly old man we know and love, he was certainly not the only one. In fact, Santa’s roots run far deeper than many would have you believe. Before Christmas, the most common winter holiday in Europe was Yule, a ritualistic celebration which has its roots in Germanic and Norse Mythology. Yule was meant to honor the coming of the god Odin as he rode across the sky on his eight-legged

horse Sleipnir chasing animals – an event known as the Wild Hunt. Odin, father of Thor and king of the Aesir, was frequently depicted in art as a bearded old man who wandered the Earth, often entering the houses of mortals through the chimney to pass moral judgments on his subjects. It is also from Norse Mythology that the concept of elves and dwarves as master craftsmen originates.

As Christianity spread, Christmas was transposed onto Yule and the association with Odin and the Wild Hunt dissipated. But the holiday never quite lost its pagan elements. The image of the bearded man surrounded by elves and animals persisted, morphing into the folkloric figure of Father Christmas (immortalized by Charles Dickens as the Ghost of Christmas Present) before finally being melded onto Saint Nicholas to become Santa Claus.

So there you have it. Santa Claus

has alternately been an ancient Norse god, a Christian saint of sailors and children, a soda mascot and many other things that I didn’t have time to get into. Santa Claus is the sum total of all of these things: pagan rituals, Christian globalization, American consumerism. What’s the moral of this story? I suppose that every cultural hero and iconic character we take for granted today has its roots in ten thousand other figures that have all evolved or been changed to suit modern agendas. Oh, and they should totally make a movie where Santa Claus is literally Odin. That would be super sick.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

UC Davis named greenest campus for eighth consecutive year

Student organizations discuss both areas of success and room for improvement based on this ranking

BY BENJAMIN CARRILLO campus@theaggie.org In 2023, UC Davis was named the greenest campus in the nation for the eighth year in a row by the GreenMetric World University Ranking, maintaining the campus’ reputation for striving towards a minimal waste environment.

The university was also ranked fifth most green campus in the world for the fourth year in a row.

According to the UC Davis Sustainability Office, this ranking is determined through a variety of criteria and their analysis to determine the ranking of UC Davis in comparison to other schools. These criteria include setting and infrastructure, energy and climate commitments, wastewater transportation and education and research.

Kelli O’Day, the assistant manager for the UC Davis Sustainability Office, discussed the achievement in greater detail.

“Continuing to make progress is so important, and we have to keep the momentum going,” O’Day said. “We submit reports and get information to understand where we are, and where to go further from there. In the future, we’ll make sure that plans, such as the Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan, are implemented and that students are still well informed on how to lessen their footprint.”

The Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan

strives to eventually eliminate the usage of fossil fuels at UC Davis. O’Day emphasized this plan as one of the many ideas in the works to maintain the position as the greenest campus for a ninth year.

“If you think about the history of sustainability at the school, there are student-initiated guidelines that we follow, and the students are the guidelines here, creating programs such as Unitrans and the Coffee House,” O’Day said. “Here we are, 60 years later, and they are still here.”

One of the countless student programs within UC Davis is the Zero Waste and Sustainability Club. Kili Kato, co-president of the club and a third-year marine and coastal science major, spoke on this achievement.

“As a campus, we need to promote more sustainability initiatives and put into framework some of the larger pieces, and that comes with voting in legislation and getting more acts approved to further green initiatives,” Kato said. “The community is the heart of Davis, and collaboration is the key to keeping our campus green.”

Emily Dumont, a third-year environmental science and management major and vice president of the Zero Waste and Sustainability Club, specifically discussed their involvement with sustainability.

“I feel like there’s a huge emphasis on reducing single-use products, and switching to post-consumer recyclables,” Dumont said. “Our club

strives to mention the importance and show willingness to prevent single-use products as much as possible. The Green Initiative Fund was recently not passed, and if this fund fails to pass [again], there will be many resources lost on keeping us in the number one spot.

It’s important to vote and ensure that we keep the legislation talked about.”

Additionally, Amelia Swanson, a third-year sustainable environmental design major and co-president of the Zero Waste and Sustainability Club, also talked about what sustainability means to students at UC Davis.

“I feel like Davis has a lot of amazing teams, and there’s so many opportunities and internships for students to get involved [with] on the campus,” Swanson said. “Professors and Learning by Leading programs get students involved with the outdoors, and each has a role in keeping the campus more sustainable. I think overall it’s really good and gives students the opportunity to learn a lot and help the campus.”

A great example of one of these volunteer opportunities is the Aggie Reuse store, a zero waste program that is a mutual aid thrift store, where everything is second-hand.

Elyssa Lieu, one of the Aggie Reuse directors, emphasized the versatility and importance of the organization.

“It’s really nice to be a part of the conversation in UC Davis, and team up with other sustainability teams to come up with events to promote sustainability

‘Sexcessful’ tips from UC Davis’ Love Lab

Sexual Well-being Student Coordinator Tristan FernandezAcosta speaks on the often unasked questions about students’ sex lives

KELLY GUAN / AGGIE

and our program,” Lieu said. “While being number one is great, it’s even greater to maintain that position and work towards a common goal. I’d say that Aggie Reuse is just one part of the larger sustainability story being built.”

Victoria Mattsson, another representative of the Aggie Reuse program, went on to explain the nuance of being first in the nation, and what that truly means to her.

“I do think rankings are kinda silly,

Being a Unitrans driver requires both technical and social skills

Students and alumni share details on the training process and what they’ve learned so far

BY FAITH DEMEULENAERE features@theaggie.org

MAYA KORNYEYEVA / AGGIE

BY LYNN CHEN features@theaggie.org

Not many students are aware of The Love Lab, which is, according to their website, “a mobile cart stocked with external condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, water-based lubricant and silicone-based lubricant available to UC Davis students at no charge.

It also provides pads and tampons, in addition to educational materials, buttons, and stickers.”

Tristan Fernandez-Acosta, a secondyear psychology major and the sexual well-being student coordinator for The Love Lab, commented on the mission led by Davis’ Love Lab to break the stigma around sex and foster open conversations.

“What turns sex into a taboo would be the negative stigma around it for generations from society as a whole, family, cultural and religious beliefs,” Fernandez-Acosta said.

“Family is the first influence anyone has, and oftentimes sex isn’t talked about in households, which reinforces the idea that sex is bad or wrong to talk about, along with the societal influence that speaking out about sex is ‘inappropriate.’”

As a society, we must accept that sex is a normal, natural part of life, according to Fernandez-Acosta. Some schools even go as far as to support the

but there is of course some meaning to it,” Mattsson said. “It’s such a huge draw for so many prospective students and faculty members. But what’s important to note is that the campus and community should continue to strive for greater collective sustainability, pushing for ourselves and administrators to keep improving over time. While a great achievement, it’s not an invitation to just sit satisfied where we are.”

idea that sex is taboo when teaching sex education to their students by providing little to no real information.

“The only real solution is to support people who have questions, thoughts or concerns about sex rather than putting them down for not knowing when some are just seeking answers they never got and are curious,” Fernandez-Acosta said.

“Extensive and inclusive sex education in schools would definitely make an impact, but the support also needs to come from parents, peers and slowly erasing the reputation society has given sex.”

The Love Lab provides educational workshops, demonstrations, free safe sex products and resources for STI testing and gender care. All of these things and more are provided at the Cowell Building.

Nina Finsch, a first-year undeclared major, like many other first-year students, had previously not heard of The Love Lab. “I’d have to check that out, it seems like a cool option for students,” Finsch said.

When it comes to discussing the topic of sex, many shy away. However, Fernandez-Acosta advises against that. “[Though] it may be a tough topic, [try to] be aware of your sex partners’

previous and current sex partners in regards to preventing STIs and just being informed,” Fernandez-Acosta said. “Don’t feel afraid to talk with your partner about what is and isn’t okay for you during sex — discussing what feels best for each party can help with navigating your first couple experiences.”

The Love Lab wants students to remember that sex doesn’t have to be a scary thing — it’s not wrong, and “it’s completely normal to be nervous or to have doubts due to prior experiences and [lack of ] information,” FernandezAcosta said.

Sophie Muñoz, a third-year biology major, discussed the negative effects of stigmatizing one of the common aspects of a college student’s life.

“There is a lot of stigma around the sex lives of college students,” Muñoz said. “It’s hard to find [one’s] selfidentification in it.”

If anyone is experiencing any sort of trouble with sexual experiences, The Love Lab’s Instagram direct messages are always open for support. Additionally, the Gender Care Team can always guide Aggies in the right direction.

Arguably, one of the most important jobs on campus is the Unitrans transit driver. Many students and Davis locals depend on Unitrans to attend classes, run errands or just travel around town.

The student-run transportation service is a safe, economical and environmentally conscious option for the city’s residents.

Trainees looking to become a driver must participate in a three-phase training process, according to Miles Riehle, a Unitrans transit driver and a third-year environmental policy analysis and planning major.

First, trainees and a cohort of others hired at the same time undergo inperson classes with a training manager to go over the basics of being a Unitrans employee, what the role will look like and how the training will progress.

Once they are finished with this phase, the drivers-to-be go through oneon-one training sessions with a trainer to earn their Class B licenses free of charge. During this step, trainees learn the mechanics of driving a Unitrans bus and get the feel of the process.

During the third phase, called route training, new employees take control of a bus in service with a trainer beside them.

“The whole process takes about a quarter, depending on how you do it,” Riehle said Fortunately, despite how long and packed this process seems, Unitrans employees are compensated for their training.

Additionally, transit drivers gain a variety of skills with the experience of training and eventually working with Unitrans.

UC Davis graduate Elaine Pascual recalled what she learned in her time being a transit driver. “[I] definitely [learned] time management and being able to deal with people in a professional way without being stressed out,” Pascual said.

Riehle reported a similar response to Pascual and further spoke on the professional benefits of the position.

“I feel like my customer service

skills got a lot better,” Riehle said, “because you deal with people all the time — whether that’s people who are getting on the bus or people who have questions about where to go.”

He elaborated on this thought, noting that while transit drivers work mostly alone, their position also requires collaboration with their supervisors and other drivers to ensure that services run efficiently and safely.

“You have to be able to talk on the radio […] and have concise communication,” Riehle said. “Just being able to convey what you need to convey very efficiently, I think [that skill] has improved as well.”

Driving is, of course, another skill that is improved upon when trainees join Unitrans. “[...] I do think that driving a bus makes you a better driver generally,” Riehle said. “On top of that, [the job] gives you a sort of an acute awareness of your surroundings.”

Riehle also explained that maneuvering a bus has allowed him to become more sensitive to other road users while driving.

Additionally, Unitrans drivers have very flexible job schedules that enable them to have a healthier worklife balance. For instance, employees get to choose what time their shifts happen and which lines they would like to operate. “[This] makes my schedule a lot more malleable,” Henry Guo, a thirdyear animal science major and current transit driver and route trainer at Unitrans, said. “I just need to pick up the minimum requirements [for shift hours]. If I have a heavy quarter, I wouldn’t pick up that many [hours], [but] if I have a light quarter, I can pick up more hours and get paid a little more. I get to prioritize [my schedule].”

Overall, being a transit driver for Unitrans demands skills on the road as well as with people, but there are also benefits that come with the job.

To some, however, another bonus comes from just being able to transport passengers to where they need to be.

“There’s some pride that comes with driving your fellow students,” Riehle stated. “It’s a very cool position.”

Unitrans buses are conveniently stationed at the Memorial Union bus stop, ready to transport students to their destination. The Memorial Union bus stop serves as a central hub, connecting students to campus from various parts of Davis and even Sacramento. (Sacha Chickering / Aggie)

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 | 9

Sudoku

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row, column and 3x3 square must contain each digit. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing.

Answer to previous puzzle 01/11/24

Crossword

HUMOR

Guy takes Gender Studies Class for the exact reason you’re thinking of Somebody get me a free tampon

AGGIE FILE

BY ALLISON KELEHER adkeleher@ucdavis.edu I just started my Introduction to Critical Gender Studies class and I like to sit in the middle row. As the class filled in on the first day, very few sat next to me in the front row, and one caught my eye. He was exactly my type. Imagine my pupils being replaced with hearts because I love indie/alt men —- especially if they’re tall. I couldn’t tell if he was tall or not, so I wasn’t obsessed quite yet. Class began and I took very few notes since the professor was only discussing the syllabus. Syllabus lectures always bore me, so I zoned out a couple of times while the professor was rambling on about the readings and grades.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a hand shoot into the air from the front row. My man. Even in the dim lighting of the lecture hall, I noticed he had silver rings on his fingers. Even better — chipped black nail polish on his fingernails. The professor paused in order to take his question. “I really think the male gaze had an impact on…”

I snapped out of my trance, confused about what exactly he was analyzing. I turned to the girl sitting on my right and whispered “Aren’t we still talking about the essay grading?”

She laughed quietly and I didn’t really get the joke but I turned back to the front and he was still talking. The professor was nodding and she might have been the only one listening to what he was saying. “Alright thank you

Student pretends to be interested in professor’s personal life to avoid pop quiz

Not all heroes wear capes — sometimes they pretend to be interested in other people’s knitting projects

BY AUDREY ZHANG aurzhang@ucdavis.edu

for that analysis, I really appreciate the eagerness, but as I was saying about the midterm…”

You’ll never believe what happened next. He interrupted her. “Professor, I don’t think you understand.”

I glanced around the room and everyone either seemed annoyed or severely confused. He was openly gaslighting our professor. She has multiple PhDs and he has chipped nail polish and the audacity. I called time of death on my crush at that moment and waited for him to finish his monologue.

The professor managed to transition smoothly away from his comments and it was beautiful to witness how she handled that.

Personally, I would’ve just told him to keep his pretty mouth shut.

The remainder of the lecture was spent introducing the topics we would discuss in class. I zoned out the rest of the lecture, and I think I

somehow took a nap with my eyes open. I snapped out of it when I heard a booming voice say “TAMPONS SHOULD BE FREE!” Real. They should be free. I could tell it was the indie boy who said it just by his voice and irrelevance. I figured this was just another one of his interruptions, but I looked down and I saw his shoulders shaking and lip quivering. He was crying.

Thankfully, class ended so this didn’t need to be addressed in lecture.

As I was shuffling out of the lecture hall, I noticed that the indie boy was talking to a group of girls and showing off his bicep tattoos. Ew. I took out my phone and dropped the class.

Disclaimer: (This article is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and the names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

She’s almost done it. Her classmates watch with bated breath. The clock ticks ever closer towards 3 p.m. If she can just keep the professor talking for five more minutes, they’ll all be safe.

“Do you have any pets?” Bingo. The class collectively coos over pictures of the ugliest dog they’ve ever seen, stuffed into a pink tutu. Three o’clock hits and half the class is already out the door.

They’re safe for another day.

“Where did the time go? I suppose we can get around to it next week,” the professor said. And just like that, a new national hero is born. At least until the next pop quiz.

We asked this student to share some of her secret techniques. Here are her top tips: “It’s very easy to miss, but underneath all that argyle and misery, professors are actually people just like us. I was surprised too when I found out. Once you understand this, it’s simple. Just talk to them like they’re your friends who also happen to hold your futures in their hands.”

“Children are a surefire topic, as long as you’re willing to agree with

whatever parenting tactics they use. If the professor looks old enough, you can probably get them to complain about phones and social media. Real heroes sit in the front row and smile at their phones. Nothing gets them ranting faster.”

“Have a friend distract the TAs so they can’t remind the professors to get back on track. Asking how many years of grad school they have left is a safe bet, it puts them into a depressive haze for at least a few days.”

“Economics professors are easy, ask them to solve any problem and they’ll eventually conclude that the most optimal solution is to kill poor people.

You’ll be uncomfortable, but you won’t be taking any extra work.”

“Others are more unpredictable. It’s hard to guess at first glance, but even the harshest of professors have their weak points and hobbies. Go out armed with new knowledge. Be careful not to go in too deep. Otherwise, they might end up liking you.”

Disclaimer: (This article is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and the names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

10 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

UC Davis students discuss their unique clothing brand, we2cow

Founders Brianna Romine and Ian Gomez share how the company got its start, the way it’s run and where it’s going

we2cow Founders Brianna Romine and Ian Gomez model their company’s apparel in front of Shields Library. (Courtesy / Niko Menicou)

BY YASMEEN O’BRIEN features@theaggie.org You’ve probably seen their iconic cow design adorning Davis students’ attire and accessories for sale at the Davis Street Market or stocked in various shops downtown. Local clothing brand we2cow has quickly risen to fame in Davis and become an established part of the community. Founded by high school sweethearts Brianna Romine and Ian Gomez, the company is turning heads with its original Davis-themed merchandise.

Their first inspiration came in 2021 during Gomez’s first year at UC Davis. It began with a simple shopping trip. Gomez was looking for UC Davis clothing at the bookstore on campus but found nothing creative beyond the classic logo. Plus, the price point was too high to spend on something he probably wouldn’t end up wearing very much.

Around this time, Romine was fortuitously gifted an embroidery machine despite not having experience with the craft. Soon after Gomez’s experience at the bookstore, they decided to sketch a couple of Davis designs and embroider a sweatshirt for him.

“The intention was just for Ian to have an original piece that he genuinely liked,” Romine, a fourth-year psychology major, said. “And to take advantage of my embroidery machine.”

The cow graphic, designed by Gomez, was on this first sweatshirt.

When he started wearing it around town, people complimented him and asked where he bought it. Gomez and Romine began making clothing with the cow image for friends by request, but when they started the we2cow

Instagram account and began selling their creations at local markets, the company quickly gained popularity.

They attribute a large part of their success to a “Valentine’s Day Giveaway” where they had people follow a series of directions to get to know the brand through their social media account and get them excited about the possibility of winning.

It increased their Instagram following by 1,000 and their orders grew to over 100 at one time. Romine recalled people arriving early at the Davis Street Market to secure a we2cow

Part of we2cow’s draw is the originality and creativity that comes with the brand’s designs.

“99% of the time we made it ourselves,” Gomez, a fourth-year biological systems engineering major, said. “Well, Bri’s the one who made everything. I usually do the design and social media, and Bri’s the one who does all the manual labor.”

As the company grew and would have to fill 100 or 200 orders at a time, the duo had to supplement production by getting their designs embroidered somewhere else. Gomez shares that

recounted a hectic time selling their designs at Davis’ Whole Earth Festival.

“Ian would leave from the actual event to come back [to their home] just to make more stuff so we would have enough [to sell].,” Romine said.

Romine said that in preparation for the event they had three embroidery machines going “24/7” and would run between them alternating items to make sure they were maximizing their time and making the most apparel they could.

Before we2cow, the couple had started a different clothing brand with

“People commonly buy we2cow items as gifts for their loved ones, especially for family or friends back home since their designs represent the town and school of Davis.” item before she and Gomez even had a chance to set up their vending table and hang up their pieces.

“It was really sought after in the beginning. It was a little bit overwhelming.” Romine said.

Romine transferred to UC Davis in the fall of 2022, so in the beginning, she was embroidering everything back in San Diego — where she and Gomez grew up — and would either ship the merchandise to Gomez or fly out to Davis and fill her suitcase with we2cow items.

this is a very recent decision, with their merchandise now being sold in stores such as The Davis Creamery and the Avid Reader bookstore downtown.

They say it’s hard to keep up sometimes given that they are full-time university students.

“Ian and I, at the beginning of all of this, said: ‘We’re students first before anything,’” Romine said. “So it’s really hard for me to find the time.”

Each sweatshirt, shirt or hat can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour when Romine does it herself. She

original designs, but it was much less successful. We2cow allowed them to reach many more people with their art.

“It felt good to create something that had some sort of impact,” Gomez said.

Romine agreed and furthered his sentiment.

“I think the main thing is that we wanted to put something out there that was unique to Davis, and that we genuinely liked,” Romine said. “We hoped that other people would like it too.”

“I enjoy when people come up to us and tell us they genuinely like the design and show us we’ve made an impact,” Romine said.

She continued that people commonly buy we2cow items as gifts for their loved ones, especially for family or friends back home since their designs represent the town and school of Davis.

UC Davis Alumnus Andrew Bass appreciated the company’s hard work and recognized the influence it’s had over the school and town.

“We2cow has impacted Davis by being an example of that alternative culture that Davis is so rooted in: they offer student-made one-of-a-kind merchandise,” Bass said. “Wearing and seeing their merchandise outside of Davis brings me such a sense of pride.

I live in San Francisco now and wear my stuff from them all the time.”

Gomez and Romine will be graduating and leaving Davis at the end of 2024 and are unsure how or if the business will continue once they graduate.

“We don’t really know what’s in store, but I think we both just hope for the business to grow as much as possible,” Romine said.

“I think we’re limited because it’s a product very specific to Davis,” Gomez said.

Regardless of its future, we2cow has allowed them to make connections with fellow student creatives, impact a wide range of Davis residents and serve as an essential part of the art scene in our community.

Those who want to see more of the brand can find we2cow on Saturdays at the Davis Street Market, on their Etsy shop, at The Davis Creamery and Avid Reader or follow their Instagram page, @we2cow, for more information.

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 | 11

SCIENCE AND TECH The consequences of cannabis and why young people use it

The drug, commonly used for enjoyment and coping purposes, may lead to cognitive, sleep and other somatic issues

BY KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org Cannabis, also frequently referred to as marijuana, weed or pot, is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana affects parts of the brain that control movement, memory, learning and decision-making. It is considered a Schedule One substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it meets the requirements of having a high abuse potential and is not approved for federal medical use. It is currently legalized for medicinal and recreational use in 24 states as well as the District of Columbia.

UC Davis Health researchers and scientists at the University of Washington surveyed teenagers in a six-month-long study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors that aims to provide insight into why young people use cannabis.

“The study tested whether internal cannabis motives (coping and enjoyment) mediated longitudinal associations between cannabis demand, use (hours high), and negative consequences,” the study reads. “Mediation models revealed that enjoyment motives mediated the association between amplitude and persistence and use. In addition, coping motives mediated the association between amplitude and negative consequences.”

The greater the demand and desire that teenagers had for cannabis, the more likely they were to use it for

About 35 million Americans use cannabis monthly (Photo credit to Brittanica) enjoyment and coping purposes, according to the results of the study.

The teenagers who fell into this category were also more likely to use greater amounts of the drug and suffer from negative side effects.

A study detailing the self-reported consequences of marijuana use revealed that issues with productivity, relationships, paranoia and time management skills were only some of the problems experienced by

marijuana users.

“Sleep and cognitive (including attention and concentration), motivational, and memory issues were the most frequently listed self-generated negative effects of

marijuana among this sample of young adult students,” the study reads. “Other self-generated types of consequences included eating (e.g., eating too much), problems with lungs or coughing, feeling antisocial or experiencing social awkwardness, physical difficulties (e.g., feeling dizzy, sick, uncoordinated), not getting things done, and spending too much money.”

Cannabis is currently a public health concern; about 15 percent of teenagers report marijuana use in the past month and about 9 percent of users become addicted. The risk of eventually becoming addicted to cannabis or developing a cannabis use disorder increases if the age of onset of cannabis use is younger.

“Marijuana is linked to school failure… Compared with their peers who don’t use, students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school,” the National Institute on Drug Abuse marijuana brochure reads. Additionally, “high doses of marijuana can cause psychosis or panic when you’re high” and “can worsen psychotic symptoms in people who already have the mental illness schizophrenia, and it can increase the risk of long-lasting psychosis in some people,” according to the brochure.

Despite the addictive nature of marijuana, users who wish to limit or eliminate their drug use can do so with the help of methods like behavioral therapy, psychoeducation and inpatient or outpatient programs.

Se ha identificado una proteína que puede “activarse” para matar células cancerosas

El receptor CD95 puede ser usado con inmunoterapia para matar las células cancerosas UC DAVIS HEALTH

POR KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org Investigadores de UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center han identificado una manera para matar células cancerígenas. Este nuevo avance puede facilitar el desarrollo de tratamientos más efectivos contra el cáncer.

Los resultados fueron publicados en la revista Nature: Cell Death & Differentation (Discriminación y muerte de células), el cual habla sobre la epítome, una sección de la proteína que puede activar una proteína más grande en el receptor CD95 (también conocido como el receptor de la muerte). La muerte subsecuente de células fue observada específicamente en el cáncer de ovarios.

“A pesar de su rol como regulador y funciones importantes en tumores de ovario y otros tumores sólidos, otro receptor de muerte enriquecido por tumores llamado Fas (CD95) había sido subestimado en inmunoterapia de cáncer hasta hace poco”, dice el

READ MORE Read more of our Spanish translations online

HEALTH34 FROM FRONT COVER Upon receiving a call, Homdus said that members of the Health 34 team would arrive in a temperaturecontrolled, ADA-compliant van that provides a safe environment to talk in. All providers have extensive backgrounds in both the emergency system and as paramedics.

The van is also equipped with necessities such as ice packs, pencils, deodorant, feminine hygiene products and shelf-stable foods.

Homdus then spoke on the range of services that Health 34 provides.

“If you don’t have access or don’t want to go to the emergency room, but you need an ice pack, we can help you with that,” Homdus said. “Anxiety, depression [or] thoughts of self-harm, anyone is welcome to call us for that.

We’ve helped people with emergency housing — we have access to get that ball rolling and we’ve helped people move their stuff as well. We’ve given

estudio.

Los receptores CD95 están localizados en las membranas de las células y emiten una señal al ser activados que causa la muerte de la célula. Este nuevo descubrimiento puede llevar al desarrollo de terapias contra el cáncer ya existentes, como terapias de células T con receptores antígenos quiméricos (CAR). Este tipo de tratamiento de inmunoterapia utiliza células T modificadas genéticamente (un tipo de célula inmune) para matar células cancerígenas.

Los tratamientos contra el cáncer, en este momento, suelen involucrar

una combinación de cirugía, quimioterapia y radioterapia. Pueden ser muy efectivos y permitir que los pacientes lleguen a remisión, la etapa en la cual los signos y síntomas de cáncer desaparecen. Sin embargo, los pacientes pueden tener una recaída después de su tratamiento original, por lo cual la inmunoterapia puede ayudar —puede ser más efectiva para evitar la recidiva. La inmunoterapia activa anticuerpos que hacen que los tumores sólidos se encojan, aunque todavía se realizan pruebas clínicas para maximizar sus efectos.

Jogender Tushir-Singh, profesor asociado del Departamento de

Microbiología e Inmunología Médica, tiene la esperanza de que estos nuevos descubrimientos mejoren el futuro de los tratamientos contra el cáncer.

“Esto es una marca definitiva para la eficacia del tratamiento de células vecinas de la terapia CAR-T”.

Dijo Tushir-Singh en una entrevista con UC Davis Health. “Pero lo más importante es que esto establece la plataforma para desarrollar anticuerpos que activan Fas, matar células de tumores selectivamente y puede asistir la terapia de células CAR-T en tumores sólidos”.

Ahora que el epítome específico ha sido identificado, Tushir-Singh y

otros investigadores pueden trabajar en el diseño de una nueva clase de anticuerpo que pueda activar el receptor CD95. Esto también puede crear un efecto del vecino CAR-T, donde mueren células cancerígenas y la eficacia de CAR-T aumenta al mismo tiempo.

En la muerte de células vecinas, “ las células tumorales objetivo se destruyen junto con las células tumorales vecinas, independientemente de que expresen un antígeno”, según un artículo de la red de hospitales Mount Sinai.

people snacks, food or anything to make their day a little bit better.”

The services provided by the program are not only available to UC Davis students but also to faculty, unhoused populations and anyone else who may be struggling in the Davis area, according to Blythe Clark, a Health 34 provider.

Clark said that the team’s goal is to meet every case with compassion and kindness.

“There is a huge benefit to human connection and having someone answer the phone,” Clark said. “There’s a voice on the other side of the line that’s here to be with you when the world feels really unmanageable.”

Since its launch, Health 34 has successfully answered over 235 calls for assistance and has had more than 1000 interactions, according to Clark.

The program collaborates with many on-campus resources such as Aggie Compass, The Pantry, the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, Health and Wellness Services and countless others.

Health 34 can also navigate and

provide transportation to these services, but can also provide their own services to fill in the gaps during the hours when these resources are not available, according to Trauernicht.

When asked about goals for the upcoming quarter, Health 34 Provider Destiny Rogers said that she hopes to make more connections with resources both on and off campus, on top of hoping people would feel more comfortable calling when they need help.

“Our goals are going to be visibility and marketing and just making sure that everyone knows we exist,” Rogers said. “One of our goals is to let people know or embrace the fact [that] we are here for them no matter what. They are not taking up a resource, they are just as important as anyone else and they can truly call any time. People really struggle with the 24/7 aspect, but we are truly there 24/7 and we hope people embrace that.”

Additionally, Clark said that the program is looking for student feedback to help improve their service in any way possible.

“If students know about us and see a place that they think we would be helpful or they’ve had contact with us and have feedback, we are really open to learn from them,” Clark said.

Trauernicht encouraged people to stop by the red Health 34 van if they see it on campus to get any resources they might need or even just to chat.

Trauernicht ultimately wants Health 34 to reimagine how care is given to a community.

“No matter who you are or where you come from, we all struggle,” Trauernicht said. “We want to make UC Davis a place where we recognize that struggle is part of life and no one has to go through it alone. Please reach out for help early so we can connect people to resources before they reach a point of crisis.”

I had a miscarriage the day of the impeachment hearing, and I still showed up over Zoom, and I still showed up the next day to preside over the entire Senate meeting,” Raghunathan said.

When the floor opened for public comment, several members of the student body expressed their own concerns with the proceedings and largely defended Raghunathan, and Ojeda to some extent. The Judicial Council adjourned soon afterwards.

The date for the second and final impeachment hearing, at which parties will have the opportunity for crossexaminations and to make closing statements, is set to take place soon after the first hearing. As with the first hearing, members of the public will be invited to attend. Final rulings on both cases by the Judicial Council are expected shortly thereafter.

IMPEACHMENTHEARING FROM FRONT COVER “It’s so unfair to say that I couldn’t preside well [over the Senate] when

12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

SPORTS MEN’S BASKETBALL

Basketball season ramps up with home-game win as Aggies beat CSUN A record-high game with a final score of 95 to 75

UC Davis basketball player, Elijah Pepper (40) shoots a free throw, scoring one point agaisnt CSUN. (Andrew Huang / Aggie)

BY MEGAN JOSEPH sports@theaggie.org With tensions high on the court, the Aggies played a stellar game against the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Matadors on Jan. 11. The game began on a rough note with both teams feeling the pressure, acquiring multiple fouls within 10 minutes of the first quarter. Despite both teams’ fouls, it did not take the Aggies long to gain control of the game and the lead.

With a season-high score of 95 points from the Aggies, fans saw strong performances from all over

the court, including from fourth-year Kane Milling, third-year Ty Johnson and fourth-year Elijah Pepper. All three players put up a minimum of 20 points in the game, leading the Aggies to control the court.

Following the recent three-point overtime loss against UC Irvine, the Aggies have been looking for a comeback to their winning streak. After this record game, the Aggies have not only achieved their comeback but so much more.

Milling, the leading scorer in the game, attained a new personal best of 27 points with his consistently accurate

three-pointers. The France native scored in the double figures early on in the game, giving the Aggies the upper hand for the rest of the time on the clock.

Since joining the UC Davis team in 2021, Millings has become a force to be reckoned with on the court. As one of the players with the most starts this year, fans can expect to see a lot more from Millings as the season continues.

Another notable performance in the game — especially regarding free throws — came from Ty Johnson. In most Aggie games, Johnson can be seen contributing to both ends of the court. A dynamic player, he not only

scored a total of 20 points against the Matadors but also had a total of four assists. Johnson contributed to the Aggies’ aggressive demeanor in the game with his fast movements on the court and dribbling ability.

Last but not least in this stellar trio is Elijah Pepper. Pepper, seen wearing jersey number 40 on the court, is an impressive player with his all-time leading scorer record for the Aggies, as well as his ability to distribute the ball. Pepper demonstrated his skills as a well-rounded player as he contributed 20 points and seven assists to the team.

As a key performer to the Aggies’ offense

this year, Pepper will be pivotal to the team’s ability to make it to the playoffs.

With the Aggies having such a successful first two quarters, CSUN was left scrambling to stay in the game.

At the beginning of the third quarter, CSUN staged a strong comeback with a newfound determination that earned them a considerable amount of points.

However, the Aggies had defensive players prepared for a challenge.

Forcing 15 turnovers, the Aggie defense prevented a significant amount of CSUN drives to the basket. Fourthyear Niko Rocak had a particularly impressive defensive performance with his considerable amount of steals.

Rocak, playing as center for the Aggies, currently leads the team in blocks this season. Although Rocak had a decent amount of fouls in this game, it didn’t show in his gameplay, allowing him to become an important part of the Aggies’ 32 total rebounds.

As this is only Rocak’s second season playing for UC Davis, his bond with the team is shown through the group’s effective communication on the court.

Another valuable member of the Aggie’s defense is fourth-year Francesco Borra. Borra proved to be indispensable against CSUN as he kept the Aggie team spirit high, especially when he had a steal-turned-dunk that left the crowd cheering. Standing at seven feet tall, Borra is a great addition to the Davis defense with his unmatched ability to block and rebound.

Overall, the Aggies have really come into their own at the start of a season that leaves fans enthusiastic about what is next. With the team’s unity, communication and power, the Aggies are definitely a strong candidate for the playoffs — and maybe even further.

A winter wind down with some of our Aggie Athletes

Tips for athletes to find balance in stressful times

BY MI’ZAUNI REESE sports@theaggie.org Aggie athletes are some of the most dedicated and hardworking, yet often forgotten, members of our community.

Maintaining highly demanding schedules with both academic and athletic commitments is no easy task for athletes. School breaks are one of the few chances Aggie athletes get to take a break from their normal schedules and focus on themselves.

As winter break has just come to an end, many athletes, like secondyear medical and molecular biology major and cheerleader Eden Martin, took the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and be mindful about the relaxation they need. Martin spent her winter break deepening her faith, reading Christian non-fiction and practicing mindful breathing which are key to her active performances during the school year.

These activities of self-development and productivity not only help her relax, but also make her feel purposeful with her time. Alternatively, Martin also enjoys taking pilates classes which provide her with a form of exercise that is non-goal-oriented and still allows her to maintain her health.

The overwhelming feeling of stress that comes from sports can be constant for many Davis athletes and hard to manage. Martin, having already been a Davis athlete for a year, gave advice to those feeling this type of stress.

“Sit outside in the sun and reconnect with yourself,” Martin said.

“Take a breather, slowing your breathing and being mindful of your body, [it] will really help center you and allow your mind to slow down.”

Martin also recommends investing in a planner to stay organized during the school year — a tip all UC Davis students can use.

Similarly to Martin, second-year football player Nick Tyler, a science and technology major, also likes to take advantage of free time during breaks from school by catching up on his R&R. Tyler regularly goes to the gym to stay healthy, but he also makes sure to make up for lost sleep and spends lots of time with his younger brother.

During the school year, Tyler has a meticulously planned schedule that he adheres to, ensuring he gets everything done in a timely manner. He sets alarms throughout the day with reminders of tasks and obligations, which he would say is his “holy grail.”

In reminiscing about his time as an Aggie so far, Tyler said that “the beauty is in the process and hard work, not the destination.”

In contrast, some athletes turn to additional competition and pressure as a method of distraction from sports.

Fifth-year political science major and football player Jeremiah Chukwudobe finds relaxation in high-intensity basketball games with his friends and other intensive activities. Over break, he took time to travel to Nigeria and spend time with long-distance family and friends. This brought him immense joy and renewed his excitement for his upcoming graduation.

“Time management is essential,” Chukwudobe said. “Stress derives from a lack of a plan, if you have structure, there is no need to worry. Your life will be better balanced and more enjoyable if you carve out time for things rather than scrambling through your day.”

Additionally, some athletes turn to cleaning and refreshing their space for that relaxation and renewal feeling, including third-year gymnast Ava Scafani.

“Cleaning my living space before break gives me a sense of calm, knowing that I will be able to come home to a clean apartment after break,” Scafani said.

During break, she mostly spent her time doing things she otherwise would not be able to during the school year due to her busy schedule. Scafani enjoyed watching movies, reading and cooking in her downtime at home.

During the school year when Scafani feels overwhelmed or stressed, she takes time to chat with friends and family.

“Catching up with people she is close to gives my mind a break,” Scafani said, “as well as taking many walks outdoors and journaling.”

Scafani insists on one other piece of advice for Aggies who are feeling the pressure that comes with being an athlete.

“Develop a routine that includes both necessities and time to unwind, establishing time for yourself is crucial to success,” Scafani said.

All of these athletes are stars on the field, representing our

AGGIE FILE community and uniting students and staff as fans and supporters, while managing their own struggles.

Breathing, exercising and cleaning are ways anybody can manage their stress and take the time to prioritize themselves while still maintaining a

face-paced life. Everyone, no matter if they’re a student, athlete or teacher, should take the time to relax and find a way to balance themselves to stay motivated and ready to take on the new year.