Volume 62 Issue 06

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FOR THE WEEK OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

University

C a l i f o r n i a , R ive r s i d e

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Issue 06

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ASUCR SENATE:

ONE SPOT OPEN ON THE JUDICIAL BRANCH Senators debate on whether to give the Judicial Branch the power of impeachment and face allegations of misconduct and discrimination by an unappointed Judicial candidate. S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER

C a m e r o n Y o n g /HIGHLANDER Vice Chief Justice Matthew Richardson presented a “Ten Strikes Penal System” in order to check that senators were fulfilling their duties.

Members of ASUCR unanimously approved a revised Elections Code bylaw on Oct. 22 in an attempt to mitigate a potential conflict of interest between the Judicial and Legislative Branches. The Judicial Branch is also seeking to enact a Ten Strikes Penal System, which will provide them with the ability to impeach senators for any future negligence, but the system may also impede powers vested to other branches. Lastly, senators also approved four out of the five nominated justices, but were later scolded by the only unappointed candidate, Mohamed Hussein, for not electing him. Dilemma surrounding potential justices running for office In a 15-minute presentation, Elections Director Chris Sanchez proposed five different scenarios for approving the justices, while identifying the flaws associated with each plan. Senators also approved revisions to the Elections Code located in the ASUCR Bylaws, in order to deter justices from using their powers to run in future elections. The senate bylaws establish a separation of power between the Judicial Rules of Procedure

and the ASUCR Constitution and Bylaws, which does not have jurisdiction over the former. According to the rules, justices are given the ultimate authority to review complaints and claims of constitutional or bylaw violations about any body or office in ASUCR, including the Elections Committee — the area in dispute. “No member of the ASUCR Judicial Council may hold a position in; (IV) The Election Committee. (V) Candidates in ASUCR Elections,” reads the Judicial rules. Under the Grounds for Removal subsection, justices may also be asked to step down if they are found guilty of campaigning in ASUCR elections. Since the Judicial Branch is given the authority to review elections cases, Sanchez explained that there is an increased level of uncertainty if a justice decides to step down to run in an election, they may hold a biased judgment in the elections cases that they are reviewing. Sanchez explained of a hypothetical “apocalyptic” situation, where justices are able to meet quorum — attendance of four out of six justices — giving them the power to edit the election

UC Davis pepper-spray cop wins $38,000 settlement S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On Oct. 16, former UC Davis police lieutenant John Pike received a worker’s compensation of $38,000 from the University of California, after citing depression and anxiety from a 2011 Davis demonstration. Pike gained notoriety through a viral video, which depicted him pepper-spraying sitting student protesters, while dressed in tactile and armored gear. “This case has been resolved in accordance with state law and processes on workers’ compensation,” UC Davis spokesman said in a media release. Pike reportedly received more than 17,000 angry or threatening emails, and 10,000 written and texted messages when his identity became known to the public. He was then placed on paid administrative leave for eight months, until his termination in July 2012. At the time of the demonstration, UC students were vehemently protesting against the privatization of higher education as a result of nearly a billion dollars in state divestment within a decade. A 190-page investigative report of

JUDICIAL BRANCH CONT’D ON PAGE 5

INSIDE: College is affecting the health of students, but is it really the college that should take the blame? OPINIONS

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Ever gotten drunk off of brains? Find out how in this week’s 21 and Over Club. FEATURES

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AFI’s “Burials” isn’t anything new from the post-hardcore band, but it’s great for old fans. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

C o u rt e s y o f B r i a n N g u y e n /T h e C a li f o r n i a A g g i e Lt. John Pike, left, attempts to maintain control over the crowd during a student protest in the UC Davis quad on November 18, 2011. Pike was recently awarded a $38,000 compensation for trauma.

the incident revealed that the university and UC Davis Police Department used excessive force and bad judgment during the altercation. Following the release of the report, the university agreed to pay $30,000 to each of the pepper-sprayed students — $8,000 less than what Pike is now receiving.

Bernie Goldsmith, a Davis lawyer supporting the protesters told the Davis Enterprise, “(The compensation) sends a clear message to the next officer nervously facing off with a group of passive, unarmed students: Go on ahead. Brutalize them. Trample their rights. ■H You will be well taken care of.”

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We’ve previewed the best centers and forwards in the NBA. This week, we tackle guards. PAGE 23

SPORTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

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STAFF

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