Police Chief Matt Carmichael holds town hall meeting

Students voice their opinions regarding new policy

Written by DANIELLE HUDDLESTUN
News Writer
Published on June 4, 2012
Filed under Campus News, Top Stories

Newly appointed UC Davis Police Chief Matt Carmichael held a town hall style forum in Memorial Union II last Tuesday at 6 p.m. With free pizza and a light atmosphere, Carmichael created an environment in which students could contribute to future changes in store for the university’s police department. “We are here tonight to get input on what our policies should look like. To do it in the summer means that students aren’t important. We can knock it out now and come back in the fall,” Carmichael said. The first hour included discussion about the new policy update program that Carmichael has implemented. Having signed with the risk management company, Lexipol, the UC Davis police department will have access to information on case law, agency customization, daily bulletin integration and archiving. “Updates from Lexipol come twice a year. We must review and accept them. They give an example of new language [for policies] so we know exactly what needs to be changed,” said Paul Harman, the policy manager. The new... ...

Column: Bye bye!

OK, so they have this thing in France called l’esprit de l’escalier. Actually, we have it in America too, but we don’t have a pretty name for it like they do in France. Anyway, l’esprit de l’escalier literally means “the spirit of the stairs” and it basically refers to that feeling you get when you’re leaving the party and you suddenly know exactly what you should have said in response to that stupid Kevin guy when he called you an over-educated, under-informed pseudo-intellectual. Or whatever. Not that that’s a true story. Anyway, it’s a phrase to describe the familiar feeling you get when you figure out the perfect comeback, but a few minutes too late. And I graduate in June, so I’m working real hard on not realizing, as I load up my minivan and hit highway 80, that I figured out my perfect comeback to my four years here just a little too late. So here are some things I want to say before I leave this party. Some... ...

News-in-brief: Houseboats 2012 yields one death

On May 26, 22-year-old UC Santa Cruz graduate Trevor Krieg died at the Memorial Day weekend Houseboats 2012 event on Lake Shasta. At around 8:40 p.m. on May 25, Krieg attempted to jump from one houseboat roof to another. In the process, Krieg slipped, hit his head and fell into the water. Krieg was taken to the Mercy Medical Hospital in Redding and died at around 4:10 a.m., according to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of death was determined as drowning. Krieg graduated from Saugus High School near Santa Clarita in 2008 and graduated from UCSC in 2011. He was a volleyball coach at Mount Madonna School, Scotts Valley High School and Cabrillo College. He also was head coach of Main Beach Volleyball Club. — Claire Tan ...

Increase in graduate degree holders on food stamps

Current economic hardships have left many seeking help from federal welfare programs in an effort to make ends meet. It seems as though no one is capable of escaping the fiscal realities of the present economic climate. However, a specific subgroup in need of food stamps and other government subsidies may come as quite a surprise. The number of those with some form of graduate degree, whether it be master’s or Ph.D., who receive food stamps has nearly tripled between 2007 and 2010. Although in comparison to national figures, the numbers representing graduate degree holders on food-assistance may seem miniscule, the drastic increase within a three-year period has many concerned. The findings were released by the United States Census Bureau within the latest Current Population Survey and detail, among other specificities, the growth of factions needing some form of welfare. The usage of food stamps increased from 17 million individuals a month to 44 million since 2000. This significant increase leaves one in six Americans on food stamps. In comparison,... ...

Department of Textiles and Clothing bids a stylish farewell to graduating seniors

Students and faculty from the Department of Textiles and Clothing came out last Thursday night to celebrate the graduation of the department’s seniors and graduate students. Each year, the department hosts the Black & White Ball, an intimate dinner party that acknowledges the outstanding academic achievements of Textiles and Clothing students. This year’s theme was Black, White & Bloom — with an emphasis on florals. Graduating seniors, faculty members, undergraduate majors and minors and their friends and family all gathered in the courtyard of Everson Hall. Twinkling lights were strung up from tree to tree, surrounding the tables and flower garlands hung from branches, to create an intimate and cozy setting. “The major is really small, so it’s nice that we can have these events,” said graduating senior Ashley Mariano who was recognized for her work as a peer advisor. “Everyone gets really dressed up and it’s just really fun. Not a lot of departments on campus do that.” Graduating graduate student Margaret Bennett agreed. “It allows people to interact... ...

Enjoy summer’s high temperatures

It’s June and it’s hot. Cruel summer conditions are upon us and as anyone who has experienced a summer here would know the pyrexia that is Davis heat can be quite something. Not only is it physically uncomfortable, but many students are noticing disposition shifts, finding it difficult in these last few weeks to exchange their air conditioned apartments for sweaty backpack imprinted shirts and crowded, oven-like lecture halls. Finding ways to keep cool proves important for the upcoming months. Efficiently and creatively, many Aggies are doing just that. Perhaps the most popular means of beating the Davis heat is frequently visiting the Recreation Pool. Located at the northwest corner of Hutchinson Drive and La Rue Road, the UC Davis Rec Pool is one of three on-campus swimming pools. At a length of 40 yards, it is the largest freeform swimming pool on the West Coast, providing ample space for both families and the student body. Brent O’Leary, junior political science major, has been going to the Rec Pool almost... ...

Column: Going offline

In an effort to curb my serious case of senioritis, I am muting my social media accounts and minimizing my internet use until my undergraduate career has been put to rest. Only after the last answer is completed on the last scantron of my last final will I emerge. Starting today, I am (very begrudgingly) going offline. The wide web is a dangerous world anyway and it might be an opportune time to stay away. That secret cyberwar program our president ordered? You know, the computer virus that intended to take down Iranian nuclear plants? Yeah, I wouldn’t want to get caught in the middle of that firefight. Plus, there’s all that talk about the United Nations policing the internet and no one really wants that. Because that means China, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia would have equal say in organizing and controlling the web. Given the tendency of these countries to quiet the voice of their people and silence political dissidents, international regulation seems like a pretty poor idea.... ...

Senate briefs

ASUCD Senate meetings are scheduled to begin Thursdays at 6:10 p.m. Times listed are according to the clock at the May 31 meeting location, the Memorial Union’s Mee Room. The ASUCD president is not required to attend senate meetings. Meeting called to order at 6:13 p.m. Rebecca Sterling, ASUCD president, present Yena Bae, ASUCD vice president, present Kabir Kapur, ASUCD senator, present Jared Crisologo-Smith, ASUCD senator, present, arrived late at 9:10 p.m. Bradley Bottoms, ASUCD senator, present Justin Goss, ASUCD senator, present Anni Kimball, ASUCD senator, present Paul Min, ASUCD senator, present Don Gilbert, ASUCD senator, present Joyce Han, ASUCD senator, present Erica Padgett, ASUCD senator, present Beatriz Anguiano, ASUCD senator, present Patrick Sheehan, ASUCD senator, pro tempore, present Yara Zokaie, ASUCD senator, present Presentations Former ASUCD Senator Brendan Repicky explained why senators should vote “yes” on Proposition 29, which would enforce a one dollar tax on cigarette packs that would go toward funding cancer research. He also thanked some ASUCD senators for donations toward Camp Kesem, a camp for... ...

Islamic Center of Davis shares history

The Islamic Center of Davis has served as a place of worship and social gathering since 1982. However, it has not always been the blue mosque that we see today. “A group of muslim students at UC Davis initiated the motion to have a place for worship, so they rented an old house on Russell Boulevard,” said Ahmed Ahmedin, a Ph.D student in electrical engineering and social secretary of the center. The students as well as the Davis community came together and began having fundraisers so that they eventually could buy and own the house. A good portion of the funds came from the surrounding community and the Bay Area. After the house was bought, it remained a converted house for 30 years. But it was in desperate need of re-building as well as establishing its presence as a place for worship. Othman Alsoud, the Islamic Center’s first president, organized a fundraiser spanning across the Bay Area and even the country to raise money for building the mosque. “It was... ...

Aggies Abroad

It’s all about chasing the dream. Athletes come to UC Davis hoping that they will be part of the miniscule percent of competitors to ultimately break into the professional level of their respective sport. But when these athletes fail to sign with a domestic team, they are faced with a choice: let the dream die or find a new place to practice their trade. Over the last several seasons the choice has become increasingly clear: UC Davis athletes are willing to give their careers a second life overseas. Of late, this trend has been more prevalent in one sport than in any other: basketball. In 2010, Dominic Calegari gave up the familiar confines of the United States in favor of the less comfortable grounds of a playing career in Poland and then Ukraine. Calegari was followed the next season by former teammates Mark Payne and Todd Lowenthal, who are currently continuing their careers in Spain and Israel, respectively. On the women’s side, former Aggies Paige Mintun and Heidi Heintz have... ...

Column: Awards Part 2

So it’s come to this. A full year as sports editor and I could not be more proud of the time I’ve spent working for The California Aggie. And I can think of no better way to end my time with The Aggie than with a second edition of the Rosenblum Awards. So here it is: one last, final, last column. (10 points for you if you get that reference). Best “out of nowhere” performance — men’s golf Big West Conference title. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t think the Aggies would be able to impress this season without the help of Austin Graham and Tyler Raber. But the team proved me wrong. After struggling through much of the season, UC Davis men’s golf made a remarkable run in the Big West Tournament to take the conference title. The league championship might not have been enough to propel the Aggies to great heights in the NCAA Regional, but the conference title was certainly “out of nowhere.” Worst luck — Eric... ...

Sudwerk Brewery hosts eighth annual BeerFest

If enjoying a smorgasbord of hand-crafted brews and helping out the elderly sound like your cup of tea, then the annual Davis BeerFest is right up your alley. Sudwerk Brewery, located on 2001 Second Street, was the site for Davis BeerFest 2012. The event was held on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. with a $35 charge if tickets were ordered in advance and a $40 charge at the door. Additionally, designated drivers were only charged $10, which included food and soda. All proceeds from the event went to Citizens Who Care (CWC), a private non-profit organization that serves the elderly and their family caregivers in Yolo County. According to Joanne Bell, the executive director of CWC, the turnout at the event was phenomenal. “We had 1,000 bracelets and tasting glasses prepared, but we completely ran out of them,” Bell said. “It was a record breaking turnout.” Trenton Yackzan, who works in sales at Sudwerk, attributed the event’s success to a variety of factors, including increased awareness via social media... ...