Voter registration jumps in final weeks

volume 127, number 138 serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915 www.theaggie.org tuesday, october 28, 2008 Voter registration jumps in final weeks Campus groups register over 6,000 voters By JON GJERDE Aggie News Writer University of California partners with Google to share digitized books UC campuses part of 23 universities to contribute to HathiTrust effort By ANGELA RUGGIERO Aggie News Writer For the past several weeks, students at UC Davis have complained about being asked if they’re registered to vote three times a day. But there was a purpose to all those persistent democracy enthusiasts, and their ceaseless efforts have paid off. “September and October have been huge registration months for us,” said Freddie Oakley, Yolo County clerk-recorder. “We haven’t had an increase [in voter registration] this large in five or 10 years.” “Five weeks ago we were at 92,000 [registered voters] right now we’re at 102,000,” she said. “We usually run at 90,000.” Oakley said the jump in voter registration was due, in part, to the massive voter registration drives on the UC Davis campus. Davis College Democrats teamed up with Students for Barack Obama to put on the largest of these on-campus voter registration drives. In total the two groups registered 4,000 voters. The majority of those registered were students, but not all of them, said DCD president Don Gibson. “We did get quite a few members of the UC Davis staff and people visiting UC Davis,” he said. Many of those registered by Davis College Democrats and Students for Barack Obama were not Democrats or Barack Obama supporters, Gibson said. About 55 percent of those registered indicated they were Democrats. Both groups are part of Yolo United, a coalition of local Democratic groups organized by the Yolo County Democratic Party. Other members of Yolo United focused on registering voters in the community. “People went in front of stores, especially in areas See VOTERS, page 2 ie Dan l va eek nB gie / Ag gra phic Since Oct. 13, the nation’s largest research libraries’ digital collections have been available to students and faculty with just the click of a mouse. The HathiTrust effort is a shared digital repository that includes the libraries of the 10 UC campuses, the University of Michigan, I n d i a n a University and other major research libraries reaching a total of 23 university collections scanned by Google. “What we are doing together is sharing our digital books and managing them collectively,” said Laine Farley, interim executive director of the California Digital Library. “We are committed to preserving those digital copies. What if Google goes out of business, or say something happened to those physical copies? We will still have copies of those digital books.” The California Digital Library, which provides UC libraries with digital services, will be working with the HathiTrust — a shared digital repository— in order to guarantee the preservation of materials. “At CDL we have a lot of expertise in preservation,” said Patricia Cruse, director of the Digital Preservation program. “Our goal is to protect the improved access to intellectual capital of the university that we have collected through the years.” In order to preserve intellectual property rights of the digital collections’ authors, copyrighted books will not have full text versions available. Only books and materials part of the public domain are included in full. Already 2.2 million volumes of books are available through the Ha t h i Tr u s t and 10 milc gie graphi lion volumes ontez / Ag Roque M total will soon be coming from the UC storage facility. The system will work like the current UC inter-library loan program that ships See DIGITIZE, page 2 UCD faces $5 million midyear budget cut Campus units must become aware of spending to cope with shortfall By MIKE DORSEY Aggie News Writer Economy’s impact on UCD student loans not dramatic Number of loans issued increasing By LAUREN STEUSSY Aggie Staff Writer Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s call for a $190 million budget cut across all state agencies has left the UC system with $33.1 million in midyear budget slashing to do. “We haven’t gotten the definite letter from the Office of the President yet, but we’re predicting our share will be $5 million,” said Barbara Horwitz, interim provost and executive vice chancellor. UCD generally gets 15 percent of the UC’s cuts — the same as the campus’ share of what the UC system receives from the state general fund, said Kelly Ratliff, associate vice chancellor in the Office of Resource Management and Planning. The estimated $5 million cut will be met by an assessment or belt tightening, in the campus’ self-supporting units — mostly administrative units where goods and services are sold outside the university. “This includes the MU, Student Housing, TAPS, Reprographics — anything that brings in money and pays their own expenses — units that can run without an appropriation from the state general fund,” Ratliff said. Academic units are not targeted by the assessment, Horwitz said. While they may be affected indirectly due to the decrease in selfsupporting units they rely on, they need not fear cuts. Horwitz said the issue arose because the UC’s state funding remained the same — meaning it remained unbalanced and didn’t allow for the increased cost of existing services and growing student enrollment. “We knew we’d have to cut more than the original $28 million shortfall because the budget wasn’t totally balanced and left our savings to be identified later,” she said. Ratliff explained this was predicted as far back as May, when Vice Chancellor of Resource and Management Planning John Meyer issued a letter hinting it might be necessary to implement this kind of cut and asking the effected units to identify potential consequences. Since then enough funds were identified to balance the original $28 million shortfall from the budget, without having to make a decision on the self-supporting units, Ratliff said. “But once the Office of Resource Management and Planning was notified the mid-year cut would be as great as $5 million, running an assessment on self-supporting units became the solution,” Ratliff said. Students in need of a loan needn’t be intimidated by the looming credit crisis. Although more students are taking out loans this year, university officials urge them not to worry — the credit crisis will not dramatically hinder their ability to pay tuition. “We [financial aid] are not affected in terms of our ability to assist students,” said Katy Maloney, interim director of financial aid. “The only problem is that people read the news and think that they won’t be able to afford schools. It’s more a psychological fear than anything.” The two types of loans students typically take out are federal loans and private loans. Financial aid encourages those struggling to pay tuition to use private loans as a last resort, given their rising rates and required credit scores. Approximately 300 — 1 percent of — students at UCD have chosen to take out private loans in order to fill the gap that federal loans, scholarships and other kinds of financial aid cannot fill. The percentage of students going to private lenders is low because UCD receives money for loans from the federal government, not a bank or money lending institution, unlike many other schools. Even the largest private student loan provider, Sallie Mae Group, has decreased their loan aid by $1.2 billion in preparation for what they expect to be a difficult financial year. “California has been able to keep the cost of education at lower levels than other states, but it competes with prison, health care, welfare and other state funded programs,” said Tom Timar, professor of education and expert in education finance and governance. “In the long run there are some very structural problems in the California state financing mechanisms.” The only circumstance that See LOANS, page 4 The Golden Knights drop in on Aggies The Golden Knights, the official U.S. Army parachute team, performed during the UC Davis vs. North Dakota football game this Saturday. The Golden Knights are known for their dramatic jumps and daring landings and have performed in all 50 states and 48 countries over the past 47 years. Formed in 1961 as a means to gain influence in a pre-dominantly communist sport, The Golden Knights have went on to become the world’s premier parachute team. Apart from wowing spectators, the Golden Knights compete nationally and internationally, often earning accolades. They are the most successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team. Given that there is a nearly two year waiting period to book the Golden Knights, advanced planning was required. The Golden Knights perform for about 3 colleges per year, an honor that the Aggies get to share with a select few. The show featured 13 jumpers skydiving out of the Fokker C-31A Friendship, with sparklers and glow sticks in hand, and landing safely in Aggie Stadium. Reaching speeds of nearly 120 miles per hour, landing on a small stretch of land, in high winds and in the dark, the Golden Knights did not hesitate for even a moment. With true professionalism, they tested conditions before jumping, first with streamers to take account of wind speeds, then with a preliminary jumper to relay any necessary information. Once all the information was gathered and analyzed, the jumpers lit their sparklers and were off into the night. Both from below and from above, it was a spectacular sight to see. In addition to offering entertainment, the Golden Knights strive to promote awareness within the Army and work with high schools and local recruiters to generate interest in the Army. Although it is a seemingly frightening, when asked if they get nervous before their jumps, the 13 Jumpers answered in unison, “It’s just another day on the job.” — Photos and text by Deeba Yavrom See BUDGET, page 4 Today’s weather Partly cloudy High 82 Low 47 Forecast After my harsh commentary on the Coho last week, I’d like to offer a (proverbial) olive branch. Yesterday, I tried the brownie with mint frosting. This was one of the better pastries I’ve ever had. The way the mint complemented the chocolate was amazing. Thanks, Coho! Jon Gold Source: weather.com Wednesday Mostly sunny High 79 Low 50 Thursday Cloudy High 80 Low 50 daily calendar police briefs lynn la michael hower Inside 2 2 2 2 opinion james noonan news in brief classifieds 3 3 4 4 2 TuesDaY, ocTober 28, 2008 page two All my peeps are finally 21, this is our last year together, and so what if people judge us and/ or try to exorcise us? (It’s my eczema that usually confuses people). Shitloads of girls do it Lynn Loo every Friday night — why not La us for one time, one day out of the year?! Otherwise, they’ll kill you Fortunately, I’ve already finished buying my costume. I know some of you guys might have some last minute scurrying to do, so here are some tips for your procrastinating self: ’ve decided to shake things First, the more your cosup a bit differently this tume hinders your ability to Halloween. Despite all my move and function, the betjudgments and insecurities, ter. I believe that a costume I’m determined to go ahead that still makes you look like a and dress up “provocatively.” civilian (i.e.: wearing normal Alright, who am I kidding, it’s clothes and then having a sign just straight up skanky. I still that says “Nudist on Strike,” have some reservations about or being Clark Kent instead of it because one, I feel like I’m Superman) is such a cop-out selling out to “the Man,” and move. Where’s the effort, peotwo, my body isn’t at its most ple? When I see a man dressed pristine condition as of now. in full fluffy mascot uniform Let’s just say that the corset or any other thing that basiI bought probably cries little cally guarantees he will not corset-tears because it might get lucky at all that night, I see as well have commitment been used for and sacrifice. And so, this Friday, gift-wrapping a I I will be having those balls thisalso like surfboard. suggesmy friends! Anyone can tion because it tell you that lowers a guy’s my friends and I are pretty ability to touch and grope much the most insecure peogirls inappropriately. I know ple ever. Ever. We might have it’s Halloween and all, but put different majors, but we all a mask on a guy and he just minor in feeling really crapshreds every last bit of decency py about ourselves. I myself inside of him. Not only can he just got accepted into the hon- get away with it because he’s ors program, which teachin disguise, but he also feels es upper division courses like that girls are just asking for it. “Why a Man Will Never Find For shame! If any of you guys you Attractive 101” and “Your end up doing this, my friend Parents Divorced Because of who studied Wicca for three You, They Just Won’t Say it weeks shall put a hex on you, 113B.” and you shall fail all your midI know everyone has their terms! Even the easy ones like own body image issues, but O-chem. ours have been haunting Second, make sure that us since the day our brains whatever you wear, tons of could differentiate between people will be wearing it too. I normal and abnormal facmean let’s face it, you just have es, which usually finishes deto accept the fact that indeed, veloping when you’re in the there shall be other sexy angels womb. And when our mothand devils walking around the ers told us we owned the ugly same club. I myself don’t mind ones (due to no fault of their seeing multiple costumes of own, of course), we’ve all been the same thing since it’s bound in therapy ever since. Well, not to happen, but I find it odd me actually — I like to selfhow someone always manages medicate with a lot of mirror to take it as a personal offense. punching. As if their notion of going as a That’s why we envy girls who sexy cop was truly an original can walk outside their housone-of-a-kind idea, despite the es come Oct. 31 and just strut fact that the costume came in their stuff like nobody’s busia gigantic Ziploc bag. ness. We stare not out of judgment (eh, maybe sometimes LYNN LA wishes everyone a safe Halloween — OK, all the time), but more and her stupid roommate a happy birthday. out of admiration. I mean, to She also hopes that she can fight off this just walk out there and own it, bronchitis before the 31st. Otherwise, she’ll that takes balls. be hawking a loogey every eight seconds on And so, this Friday, I will be the dance floor. To make sure she gets well, having those balls my friends! e-mail her at ldla@ucdavis.edu. The california aggie daily calendar dailycal@californiaaggie.com today project compost 6 p.m. Project Compost Office, MU Basement Learn about radical composting on campus and how to get involved. East Quad Check out a convenient iteration of the Farmers Market right on campus! thinking outside the Box 6 to 8 p.m. ASUCD Coffee House Go to this discussion about how the media is portraying the presidential and vice presidential candidates with simple labels. After this discussion, Davis College Democrats, Davis College Republicans and Davis Students for Nader will have a debate. Donuts will be provided. texas Hold ‘em poker tournament 6 to 8 p.m. Griffin Lounge, MU Get there early; seats fill up quickly. Must be there by 6 p.m. If you’re one of the top 30 players, you could end up in the tournament of champions! Boo!(bies) technocultural studies presentation 7:30 p.m. 107 TCS Building Go to “Dismantling Monoculture” by the Beehive Collective. tHurSday environmental internship and career fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Freeborn Hall Meet with over 70 companies looking for students from all majors. For more information, visit icc.ucdavis.edu. I Jerusalem Symphony orchestra 8 p.m. Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center The program for this show consists of Erich Walter Sternberg: The Twelve Tribes of Israel; Bernstein: Serenade for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp and Percussion; Copland: Symphony No. 3. Tickets range from $22.50 to $75. president’s undergraduate Fellowship program 5 p.m. 409 Surge IV Listen to an adviser discuss the application process and offer advice. The adviser will also answer questions. Sponsoring professors are welcome to attend this information meeting. tueSday collegiate 4-H at uc davis 7 p.m. 109 Wellman At this meeting, the club will carve pumpkins and plan the next Collegiate 4-H meeting. thursday trivia nights 6 to 7:30 p.m. Silo Union Test your knowledge of random facts and potentially win fabulous prizes along the way! To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, e-mail dailycal@californiaaggie. com or stop by 25 Lower Freeborn by noon the day prior to your event. Due to space constraints, all event descriptions are subject to editing, and priority will be given to events that are free of charge and geared toward the campus community. tzu ching meeting 7 to 8 p.m. ARC Meeting Room 3 TCCA’s general meeting is happening! Go to learn about compassionate community service. wedneSday east Quad Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. police BrieFS tHurSday obviously not a marketing major An individual was asking people on F Street if they wanted to buy marijuana. The individual was subsequently arrested for possession with intent to sell. Sounds shady... (get it?) Subjects were dealing drugs in the park on Chestnut Lane. Saturday poultry-palooza! Seven or eight chickens and roosters were running in the street near Fifth and F streets. Spare the rod, spoil the child An individual witnessed someone slap a 9-year-old boy on Cowell Boulevard. An angry male was throwing things at a door on F Street. what is it with men throwing things? An individual was seen hitchhiking in the middle of the railroad tracks near East Eighth Street. good luck getting the train to stop, buddy no rear entry, thanks People were trying to access a party through someone else’s backyard on Anderson Road. is it in you? Two subjects threw a Gatorade bottle at an individual’s car on Richards Boulevard. Friday wood is just so irresistible An individual on Oak Avenue had a pile of wood delivered, only to find it stolen a short time later. and they were missing teeth An individual on Hanover Drive was approached by various subjects trying to sell him meth. JEREMY OGUL thinks tweekers are funny. This segment is based on the Davis Police Department crime log, available online at cityofdavis.org/police/log. POLICE BRIEFS appear Tuesdays and Fridays. let’s, like, break some shit, bro! Subjects on B Street were outside partying and breaking bottles in the street. voters UC Davis operates inland Northern California’s only Level 1 trauma center. The center has been instrumental in keeping Sacramento County’s preventable death rate at or below 1 percent, less than half the national average. READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW.THEAGGIE.ORG READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW.THEAGGIE.ORG READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW.THEAGGIE.ORG READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW.THEAGGIE.ORG READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW. THEAGGIE.ORG READ THE AGGIE ONLINE AT WWW.THEAGGIE. SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DO NOT WORK accuracy cont. from front page where there would be a higher concentration of underserved voters,” said Claire Slotton, executive director of Yolo United. They concentrated their efforts on registering eligible voters from lower-income and lower-education backgrounds, and people who have recently become citizens. All in all, the groups of Yolo United registered about 9,000 voters in Yolo County. Of these, just over 6,000 indicated they were Democrats. CalPIRG, a non-partisan public interest group, was the other major force behind oncampus voter registration. The group registered 2,101 voters, doubling their numbers from previous registration drives by the group, said campus organizer Margaret Howe. JON GJERDE can be reached at city@ Howe stressed the impor- californiaaggie.com. er. McCain’s economic plan is worse than throwing more fuel onto the fire; it’s like cramming more enriched uranium into a thermonuclear warhead and detonating it over Wall Street. In Michael these dire economic times, is it Hower wise to make a man who admits that “economics is not someThe Sterling Compass thing he understands” president of the United States? Despite our nation’s economic woes, the War on Terror will likely prove to be the defining issue of our time. We know why we are in Afghanistan but we still don’t understand why President Bush lied to us to justify invading Iraq. hange. We’ve heard a lot For a while we thought we had about it lately. Although fixed Afghanistan only to see the presidential hopefuls have Taliban resurrected. The Bush advocated it since the Republic’s Administration likes to paint the founding, this election seems to Middle East black and white and emphasize it in an unprecedent- equates war protest with coned way. We find ourselves in the tempt for the American soldier. midst of raging uncertainty and McCain wields this same rhetfacing a fork in the road that will oric to strike at Obama’s foreign take us on two distinct paths; policy and sense of patriotism. one leading to genuine salvation, He berates Obama for proposing and the other to epic ruin. a gradual withdrawal plan from It goes withIraq, saying that out saying a premature deIt’s like cramming more that the fledgparture would enriched uranium into a ling economean “conmy is weighing thermonuclear warhead and ceding defeat” heavily on all detonating it over Wall Street while he himself of our minds. offers no sound According victory plan or to the Bureau of Labor statisexit strategy. McCain fears that tics, 2.2 million people have an American withdrawal would lost their jobs over the past year cause Iraq to explode into civand in September alone over il war, destabilizing the region; 159,000 people were laid off. however, the Iraq War already is Despite the fact that deregulaa civil war with sectarian conflict tion of the economy contributcausing most of the violence. ed heavily to the current crisis, Obama calls for a “responsible McCain believes that the econo- withdrawal” of American forcmy will heal itself through even es from Iraq within 16 months of fewer regulations, unrestricted taking office that would compel trade, and lower taxes on capithe Iraqi government to make tal and on the rich. Obama on good of its promises. Under the other hand sensibly propos- Obama’s plan, a residual force es a plan pushing for more gov- would remain behind to protect ernment oversight, higher trade the American embassy, hunt Alregulation, and a more equitaQaeda, and train the Iraqi army. ble taxation system. This would free up more troops McCain would keep all of to relieve our beleaguered forcPresident Bush’s tax cuts while es in Afghanistan and ensure vicdecreasing the top corporate tory on both fronts. Obama oftax rate from 35 to 25 percent. fers us a plan to finally resolve Obama would decrease taxes for the blunder that has cost us over 80 percent of Americans while 4,600 valiant American lives and increasing them for only 10 per- nearly $700 billion. McCain’s cent. McCain’s plan would inidea of change is to offer us more crease the bottom 20 percent of of the same. the population’s after-tax income Before we enter the voting by 0.2 percent while the top 1 booth, we should ask ourselves percent would enjoy a 2.2 perwhat kind of country we want cent increase in wealth. In conto live in. Has America reached trast, Obama’s plan would inits zenith? Is the status quo the crease the bottom 20 percent of best we can do? Or will America the population’s after-tax income learn from its errors and purby 5.4 percent while decreasing sue a brighter destiny as an emthe top 1 percent of the populablem of peace and prosperity? tion’s wealth by 8 percent. The answer to these questions The statistics speak for them- may well rest on the decision we selves; McCain proposes a con- make one week from today. tinuation of President Bush’s failed economic policies while MICHAEL HOWER would like to encourage all Obama proposes new meaeconomics majors to send their used textbooks to sures that will decrease tax241 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, tance of registering students in es for most Americans while in- D.C. 20510. Please send any questions about particular. creasing their purchasing powshipping and handling to mahower@ucdavis.edu. “In recent decades, students haven’t been paid attention to research materials online is that by politicians,” she said. “We one can search an entire book for want to make sure students keywords, making it easier to find turn out in record numbers specific research, Farley said. this year so that politicians pay cont. from front page UC books in the Hathitrust colattention to us and issues we books between UC campuses upon request — only digitally. lection come from UC’s Northern care about.” All voters registered in Yolo The repository under HathiTrust Regional Library Facility, which County can participate in ear- will also share other major re- stores various UC materials inly voting all this week at the old search libraries across the na- cluding UCD’s digital collections. Yokote said that there are a post office in Memorial Union tion in addition to the 10 UCs. Gail Yokote, associate univer- number of lessons to be learned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “If you’re a first time voter, sity librarian for Science and with the collective digitization it’s especially convenient to go Technology at UCD, said this is process. “Each effort will give us lessons to the early voting because it a collaborative effort to make the on what works and what doesn’t,” gives you time to figure out the research process easier. “Ideally what this effort will she said. “It’s important to come process without the pressure of people waiting behind you,” do is coordinate our efforts, then up with strategies that will work faculty and students will be able for our faculty, staff and students Oakley said. Regular voting takes place at to take advantage of what librar- through a number of projects locations across Davis on Nov. ies are doing in their infrastruc- and experiments.” 4. Voters can look up the poll- ture so that the process will be ANGELA RUGGIERO can be reached at campus@ ing place for their precinct at seamless,” Yokote said. Additional benefits of having californiaaggie.com. yoloelections.org. C Time for a change digitize The California Aggie strives to ensure that all of its facts and details are accurate. Please bring any corrections to our attention by calling (530) 752-0208. Richard Procter Editor in Chief Jon Gold Managing Editor Melinda Santana Business Manager Steve Reed Advertising Manager Alysoun Bonde Campus Editor Jeremy Ogul City Editor Rachel Filipinas Arts Editor Anna Opalka Features Editor Adam Loberstein Sports Editor Ted Asbaghi Copy Chief Michelle Davis Asst. Copy Chief Deeba Yavrom Photography Editor Sara Johnson Design Director Kimberly Protzel Asst. Design Director Amy Harris Night Editor Samantha Foster Asst. 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The California Aggie is printed on recycled paper the california aggie OPINION editorials testing materials: the bookstore, the Corral and the Silo Bookstore. Some of these locations are open for times that even exceed normal business hours. Students who fail to obtain proper testing materials at one of these three locations within this generous timeframe — with previous knowledge of their examination dates — haven’t taken the most basic step to prepare for an exam. If a student goes to class on an examination day in need of a Scantron or blue book, he or she can look to a classmate for assistance. Many students even bring extra testing materials to help forgetful classmates. Still, if the bookstore was looking for another way to help students buy testing materials, it could have started selling them at the bakery in the ASUCD Coffee House instead. The bakery is open for significantly longer than any other location in which testing materials could be purchased and wouldn’t have required spending thousands on a machine to handle transactions. Bookstore administrators, however, expect the machine’s sales to offset these initial costs. Still, there must be a wiser way to invest $5,000. tuesdaY, october 28, 2008 3 TesT maTerials vending machine Poor allocation of funds C ollege is a time to mature. A chance to take on additional responsibilities. An opportunity to become independent. Don’t worry if that doesn’t sound appealing to you. ASUCD senator Chris Dietrich and the UC Davis Bookstore are here to hold your hand and look both ways for you before you cross the street. With Dietrich leading the way, the UC Davis Bookstore installed a $5,000 vending machine in the basement of Olson Hall that sells bluebooks and Scantrons. Saying that spending $5,000 on a paper dispenser wasn’t a wise decision would be an understatement. Students who attend a university such as UC Davis are to be held to a certain standard. In order to be in position to purchase a blue book or Scantron for examination purposes, an individual should visit any of the university’s other testing material distribution outlets prior to examination. Additionally, students should have read their syllabi well in advance of the day of the test. Five thousand dollars is a high price to pay for a slight convenience. Prior to the installation of the machine, the university already had three accessible locations in which a student could purchase courtesy newsday.com leTTer To The ediTor Kohgadai column I would like to address Sara Kohgadai’s column “Slap Yourselves DCR!” from Oct. 22. First off, she seemingly thinks her comment “IS SARA KOHGADAI GOING TO HAVE TO CHOKE A BITCH?” is a contribution to the campus debate, but how she thinks this helps is not made clear. She may find it funny, but I personally do not think taking it upon one’s self to “choke a bitch” is an entertaining thought. Secondly, Nonie Darwish’s appearance on campus had nothing to do with Islamofascism week. It was not conceived, advertised or executed as such. Kohgadai should do her research before she screams at DCR. It would then be harder for me to reveal how foolish and ridiculous her column was. On the subject of doing a little looking before writing, Darwish’s arguments are easy to find with simple Internet access. Yet not a single one of her actual points are challenged in Kohgadai’s column. Encouraging the stoning of women for sex before marriage, turning a blind eye to rape without several male witnesses, hatred of Jews taught in schools and promoting violence against non-Muslims all go unmentioned. Perhaps these realities are inconvenient for her loathing of those who do not accept the subjugation of women in the Muslim world in the name of political correctness. Kohgadai is probably the more emotional, least research-oriented political columnist I have seen in my four years at UC Davis, with David Asen from ‘05-06 close behind. A political column is a privilege given to those who have something to offer to the debate — not 600 words of diarrhea to relieve your own rage and threaten to “choke a bitch” while ignoring her message of peace and feminism. Kohgadai has proven she does not deserve that privilege. AllISON DAlEY Chair Davis College Republicans ProP 4 guesT oPinion F State can’t legislate family communication feasible: The minor must acquire a legal representative, appear in court and make her case before a judge. All this is hard for a minor, ostensibly in school all day, to accomplish without arousing the attention of her parents. Moreover, this entire process must take place on an accelerated timetable. Those in favor of Prop 4 have argued that parental notification laws in other states have lowered abortion rates in those states. Though instate abortion rates have decreased, minors may investigate options both out of state and out of the country, such as Mexico. Two ballot measures concerning parental notification of abortion have already failed in the past four years. In addition, most major California medical organizations are in opposition to Prop 4, including the California Medical Association, the California Nurses Association, the California Association of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some opponents of Prop 4 see it as an attack on Roe v. Wade and abortion rights. If the main concern is unwanted pregnancies, sex education curriculum — and not necessarily abortion — should be re-examined. No on Prop 8 By GAVIN NEWSOM Mayor, San Francisco or the third time in four years, abortion is back on the California ballot. Under Proposition 4, physicians would be required to notify the parents of a minor seeking an abortion 48 hours prior to the procedure. Supporters say the purpose of Prop 4 is to provide minors with an adult family member to turn to for guidance. The intention behind the legislation is understandable: Parents naturally feel the right to be involved in their children’s lives, especially concerning significant issues such as unplanned pregnancies. However, this is no way to legislate family communication. If the teenager chooses not to notify her parents, she has two other options: an alternative family member notification, where she is allowed to tell another adult other than her parent, or she can request to obtain a court order waiving notice. These alternatives are not realistic solutions. If the teenager wants to notify an alternate adult, the clinic has to file an abuse report on the minor’s parents, which will result in an investigation from Child Protective Services. A judicial bypass is equally un- If you’re reading this, you probably couldn’t go to Nevada, Virginia, New Mexico or another swing state to help bring hope and change to America on Nov. 4. But fear not. We can make history right here by uniting as Californians to stop Proposition 8. After decades of struggle, the California Supreme Court recognized this year that separate is not equal when it comes to marriage. This otherwise very conservative court ruled that every couple in California, gay or straight, has the equal right to marry. But in the wake of this tremendous victory for civil rights, a group of ultra-conservative organizations and individuals is working to eliminate the right to marry for lGBT couples by passing Proposition 8. The backers of Proposition 8 are now spending millions of dollars a day in an attempt to persuade Californians to use our own constitution to hurt our friends, neighbors and family members. They have millions of dollars. But we have the power to stop them. In the last few weeks, something extraordinary has been happening in California. We have been fighting back against this onslaught of rightwing money and winning the fight against Prop 8 — by taking matters into our own hands. We came to the realization that the best way to stop Proposition 8 was for each and every one of us to reach out to people we know. Sure, the mass media can help. And if you can give $5, $10 or $25 to help fund our campaign we will put it to good use right away. But the best way to persuade our friends, family and colleagues to vote NO on 8 is to ask them ourselves. We are finding out that when we call our aunts and uncles, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbors and simply explain in our own words and speak from our own hearts about why Proposition 8 is so unfair and wrong, that we are changing minds all over California. It may be old fashioned — a campaign that is actually based on people reaching out to other people. But it is working. Fueled by new technologies like social networking sites — and some old fashioned tools like the telephone — this campaign has already made millions and millions of personal appeals. It is up to every single one of us to take the time to change minds. In just the last week I have been blogging, emailing, texting my own friends, sending out notices to my Facebook supporters, e-mailing my address books, raising money and speaking out around the state. And I didn’t forget to pick up the phone and call my own family and friends. I don’t read from any script or pay attention to “talking points” when I call. I just say in my own words why I feel it is so important that we treat everyone in this state equally. I talk about how I was just married. And how angry I would be if somebody tried to use the government to interfere in my life. On Nov. 4 we are going to move America forward. Between right now and when the polls close on Election Day, let’s do everything in our power to make sure that a flood of rightwing money doesn’t move our own state backwards. Please join me and do more than vote NO on Proposition 8. Please join me and take part in a groundbreaking movement that is protecting our fundamental freedoms by galvanizing millions of Californians to work together to protect our friends and neighbors and to safeguard our own civil rights. Editorial Board Richard Procter Editor in Chief Jon Gold Managing Editor Alysoun Bonde Campus Editor Jeremy Ogul City Editor Anna Opalka Features Editor Rachel Filipinas Arts Editor Adam Loberstein Sports Editor Ted Asbaghi Copy Chief Deeba Yavrom Photography Editor editorials represent the collective opinions of the california aggie editorial board. the opinion page appears tuesdays and thursdays. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The California Aggie welcomes letters from its readers. Letters must be typed and no longer than 200 words. As The Aggie attempts to represent a diversity of viewpoints on its letters page, we reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed, and letters become the property of The California Aggie. All correspondence must be signed with the author’s name and telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication, although names may be withheld upon request. GUEST OPINIONS The California Aggie welcomes guest opinions from its readers. Guest opinions must be typed with an approximate word count of 600 to 800, or character count around 3,000 to 4,000. The same standards of letters to the editor apply to guest opinions. Guest opinions may reflect a variety of viewpoints. Any member of the campus community is eligible and encouraged to highlight issues regarding UC Davis, regional or national issues. Address letters or guest opinions to the Opinion Editor, The California Aggie, 25 Lower Freeborn, UC Davis, CA 95616. Letters may also be faxed to (530) 752-0355 or sent via e-mail to opinion@californiaaggie.com feeling sTrongly abouT someThing? submit a letter to the editor to have your opinion printed in The California Aggie. editor@californiaaggie.com (BOARS) and Academic Senate have ElC standards were initially put in developed a revised set of admission place to accommodate students from standards that are not only unfair to under-performing high schools who California students, but will entitle were unable to meet the quality stanunder-performing individuals to the dards set forth in California’s Master same education that current UC stuPlan of Higher Education. Currently, James dents had to work so hard to earn. in order for a student to be designatNoonan Perhaps the most drastic revision ed ElC, they must rank in the top 4 to the eligibility standards would be percent of their high school’s gradSteal this column the lowering of the required GPA from uating senior class. Under the re3.0 to 2.8. Should this revision be votvised eligibility requirements the ElC ed through, UC administrators will efrange would be increased to 9 perfectively be saying that a C+ average in cent, meaning that nearly a tenth of one of California’s public schools, which all graduating seniors in California consistently rank as some of the worst would be guaranteed admissions to at in the nation, will make a student eligileast one UC campus. he University of California sysble for admission to one of the UC’s topUnder the new eligibility standards, it tem possesses one of the most would appear as if studiverse and unique student pop- tier campuses. Should a student be unable to dents attending failing ulations that can be found across The UC system meet this mark of acaschools would have American college campuses. Despite demic mediocrity, they less competition and prepares to lower its their many differences, there’s one will have the option of therefore have an easthing that all UC students have in standards ier time attending UC. common – they’ve had to study hard to denoting “entitled to review” on their appliWhen asked to jusget where they are. Since the system’s cation, meaning that tify their proposed elinception, potential students have they will still be considered for admisigibility requirements, the Academic known that countless hours of studysion regardless of their sub-par perforSenate cited the need to increase diing, strong SAT scores, and extracurmance in high school. versity across the UC system. While ricular involvement were all required The proposed revisions would also these revised standards would almost to ensure a spot at one of the premier tinker with the guidelines set forth in certainly increase diversity on the UC public universities in the country. 1960’s California’s Master Plan of Higher campuses, they would also have catHowever, all of this may soon Education, which assigned the UC the astrophic effects on the level of acachange, as the UC system prepares responsibility of selecting its incoming demic performance of lower ranked to lower its standards in order to infreshman class from the top one-eighth UC campuses such as Merced and crease accessibility for some of (12.5 percent) of graduating California Riverside. Hopefully, UC administraCalifornia’s more academically chalseniors. Under the new guidelines, this tors will realize that diversity and high lenged youths. academic performance are not mutuAccording to the current set of stan- number would be reduced to 9.7 percent, which initially appears to make ally exclusive, and abandon this quest dards, admission to one of the nine admission to the UC system more com- to reduce the UC system to a pathetic UC campuses requires a minimum petitive. However, this number is only form of academic welfare. GPA of 3.0, and is only guaranteed to being lowered to make way for the students ranked in the top 12.5 permassive influx of students who do not cent of graduating California seJAMES NOONAN isn’t worried about angry high schools niors or the top 4 percent of their high achieve the required statewide ranking, responding to his article. In fact, considering the current but will receive guaranteed admissions state of California schools, he’d be surprised if most high school’s graduating senior class. due to increased ElC, or Eligibility in Recently, the UC’s Board of school students can even read. Angry comments can be sent to jjnoonan@ucdavis.edu. Admissions and Relations with Schools local Context, standards. Lowering the bar T 4 TuesDaY, ocTober 28, 2008 The california aggie News iN bRief Plan ahead for parking Transportation and Parking Services announced Monday that parking spaces in the North Entry Parking Structure would be limited starting this week due to a construction project. Approximately 50 to 70 parking spaces will be unavailable every day, beginning today, according to a TAPS press release. The parking impacts will last until Nov. 28. Signs will be posted to alert drivers about which level will be impacted each day. The cause of the parking limitations is the installation of a new energy-efficient lighting system that will use occupancy sensors to control light output. When no activity is detected the lights will operate at 50 percent capacity; otherwise they will operate at 100 percent. TAPS officials say the lighting project is intended to meet campus sustainability goals by saving energy and maintenance costs and reducing the carbon footprint of the campus. They estimate the new system will result in $120,000 per year in energy savings. NEWS IN BRIEF is compiled by JEREMY OGUL. He can be reached at city@californiaaggie.com. budget cont. from front page The Office of Resource Management Planning will review the bookkeeping of the self-sustaining units to make sure they’re operating as efficiently as possible either quarterly or biannually. “Most people were planning on it and knew it would happen — so the news didn’t affect people’s preparation — it just confirmed the assessment’s implementation,” Ratliff said. Horwitz said she is confidant the campus has the $5 million covered through the as- MIKE DORSEY can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com. sessment, but said more creativity will be needed in the future. This is one of the reasons why students, faculty and staff were invited to propose ideas in an online budget forum on SmartSite last spring and summer, in which more than 300 ideas were submitted. “We’ve assigned a group to look at the community’s solutions and group them into what we can implement right away and those that would need to be done later after some modification,” Horwitz said. “We try to work shortand long-term — and this $5 million is far from the end of the story.” loans cont. from front page would cause the university to worry about providing adequate loans is if the government cuts funding for higher education. “If the federal government isn’t able to give us that money, then I would be worried,” Maloney said. “But I don’t see that happening right now.” A national study revealed that the number of parents who take out loans for their child’s tuition has increased from 53 percent last year to 62 percent this year. Students like Ulysses Morazan, a second year biochemistry and molecular biology major, are deciding whether the loans he currently has will be sufficient for the coming academic year. “It’s nerve-racking because I’m already going into debt,” he said. “If tuition keeps rising, I’ll either take out another loan or make some sacrifices, like commuting to school from Elk Grove every day. I wouldn’t want to do that, but I’d probably have to if I wanted to stay at UCD.” The financial aid office at UCD has seen approximately 14 percent more applications for loans compared to last year. For the 2008-2009 school year, they have given nearly $79 million in federal direct loans to undergraduates, graduates and professional students. “We don’t have a crystal ball and we can’t yet tell what the impact will be because most students turned in their applications by last spring,” Maloney said. “However, we do expect [the need for loans] to increase.” LAUREN STEUSSY can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com. At McCain HQ, this one ain’t over yet by CatHeRIne lYons The Daily Trojan (USC) Victory Headquarters is hard to miss. Alongside a giant window sticker of Gov. Sarah Palin’s smiling face and Sen. John McCain’s austere visage are American flags, strung from the headquarters’ second-floor balcony overlooking Hawthorne Boulevard. The McCain headquarters in Torrance, Calif., located in a suburban strip mall, consists of one large room directly above “The Healthy Bean” coffee shop, and the room was bustling with volunteers Saturday afternoon. Pro-McCain signs and editorial cartoons cover the office walls, “Yes on Prop 8” yard signs lie strewn on a table and volunteers showcase the latest McCain-Palin merchandise. Throughout the room, phone bankers sit at plastic collapsible tables with their cell phones in hand, checking off as many phone numbers on their lists as possible. “We’ve made 4,063 calls today!” said Pete Kesterson, chair of the 53rd Assembly District for the McCain campaign. The volunteers clapped and cheered. “We have to make at least 2,000 more calls today. Keep fighting the fight! We can only win this with you.” The diverse group of volunteers, who ranged in age, turned back to their cell phones and continued calling. Though California has voted Democratic in the last four presidential elections, Kesterson thinks McCain can pull off a victory in California. “We think we’ve got a shot in California, and we know Obama doesn’t think we do,” Kesterson said. “We’d like to keep it that way.” To gain the necessary support for McCain to win in California, Kesterson and his team of volunteers spend their weeks phone banking and precinct walking to generate votes for McCain and for local Republican candidates such as Tom Vidal, running for assemblyman of the 53rd District and Wendy Maier, running for assemblywoman of the 61st District. “We’re talking to as many people as we can,” Kesterson said. “It’s nothing new and unusual, just voter contact. We are trying to drive people to vote.” As Election Day rapidly approaches, the Torrance headquarters, which also housed campaign offices for both of President Bush’s White House runs and an office for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 campaign, is preparing for the final push. The office will increase its phone banking and door knocking operations, conduct poll-watching on Election Day and send the “California Calvary” to Nevada on the weekends to canvass voters in the crucial swing state. Kesterson said the McCain campaign is able to do that because of an excess of volunteers in California. “So far we’ve reached 150 percent of our goals for voter contact,” Kesterson said. He added that this office is one of 77 throughout the state and one of more than 20 offices in Los Angeles County alone. Sitting next to a cardboard cutout of John McCain and underneath a large poster that reads “Veterans for McCain,” Joseph Franco, a secondyear graduate student studying business administration at USC, diligently makes phone calls to hundreds of registered Republicans in the South Bay area. He volunteers at the office at least once a week and plans to step it up in the upcoming days before the election. “I’m not really a phone call kind of guy, but when it comes to this stuff I get pretty pumped about it,” Franco said. “Volunteering for the campaign is time well spent. Our future is at stake. McCain has given so much service to our country; I want to give him another chance to serve again.” Nathan Miller, deputy regional political director for the California Republican Party, is one of the players behind the scenes of the larger Republican operation in Los Angeles. He believes that issue by issue, California is much more of a purple state than tried-and-true blue. “California is No. 1 in voter registration effort for the Republican Party,” Miller said. “We’ve gotten overwhelming ground swell support in Los Angeles County, which has the largest number of Republicans per county in the nation.” Miller’s goal is to run a campaign with a good enough strategy to start changing the hearts and minds of the California people. Because President Bush lost California by 10 points in 2004, and because he believes McCain’s “maverick” personality has a broader appeal to Californians than Bush did, Miller said California is not out of McCain’s reach. “If you run your campaign effectively, then you always have a legitimate shot,” said Miller, sporting a blue “Californians for McCain” T-shirt. “But whether McCain wins or loses, there will be a gradual but dramatic restructuring of the Republican Party. McCain represents a new direction for our Party.” classifieds iron easily by Sean E. Elliott senelliott@gmail.com the Kids aren’t all Right by James Huber jchuber@ucdavis.edu Notice to ReadeRs 25 Lower Freeborn Hall, UCD One Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95616 Editorial: (530) 752-0208 Advertising: (530) 752-0365 Fax: (530) 752-0355 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CLASSIFIED AD RATES* Students: 20¢ per word/day General: 25¢ per word/day * Minimum 5 words LOCAL OPEN AD RATES $10.00 per column inch DEADLINES Publication Display Ads Line Ads Monday 4 p.m. Wed 1 p.m. Fri Tuesday 4 p.m. Thu 1 p.m. Mon Wednesday 4 p.m. Fri 1 p.m. Tue Thursday 4 p.m. Mon 1 p.m. Wed Friday 4 p.m. Tue 1 p.m. Thu The California Aggie reserves the right to, without notice, classify all advertisements, delete objectionable words and phrases, and edit or refuse advertisements. Categories will be strictly adhered to. 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RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DO NOT WORK the cAliforniA Aggie tuesDAY, october 28, 2008 5 Men’s water polo wins two of three in weekend competition Aggies topple Pacific, Air Force, fall to Long Beach State Walter Stone By MEGAN ELLIS Aggie Features Writer By SAMMY BRASCH Aggie Sports Writer Editor’s note: For this edition of 10 Questions, the California Aggie sat down with Walter Stone, a political science professor who has taught at UC Davis since 2001. Stone’s current research interests include parties and elections and electoral behavior. What made you choose political science as a discipline? I didn’t choose it as my first major as an undergraduate. I switched from business to political science in my freshman year. I had no intention of becoming a political scientist; I was certain that Do you think that we I would go on to law have to worry about school all through my voting ballot probundergraduate years. Walter Stone lems again, or have we I only came to my professor worked out all of the senses after I gradukinks in the system? ated. I was interestYou always have to ed in politics, not so much as an activist, but really just as to worry about it because the prohow societies manage conflict. portion of fraud is as serious as the reality. A lot of politics is Do you find it difficult to not about perception; if there is a incorporate your own politi- huge percentage of the popucal beliefs into your lectures? lation [that] believes that the No, in fact, most often, the stu- candidate stole the election bedents don’t know what my be- cause of fraud — even if it’s not liefs are. That’s because I em- true — then that’s a problem. phasize the discipline of polit- Democracy is ultimately depenical science. When I talk about dent on the legitimacy of the syspolitics, it’s to illustrate prin- tem and the notion of fairness. ciples and theories from the Personally, I don’t think there’s discipline of political science, much fraud out there. and these theories and the evidence that we have don’t have Do you think that you could describe political science in a partisan [slant]. one sentence? In studying elections and vot- It is the systematic study of the ing patterns, have you been organized resolution of conflict. able to discern a pattern that might predict the outcome of What do you think of the latest Saturday Night Live politithis election? I think I can predict the out- cal skits? come of this election, but at this I always get a kick out of them. It’s point it isn’t terribly interesting. fun to watch people imitate peoAnyone who looks at the polls ple in power. The Clinton imitacan predict the outcome, un- tions were a blast. I don’t always less something dramatic hap- stay up to watch them, but I get a pens between now and [Nov. 4], kick out of them. I’m a sucker for those polls are going to be ac- political cartoons, too. curate. You don’t need a degree in political science to be able If you had to become an expato read national polls! They are triate, which country would predicting a Democratic victory you go to and why? by 53 percent. I would be very I don’t think that I would leave surprised if Senator [Barack] because I was fed up with the country, but if I had to leave, Obama loses. like I was kicked out, I would Do you think that national probably have to go to an English-speaking country. polls are accurate? I’m not sure that I would They are fairly accurate. The problem with polls isn’t that want to end up in one place; people will misrepresent their I’d look for the opportunity to vote…. [It’s that] pollsters have take an adventure … [to] take to do the survey very quickly, the opportunity to drive on so they have to draw the sam- the wrong side of the road for a while. ple very quickly. For example, one of the problems is that telephone Why do they call it the World polls routinely under-sample Series if America is the only cell phone users. People that nation that takes part? only use cell phones, like col- Because Americans have allege students and young pro- ways been a little bit ethnocenfessionals, are harder to reach tric. We have a tendency to do because they don’t have a lan- that, it’s probably not that undline. Also, polls have a prob- usual, but we have a tendency lem predicting who will ac- to think that if it happens here, tually vote. The average error it’s the top of the world. in prediction in the weekend polls right before the election MEGAN ELLIS can be reached at features@ is about 2.5 percent. californiaaggie.com. How can students best prepare themselves for the voting booth? Well, if a voter came in and asked me advice on how to prepare them to vote, I would tell them to go on to the different candidate’s websites and look at their stances. But that’s just unrealistic. Whereas the effort that you put into your political science class determines your grade, the effort that you put into voting has no real effect on the outcome of the election. That’s why [political parties are] important because if you decide which party you belong to, you can make a pretty good approximation of how you would vote. Although the Aggies ended the weekend on a sour note, winning two of three against ranked opponents is solid for any squad. No. 11 UC Davis started off the weekend with two wins over No. 16 Pacific and No. 20 Air Force, but could not finish the weekend sweep, losing a close one to No. 10 Long Beach State in Sunday’s nightcap. Friday — No. 11 UC Davis 7, No. 16 Pacific 5 The Aggies ended up on the right side of the first of three two-goal outcomes this weekend, mostly due to the stellar attack of senior southpaw Grant Muenter. The Tigers beat the Aggies in late September because of their ability to sit on the whole man and prevent UC Davis’ outside shooters from capitalizing. Friday was a different story. Pacific tried the same game plan by dropping off Muenter, but this time the senior captain found the back of the cage more often than not, shooting three for five for the game. “This was a good win for us,” Muenter said. “This is a team we should always beat, but they seem to play us tough every time.” The Tigers’ offense was held in check thanks to the play of redshirt freshman Kevin Peat, who posted a solid nine saves and forced head coach Steve Doten to keep Peat in the pool all 96 minutes over the weekend. After an aggressive game, the match ended on a violent note when a Pacific player elbowed Cory Lyle in the mouth with no time remaining. Musa Zaid / Aggie Senior Grant Muenter looks to shoot past Pacific Friday evening at Schaal Aquatic Center. Muenter led the Aggies with a game high three goals to defeat the Tigers 7-5. morning in their only Western Water Polo Association match of the weekend. The Falcons won the first quarter 3-2, but the Aggies came out with four consecutive second-quarter goals and never looked back en route to a 12-10 victory. UC Davis’ hole-men dominated, drawing five penalty shots that turned into three goals. Senior Adam Bennett, junior Jim Breen and sophomore Aaron Salit had two goals apiece for the Aggies. Long Beach State’s counter attack gave the 49ers a 4-1 lead by the end of the first quarter. Unfazed by his trip to the emergency room on Friday, Lyle continued putting pressure on UC Davis’ opponents. “I just try to bring a burst off the bench to get the team going,” Lyle said. Despite the pressure, Long Beach State proved to be too hot for the Aggies, who could not fend off the 49ers’ consistent counterattack. Sophomore Walter Eggert netted his Sunday — No. 10 Long Beach State 9, UC first college hat trick on Sunday, scoring Davis 7 each goal on man-up opportunities. Saturday — No. 11 UC Davis 12, No. 20 Another slow start proved too much to come back from in Sunday’s contest SAMMY BRASCH can be reached at sports@californiaaggie. Air Force 10 com. UC Davis came out slow early Saturday against the 49ers. Senior class concludes home careers with win Season finale set for Sunday at Pacific By MICHAEL GEHLKEN Aggie Staff Writer WOMen’S SOCCer The 90-minute game clock expired at Aggie Soccer Stadium, and with that, it was over. The five seniors on the UC Davis women’s soccer team had played their final home game, a 1-0 Big West Conference win over Cal Poly that was followed by a bittersweet, surreal feeling on the sideline. “I think there was some disbelief that it had gone by so fast,” said head coach MaryClaire Robinson. “There’s an emotional drain that comes with playing a game that is that tight, that [much] a battle. You have that drain and then you realize that was it. That was the last home game.” Seniors Gabina Bohlman, Danielle Contro, Stephanie Schmidt, Molly Scott and Brianna Tsui couldn’t have asked for a much better sendoff. The win, sparked by a first-half goal by junior Marisa Boge, was the program’s first over the Mustangs since it be- gan playing a Big West schedule in 2004. “To beat Cal Poly at home on Senior Day, I don’t think it gets much better,” Robinson said. “It’s pretty mind boggling to think that [their careers] happened so fast. It’s been a great ride. They’ve all grown and they have some great friends. And athletically, I think they just had a great experience.” Boge found the back of the goal in the 30 th minute after fielding a pass from freshman Lisa Kemp. Cal Poly goalie Coral Hoover pulled out from the net, and Boge fired a shot from about 10 yards out into the right corner of the frame. The connection was Boge’s fourth goal of the season and Kemp’s fourth assist, both team highs. The Mustangs (9-8-0, 4-2-0) outshot the Aggies (7-6-3, 2-4-1) 15-9 for the match and had an 8-1 cornerkick advantage, but the defense protected the lead with Sarah Peters registering two saves for the sophomore’s fourth shutout of the year. The team will regroup from the emotional win for its season finale on Sunday. The Krista Jackson / Aggie UC Davis women’s soccer beat Cal Poly 1-0 on Sunday, Oct. 26. Aggies travel to Stockton to face Pacific (9-7-1, 3-3-1) at noon. “That’s going to be the challenge this week: staying focused and putting together another good game,” Robinson said. MAX ROSENBLUM contributed to this article. He and MICHAEL GEHLKEN can be reached at sports@californiaaggie.com. 6 TuesDaY, ocTober 28, 2008 The california aggie Measure N would approve a Davis city charter Measure would increase power for city council, no specific issues addressed By AARON BRUNER Aggie News Writer It’s not the hottest topic on the ballot, but it could have serious implications for local government. If passed, Measure N would change the city of Davis from a general law city to a charter city. The charter under consideration is a broad charter that comes as the result of several years’ discussion by various task forces and subcommittees of the Davis City Council. Most recently, councilmembers Lamar Heystek and Stephen Souza have endorsed a broad charter that would give more local control to the city council, allowing them to govern municipal affairs more directly. “Measure N is not about specific issues, but whether or not the governor has a say,” Heystek said at a debate on Thursday. “It offers options to address issues for the community … and confers local control to citizens.” Measure N would not directly change local tax policy, a decision that would ultimately remain with Davis citizens, he said. It would, however, give the City Council the ability to make other governmental changes, like instituting choice voting. Opponents, such as Davis resident and business owner Don Shor, believe Measure N would give the City Council too much unchecked power. “Many of us are not against becoming a charter city,” he said. “One of the biggest problems is that voters don’t have enough information, and this is a big change.” Some of the many changes city council may make under the proposed charter include levying a property sale tax, expanding the size of city council, deciding how or when to enact ordinances, not requiring competitive bidding for projects and instituting choice voting for city council members via majority vote, Shor said. “It’s only a power grab if the City Council wants it to be,” he said. “What you have to decide is whether you want to give that power to the council 10 to 12 years from now.” In California, 25 percent of cities, or 112 out of 480, have adopted city charters, and while none reverted to general law status, there exists a con- tinual debate about how broad or specific a charter should be to effectively govern a city. Berkeley has a very limited charter and has altered the charter in every election since its adoption in 1909, Shor said. Ultimately, Measure N gives no more power to the voter and does not identify any specific proposals that the charter will address, he added. “I think we can do better,” he said. Also opposing Measure N is City Councilmember Don Saylor, who recently released a letter to community members recommending a “No” vote on the measure due to its lack of any particular action or purpose. “Each of the 112 current city charters contain specific provisions related to prob- lems that jurisdiction wanted to address,” Saylor said. “The charter proposed by Measure N, however, does not contain any specific substantive provision ... [and] would also permit any number of future amendments to the city charter to be implemented by ordinance or by vote of the electorate.” Saylor said the only source of potential benefits from Measure N is what the measure’s proponents have been saying, none of which is outlined in the actual measure. Proposed benefits include the ability to implement choice voting, establish an assessment district to finance the installation of solar panels, establish a property transfer tax not permitted by state law, and reinforce existing city land use planning controls, he said. Additionally, the value of becoming a charter city has diminished over time, he said. “Substantive differences between the authorities and operations of general law cities and charter cities have narrowed, making it less necessary for cities to establish charters to achieve effective, efficient and responsive local governments,” Saylor said. “As a result, very few cities have converted from general law to charter city status in recent years.” For more information on Davis’ proposed charter and California charter cities in general, visit homerulefordavis.org and cacities.org. AARON BRUNER can be reached at city@ californiaaggie.com. UC Davis bee keeper develops ‘nicer’ bees Early voting begins at UC Davis courtesy By NICK MARKWITH Aggie Science Writer By combining the old world with the new world, UC Davis bee breeder and geneticist Sue Cobey has developed an enhanced line of honeybees to combat the troubles of the bee industry. Cobey crossed her “New World Carnolians” with “Old World German Carnica” semen in order to create a more genetically diverse line of bees that can better resist disease and pests. By combining both of these breeds, the new bees are highly hygienic and have a very gentle temperament, Cobey said. Being hygienic is crucial in a beehive in order to detect and prevent parasitic mites from attaching to bees. Left unchecked, these mites can completely wipe out a honeybee colony. “Hygiene is correlated with the ability to detect and remove infested brood … so if the bees smell that there is a problem, they can reduce the level of infestation,” Cobey said, Honeybees are very social creatures that have different classes in the beehive, from guards and workers to the queen. If a foreign entity such as a human approaches the hive, the guard bees will attack it, even if it is a few yards away. “If the bees are gentle, someone could easily be able to walk within feet without being attacked,” said Gene Brandi, a beekeeper and the owner of Gene Brandi Apiaries in Los Banos, California. This is not the first bee stock that Cobey has bred. In the early 1980s, she genetically produced the “New World Carnolians,” which were developed primarily for honey production. “The New World Carnolians have good production, good temperament, and good wintering,” Cobey said. Beehives have a natural cy- NICK MARKWITH can be reached at campus@ cle to their life. During the fall, californiaagie.com. as flowers are still producing pollen and nectar, beehives can have up to 80,000 members. However, as winter approaches, flowers stop producing pollen and nectar and the beehive “winters” or reduces the number of bees by slowing reproduction. “During the summer, a beehive can have around 40,000 bees in it but during the winter, there could be only 20,000,” Brandi said. Faster reproduction instigates once almond trees are ready to be pollinated around mid February and their numbers rise back to 40,000. Contrary to common belief, honeybees are not native in the United States. They were brought over by settlers in the late 1800s from Europe and Asia. Because of this, it is essential to have a diverse genetic gene pool in the United States in order to protect the bee population. “There have been several studies showing that genetic diversity is a really critical element to resistance to pests and diseases and production in general,” Cobey said. “We have lost an incredible amount of diversity in the U.S. gene pool because of parasitic mites and CCD.” Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, is a phenomenon in which adult honeybees leave their hives for no apparent reason. Among the possible causes is bee stress, malnutrition and possibly cell phone usage. Without honeybees to pollinate, the entire agriculture system and plants in general would die. Honeybees are so vital that their monetary value in the United States is estimated at about $15 billion annually. Honeybees provide nearly 80 percent of all crop pollination, according to the Nature Conservatory in Indiana’s website. As students lined up in the Memorial Union to cast their ballots a week before the election, Students for Barack Obama held a rally on the Quad to encourage students to vote early. “Early voting is really important,” said Ryan Loney, head of UC Davis Students for Barack Obama. “We want to make sure everyone gets to vote and they don’t have to miss class or work.” The county elections office, in partnership with the Graduate Student Association, is offering early voting for all registered Yolo County voters. The polling place is located across from the post office in the Memorial Union and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday. Over 1,700 students voted early at UC Davis in 2004. “We need to double that,” said Davis City Councilmember Lamar Heystek at the rally. “The sooner the votes get in, the sooner they are counted.” Yolo County Clerk Recorder Freddie Oakley also spoke at the event encouraging students to take advantage of early voting. “It’s easier for [the county],” she said. “The numbers you see coming in on election night at 8:05 are early voters.” UC Davis is the only campus in Northern California to have early voting, Oakley said. —Text by Alysoun Bonde —Photos by Deeba Yavrom Study: College classrooms have an anti-political bias By ZACHARY BOUTIN The Northeastern News (Northeastern U.) Many Americans have long clung to the notion that political bias and the the college classroom are an inseparable pair. In July 2007, 58 percent of adults said they think there is a “serious problem” with liberal bias among college professors, in a poll conducted by Zogby International, a public opinion polling group. But a trio of George Mason University professors, are challenging the concept. In the book Closed Minds? Politics and Ideology in American Universities, authors Bruce L.R. Smith, Jeremy Mayer and A. Lee Fritschler flip the argument on its head. They said there’s no liberal or conservative bias, but instead an anti-political one. Most professors “find ways to avoid thinking seriously about politics and political is- sues,” according to a passage in the book. To them, the days of the 1960s university, where vibrant political debate and emphases on civic values ruled, have evaporated. Instead, colleges now operate in a hushed political environment that focuses on vocationalism, according to the book. Mayer, associate professor of public policy at George Mason University, said in an interview with The News that national academic rankings are a cause for this shift. The average college administrator worries that opening up about political and civic issues could create a public relations backlash, so for the most part professors are told to keep quiet, he said. Lee Fritschler, professor of public policy at George Mason University, said in an interview with The News that a university is failing in its main purpose to educate if it doesn’t encourage discussion and debate on public issues. He said, howev- er, such open dialogue is rare on most campuses. However, politics is not absent completely from student life. Harvard political polls revealed that the 2004 presidential election boasted a 74 percent student voter turnout, the highest percentage since 1972. The same polls also found that 68 percent of students said they closely followed national politics. William Kirtz, associate professor of journalism, said he places confidence in the ability of the students to choose for themselves. “My sense is that students are politically independent,” he said, adding that colleges in general have become less politically vocal during the past few decades. With the 2008 presidential election in about a week, some students said they don’t need a professor to tell them how to think. Kelly Rosencrans, a junior international affairs and envi- ronmental studies major, said she doesn’t think the classroom is the place for political disertations. “The responsibility of a university is to educate,” she said. Rosencrans also said students should naturally understand civic responsibilities themselves, and colleges should not have to teach them. Although students seem to prefer the idea of crafting their own ideals, some within the faculty said they wish to see a bit more guidance. “I would very much like to see more political-civic engagement on campus,” professor William Fowler Jr. said in an e-mail. “I know that my faculty colleagues feel the same way.” Fowler said such discussion cannot simply appear or be forced upon the student body but instead has to be mutually encouraged. “Faculty and students need to ask more of each other,” he said. Read The Aggie online. www.theaggie.org