By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The California Aggie’s Editorial Board met with Chancellor Gary May and administrators via Zoom to ask questions about the quarter. Attendees also included Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost Ari Kelman, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Dana Topousis, Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff Karl Engelbach, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Campus Community and Retention Services Sheri Atkinson and Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations and Administration Clare Shinnerl.

The Editorial Board meets with administrators every quarter and shares the full transcript online afterward — if you have a question you would like us to ask for the fall 2024 quarter, you can submit it to editor@theaggie.org. 

Below is a transcript of the meeting that has been edited for length and clarity.

Editorial Board: This quarter’s ASUCD elections saw a 23.7% voter turnout — a fairly significant increase from prior quarters, and one that enabled The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) to pass. What do you think contributed to this? How can the administration continue this momentum and further increase student involvement in elections?

May: I think obviously we are all very supportive of the increased turnout in this election and hopefully others to come. It’s an encouraging sign that students voted and enough voted for TGIF to finally pass, I think after the fourth or fifth time [of TGIF being on the ballot]. I would give most of the credit to the students and student leadership in ASUCD for increasing turnout, but I know that the administration has also been very supportive of those efforts. There was additional signage promoting QR codes to encourage the voting; the voters were incentivized with $10 CoHo gift cards; the voting period was extended from three days to five days [and there was] lots of social media promotion, a raffle [and] prizes. Then we promoted it on “Checking in with Chancellor May,” “Thursday Thoughts,” the UC Davis Life newsletter, social media, student housing communications and support from IET staff on the Schedule Builder navigation menu with a vote button. We’re always eager to do whatever we can to support the voting on campus.

Atkinson: As Chancellor May has said, the students in ASUCD were very organized this year and did a lot of promotion and had a lot of these different ideas. Their idea of having a [raffle] drawing [for] coffee with the chancellor was one of their ideas to increase voter turnout. The students were really motivated, and then we supported their efforts as Chancellor May mentioned. 

Editorial Board: What has your reaction been to the ongoing PULP encampment for Palestine in the MU Quad? What is the state of negotiations and what has this process looked like? 

Topousis: I’m just going to jump in here, if the chancellor doesn’t mind. I know that [the Editorial Board] has submitted at least three questions, maybe four questions, about [the encampment]. We’ve made a public statement on May 15 and that’s going to remain our public comment on the situation. I hope you understand we’re just preferring to not undermine the ongoing engagement process and the communication that we’re having with the students. We’d rather just leave our public comment to what it was on May 15 for all.

Editorial Board: So just for clarification, you guys will be making no comment on those questions for today?

Topousis: We’re making the comment that this is our statement, we don’t want to undermine the engagement process with the students, so we are going to keep to the message that we put out on May 15 as our most recent statement.

The Editorial Board reviewed all the prepared questions regarding the encampment to give the campus leadership an opportunity to provide additional information on any of them. These are the questions that the Editorial Board asked: 

The group has five demands, one of which is for you to step down from the executive board of Leidos or resign as chancellor. Have you considered this demand and communicated your stance with the protesters?

If the protests continue to go on, does the university have a plan on how to address them outside of the negotiations? Will/has the university considered police enforcement? If not, is there a line when the university will consider authorizing the use of police? 

How has the UC system as a whole been reacting to the effects of encampments at campuses across the system? Are administrators collaborating with each other to address violence that has occurred at campuses such as UCLA and UCSD?

If the UC did divest in part or in full as requested by protesters, what would the most likely impact be in terms of decreased scholarship availability, changes to campus operations funding, etc.? What moves could UC Davis make to minimize any negative impacts?

After going through these questions, Topousis responded as follows. 

Topousis: I think the ones about their demands, their requests and what the universities are doing in the process are the same [in that] we don’t want to undermine the discussions we’re having with the students, and we don’t want to say anything that might undermine that process.

I would say the UC has made a statement about their reaction to the system. On April 30, UC President [Michael] Drake did issue a statement about freedom of expression. We can certainly point to that, but that’s probably the most we can say there. I will turn to the chancellor related to the president’s comments [and] if there’s anything further we should say about the UC system.

May: Only that there’s been an investigation opened at UCLA to find out a little bit more detail about what exactly happened and why. We’re waiting to see how that investigation unfolds. [The Editorial Board] asked if we are collaborating, and the chancellors have a regular monthly meeting where we do talk about various issues happening on our campuses. This is certainly an important one that we have been discussing. I don’t know if I would call it collaboration, but we’re certainly sharing information.

Topousis: I’ll just also clarify our not wanting to undermine the process. The statement that we released on May 15 [was reviewed by] students that we’re talking to […] before we released it. We’re really trying to respect each other and respect their role in this as well. That’s why we don’t want to say anything without them being part of the table.

Editorial Board: With violence continuing overseas and tensions rising at college campuses across the country, what is the university’s plan to make Jewish, Muslim and Arab students feel safe and protected from discrimination? Is the university’s current approach to addressing these types of issues different from in the past? 

May: I’ll just start by saying the events in Gaza and Israel have been heartbreaking and have created a really challenging environment for our campuses, both in the UC and across the nation. I believe that Student Affairs here at UC Davis has done a tremendous job of working with our students on all sides of the issue and the student organizations that represent them to provide the necessary resources and support. 

I want to make it clear that whenever the university receives any sort of complaint about antisemitism, islamophobia or any type of intolerant or offensive behavior, we immediately reach out to the affected parties to provide support and resources using HDAPP [Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program] and other resources of similar type. We review each allegation and compare it to the university’s anti-discrimination policy and then take action appropriately.

We’re always looking for ways to improve. If there are ways that the campus climate can be improved to ensure that every student is not restricted in their participation in our programs and activities and most importantly, their classes, we want to make sure we take those suggestions for improvement and develop an environment where every student, faculty member and staff member can feel welcome and thrive.

Atkinson: We take any kind of report very seriously in Student Affairs. We will work with individual students to review their case, help them navigate any challenges they might be facing and help them find the resources that they need. We have done this with various groups of students to hear their concerns and talk about them. It’s definitely something that we’re very concerned about, and we want to support our students in having a positive campus climate.

Shinnerl: I can just add that we have teams of professionals here to help with safety on campus. I think one of the areas we’ve been pretty busy with is vandalism and removing offensive language quickly when it’s reported so that it does not damage property, but also does not hurt people. 

Editorial Board: UAW 4811 has just authorized a strike in response to the UC’s “unprecedented acts of intimidation and retaliation directed at [their] rights as academic employees to free speech, protest and collective action.” UAW has listed various concerns to negotiate and discuss with university leaders, such as the right to free speech, divestment, disclosure regarding university funding sources and investments and amnesty for students and faculty who were arrested or faced disciplinary action due to protests. How does UC Davis plan to address the strike and demands of strikers, as well as the potential interruption to education posed by the event? 

May: The strike [in 2022] was a difficult situation for the entire campus community, and we always hope that any strike activity does not meaningfully disrupt teaching or learning or campus operations. It’s the position of the University of California system that this strike is illegal and violates the collective bargaining agreement that was reached in 2022. There is a contract that has been in place since that collective bargaining was concluded, and it specifically says in that contract that the UAW will not strike during the period the contract is in place.

The university has asked the Public Employment Relations Board [PERB], per an injunction, to stop the UAW from striking and we await that outcome. I will say that many of the same issues that are raised by the UAW and their strike authorization vote were raised by the encampment students and others, and we do think that that’s a constructive conversation to have. We just don’t think the strike is the appropriate way to have the conversation.

Kelman: I was disappointed to see this is a so-called “stand-up” strike — which is to say that the strike happens at different places at different times, and our campus has been constructively engaged with the leadership of the encampment on the quad. I was surprised to see a stand-up strike on our campus based on its reasons for striking. I would say further that the strike is creating additional stress for students, for faculty and staff. We recognize that we’re in the process of considering ways that we can try and mitigate some of those issues. We’re going to, as we did during the previous strike, find ways to [provide] additional support for faculty who might need help because they’re facing significant additional work around grading, leading sections [and] otherwise maintaining the integrity of the curriculum.

We had some unfortunate activity the other day [where] some classes were disrupted. The Student Affairs team has reached out to students who were very uncomfortable because of some of the ways in which those events transpired. More broadly, students who are facing impacts because of the strike can reach out to case managers and others in Student Affairs for a variety of different kinds of support.

Editorial Board: Governor Gavin Newsom’s new budget proposal will decrease the amount of financial aid students receive – around 300,000 students receive the Middle Class Scholarship every year, which is losing funding. In addition, this new budget will potentially harm many low-income students. Is there any plan to ensure that students will have enough opportunities for financial support throughout their education? 

May: The UC firmly supports the Middle Class Scholarship program’s goal of making the entire UC education, as well as CSU education, debt-free. To that end, we’ll continue to support President Drake’s debt-free program for our lowest income students. We were always going to rely on the Middle Class Scholarship program to make the rest of our students debt-free. Unfortunately, the proposed cuts would mean a delay in reaching that goal and likely an increase in borrowing by students. The Learning-Aligned Employment Program was also a key program for our debt-free goals, which provides high quality employment opportunities for UC students, so that’s another area of disappointment. 

I would just add that the UC has done its part to achieve the debt-free goal by setting aside 45% of new tuition revenue under the Tuition Stability Plan that was passed a few years ago. That money is already needed to fund UC’s debt-free program [and] we were unable to make up for the loss and potential middle class scholarships from that source, so the budget is not final. The legislature and the governor will still be negotiating the budget for the next two or three weeks. We hope that there’s some possibility that the Middle Class Scholarship will get placed back in the budget, or at least some portion of it, but that’s all we can say at this point.

Editorial Board: As you know, the Arboretum is undergoing restoration. What has been the administration’s role in facilitating this process and can you tell us a little more about the set timeline or when it will be fully restored?

May: We’re supportive of the project. We’ve contributed $2.5 million in deferred maintenance funds as a match to a grant that we received from the California Natural Resources Agency for the project — that grant was $5.4 million. The Arboretum and Public Garden staff have really worked closely with partners in Finance, Operations [and] Administration, which was led by Clare [Shinnerl]. This includes collaborating with campus planning, environmental stewardship, design and construction management [and] utilities, as well as various academic contributors across UC Davis to implement the project.

As far as the timeline goes, construction occurs over 2024 and 2025, and mainly from April to November of each of those years, and we expect to be complete by winter of 2026. The construction will begin at Lake Spafford and extend this year. It’s always somewhat frustrating to have disruptions in any kind of campus construction project, so we appreciate everyone’s patience as we try to make things better for the Arboretum.

Shinnerl: I don’t have much to add other than that this Arboretum, you know, it’s a lake, right? It doesn’t have a source and it doesn’t have an outlet, so algae was really building up there. It’s disruptive, but we absolutely had to make these repairs to keep our campus looking great and healthy for the Arboretum to be healthy. I do have a fabulous video [which] tells a really great story that this work will be well worth it.

The video can be found on the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Youtube channel. 

Editorial Board: UC Davis SHIP rates are increasing next year — what went into this change, and how will it affect students? Are there any plans to subsidize this rate increase for students who need it?

May: So UC SHIP is a self-funded plan, which means that the annual premium is based on the members’ overall utilization of the plan. During the last half of last year, 2022 to 2023, UC SHIP had experienced significant increases in planned use when members came back after the pandemic and began using services, and the pandemic wound down. The use was so high that the UC SHIP program had to pull about $75 million from its reserves to cover the claims above what the actuarial team had forecasted for last year. By the time these claims were submitted and processed, the premium for this year had already been set. It was too late to adjust the premium for this year. 

Over the past several years, SHIP insurance premium increases have stayed pretty much in line with state and national insurance plan costs. The increases that students will be expecting next year are not unique to UC SHIP. Plans across the country have seen dramatic increases in demand similar to what I described in the last half of 2022 to 2023, and we expect that might continue.

Some adjustments were made to the planned benefits for next year to help mitigate the increase in premiums: The emergency room copay, the annual out-of-pocket maximum and the copay for special medications were all standardized across campuses that participate in the program. These changes in discontinuing services brought down the premium increase by about 5%, so there was some relief there.

In terms of subsidizing, Student Health allows students to waive the UC Student Health insurance program cost if they have approved health insurance coverage, such as from their parents or from some other source. Annually, approximately 40% of the undergraduate population here at UC Davis opts out of SHIP. We also offer gift aid to cover the full cost of SHIP for our neediest students, [and] of those students, about 50% of those were enrolled in SHIP — that’s 6,443 students as of fall 2023. That financial assistance that was provided totals about $20 million.

Lastly, I’ll just note that a 17% increase in the number of undergrads who qualified for SHIP coverage for fall occurred compared to 2022. There’s a couple of things happening: the increase in the number of students that we have to serve, as well as those premium increases. 

Shinnerl: I can add that this is now a national trend for all health premiums. We, as employees, had gigantic increases this year. You’re seeing rising healthcare costs everywhere for a lot of reasons.

Editorial Board: With commencement coming up soon, can you tell us what the process of choosing commencement speakers is like? Why were this year’s speakers chosen? 

May: We start by advertising the opportunity to apply to be a student speaker for the undergraduate commencements, and that’s advertised throughout the general UC Davis community. We get typically 25 to 35 applications to be student speakers each year. The selection committee that [selects student speakers] is about 12 to 14 people, [and] that includes faculty, staff and students. 

To apply, the students submit a draft copy of the speech and a one minute video that demonstrates their presentation style. There’s a scoring rubric which is used to move the applicants through the various rounds of the selection up to the live auditions, which are conducted in mid-May. Once the five speakers have been selected, Student Affairs, Marketing and Communications works directly with the students to help them prepare to give the speech. All the speakers get to rehearse the speech at the Golden One Center a few days before the commencement ceremony.

Engelbach: I’ll speak to our faculty speakers. We actually reach out to college leadership and ask for nominations about the most outstanding faculty among their peers within a respective college, and we make selections of one faculty speaker for each of the five separate ceremonies. We added faculty speakers for the first time last year, and we received feedback from both students as well as parents that they appreciated hearing faculty voices as part of the commencement ceremony. 

Finally, we have an advisory committee for our undergraduate commencement ceremonies, including student faculty, staff and administrators. That advisory committee made recommendations about external speakers that we might consider inviting to serve as speakers at the upcoming undergraduate ceremonies. This year, our undergraduate student representatives suggested Sacramento Kings Head Coach, Mike Brown. We reached out to him, and he provided remarks [via video] that will be shown at all five of the ceremonies. [We are] happy to answer any other questions [students] might have about speakers at commencement ceremonies, whether student, faculty or external.

Editorial Board: There seems to be a construction site being set up near Young Hall. What can you tell us about this project and its timeline?

May: So that would be my statue that’s going up. No, I’m kidding. We’ve started the construction at Young Hall. It’s going to be one of six existing buildings on campus that get funds for mandatory seismic improvements that we do as needed. UC has policy requirements that drive those improvements and will provide some increased seismic capability and accessibility for students, employees and the public. This project will deliver those seismic improvements [in] Young Hall for the roof, floor, column reinforcement, lab renovation, some interior lighting upgrades, restroom upgrades and some enhanced safety requirements. Access to the building is going to be limited during construction, so detailed plans for temporary relocations for affected faculty, staff and students have been developed. The target for completion is summer of 2026.

Editorial Board: There were some changes to the questions asked in this year’s Undergraduate Experience Survey — what are you hoping to learn from the questions related to artificial intelligence, and how will you apply this knowledge?

May: There are many emerging technologies that are reshaping education, research and everything we do at the university — AI is certainly a big part of that. We want to understand how this tool is being used today. The new questions related to AI were understanding how often students use the generative AI tools that are available, how they use those tools, how often they go beyond what instructors have allowed in using those tools and understanding how faculty in their courses explain the use of AI. We think that understanding how students use the generative AI tools will also help faculty provide better guidance on academic honesty, citations and their own scholarship to protect students. One of the goals of doing this is to reduce the AI referral rates for academic dishonesty claims.

I will also add that we’ve just kicked off a campus-wide AI council that just met this week, [which is] going to not only include some of the things I just talked about, but also research anything you can imagine where AI might impinge upon what we do at the university. There are two students on the council: a graduate student and an undergraduate student.

Atkinson: I think there’s a lot of exciting potential with AI and a lot of discussion about how we can make sure we’re using that in ethical ways. I think the survey questions will be an important piece of the student voice in informing how we move forward with AI and what that looks like on our campus here at UC Davis.

Editorial Board: Just to clarify, did you specify when the experience survey results would be released?

Atkinson: It’s maybe late fall or winter quarter of the following year. There needs [to be] time for analysis, so that’s my best guess.

Editorial Board: The one-year anniversary of the stabbings in Davis was a few weeks ago. Do you have any reflections as this time marker passes, in regards to mental health resources on campus, lighting/student safety and resources for unhoused residents? 

May: We continue to have deep sympathy for the victims of the stabbings, in particular our own Karim Abou Najm and his parents, who are, I’m sure, still grieving in terms of what we’re doing. Aggie Mental Health is ending its second year of that program. One of the significant updates this year was obtaining student feedback to revamp the Health  e-messaging system to make it easier for students to make their counseling appointments. We have a new Academics and Mental Health webpage designed to help those students struggling academically or mentally navigate the complex university system. We have the Aggie Mental Health ambassadors that continue to do outreach to students — they’re running a promotion in May for Mental Health Awareness Month for students who take a free suicide prevention training course called QPR. There’s a “Let’s Talk” mural at the CoHo that was installed in the winter to encourage and affirm students as they connect in that space. We also have Health 34 and other mechanisms available to assist students who are in crisis.

Shinnerl: I’ll say that with the chancellor’s approval, we have $20 million to spend over the next few years on infrastructure improvements, which includes lighting, cameras, call boxes and access cards. [Students will] see a lot of work over the next few years to improve the infrastructure on our campus.

I’ll [also] point out that some of you have gone on the lighting walk. We hold them usually once a year, but the last year we’ve held them twice, and 94% of the identified fixes have been repaired. I think that’s a really good success rate. At night, [community members] walk around, tell us which paths they go down and help us identify areas that are dark and where improvements are needed.

Atkinson: I can chime in on the housing piece. Aggie Compass has a lot of information, it’s outlined on their website, for resources available for unhoused students — I’ll highlight a few of those now. We have a rental assistance program which provides emergency financial assistance, rent, food and housing and security deposits. We have a college-focused rapid rehousing program which provides safe and stable housing for houseless students, as well as a meal plan and case management to help provide that holistic wraparound support as well. We [also] have some emergency and short-term housing options for folks that may be facing struggles.

Editorial Board: The fifth and sixth floors of the Hutchinson Parking structure, a popular place to watch the sunset for students, have been closed for a little over a week and marked with ‘No Trespassing signs.’ What can you tell us about the decision behind this closure, and what is the plan moving forward in terms of reopening?

May: It’s not only a popular place to watch the sunset, it seems to be a popular place for partying. What’s the thing to do with cars? The spinning thing and other things that are dangerous [drifting and donuts]. That’s really the motivation for the closure.

Shinnerl: It’s really a safety measure. We’ve had things thrown from the top that could hit people. I will also let you know that this is a permanent fix. So, the temporary fencing is there now, but we are going to be doing some permanent fencing that looks a lot nicer. We can open the top garage areas when there’s a big event or if a student group wants to reserve the top and has supervision, that’s really different. We’ve just had too many incidents.

Editorial Board: So there’s no plans to reopen it just for people to go up there? 

Shinnerl: No, we’re going to help all the students find an alternative place for their celebrations.

Topousis: It’s also true that I think it’s a lot of high schoolers and people from Sacramento who come up there, and it becomes a really dangerous place sometimes. It’s not necessarily our UC Davis students.

Editorial Board: What advice do you have for graduates, since many of us and many other students are graduating soon? 

May: I would say this is an exciting time in your life, and you’ve received a great education that’s prepared you to really do great and wonderful things in your careers. Follow your passions [and]  find something to do with your life that feels like you’re not working. There’s an old saying, “If you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life,” and that’s not completely true, but it’s somewhat true. I would say congratulations to the graduates.

Topousis: You’re starting a new chapter in your lives, but this time in your life should also be about just enjoying the freedom as much as you can. You have your whole lives to have all kinds of obligations and commitments. Do those things that you really want to do, if that’s pursuing a graduate degree or if that’s doing something else. Just don’t take everything too seriously, because life just gets really complicated the more you get into decades and decades. Enjoy the time that you can to do the things you want to do, without a lot of the obligations that might hold you back later.

Shinnerl: Don’t forget about UC Davis, we’re also a really big employer. A lot of people forget that we are the second largest employer in the entire region, second only to the State of California. [There are] a lot of jobs here [and] a lot of opportunities, but most of all, be super proud of your accomplishments here. I’ll also say lean on each other — I’m going to my reunion next week at UC San Diego [and] I’m still in close contact with a lot of them, and it’s a prized network.

Atkinson: Definitely take this moment to really pause and take in this achievement because you all have worked really hard. I know the hustle and bustle can sweep time by, but just take in the moment that you’re experiencing and know that the journey continues. [With] life after college, you’ll continue to grow and learn about yourself. 

Engelbach: You may discover you’re going down a path, and the path isn’t exactly the one that you thought it might be. It’s okay to say, “This isn’t working, and I’m going to do something different because now’s the time to make those decisions.” When you get to your mid[dle-aged] years, it’s not quite as easy to make those changes. Seize that opportunity to make the change for yourself because life is short and you need to be happy.

Written by: The Editorial Board

The post The Editorial Board meets with Chancellor May, UC Davis administrators — Spring 2024 appeared first on The Aggie.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Fast fashion has revolutionized the clothing industry with the mass production of trendy items, appealing to a wide range of customers for its convenience and affordability. The business model gets its name from the rapid design, production and marketing of clothing, allowing them to be sold as soon as the demand arises. The industry is quickly growing due to the continuous cycling of fashion trends and the rampant consumerism in today’s society.

The allure of fast fashion can be attributed to the ability to buy stylish (albeit low-quality) items at cheap prices, allowing customers to try the latest styles without the buyer’s remorse. As a result, many of these items are bought at the height of various social media trends, leaving them to be quickly discarded when they fall out of fashion. 

Individuals are often drawn to popular fast fashion brands like SHEIN, Cider and Zara because of this purchasing power. However, they may not be entirely aware of how their support of these companies contributes to numerous harmful effects, including environmental damage, animal endangerment and the exploitation of laborers. Despite their budget-friendly price tags, the affordability of these items comes with a different type of cost. 

Every year, around 11.3 million tons of textile waste are deposited in U.S. landfills. The manufacturing process leads to extensive greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of water from dye waste and the build-up of non-biodegradable microplastics from synthetic fibers. This type of clothing production also requires the use of hazardous chemicals like phthalates, parabens and formaldehyde, which can pose significant risks to the environment, human health and wildlife safety. 

The industry employs millions of laborers making unlivable wages who may be forced to work up to 16 hours per day. Fast fashion is also heavily reliant on child labor; the vulnerability that comes with their age means they are often subjected to poor working conditions and little compensation, affecting their education, free time and health.

It’s understandable that so many people fall into these buying habits, especially when the social nature of college often encourages people to buy a single-use costume for each day of Halloweekend, or a new dress for every occasion. But buying less and local is easier and more rewarding than you think.

It’s fun to experiment with your style, and there are many ways to do so while shopping sustainably. Downtown Davis is the perfect place to peruse thrift stores and support local businesses to find pieces that won’t be gathering dust in the back of your closet a few months down the line. 

On campus, the Aggie Reuse Store is a student-run thrift shop that offers free items to students with the help of community donations. If you’re looking to exchange items, you can participate in a clothing swap organized by The Aggie Trading Post. Furthermore, investing in a few high-quality wardrobe staples will ensure that your clothing lasts a long time and won’t need to be replaced after a few wears.

Before you make a purchase, ask yourself: Do I need this item? Will I still be using it a year from now? Do I actually like it, or is this a classic case of FOMO? It’s important to take a step back and consider what you already own, what you actually want and what you really need. By considering a more ethical approach to fashion and engaging in conscious consumerism, the planet (and your closet) will thank you.

Written by: The Editorial Board

The post The state of your closet might be a problem, but so is the state of our planet appeared first on The Aggie.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

We know that sometimes you’d rather be anywhere than the top floor of Shields Library, staring at the error message in your code or at the empty page where your essay should be. We’ve all daydreamed about skipping town in the last few weeks before finals. Here’s the good news: With just a little bit of planning, you can ditch the sweaty lecture halls for a day or two and refresh. Your loyal Editorial Board has assembled our favorite day trips to inspire your mini-vacation. 

Sonora Slater, Editor-in-Chief

Was it actually the best day trip I ever took, or was it just the most recent one? During the quarter system, my brain loses all memories from more than two weeks ago, so it’s unclear. That said, I highly recommend following this exact itinerary in San Francisco the next time you need to get away.

Pick up a lavender cream cold brew at Equator Coffee on your way into the city, and stop for breakfast at the highly acclaimed Ariscault Bakery (trust me, you want a croissant). Browse a nearby bookstore — might I suggest Green Apple? — and then stroll through one of the many weekend farmers markets to collect whatever produce your heart desires. Cherries, perhaps? Snap peas? A single carrot? If you’re lucky, there will be a craft fair happening simultaneously. 

Tote your farmar haul over to a beach with a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge, turn on some music and enjoy your snack while you read your newly acquired book, people watch or collect rocks from the sand that will inevitably be less pretty once they dry out — it’s one of the great mysteries of life. The rest of the day is up to you: climb to the top of Coit Tower in Little Italy, watch a baseball game at Oracle Park or explore the California Academy of Sciences. Just make sure you catch the sunset on your drive home. 

Clara Fischer, Managing Editor

As the spring quarter of my senior year slowly draws to a close, I can’t help but feel a little extra Aggie pride. While there are many things that make our school special, one underrated aspect is its location — yes, its location, in all its farmland, Cow Town glory. Davis’ central location has allowed me to go on some really fun trips in my time here, but my personal favorite destination for a long weekend has to be Lake Tahoe. 

Tahoe is beautiful all year round, from the warmer weather and stunningly clear water of the summer seasons to the snow-capped mountains and cozy cabin vibes of winter. While the drive can be a bit strenuous, especially in the winter (don’t forget to check the weather and heed any blizzard watches!), it’s always worth the trip. If you do go, remember the golden rule of any outdoor space: leave no trace. And Keep Tahoe Blue!

Lily Freeman, Campus News Editor

In the midst of midterms and finals, I dream of spending my day sippin’ on a chilled glass of white wine. Fortunately, we live just under an hour away from one of the best places to drink wine in the world: Napa! From walking around vineyards without a care in the world to masquerading as a wine connoisseur, escaping to the countryside is the perfect way to disassociate from the stresses of being a student. Napa’s energy is rejuvenating (whether or not you partake in the drinking), with endless greenery and beautiful sunsets. 

On top of the vineyards, Napa has an adorable downtown. Local cafes, a variety of dinner restaurants and small-business boutiques make a trip there worthwhile. The Napa River runs through the town, and its waterfront is a prime place to take a nap(a) under the sun. The drive is also scenic, and if you really want an adventure, skip the highway and take the backroads the whole way there. Be careful though — spend too much time in Napa and suddenly, finals won’t matter anymore and your aspirations will shift toward viticulture and frolicking through grape fields..

Chris Ponce, City News Editor

Moving to Davis was a culture shock for me and I know it has been a similar experience for many other non-white students. There is so much to love here, yet it certainly is a change from home. This is why I’ve learned to love Woodland so much.

Sure, sure, while on the surface Woodland might seem like just another small town, it really is a gem worth appreciating. The town by far has the best Mexican food nearby (I recommend Sol Méxican Cuisine) and is just a richly different place from Davis. It’s also a quick trip — forget about going to San Francisco or Tahoe, the drive takes less than 20 minutes. The buildings in downtown Woodland feel older and more historic than Davis. They also have so many cute cafes.

 So on your next Costco trip, maybe take the time to see what else Woodland has to offer. There’s a reason I always choose to take my parents here – from the cute downtown to the superior food, Woodland is a lovely place.

Annabel Marshall, Opinion Editor

Ask yourself this: When was the last time you saw a whale? For me it was two weeks ago, along the cape of Point Reyes. Google Maps will tell you that it’s a two-hour drive from Davis to this small tourist destination on the coast (or a mere 46-hour walk). But in actuality, the journey hardly feels like any time at all — a scenic drive will take you through expansive grasslands dotted with sheep. Then the lush forests through which winds an only-slightly-nauseating road. Then sloping, freshly green hills dropping off into sea cliffs. To me, this is the classic Northern California trip — one day, four microclimates and an ocean cold enough to make you understand Baywatch in a new, less romantic light. 

My lovely housemates and I took our time on our way to Point Reyes, stopping at various road-side towns for cheese, bread and hot chocolate. We browsed bookstores and bakeries, dilly-dallied in the rain. We saw elk, cows, llamas, a fox and, of course, a whale waving to us on the shore — a gorgeous reprieve from the late weeks of spring quarter. 

Yasmeen O’Brien, Features Editor

Davis is a wonderful town and as my time here is dwindling I want to soak it up as much as I can. I’m thoroughly looking forward to spending my last couple months here, and appreciating everything this special place has to offer all over again. That being said, sometimes you just need to get away. After almost four years here, I know that schoolwork can be a lot and sometimes our small town is just too packed with familiar faces. For these ailments I recommend a weekend getaway. More specifically, heading way up north to the beautiful Humboldt County.

The redwood forests are truly enchanting and make you feel small, but like you are a part of something bigger. The rugged Northern California coastline is breathtaking and untouched. In the springtime, native flowers bloom along every inch of the green earth and the wildlife seems to come out often after a long winter. The local Redwood National Park allows you to envelop yourself in nature with some awesome hikes and viewpoints to check out. 

If you’re looking for some light, sustainable shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, Arcata is a small town in the area that I visited recently and highly recommend (one of my dearest friends grew up there!). It has a very cute downtown with a record store, thrift shop, craft stores, cafes, bakeries, restaurants and more. The area is known for its rainy weather, so check the forecast before you head up there.

Ana Bach, Arts and Culture Editor 

Per a close friend’s recommendation, I traveled to Sonoma for the first time during the summer of my freshman year. I have to say that in comparison to Napa, the quaint vibe that the area offers is one that embraces locals and visitors alike, which is why I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a chill getaway. The historic downtown district has so many nice restaurants and parks for people-watching. If you are seeking a spot that has both great ambiance and food, the restaurant “the girl & the fig” is one of my favorite food spots, offering a French country fare experience paired with fine wines from Sonoma’s backyard. If you want a pizza to pair with your wine instead, Cafe La Haye is one of the best places in Sonoma to grab a slice. 

Aside from food, Sonoma has a bunch of cute knick-knack shops on every block. As a vintage book and retail lover, I can safely say that Sonoma will keep you intrigued with eclectic trinkets and good reads. Be sure to check out Readers’ Books next time you find yourself in the area. I know at this time of the year I am in need of a little R&R away from Davis, and Sonoma provides a calm ambiance where you can still expect to have a fulfilling day. 

Megan Joseph, Sports Editor

Summer is almost here! After what has felt like the longest school year ever, we are almost done and headed to our fun plans for the warmest months of the year. Although this also means finals are looming, there are only a few weeks left to explore the fun areas around Davis and take a break from your studying. One of my favorite day trips I have taken this year has been to Auburn where I hiked the beautiful Clementine Trail to Clementine Lake. Even though it was very hot when I went, it had amazing views and even a fun watering hole to jump into and cool off at the end. The hike itself was a moderately easy trail with a few steep areas, but it was definitely worth the trek and I cannot wait to go again. 

Just coming off the trail, Ikeda’s Market and Restaurant in Auburn is a must for their local produce, amazing burgers and addictive pies. No matter how disheveled you look after trudging through the dirt with sweat dripping everywhere, Ikeda’s doesn’t care. So, if you find yourself itching to get outside and eat a delicious burger, take the one-hour drive to Auburn and embrace the outdoors!

Katie Hellman, Science and Tech Editor

My NorCal day trip of choice is San Francisco (in full transparency, it’s also the only place I’ve ever taken a day trip to from Davis, but that’s beside the point). There are plenty of sights to see and adventures to embark on in the city — some of them are well-known, like visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, taking the ferry to Alcatraz or witnessing a sea lion serenade at Fisherman’s Wharf, but there are also some must-see hidden gems. If you find yourself in the area, it’s worth it to check out the 16th Avenue Tile Steps, stroll along Stow Lake Boathouse and — my personal favorite — grab a treat at Ghirardelli Square. San Francisco is a convenient one-and-a-half hour car ride away and its close proximity to the ocean will give you a nice break from the spring Davis heat.

This is a stressful, tumultuous time for a lot of reasons. We hope you can take time to care for yourself and your friends, whether that be a weekend getaway or just checking in via text. Take care, Aggies! 

Written by: The Editorial Board 

The post The Editorial Board seeks to inspire your weekend getaway appeared first on The Aggie.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

In recent weeks, protests have broken out on college campuses across the country calling for universities to take action in support of Palestine in response to the current conflict in the Middle East. 

At the University of Southern California, an on-campus encampment formed after the university announced they would not allow their valedictorian — who has publicly supported Palestinians — to make a commencement speech. They later closed the campus to outside visitors and canceled their main commencement ceremony, although college-specific graduation ceremonies will go on as planned without the valedictory address. 

A similar encampment is ongoing at Cal Poly Humboldt, where the campus is closed until May 10 due to protestors occupying and defacing the office of the campus president, as well as setting up dozens of tents around the hall, according to the New York Times.

UC Davis students have spoken up as well in response to the violence in Gaza. In February, urged by hundreds of students who showed up at the quarterly ASUCD Town Hall to speak during public comment, the ASUCD Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) #52, implementing an ASUCD boycott of and divestment from “corporations complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians.” 

The Editorial Board believes that in a moment like this, when students feel passionate enough about an issue to do something about it, universities have an essential opportunity to remember and uplift the importance of free speech — even and especially when it’s controversial or inconvenient. 

Do colleges legally have the ability to set rules in place and enforce those rules when it comes to destruction of property, or trespassing? Yes, and we understand why responding to these protests can be complicated. There might be some legitimate safety issues, concerns about the costs of vandalism and an unwillingness to interrupt education — especially when it’s already been interrupted so recently by the COVID-19 pandemic and a UC system-wide academic strike last fall. 

But although there are legal boundaries, the First Amendment doesn’t say that we have freedom of speech except when it makes things complicated. In fact, the point of being a country that values free expression is precisely to make things complicated, or to have enough diversity of viewpoints that the complexity of a situation is revealed. Protests are inconvenient for a reason — that’s what makes people pay attention to the issues they’re fighting for. 

If anything, colleges should be more of an advocate of free expression than almost anyone else. If university is meant to teach students how to think critically, how to form an opinion in complex situations and how to care deeply about the things going on in the world around them, students shouldn’t be punished for doing just that. 

There is an important distinction to be made. We recognize that not all of the protests have been peaceful. Some universities cited acts of antisemitism as reason for increasing security or closing down their campus, whether it be harassment of Jewish students — at Columbia, students reported being shoved, spat upon and blocked from attending classes — or violent chants and slurs, from “Kill the Jews,” at Northeastern University to “Zionists don’t deserve to live” at Columbia. 

All students should feel safe on their college campus, and attempting to reach peace overseas via spreading more violence and hatred locally is not a solution. But the fact is that many of these protests have been peaceful. Delegitimizing all students’ concerns and arguments regarding the ongoing violence based on the actions of some is a fallacy that fails to honor the nuanced thinking that is characteristic of an academic institution. 

So what are students’ concerns? What exactly do they want the outcomes of their protesting to be? 

Some students are calling on their student governments and administration to divest from organizations that have financial connections to Israel, especially when it comes to weapons manufacturing. Others are calling on their universities to entirely cut ties with Israel, including ceasing study abroad programs and ending academic collaboration with Israeli universities.

As mentioned above, ASUCD voted on a student government divestment months ago. However, the University of California at large put out a statement on April 26 opposing calls for a boycott against and divestment from Israel, saying that “a boycott of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses.” They also noted that UC tuition and fees are not used for investment purposes.

Some of the student activists’ goals might be more complicated than others. Divesting endowments can be difficult, especially because much of this funding is often used to provide financial aid and scholarships to students, meaning that divesting or refusing to accept donations from certain companies could have a direct unintended negative impact on students. But protests with this call have succeeded before; in July 1986, the UC Regents voted to divest more than $3 billion from companies doing business with South Africa’s apartheid government after more than a year of student protests.

Whether or not universities decide to divest from Israeli-tied companies, the continued calls from students for them to do so not only keep the conflict in the news, but also serve as a constant reminder of the fact that youth are aware of and engaged in conversation surrounding Israel and Palestine — an impact that shouldn’t be underestimated with it being an election year. 

This isn’t the first time nation-wide activism has spread across college campuses, and it won’t be the last. Regardless of what ends up happening at each of these schools, the administrations’ response to student protests matters. Are they going to take student concerns seriously? Are they going to negotiate and talk with student protestors in good faith? 

College campuses in the United States are a microcosm of the divisive but passionate political activism on the rise in today’s youth. How each university chooses to facilitate or hinder that, regardless of how complex the issues at hand are, is going to be a part of those institutions’ legacy — whether they like it or not. 

Written by: The Editorial Board

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

April not only marks the start of spring and sunshine but also Earth Day — the celebration of the lovely planet that we inhabit! April 22, 2024 marked the 54th annual celebration of Earth Day, a global phenomenon recognized by more than 192 countries.

The day was originally created in response to a catastrophic oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969 that left many ecosystems and species destroyed. Following the spill, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, along with a group of activists, went to the media to pressure non-eco-friendly companies into reducing their environmental harm. After gaining traction on college campuses and eventually around the world, the national holiday was born in 1970. 

With the origin of Earth Day starting in California, it’s no surprise that the state set the bar high for celebrations this year with our very own new state park. Dos Rios is set to open this June as the first new California state park since 2014. The Dos Rios State Park was first created as a restoration effort to protect the land and endangered species in the area surrounding the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers, but is now a gift for Earth on its special day. 

Following California’s lead, UC Davis and the city of Davis held many of their own events to memorialize the day. From plant sales in the Arboretum to environmental love letters, the festivities in Davis had something for everyone to enjoy! 

Additionally, The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) and the Environmental Policy and Planning Commission (EPPC) have held their own fun event for the entire Earth Day week. The Earth Week Challenge gives students a chance to complete fun sustainable activities, like taking a shorter shower or biking to campus every day for a week, and then encourages them to upload their results to social media. Participants can also challenge family, friends or other students to join in.

As it starts to get warmer and drier in our area, we are also entering the start of California fire season. Fire danger is a very important issue, especially in places that have a desert or arid ecosystem such as Northern California. Even a casually discarded cigarette butt could get out of hand and create a disastrous situation. 

Smokey said it best: Only you can prevent wildfires! Never start fires on days when it is restricted due to excessive wind or heat. These conditions can be the difference between a small recreational fire and a large out-of-control burn. Additionally, make sure you build fires in open areas that are far away from flammables and that you effectively put out the fires, including all coals. Leave the prescribed burning to the ecological authorities. Do your part to minimize your fire footprint and preserve our green planet. 

There are also projects and groups on campus you can join to help protect the earth. One of UC Davis’ clubs, the Surfrider Foundation, has two to three environmental cleanups every quarter that students can join at any time, with the next one happening on May 5. The club has local cleanups at Putah Creek or larger cleanups at San Francisco or Santa Cruz beaches, so get involved today. 

The SeaTree Project is another great way to get involved in environmental restoration. People can donate money and plant a SeaTree, which aids coral growth, in their name or work as a member of the organization. The SeaTree project works to restore coastal ecosystems and help reverse the effects of climate change.

Although Earth Day has now passed, there are still many ways we can enjoy and celebrate our wonderful planet through the great outdoors. Lake Berryessa, Putah Creek and Mount Tamalpais all offer stunning hikes that anyone can enjoy. Ranging in difficulty level and length, these hikes can be a great way to reconnect with nature and feel the powerful effects of fresh air. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try out one of our personal favorite hikes, the Blue Ridge Trail Loop, in the nearby Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve.

Every day is a chance to commemorate the Earth and all that she provides for you. Don’t discount the small impacts your actions have, from recycling to shopping at the farmer’s market. Go outside and enjoy the lovely planet we call home and do your part in restoring it for future generations. Embrace the outdoor magic and let nature be your guide!

Written by: The Editorial Board

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

In an unsurprising turn of events, Arizona made headlines this week by blocking attempts to repeal an 1864 abortion ban. Republicans have repeatedly stalled voting on the ban, which provides no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Former President Trump, who recently declared support for state-led abortion laws, drew bipartisan attention by criticizing the decision to reinstate the bill as going too far.

This is amid other unnerving news such as the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that IVF embryos can be legally considered children and Florida Gov. DeSantis’ abortion bill, which bans most abortions before six weeks. As of April 2024, 21 states have an active ban on abortion or restrictions more extreme than allowed under Roe v. Wade.

The purpose of this editorial is not to convince anyone of the importance of legal abortion in the United States; studies have shown time and time again that restricting abortion does not lower the number of abortions, but instead has serious negative impacts on people’s health and livelihood, especially for people of color. Instead, the Editorial Board asks you to keep paying attention. It may seem like Californians are safe from the anti-abortion sweep, but essential lobbying and legislation are happening all the time, and happening here too.

Even though abortion is protected by the California Constitution, this state is not exempt from the nationwide issue of legality versus access, where people may be unable to find or use essential reproductive health services regardless of whether such services are legal. Rural areas often have a difficult time attracting and keeping qualified physicians in their towns. Many people cannot afford to take time off to receive and recover from reproductive health care. Local groups harass reproductive health clinics and their patients. All of these issues exist here in California, one of the most liberal states in the country. Supporting local reproductive health clinics and telehealth gives patients a better opportunity to stay healthy and safe. 

Moreover, California does not exist in a vacuum. What we do in this state inspires and impacts others. California took many of the first and boldest steps to protect abortion rights post-Roe, and many other states took their cues from us. Because of our legal protections, many people travel to California to get abortions and other life-saving healthcare. 

Abortion is incredibly relevant to us as UC Davis students. A vast majority of students are not currently trying to get pregnant, though many are sexually active. Even for those who practice safer sex, unwanted pregnancy is always a possibility. Sexual assault is also an unfortunate reality, particularly on college campuses. 

Many of us or our peers come from outside of California, and plenty factored the political environment into their decision to come to Davis. A 2023 study found that three-quarters of polled college students took reproductive health laws into account when deciding to stay enrolled in their current campus. In short, fighting for reproductive health access is essential to keeping our campus welcoming and safe for students. 

Pay attention to where you can access reproductive health care in your community. For UC Davis students, keep in mind resources like the Sexess Map, Student Health and Counseling Services and the Planned Parenthood Health Center in Woodland. On-campus organizations like the Love Lab and the Women’s Resources and Research Center can also help you find information on where to get care. Even if you may not need a pregnancy test or emergency contraceptive, it’s likely that someone in your life at some point will. Being openly supportive and judgment-free about sexual health can build a support network and could end up changing someone’s life for the better. 

And vote. Not every bill will be “Abortion: Yes or No,” but there are plenty of candidates, legislation and conversations that support or undermine our reproductive rights. So cast your ballot and raise your voice — don’t let lawmakers drag us back into the 1800s.   

Written by: The Editorial Board

The post In the fight for abortion rights, every ruling matters appeared first on The Aggie.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD 

You may not have realized this since we didn’t get a day off, but Mar. 31 was Cesar Chavez Day. This day shouldn’t just be another date on a school calendar — it’s important to remember the meaning of holidays that recognize the work of union rights movements and to continue advocating for these causes. While there have been several improvements to the labor conditions of farmworkers, there is still a long way to go. 

The federal holiday recognizes the legacy of Chavez and his work in organizing California farm workers. In 1962, Chavez, along with Dolores Huerta, established the United Farm Workers (UFW) to fight for better treatment for these workers. 

In 1965, farmworkers who picked grapes were paid an average of $.90/hour and there were no portable toilets at the ranches. It also was and still is common for children to be working in the fields. 

The 1965-1970 Delano Grape Strike and Boycott was first started by Filipino-American grape workers who striked against their low pay and treatment. Chavez and the UFW officially joined the strike on Sept. 16, 1965, which is also Mexican Independence Day. 

Chavez took inspiration from movements started by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi to take a nonviolent approach to the strike. In 1968, Chavez fasted for 25 days to bring awareness to the nonviolent nature of their movement. His hunger strike gained attention from Dr. King and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who attended an event by the union.

“However important the struggle is and however much misery and poverty and degradation exist, we know that it cannot be more important than one human life,” Chavez said in a 1970 interview. The strike ended that year, after grape growers signed their first contract with the union which helped improve the conditions for union workers. 

The UFW boycott isn’t just a part of Mexican-American history – it is also an integral part of Californian and American history. Huerta is responsible for the popular UFW slogan “Sí, se puede” which means “Yes, it can be done.” Former President Obama credits this slogan for his popular campaign slogan “Yes, we can.” 

As Cesar Chavez Day recently passed, it’s important to understand that the labor problems farmworkers are facing aren’t just a part of history but also a part of an ongoing struggle. 

Today, the average life expectancy of farmworkers is 49 years due to their working conditions and often lack of health insurance. Farmworkers are also 35 times more likely to have a heat-related death than other labor jobs. 

Many farmworkers in California are migrants, with 7,000 of them living in migrant centers that offer seasonal housing to employees. Many of these workers and their families are affected by a law that forces workers to move 50 miles away from the centers when crops aren’t in season. According to an investigation by The Sacramento Bee, 69% of farmworkers with children say the 50-mile law has affected their children’s education. 

There are few labor protections for farmworkers and their children. During non-school hours children can work in the fields with their families as early as age 12. According to a Federal Report from 2018, more than half of children’s workplace fatalities were in agriculture. 

There is much at stake for migrant farmworkers in this year’s upcoming election, with presidential candidates who have vowed to end birthright citizenship, a campaign promise that violates the 14th Amendment. 

While farmworkers’ struggle for fair treatment is ongoing, there have been steps made to address these problems. Recently, Fresno Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula introduced legislation to overturn California’s 50-mile exemption rule and force migrant centers to remain open year-round. 

Like other U.S. holidays that are centered around groups that have historically faced oppression, Cesar Chavez Day is an opportunity to honor the strides made for labor rights that  also serves as a reminder that change is necessary. The Editorial Board hopes you take time to reflect about all the ways in which you are impacted by California farmworkers, many of whom help put food on your plate.  

Written By: The Editorial Board

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Nearly four years ago on Mar. 13, 2020, California governor Gavin Newsom issued an order to close schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. What was originally celebrated as an extra two weeks of spring break quickly spiraled into over a year of isolation, alarming death tolls and the sinking reality that this would be our ‘new normal.’ No one knew when the global lockdown would end, and there was nothing we could do but wait. 

Once it became clear that COVID was here to stay, we were thrown into a routine of never-ending Zoom meetings, strict masking regulations and daily health questionnaires. Conversations about upcoming school dances and sports seasons were replaced with handouts on vaccination policies and social distancing guidelines. Waking up with something as seemingly innocuous as a sore throat would often lead to rapid testing, contact tracing and a two-week quarantine.

If you were like the majority of high school students during lockdown, most of 2020 probably felt a lot like Groundhog Day, repeating on an incessant loop. A phenomenon dubbed the “2020 Effect” has been used to describe our collective skewed perception of time during the pandemic, where monotonous routines and lack of social interaction made the days’ events blur together. The world seemed to be in agreement that we were making a rapid descent into a state of perpetual turmoil.

Current undergraduates have the unique perspective of seeing everything come full circle, as we are now in the same grade as we were in high school when the pandemic began. Here we all are four years later, living in the exact moments we spent those lockdown days dreaming about. During the peak of COVID, as case numbers were climbing out of control, an eventual return to normalcy seemed impossible. We weren’t able to enjoy something as simple as sitting in a lecture hall (think of this the next time you’re tempted to skip class!), eating in a restaurant or speaking to a coworker without having to imagine what the lower half of their face looked like without a mask.

Although it’s easy to dwell on missed milestones, we can also reflect on the growth we experienced during lockdown. We were forced to slow down and appreciate the things we tend to take for granted, like time. In a society that never seems to slow down, free time can be a luxury. Away from school and work, many of us were able to more deeply connect with ourselves and explore our interests. The pandemic served as a harsh reminder that time is not an infinite resource, and now that we’re back to our fast-paced lifestyles, we need to be mindful about spending it in ways that make us fulfilled and happy.

Perhaps the most obvious realization we had during the pandemic was that our relationships have a profound impact on our lives and mental health. Brief interactions like joking with a classmate and hugging a friend became things of the past, and prolonged social isolation prompted us to reflect on our innate need for human connection. Now that we are able to have in-person gatherings once again, it’s important to cherish the moments we have with friends and family.

Soon-to-be-graduates can also look forward to finally having a proper send-off after their high school events like prom, senior trips and an in-person commencement ceremony were canceled. Barring the arrival of another global crisis, UC Davis’ class of 2024 will have the opportunity to physically walk across the stage; four years ago, most high school graduates received their diplomas from the safety of their cars, or worse, in the mail. So if you’re wrapping up your final months of college, get ready to celebrate in a way that would make your high school self proud — and even if you’re not graduating, you may as well use COVID’s anniversary as an excuse to enjoy everything you missed out on while stuck in lockdown.

We also recognize that many members of our community lost loved ones during the pandemic and that certain individuals, such as those who are immunocompromised and the elderly, are still significantly impacted by COVID. We need to remain aware of the pandemic’s lasting mental and physical impacts in our society and approach these struggles with empathy and understanding.

Written by: The Editorial Board

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Whether you’re graduating this June or in a couple years, the thought of life after college has surely crossed your mind. Some people wince at the thought, some are excited to get out of here and some even have jobs lined up and waiting for them. No matter what point you’re at in your planning for post-grad life, you’re on the right path.

If you have chosen to study something you love and it also happens to have economic value, continue pursuing it with fervor and dedication (you’re one of the lucky ones!). If you don’t have that perfect combination, that’s okay too. Welcome to the experience of most people. A lot of us feel that same stress, so definitely don’t feel alone.

Once you graduate, you have an infinite number of paths ahead of you. You could join the Peace Corps, go to graduate school, travel the world, move home for a bit, start bartending, develop welding skills, start a podcast — you get the point. You can do anything you want, and that’s the beauty of it. These possibilities might not be immediately available to you under the constraints of finances and other responsibilities, but the fact remains that there are more potential paths for your life than the one you imagined when you were 18. When you graduate, you graduate into more freedom over your future — and even though that can be scary, it’s exciting too.

This is a time in your life when it’s okay not to know. It’s a time when you have the freedom to try new things because there’s so much life ahead of you to keep trying. Give yourself grace and time to figure out what you want to do because the journey is part of the process and the fun. You’re creating meaningful memories and stories you will tell for years to come. Although it may feel like society expects you to know what you want to do right out of college, please know that all people experience periods of exploration and self-discovery before they find a path that is right for them. In fact, many recommend it!

It’s also normal to change your career multiple times, so don’t feel pressured to pick something and stick with it forever. In fact, this is a perfect time to start trying out career fields to begin your search. Maybe you just find a job to pay the bills for now — that’s fine and doesn’t mean you’re locked in for life. The point we’re trying to make here is that it is all on your own schedule, and you shouldn’t feel persuaded to do what society or even your parents want. Do your best to listen to your own desires and curiosities — start there.

After all, the point of school is to learn, not to just learn how to get a job (though maybe that should be incorporated into the curriculum given our current economy and society). But once you graduate you can take all the knowledge you’ve gained and apply it to the world around you, even if it’s in a different way than you expected when picking your major. Much like your knowledge, the world is multifaceted and intersectional, and can benefit from your uniquely curious mind.

Giving yourself time to explore without bounds can be a way to truly make a difference and find a way to spend your life doing something (or somethings!) that fulfills you.

As you look for these potential careers, understand that you don’t need a job that changes the world AND is in your dream city AND is creatively fulfilling AND uses your specific diploma AND impresses your mom. Find work that makes you feel valuable, yes, but all of these expectations that have been placed on what a “valuable life” looks like, are fake. You get to decide what fulfills you and what gives your life value. And what a wonderful privilege that is. Not to mention, it’s likely that much of what fulfills you will come from other facets of your life, rather than your career. 

Remember, happiness is not dependent on having things “figured out.” Your happiness is much too important, and life is much too beautifully messy for this to be the case.

You might be looking for a job or figuring out where to live or trying to find what you’re most passionate about, but even in the midst of all of this, you can still appreciate the little things and enjoy where you are now. It’s important to teach yourself how to be happy while experiencing stresses like these, especially because you’ll probably never feel like you’ve fully figured it out. There will always be things you’re waiting for or more goals to reach, so learning to protect your peace in all the craziness of life is essential to your happiness. 

It may feel like this editorial is saying, how could the future be stressful when it’s also all of these wonderful things? But we recognize that like many things in life, this is something that is exciting and beautiful, and also scary and anxiety-inducing. Financial stress and social pressures are real, and finding a balance between exploration and stability is going to be tough. 

But humans are nothing if not adaptable and resilient, and the good news is that you, too, are a resilient, adaptable human. You’re going to do just fine out there.

No one changes the world alone, and no one doesn’t change it at all. We are all lost sometimes. In our experience, this is when the most growth happens. Remember that doing things for yourself and your future dreams should be a priority, so use this time of uncertainty to tend to your dreams, whether they be big or small. The wandering you’re doing and will be doing is meaningful, and it might actually help lead you to your next job or passion. It will show you strength and resilience you didn’t know you had and teach you the virtue of patience. 

So you’re on a path and you don’t know where it’s going, what a boring life it would be if you did. Embrace the unknown, try new things, find your place.

Written by: The Editorial Board

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Every Thursday night at 6:10 p.m., the ASUCD Senate and other elected officials gather on the third floor of Memorial Union to make decisions representative of the wants and needs of the student body. Despite this, these meetings are typically a ghost town. Aside from the required attendance of ASUCD officials and the obligatory presence of a reporter from The Aggie, it’s not often that students show up to a Senate meeting, and it’s even more unlikely that they stay the whole time. 

We don’t entirely blame you — with an agenda that severely underestimates the amount of time that it takes to discuss a single topic, these meetings can sometimes last as long as seven hours. Even further, there is no accessible place to find these agendas which outline the topics that the Senate will be deliberating at each meeting ahead of time.

However, these last few weeks have shown us why wider student engagement at the Senate meeting actually works, and we need to keep this momentum going.

For example, SB #41, which allocates $469,075.63 from the ASUCD General Reserves to the Entertainment Council (EC) to go toward the 2024 Lawntopia concert, passed 9-4-1 (Yes-Abstain-No) at the Feb. 8 Senate meeting. This bill was controversial: Many senators originally felt that nearly half a million dollars from the reserves was too much to put toward a concert that can only host 15% of the student population. Other senators argued that this amount was needed to make a successful Lawntopia happen amidst the EC budget being reduced by over $150,000 for this academic year.

Regardless of the Editorial Board’s opinions on this piece of legislation, the bill’s widespread and productive dialogue serves as an excellent example of the power that the student voice holds. Once Senators Binh Do and Jonathan Kang made an Instagram post — which received over 900 likes — encouraging students to attend the Senate meeting in support of the bill, a large sea of students showed up and shared their various opinions on the topic during the public comment period. While the Senate held split opinions on the bill, it was the strong attendance of individuals in support that pushed them to vote in favor of what the students wanted. 

Another recent bill, SB #52, implements an ASUCD-wide boycott and divestment from Israel and corporations “complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians in Gaza.” This bill passed 12-1-1 (Yes-Abstain-No) at the Feb. 15 Senate meeting. Prior to the meeting, UC Davis Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) made an Instagram post that also encouraged students to attend and speak in support of the bill. When the meeting started, hundreds of students came and voiced their opinions, leading to nearly six hours of debate before the piece of legislation was passed. Once again, the Senate table’s votes toward the bill reflected the majority opinion of students who voiced their support at the meeting, determined to get it passed.

Showing your face and presenting your opinion on something that you care about forces the Senate to listen. We recognize that these meetings are long and tedious, but being present during the deliberation of a bill or topic important to you both better informs the Senate and holds them accountable for the campaign promises they made to get elected. Every Senate meeting has a public comment section during which students and community members are allowed to raise objections or express support for agenda items. 

It’s also a two-way street: The Senate needs to be better at publicizing when they will be making certain decisions and how students can let their perspectives be known. When student organizations publicize relevant Senate legislation prior to meetings, it often increases turnout significantly — but they shouldn’t be the only ones putting work into making Senate agenda items known. 

SB #41 and #52 both involve a lot of money and impact a ton of students, but where is the publicity for other pieces of legislation? Every bill, big or small, affects a number of students, whether or not they know it exists.

Why are the Senate agendas impossible to find? The ASUCD Government website has been down for months, and aside from the bill regarding Lawntopia, senators rarely ever post about legislation prior to it being deliberated on during a meeting. Students can’t show up if they don’t know where to look for this important information. 

Why is the ASUCD roster not available online? And why is the ASUCD roster that is currently linked to the ASUCD Senate Instagram from the 2021-2022 academic year? (It’s 2024.) Students can’t reach out to their senators if there’s no accessible way to find out who they are in the first place.

With the goal of making this information easier to navigate, the Editorial Board has decided to start posting the Senate’s weekly agendas prior to each meeting on The Aggie’s Instagram page (Although we can’t control how far ahead of time the agenda is shared with us).  

If you can’t make the Senate meetings, here are some other ways that you can make your voice heard within ASUCD:

• Because it’s so hard to find, let us remind you who the current senators are: Chasa Monica, Gabriel Gaysinsky, Jacob Klein, Dani Antonio, Curtis Chen, Trinity Chow, Jonathan Ng, Binh Do, Katia Bouali, Yara Kaadan, Nur Ambaw, Leah Jung. Each has an Instagram account dedicated to promoting what they do as senators. 
• Talk to a senator during their office hours. Most senators publicize the times and places that they hold their office hours on their Instagram page.
• Fill out the ASUCD Senate Public Comment Form if you cannot attend the meetings but still have opinions that you would like to see voiced there. Submit your comment before each Senate meeting and it will be read out loud during the public comment portion. The link to this form can be found on each Senate agenda.
• Join the Senate meeting via Zoom if you can’t join in person. You can still participate in public comment this way. The Zoom link is always the same and can also be found on each Senate agenda. 

Written by: The Editorial Board

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