Spotlight on…

'Sustainalovability'Whole Earth Festival

For the 40th year, the Whole Earth Festival arrives in tie-dye, tambourine in hand. The popular event begins at noon today and runs through 6 p.m. Sunday. For more "Sustainalovability," watch this slideshow. [ More… ]

NEWS

Regents approve Katehi as chancellor; welcome reception to begin around 11:15 today in Mondavi Center

The UC Board of Regents yesterday voted to confirm Linda Katehi as the sixth chancellor of UC Davis. The campus community is invited to a welcome reception for Katehi and her husband, Spyros Tseregounis, to begin around 11:15 a.m. today in the Mondavi Center's Jackson Hall, followed by a social on the quad across from the Mondavi Center. The campus will broadcast the reception live online for those who are unable to attend. [ More… ]

Increases in student fees approved

Facing a severe budget shortfall as a result of the state's fiscal crisis, which has been exacerbated by a deepening economic recession, the UC Board of Regents on May 7 approved student fee increases of 9.3 percent for the 2009-10 school year. [ More… ]

DNA study confirms Native Americans descended from a single ancestral group

For two decades, researchers have debated whether genetic data shows that ancestors of Native Americans emigrated to the New World in one wave or successive waves, or from one ancestral Asian population or a number of different populations. Now, an international team of scientists, led by a UC Davis lecturer, thinks it can put the matter to rest: Virtually without exception the new evidence supports the single ancestral population theory. [ More… ]

Prof gets kick out of soccer, God and Satan

Those searching for a unique religious experience, or a universal game, should ask Alon Raab about soccer. A lecturer in religious studies at UC Davis, Raab has co-edited a new book about the game, and the classes he teaches include Hebrew, the culture of soccer and one called "God and Satan Through Film." [ More… ]

Lab scientists' suspicions lead to product recall

Although the combination of apple-green and golden-yellow hues might look lovely in a new spring ensemble, UC Davis clinical lab scientist Rena Kuramoto suspected something was amiss when these colors appeared on slides viewed under her microscope last fall at UC Davis Health System's Specialty Testing Center. The center's investigation spurred a national recall of a faulty product used in clinical laboratories across the United States. [ More… ]

On exhibit: Stepping Out — Footwear From Around the World

Undergraduate student Nora Cary co-curates this collection of Design Museum artifacts, offering fascinating insight into world cultures and people's obsession with adorning their feet. The exhibition, which runs May 11-July 12, comprises nearly 70 pairs of shoes dating from the 19th century to today, from as close as Davis and as far away as Iran and India. [ More… ]

In brief: Commuters, computers and ceremonies

Transportation and Parking Services is increasing the maximum subsidy given monthly to transit pool participants by $5; the University Writing Program is hosting a conference June 18-21 titled "Computers and Writing 2009: Ubiquitous and Sustainable Computing @ School @ Work @ Play"; the former historic Hog Barn will be renamed the Hubert Heitman Jr. Staff Learning Center in a ceremony on May 14; the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus winery is set for May 15. [ More… ]

Aggie wrestler goes pro

Smile for the camera phone. Sign an autograph. Listen to how great you are. Imagine that scenario repeating about a dozen times over and you'll get a feel for what Urijah Faber experiences whenever he returns to UC Davis to watch Aggie wrestlers compete. Since graduating in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in human development, the former Aggie wrestling standout has become a star in the fast-growing sport of mixed martial arts. [ More… ]

DIRECTIVES

New cell phone policy

The UC Office of the President has announced a new cell phone policy to bring the university into compliance with IRS rules regarding cell phone use for business purposes. The policy is also explained in today's Dateline story "UC to pay your taxes on 'fringe benefit' cell phones." [ More… ]

EVENTS

Black Family Week

May 11-16

The theme for this year's celebration is "Redefining Excellence," and events include presentations and panel discussions, a vegan soul food lunch and lecture, and Saturday's Black Family Day on the Quad. Black Family Week promotes awareness and understanding of the educational, social and artistic achievements of people of African descent. [ More… ]

Thank Goodness for Staff annual picnic

Wednesday, May 13, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Hutchison Field

Get ready for grilled tri-tip, Gunrock Bingo, TGFS Idol and the Guess the Weight contest — all at a new location. By holding the picnic at Hutchison Field, TGFS planners hope to cut down on the event's carbon footprint and transportation costs. [ More… ]

Pulitzer winner Menand to deliver Lunn lecture

Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m., Ballroom A, Activities and Recreation Center

Pulitzer Prize winner and Harvard English professor Louis Menand will deliver the annual Eugene Lunn Memorial Lecture in Modern Culture and Thought. His topic is "A Man Is Shot: The Content of a Cinematic Technique," about how the movies changed, from Breathless to Bonnie and Clyde. A reception is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and Menand's talk begins at 8 p.m.; both are free and open to the public. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…