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Archive-name: ucdavis/faq/part4
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The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 & 1996
by
David F. Prenatt, Jr.
King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
U.C. Davis School of Law
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-5210
<mailto:NetEsq@dcn.davis.ca.us >
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ may be comprised of more than one part. If it
is, please see the TABLE OF CONTENTS in Part One for a complete list of the
questions that I have attempted to answer and for other important legal
information. Caveat emptor: I assume no obligation to anyone through the
publication of the U.C. Davis USENET FAQ. Furthermore, all versions of the
U.C. Davis USENET FAQ are my personal property and are protected by
applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved except as follows: I
hereby give my permission to anyone who has access to this version of the
U.C. Davis USENET FAQ to reproduce the information contained herein for
non-profit purposes, provided that proper credit is given to me as the
author of this FAQ and that I am notified of any use other than personal
use. I may revoke permission to reproduce any version of this FAQ at any
time.
- - - - -
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 & 1996 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.
5.3.3) RECREATIONAL USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS.
As part of its Health Education Program, Cowell Student Health Center
administers the Campus Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program
(CADAPP), which is comprised of at least two parts: Peer Counselors
in Athletics and Student Educators in Substance Abuse Prevention
(SESAP). For more information, contact CADAPP at (916)752-6334 or
SESAP at (916)752-DRUG. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, LIKE ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS FAQ,
CONSISTS ENTIRELY OF MY OWN OPINIONS AND IS NOT ENDORSED OR APPROVED
BY ANYONE ELSE. FURTHERMORE, I ASSUME NO OBLIGATION TO ANYONE THROUGH
THE PUBLICATION OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS FAQ.
Alcohol is the recreational drug of choice for most college
students. And from what I have seen of most U.C. Davis students, they
are no different from other college students in this regard. Other
popular LEGAL drugs on college campuses include caffeine and nicotine
in various forms; popular ILLEGAL drugs include marijuana and cocaine.
Numerous health education programs encourage college students to "just
say no" to drugs and to "get high on life," but (IMHO) such well-
intentioned programs are guided by entirely unrealistic attitudes.
Young adults are generally on their own for the first times in
their lives when they attend college. Youthful curiosity about drugs
is normal under such circumstances, especially if someone comes from a
strict home environment. Thus, it is a rare college student who does
not experiment with drugs, rarer still for one to avoid contact with
other students who use drugs. And unfortunately, most students obtain
the information that they get about drugs from people who hold very
strong opinions about drug use, but actually know very little.
The recreational use of drugs is *extremely* dangerous. And the
fact that a drug is illegal or socially unacceptable makes it even
more harmful in terms of legal, medical, and social consequences--Not
because illegal drugs are more harmful than legal ones, but because of
the simplistic and draconian measures that people advocate to "stamp
out" drug use. In other words, most drug laws do more harm than good.
As long as I can remember, I have advocated the legalization of
all recreational drugs, emphasizing the fact that paternalistic drug
laws do more harm than good. Many judges and prosecutors have taken
the same position in recent years, having seen firsthand for
themselves the harm that most drug laws cause. Unfortunately, many
legislators continue to pass harsher and harsher drug laws, spurred on
by various activists who constantly remind anyone who will listen that
drugs *are* very dangerous.
Caffeine, in its various forms, is the most unrestricted
recreational drug on campus. In fact, coffee is a staple in most
college students' diets. This in spite of the warnings of doctors
like T.D. Crothers that "[o]ften coffee drinkers, finding the drug to
be unpleasant, turn to other narcotics, of which opium and alcohol are
most common." _Morphinism and Narcomanias from Other Drugs_ (1902).
The consumption of alcohol is expressly prohibited in most places
on campus without a special permit. Two glaring exceptions are the
Silo Pub and the graduate dorms which have standing policies for the
consumption of alcohol; check with the U.C. Davis administration for
more information. Even after obtaining a permit to serve alcohol on
campus, campus regulations prohibit on-campus advertising that even
mentions the fact that alcohol will be served at an event. This is
not to say that many people who are responsible for enforcing alcohol
policies on campus are even aware that these policies exist, and in
many instances people may choose to look the other way. However, when
and if the axe finally does fall, it falls very swift and very hard.
Smoking cigarettes on the U.C. Davis campus is subject to very
harsh restrictions as well, and I am not aware of where and when
smoking might even be expressly allowed by the powers that be (nor do
I, as a non-smoker, really care). However, in the neighboring town of
Davis, smoking is expressly prohibited in almost all public places.
Suffice it to say that if you smoke in public, be very careful that
you are not near a building or a person's face into which your smoke
might drift (perhaps you might want to start chewing tobacco if you
are a nicotine addict); once again, check with the U.C. Davis
administration for more information.
Study after study has shown that many people experiment with
illegal drugs and use them on a regular basis without suffering any
ill effects (provided that they do not become addicted or get
arrested). But the recreational use of illegal drugs like marijuana
and cocaine is much more trouble than it is worth for most college
students. The consequences that do arise if you get caught breaking
the law are overwhelming, no matter how remote the possibility of
getting caught actually is--sort of like an airplane crash.
At the same time, decisions about drug use are very personal
ones. I wouldn't experiment with marijuana or cocaine, even if both
were legal, because neither one of these drugs appeal to me. But I
recommend that you review the available literature on the subject of
recreational drug use and make up your own mind. The best place to
start is with the seminal treatment on the subject of drug use in
Modern America: _Licit and Illicit Drugs_, by Edward M. Brecher and
the Editors of Consumer Reports (1972). It leaves no stone unturned.
5.4) WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP WITH SENSITIVE ISSUES.
By far the most sensitive issues for most college students are issues
arising out of their sexuality. As important as such issues are, a
meaningful discussion of such issues is well beyond the scope of this
FAQ. The good news is that there are a number of highly qualified
people who are ready to offer you expert advice on such topics:
* Rape Prevention Education Program (RPEP) (916)752-3299.
* Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Resource Center (916)752-2452.
* Peer Counselors in Sexuality (916)752-1151.
* The House (916)752-5665; 24 hour hotline (916)752-2790.
The media hype surrounding AIDS has prompted more open discussions in
recent years about human sexuality, birth control, and related issues.
Nonetheless, ignorance about such topics is the norm among college
students (much as it is with recreational drugs), and many people who
falsely consider themselves to be well-informed about human sexuality
make simplistic assertions about AIDS, "safe sex," and the use of
condoms. As real and as frightening as AIDS is, it is nowhere near as
contagious as many people seem to think it is. And while condoms can
help prevent the transmission of AIDS, condoms cannot offer any
guarantees of "safe sex."
"Safe sex" is an oxymoron. Condoms frequently fail, even when
used correctly, and very few people use such protection for all of
their sexual activities. Moreover, condoms offer little or no
protection against STDs such as hepatitis, which *can* be effectively
prevented by vaccinations; regular Pap Smears are a *must* for all
women, even those who are not sexually active. Unfortunately, many
college students never find out any of this information for themselves
because of the strong moral overtones that surround most discussions
about human sexuality.
Instead of thinking for themselves, most people rely upon the
simplistic scare tactics and/or false assurances of ignorant and
misinformed authority figures who decry sexual experimentation.
Sexual experimentation is the norm for many college students who are
on their own for the first time. And sexual experimentation can be
exciting and fun. But sexual experimentation comes with physical and
emotional dues. Be prepared to pay them.
6) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DAVIS AND LIFE IN DAVIS FROM MEMBERS
OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
I have provided information in this section about life in Davis that
is of special interest to members of the U.C. Davis community. For
more complete information on Davis, see the Davis USENET FAQ (see
Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the Davis USENET FAQ).
Readers with a web browser may also visit the City of Davis Home Page
on the World Wide Web (<http://www.city.davis.ca.us/ >).
6.1) Where is Davis and how do I get there?
Davis is located in Northern California, about 15 miles west of
Sacramento, California. Interstate 80 (I-80) runs through the middle
of Davis and connects Davis to both Sacramento (to the west) and San
Francisco (to the east). Interstate 5 (I-5) runs through Sacramento
north and south, and veers to the west to pass by Davis on the north.
You should take I-5 Northbound if you are approaching Davis from
Southern California. If you are approaching Davis from the north on
I-5 Southbound, you should exit I-5 where I-5 connects with the 113
Southbound in Woodland.
Davis is also served by the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. See
Section 6.5.1 for more information.
6.2) How can I find a place to live in Davis?
There is no shortage of housing in Davis whatsoever. Just pick up a
copy of a newspaper, or as Mark R. Heckman suggested in his feedback
to an earlier version of this FAQ, visit the Community Housing Listing
Service on the second floor of the South Silo Building. Their phone
number is (916)752-4699.
Keep in mind that Davis is a college town, so you should plan
ahead. One year leases that begin in the fall quarter are the
standard, and prudent renters usually sign their leases a few months
ahead of time in the spring rental season.
6.2.1) How much does housing cost in Davis?
It depends on whether or not you mind having roommates. The cheapest
decent one bedroom apartments in Davis are about $500.
6.2.2) Where can I turn for help in resolving landlord/tenant disputes?
The City of Davis Community Mediation Service can be reached at
(916)757-5623.
6.3) Where can I get something to eat in Davis?
It depends upon what kind of food you want. Davis has a few zillion
pizza restaurants, quite a few Chinese restaurants, a handful of fast
food restaurants, and a smattering of just about any type of cuisine
you might want to sample. See the Davis USENET FAQ for more complete
information (see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the
Davis USENET FAQ).
6.4) What sort of entertainment is there in Davis?
Quite a bit for such a small town. Everything from pool halls/night
clubs to live theatre. See the Davis USENET FAQ for more complete
information (see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the
Davis USENET FAQ).
6.5) What sort of transportation services are available in Davis?
The most popular form of transportation in Davis is the bicycle.
There are also two public bus services with several routes in Davis,
Yolobus 1-(800)-371-877 [TDD (916)371-3077] and UNITRANS (916)752-
BUSS; the few taxi services that do exist are almost always
unavailable. If you are going out of town, you can take your own car
(or rent one) or use Greyhound, Amtrak, or the nearby Sacramento
Metropolitan airport.
6.5.1) How far is the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport from Davis and how
do I get to there from Davis?
The Sacramento Metropolitan Airport is about 20 miles from downtown
Davis. From Davis, head north on Hwy 113 or Rd 102 (Pole Line Rd)
until you reach I-5. Take I-5 South towards Sacramento. You can't
miss the airport.
If you are coming to Davis from the airport on I-5 North, be
careful not to miss the Davis exit at Rd 102. It is not very well
marked. Take Rd 102 Southbound until you reach Davis. You can't miss
Davis.
If you miss Rd 102, you will reach Hwy 113, which is very well
marked. If you do reach Hwy 113 by mistake, take it south to Davis.
It's quicker than doubling back to Rd 102, and perhaps missing your
exit a second time.
6.5.1.1) Where should I park at the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport?
Short term parking is usually available near the terminal of your
airline for 75 cent for the first half hour, $1.50 per hour to a
maximum daily rate of $10; long term parking is $1.50 per hour up to a
maximum daily rate of $5. Circle around the airport once before
parking to make sure that you know where you are going once you park
6.5.1.2) Is there an airport shuttle service from Davis to the Sacramento
Metropolitan Airport?
Yes. The Davis Airporter provides 24 hour service to the Sacramento
Airport (reservations are required) and they give a discount to U.C.
Davis students with proof of current enrollment. Check with the Davis
Airporter at (916)756-6715 for more information. [Note: Other
companies provide shuttle service to the Sacramento Airport, but I
have not had occasion to use them.]
6.5.1.3) Where can I get more information about the Sacramento
Metropolitan Airport?
Call the Metro's BeeLine at (916)552-5252 or write:
Department of Airports
6900 Airport Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95837
Be sure to ask for the Bi-Monthly Flight Schedule. [Note: Readers
with a web browser may wish to visit the Southwest Airlines Home Page
on the World Wide Web (<http://www.iflyswa.com/ >).]
6.5.2) Are there any shuttle services to outlying areas for U.C. Davis
commuters?
Yes. The UCD/UCDMC Shuttle runs hourly between U.C. Davis and the
U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento Monday through Friday and the
Intracampus Bus connects U.C. Davis and U.C. Berkeley. Contact Fleet
Services at 752-8287 for more information. Reduced parking fees and
preferential parking are available for carpools, and a number of other
incentives are offered for those interested in other transportation
options. For more information, contact TAPS at (916)752-MILE or visit
the TAPS office on Extension Center Dr.
6.5.3) Amtrak. [New.]
Readers with a web browser may visit Amtrak's Home Page on the World
Wide Web (<http://www.amtrak.com/ >). Amtrak's Capitol Route is an
affordable and pleasant way to reach the Bay Area, but the trains do
not run on time. Make sure that you allow for plenty of time to reach
your destination.
6.6) LOCAL BUSINESSES.
6.6.1) Is there an honest mechanic in Davis?
A good question. Please see the Davis USENET FAQ for more information
(see section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the Davis USENET
FAQ).
6.6.2) What banks serve the Davis area?
The following are listed in alphabetical order: Bank of America,
Business & Professional Bank, First Interstate Bank, First Northern
Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Sacramento Savings Bank, University &
State Employees Credit Union (USE) (<http://www.usecu.org/ >), Union
Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Bank (<http://www.wellsfargo.com/ >),
World Savings & Loan Association, and Yolo Federal Credit Union.
IMHO, USE offers the most affordable and best range of banking
services in Davis and elsewhere, and any U.C. Davis student or
alumnus/alumna can join USE.
6.6.3) Where can I find a bike shop in Davis?
It is hard to avoid a bike shop in Davis. There are over 2.1 bikes
per person in Davis, and a corresponding number of bike shops.
However, there are only two bike shops in Davis that are on the World
Wide Web:
Wheelworks (<http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~bicycles >)
B & L Bike Shope (<http://virtual-markets.net/vme/blbike/ >)
6.7) LOCAL POLITICS.
6.7.1) Davis, California = No smoking zone.
There is no smoking in Davis by city ordinance. Not in any business
establishment or within 50 feet of any business establishment. The
only place you can smoke is in your own home.
6.7.2) Davis, California = No snoring zone.
There is no noise pollution in Davis by city ordinance. This law was
meant to prevent people from having a loud party, but the Davis Police
department also enforced it against a woman whose neighbor complained
that she snored too loud. The case made national headlines.
6.7.3) Davis, California = No malling zone.
For years, citizens of Davis have resisted efforts by developers to
build a shopping mall. As a result, most people must travel to the
nearby communities of Woodland, Dixon, or Sacramento to find a
department store.
6.8) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SMALL COMMUNITIES NEIGHBORING
DAVIS FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
See the Davis USENET FAQ for information on the small communities
neighboring Davis (see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain
the Davis USENET FAQ).
7) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GREATER SACRAMENTO AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
I have provided general information in this section about the Greater
Sacramento Area that is of special interest to the members of the U.C.
Davis community. For more complete information, see the Sacramento
USENET FAQ; see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the
Sacramento USENET FAQ.
7.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community have to visit
the Greater Sacramento Area?
Many members of the U.C. Davis community live, work, shop, and play in
Sacramento, the state capital, which is approximately 20 miles East of
Davis on Interstate 80 (I-80).
7.2) How do I get to Sacramento from U.C. Davis?
Take I-80 East. You will see the Sacramento skyline from miles away,
but the freeway interchanges are somewhat confusing. If you are going
to downtown Sacramento, be sure to take the 50/Business 80 route. A
long transition road will take you over the Sacramento drawbridge.
7.3) Is bus service available between Sacramento and Davis?
Yes. Contact Yolobus at 1-(800)-371-2877; TDD 371-3077 for more
information.
8) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
I have provided general information in this section about Northern
California that is of special interest to members of the U.C. Davis
community. For more complete information, please see the California
USENET FAQ [currently under construction] or one of the FAQs mentioned
in one of the subsections below.
8.1) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WINE COUNTRY FROM MEMBERS OF THE
U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
8.1.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community have to
visit Wine Country?
Some members of the U.C. Davis community lives in Wine Country, which
is approximately 30 miles west of Davis (and another 30 miles to drive
from one end to the other). It is a popular destination for weekend
excursions (i.e., shopping, wine tasting, etc.) because of its
worldwide reputation as the most fertile ground for viticulture (i.e.,
the cultivation of grapes). But don't take my word for it when you
can visit the Wine Country Home Page on the World Wide Web for a
virtual tour (<http://www.freerun.com/ >).
8.1.2) How do I get to Wine Country from U.C. Davis?
Go West on I-80; exit at Route 12 West. After that, you will have to
make a decision as to what your final destination will be. If it's
your first trip to the Wine Country, I suggest that you tour the Napa
Valley.
Take Route 29 North all the way north to Calistoga and work your
way back down South. This will take you through the heart of the Napa
Valley.
You may wish to visit the following local attractions on your way
south from Calistoga:
* Calistoga Springs: The name Calistoga has an interesting
etymology. It was a spoonerism of a 19th Century visitor to
the mineral baths in the area who meant to say that the
region would someday be known as the Saratoga Springs of
California. It came out something like, "Calistoga Springs
of Sarifornia."
* Sterling Vineyards: The major attraction at Sterling is the
aerial tram (the complimentary wine tasting is at best
mediocre; if you want taste some good wine at Sterling, you
will have to pay to taste their private reserves).
* Beaulieu ["bowl-lou"] Vineyards (BV): Of all the vineyards
that I have visited in the Napa Valley, BV gives by far the
best reception to visitors. And as far as complimentary
wine tasting goes, BV's Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently
the best; BV's private reserves will please even the most
discriminating palette.
For those of you who have unlimited funds, you may wish to make
reservations on the Wine Train. While many local residents consider
the Wine Train a nuisance, the Wine Train is probably the best way for
visitors to see the entire Napa Valley in one day.
8.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
I have provided information about the San Francisco Bay Area that is
of special interest to the members of the U.C. Davis community in this
section. For more complete information on San Francisco Bay Area, see
the Bay Area USENET FAQ (see Section 1.5 for information on how to
obtain the Bay Area USENET FAQ).
8.2.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community have for
visiting the San Francisco Bay Area?
A large cross-section of the U.C. Davis community lives and works in
the San Francisco Bay Area, which is approximately 80 miles southwest
of Davis. Unlike the small town of Davis, the San Francisco Bay Area
(commonly referred to by Davis residents as "the City") is the most
well established metropolitan area on the West Coast. Smaller in size
and population to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and Southern
California, the San Francisco Bay Area has a worldwide reputation in
fine arts and culture.
8.2.2) How do I get to the San Francisco Bay Area from U.C. Davis?
Take I-80 West. It will end in downtown San Francisco, so get
directions on what exit you need to take. Also, you will encounter at
least one toll bridge, so bring along a few dollars and quarters for
tolls and parking.
8.3) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LAKE TAHOE FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C.
DAVIS COMMUNITY.
8.3.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community have for
visiting Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe, which is situated on the border of California and Nevada
about 100 miles east of Davis, is one of the most popular recreational
spots for members of the U.C. Davis community.
8.3.2) How do I get to Lake Tahoe from U.C. Davis?
Take I-80 East to the 50/Business 80 Route. You can't miss Lake
Tahoe.
8.4) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MISCELLANEOUS LOCATIONS IN THE
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA BY MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
8.4.1) Are there any other places of interest in Northern California
besided the ones you have listed?
Yes. Northern California has many educational, commercial, and
recreational centers that members of the King Hall community
frequently visit. For instance, California State University, Chico to
the North and the Redwood Coast to the East.
8.4.2) How can I get more information on other places of interest in
California?
Please see the California USENET FAQ [currently under construction]
for more information.
9) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CALIFORNIA FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C.
DAVIS COMMUNITY.
I have provided general information about California that is of
special interest to members of the U.C. Davis community in the section
below. For more complete information, see the California USENET FAQ
[currently under construction].
9.1) How do I become a California resident?
See the current U.C. Davis General Catalog for information on
California residency. California residents enjoy a cheaper education
at U.C. Davis than out of state residents, and most of the students at
Davis are California residents.
9.2) What places of interest are there in California?
See the California USENET FAQ [currently under construction].
- - - - -
End Document:
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ Part 4 of 6
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 & 1996
by
David F. Prenatt, Jr.
King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
U.C. Davis School of Law
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-5210
<mailto:NetEsq@dcn.davis.ca.us >
Link to Next Document:
<http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~netesq/USENET-FAQs/ucdavis/part5 >
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