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Started by David Prenatt
Tue, 12 Sep 1995 00:00
U.C. Davis USENET FAQ [ASCII/Complete]
Author: David Prenatt
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 00:00
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 00:00
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Archive-name: ucdavis/complete-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last modified: Sep. 11 1995
Version: 1.1 [ASCII/Complete]
URL: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/ucdavis/complete-faq
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995
by
David F. Prenatt, Jr.
King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
U.C. Davis School of Law
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-5210
mailto:dfprenatt@ucdavis.edu
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
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.
0) PREFATORY QUESTIONS
0.1) What is a FAQ?
A FAQ is an institution on the Internet, a file comprised of answers
to Frequently Asked Questions (abbreviated FAQ).
0.2) Who wrote this FAQ and why?
This FAQ was written by me, David F. Prenatt, Jr., 1995 alumnus of the
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) to provide
the readers of the ucd.* newsgroups and other interested parties with
information about U.C. Davis. However, I do not speak for U.C. Davis
or for anyone else. My opinions are my own.
0.3) What information is contained in this FAQ?
This FAQ contains whatever information that I think might be of
interest to the members of the U.C. Davis community (i.e., "Things I'd
Like to Share" or "TILTS"). I am responsible to no one for the
contents of this FAQ, and no subject is taboo. However, I believe
that certain topics are inappropriate for this FAQ to address, so I
direct people to other information resources when appropriate. For
more information on U.C. Davis, interested parties should also see the
U.C. Davis Gopher (<gopher://gopher.ucdavis.edu>) and/or visit the
U.C. Davis Home Page on the World Wide Web (<http://www.ucdavis.edu>).
0.4) How reliable is the information contained in this FAQ?
Caveat Emptor: The information contained in this FAQ is only as
reliable as I am. While I am usually willing to share information, I
am under no obligation to save anyone from his or her ignorance and I
have no desire to do so. Specifically, if you need legal advice, you
should consult a licensed attorney.
0.5) Can I make copies of this FAQ?
Yes, for non-profit purposes, and I encourage you to do so. However,
to protect yourself from legal liability, you should notify me of any
use that you make of this FAQ, personal or otherwise. Specifically,
if you fail to notify me promptly of any use that you make of this FAQ
other than your own personal use, any permission that I may have given
to you to reproduce any version of this FAQ is expressly revoked.
This FAQ is my personal property and is protected by applicable
international copyright laws. All of my rights under those laws are
expressly reserved, and the permission that I may have given to
reproduce the information contained in any version of this FAQ can be
revoked at any time. If you have any doubts about whether your use of
this FAQ is permitted under the law, you should consult an attorney.
- - - - -
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My sincerest thanks to Steve Langford, Computer Specialist at King
Hall, for his help with my computer needs during my tenure as a law student
at King Hall. Many thanks also to the current students, faculty, staff,
and alumni/alumnae of U.C. Davis, who gave me feedback on the substance of
this FAQ, and the various members of the *.answers team, for their approval
of this FAQ making it possible to post in on the news.answers USENET
newsgroup (<news:news.answers>). In addition, the following individuals
helped make the U.C. Davis USENET FAQ possible:
* Deirdre Lynn Leiner, undergraduate alumna of U.C. Davis, who
helped me open my ez-account at U.C. Davis;
* Peter Nadan, my classmate at King Hall, who first told me about
the ucd.* USENET newsgroups;
* Russ Hersch, author of FAQs about FAQs, who inspired me to write
my first FAQ (even though he probably has no idea who I am).
* My father, David F. Prenatt (1931-1984), commonly known as Dave
Prenatt (one of the most brilliant systems analysts of all time),
and my mother, Shirley Prenatt, who helped both my father and me
to cope with success and failure.
- - - - -
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0) PREFATORY QUESTIONS
0.1) What is a FAQ?
0.2) Who wrote this FAQ and why?
0.3) What information is contained in this FAQ?
0.4) How reliable is the information contained in this FAQ?
0.5) Can I make copies of this FAQ?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) ABOUT THIS FAQ.
1.1) Who wrote this FAQ and how can I reach him?
1.2) What information is contained in this FAQ?
1.3) How is this FAQ organized?
1.4) How can I obtain this FAQ?
1.5) Are there any other FAQs available by the author of this FAQ?
2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE PREPARING TO ATTEND U.C. DAVIS.
2.1) What are the prerequisites for attending U.C. Davis?
2.2) What are the prerequisites for admission to an academic program
at U.C. Davis?
2.3) What should I do to prepare for U.C. Davis?
2.4) What are the advantages of attending U.C. Davis as an
undergraduate?
2.5) Can you tell me something about the history of U.C. Davis?
3) PROGRAMS OFFERED BY U.C. DAVIS.
3.1) APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.1.1) How and when do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as a
first year undergraduate?
3.1.1.1) What are the basic requirements for admission to
U.C. Davis as a first year undergraduate?
3.1.1.2) Is Affirmative Action dead at U.C. Davis for first
year undergraduate students?
3.1.2) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as an
undergraduate transfer student?
3.1.2.1) What are the requirements for admission to U.C.
Davis as an undergraduate transfer student?
3.1.2.2) Other Things to Consider as an Undergraduate
Transfer Student.
3.1.3) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis in a non-
degree program?
3.1.4) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as a graduate
or professional student?
3.1.5) How do I apply for admission to Summer Sessions?
3.2) UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3) GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3.1) GRADUATE SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3.2) PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3.2.1) The Veterinary Medicine School.
3.3.2.2) The Medical School.
3.3.2.3) The Law School.
3.3.2.4) The Graduate School of Management.
3.4) NON-DEGREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT U.C.DAVIS.
3.4.1) University Extension.
3.4.2) The Experimental College.
3.5) SPORTS PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.5.1) INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS.
3.5.2) INTRAMURAL SPORTS AND SPORTS CLUBS.
4) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS AT U.C. DAVIS.
4.1) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CLASS REGISTRATION AT U.C.
DAVIS.
4.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AT U.C. DAVIS.
4.3) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT JUDICIAL AFFAIRS.
4.4) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT SERVICES AT U.C. DAVIS.
4.4.1) Campus Information.
4.4.2) Library Services.
4.4.3) Books and Supplies.
4.4.4) Campus Escort Service.
4.4.5) The Disability Resource Center.
4.4.6) Cowell Health Center.
4.4.7) Counseling Services.
4.4.8) Veterans Services.
4.4.9) Computer Services.
4.4.10) Transportation and Parking Services.
4.4.11) Financial Aid.
4.4.12) Legal Services.
5) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE AT U.C. DAVIS.
5.1) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ON CAMPUS HOUSING AT U.C.
DAVIS.
5.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE TO EAT AT U.C. DAVIS.
5.2.1) What kind of food can I get at the Silo?
5.2.2) What kind of food can I get at the Coffee House?
5.2.3) Where else can I get something to eat on campus?
5.3) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RECREATION AND SOCIAL
ACTIVITIES AT U.C. DAVIS.
5.3.1) What sort of social activities are there on the U.C.
Davis campus?
5.3.1.1) RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
5.3.1.2) SPECIAL EVENTS ON THE U.C. DAVIS CAMPUS.
5.3.1.2.1) UC Davis Presents.
5.3.1.2.2) Picnic Day.
5.3.1.2.3) The Whole Earth Festival.
5.3.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FRATERNITIES AND
SORORITIES.
5.3.2.1) Should I rush the Greek System?
5.3.2.2) What is the purpose of hazing pledges?
5.3.2.3) Isn't hazing illegal?
6) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DAVIS AND LIFE IN DAVIS FROM MEMBERS
OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
6.1) Where is Davis and how do I get there?
6.2) How can I find a place to live in Davis?
6.2.1) How much does housing cost in Davis?
6.2.2) Where can I turn for help in resolving landlord/tenant
disputes?
6.3) Where can I get something to eat in Davis?
6.4) What sort of entertainment is there in Davis?
6.5) What sort of transportation services are available in Davis?
6.5.1) How far is the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport from Davis
and how do I get to there from Davis?
6.5.1.1) Where should I park at the Sacramento Metropolitan
Airport?
6.5.1.2) Is there an airport shuttle service from Davis to
the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport?
6.5.1.3) Where can I get more information about the
Sacramento Metropolitan Airport?
6.5.2) Are there any shuttle services to outlying areas for U.C.
Davis commuters?
6.6) LOCAL BUSINESSES.
6.6.1) Is there an honest mechanic in Davis?
6.6.2) What banks serve the Davis area?
6.6.3) Where can I find a bike shop in Davis?
6.7) LOCAL POLITICS.
6.7.1) Davis, California = No smoking zone.
6.7.2) Davis, California = No snoring zone.
6.7.3) Davis, California = No malling zone.
6.8) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SMALL COMMUNITIES
NEIGHBORING DAVIS FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
7) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GREATER SACRAMENTO AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
7.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community have to
visit the Greater Sacramento Area?
7.2) How do I get to Sacramento from U.C. Davis?
7.3) Is bus service available between Sacramento and Davis?
8) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
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?
8.1.2) How do I get to Wine Country from U.C. Davis?
8.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FROM
MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY.
8.2.1) What reasons would a member of the U.C. Davis community
have for visiting the San Francisco Bay Area?
8.2.2) How do I get to the San Francisco Bay Area from U.C.
Davis?
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?
8.3.2) How do I get to Lake Tahoe from U.C. Davis?
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?
8.4.2) How can I get more information on these other places of
interest?
9) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CALIFORNIA FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C.
DAVIS COMMUNITY.
9.1) How do I become a California resident?
9.2) What places of interest are there in California?
10) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE AFTER U.C. DAVIS AS A COLLEGE
GRADUATE.
10.1) ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL.
10.1.1) Should I attend graduate school after I graduate from
U.C. Davis?
10.1.2) When should I attend graduate school?
10.2) STARTING A CAREER.
10.2.1) How do I decide on a career objective after I graduate
from college?
10.2.2) Shouldn't I choose a career based upon how much money I
can make?
10.2.3) Are there any career planning resources on campus?
10.3) MARRIAGE.
10.3.1) Should I get married after I graduate from college?
10.3.2) Why do people get married?
10.3.3) Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get
married?
10.3.4) What can I expect after I get married?
11) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY
ABOUT COMPUTERS AND LIFE ON THE INTERNET.
11.1) BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPUTERS.
11.1.1) Why should I use a computer?
11.1.1.1) Do I really need to use a computer?
11.1.1.2) Isn't it difficult to learn how to use a
computer?
11.1.1.3) How can I get the computer training that I need?
11.1.1.4) What practical uses would I have for a computer?
11.1.2) Do I need my own computer?
11.1.2.1) What kind of a computer should I buy?
11.1.2.1.1) What is the difference between a
Macintosh(r) and an IBM/IBM PC Clone?
11.1.2.1.2) What is an IBM clone?
11.1.2.2) What kind of features should I have on a
computer?
11.1.2.3) What kind of accessories should I get on my
computer?
11.2) What computer facilities are available for students at U.C.
Davis?
11.2.1) How do I obtain access to the computer facilities at
U.C. Davis?
11.2.2) Will I lose access to computer services at U.C. Davis
after I graduate?
11.2.3) What should I do to make sure that I still have access
to computer services at U.C. Davis after I graduate?
11.3) What is the Internet?
11.3.1) How can I obtain access to the Internet?
11.3.1.1) How do I obtain access to the Internet from one
of the computer rooms on the U.C. Davis campus?
11.3.1.2) How do I obtain access to the Internet from my
home computer?
11.3.2) How do I communicate with other people on the Internet?
11.3.2.1) Are there any rules for e-mail and the USENET
newsgroups.
11.3.2.2) What is the difference between e-mail and the
USENET newsgroups?
11.3.2.2.1) How do I use e-mail?
11.3.2.2.2) How do I access the USENET newsgroups?
11.3.2.2.2.1) How many USENET newsgroups are
there?
11.3.2.2.2.2) How do I figure out which
newsgroups I want to read?
11.3.2.2.2.2.1) Which USENET newsgroups are
of interest to members of
the U.C. Davis community?
11.3.2.2.2.2.2) What regional domains are
available through the U.C.
Davis USENET?
11.3.2.2.2.2.3) What USENET newsgroups are
available on the ucd.*
regional domain?
11.3.2.3) How do I use the IRC?
11.3.2.4) How do I access the World Wide Web?
11.3.2.4.1) How do I use lynx?
11.3.2.4.2) How do I use Netscape?
11.3.3) What resources are available over the Internet?
11.3.3.1) What is ftp and how does it work?
11.3.3.1.1) How do I use anonymous ftp?
11.3.3.1.2) How do I use privileged ftp?
11.3.3.1.3) How do I obtain ftp files by e-mail
request?
11.3.3.1.4) How can I find out what information is
available via ftp?
11.3.3.1.4.1) What is a gopher?
11.3.3.1.4.2) Who (or what) is/are Veronica and
Jughead?
11.3.3.1.4.3) Who (or what) is Archie?
11.3.4) LOCAL LEGENDS ON THE U.C. DAVIS USENET.
12) REVISIONS OF THIS FAQ.
12.1) CHANGES IN THIS VERSION OF THE U.C.DAVIS USENET FAQ FROM
PREVIOUS VERSIONS.
12.2) CHANGES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN FUTURE VERSIONS OF THIS FAQ.
- - - - -
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995 by David F. Prenatt, Jr.
1) ABOUT THIS FAQ.
1.1) Who wrote this FAQ and how can I reach him?
This FAQ was written by me, David F. Prenatt, Jr., 1995 alumnus of the
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall). Until
further notice, you can reach me by my e-mail at U.C. Davis:
mailto:dfprenatt@ucdavis.edu
or by snail-mail (i.e., U.S. Mail) through the U.C. Davis Law School:
David F. Prenatt, Jr.
c/o King Hall Alumni Association
U.C. Davis, School of Law
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-5210
1.2) What information is contained in this FAQ?
Anything that I, as the author of this FAQ, decided would be of
interest to members and would-be members of the U.C. Davis community.
See PREFATORY QUESTIONS (Section 0) for more information.
1.3) How is this FAQ organized?
This version of this FAQ may be arbitrarily divided into unequal parts
where I felt it was convenient to do so. I did this for two reasons:
First, some readers of this FAQ may have specific questions and may
not want to read the entire FAQ. If this version is comprised of more
than one part, the first part will contain the complete TABLE OF
CONTENTS. Thus, readers may refer to the TABLE OF CONTENTS to find
out which part of this FAQ contains the specific questions that they
want answered. Second, some computer services and/or applications are
unable to handle extremely large computer files. Thus, if this
version of this FAQ is comprised of more than one part, no one part
will exceed 32k. See the TABLE OF CONTENTS in this FAQ for more
detailed information about how the contents of this version of this
FAQ are organized.
This FAQ uses standard Uniform Resource Locator (URL) protocol
references to accomodate readers with a web browser [modify other
FAQs]:
ftp://[ftp site][directory][archive] = file transfer protocol
gopher://[gopher address] = gopher protocol
http://[World Wide Web address] = hypertext transfer protocol
mailto:[e-mail account]@[domain] = e-mail protocol
news:[newsgroup or article reference] = USENET protocol
telnet:[telnet site] = telnet protocol
These URL references will act as hyptertext links for those using
Netscape to read this FAQ.
1.4) How can I obtain this FAQ?
This FAQ is archived at rtfm.mit.edu in the pub/usenet/news.answers
directory under the archive name ucdavis/complete-faq and is available
by anonymous ftp and e-mail request. See Section 11.3.3.1 for more
information on how to use ftp and e-mail request. This FAQ is updated
once a month and the most current version is posted to ucd.general
(<news:ucd.general>) and news.answers (<news:news.answers>). Snail-
mail requests for this FAQ, [Offline] (Version 1.1), released
September 10, 1995, will be honored within the United States (U.S.),
if those requests are accompanied by $5.00 in U.S. funds in the form
of a check or money order for each copy requested to cover the cost of
printing, shipping, and handling; volume discounts and licensing
agreements are available. At my discretion, I may ship a more recent
version of this FAQ unless you specify otherwise.
1.5) Are there any other FAQs available by the author of this FAQ?
Yes. I have published three other FAQS:
The King Hall Law School USENET FAQ (King Hall USENET FAQ)
(appearing on ucd.king-hall <news:ucd.king-hall>)
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/ucdavis/king-hall-faq/part1
. . . [through] . . .
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/ucdavis/king-hall-faq/part9
(see part 1 of the King Hall USENET FAQ for a complete list of the
TABLE OF CONTENTS)
The Davis, California USENET FAQ (Davis USENET FAQ)
(appearing on davis.general <news:davis.general>)
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/davis/complete-faq
The Yolo County, California USENET FAQ (Yolo County USENET FAQ)
(appearing on yolo.general <news:yolo.general>)
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/yolo/faq/part1
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/yolo/faq/part2
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/yolo/faq/part3
These FAQs are updated once a month and the most current versions
are posted on news.answers (<news:news.answers) and the appropriate
regional USENET newsgroup. Offline versions of the September 10, 1995
release of these FAQs are available within the U.S. by snail-mail
request, if those requests are accompanied by $5.00 U.S. currency in
the form of a check or money order for each copy of each FAQ that you
order, to cover the cost of printing, shipping, and handling; volume
discounts and licensing agreements are available. Including the FAQs
listed here, I have about a dozen FAQS currently under construction
and/or pending approval of the *.answers team.
2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE PREPARING TO ATTEND U.C. DAVIS.
2.1) What are the prerequisites for attending U.C. Davis?
There are no prerequisites for attending U.C. Davis. U.C. Davis is a
public university, and many people attend U.C. Davis without being
formally admitted to any academic program. However, most people who
attend U.C. Davis seek formal admission to some academic program
before they begin attending U.C. Davis. Admission to any academic
program at any college or university requires some sort of official
imprimatur.
2.2) What are the prerequisites for admission to an academic program at
U.C. Davis?
It depends upon the academic program. See Section 3 for a complete
list of the Educational Programs Available at U.C. Davis. Some
programs have very strict academic standards and prerequisites and
other programs have open enrollment. Many people believe that the
raison d'etre of U.C. Davis is undergraduate education, but this is
only part of the educational mission of U.C. Davis.
The educational mission of U.C. Davis is a constant topic of
debate (i.e., research, teaching, etc.). Whatever the educational
mission of U.C. Davis is, even more people argue about what the
educational mission of U.C. Davis should be. However, to the person
seeking admission to one of the academic programs at U.C. Davis, the
exact nature of U.C. Davis's educational mission is not as important
as whether U.C. Davis has an academic program to help that person
achieve his or her personal academic goals.
Before someone can achieve his or her academic goals, one must
know what those goals are. Many of the people whom I meet who are
enrolled in academic programs at U.C. Davis have no specific academic
goals. These people did not make an informed decision about why they
wanted to attend U.C. Davis. Rather, that decision was made for them
by someone else.
Many people who complete an academic program at U.C. Davis, with
all of the trappings of academic success, did not belong in a
university in the first place. They listened to traditional wisdom
and applied to U.C. Davis simply because the opportunity presented
itself. Once admitted, they selected from the menu of classes and
completed the requirements for graduation simply because they felt
that it would create opportunities for them. However, for many of
these people, increased opportunities were not forthcoming, and thus
many of these people would have been better off at a junior college or
a California State University (CSU).
Most junior colleges and CSUs are friendlier and more affordable
than U.C. Davis. Moreover, U.C. Davis readily accepts transfer
students from junior colleges and CSUs. These transfer students
typically have higher Grade Point Averages (GPAs) at U.C. Davis than
they would have had if they had started attending U.C. Davis as first
year undergraduates. Thus, those who attend U.C. Davis simply because
they can do so are at a distinct disadvantage when they become
juniors, seniors, or graduate students at U.C. Davis.
2.3) What should I do to prepare for U.C. Davis?
Decide why you want to attend U.C. Davis. If you don't know, then
attend a junior college or a CSU until you figure it out. U.C. Davis
will still be around a couple of years later. Whatever you do, don't
let someone else make your decisions for you, especially not the
anonymous authority of the crowd. If you are a competent adult, then
no one is better informed about your personal situation than you are.
2.4) What are the advantages of attending U.C. Davis as an undergraduate?
The advantages of attending U.C. Davis as an undergraduate as opposed
to a junior college or CSU are the advantages that result from your
association with the ambitious people who are drawn to a research
university. However, your academic education may suffer in the
process. Like any research institution, U.C. Davis relies heavily
upon teacher's assistants (TAs) to teach undergraduate courses that no
tenured professors really want to teach. In striking contrast,
classes at junior colleges and CSU's have a higher percentage of Ph.D.
instructors who are highly motivated and capable teachers.
Junior colleges are primarily transitional institutions. Many if
not most of the students there will eventually enter a four year
institution and obtain a four year degree. Accordingly, students in
junior colleges do not as a rule suffer from a lack of ambition.
The cultural millieu of CSUs, on the other hand, inculcates a
ditch digger mentality in many students. Everything at the CSUs, from
the major fields of study that are offered to the architecture of the
buildings, reinforces the false notion that CSU students are somehow
second-class students. But there is no reason for students to accept
this pecking order; it simply doesn't have to be that way. Someone
who attends a CSU can have just as good an education as someone who
attends a U.C., if not better.
No matter where you attend college, the trick to getting a good
education is to take courses from good teachers rather than just
taking required courses at prestigious institutions. If you find an
instructor who knows how to teach, take whatever classes he or she
offers, and ask him or her to recommend other teachers. I had one
undergraduate mentor who taught three courses simultaneously at three
different colleges (a U.C, a CSU, and a junior college), and I
attended all three courses.
2.5) Can you tell me something about the history of U.C. Davis?
Once upon a time, in 1905 the U.C. Davis campus was established as the
U.C. Berkeley farm; later it became the U.C. College of Agriculture.
U.C. Davis became a general campus in 1959. Over the course of its
evolution into a separate U.C. campus, U.C. Davis has distinguished
itself internationally with its veterinary medicine and viticulture
programs, arguably the best in the world.
3) PROGRAMS OFFERED BY U.C. DAVIS.
There are over 140 educational disiplines/majors at U.C. Davis as well
as many educational minors that are divided up into three colleges and
four professional schools; non-degree educational programs and
intercollegiate sports programs are also offered. See the current
U.C. Davis Catalog for more information on the particular educational
programs that interests you or contact one of the colleges or
professional schools listed in the subsections below.
3.1) APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.1.1) How and when do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as a first year
undergraduate?
Depending upon when you intend to begin your studies at U.C. Davis,
you may be required to apply any time from six months to a year in
advance, and the location to which you should submit your application
may vary. Contact Undergraduate Admissions at (916)752-2971 for an
application and for information on how, when, and where to submit your
application as a first year undergraduate. Readers with a web browser
may also visit the U.C. Davis Admissions Home Page on the World Wide
Web (<http://louie.stuaff.ucdavis.edu/admissions/!info.html>).
3.1.1.1) What are the basic requirements for admission to U.C. Davis as a
first year undergraduate?
Various subject requirements are imposed upon first year undergraduate
applicants to U.C. Davis. In addition, an applicant's high school GPA
is balanced against his or her score on standardized tests and ranked
on an eligibility index; applicants from outside of California must
have at least a 3.4 GPA. If you score well enough on your admissions
test, you need not complete the scholarship and subject requirements.
3.1.1.2) Is Affirmative Action dead at U.C. Davis for first year
undergraduate students?
On Thurday, July 20, 1995, the U.C. Regents approved the proposal of
U.C. Regent Ward Connerly to end the use of race-based criteria in
admission procedures for the U.C. system, but the significance of this
decision for disadvantaged students has yet to be determined. As a
U.C. Davis alumnus, it profoundly disturbs me that people are arguing
over who is most victimized by the U.C. system. As a law school
graduate, I question whether the U.C Regents' decision was even
newsworthy in light of the Supreme Court's decision almost two decades
ago in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265
(1978), that effectively ended Affirmative Action (i.e., race-based
quotas) in college admissions. Unlike many other schools, U.C. Davis
has fully complied with the _Bakke_ decision in its admissions
procedures and and its active recruitment of members of groups that
have been historically underrepresented at U.C. Davis.
Affirmative Action (which is patently illegal and does not exist
as most people seem to think that it does) may not be the solution to
the problems faced by the U.C., but neither is the fundamental
restructuring of admissions procedures by the U.C. Regents one of the
real problems that disadvantaged applicants for admission to U.C.
Davis will face in the future. The crux of the problem for all U.C.
applicants (which few people have seen fit to address) lies in the
lack of space to accomodate the vast majority of qualified applicants
who wish to attend a particular U.C. campus (e.g., U.C. Berkeley) as a
first year undergraduate. Neverthless, no matter how limited the
opportunities are for first year undergraduates at a particular
campus, the lack of particular opportunities does not compromise the
various other opportunites that still exist for those people who wish
to attend a U.C. as part of their undergraduate education.
If you apply for admission to the U.C. system as a first year
undergraduate student and you get turned down, it is usually for a
reason that you can address and fix. For example, if your GPA or
admission test scores are too low, you can bring them up at a junior
college or CSU and transfer in at a later date. See Section 3.1.2
for more information on application as a transfer student. However,
the number one reason that most people do not get admitted to the U.C.
system is that they choose not to apply. They are told by their
family and friends that it is a waste of time to do so. Do not buy
into the defeatist propaganda that the anonymous authority of the
crowd has to sell.
My high school grades and my performance on standardized tests
such as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test gave me the
opportunity to attend virtually any college that I wanted to attend
when I was 15 years old. I was also offered full scholarships to
colleges that most people are never even able to attend. However,
after successfully completing two semesters of college as a high
school junior, I chose to attend junior colleges to complete the vast
majority of my underclass undergraduate education. When I eventually
transferred full time to a four year university, my high school GPA
and standardized test scores became totally irrelevant, nothing more
than bragging rights that did not affect my chances for admission to a
university for better or for worse. Moreover, my undergraduate
education as a whole was cheaper, faster, better, and a lot more fun
than that of most people whom I know who only attended a four year
university as an undergraduate.
3.1.2) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as an undergraduate
transfer student?
Depending upon when you intend to begin your studies at U.C. Davis,
you may be required to apply any time from six months to a year in
advance, and the location to which you should submit your application
may vary. Contact Undergraduate Admissions at (916)752-2971 for an
application and for information on how, when, and where to submit your
application as a transfer student. Readers with a web browser may
also visit the U.C. Davis Admissions Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://louie.stuaff.ucdavis.edu/admissions/!info.html>).
3.1.2.1) What are the requirements for admission to U.C. Davis as an
undergraduate transfer student?
Start with the requirements for admission as a firt year undergraduate
applicant and work your way down. See Section 3.1.1.1 for information
on first year undergraduate application requirements. After
completing 12 or more transferable quarter units with a GPA of 2.0,
you are exempt from examination requirements that are imposed upon
first year undergraduate applicants to U.C. Davis; after completing
the equivalent of 84 or more transferable quarter units with a 2.4
GPA, you are exempt from the high school GPA requirements that are
imposed upon first year undergraduate students (a 2.8 GPA in your
transferable college courses is required if you are not a California
resident). Meanwhile, you can complete college courses in the
required high school subjects that may have excluded you from being
eligibile for admission as a first year undergraduate applicant.
3.1.2.2) Other Things to Consider as an Undergraduate Transfer Student.
You may want to take some summer classes at U.C. Davis before you
transfer in as a full time student. That way you can get acquainted
with the University and see if its the right place for you. Admission
to a Summer Session is much easier than admission to the University as
a normally matriculating student, and the hussle and bustle of the
normal school year is greatly reduced during the summer. See Section
3.1.5 for more information on admission to Summer Sessions.
3.1.3) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis in a non-degree program?
Contact University Extension or the Experimental College for this
information. See Section 3.4 for more information.
3.1.4) How do I apply for admission to U.C. Davis as a graduate or
professional student?
Contact Graduate Admissions at (916)752-0655 for information on how
and when to apply for admission to the various graduate and
professional programs at U.C. Davis.
3.1.5) How do I apply for admission to Summer Sessions?
Virtually anyone can enroll in Summer Sessions at U.C. Davis without
going through any admissions procedures. However, admission to a
Summer Session at U.C. Davis is not the same thing as admission to the
University. For information on enrolling in a Summer Session, call
the Office of Summer Sessions (<mailto:summer-sessions@ucdavis.edu>)
at (916)752-1641 or 1-800-VIP-2738 and ask for a catalog or visit the
office in person at 44 Mrak Hall. Readers with a web browser may also
wish to visit the Summer Sessions Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://pubweb.ucdavis.edu/Documents/summer-sessions/UCDsummer.html>)
--^^^^^How's that for a URL?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3.2) UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
See the current U.C. Davis Catalog or contact one of the three
colleges listed below for information on the undergraduate programs
that are offered through U.C. Davis:
* College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
(<http://www.ucdavis.edu/aes.html>)
(916)752-0107.
* College of Engineeering
(<http://www.ucdavis.edu/engineering.html>)
(916)752-0553.
* College of Letters and Sciences
(<http://www.ucdavis.edu/ls.html>)
(916)752-0392.
3.3) GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3.1) GRADUATE SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
U.C. Davis is among the top 20 universities in the United States in
terms of research funding. There are over 70 graduate school programs
at U.C. Davis, which rely heavily upon research funding. See the
current U.C. Davis Catalog or contact one of the three colleges listed
in Section 3.2 for information on the specific graduate programs at
U.C. Davis that interest you.
3.3.2) PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.3.2.1) The Veterinary Medicine School.
Contact the School of Veterinary Medicine Admissions at (916)752-1383
for information on its educational programs or visit the school's Home
Page on the World Wide Web (<http://www.ucdavis.edu/vetmed.html>).
3.3.2.2) The Medical School.
Contact the School of Medicine Admissions at (916)752-2717 for
information on its educational programs or visit the school's Home
Page on the World Wide Web (<http://www.ucdavis.edu/medicine.html>).
3.3.2.3) The Law School.
Contact Sharon Pinkney (<mailto:slpinkney@ucdavis.edu>) at the Martin
Luther King, Jr., School of Law (U.C. Davis, School of Law, popularly
known as King Hall) Admissions at (916)752-6477 for information on the
Law School's educational programs. See also the King Hall USENET FAQ
for any questions that you may have about King Hall. If the King Hall
USENET FAQ does not answer your questions about King Hall, it should
direct you to someone who is qualified to do so. See Section 1.5 for
more information on how to obtain the King Hall USENET FAQ.
3.3.2.4) The Graduate School of Management.
Contact the Graduate School of Management Admissions at (916)752-7399
for information on its educational programs or visit the school's Home
Page on the World Wide Web (<http://www-gsm.ucdavis.edu>)
3.4) NON-DEGREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT U.C.DAVIS.
3.4.1) University Extension.
University Extension provides various continuing education programs as
well as concurrent enrollment for students who are not formally
admitted to the University. Non-matriculating students may thus use
concurrent enrollment to obtain college credit. Contact University
Extension from a touch tone phone at (800)752-0881 in California or
(916)757-8777 to order a catalog. Readers with a web browser may also
visit the University Extension Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://www-unex.ucdavis.edu>).
3.4.2) The Experimental College.
The EC provides a number of extra-academic courses with virtually no
academic prerequisites. Contact the Experimental College (EC) at
(916)752-2568 for more information on its educational programs.
3.5) SPORTS PROGRAMS AT U.C. DAVIS.
3.5.1) INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS.
U.C. Davis has 11 men's varsity teams and 9 women's varsity teams that
compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division II.
Intercollegiate sports programs at U.C. Davis suffer from a dearth of
funding for athletic scholarships. Notwithstanding this dearth of
funding, the quality of U.C. Davis sports teams is outstanding.
Unfortunately, U.C. Davis sports teams cannot compete in Division I
sports without offering athletic scholarships.
But for the lack of Division I sports competitions, U.C. Davis
would be a household name. Accordingly, the U.C. Davis move to
Division I athletics was planned to take place recently. However,
Phase 3 budget cuts prevented this. Thus, U.C. Davis remains in the
shadow of its sister U.C. campuses at Berkeley and Los Angeles as far
as intercollegiate athletic competitions.
The U.C. Davis Football team will play five home games during the
1995 season:
September 9 Western State, Colorado 7pm
September 16 Humboldt State 7pm
September 23 Sonoma State 7pm
October 21 CSU Northridge 7pm
(Homecoming)
November 11 Cal Poly SLO 7pm
Admission to these games is free to undergraduates. For more
information, call the Aggie Sports Hotline at (916)752-1700.
Readers with a web browser may visit the U.C. Davis Crew Home
Page on the World Wide Web:
http://pubweb.ucdavis.edu/Documents/UCDCREW/ucd-crew.html
3.5.2) INTRAMURAL SPORTS AND SPORTS CLUBS.
For information about Intramural Sports and Sports Clubs at U.C.
Davis, visit Room 140 in the Recreation Hall or call (916)752-3500.
4) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS AT U.C. DAVIS.
4.1) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CLASS REGISTRATION AT U.C. DAVIS.
Registration takes place through RSVP automated phone-in registration,
(916)752-RSVP. Contact the Registrar's Office at (916)752-2973 if you
need further information. Readers with a web browser may view the
schedule of classes at the Registration Home Page on the World Wide
Web (<http://www.ucdavis.edu/register/schedule.html>).
4.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AT U.C. DAVIS.
Contact the Financial Aid Office at (916)752-2390. Readers with a web
browswer may also visit the Financial Aid Home Page on the World Wide
Web (<http://faoman.ucdavis.edu>).
4.3) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT JUDICIAL AFFAIRS.
I cannot express strongly enough how important it is for you to comply
with the various regulations that U.C. Davis imposes upon students,
faculty, and staff. Officials at U.C. Davis will usually bend over
backwards to address your concerns. If they don't, virtually any form
of effective protest that you can imagine can be accomplished without
violating any U.C. Davis regulations.
If you have any questions about U.C. Davis regulations, you can
contact Donald Dudley (<mailto:djdudley@ucdavis.edu>), King Hall Class
of 1993, at Student Judicial Affairs (SJA), (916)752-1128. SJA's bark
is usually worse than its bite. In many instances, SJA simply puts
you on notice about a potential problem. Ignore SJA at your own risk:
You may invoke any of a number of very serious sanctions.
4.4) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT SERVICES AT U.C. DAVIS.
4.4.1) Campus Information.
Campus information is available at Information Centers in the Alumni
and Visitors Center, the Memorial Union and the booth at the entrance
to U.C. Davis on Old Davis Rd or you can call Information Services at
(916) 752-8111 (TDD 916-752-2228). Readers with a web browser may
also visit the Campus Information Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://pubweb.ucdavis.edu/Documents/OA/MUinfo.html>).
4.4.2) Library Services.
There are four major libraries on the U.C. Davis campus: The Health
Sciences Library, the Physical Sciences Library, Shields Library, and
the Law School Library [note: the law library catalog is available by
public telnet session (<telnet:innopac.ucdavis.edu>; account/password
= guest)]; there are also a number of departmental library
collections. Most of these collections are listed on MELVL which is
available by public telnet session (<telnet:melvyl.ucop.edu>
account/password = guest). Books can be obtained from the four major
libraries at U.C. Davis, department collections, and other libraries
in the U.C. system and elsewhere through interlibrary loan. Contact
Shields Library at (916)752-6561 for more information or visit the
General Library Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu>).
4.4.3) Books and Supplies.
There are two bookstores on the main section of the U.C. Davis Campus.
One is located in the Memorial Union and the other is located in the
Silo Complex. The Memorial Union also has a number of other shops.
There are also a number of off-campus book stores close to campus.
4.4.4) Campus Escort Service.
U.C. Davis students can get a free escort from the Cal Aggie Hosts by
calling (916) 752-1727.
4.4.5) The Disability Resource Center.
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) offers a number of services for
students with disabilities, including those students with temporary
disabilities (e.g., sports injuries such as sprained ankle or a broken
leg). Students with disabilities should contact the DRC as early as
possible at (916)752-3184 (TDD 916-752-6TDD) for more information on
the assistance, academic and otherwise, that the DRC provides.
4.4.6) Cowell Health Center.
Contact Cowell Health Center at (916)752-2300 with your questions
about student health services. Please note that all graduate and
professional students are required to purchase the Graduate Student
Health Insurance Plan at the time registration fees are paid unless
they provide proof of comparable insurance coverage. For more
information, contact the Insurance Office of the Student Health Center
at (916) 752-2612. Every entering student must also complete a
medical history form and provide proof of immunity to rubella and
rubeola.
4.4.7) Counseling Services.
Psychological and psychiatric services are available through North
Hall, (916)752-0856, or by referral from the Cowell Student Health
Center.
4.4.8) Veterans Services.
Contact the Veterans Affairs Office at (916)752-2020 for information
on veterans services at U.C. Davis.
4.4.9) Computer Services.
See Section 11 for information on computer services at U.C. Davis.
4.4.10) Transportation and Parking Services.
Contact Transportation and Parking Serives (TAPS) at (916)752-TAPS for
information on parking permits, bicycle licenses, and related
services; contact Unitrans at (916)752-BUSS for information on bus
services. Unitrans is free to U.C. Davis undergraduate students who
pay for this service with their registration fees; discount bus passes
and tokens are available for graduate and professional students. See
also Section 6.5.2 for information on shuttle services for U.C. Davis
commuters.
4.4.11) Financial Aid.
See Section 4.2 for information on financial aid services.
4.4.12) Legal Services.
The ASUCD Legal Service provides free legal services to U.C. Davis
undergraduates. For more information, contact the ASUCD Legal Service
at (916)752-1990.
5) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE AT U.C. DAVIS.
5.1) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ON CAMPUS HOUSING AT U.C. DAVIS.
Contact the Student Housing Office (<mailto:housing@ucdavis.edu>) at
(916)752-2033 for information on housing options at U.C. Davis. See
also the Davis USENET FAQ for information on housing options in the
City of Davis (see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the
Davis USENET FAQ).
5.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE TO EAT AT U.C. DAVIS.
There are a number of places to eat on campus. However, most people
eat at the Silo or the Coffee House.
5.2.1) What kind of food can I get at the Silo?
There are several fast food restaurants at the Silo, and the Silo Pub
serves a good sit-down lunch.
5.2.2) What kind of food can I get at the Coffee House?
The Coffee House has a large variety of foods prepared the way you
like them.
5.2.3) Where else can I get something to eat on campus?
You can purchase meals at the dorms, eat at the Sub City in Wyatt
Pavillion (on the main part of the U.C. Davis campus near Putah
Creek), go to one of the espresso carts found at various locations on
campus, or use one of the many vending machines scattered around the
campus. The town of Davis also has a number of restaurants on the
edge of the campus as well. See the Davis USENET FAQ for more
information (see Section 1.5 for information on how to obtain the
Davis USENET FAQ).
5.3) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RECREATION AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT
U.C. DAVIS.
5.3.1) What sort of social activities are there on the U.C. Davis campus?
Movies, plays, concerts, sporting events, etc. take place regularly on
the U.C. Davis campus, as well as many recreational activities and
special events that take place from time to time. Movies are shown in
Chem 190 at a low admission price and the Departments of Music and
Drama sponsor a number of public concerts and theater productions.
See Section 3.5 for more information about sporting events.
5.3.1.1) RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Contact Campus Recreation at (916)752-1730 to request a catalog or
visit the Campus Recreation's Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://pubweb.ucdavis.edu/Documents/OA/recreation1.html>).
5.3.1.2) SPECIAL EVENTS ON THE U.C. DAVIS CAMPUS.
5.3.1.2.1) UC Davis Presents.
Contact UC Davis Presents at (916)757-3199 on information on the
cultural events that it sponsors. Readers with a web browser may
visit the UC Davis Presents Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://musdra.ucdavis.edu/Documents/UCDP_web/UCDP_Home_Page.html>).
5.3.1.2.2) Picnic Day.
Picnic Day is an annual day long festival that takes place at U.C.
Davis on a Saturday during April. Every department of the university
participates and sponsors special events. For example, King Hall (the
U.C. Davis law school) sponsors the Neumiller competition on Picnic
Day, featuring oral arguments between the top two Moot Court teams
from the year long Appellate Advocacy program.
5.3.1.2.3) The Whole Earth Festival.
The Whole Earth Festival, described by one ucd.life commentator as the
"U.C. Davis Freak Show," is a week long event sponsored by the
Experimental College. It can best be described as a celebration of
alternate lifestyles that centers around environmental awareness (for
better or for worse).
5.3.2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES.
5.3.2.1) Should I rush the Greek System?
That's a personal decision, but it's not a very hard one for most
people to make. The Greek system is primarily a social institution.
Those people who want to join a fraternity or sorority usually want to
make new friends. Personally, I think that pledging a fraternity is a
waste of valuable time that could be put to better use.
5.3.2.2) What is the purpose of hazing pledges?
The hazing of pledges is all about power. Pledges usually submit
themselves to hazing voluntarily because they have a strong desire to
become a member of a particular fraternal organization. This gives
the members who do the hazing power over the pledges. Members who
haze pledges are usually former victims of hazing themselves who use
hazing to escape the role of victim by becoming a perpetrator.
5.3.2.3) Isn't hazing illegal?
Many things are illegal, but that doesn't mean that they don't take
place. You should expect to get hazed if you join a fraternity, so be
ready to tolerate a certain amount of hazing and to draw the line and
say no to someone who tells you to do something that is illegal or
morally repugnant to you.
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 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.
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.
6.6) LOCAL BUSINESSES.
6.6.1) Is there an honest mechanic in Davis?
No comment.
6.6.2) What banks serve the Davis area?
In alphabetical order: Bank of America, Business & Professional Bank,
First Interstate Bank, First Northern Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union,
Sacramento Savings Bank, University & State Employess Credit Union
(USE), Union Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Bank (readers with a web
browser may visit the Wells Fargo Bank Home Page on the World Wide Web
<http://www.wells.fargo.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, the only bike shop in Davis that is on the World Wide Web is
Wheelworks (<http://dcn.davis.ca.us/~bicycles>).
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.
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 [currently under construction]. Readers with a web browser
may also visit the Sacramento Home Page on the World Wide Web
(<http://www.neosoft.com/citylink/sacramento/default.html>).
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 Napa Valley 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.
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 San Francisco Bay Area USENET FAQ [under construction].
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 these other places of interest?
Please see the California USENET FAQ [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].
10) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE AFTER U.C. DAVIS AS A COLLEGE
GRADUATE.
10.1) ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL.
10.1.1) Should I attend graduate school after I graduate from U.C. Davis?
That's a very personal decision, but generally speaking it's not a
good idea to attend graduate school right after you graduate. Some
people enjoy college so much that they can't bear the thought of
leaving. However, don't attend graduate school straight out of
college simply because you can't find a job. You'll just put yourself
further into debt without any real idea of what you want to do once
you complete your education.
10.1.2) When should I attend graduate school?
That's a very personal decision, but generally speaking the people who
get the most out of graduate school are the people who have at least
three years of work experience or other experience in their chosen
career. Work experience or other experience outside of college will
help you find out what to expect from the real world once you complete
graduate school. You may do so well in your chosen career that you do
not wish to return to school. On the other hand, you may also find
out that you don't really want a career in the field that you have
chosen. If this is the case, you are well-positioned to change
careers by going to graduate school with absolutely no harm done.
10.2) STARTING A CAREER.
10.2.1) How do I decide on a career objective after I graduate from
college?
You need to do some planning in terms of short term and long term
career objectives and then focus exclusively on your short term career
objectives. By definition, your short term career objectives will
enable you to achieve your long term career objective. Thus, it is
critical that you focus exclusively on your short term career
objectives.
Make a list of the things that you are looking for in an ideal
job, and make that job your ultimate long term career objective.
Next, make a list of the job skills that are necessary for you to
perform well at the job that you have chosen as your long term career
objective. Now, compose a resume of the skills that you have. If
there is something missing from your resume in terms of the skills
that you need to land your ideal job, make your short term career
objective a job where you can acquire the skills that you need, and
keep your ultimate objective to yourself while you do whatever is
necessary to land a job where you can acquire the skills that you
need.
Whatever you do, don't brag about your long term career
objectives. This is a sure fire way of making certain that you will
not achieve them. If you receive recognition for having goals rather
than achieving them, you will have no incentive for achieving them.
Besides, those who are jealous of your long term goals will try to
discourage you from trying to achieve them. Ambitious people
challenge the self-esteem of people who are not ambitious.
Once you land a job that will help you fulfill your short term
career objective, stay with that job for at least a year. No matter
how you feel about the job after you take it, you will need a good
reference to land your next job. At the end of each year, start the
process all over again. Make a list of the things that you are
looking for in an ideal job, and repeat the process of setting a short
term career objective by determining the qualifications that you need
to obtain your ultimate career objective. This may involve a
promotion where you are working or looking for a whole new job working
somewhere else. At this point, don't be surprised if the nature of
your ideal job has changed. After achieving a short term career
objective, you will have more complete information about the truly
unlimited opportunites that are available to you.
10.2.2) Shouldn't I choose a career based upon how much money I can make?
Absolutely not. This will inevitably lead to career burn out. No
matter what job you have, you need to earn enough money to support
yourself. However, if you take a job strictly based upon income
potential, you will not do a good job. The best way to maximize your
income potential is to do a good job at a job that you enjoy doing.
10.2.3) Are there any career planning resources on campus?
Yes. Contact the Internship and Career Center (ICC) at (916)752-2855
for more information. Readers with a web browser may also visit the
ICC Home Page on the World Wide Web (<http://icc.ucdavis.edu>).
10.3) MARRIAGE.
Reasonable minds can and do differ as to what does and does not belong
in a FAQ. However, a FAQ maintainer makes the final decision as to
his or her FAQ's content. As I have received numerous inquires from
U.C. Davis students who want advice on the topic of marriage, I have
included this section on the topic of marriage. In essence, this
section is nothing more than a rational appeal to those who are
contemplating marriage at the end of their undergraduate college
education to use good sense in making a very personal decision that
will have a profound impact upon their entire future.
10.3.1) Should I get married after I graduate from college?
That's a very personal decision, but many people whom I know do get
married towards the conclusion of their undergraduate education or
shortly thereafter. Many other people also make plans to get married
at this time. Too often this is done for all of the wrong reasons.
As an attorney-to-be, I can honestly say that most people whom I
meet do not understand that the institution of marriage is primarily a
legal contract that creates many legal obligations that have little or
nothing to do with love, romance, companionship, or security (the most
common reasons that people give me for why they want to get married).
If you are not married, your default next of kin are your parents (or
siblings, etc.). However, the person that you marry replaces your
parents (or siblings) as your legal "next of kin." In other words, if
you are in the hospital, your spouse becomes the person who decides
whether or not to pull the plug on you.
When you marry someone, not only does that person become your
legal guardian (i.e., next of kin), you become that person's legal
guardian. This means that you become responsible for all of your
spouse's legal and financial obligations and he or she becomes
responsible for all of yours. This is true whether or not either one
of you knows what legal or financial obligations your spouse assumes
or has assumed in the past. If your spouse is a compulsive gambler or
drug addict, he or she can drive you into bankruptcy (usually without
giving you any clues that this is happening); if your spouse cheats on
his or her taxes, you must make good with Uncle Sam. If you decide
that you want to end your marriage, you can do so, but it will cost
you dearly in attorneys fees.
10.3.2) Why do people get married?
There are many reasons, but the most legitimate reason I have heard is
that both partners in a committed relationship want to formalize their
long-term commitment to have an exclusive relationship with each
other. If this is true for you and your future spouse, then you
should think long and hard about the inadvertent consequences of
making such a commitment. Circumstances will change, and so will you
and your future spouse. Make plans accordingly.
10.3.3) Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get married?
While I can't yet give you any legal advice, my personal advice is
that you sit down with your future spouse and write down what
obligations you intend to assume for each other (legal and otherwise)
once you are married. Start with the default obligations that are
part of every marriage contract and continue from there. If one of
the terms of your marriage contract presents a problem, then you
should resolve that problem as best you can before tying the knot.
While you can't work out all of your problems before you get married,
you can work out some of them, and you might save yourself a fortune
in future attorneys fees.
10.3.4) What can I expect after I get married?
Everything will change, and there's no way to predict how things will
change. Even if you and your spouse are the same people before and
after your marriage, the world will treat you differently after you
get married. As a result, you will both begin to see yourselves and
the rest of the world differently and make whatever adjustments are
necessary.
One of the most fundamental changes in the way that the world
treats you when you are married is that you are no longer recognized
as an individual. You are treated as one member of a couple. Most of
your friends will also be married couples because the lifestyles of
your single friends will be incompatible with yours, so your single
friends will probably drift away.
11) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE U.C. DAVIS COMMUNITY
ABOUT COMPUTERS AND LIFE ON THE INTERNET.
I have attempted to answer some basic questions about computers and
life on the Internet in this section. However, the best place to get
answers for your computer questions as a member of the U.C. Davis
virtual community (i.e., a student, faculty member , or staff member)
is from the Information Technology-Campus Access Point (IT-CAP
<mailto:ithelp@ucdavis.edu) at (916)752-2973 or from the USENET
newsgroup ucd.comp.questions (<news:ucd.comp.questions>). If you as a
student want to speak to an IT-CAP consultant, you should be prepared
to furnish them with your login id and student identification number.
11.1) BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPUTERS.
11.1.1) Why should I use a computer?
It is easier and faster to accomplish certain tasks by using a
computer.
11.1.1.1) Do I really need to use a computer?
No. You don't need to use a computer, but many tasks are impossible
to accomplish without a computer. In fact, many classes at U.C. Davis
integrate a USENET newsgroup into the course.
11.1.1.2) Isn't it difficult to learn how to use a computer?
No. Learning to use a computer is very easy, but this is a very well
kept secret because many people who are familiar with computers are
very intimidating to people who do not know how to use computers.
11.1.1.3) How can I get the computer training that I need?
Admit your ignorance, both to yourself and to the people who offer you
help. Teaching people how to use computers is extremely difficult,
but it doesn't have to be that way. Many people erroneously assume
that they understand how computers work, and this makes teaching these
people extremely difficult. Of course, people who are technically
proficient may not be able to communicate with you or they may not be
interested in helping you. Avoid these people.
11.1.1.4) What practical uses would I have for a computer?
Most college students find that using a computer for word processing
is much easier than typing a paper. While this is not the only
application for computers, it is quickly becoming one of the most
common and most popular (second only to computer games). Once you
become familiar with word processing, however, you may want to check
out some of the other applications for personal computers. Stop by
any store that sells software and do some window shopping.
11.1.2) Do I need my own computer?
No. Computers are as ubiquitous as telephones. The only reason you
would want to own a computer is for convenience, much like owning a
cellular phone.
11.1.2.1) What kind of a computer should I buy?
You should buy a computer with the features that you want at a price
you can afford. If you are reading this FAQ for a recommendation,
then you probably want a Macintosh(r) or an IBM/IBM Clone.
11.1.2.1.1) What is the difference between a Macintosh(r) and an IBM/IBM
PC Clone?
Macintosh(r) computers are much higher quality technology than IBM
technology. However, IBM is the standard for computer technology and
is much more affordable than Macintosh(r). Thus, if you are on a
limited budget, you probably want an IBM/IBM clone, especially because
whatever you do buy will be obsolete when you buy it.
11.1.2.1.2) What is an IBM clone?
IBM buys its technology on the open market and sets the standard for
other computer companies (at least it used to do so). Many companies
build IBM clones that meet or exceed IBM's standards (i.e., 100% IBM
Compatible). In fact, most IBM clones are no longer properly referred
to as IBM clones, but rather as PCs ("Personal Computer System").
11.1.2.2) What kind of features should I have on a computer?
There is no easy answer to this question, but as a general rule avoid
all the bells and whistles and buy only proven technology. New
technology is inherently unreliable because many bugs are found only
after a product has been released. Members of the U.C. Davis
community have access to a variety of computers, so find out for
yourself what features are the most useful and reliable.
11.1.2.3) What kind of accessories should I get on my computer?
It depends upon what type of applications you are using. If you are
reading this FAQ, you probably only need a printer and/or modem, if
that; you can probably get by without either one.
11.2) What computer facilities are available for students at U.C. Davis?
U.C. Davis provides computer facilities for all registered students,
including word processing and Internet access. Check with IT-CAP
(<mailto:ithelp@ucdavis.edu>) at (916)752-2548 for more information.
11.2.1) How do I obtain access to the computer facilities at U.C. Davis?
If you are a student, staff, or faculty, open a Unix account (i.e, an
ez-account or one of the various other accounts that may be available
to you). You can do this in less than 10 minutes at virtually any of
the computer rooms anywhere on campus. However, you will usually have
to wait at least 24 hours before your account is activated.
11.2.2) Will I lose access to computer services at U.C. Davis after I
graduate?
No. Your computer privileges will remain unaffected when you graduate
(this is a very well guarded secret). However, this does not mean
that your Unix account will remain active, as your account is tagged
for expiration the day after you graduate. If you have a problem with
your account, such as with your password expiring, you will have to
prove that you are still affiliated with the University to get someone
to fix the problem for you. In other words, you are not entitled to
computer privileges after you graduate unless you remain affiliated
with the University, and your privileges can be interrupted at any
time.
11.2.3) What should I do to make sure that I still have access to computer
services at U.C. Davis after I graduate?
For a small monthly fee, the Davis Community Network (DCN) will give
you 50 hours of access to the dial-in computer services that U.C.
Davis provides to it students. Anyone can telnet to the DCN server to
join the DCN (<telnet:wheel.dcn.davis>). For further information, see
the davis.dcn USENET newsgroup (<news:davis.dcn>) or visit the DCN
Home Page on the World Wide Web (<http://dcn.davis.ca.us>). [Note:
The DCN is the only Internet Service Providers (ISP) that is supposed
to have access to the ucd.* and davis.* domains; however America On
Line and many web browsers can access the ucd.* newsgroups.]
The National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN) sponsors several
"Freenets" that provide free Internet access. For more information on
Freenets, e-mail NPTN (<mailto:info@nptn.org>) or ftp NPTN's basic
Freenet guide (<ftp://nptn.org/pub/nptn/nptn.info/basic.guide.txt>).
The most satisfactory and reasonably priced for profit ISP is UUNET.
For more information on UUNET, send your snail-mail address to UUNET
(<mailto:info@uunet.uu.net> uunet!info). Whatever Internet service
provider that you choose, you will probably have to provide your own
computer and your own modem.
11.3) What is the Internet?
The Internet is a worldwide computer network. It is used primarily as
a medium for the communication and free exchange of information and
ideas.
11.3.1) How can I obtain access to the Internet?
You can use your ez-account (or other U.C. Davis Unix account) to
"telnet" to one of the computers at U.C. Davis from one of the
computer rooms on the U.C. Davis campus, from your home computer via
modem, or from any other computer system on the Internet that has
telnet capabilities.
11.3.1.1) How do I obtain access to the Internet from one of the computer
rooms on the U.C. Davis campus?
Every computer room is different. Check with the site attendant.
11.3.1.2) How do I obtain access to the Internet from my home computer?
You will need a modem and some sort of communications software. With
an IBM/IBM Clone PC system, you are well advised to use the Windows
operating system. This will enable you to install a constellation of
public domain and educational software programs available to U.C.
Davis students free of charge from IT-CAP (Trumpet Winsock, WinQVT,
Win32s 1.2, Wgopher, Netscape, Mpeg, and Lview). Once installed,
these programs will give you access to the Internet through a U.C.
Davis SLIP connection. [Note: Some of these programs may run *very*
slowly on a SLIP connection depending upon the type of computer that
you have.] Check with IT-CAP (<mailto:ithelp@ucdavis.edu>) in the
Shields Library at (916)752-2548 for information on the installation
of these or other programs that will work on whatever computer that
you may have.
11.3.2) How do I communicate with other people on the Internet?
Communication between individuals on the Internet usually takes place
through the institutions of e-mail and the USENET newsgroups. These
are the most straightforward and easy to use Internet applications.
Live time conversations also take place with the Internet Relay Chat
(IRC); the World Wide Web provides access to multimedia communication.
11.3.2.1) Are there any rules for e-mail and the USENET newsgroups.
Yes. U.C. Davis imposes regulations for e-mail and the USENET with
its Acceptable Use Policy. There are also informal rules of conduct
that are enforced by the Internet community (fondly referred to as
"netiquette"). For information on the Acceptable Use Policy, contact
Donald Dudley (<mailto:djdudley@ucdavis.edu>), King Hall Class of
1993, at SJA (916)752-1128. As for netiquette, use your own good
judgment.
11.3.2.2) What is the difference between e-mail and the USENET newsgroups?
The primary difference between e-mail and the USENET is privacy.
However, neither e-mail or the USENET are completely confidential.
While an e-mail message is not completely private, it is directed to a
particular individual or group of individuals; a USENET article is
available to anyone who has access to the newsgroup where the article
is posted.
11.3.2.2.1) How do I use e-mail?
The most straightforward and easy way to use e-mail is by using a
program called "pine" (pine is an acronym for "pine is nearly elm"--
elm was an e-mail program that preceded pine). To use pine, type in
"pine" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt. The pine application
is menu-driven, so just follow the instructions that you see on the
screen.
11.3.2.2.2) How do I access the USENET newsgroups?
The most straightforward and easy way to access the USENET newsgroups
is by using a newsreader program called "tin." To use tin, type in
"tin" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt. The tin program is
menu-driven, so just follow the instructions.
11.3.2.2.2.1) How many USENET newsgroups are there?
There are several thousand USENET newsgroups (more than anyone could
ever hope to read), and there are more being created every day. Thus,
you should decide which newsgroups you want to read.
11.3.2.2.2.2) How do I figure out which newsgroups I want to read?
The USENET newsgroups are organized into a heirarchy that includes
regional and other domains. You can use this hierarchy to select-out
thousands of newsgroups that do not interest you.
11.3.2.2.2.2.1) Which USENET newsgroups are of interest to members of the
U.C. Davis community?
It depends upon the individual, but at the very least members of the
U.C. Davis community would probably be interested in a number of the
regional domains that are available through the U.C. Davis USENET;
people who are new to the Internet would also be interested in a
number of newsgroups found in the news.* domain. You should subscribe
to news.announce.newusers (<news:news.announce.newusers>) until you
feel that you know more than most of the other people that subscribe
to that group. You will also find FAQs on every conceivable topic in
the news.answers (<news:news.answers>) newsgroup.
11.3.2.2.2.2.2) What regional domains are available through the U.C. Davis
USENET?
The ucd.* domain, the ucb.* domain, the davis.* domain, the yolo.*
domain, the sac.* domain, the ba.* domain, and the ca.* domain are all
regional domains that the U.C. Davis USENET newsserver can access;
Netscape can access virtually any USENET domain through the World Wide
Web.
11.3.2.2.2.2.3) What USENET newsgroups are available on the ucd.* regional
domain?
The ucd.* regional domain is comprised of several hundred USENET
newsgroups. These newsgroups are organized into an administrative
hierarchy as follows:
* ucd.*: These newsgroups purport to be of general interest.
* ucd.class.*: These newsgroups are an integral part of the
class numbers that appear as the final suffix.
* ucd.comp.*
* ucd.cs.*
The following ucd.* newsgroups are of general interest:
* ucd.comp.questions (<news:ucd.comp.questions>): Where to go
when you need help with technical problems that confound IT-
CAP (i.e., most technical problems [Note: This is not a
slam on IT-CAP. Your technical problems are usually
peculiar to your system configuration, and someone with the
the same system configuration is best situated to help
you.]).
* ucd.general (<news:ucd.general>).
* ucd.housing (<news:ucd.housing>).
* ucd.life (<news:ucd.life>): Created by James Eric Pace,
this newsgroup is characterized by irreverent and
irresponsible free speech that takes place over the
vociferous objections of many erudite individuals who seek
to impose order upon the chaos.
* ucd.personals (<news:ucd.personals>): Technically, "[a]
place to put personal ads," this newsgroup was aptly
characterized as being devoid of such ads and filled with Q
& A between the lost and lovelorn and their would-be dutch
uncles.
* ucd.swap (<news:ucd.swap>): Buy, sell, and trade your goods
and services here.
* ucd.test (<news:ucd.test>).
11.3.2.3) How do I use the IRC?
To use the IRC, type in "irc" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt.
There is online help available for the IRC and many of the people whom
you meet on the IRC will be willing to answer many of your questions.
You will also find a FAQ on the IRC in the news.answers USENET
newsgroup (<news:news.answers>). My experience with the IRC is that
it is an excellent place to meet people (Cliffor Stohl's "Silicon
Snake Oil" notwithstanding).
Virtually all of my friends have met someone interesting over the
IRC. If you are concerned about looks, then ask. However, I never
do. First of all, I don't really care what someone looks like since
I'm not actively pursuing new romances; Second, most people on the IRC
volunteer personal information, and they tend to be brutally honest
about themselves. Apparently they don't think that they will ever
have to meet you, so if you reject them they can just move on to one
of the thousands of other people on the IRC that they can pursue.
11.3.2.4) How do I access the World Wide Web?
You can access the Web by using a text-based program, such as "lynx,"
or by using a "web browser," such as "Netscape." Access to the multi-
media features of various web sites (i.e., pictures and sound) is the
biggest advantage of using Netscape.
11.3.2.4.1) How do I use lynx?
Just type in "lynx" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt and follow
the instructions you find on the screen.
11.3.2.4.2) How do I use Netscape?
Netscape is easy to use and has many exciting and revolutionary multi-
media/multi-protocol features, but you will probably need help from
someone who knows what he or she is doing to learn how to use Netscape
to its full potential. For more information on Netscape, visit the
Netscape Home Page on the World Wide Web (<http://home.netscape.com>).
11.3.3) What resources are available over the Internet?
In addition to the communication and exchange of information that
people accomplish using e-mail, USENET, and the IRC, people can
download archived information from computers on the Internet using
"file transfer protocol" (ftp).
11.3.3.1) What is ftp and how does it work?
The ftp function resembles the telnet function (the basic method of
gaining access to the Internet for e-mail and the USENET), but ftp is
only used for downloading or uploading information. There are
generally two ways to access a computer via ftp, anonymous and
privileged.
11.3.3.1.1) How do I use anonymous ftp?
When you know which anonymous ftp site has the information that you
want, log onto it using the ftp program:
* Type in "ftp" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt,
followed by the name of the ftp site that you wish to
access. For example:
ftp ftp.site
where ftp.site is the name of a hypothetical ftp site.
* You will be asked to provide your username, type in:
anonymous
* You will then be asked to provide your password.
DO NOT TYPE IN YOUR PASSWORD! *ANONYMOUS* FTP IS SUPPOSED
TO BE *ANONYMOUS*. If you wish, you may type in your
Internet address as a return address, but you do not need to
do so. Virtually any response to the password request will
give you access to an anonymous ftp site.
* Type in the GET command, followed by the exact name of the
file that you want. For example:
get ftp-document
where ftp-document is the name of a hypothetical ftp
document. This procedure will retrieve any ASCII document.
* If for some reason, there is something wrong with the
document you obtain, it is probably not an ASCII document,
so start over at the beginning and set the code to binary by
typing in "binary" (without the quotes) after you have
opened the anonymous ftp site:
binary
This should fix the problem so that you can GET the document
that you want. If it doesn't, then the file you have is
probably compressed or encrypted, so you will need to find
out what program you should use to decompress or decrypt the
file.
* To quit the ftp application, type in "quit" (without the
quotation marks). For example:
quit
Note: Every ftp application is set up differently. Check with IT-CAP
if you have any problems accessing your files from one of the PCs on
campus. Specifically, you may find that your default "local drive" at
one of the PCs on campus is the "C" hard drive. If you wish to copy
ftp files to a diskette on your "A" drive, type in "lcd a" (without
the quotes) to specify your "A" drive as your local drive; if you are
using a Macintosh, you are well advised to become familiar with the
"Fetch" Program.
11.3.3.1.2) How do I use privileged ftp?
A privileged ftp site requires an actual username and an actual
password (as opposed to an anonymous ftp site). Privileged ftp sites
have all of the features of an anonyomus ftp site; you can also use
the PUT command with privileged ftp. For example:
put ftp-document
where ftp-document is the name of a hypothetical document that you
want to load to your privileged ftp site.
11.3.3.1.3) How do I obtain ftp files by e-mail request?
For information on ftp by e-mail service, send an e-mail message to
ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com with the text "help" somewhere in the body of
the message. Many ftp sites have mail-server software that will send
ftp files by e-mail request. For example, to obtain this FAQ by e-
mail, send the following message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu:
send usenet/news.answers/ucdavis/complete-faq
quit
Other FAQs that I have written are archived at rtfm.mit.edu in the
usenet/news.answers directory under the appropriate archive name. See
Section 1.5 for more information about these other FAQs. To obtain
one of these other FAQs by e-mair request, change the text of the line
of your message that begins with send so that the archive name
ucdavis/complete-faq is replaced with the archive name of the other
FAQ. You can include multiple send lines in one e-mail request.
11.3.3.1.4) How can I find out what information is available via ftp?
You can use various "search engines" on the Internet, such as
"gopher," "archie, "veronica," and "jughead." My favorite search
engine for the World Wide Web is Yahoo (<http://www.yahoo.com>). See
IT-CAP for more information on search engines.
11.3.3.1.4.1) What is a gopher?
The term gopher primarily refers to two very closely related things:
A computer protocol and a type of menu-driven computer application.
People use gophers to burrow through the Internet, figuratively
speaking, and help them find the information that they want. Gophers
are named after the mascot of the University of Minnesota where the
gopher protocol was developed. All the gophers in the world are
interconnected, so if you want to use a gopher, simply type in
"gopher" (without the quotes) at the Unix prompt and follow the
directions.
11.3.3.1.4.2) Who (or what) is/are Veronica and Jughead?
Veronica (*Very *Easy *Rodent *Oriented *Netwide *Index to *Computer
*Archives) is a gopher-based search engine. She will help you find
other gophers that contain keywords. Look for her in the various
gopher menus. Jughead (*Jonzi's *Universal *Gopher *Hierarchy
*Excavation *And *Display) is another gopher-based search engine
similar to Veronica, but he is less sophisticated and you will
probably not have any reason to use him.
11.3.3.1.4.3) Who (or what) is Archie?
Archie (*Archive *Retrieval *C--- *H--- *I--- *E--) is a search
engine that helps you locate computer programs that are archived on
ftp sites on the Internet. To use Archie, simply type in "archie"
(without the quotes) at the Unix prompt and follow the directions.
11.3.4) LOCAL LEGENDS ON THE U.C. DAVIS USENET.
Nominations for this category are always open. Despite the fact that
I disqualified myself for nomination as a local legend, I received an
overwhelming number of votes for Most Controversial Poster on the U.C.
Davis USENET, the only category for which nominations were submitted
when this section was created. People cited the large number of flame
wars on ucd.life (<news:ucd.life>) in which my controversial
viewpoints were crucial kindling, convincingly arguing that my byline
was a strong catalyst in virtually every thread to which I posted
(even long after I had abandoned some of those threads). They also
pointed out that I had engaged in at least one showdown with every
other ucd.life troller during my tenure as a law student at King Hall.
Be these facts as they may, my career as a flame warrior on ucd.life
has come to a close, as I have now assumed the role of FAQ maintainer.
And so I pass the torch (no pun intended) to those who are brave
enough to carry it with honor.
Other notorious/popular individuals on the U.C. Davis USENET,
past and present, in alphabetical order include:
-Adnan Din (Off-Topic Scourge of ucd.personals).
Mr. Din is a medical student at U.C. Davis who has limited most
of his posts to the ucd.medstudent newsgroup (<news:ucd.medstudent>).
He took tongue-in-cheek exception to the posts of some U.C. Davis law
students (not me) on ucd.medstudent, and started a lawyer joke thread
there. The supreme irony to compliment this behavior was Mr. Din's
series of long and off-topic posts to the newsgroup ucd.personals
(<news:ucd.personals>) discussing the war in Bosnia. These posts
prompted a concerted effort to flood Mr. Din with e-mail.
-Jim Hartley (Self-proclaimed Leader of the Literate Set).
According to my sources, Mr. Hartley graduated second in his
class from U.C. Davis with a degree in economics (with the highest GPA
within his major), where he also earned a Ph.D as a graduate student.
He currently teaches at a college in New England, but continues to
post to ucd.life in an effort to enforce his own intellectual
standards. He is also known for his alleged shape-shifting abilities,
appearing as a giant chicken at one of the periodic ucd.life get-
togethers at Max's Plainfield Station at Road 29 and 98.
-Rudeboy (aka Charlie Haase) (Voice of a Generation).
Mr. Haase is a teacher's assistant in the Economics Department at
U.C. Davis. Like Jim Hartley, Rudeboy is a champion of intellectual
standards on the USENET. However, the Rude One makes a point of
disocciating himself from many of Mr. Hartley's positions. According
to the Rude One, his appellation began as a joke at a company picnic.
As part of a game, a co-worker who did not know him that well was
obliged to give Mr. Haase a nickname and thought that the name Rudeboy
would make a good joke. The name stuck (for obvious reasons).
-David "May Day" Witkowski (Most Prolific Poster).
Mr. Witkowski (...dtw) is by far the most prolific poster on the
U.C. Davis USENET. He offers his controversial opinions in virtually
every thread. His most infamous post was the "May Day" post (i.e.,
"Happy May Day to all of you commie pinko fags out there."--or words
to that effect). At first it was suspected that someone had forged a
post using dtw's byline. However, dtw came forward and claimed
responsibility for the post, explaining that his post was a reference
to the lyrics of a song, and that he felt that he was entitled to make
such comments regardless of their context.
-Bunny Bunbun (aka Tiffany Williams) (Future Rocket Scientist).
Ms. Williams is frequently the target of flames thrown by the
intellectual champions of the U.C. Davis USENET. She has a tendency
to make apparently erroneous assertions that she then makes no effort
to correct or support (not that she really owes anyone an explanation
in the first place). Her most notable gaff was the assertion that
people were once put to death in the United States for nothing more
than being communists.
-Tim D. Gilman (U.C. Berzerkley Interloper).
Mr. Gilman is the only member of the U.C. Davis USENET community
with his own newsgroup (<news:alt.flame.tim-gilman>). That just about
covers it.
-Kass the Lass (Last name unknown) (Courtesy of the Dixon BBS).
Kass first appeared on the U.C. Davis USENET when Jim Hartley
offered a caustic reply to the inquiry of a Dixon BBS poster about
whether posts from Dixon were welcome on the ucd.* newsgroups. Kass'
posts were most well known for their total defiance of the
intellectual standards that Mr. Hartley and others sought to impose
upon her (i.e., she completely ignored rules of spelling and grammar
in her posts).
-Clayton Tang (Computer Guru).
Mr. Tang is by far the most computer literate member of the U.C.
Davis community. As a former regular on ucd.comp.questions
(<news:ucd.comp.question>), he was able to answer technical questions
that confounded most computer personnel from IT-CAP, where he once
worked. After a series of posts on ucd.forsale (reincarnated as
ucd.swap <news:ucd.swap>) wherein he apparently sold off all of his
personal belongings, Mr. Tang disappeared from the U.C. Davis USENET
without a trace.
-Wilson Turner (Satire at its finest).
A member of the dying breed of Rhetoric & Communications Majors
at U.C Davis, Mr. Turner has made a name for himself by exposing the
"truth" about such scandals as the Putah Creek ducks and the Secret X-
Beagle experiments. These posts were hilarious satire that helped put
the absurdity of life at U.C. Davis in perspective for many members of
the U.C. Davis virtual community.
12) REVISIONS OF THIS FAQ.
I intend to add much more information to this FAQ in the future.
However, I have made every effort to make sure that the structure and
organization of this FAQ will not require much change. If information
is substantially changed or deleted in the future, I will make a note
of it.
12.1) CHANGES IN THIS VERSION OF THE U.C.DAVIS USENET FAQ FROM PREVIOUS
VERSIONS.
This version of the U.C. Davis USENET FAQ contains most of the
information contained in the previous version with only minor
editorial changes. More information has been added, and some
information that appears in other FAQs has been deleted from this FAQ
and replaced with appropriate references.
12.2) CHANGES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN FUTURE VERSIONS OF THIS FAQ.
No changes are currently planned for the structure and/or organization
of future versions of this FAQ. I will simply add more information.
However, I will probably replace the [ASCII/Complete] Version with an
[ASCII/Multipart] Version and add a hypertext version. Version 1.2
(to be released September 10, 1995) should contain all of the
information contained in this version with only minor editorial
changes.
Your comments are invited and are very much appreciated.
Specifically, please let me know where and how you first came across
this FAQ and how or where you think notices of its availability should
be posted. I am sorry, however I cannot offer a personal reply to
everyone.
- - - - -
End Document:
The U.C. Davis USENET FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions at and about U.C. Davis
(c) Copyright 1995
by
David F. Prenatt, Jr.
King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
U.C. Davis School of Law
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-5210
mailto:dfprenatt@ucdavis.edu
- - - - -
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