2004 holiday adoption program gears up

The campus's annual Holiday Adoption Program is under way. The program provides special gifts and food for low-income Davis families, needy singles or housebound seniors during the December holiday season and is coordinated by the Short Term Emergency Aid Committee in conjunction with the Academic and Staff Assistance Program and the Staff Assembly.

Last year more than 400 families benefited from the program

Departments and other campus organizations may adopt a needy single or housebound senior, a small family (2-3 persons), medium-sized family (4-5 persons), large family (6-7 members), or extra-large family (8-plus members).

Requests to adopt should be submitted by Dec. 3. Adoptors will be sent a list of food items and a gift wish list for their adopted family with detailed packing and delivery directions. Holiday boxes are delivered Dec. 14-16.

If a department or organization wants to make a monetary donation, a check may be made out to STEAC and sent to: Steac Holiday Program, P.O. Box 1047, Davis, CA 95617. Monetary donations to STEAC will be used to help families in need of emergency aid during the holidy season and upcoming year.

For more details, call the STEAC Holiday Line at (530) 478-7487. Requests may be faxed to (530) 758-8521 or emailed to steachol@dcn.org.

Nominees for diversity awards requested

Nominations are sought for campus employees deserving recognition through the Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity and Community program.

The program was established in 2001 to honor achievements that contribute in substantial ways to the development and well-being of a diverse community.

Senate and federation faculty members, staff, graduate and undergraduate students and local community members are all eligible for awards, and a special awards reception is slated for Jan. 26 at the Chancellor's Residence.

For more details about award categories or to get a nomination form, see http://directives.ucdavis.edu/2004/04-118.cfm.

Nomination forms are due by Dec. 7 to Tammy McNiff, Program and Business Manager, Office of Campus Community Relations, 412 Mrak Hall.

Aggie Jam to pack Pavilion with music, more

Aggie Jam, entertainment packed with Aggie spirit, launches the men's and women's basketball season and provides an opportunity for fans to meet the players 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the Pavilion.

More than 5,000 fans -- students and community members too -- are expected to attend the free event, which will feature performances by the UC Davis cheerleaders and dance team as well as a fireworks display.

Aggie Jam, which started in 1997, is an event organized by Aggie Pack, an 8,000-member student spirit group. This year, the event is sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Associated Students of UC Davis.

The men' s team tips off its season Nov. 23 with a home game against UC Santa Cruz, and the women's team will host Menlo College Dec. 4.