A trip to London? Uh, no

UC Davis is alerting the public to beware of a scam in which people are soliciting donations door-to-door for the university's marching band and students in the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance — reportedly by saying the money is for a trip to London.

The Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! and the departments do not solicit money door-to-door, nor are they raising funds to support a trip to London, representatives said.

California State University, Sacramento, issued a similar alert on Tuesday.

The UC Davis alert comes in response to several inquiries to the university about the door-to-door fundraising.University authorities are advising people to contact their local law enforcement agencies with any information regarding the fraudulent fundraising.

People interested in donating to the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! may contact Thomas Slabaugh II, band director, (530) 752-9239 or slabaugh@ucdavis.edu.

Slabaugh said the band has a fundraising event scheduled for Thursday (June 2) at the Recreation Pool; tickets will be available only at the door.

People interested in donating to the other departments may give online or by mail to the Department of Music, or the Department of Theatre and Dance, 1 Shields Ave., Davis 95616.

UC Davis actively fundraises and is in the midst of its first comprehensive campaign, The Campaign for UC Davis, to inspire 100,000 donors to give a otal of $1 billion.

Anyone wishing to verify the legitimacy of a fundraising solicitation may contact University Development, (530) 754-4438.

More information about giving opportunities is available online.

Ex-employee accused of embezzlement

A former UC Davis employee surrendered May 26 on charges of felony embezzlement in connection with her work at the university’s William M. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, campus police announced.

Emily Ramos of Woodland surrendered at the Yolo County Jail at 10 a.m., police said. She was released after posting a $20,000 bond.

Police said Ramos is accused of 38 counts of embezzlement; she is due for arraignment in Superior Court on June 24.

Ramos was employed as a pharmacy technician at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from July 2001 until December 2010, when she left university employment. She allegedly stole pet medications from the pharmacy and resold them. Investigators estimate a loss of at least $10,000.

The hospital has since introduced new controls, including improved documentation of noncontrolled substances, reducing inventory, preventing solo access to the pharmacy after hours and ensuring that staff are escorted while they are in the pharmacy.

Groping suspect due for arraignment

A former UC Davis student was due for arraignment in Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland this afternoon (May 27), accused by campus police of groping two women and assaulting an officer earlier in the week.

The officer confronted 26-year-old Robert Schaerges at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday (May 24) on a bike path near The Pavilion at the ARC, after receiving reports of women having been assaulted on the path. Schaerges is accused of grabbing the women’s breasts and buttocks, without going underneath their clothing.

Police said Schaerges assaulted the officer and ran off, only to be taken into custody just after 11 p.m. Prior to catching him, police sent out a two-part WarnMe alert to the campus community.

Police booked him at the county jail on charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment and assaulting a peace officer.

University officials said Schaerges started studies in the School of Law in the fall of 2009 and was last enrolled in the fall of 2010.

Police said they are investigating the possibility that Schaerges attacked other women the same evening. Investigators are asking other victims to call the Police Department at (530) 752-1727 or the anonymous crime tip line at (530) 752-9944.

Investigators said they also would like to hear from anyone else with information about the case.

Victims can also report incidents to the Campus Violence Prevention Program. The program provides 24-hour advocacy, crisis intervention, support and educational programming aimed at reducing incidents of sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking and hate. To speak directly to an advocate, call (530) 754-6387.

Health system hits 70 percent of campaign goal

The UC Davis Health System announced recently that it had reached 70 percent of its fundraising goal for The Campaign for UC Davis, bringing in $231 million from more than 16,500 donors.

“Today we are celebrating the treasured members of our health system family, whose generosity, advocacy and unwavering support are vital to our vision of building a healthier world through bold innovation,” Chief Executive Officer Claire Pomeroy said in making the announcement May 13 at a campaign celebration in Sacramento. Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi joined Pomeroy for the announcement.

The health system set of goal of raising $330 million, or about one-third of The Campaign for UC Davis’ overall goal of $1 billion.

Katehi publicly launched the campaign last October, after a “quiet” phase of more than four years — during which time the university assessed support and determined fundraising goals, and collected pledges of more than $605 million.

Now, in the public phase, expected to last until 2014, the university seeks to bring in the rest. Over the entire campaign, the university hopes to draw support from at least 100,000 donors. As of May 22, more than 78,000 donors had committed $678 million to the campaign.

Read more.

Lansing to lead the regents

The Board of Regents has elected former motion picture executive Sherry Lansing as board chair for a one-year term beginning July 1. Lansing, who is in her 14th year as a regent, served the last two years as vice chair alongside Russell Gould as chair.

“I’m honored to serve as chairman during these difficult economic times,” Lansing said. “To meet our challenges, we have to look for cost savings as well as other sources of revenue. But, as we face these financial struggles, one thing we will never, ever sacrifice is the quality of a UC education.”

Lansing ran her own production company prior to becoming chair and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures in 1984.

Gov. Gray Davis appointed Lansing to the Board of Regents in 1999, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to a new 12-year term in 2010.

The Board of Regents elected Bruce Varner as vice chair, and also approved the makeup of the board’s standing committees for 2011-12.

Read more.