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The UC Regents visit UC Davis:  The Good, the Bad and the Blue

Members of the University of California Board of Regent have spent the last two days visiting the University of California at Davis and the UCMC in Sacramento.  They were preceeded abd protected by a phalanx of armed UCD Policemen and women at public venues like the Visitor’s “Hospitality ” Center, and the student ARC Ballroom.  They were subjected to orchistrated ab hominum verbal abuse by student and non student political activists. And they were treated to an informative presentations by four young scientists enrolled in the flegling GSM program midwifed by Professor Andrew Hargadon, Director of the Technology Management Program.

 

  First, the good news.  Hargadon briefly gave a backgrounder on his new Science Business collaboration based on the Stanford University model of academic engineering, academic Graduate School of Business and private Venture Capital.  He then introduced members of his first year class to the mostly faculty audience. The class including Jeff Norris from the Crowe -Toblin Biostabilization Lab, associated with the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and the School of Veterinary Medicine.  Norris presented a brief synopsis of the work he and his laboratory mates of doing to extend the shelf life of nucleated and nonnucleated blood cells.  He is specifically working on the freeze drying, storing and recovering lifesaving platlets. 

  Jeff and his fellow Business oriented Scientists are learnng about the frequently misunderstood mandate and intent of Federal Bayh-Dole legislation.  In addition, they learn to write of a business plan, manage money and build critical contracts and maintain networks.  In a word, they start to build the personal power built on trust, credibility and a carefully crafted Roladex file. 

  Jeff was but one example of a courteous, appropriate, postive, enthusiastic and well coached team member who illustrates what institutions of higher education do best —- showcase students and their work product to the public.

Second, by stark contract was the passionate, but sophomoric and rude behavior of a small group of community activists and students who demanded instant access and immediate action from the Regents on the usual list of grievences ranging to personal stress and angst to global economic injustice and corporate greed.

Third , many, including UCD faculty. staff and visitors were startled by the apparent overly aggressive manner and mode of some the the gun toting UCD Boys in Blue.  One must ask the question:

Are the stategies, tactics, and life experieces demonstrated by former a San Quentin Guard appropiate for venues like the campus Buehler Hospitality and Alumni Center and the ARC Ballrooms? 

If the answer is a reflex,  ” But, you can never have too much protection !”,  then, it is time to get deadly serious about the details of who, where, when, why and how of Public Safetly and Security Policies and Prodedures at this distinguished Public institution are properly exectuted. 

The scene at Bueler at was both sobering and chilling.  The clear trend of over-the top surveillance surely is cause for legitimate concern, enlightened discussion and reasonable adjustments in style and manner of appropriate behavior that is currently geared to a 100 % effective cordon sanitaire and buttressed by a manifest State of Fear and vulneribility.

Courage and Leadership:  “Taking Action when the facts are incomplete the results are uncertain.

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