September 2004

Briefly speaking: Editor discusses student buzz

Ryan Fuller is editor-in-chief of The California Aggie. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

If there's any one person at UC Davis who knows what students are talking about, it's Ryan P. Fuller.

The senior communications major is editor-in-chief of The California Aggie. Since his freshman year, he's held a variety of positions at the student newspaper, which publishes five days a week during the school year and boasts a circulation of 13,000.

The paper covers issues both on and off campus, often serving as a connection between students and the administration, faculty, city and UC Regents. "Every story is selected for a reason," Fuller says. "We try to cover those issues that we feel are most relevant to the student body."

Fees, building projects and Division I

Ryan Fuller, editor-in-chief of The California Aggie, consults with Shannon Mitchell, the newspaper's managing editor. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

The editor says state budget problems and the resulting fee hikes at UC campuses have concerned students and their parents. Noting that people become most angry when they are unaware of impending fee increases, Fuller says The Aggie regularly sends reporters to UC Regents meetings and covers statewide issues pertaining to the university.

Closer to home, Fuller said students are watching the progress of several campus building projects, including the Segundo Dining Commons and a new multi-use stadium for the southwest side of the campus. And speaking of football, Fuller says, they're also talking about UC Davis' first season in the Great West Football Conference as the campus moves toward full status in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The election and student government

This fall will also offer many students their first ballot in a presidential election. "I think people are going to be looking for opportunities to participate in that process," Fuller says.

He also encourages students to get involved in the student government. The Associated Students of UC Davis has an operating budget of $10 million -- much of it from student fees -- and responsibility for the Unitrans bus system, the Coffee House and other services and facilities students use on a regular basis. Fuller says The Aggie will continue to devote much of its time to covering ASUCD.

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