Pacific in the Press | Jan. 23, 2019

Quote of the Week

"Trump could empower consumers by aggressively pushing for greater standardization and use of technology in health care."

— Peter Hislenrath, The Conversation, Jan. 18, 2019

Examples of how University of the Pacific was represented in the news media in recent days:

"Robots at UOP: Where 'the vending machine comes to you'," KCRA via My58, Jan. 18, 2019: Matt Camino, Pacific's director of ecommerce, and student Keegan Huffman were interviewed about PepsiCo's snackbots that are now on the Stockton Campus. The six-wheeled robots were also featured in a story on "Good Say Sacramento."

"3 ways Trump could disrupt health care for the better," The Conversation, Jan. 18, 2019: Pacific's Peter Hilsenrath and a colleague from Belmont University authored this commentary on what Donald Trump could do to improve healthcare in the United States. "Trump could empower consumers by aggressively pushing for greater standardization and use of technology in health care," wrote Hilsenrath and David Wyant. "This could include giving consumers more control of their health records in the cloud and requiring insurers and providers to give them more information about prices and the quality of competing options. And as with occupational control, the administration could condition Medicare and Medicaid payments on following its standards. Knowledge that all providers have ready access to all your medical information will likely encourage switching to lower cost providers. And just as giving consumers more control led to significant innovations, competition and savings in retirement plans, the same thing would happen in health care." The commentary was republished in more than two dozen publications across the country.

"Unemployment rates in Fresno, Valley dip to historic lows for 2018," The Fresno Bee, Jan. 18, 2019: The Center for Business and Policy Research's Jeff Michael was quoted in this story about the lower unemployment rates in Fresno and the Central Valley. The story opened with: "Fresno's average yearly unemployment rate for 2018 reached its lowest point in at least 28 years, and rates across its neighboring central San Joaquin Valley counties dipped to new post-recession lows not seen for a decade or more." Michael commented: "A rate of 7.4 percent is excellent historically for Fresno. We've had a prolonged period of economic growth, really strong job growth. And in Fresno, we're seeing some change in the economy as the city continues to grow and have more urban and service-oriented jobs, which takes a little edge off of the seasonality" of agriculture-related jobs. The story appeared in other McClatchy newspapers, including the Merced Sun Star.

"UOP Experts Dive Into International Water Law In The Age Of Climate Change," Capital Public Radio's "Insight With Beth Ruyak," Jan. 22, 2019: McGeorge's Stephen McCaffrey, the Carol Olson Endowed Professor of International Law, and engineering's Mary Kay Camarillo were on this news program to discuss this year's George and Rosemary Tchobanoglous Water Lecture, "International Water Law in the Anthropocene: How Do We Survive a Legacy of Environmental Dislocation and Disruption?"  

"Trends show positive economic outlook for SJ County," The Record, Jan. 19, 2019: Jeff Michael, executive director of Pacific's Center for Business and Policy Research, was quoted in this story about the local economy. "There are a lot of reasons for increasing anxiety going out toward 2020," Michael told The Record. "But in San Joaquin County, we have strong employment growth that's sort of driven, in large part, by the e-commerce revolution."

"We can do better by owning our own power," The Modesto Bee, Jan. 19, 2019: Jeff Michael, executive director of Pacific' Center for Business and Policy Research, was quoted in this editorial on the looming bankruptcy of Pacific Gas and Electric. "It's a really a complex problem," Michael said. "If PG&E were to be broken up and sold off ... I think a court would be interested in that being done in a way that generates the most revenue (for investors and victims). There would be a big argument over what these assets are worth. Who knows how that would play out."

"10 best reasons to study abroad this summer," The National Jurist, Jan. 16, 2019: McGeorge's summer Salzburg, Austria, program is mentioned under "Great professors." "While some programs use American faculty members, many classes are taught by professors and experts from the host countries, giving students a chance to experience a new style of instruction. ... University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law has a summer program in Salzburg, Austria, which features instructors such as retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and Queen Mary University of London professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, who co-teach Freedom of Expression in Europe and the U.S.," reads a portion of the story.

"First Stockton Women's March sends message of strength, confidence, purpose," The Record, Jan. 20, 2019: Pacific students Maria Rios and Ynez Marquez were quoted, and Pacific Society of Women in Business mentioned in this Front Page story. "I'm marching for equality and for women's rights," Rios told The Record. "Society places a lot of pressure on women and forces them to choose whether to be a housewife and mother or a part of the workforce. Society says you can't do both, when in reality you can." Other Pacific students were shown in photos accompanying the story. Other outlets covered the event: "Lodians join Women's March in Stockton," Lodi News Sentinel, Jan. 22, 2019: Pacific student and Lodi native Wajiha Tahir was quoted. I am here to represent the women that have been silenced throughout history," Tahir told the News Sentinel. "I am here because of the strong women around me, like my mother and grandmother."

"Men's college basketball: Former Pacific guard Dell Demps, now GM for NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, has his jersey retired," The Record, Jan. 17, 2019: Collegiate basketball great Dell Demps' No. 5 was retired at halftime of a Pacific Tigers game at Alex G. Spanos Center. "I'm really excited," Demps '92, '98 told The Record. "So many emotions going, especially the last couple days. It just hit me. ... So many good memories. To say I'm thrilled is an understatement." Former men's basketball coach Bob Thomason and former assistant coach Dave Shoemaker were quoted in the story. Demps' wife, McGeorge alumna Anita Demps, was also mentioned.

"Community Comes Through For American Veterans First," Oakdale Leader, Jan. 16, 2019: Pacific student John Hinkel '19 is mentioned in this story about the American Veterans First. The Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences major and military veteran sits on the board of directors.

"Healing Soups From Around The World - And Where To Find Them In LA," laist.com, Jan. 16, 2019: History's Ken Albala is mentioned in this story and a link provided to a 2012 BBC interview. In that BBC interview, Albala said: "Even today... most people would intuitively think of ideal food for convalescents in much the same terms as people five centuries ago. ... It seems that rather than foods scientifically determined to help recovery, these are mostly comfort foods ... they stem from long custom rather than any empirically verifiable nutritional facts."

"Join good friends having a good time at SCT's 'A Comedy of Tenors'," The Record, Jan. 16, 2019: Conservatory alumnus Eddie Norris Tavalin as coaching singers in this story about the Stockton Civic Theatre's production of "A Comedy of Tenors."

"Nonprofit that houses homeless women and children plans expansion in Oak Park," The Sacramento Bee, Jan. 18, 2019: Sacramento Councilwoman and McGeorge alumna Angelique Ashby was quoted.

"Native pianist playing Dixon concert series in February," The Reporter, Jan. 17, 2019: Alumni Ross '49 and Gladys Hanna '47 and the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet were mentioned in a story about a concert series started by Ross and Gladys Hanna.