UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake visited the New University to kick off the new year in style.

The UC Irvine women's volleyball team swept UC Riverside in its Big West Conference opener (25-21, 25-18, 25-17) behind 15 kills from senior Lauren Kellerman. Fellow senior Shannon Homan (pictured above) registered eight kills and only committed one error. UCI will play two games at Crawford Court this week. They will take on Cal State Northridge on Friday at 7 p.m. and Cal State Fullerton Saturday at 7 p.m.

INFORMATICS: Graduate student's research inspires site to examine language in political blogs.

Sexual Assault in Mesa Court Parking Lot; Murdered Professor Barrett's Toxicology Reports Released; Patterns of Brain Aging Defy Scientific Expectations

ORIENTATION: Students attend welcome events; small lectures introduce students to clubs and majors.

RESEARCH: ICS Professor to study differing habits of American and Chinese online game players.

COMPLAINT: PETA claims an anonymous student was forced to dissect or fail course; professors reject claim.

FINANCE: The California state budget is passed after a record delay but restricts UCI budget to previous year's mark.