University is committed to doing the right thing
The president of the United Auto Workers Local 5810 left out some key information in his opinion piece on May 28, “Paying back Berkeley postdoctoral scholars,” when he wrote that the University of California told immigrant postdoctoral scholars they must pay the university’s share of their health care plans.
In fact, with few exceptions, these individuals are paid directly from nonuniversity sources when they come to study with prominent research faculty members. Because the university is concerned about the well-being of foreign postdoctoral scholars and their dependents, at the time of their appointment, the university verifies that their salaries and benefits will be covered by outside sources, with money given directly to them to pay for benefits.
Upon learning that many of those paid directly neglected to sign up for insurance, the university came up with the idea of a special open enrollment for them. The university did so to ensure that postdocs — particularly foreign nationals who are unfamiliar with U.S. health care plans — had an opportunity to rectify any misunderstandings that might have occurred. Beginning July 1, those paid directly from outside funds who opted out of coverage can opt in and add dependents.
The university is committed to doing the right thing — which is why the UC Office of the President launched the Special Open Enrollment.
— Peter Chester, Director of Labor Relations
UC Office of the President
Save the Bear’s Lair!
Do you know the only good excuse for not going out on Friday night in Berkeley? Because you “beat the clock” — and then passed out before 10 p.m. That’s right, I’m talking about a sacred tradition at the legendary Bear’s Lair, our campus pub.
I remember many a Friday, beginning at 4 p.m., during which my friends and I would officially commence our weekend this way. Pitchers started at only $4 a pop and raised just a dollar each hour thereafter. And do you know the best part? You always beat the clock. In the meantime, you got to spend time with your best friends and perhaps make some new ones. It was, in a word, awesome.
The problem, however, is that this quintessential Berkeley experience is now in jeopardy. The Bear’s Lair officially closed in fall 2012 because of a planned multimillion dollar overhaul of Lower Sproul Plaza. This project is supposed to modernize the student center and create new spaces for students to meet.
Now, look: I’m all for renovating what was perhaps the ugliest building on campus. Absolutely fine by me. The real issue is whether a new Bear’s Lair will be rebuilt in its place and whether this new campus pub will also continue the “beat the clock” tradition. With students today spending more time than ever behind computer screens, I believe it’s important for our campus to have a place where students can relax and catch up face-to-face. And let’s be real: The best place to do that is a campus pub, where beers are cheap — and, well, the rest honestly doesn’t matter.
Generations of Bears have taken part in this rite of passage. I know I am not alone in having spent some of my best days in college at the Bear’s Lair. So, for yourselves and the sake of future Bears, let’s make sure this unique Berkeley experience continues. Cheers!
— Brit Moller,
UC Berkeley alumnus