Editorials

Blame the Republicans

NATIONAL ISSUES: Republicans are to blame for the twin budget and debt crises facing America, and students should be furious about it

The federal government shutdown, now two weeks under way, has resulted in near-disastrous consequences for the country. Research in Antarctica is slowing to a halt, perhaps causing irreparable damage to invaluable scientific work on climate issues. Services and benefits for veterans are being cut, leaving veterans with no access to Read More…

Editorials

Rights for all, not for some

STATE ISSUES: Legislation focused on undocumented Californians who aren’t perfect will aid millions more and address painful stigmas.

Legislation aimed at immigration reform often focuses on granting rights to undocumented Americans who are exceptionally accomplished individuals. Just recently, California passed a bill that will enable undocumented Americans who pass the bar exam to practice law, and the widely discussed DREAM Act, now law in California, opens financial aid Read More…

Editorials

Finding a dean for students

CAMPUS ISSUES: The search for a new dean of students must take into account the concerns of students and the needs of the administration.

While finding the right person to be UC Berkeley’s next dean of students is undoubtedly difficult, the search committee doesn’t have to look too hard to outline both the shoes the new dean needs to fill and this person’s role in tackling some of the challenges the campus faces. The Read More…

Editorials

Financial literacy is a must

CAMPUS ISSUES: UC Berkeley students should take advantage of available resources so they can learn to manage their own finances.

As a result of our country’s competitive economic landscape, current UC Berkeley students more than ever need to become fiscally savvy in order to stay afloat. While it’s true that the obstacles faced today by college students are more challenging than at any time since before World War II, this Read More…

Editorials

Intent doesn’t equal impact

CAMPUS ISSUES: The offensive quinceanera party thrown by the Delta Chi fraternity reflects deeper problems within the community.

One of the first lessons learned about cultural sensitivity on a campus such as Berkeley’s is that just because you don’t intend for something to be racist, that doesn’t mean it isn’t. The offensive quinceanera-themed party thrown by the Delta Chi fraternity on the night of Sept. 21 is a Read More…

Editorials

Open hearts, healthy minds

The scars of mental health problems may be hard to see, but they are an unfortunate part of most college campuses. Recognizing this, UC Berkeley’s administration reached out to students last week to promote a survey asking important questions about the accessibility of mental health resources on campus as well Read More…

Editorials

Flawed from the beginning

CAMPUS ISSUES: The struggle to sell Memorial Stadium seats stems from overly optimistic revenue projections and an ill-conceived project.

The recently renovated Memorial Stadium’s new foundation may stand rock solid, but the same could not be said for the financing plan to cover the project’s roughly $320 million in costs. In spite of Cal Athletics’ and the campus administration’s best efforts to bring the stadium’s finances back onto a Read More…

Editorials

A win for California’s poor

Although the state’s poorest have languished in recent years as California’s budget has been cut deeply, the State Legislature’s vote to increase the minimum wage to $10 by July 2016 is a serious sign of progress. Read More…

Editorials

Hopeful on homelessness

CITY AFFAIRS: It’s encouraging that community leaders are considering an ambitious proposal to fight homelessness, despite differences.

Given Mayor Tom Bates and the Berkeley business community’s complicated relationship with the city’s homeless population, Berkeley City Council’s decision to further consider building a new resource and housing center located in the Downtown area for the city’s homeless population is an encouraging development. Read More…