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…

Making college affordable

HIGHER EDUCATION: President Obama's higher education plan offers solutions to important issues affecting students but misses the big picture

It is common knowledge that American higher education is need of repair. Recognizing the immediacy of the issue, President Barack Obama laid out a plan last week that aims to create a system of affordability ratings for colleges nationwide. The announcement is a positive development, in spite of some serious Read More…

Letter: July 29 – August 5

Hard times for the University of California Of historical value we find it interesting to note that our beloved Alma Mater appears to have evolved from a bastion of innovative thought and free speech to a seemingly spineless institutution begging for funds, selling out entire departments to the likes of Read More…

Letter: July 22 – July 29

Father of two UC students speaks against appointment of Janet Napolitano as UC president  I remember that when the small federal budget reduction was implemented, Janet Napolitano held airline passengers hostage by deliberately reducing the number of TSA security personnel in airports to create an artificial logjam to avoid implementing Read More…

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Proposed aquatics center aids campus

New aquatics center will not be funded by student tuition

Last summer, Intercollegiate Athletics presented to the campus Capital Projects Committee a proposal for a new donor-financed aquatics center. After completing their standard review process, the faculty and administrators on the committee approved construction on the parking lot adjacent to the Tang Center. The reasons for approval were clear cut: Read More…

UC launches Onward California campaign

A massive blue banner looms over Terminal 2’s security checkpoint at the Oakland International Airport. “By the time you reach your destination we’ll probably have a new invention,” it reads. “UC researchers average 4 inventions a day — constantly moving California forward.” “It’s clever,” said Arnold Asuncion, a chemical engineering Read More…

An empty gesture

UNIVERSITY ISSUES: A recently approved state bill, while it attempts to increase transparency, deflects from the real problems at the UC and CSU.

A little advance notice of an impending calamity is better than none at all. In that spirit, a bill approved last week by the state Senate marks a commendable step toward more transparency at California public universities. The bill, authored by Assemblymembers Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, and Marty Block, D-San Diego, Read More…

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Berkeley High’s newspaper addresses budget cuts

Berkeley High School’s student newspaper, The Berkeley High Jacket, will face severe reductions beginning in the fall semester, including fewer staff members and print issues. Because the faculty advisor of the newspaper took on an increased course load, the amount of students who can participate in the journalism class responsible Read More…

Recently approved state budget provides no relief to UC

Although California legislators met their constitutional deadline and approved a $92.1 billion budget on Friday, the university still faces cost increases over the next fiscal year that could lead to a tuition hike at the next UC Board of Regents meeting in July. Seven budget bills passed in both houses well before Read More…