Many majors are put into classification schemes that limit the options of academic interest. There is often a dichotomy between the average humanities major and the average science major. Yes, clear distinctions tend to help with categorization, but defining majors by either being in the humanities or sciences is fallacious.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “humanity,” in reference to the academic field, to be “the branch of learning concerned with human culture.” But shouldn’t this definition apply to all majors, then? In chemistry and physics, aren’t we simply studying the effects of humanity and how to better our species and interact with other species? I think that the distinction between humanities and sciences is a bit misleading because it assumes the field of science does not deal with humanity, when in reality science and certain fields of study are all about humanity.

The deciding factor in the debate of whether or not to major in humanities is money. People are generally steered away from majoring in the nonsciences with the justification being that humanities majors do not make as much money as science majors do. But is money really the true matter at hand? I think that worrying about a future salary while still in college is stressful, not to mention extremely petty. Money talk simply fuels the capitalist society in which we live. Before prematurely taking money into account, I find it valuable to reexamine why one pursues an academic career.

Do we go to school to get a better salary or to gain insight as to how we fit into society? Although the former is true, the latter exemplifies the bottom line: Society has normalized higher education. In high school, it feels like the next logical step to reaching adulthood is to enroll in a college of some sort. If we are expected to attain higher education, then we should have the freedom and support to explore different academic fields and focus on whichever pertains to us most. And I also think that it is healthy to leave the postcollege worrying until postcollege, regardless of finances and jobs.

In comparison to a science major, the average humanities major is faced with high unemployment rates and lower average wages. Although this is definitely something to take into account, having motivation will play a stronger role in changing such statistics. Our generation is typically pressured to go into supposedly successful fields such as medicine, law and scientific research — perhaps this will change in five to 10 years, because there might be an abundance of doctors and lawyers vying for the same jobs. Be motivated, and have a passion for what you study and enjoy doing, for young passion and eagerness will help you in the future.

So do all humanities majors go on to become professors in their fields? Definitely not. But many undergraduates in the nonsciences tend to enjoy their field so much that they seek a doctorate in the subject. People have admitted to me their fear of an overpopulation of people with doctorates in the humanities and not enough demand for them. While graduate school is a viable option for students in the humanities, don’t feel limited to a postsecondary education. But if you do find yourself seeking to continue onto a graduate program, the investment can be justified if you have an immense passion for the subject. If you want to go to graduate school for the humanities, do so if the fiery passion is there.

Am I worried about my future? Yes, but who isn’t? Before worrying about post-college, worry about college. I am trying to make the most of my time here at UC Berkeley and enjoy the humanities path. By exploring my academic interests in interdisciplinary fields, I have had the opportunity to further my knowledge of how society functions, and that is something I find invaluable to all “humanities” majors.

We, as college students, have the privilege to explore and choose our futures. Don’t feel obligated to classify yourself in the humanities or sciences binary. Challenge normative and capitalist ideals of the future — your future.

Contact Matthew Kirschenbaum at mkirschenbaum@dailycal.org or follow him on Twitter: @mpkirschenbaum.

The post Off the beat: Confessions of a humanities major appeared first on The Daily Californian.

At last week’s senate meeting, ASUC Attorney General Hinh Tran pointed to the dangers of depleting the Carry Forward Fund — the senate’s cash reserves — and the likely deficit of more than $50,000 that would accumulate by the end of the year. With around $400,000 left in the fund and close to no revenue in sight due to Lower Sproul renovations, his classification of the ASUC’s situation as dire is accurate. Within years, the ASUC could see its Carry Forward funds completely evaporate.

Although the ASUC already receives an estimated $1.6 million in annual student fees, that money does not go far enough with 36,000 students. Full-time advisers, costly renovations and monetary allocations for hundreds of student groups on campus depend on the same source. Revenue coming from this modest student fee does not adequately take into account the needs of students and the effects of inflation.

With such a disproportionately small amount of money for the number of active student groups on campus, students end up paying out of pocket to fund substantial events that deserve more ASUC support. From a fiscal perspective, honoraria — payments for professional services — have been slashed this year due to financial problems, and for good reason. Honoraria are only irresponsible expenses when we have as little money as we do. Paying notable individuals to speak on our campus would enhance knowledge and understanding of different communities. If they just had the means, groups could afford to empower their members with words from eloquent role models.

Using funds allocated to last year’s executive vice president office, ASUC Executive Vice President Justin Sayarath recently purchased a machine worth thousands of dollars that would print posters at a cheaper rate. In terms of convenience, student groups will now be able to print posters on campus. Monetarily, each copy will be significantly cheaper compared to those purchased from neighborhood copy stores that take immense profit margins. Student groups can market more effectively and use their savings to do other things. But though the machine may reduce the ASUC’s and student groups’ long-term costs, in our current financial state, this purchase may not have been the best decision.

Having more funds would allow relevant items like this to be purchased without remorse. Items similar to poster machines would aid student groups and build a more sustainable economic long-term model for our campus groups. With more funding, theater troupes could use the props they deserve, while dance groups could hold larger events that would blow the minds of spectators from Cal and beyond.

All governments make mistakes, and it’s impressive that our student government has enough power to even make its own errors. Some university student governments’ most important role involves printing gameday T-shirts. This proposed referendum would have to be coupled with safeguards to ASUC spending in order to prevent financial misgivings. ASUC senators should create more bylaws aimed at improving the senate’s transitional memory before asking students for this fee.

At the beginning of most school years, the senate over-allocates funds and at times makes rash and costly decisions.  Last year’s senate class erred by allowing a deficit to build early in the semester. This mistake will repeat year after year if left unchecked. Students should only give more money to an ASUC that fills this void of institutional forgetfulness.

An oversight committee would also be vital to ensure that the money is spent according to the wishes of students. It’s easy for elected officials to lose sight of student interests on the ground. This oversight committee would help keep elected officials focused on allocating student fees based on student needs.

Our financial dilemma is not solely the fault of our ASUC senators. It is also the result of a shortage in the ASUC bank account. Senators do not make a dime. Our legislative branch takes progress, change and personal growth as rewards for their efforts. Executives do receive a stipend, but those who support minimum wage laws would cringe at the mere cents they make an hour. This referendum would not be a ploy to give free yachts and private Akon concerts to our elected officials. It would be for the student groups that flier on Sproul and make our Cal community vibrant. It would be used for the future of Cal. It would be for you.

Contact Noah Ickowitz at nickowitz@dailycal.org and follow him on Twitter: @noahickowitz.

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The grants — funded by the city of Berkeley, Wareham Development and the Saul Zaentz Company along with fundraised donations — aim to assist the filmmakers in any stage of their films’ production and to provide the films with the credibility and recognition necessary to succeed.

“We’re trying not only to sustain and help out documentary filmmakers, but also to assist new filmmakers and create an interest in documentary filmmaking anyway we can,” said Barbara Hillman, film commissioner and treasurer of the foundation.

Hillman also said the application pool increased from a little more than 35 last year to 62 this year, as the foundation did more outreach and expanded the geographical restrictions to include the entire East Bay corridor including Richmond, El Cerrito and Emeryville. Hillman said the foundation would like to see more applicants from the campus in the future.

This year, one of the student winners was Emily Bender, a recent graduate from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, who was awarded a grant for her film “Half Full” about the struggle of a woman with a rare genetic disorder causing her to eat everything in her sight.

Last year, the foundation added a section of grants exclusively for students, as they wanted to create a system where the students could be fairly evaluated against each other, as opposed to being compared to more experienced, professional filmmakers, said Abby Ginzberg, president of the foundation’s board of directors.

One of the student grant recipients, Rob Fatal — a graduate student at the California College of the Arts whose film titled “La Bamba 2: Hell is a Drag” is self-described as a “drag, avant-garde, unauthorized parody/sequel” to the 1987 film “La Bamba” — said in an email that grants intended just for students are critical, as students walk the line between the amateur and the professional.

“Students speak to experiences and with diverse voices that are sometimes stifled in the professional world and not yet developed in the amateur world,” Fatal said in an email, adding that he feels “so overwhelmingly honored to have been given this gift in return for my self expression.”

Although not a student, the winner of the largest Saul Zaentz grant of $20,000 was Jacob Kornbluth for his economic documentary, “Inequality for All,” which has strong ties to the campus as well as the city of Berkeley. Kornbluth, who lives and works in Berkeley, worked on his film with UC Berkeley professor of public policy Robert Reich and shot the film largely in the Berkeley area and on campus.

Kornbluth said the film advocates for the sort of progressive social change to which Berkeley is historically linked.

For Kornbluth, while the grant money will go towards crucial functional, editing and shooting costs, simply receiving the prestigious Saul Zaentz Award holds significance.

“It’s an honor to be given a grant that’s associated with (Saul Zaentz) and the community I live and work in,” Kornbluth said. “To show you have institutional support is incredibly helpful for raising the profile of the project. It sort of lets everybody know its a credible project and helps us immeasurably in raising other money.”

On Oct. 18, the foundation will hold a fundraising gala to honor the grant-winners, talk about past foundation awards and acknowledge the sponsors that have supported the foundation.

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