Editorials

Upholding the ‘Shared Sidewalk’ policy dismisses basic needs of Berkeley’s homeless community

CITY ISSUES: Enforcing rules that limit individuals’ ability to rest should not be a solution to crowded sidewalks

Illustration of a police officer looking at time that reads 9:55pm in front of a tent.
Alexander Hong/Senior Staff

For many years now, the city of Berkeley has left its homeless community without the crucial resources it needs — shelter, affordable housing and social support. But now the city is going beyond neglecting the homeless community.
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Editorials

Fruits and vegetables

Vote ‘yes’ on the Student Basic Needs referendum

Students face a number of obstacles in graduating from UC Berkeley –– hunger, malnourishment and homelessness shouldn’t be one of them. The campus must make supporting students’ basic needs a priority for all community members — this referendum will do just that.
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Editorials

Cal students holding a banner that reads "More affordable student housing" in front of Berkeley City Hall

Berkeley must remember that more housing is not the same as affordable housing

CITY AFFAIRS: Berkeley’s housing crisis has reached intolerable levels. Community members must actively advocate for affordability

Berkeley City Council approved the creation of a housing complex in Downtown Berkeley entirely at market-rate. Community members have blindly rallied around increased housing, without pushing for the affordability of those developments. What’s the point of building more housing if the people who need it the most can’t afford it?
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Editorials

In first budget proposal, Gov. Gavin Newsom shows his commitment to students

STATE ISSUES: Gov. Gavin Newsom set himself apart from his predecessor with his $1.4 billion increase to higher education in his first budget proposal. We just hope this trend continues.

Last week, newly-elected Gov. Gavin Newsom released his budget proposal for the next fiscal year — one that includes greater investments in California’s future with a clear commitment to equality. After former governor Jerry Brown’s disappointing last term, it’s refreshing to see that Newsom is already keeping his promises to his constituents.
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Editorials

UC Berkeley must provide free menstrual products in all campus restrooms

CAMPUS ISSUES: Menstrual products are a basic necessity. Campus officials must prioritize their accessibility to students.

Last week, the Berkeley Unified School District board unanimously approved a policy that would require all girls’ and gender-neutral bathrooms to have free menstrual products — a mark of progress on the district’s part. But what’s alarming is that the world’s “No. 1 public university” has yet to follow suit in providing this basic necessity to community members.
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