Author: admin

  • UC-Berkeley Explosion Linked to Electrical Copper Theft

    Byadmin

    The UC-Berkeley student newspaper carries a story about last evenings explosion and fires on campus that led to an evacuation of the campus. An explosion on the UC Berkeley campus near California Hall injured several people, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency and order an evacuation of the campus about 6:40 p.m. Monday evening. Three people were treated on scene for injuries, and one was transported to a hospital with minor burn injuries, according to campus spokesperson Dan Mogulof. At least 20 people were stuck in elevators as a result of an earlier power outage but were freed…

  • Official Federal Shutdown Listings

    Byadmin

    Yesterday’s post noted the possibility of a federal govt. shutdown today and possible implications for higher ed. An official listing of services operating and not operating can be found at http://www.usa.gov/shutdown.shtml Varying degrees of information can be found by going to the websites of federal agencies.  For example, the plan for limited operation of the U.S. Dept. of Education is at http://www2.ed.gov/about/furlough2013/contingency-plan.doc Just a reminder that these things don’t always end happily:[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7hZ9jKrwvo?feature=player_detailpage]

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    No Government Tomorrow?

    Byadmin

    According to Inside Higher Ed today, a government shutdown – if it happens tomorrow – won’t much affect major student aid programs such as Pell grants but will cut off research funding.  Some smaller student aid programs may be affected, however. More details and links can be found at:http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/09/30/shutdown-looming-outlook-colleges

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    The Arrival

    Byadmin

    Today, the news media seem to be focused on the first day of school.  No, not the students’ first day.  Janet Napolitano’s. From the LA Times: Janet Napolitano begins her new job as University of California president Monday, promising to “listen and learn” about the many issues facing the sprawling 10-campus university system… During her first couple of weeks, she will review budgets and operations and meet with students, faculty, staff, campus chancellors, state elected officials and others, according to UC spokesman Steve Montiel. She will greet the headquarters staff at a reception Monday afternoon. Napolitano has stressed that “her…

  • California, Here We Come

    Byadmin

    Each fall orientation, yours truly does an introduction to California for incoming MPP students at the Luskin School of Public Affairs.  Even California natives or long-time residents may learn something.  It’s in 3 parts below.  Warning: About an hour and a half for the full treatment.  Each part runs about half an hour. Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: The state song referred to in Part 1 is at:

  • Dumb da Dumb Dumb, Italian Style

    Byadmin

    It may be small comfort for the scientifically minded among our blog readers to know that the U.S. is not the only country where science is optional. Italy seems to be strong in that department. From the LA Times: On April 6, 2009, a 6.3 earthquake struck the Italian city of L’Aquila. The quake damaged thousands of medieval-era buildings and killed 309 people. Those deaths prompted Italian prosecutors to charge six seismologists and a government official with manslaughter on the grounds that they gave “inexact, incomplete and contradictory information” about the mortal risks a quake in the area would pose….

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    Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon for Janet

    Byadmin

    From the Daily Bruin: The [UCLA] undergraduate student government plans to vote at its Tuesday meeting on whether it should express no confidence in Janet Napolitano’s current ability to serve University of California students as UC president. A resolution about Napolitano, which was drafted by multiple members of the Undergraduate Students Association Council, calls for the former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Arizona governor to comply with a list of demands compiled by undocumented students across the UC campuses. According to the resolution, students demand that Napolitano hold town halls and meet with undocumented students when she…

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    Just Four Years? How about Eight?

    Byadmin

    Everyone wants more years! From Inside Higher Ed today comes this story about changing the Master Plan: Community colleges in a growing number of states are offering bachelor’s degrees. Now California and its huge two-year system may join that group. A committee created by Brice Harris, the system’s chancellor, quietly began meeting last month to mull whether the state’s 112 community colleges should be granted the authority to offer four-year degrees… Full story at http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/09/27/two-year-colleges-california-mull-bachelors-degrees Four? Eight? Just more: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosYCAUN2TA?feature=player_detailpage]

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    Reminder: Donors to UCLA Can Do Lasting Good Without Involving a Bulldozer

    Byadmin

    Today seems to be the day for reminders, as in our previous post.  However, the note below – combined with the tendency to divert campus donor money (and donors) into bricks and mortar – reminds us there are alternatives: Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker, who are among the heirs to the Hyatt hotel fortune, donated $3 million to UCLA to establish an endowment for students who are or were in foster care, the university announced today. The endowment will provide funding for tutoring, mental health services, summer housing and other expenses, according to the university… Full story at http://centurycity.patch.com/groups/schools/p/couple-donates-3m-support-ucla-foster-care-students Yours truly…