Author: uclafaculty

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Garden Therapy

Byuclafaculty

Blog readers will know that UCLA tried to sell the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden and has been blocked so far by litigation since the original agreement specified the university would maintain the garden “in perpetuity.” This blog has urged UCLA to sit down with the family and others who have an interest and work out a deal that would conserve the garden even if it is sold.  Basically, the reason the sale has been blocked to this point is that the university’s attempt to sell it failed the sniff test.  If you haven’t followed the issue, type in “Japanese garden”…

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Underappreciated?

Byuclafaculty

In an interview with the Daily Californian, former UC president Mark Yudof seems to feel underappreciated: For the first time in five years, Mark Yudof will wake up Monday a free man. No longer will the outgoing UC president have to deal with angry accusations of screwing over students or unfairly bargaining with unions or ignoring the cries of protesters… The son of an electrician, Yudof completed his undergraduate education in just three years at the University of Pennsylvania and worked part time to pay for school, something he said has helped him better relate to the average worker.  Many…

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Orchestration of Public Pension Issue? Issue for UC?

Byuclafaculty

In a prior post, we noted that there appeared to be a campaign underway by various groups to put a public pension initiative on the California ballot.  We noted that there have been such efforts in the past, but the money needed to mount an effective campaign wasn’t forthcoming.  Now, there may be such money.  The problem for UC is that we tend to be swept into such initiatives despite the fact that the Regents adopted their own pension plan changes back in 2010. This time around, there seems to be some coordination and orchestration of the campaign, e.g.: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/30/5782679/capitol-alert-cal-tax-estimates.html…

UC-Berkeley Explosion Linked to Electrical Copper Theft

Byuclafaculty

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

Byuclafaculty

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?

Byuclafaculty

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

Byuclafaculty

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

Byuclafaculty

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

Byuclafaculty

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….