College OTR: UC Berkeley

Nothing is Better Than Summer Sex

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:26:53 EDT

Sex – we all love it. But believe it or not, there’s something even better: summer sex. Here are some reasons why it’s so much hotter than the usual:

* Bare skin

* Heat/Sun

* Water
* Relaxation
* Adrenaline

Hooking up has never been easier! Just make sure you use protection and get rid of any evidence.

Planet Earth Has Siblings

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:12:04 EDT

We have all wondered if there is life on other planets. Some people are convinced that there actually is. No one knows for sure but we may find out soon enough.

Scientists have discovered three super-Earths that orbit around a single star, the way our Earth orbits the Sun. It is unclear whether or not there really is life on them. Scientists are just excited that there are other worlds out there besides our own.

One researcher at UC-Berkeley is convinced that within the next five years, they will discover Earth’s twin somewhere out there. While this certainly is exciting news, I am not sure what they’re more likely to celebrate: the discovery of extra-terrestrial life or their advanced technology.

You decide.

Campers Getting the Boot From Residents

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:04:03 EDT

Residents in the city of Los Angeles are trying to get rid of all the overnight campers in their neighborhoods. They have been complaining to city officials that these filthy low-lives are polluting their areas with criminal activity and human waste.

Many of those campers are people who are just four wheels away from being homeless.
Although many have jobs or receive disability checks, they don’t earn enough to be able to rent an apartment. Many used to own homes in these neighborhoods but due to the foreclosure crisis and economic recession, they have lost almost all of their property.

With that said, there is no guarantee that the complaining residents won’t end up in the same boat as those campers. No one is immune from the economic downturn. These campers were just unfortunate enough to end up on the streets first. Even the city officials could lose their jobs. If and when that happens, who’s going to get the last laugh?

I admire the campers for making the best of their situation, despite the insults constantly being hurled at them. Everyone has to make due with what they have and if this is their way of survival, so be it. City officials and homeowners will just have to accept that., whether they like it or not.

No Surprises in List of Top Engineering Schools

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:22:23 EDT

There were NO surprises in this year's U.S. News & World Report graduate engineering school rankings, according to CollegeFinder. After collecting data from over 12,000 programs MIT still remains the top engineering school in the nation. The 198 schools were ranked by using surveys, statistics, and peer grading.

Top 10 2008 Engineering School rankings:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA // Score 100
2. Stanford University Stanford, CA // Score 98
3. University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA // Score 89
4. Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA // Score 86
5. University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL // Score 83
6. California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA // Score 81
7. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA // Score 79
8. University of Southern California (Viterbi) Los Angeles, CA // Score 77
9. Cornell University Ithaca, NY // Score 75
10. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI // Score 75

To see the full list of 50 ranked schools, click here.

Porn Star Discusses College Hook Ups

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:41:10 EDT

It's not uncommon to overhear intimate conversations on public transit in San Francisco, and being gay, bisexual, transgendered or lesbian is less taboo here than wearing white after Labor Day.

How do urbanites handle sex in the city these days? Which sexual issues are still considered racy and taboo in the 21st century? And are we as free to do what we want in our private lives as we think we are?

UC Berkeley student and "Sex on Tuesday" Daily Cal columnist Julia Ingle discusses the cultural change in college sexual norms, most specifically the expectations of hooking up and the abnormality of long-term relationships.

Nina Hartley has become one of the most sought after mature porn stars in the industry and, as of 2006, she is still performing regularly, mainly in mature niche videos or those featuring classic porn stars.

The event was held at the Commonwealth Club of California.

Black to Be The New Black

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:49:56 EDT

The July issue of VOGUE Italia is slated to hit newsstands in Europe next Thursday, making its way to international shelves in the weeks that follow. The issue's cover and inside photo spreads were shot by internationally praised photographer, Steven Meisel. Liya Kebede landed the sure to go down in history cover, while Sesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell are featured in the fold out Meisel’s photographs were given approximately 100 pages for his pictures of black models, while 50 pages of the magazine will investigate subjects which are related to black women in the realms of arts and entertainment.

While the photography is both ethereal and edgy, and the fashion world is a buzz with the concept of a major fashion publication focusing an entire issue to such an obvious, yet basic, prejudice, I am amazed at the praise that is being pushed forth onto VOGUE Italia editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani. Cathy Horyn, of The New York Times interviews the style maven and fashion renegade, and in the exchange Sozzani seems humble, self-deprecating, well-spoken, and concerned. She emphasizes the importance of noticing the absence of diversity in fashion, in advertising, on the runways, and suggests the change will ignite passion and interest in high fashion and the world of super models again. Horyn questions her, asking, " Is there a risk the fashion world will just see it as something trendy?" Sozzani thoughtfully responds, "It could happen, and it would be a pity. Because, you know, it’s easier to do a normal issue. Paolo Roversi does a story, Craig McDean does another, and Steven Meisel another… I would feel very disappointed if this is only a nice moment. We should go forward."

Yet, it seems as though Horyn is quick to forget the mini-fiasco that followed a spread in the September issue, where a wealthy white woman was featured dripping in jewels in a hotel, while a black maid was left to pick up her dirty laundry. Horyn wrote a bit about the black model featured in the Italian mag, while the American VOGUE failed to represent anything but the wide-eyed, blonde Eastern Europeans. The New York Times and Horyn later issued a correction saying,

"An article last Sunday about the fashion industry's reticence to use black models referred incorrectly to a black woman in a maid's outfit pictured in the September issue of Italian Vogue. She was, in fact, a maid at the hotel where the pictures were taken, and was included, the Vogue photographer said, because of her attractiveness and her ability to underscore the pictures' theme of a stereotypical rich white woman who hires ethnic servants; the black woman was not a model dressed as a maid."

It is as though no one in the fashion world is able to remember Sozzani's inclusion of a social hierarchy that still leaves the black woman lower than that of the white woman. I suppose one could still celebrate Sozzani's inclusion of the "real" woman in the spread, that the photo of a non-model, non-white is still a step in the right direction. However, I am not sure that by portraying a black woman as the hired help and the white woman as the symbol of beauty, wealth, and power is a bold, progressive decision.

I still applaud Sozzani for deciding to publish the all-black July issue, and judging from the photos above, and the samples of the articles and editorials included in the issue, it will be spectacular. But, I think Sozzani is far from an arbiter of equality.

Tila Tequila Claims To Be Mother of Gay Rights

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:57:22 EDT

Tila Tequila thinks she's responsible for the legalization of gay marriage in California. At the premiere for The Love Guru (classy), she said about her show, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila:

“Before it came out, everyone was still a little apprehensive about (same sex relationships),” she said. “Then they realized, ‘Wow, everyone is really into this stuff, and it is fine.’ The next thing you know, (gay marriage) is legal.”

In other words, she's saying, "I only INVENTED gay rights. Give me a little CREDIT, AMERICA!"

[photo courtesy AP]

Ugliest Dog Competition Underway

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:09:34 EDT

Today the winner of the title "World's Ugliest Dog" will be announced at the Sanoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. The recipient of the much sought after honor will receive $1,000 and a trophy. The competition may be tougher than it seems, not all dogs can look this good.

New Berkeley Website

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:56:57 EDT

Thoughts on the new design? I think it's kind of neat. Not as yellow. That always made me a little nauseous.

Class of 2012 Largest Ever at UC-Berkeley

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:35:39 EDT

According to the Daily Californian, the incoming freshman class at UC Berkeley will be the largest yet. This marks the 10th consecutive year that enrollment numbers have surpassed previous years’.

"People really value a UC education,” said a spokesperson for the UC President.

Bullsh*t! People are just attracted to the bright, glossy pictures that are constantly being shoved in their faces. Once they step foot on campus, they are going to realize that, with such a large freshman class plus super-seniors that will probably never graduate, life on campus isn’t bright at all. Lack of parking spots, housing, library seats and crazy lines at the cafeteria will all help make campus life a b*tch.

Additional, this is not news, or at least exciting news. Many colleges across the country also boast large incoming freshman class. As a freshman at Quinnipiac University, my friend was part of the largest freshman class for that year. Inevitably, she faced the same problems listed above, and then some.

If you’re going to boast about your school, talk about something other than numbers. It’s dull and no one cares. What students want to know is if there are hot people to hook up with. Believe me, they would be more than willing to enroll.

Gays to Save Dwindling Economy

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:32:35 EDT

The decision to legalize gay marriage in the remaining 48 states in the U.S. may not be only a social, moral, and political matter. It is quickly proving, via California's acceptance of said unions, to be beneficial to the retail world, a market that is in serious fear over the supposed impending recession.

WWD and The New York Times both featured articles that delve into the previously untapped market of wealthy couples with two incomes and the burning desire to spend. Both articles report that California retailers, running the gamut from jewelry designers to catering services to home furnishings, have been experiencing a noticeable increase in sales.

While most retailers state that they will not market specifically towards same-sex couples, a few have been spotlighting the newly legalized union in California-based campaigns as a way to lure in the couples, showing the importance and relevance of matrimony in any partnership.

WWD reports, "For example, Macy's Inc. has run a full-page newspaper ad in metropolitan markets promoting its bridal registry and carrying this message: "First comes love. Then comes marriage. And now it's a milestone every couple in California can celebrate."'

Here's to hoping that more coverage of the boost in sales will encourage the remaining states to legalize same-sex marriage. After all, diamonds can be a girls, or guys, best friend. And who wouldn't love a little glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak economy.

Bare Breasts a Symbol of Peace

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:27:30 EDT

Last Friday, a group of women from Breasts Not Bombs exposed their breasts as a way to protest the war. One woman was arrested after police threatened to take action if they did not cover up.

This was not the first time police have had to deal with public nudity. On the UC-Berkeley campus and in the city itself, students exposing themselves are common occurrences, especially when it comes to political scandal. The authorities view such displays as indecent but the women from Breasts Not Bombs argue that war, violence and genocide are the true indecencies. A member of Code Pink, another protest group where members expose themselves, said that breasts represent softness and vulnerability, characteristics that cannot be used to describe war.

At this time, it is unknown what charges the detained woman will face. I wish them the best.

That said, the rules regarding decency are still unclear. Therefore, UC-Berkeley students and Berkeley citizens can expect to continue seeing flashed breasts in the future.

Fresh Cream: All the News We Missed

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:55:27 EDT

* I’m not saying this ~~drunken idiot~~ kid goes to Michigan. I’m only suggesting it could be possible.

* College Humor has new roommate confessions, including one that involves throwing a stereo out a window into the windshield of some kid’s Mercedes.

* In case you missed it, you must see Don Chavez’s pictures of the Arizona State cheerleading team.

* Did you hear about the college chick who’s going to jail for five years? Apparently, it’s illegal to brand a guy if he doesn’t call you back after a one night stand. Barstool has the details.

* The Teen Vogue interns have been frolicking all over NYC. Find out what Casey (Mizzou) and Connie (Berkeley) did this weekend in Central Park.

* One must wonder where these ladies go to school and how they learned to open their mouths so wide. Perhaps they’ve been spending time with the USC basketball team?

* Devon from UCLA loves, loves, loves being single. In fact, she’s so damn good at it she's a bit scared of herself.

* Yeehaw! The b-ballers at Chapel Hill are gonna stay in school. Man, you have to feel bad for Duke.

What to Watch Tonight: HBO's Resolved

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:07:16 EDT

We have all made fun of people on the debate team because we thought they were nerds. They could not be more glamorous.

Resolved, a documentary by Greg Whiteley is about two debate teams that take each other on in the hopes of winning the UC-Berkeley Invitational Tournament, and getting into the colleges of their dreams.

This documentary will also tackle issues of race and social class while capturing “the spread” for your enjoyment. “The spread” is a technique debaters use to spit out their arguments at 400 words a minute. Impressive!

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, hunky actor Josh Lucas, broadcaster Jane Pauley, former White House aide Karl Rove and NPR journalist Juan Williams are all featured in the film.

Resolved airs tonight at 9:00pm on HBO. Instead of watching tired old reruns, catch this documentary and prepare to be blown away.

Other HBO playdates: June 17 (12:45 a.m.), 19 (8:30 p.m.), 21 (2:30 p.m.), 24 (11:00 a.m.) and 29 (11:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 16 (1:00 a.m.) and 25 (1:00 p.m., midnight), and July 8 (5:00 p.m., 2:05 a.m.) and 19 (7:30 a.m.)

Get Ready, Hot Chilean President Visiting Berkeley

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:31:09 EDT

Chilean president Michele Bachelet will be visiting the great state of California today! Bachelet will be meeting with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (it still hurts to call him that) in Sacramento this morning, then taking a tour of a vineyard at UC Davis (Davis has a vineyard? What is this world coming to?). Bachelet is making the visit in order to sign agreements with various officials about deals regarding everything from education to seed production. She'll be finishing the day with a talk entitled "The Transformation of Chile" at 5 pm in the Chevron Auditorium at International House. Tickets will be available at the auditorium before the event.

For more information on Chile and Bachelet's visit, go here.

How to See San Francisco in 4 Hours

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:32:40 EDT

(With a street side breakfast, one tandem bike, and sweet talking people into free parking)

We knew today would be a busy day, so we got up early and were back in the saddle. J is thinking about grad school at Stanford, so we decided to take a quick detour through the campus to see how it looked, and while it was beautiful, the campus seemed more like a sprawling mix of housing and intermittent buildings rather than a centralized school with a connective campus.

We then made sure to visti a gas station to fill up, and found ourselves facing a record high in prices: $4.39 a gallon. Only 4 gallons later (we thought it best to fill up the rest at a cheaper pump), we drove into downtown San Fran to try and see as much of the city as possible before heading up to Oregon.

Walking along the warf, it was clear we had landed in the tourist district, but the city was still entertaining. We got to see Alcatraz (from a distance), the famous San Francisco sea lions, and the fishing piers. Unfortunately, it was also soon discovered that San Francisco doesn’t believe in breakfast – after searching up and down the street for a spot, we eventually had to go to a tourism desk, who recommended a small café a few blocks in from the pier.

Our omelets and blueberry pancakes filled us up and we were easily convinced by a sassy salesman to rent a tandem bike – clearly one of the best decisions of the trip thus far. Being the naturally competitive but poor college kids that we are, we shoved over our $11 and hightailed it for the Golden Gate bridge, dodging dogs, bikers, runners and elderly grandmothers. It was a beautiful, cloudless day and the bridge looked pretty awesome – it’s not hard to understand why the bridge is so loved.

Sadly, we had to get going, so we quickly returned, hopped in the car and headed up the city’s steepest streets to get one last view. Upon scaling the highest hill, we unknowingly turned onto Lombard Street, the “crookedest” street in the world. Eight hairpin turns at 5 miles per hour later, we headed north across the Golden gate and put our sights on Oregon – my home state.

We sped through North Cal’s farming fields, wound through lake Shasta and the Southern Cascades, and made the border by sunset. Three hours later, we pulled into Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, and found my friends much the same way I left them almost exactly a year ago – laying around, drinking beer in a bed at Motel 6. Still, I couldn’t help but be happy to see them (despite the extreme redneck vibe), and the rest of the night was spent with some well-needed rest and laughter.

Ex Sex is Just Like Riding a Bike

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:47:29 EDT

Ever since going through a horrific break-up this spring, I can’t get enough of Louis Peitzman, the “bad lifestyle choices” columnist for the Daily Cal. Her article on Sunday, “Going Back for Seconds,” had me laughing and cringing at the same time.

The best line?

“Sex with an ex is just like riding a bicycle... You know what works for the ex; the ex knows what works for you. Just as the motions come flooding back, so do those pesky feelings. Suddenly you remember the last time you were together in the throes of passion, not to mention all the other happy, pre-ex times. Which is all well and good until you're post-coital and still post-being together.”

Ladies, let's make a pledge:

No matter how good he looks this summer let's not f*ck him. A hot body might be a hot body, but he’s an ex for a reason. Let’s keep him that way.

It's a Big Week for Former Cal Players

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:10:03 EDT

He hasn't played at Cal for two years, but hey, a girl can dream.

If you pay attention to sports, you know the Celtics beat the Lakers tonight, 108-102, in Boston to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. If you watched, you witnessed the Lakers' near-comeback from a 24-point deficit in the fourth quarter. I can't say I'm happy with the result (I live on the west coast and, hey, I'm from LA), but it's always a good day when a former Cal basketball player makes his break for the big time.

Leon Powe, in his second season in the NBA after forgoing his final year of eligibility at Cal in favor of making money (a choice USC players apparently don't have to make), had a stellar game with 21 points in just 15 minutes to help lead the Celtics to victory. Apparently, fans even stopped chanting "Beat LA" in favor of "Le-on Powe" for a while. Not too shabby for a guy who played for 68 seconds in a 13-game stretch during the season. Congratulations, Leon, and don't forget where you came from.

Allston Shut Down by Police, Cause Unknown

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:23:26 EDT

The entire block of Allston between Shattuck and Oxford was shut down by police at around midnight tonight, in addition to some further area of Oxford between Center and Bancroft. Several police cars and fire engines were seen lining the block of Allston, though no immediate cause (i.e. flames, gunmen, flaming gunmen) was seen. That block of Allston contains the Gaia Arts Building and popular Mexican restaurant Cancun, among other buildings. If you have any info about the police action, send it in. I'll keep this updated if anything interesting happens.

Spotted: Special Kids

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:06:22 EDT

UC Berkeley is hosting the 2008 Special Olympics Summer Games of Northern California this weekend. Opening ceremonies were held Friday night and events started Saturday. Sunday will see track and field, volleyball, aquatics, tennis, and bocce occurring at various locations around campus. Closing ceremonies will be Sunday night. This would explain the groups of "special kids" I've seen wandering around south Berkeley this weekend (usually with very attentive supervision). Last year we had the Irish; this year we have.. I'm going to wrap up this post before I say anything too insensitive. Good luck to the participants, and thanks Cal for being cool enough to drown out the sheer offensiveness of your numerous frat brothers (and me).

Former Cal Footballer Marshawn Lynch Involved in Hit-and-Run

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:19:43 EDT

Oh, those were the days.

Former Cal football star Marshawn Lynch, now a member of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Buffalo May 31st. He is thought to have been driving the car involved when he hit a woman crossing an intersection before speeding off. The woman sustained only minor injuries and was released from a nearby hospital shortly afterwards.

Lynch and his attorneys have not released a statement nor scheduled a meeting with police or the district attorney. Prosecutors are looking for a plea in the case, which classifies as a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum $1,000 fine or one year prison sentence.

Good luck, Marshawn, and thanks for waiting until after you left Cal to do stupid sh*t like this. (Not as much can be said for, oh, half of the USC football team.)

Ready, Set, Rickshaw!

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:46:45 EDT

Three brave UC Berkeley students are riding in style this summer through India. Their vehicle you may ask? A rickshaw. Brian Wong, Sonny Sabhlok and Allen Rodriguez will be participating in an event called the “Rickshaw Run” which is a race from Kathmandu, Nepal to Pondicherry.

The race began June 1 and will end on June 15 and over 60 teams worldwide have come together to make this grueling trip across India. And for what you might ask? Well according to organization’s website, the winners will have the chance to play a game of cricket and enjoy some tea and cakes at the finish line. Why on earth would anyone make this incredibly dangerous trip in the blistering heat of an Indian summer just to play a game that Americans don’t even play? No worries, I asked myself this too but there’s more to the story.

The purpose of the race is raise money for two Indian charities; Mercy Corps and The Frank Waters Project. Before each team is entered into the competition, they must complete a prerequisite of raising 1000 euros for the charities. After raising the money for the charities, each team can begin to gear up and plan their eventful trip.

Team Korma Police, as the three UC Berkeley students are calling themselves, are blogging their experiences from local internet cafes during their trip. Hopefully karma’s on their side and these three students will make it across the finish line victoriously!

To check out their progress and how these Cal kids are holding up, visit their blog!

College Kids Walk on Water. Literally.

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:57:44 EDT

The Anchorage screw-offs who build the world’s largest hamster wheel should pay a visit to Cabrillo College!

Engineering students at the California community college have put together some incredible final projects, including 10-foot-long shoes that allow you to walk on water.

In a testament to community colleges everywhere, instructor Karen Groppi says her Cabrillo students have the same ability, energy and dedication as the kids she teaches at UC Santa Cruz. Many of those graduating will move on to UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Cal Poly.

Three cheers for the Cabrillo class of 2008! You guys are headed for greatness!

U-Haul of Berkeley, Why Do You Suck?

Sat, 31 May 2008 11:49:10 EDT

may 31st is the day most leases on students' apartments end. That means thousands upon thousands of students will spill into the streets, carrying their crappy furniture and poorly packed luggage from one residence to the next.

And you know who doesn't help? U-Haul. Not only is the U-Haul in Berkeley known for its inability to service on time or with any modicum of quality, they are now limited to 20 trucks at a time.

20 trucks for thousands of movers. Not pretty. Fortunately, some students rented from the more expensive rival Budget, while others took to the not-so-nearby U-Haul in San Ramon.

Still, U-Haul in Berkeley, you suck.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I Present to You: Mark Yudof

Fri, 30 May 2008 06:57:59 EDT

Mark Yudof is the University of California's new president. He was previously University of Minnesota president, and also a leader in the University of Texas system.

So he's got experience, big whoop. Why should we care?

Because he knows as well as we do that higher public education in California is being squeezed, and we have to fight it.

Well maybe he's not that gung-ho about it. Yeah he wants more money, so do all of us, but he wants it for the schools. And if he doesn't get what he wants....he'll live with it. So will all of us.

"We have to do more with less," he says, but boy, would more money sound really good right now.

The Marine Protests Appear to Have Reached an Epilogue

Thu, 29 May 2008 07:14:07 EDT

Where'd you all go?

Though it surely has not reached a conclusion. The Marine Recruiting Center on Shattuck Avenue still stands, and Code Pink still meets in the front weekly to display their dismay.

But things have been winding down, as only a handful of protesters have been showing up as of recently. Both the city council and Code Pink have gone with the "we're anti-war, pro-troop" stance, after being called "godless commie pinkos" one too many times. (How exactly does protesting a Marine Center equate to associating with Communist governments, whose military spending as a percentage of total GDP was much higher than the United States'? Who knows.)

But what we do know is that conflicts have not resolved, but they have died down. Thank god for short attention spans.

Or perhaps, conflicts have moved elsewhere. Examine this entry from the CaliforniaPatriot blog, where UC Berkeley's Republican students seem to have been battling it out for months as to what a true conservative should feel about abortions.

And if that's the biggest conflict in Berkeley at the moment, we will all sleep quietly tonight.

Please, Please Do Not Shoot the Messenger: General Information on Your Tuition Hikes

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:29:24 EDT

Earlier this month, UC Regents voted, 7-2, to authorize a 7.4% fee increase for the coming school year. While the governor has promised to retain the same amount of funds for the UC system this year as had been allocated for last year, UCs and CSUs are expecting to enroll fewer students.

If schools are planning to admit fewer people at higher costs, this means more high school graduates of this and coming years will be headed towards local community and city colleges.

IOverall, high school graduates will have lower chances of entering the California public school of their choice, and once in, will have to pay several hundred dollars more per semester/quarter, as will current students.

All I can say to Governor Schwarzenegger is: Terminator 4 better kick a lot of ass.

UC Campus Workers to Strike Next Week, Except Apparently Not Anymore

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:07:48 EDT

Not quite the same type of protest...

Heads up to all you UC students still in school (suckers). In case you hadn't seen the flyers, your school's health care, dining, custodial, landscape and transportation workers had been planning to go on strike next week, beginning Wednesday, to bring attention to their low wages. The strike was planned for two days, hoping to force their employers into renegotiation.

Students were advised not to use campus services in support of the striking workers, who reportedly earn 25% less than community college workers in the same positions.

However, reports have just come out claiming the strike has been called off for the time being. Union members and employers will return to negotiations.

This spares students the terrible wrath of having to make their own food, clean their own bathrooms, and wiping their own butts.

Party Control: The Red Cup Scare

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:54:23 EDT

This Bay Area NBC-affiliate seems just a little too surprised by the prevalence of keg stand vids on YouTube.

The media loves wayward youth stories which especially appeal to the middle-aged news-watching base. And considering the high profile of crazy college kids in the news lately, from massive drug busts to tragic drunken deaths, it's no wonder this current round of backlash is beginning.

I'm just sorry NBC won't let me embed the glorious video. You're going to have to click on the link to hear the reporter lisp about "College Partying 101, the unofficial course on every campus." (You know if they put that on the brochures they'd get way more applicants!)

Nearly half of full-time college students use drugs or binge drink at least once a month, a big increase over the numbers from 1993. And while some adults, like Donald Harward, former president of Bates College, think this "substance abuse" is "a symptom of students' disengagement from academic and civil life on campus," students are arguably way more involved in volunteer work and political action today than they were 12 years ago. At least now the 18-24 set is putting on their sunglasses in the morning and still hauling their hungover asses down to the polls to vote.

But of course this is the problem with these party stories. Sanctimonious olds use those d-bags at San Diego State as yet another excuse to write off young people and their accomplishments.

That's not to say there aren't some problems. Binge drinking has become such a menace to youth that the World Health Organization is scheming up a new way to fight this scourge. But featuring an interview with a student who actually suggests that parents call their 20-somethings every day and harass them about their weekend plans isn't exactly the most objective and responsible way to report this story.

Food Crisis Hits Home for Americans

Thu, 29 May 2008 09:38:44 EDT

People cannot afford to feed their families anymore. Rising food costs, stagnant wages, budget cuts and mass layoffs due to our economy are making it difficult for many families to make ends meet.

According to Raj Patel, a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, 35.5 million people in the United States report being “food insecure,” meaning they are not sure if they are able to put food on the table.

Imagine that. Food is something we all take for granted. We probably waste more of it than we consume. How many of us toss stuff away because it is expired or we simply don’t want it? Many of us can easily and conveniently buy something at a fast-food restaurant, deli or supermarket whenever we are hungry without thinking about the cost. Other people however are not as lucky. They need to plan and budget their money to make sure they can afford their next meal.

As everyone already knows, our environment is in very poor condition. As a result, agriculture and harvests are suffering and oil prices are rising, causing the price of food to go up as well. Surprisingly, policy makers do not consider the 35.5 million food-insecure people a crisis. It’s obviously because they have so much on their hands what with making efforts to end the war and stop the rising price of oil and whatnot.

Women are more likely than men to starve themselves in order to make sure their family members have enough to eat. This is dangerous and alarming because enough women already suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Since many women have issues with body image and weight, the effort to feed their families will justify their skipping meals, and they may think it is okay to go hungry.

What does this have to do with you? Well, what if you couldn't eat whenever you were hungry? Can you even imagine not knowing whether you can afford to buy your next meal? Imagine having to starve to ensure that your younger siblings can eat and develop properly. Imagine your own parents starving so you can eat. It is probably hard to fathom which is why this is such a pressing issue.

So what can you do about it? In a word: conserve. Stop wasting precious food, gas, energy, etc. Part of the reason why our whole world is in such a mess is because we are using up more resources than are available for our rapid consumption. If we don’t do our part in saving our one Earth, we are all going to disappear one by one. The time to act is right now.

Remember That Time You Made a Bet that Lindsay Lohan Was Straight?

Wed, 28 May 2008 06:17:36 EDT

She's no Kevin Federline...

Well, you just lost hardcore.

Lohan has been rumored to be marrying her best friend Samantha Ronson. Read about it here.

UC Berkeley Through the Eyes of Conservative British Scholars

Tue, 27 May 2008 05:39:57 EDT

John Cleese minus humor and charm = writers of The Economist

The Economist, Britain's economic periodical that flaunts ads for fancy watches and internships at banks you've never heard of, wrote a little something-something about Berkeley the other day.

Read it here.

Is this bad journalism or what? I see no full sentence quotations, no evidence of an actual interview, and no evidence of any staff member actually contacting anyone from the city or campus.

Everyone has something to say about Berkeley citizens and students, and it seems like The Economist knows the least.

Status Updates 103: How to Make Tallblonde Hate You

Mon, 26 May 2008 06:27:01 EDT

It's the end of the semester, which means Cal students have packed up their necessities (bathing suit, camera, toothbrush) and headed for various corners of the earth. They have also, considerately, updated their facebook statuses to let us all know about their excursions. Go ahead and comb through looking for your friends' exciting destinations. While it may technically be stalking, they'll appreciate the effort when you run into them next semester and they can ramble on about their summer spent high in Amsterdam/drunk in Costa Rica/hitting on everything with an accent in France. If you're enjoying summer vacation with the 'rents like me, however, you should probably shy away from doing this in excess--it makes the 9am wake-up call from your little sister's excitable dog that much more unbearable.

Facebook Changes Again, Sorority Girls Everywhere Text Each Other

Sun, 25 May 2008 08:30:42 EDT

Check out what you'll soon be learning to navigate (again!) with your morning coffee. Allegedly this change is to clean up your profile, which is no doubt littered with forgotten Christmas tree applications, but we all know it is part of Facebook's evil mission to gain control of our lives, as the 1247 new groups which will sprout up upon the launch of this new design will inevitably complain about. Won't stop anyone from using it though.

Remember all those people who swore they'd leave Facebook if it opened up to non-students? Yeah, they're the ones making money off of applications like "Flirt with Hotties" and "Bathroom Wall".

Post-Graduation Tattoos: A Berkeley Guide

Fri, 23 May 2008 03:23:12 EDT

Post-graduation tattoos are not too commonplace, especially among Cal grads seeking jobs at Morgan Stanley, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other firm that wouldn't appreciate a huge tramp stamp.

But Berkeley graduates would be passing up the unique opportunity to explore the city's various famed tattoo parlors. Here's a quick look at some of our most well-known joints:

Zebra Inc.: Perhaps Berkeley's best known tattoo and piercing location. They have been serving the heart of Telegraph for decades, and have a huge customer base that includes members of AFI.

Industrial Tattoo: Just a block from Zebra, Industrial is fast becoming the new place to get inked. Known for being cleaner and having better customer service than Zebra, Industrial is the ideal parlor for one's first tattoo.

True Love Tattoo: While this one is farther from campus (on San Pablo Ave.), it is making a name for itself and its unique touch. The primary artist, Dave Moore, is an expert at combining old school templates with Oriental stylings, among other things.

Sacred Rose Tattoo: While deceptively low-key on the outside, Sacred Rose on University Ave. is decorated like an art gallery inside. It's known for its predominantly female staff and their penchant for bright colors.

Telegraph Tattoo Company: A block from Industrial, this is the parlor with huge open windows and lush red interiors.

If you're interested, please check out the links and decide for yourself. Go nuts.

The Semester in Review: Those Banners with Students' Faces on Them

Fri, 23 May 2008 02:58:22 EDT

Cal has funny ways of congratulating itself. For its 140th anniversary, someone somewhere decided it would be awesome to hang banners all over campus, featuring black-and-white photos of students, captioned by things they wrote, like, "UC Berkeley didn't just teach me, it challenged me."

These banners mysteriously appeared a couple months ago, covering lamposts in front of Dwinelle, down by Valley Life Science Buildings, and along the walkway to the West Entrance. Besides the ones that got vandalized, these banners have not been removed.

The Hunt for John Yoo: Reader Perspective

Tue, 20 May 2008 11:34:04 EDT

Question: Should Professor John Yoo be released from his position at Berkeley Law School, under the accusations that a.) his "torture memos" violate international human rights laws or that b.) his "torture memos" grant the executive branch legal powers that many others of the law profession find to be contestable or simply illegal?

AirBears Fails, Life Sucks More

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:13:57 EDT

Word on the street (err...in the library) is that there was a pretty big AirBears failure yesterday. AirBears is the campus's wireless network, requiring a Cal ID and password to log in, for those of you unwashed masses that don't know (although, if you don't know already, I can't see why you'd care right now).

The failure left students on campus with an impossible predicament: How do you avoid studying if you can't check your facebook for new comments every five minutes?

Another day, another tragedy. Luckily, I think everyone survived this one.

The Semester in Review: The "I-Clicker"

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:32:29 EDT

Take THAT, higher education.

This semester, UC Berkeley launched a pilot program in which several classes were mandated to use the "I-Clicker" response system.

If you've used a PRS transmitter before, the I-Clicker isn't much different, the buttons just happen to click, and there are only five of them. Apparently the company that makes these thinks that if they add an "I" in front of the name and make it have next to no buttons, it will look like an Apple product.

Students in these classes would have to each buy an I-Clicker, priced at around 35 bucks. Professors would put multiple choice questions, and students would click the corresponding letter. The I-Clicker registers your ID and allows professors to record your answers.

You see how this sucks: professors can use these to check attendance. And not only do you have to be in class, you have to pay attention to get the answer right.

Administration thought this would be a good incentive to be in class. However, it just incentivized having friends in the class to give your I-Clicker to.

A Greener Move-Out Day

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:46:58 EDT

Move-out week is traditionally a mad dash to the dumpster with the bean bag chairs, broken milk crates and old class notebooks -- resulting in hundreds of thousands of pounds of garbage, much of it reuseable. Now some campuses are making efforts to make the move-out process a little more eco-friendly.

If you've ever walked through the dorms after the frenzy has calmed, you know what I'm talking about: halls lined with discarded clothes and electronics, mini-fridges and textbooks, even canned food. And that's just the stuff that hasn't already ended up in the dumpster.

Luckily, dozens of schools are hopping on the green bandwagon. These are just a few of the efforts being led around the country to reduce the dorm move-out impact:

George Washington University's Green Move-Out runs through May 21. Donation boxes are provided in Somers Hall and in the lobby of Ivory Tower.
UC Berkeley's End of Semester "Reuse" Move Out Program will run May 24, 25 and 31 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Cal Student Move-out center. Bring all your reusable items.
This Saturday marks NYU's first "Green Apple Move Out" collection drive. Gently used items and non-perishable foods can be donated at locations on campus from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The items will then be donated to local non-profits. They estimate this will keep up to 25,000 pounds of garbage out of landfills.

Then again, the greenest thing you could do would be not just donating your old cast-offs, but fishing for some new ones, too. And trust me, there are more than enough treasures to go around. Best spots to look: those freshman dorms and the dumpsters and curbsides on frat and sorority row.