Issues

School district employee shot, killed in Oakland drive-by
A Berkeley Unified School District employee was shot multiple times and killed in a drive-by shooting Monday night in Oakland.

UC releases 2011 admissions data
UC Berkeley admitted nearly 18 percent fewer California residents to its freshman class for the 2011-12 academic year than in the past two years, while out-of-state and international student admissions have steadily increased - a change campus officials attribute to the current financial crisis and an effort to increase diversity on campus.

More selective UCs still less diverse than other campuses
The University of California admitted significantly more nonresident freshmen and fewer California residents for the 2011-12 academic year than in past years. And while the system's more selective schools attracted the most out-of-state students, they remained less diverse than campuses with less competitive admissions, according to data released Monday by the UC Office of the President.

Early Report
Next week, the Cal football team will hold its last open spring practice at San Ramon Valley High, the stomping grounds of 2012 quarterback recruit Zach Kline.

UC releases 2011 admissions data
UC Berkeley admitted nearly 18 percent fewer California residents to its freshman class for the 2011-12 academic year than in the past two years, while out-of-state and international student admissions have steadily increased - a change campus officials attribute to the current financial crisis and an effort to increase diversity on campus.

More selective UCs still less diverse than other campuses
The University of California admitted significantly more nonresident freshmen and fewer California residents for the 2011-12 academic year than in past years. And while the system's more selective schools attracted the most out-of-state students, they remained less diverse than campuses with less competitive admissions, according to data released Monday by the UC Office of the President.

Studies question structural design of Lower Sproul
Studies conducted by engineers in the early design phase of the Lower Sproul Plaza renovation project have led the Department of Facilities Services to raise concerns about the ability of the plaza to support significant weight.

Student dies in apartment fire while studying in Paris
UC Berkeley junior Jasmine Jahanshahi, known for her fearlessness, sense of humor and studiousness, died in an apartment fire last Thursday that took the lives of four others and injured 57. She was 20.

UC Berkeley alumnus, prolific agriculture reporter dies at 95
UC Berkeley alumnus and former San Francisco Chronicle agriculture reporter Henry Schacht died due to old age March 30 in his home in Oakland at the age of 95.

Downtown district may see new funds
The Downtown Berkeley Business Improvement District, responsible for improving the business and consumer climate in the area, may soon have four times as much money to work with in its ongoing effort to revitalize Downtown Berkeley, as the district looks to adopt a new method of collecting funds from property owners.

Fewer families living on the streets, but 'hidden homelessness' on the rise
While fewer families in Berkeley found themselves on the streets in 2009 than in 2003, the number of families without permanent housing - who stay in hotels or with friends - increased, according to a report.

Location restrictions could be ahead for Berkeley drug stores
In response to a string of competing drug stores in Berkeley - and rumors of even more locations opening - Mayor Tom Bates, along with Councilmembers Laurie Capitelli and Susan Wengraf, have authored a recommendation that would require the location of new or expanded drug stores to be a minimum of 1,000 feet away from existing stores.

School district employee shot, killed in Oakland drive-by
A Berkeley Unified School District employee was shot multiple times and killed in a drive-by shooting Monday night in Oakland.

Early Report
Next week, the Cal football team will hold its last open spring practice at San Ramon Valley High, the stomping grounds of 2012 quarterback recruit Zach Kline.

Aggies to play in ex-pitcher's honor
Last season, the Cal baseball team and UC Davis met twice as they usually do. It was a good year for the Aggies.

Gymnasts leave final marks on Cal program
The more a team sweats in a practice, the less it will bleed in battle.

GBaum's World
As a Berkeley student, how often do you think about, well, Berkeley, on the macro scale? Are you happy to tell people that you study here? Does the press - positive or negative - affect your mood or opinions? I think most would agree that it is important that our school be represented well in whatever we choose. We are the "top public university in the world," so it is important that we act that way, right?

A Call To Action
Thursday's announcement that all four Student Action executive candidates were elected into their respective offices by commanding margins is a sign of high expectations.

Quitting The Quotas
From Telegraph Avenue to the Solano Shopping District, empty storefronts are an omnipresent element of Berkeley's business community. As we have stated in the past, we firmly believe that city administrators need to take action to ensure that the city provides the most attractive climate possible for business owners. We have previously called for a review of often-lengthy permit process and the expedited improvement of local zoning laws.

Fighting for the freedom to speak
Since the birth of our country, the rights of a free press have been linked to the survival of democracy. In fact, Thomas Jefferson once suggested that he'd prefer anarchy to a country without newspapers.

Sex on Tuesday: Conquering the Orgasm
It's strange how the words, "But ... I can't orgasm off of sex. I've never been able to," always come out in a faint whisper. The tone of "shameful confession" is adopted frequently. Sitting by your side in the confessional box, I reply in a steady voice, "There is a way."