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UC Berkeley is broke and has over $100 million of red ink
Six weeks ago, UC Berkeley faced a $67.2 million budget gap for 2009-10. Amid California's budget crisis which puts the state on the brink of bankruptcy, that anticipated shortfall has now grown to $145 million. The recently-enacted 9.3% student fee increases and other revenue-enhancement measures that become effective July 1, have reduced the $145 million gap by about $30 million, which means that UC Berkeley is still short $100 million. The budget situation is so servere that the Chancellor and Provost of the University of California just sent out the following urgent email this afternoon to all students, staff, faculty, and alumni at UC Berkeley...
In summary, this is what's expected to happen to UC Berkeley this upcoming academic year...
new 5-year medical school program at UC Merced by 2010
Despite all the budget cuts and deficits (or as a result of it, one can argue otherwise), Lt. Governor of California and University of California regent John Garamendi recently proposed a bold plan that would allow high school graduates to earn medical degrees in just five years at UC Merced, thus creating a new medical school in the UC system that can generate 23-year-old physicians — the youngest in the nation — by 2010.
1 in 7 homes in Santa Clara County is "underwater"
This is pretty shocking... A recent news report shows that 1 in 7 homes in my hometown (San Jose, which is part of Santa Clara County) have property values "underwater" as a result of the current housing recession. In other words, 1 in 7 homeowners' home values are below what they owed on their mortgages.
Here's a map showing areas of Santa Clara County most affected by homes going "underwater" (click image to enlarge). I am from 95120, which has been minimally affected. Not sure why but most of the hardest hit areas happen to be on the east side. Go figure.
Angel Island fire
Did you know that Angel Island was on fire earlier this week? That's right, the big island next to Alcatraz and Treasure Island turned which used to be the West Coast "Ellis Island" immigration station turned into an inferno these past few days. Kinda sad! I hope the historical buildings were spared. If it wasn't for my friend Charlie's photos on Facebook and Flickr, I wouldn't have even known about this. I guess this is what happens when you don't watch local TV news. +1 for power of Web 2.0 though!
Anyhow, here are some spectacular pictures I've found on Flickr. For some reason, they remind me of the movie Volcano (1997) where a volcano erupts in the middle of Los Angeles. I've also included a few flavors of Golden Gate Bridge panoramic shots which I've been inspired to Photoshop. Phenomenal!
North Berkeley armed robberies
I've received a email with this warning from Berkeley Police today. Just wanted to share it for those like me who live at and/or venture to Northside Berkeley at night which is usually considered much safer than Southside. Perhaps, this is percisely the reason why these buggers decide to rob students on Northside. Note that armed robberies also took place at the Clark Kerr Campus resident halls recently. Be vigilant fellow Bears!
vote Igor for Rent Board!
For those of you from Cal that don't know Igor Tregub, pay attention:
In my past few years working in the ASUC student government, I've witnessed Igor's presence all over campus and beyond, making a difference whenever and wherever he can. And now, he's running for Berkeley City Rent Board and needs our support. So, please join me in supporting Igor this Sunday as he seeks to represent us on the Berkeley City Rent Board!
More specifically, here's what you can do:
1) Stop by the "Igor For Rentboard" event this Sunday, August 3...
- Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
- Location: North Berkeley Senior Center
- Street: 1901 Hearst Ave. (Hearst and MLK)
and/or...
good content
He was to say "what a load of crap!" just for the sake of irony, but I'll refrain
great job i love the picture