Education archive

Jerry Brown tells grads ‘you can make change’

Governor cites new grads' important role in democracy

May 20, 2013:

California Gov. Jerry Brown praised students for making a difference in the last election, and encouraged them to continue their activism to improve the world, in his keynote speech at Monday’s political-science graduation.

Coaching Cal athletes for success after sports

March 12, 2013:

Derek Van Rheenen, the director of Berkeley’s Athletic Study Center, is living proof that “you can have a very rich athletic, physical life and a very rich academic and intellectual life.” He’s determined to teach today’s crop of Cal athletes they can “have it all.”

Chancellor receives CASE CEO award

March 12, 2013:

Chancellor Birgeneau has received the 2013 Chief Executive Officer Leadership Award from District VII of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

For East Bay students, a visit from spirit of college futures

March 4, 2013:

Thousands of young people in and around Berkeley got a glimpse of their futures — and the role college could play in making those futures brighter — at Berkeley College and Career Day, a citywide celebration of higher education spearheaded by the UC Berkeley Center for Educational Partnerships and Berkeley Alliance and underwritten by the Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund.

Regents launch search for next UC president

March 1, 2013:

The Board of Regents has launched an international search for a successor to Mark Yudof, who will step down as UC president in August. A special committee, chaired by regent Sherry Lansing, will conduct the search; a recommendation is expected in July.

How will federal sequestration impact the campus?

March 1, 2013:

How will federal sequestration impact UC Berkeley?The campus’s Office of Governmental and Community Relations fields questions about anticipated reductions in federal funding.

Looking for a preschool? What’s right for your child?

February 28, 2013:

It’s the time of year when many parents of young children are looking at preschools. In a podcast from the Greater Good Science Center, Berkeley sociologist Christine Carter and R.N. Rona Renner discuss preschool philosophies, research insights on academic vs. play-based programs, and how to choose what’s right for your child.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to keynote 2013 commencement

February 27, 2013:

Berkeley’s Class of 2013 has chosen Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to be keynote speaker at its May 18 Commencement Convocation at Memorial Stadium. Gladys Hernandez, senior class council president, said the council put the ’86 alum “at the top of the list” of possible convocation speakers. Wozniak is currently chief scientist for the data-storage company Fusion-io.

Symposium to reimagine the 21st-century research library

February 26, 2013:

What is the role of the research library in the 21st century? Campus scholars and members of the public are invited to examine this subject, with national library leaders and information experts, at a free, day-long academic symposium on Friday, March 1.

Students developing next-generation e-Books platform

February 25, 2013:

The electronic book industry is booming, but so are complaints about the current e-book publishing system. Now a group of I School students is developing a next-generation open-source, cross-platform framework for the electronic books of the future.

Students to query campus finance chief at open forum Tuesday

February 22, 2013:

Students have many questions about how UC Berkeley raises and spends money, and what it means for them. John Wilton, vice chancellor for administration and finance, will answer questions at a forum set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. Students are invited to submit and vote on questions ahead of time online.

Math Club president reveals himself to be an undocumented immigrant

February 14, 2013:

In a video released nationally on Feb. 14, UC Berkeley Math Club President Terrence Park reveals that he is an undocumented immigrant and, as part of an effort to sway American minds on immigration, makes an economic case for legislation to make young people like him citizens. SFGate’s Spin Cycle politics blog was first with the news.

Newts, up close and (very) personal

February 11, 2013:

For a front-row view of a biological spectacle, newt love, there’s no better spectator stand than the banks of the UC Botanical Garden’s Japanese Pool, and no better time than now. Docents are on hand at specified times to explain the life-cycle and mating rituals of these lively and fascinating amphibians.

Academic Senate names Kerr Award winner

February 5, 2013:

The Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate has announced the winner of its 2013 Clark Kerr Award for Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education. He is Ricardo Romo, president of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

University launches campus climate survey

February 5, 2013:

An unprecedented survey, being launched at UC Berkeley on Feb. 5, will query faculty, students and staff about campus climate. Among many incentives to participation, offered by UCOP and the Berkeley campus, is a $10,000 scholarship.

Nano-High: Feb. 2 talk aimed at local high school students

January 31, 2013:

UC Berkeley sugar chemist Carolyn Bertozzi is the next speaker (Sat., Feb. 2, 10 a.m.) in the Nano-High series of talks sponsored by Berkeley Lab and held periodically this semester in Stanley Hall. Any high school student or teacher can sign up online and then drop in to hear about cutting-edge scientific issues of the day.

Physics society honors Birgeneau for ‘statesmanship in science’

January 24, 2013:

The American Institute of Physics has awarded Chancellor Robert Birgeneau the 2012 Karl Taylor Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics. The medal honors Birgeneau’s advocacy for women in science as well as his research.

In tradition of Ed Roberts, youth with disabilities urged to think big

January 23, 2013:

Local high school students with disabilities were urged to consider higher education, even UC Berkeley, as within their reach, at a campus event celebrating California’s annual Ed Roberts Day, Jan. 23. A take-home message: “your presence is going to matter to the University and the world.”

President Yudof to end his tenure in August

January 18, 2013:

Mark Yudof will step down as president of the University of California effective Aug. 31. He announced his decision in a Jan. 18 statement. Chancellor Birgeneau issues a statement praising his leadership.

Online ed aims to meet undergrads’ needs

January 17, 2013:

At the UC Board of Regents Jan. 16 meeting, President Yudof described efforts to build a larger catalog of online courses, which could make up as much as 11 percent of the undergraduate curriculum over the next five years. This would allow incoming freshmen to fulfill a portion of their lower-division coursework online, he said.

Law school launches reproductive-rights center

January 17, 2013:

As Roe v. Wade turns 40, Berkeley Law announces the formal launch of its new Center on Reproductive Rights and Justice. Founded by professor and Pulitzer Prize nominee Kristin Luker, it is one of the first centers to research the legal, economic and social impact of reproductive laws on women, families and communities.

UC sustainability savings add up: $91M and counting

January 16, 2013:

The University of California has saved $91 million in energy costs since 2004, and it expects even greater dividends ahead as it ramps up its sustainability practices.

An overview of UC’s online-education project

January 15, 2013:

UC Office of the President offers an overview of the UC system’s online-education efforts to date. The initiative will be the subject of a presentation — by systemwide provost Aimée Dorr — at the Wednesday, Jan. 16 meeting of the UC Board of Regents.

Berkeley ranked one of Kiplinger’s ‘best-value’ top 10

January 15, 2013:

In its new ranking of 100 “best-value” colleges and universities, based on academic quality and affordability, “Kiplinger” magazine ranks UC Berkeley among the top 10.

Law students work to help inmates navigate parole

January 14, 2013:

Berkeley Law students will help prisoners navigate the parole process as part of the new student-initiated Post-Conviction Advocacy Project (P-CAP). The group will also work on appeals for inmates who have been denied parole.

Haas professor named top under-40 finance scholar

January 8, 2013:

Berkeley-Haas Finance Professor Ulrike Malmendier has been awarded the 2013 Fischer Black Prize from the American Finance Association, which honors the top finance scholar under the age of 40 years old. The prize was announced to the public Jan. 7, 2013.

Berkeley’s triple hitters: 27 students have three majors

January 4, 2013:

Anyone who makes it into UC Berkeley is exceptional. But 27 students hold special status: They’re triple majors, and according to a San Francisco Chronicle feature about them, they don’t feel remarkable. (Photo by Michael Macor.)

A field guide to academic help

January 2, 2013:

For some undergrads, UC Berkeley is an academic candy shop; for others the choices can feel overwhelming. A seasoned student adviser talks about common undergrad issues — from confusion about majors to overloading on courses — and where to go on campus for academic guidance. Cal Parents’ ‘Letter Home’ newsletter offers this Q&A.

Undergrads get a rare chance to present their research alongside world experts at upcoming biology conference

December 19, 2012:

Twenty-six young UC Berkeley scientists, many in the Berkeley Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP), will make a rare trip to present their research alongside internationally recognized experts at a major international biology conference.

Berkeley 2012 – the year in pictures