Students barricaded themselves inside the English Department at Wheeler Hall. The UC regents, on Thursday in Los Angeles, voted 20-1 to raise undergraduate tuition from $7,788 to $10,302 next fall, a 32% tuition hike with a midyear increase of 15 percent starting in January.
After the UC Regents approved the 32% hike in tuition fees yesterday, Berkeley students are taking action:"About 50 to 100 student demonstrators have taken over Wheeler Hall, a major building on the UC Berkeley campus, in protest of Thursday's 32 percent student fee increase passed by the UC Board of Regents.
Two students were arrested this morning at around 6 a.m., said Will Heegaard, a sophomore peace and conflict studies major and one of the protest's organizers. He said one of their immediate demands is for the police to free those students, and for the campus to rehire the janitors who were fired this school year. UCPD could not be reached for comment.
Heegaard, 19, said that he and others moved into the building shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday night, using ropes, a car ratchet and other gear. Calling from his cell phone at around 9:30 a.m. Friday, he said that the police's attempts to enter the ground floor, using wedges and crowbars, had forced the demonstrators to move to the second floor of the building...." A live blog of the event can be followed here at dailycal.org http://www.dailycal.org/article/107611/protesters_in_wheeler_hall_say_activists_are_stayiAfter the UC Regents approved the 32% hike in tuition fees yesterday, Berkeley... more
UC Berkeley measurements show increased seismic activity on the San Andreas Fault after 2004 Sumatra EarthquakeUC Berkeley measurements show increased seismic activity on the San Andreas Fault... more
San Francisco (CA) - Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has predicted that GPU computing will experience a rapid performance boost over the next six years. According to Huang, GPU compute is likely to increase its current capabilities by 570x, while 'pure' CPU performance will progress by a limited 3x.
Huang - who made his comments at the Hot Chips symposium in Stanford University - explained that such advances could enable the development of realtime universal language translation devices and advanced forms of augmented reality.
Huang also discussed a number of "real-world" GPU applications, including energy exploration, interactive ray tracing and CGI simulations.
NVIDIA GPU ray tracing
In addition, Jen-Hsun fielded a number of questions at the end of the keynote speech, including a query submitted by Professor David Patterson of UC Berkley. Patterson asked if the CEO would still partition the CPU and GPU into separate chips if he had to "do it all over again."
Huang answered that there were three primary constituents: programmers, OEMs/ODMs and chip designers. He explained that each had various requirements which made it difficult to "bet on" the integration of new and very rapidly developing architectures into one device. As such, separating the functions actually allowed each to develop at its own pace, while providing the flexibility to address multiple market opportunities.San Francisco (CA) - Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has predicted that GPU computing will... more
Barcelona, Spain has one of the highest concentrations of Pakistani immigrants in Europe. This is a snapshot of this growing, dynamic, little-known community, revolving around the story of a Barcelona radio station set up by Pakistani immigrants.
Ultimately, it is a story of immigration, the struggle between the homeland's traditions and Western values, in a country itself just learning to respond to a rapidly increasing immigrant population.Barcelona, Spain has one of the highest concentrations of Pakistani immigrants in... more
The 60-year old Middle East conflict through the eyes of three Bay Area individuals - their struggle, guilt and attempt at reconciliation.The 60-year old Middle East conflict through the eyes of three Bay Area individuals -... more
From the article...LOS ANGELES -- Two animal rights activists were charged Monday with conspiracy, stalking and other crimes against researchers at University of California, Los Angeles and executives of a juice company.
Linda Faith Greene, 61, and Kevin Richard Olliff, 22, pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment in Superior Court.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office issued a statement calling the pair "alleged domestic terrorists" and describing them as associates of the Animal Liberation Front, an extremist animal rights group.
A county grand jury indictment was handed up March 27 and charged each with three counts of conspiracy to commit stalking, three counts of stalking, two counts of conspiracy to threaten a public officer or school employee and two counts of threatening a public officer or school employee. They were arrested Thursday.
The indictment alleges that an unnamed co-conspirator tried to place an incendiary device on the doorstep of UCLA professor Lynn Fairbanks' home in July 2006 but it was actually left at an elderly neighbor's house and failed to explode.
One of the overt acts in the conspiracy was Greene, acting as press officer for an animal rights Web site, posting a "communique" by the ALF which took responsibility for what it called a "moletov cocktail," according to the indictment.
Greene, Olliff and others conducted demonstrations at the professor's home and on the UCLA campus, during which they chanted threats through a bullhorn and disputed law enforcement claims that the wrong house was targeted, according to the indictment.
Greene is also accused of identifying Fairbanks as a "target" on a Web site, publishing her addresses and other personal information online.
The indictment alleges a similar campaign against a neurobiology professor, Dario Ringach, who later gave up primate research, citing harassment from animal rights activists and concerns for his young children.
A telephone message seeking comment was left Monday evening at the office of attorney David B. Rutan, who represented Greene and Olliff when UCLA got a temporary restraining order against animal rights activists.
Dr. Jerry Vlasak, an animal rights activist with North American Animal Liberation Press Office, said Monday that Greene and Olliff violated no laws.
"They're using their constitutional right to free speech. They're not breaking any laws or breaking in to sabotage or destroying vehicles or equipment," Vlasak said. "Everyone knows who they are. They're high-profile activists who never tried to hide their identities. Linda did TV interviews."
The indictment further alleges that Greene and Olliff stalked executives of Los Angeles-based POM Wonderful Juice Co., picketed at a corporate family picnic and conducted demonstrations at their homes.
Vlasak said the activists targeted POM because they believe the company was using animal experiments to support claims that pomegranate juice could improve erectile function in men with mild impotence problems.
A telephone message seeking comment from POM after hours was not immediately returned.
Greene was held on $450,000 bail and is due back in court Friday for a bail review hearing. Olliff was held on $460,000 bail.
Both defendants are scheduled for a pretrial hearing on May 20.
Over the past couple of years, animal rights activists have aggressively protested animal research at the homes of scientists.
Earlier this year, four people pleaded not guilty in connection with an attempted break-in at the home of a UC Santa Cruz breast cancer researcher in 2008. Last December, a man pleaded no contest to making harassing phone calls to UC San Francisco researchers at their homes and telling them that they would die the same way they made animals suffer.From the article...LOS ANGELES -- Two animal rights activists were charged Monday with... more
Jahvid Best ran for a UC Berkeley-record 311 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears 48-7 victory over the Washington Huskies on December 6, 2008!Jahvid Best ran for a UC Berkeley-record 311 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears... more
Ron Fearing has the future of warfare at the tip of his finger. It isn’t pressing on the trigger of a laser death ray or button of a doomsday device. It’s holding a stubby-winged mechanical bug. “Flies are one of the most stable and maneuverable of all flying animals,” says the University of California at Berkeley biologist. “They are the jet fighters of the animal world.” The Pentagon shares this opinion and wants to turn these Bizzaro World duplicates of houseflies into real jet fighters.
The Berkeley team is one of about a dozen groups of engineers and biologists who are exploring the final frontier of flight: micro air vehicles (MAVs). By merging the aerodynamics of insects with GPS navigation and molecular electronics, they hope to initially create an arsenal of tiny reconnaissance tools. When perfected, Fearing’s stainless steel and Mylar robot flies will be able to flap their way into the most secret places on Earth—the bunkers where Saddam Hussein planned his genocidal campaigns, and where Chinese spymasters plot their raids on America’s nuclear weapons laboratories.
What do you think about this emerging technology?Ron Fearing has the future of warfare at the tip of his finger. It isn’t pressing on... more
This Christmas, Cal students are reaching out to the local community. Find out how you can help. Sigma Alpha Lamda will be tabling until the 10th. Toy or clothing donations are greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, contact berkeley@salhonors.org and a member will come pick up the item from you. Phi Sigma Pi is accepting clothing donations until the 11th.This Christmas, Cal students are reaching out to the local community. Find out how you... more
Check out the Cal Women’s Volleyball team as they take on Siena in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Kevin Cohen Reports.Check out the Cal Women’s Volleyball team as they take on Siena in the first round... more
Watch as Adam speaks with David and Atom from Angels and Airwaves about their unique style of music, their documentary, and their involvement with modlife.Watch as Adam speaks with David and Atom from Angels and Airwaves about their unique... more
Former Cal student and Berkeley Rent Board Member-elect Igor Tregub discusses housing, Rent Board services, and the recent Israel/Palestine tensions on campus.Former Cal student and Berkeley Rent Board Member-elect Igor Tregub discusses housing,... more
The official in the spotlight is John Yoo, the former Deputy Assistant Attorney general for the Bush administration in 2001-03.
Yoo is well known to be the man behind writing the legal memos justifying torture while interrogating terrorism suspects.
The city passed the measure after "a fiery debate over academic freedom and torture" to urge U.S. to prosecute Yoo for war crimes.
Max Anderson, a councilman said that because of Yoo actions, he committed a crime against humanity.
He is working as a law professor at UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School Of Law.The official in the spotlight is John Yoo, the former Deputy Assistant Attorney... more
Suicide Awareness Week is sponsored each year by Student-to-Student Peer Counselors who aim to raise awareness about the frequency of suicides at Cal and in the community. They advise speaking directly to those you suspect may be contemplating suicide. Peer Counselors are available to all students experiencing any form of depression or anxiety. Their office is located at 318 Eshelman Hall. For more information, visit http://sspc.berkeley.edu.Suicide Awareness Week is sponsored each year by Student-to-Student Peer Counselors... more
Enjoy the final show of the season as Yaou and Claudette bring you some interesting news about a hot mummy, reindeer droppings, and of course Britney Spears. Lets hope its not as AWKWARD as it sounds.Enjoy the final show of the season as Yaou and Claudette bring you some interesting... more
What does thanksgiving mean to you?? Yaou and Katie reflect on the origin of this holiday. As Anouska reports in the midst of Cal-Stanford rivalry, on great balls… OF FIRE You won’t wanna miss it!What does thanksgiving mean to you?? Yaou and Katie reflect on the origin of this... more
The increase in public video surveillance is changing the way that young Americans view their right to privacy. From the surveillance cameras on public streets, to the boom in camera phones and point and shoot video cameras to the technology of Google Earth, cameras are everywhere these days. Some people see them as a great tool that could lead to a safer world while others are reluctant to give away their personal freedoms and rights that Americans have cherished for so many years. Sounds like something has to give right? Perhaps not. Ken Goldberg, a Professor of Engineering and Information at Berkeley, just might have a solution for everyone. Inspired from the artwork of John Baldessari, Ken has created what he calls "respectful cameras" that can blot out an individuals face with the few lines of code. Is this the answer to this dilemma? Where do you see this technology going in the future?The increase in public video surveillance is changing the way that young Americans... more
Michael Field, 67, suffers from a debilitating neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). While ordinary life is extremely circumscribed, Michael finds comfort and expression in a childhood passion - art.Michael Field, 67, suffers from a debilitating neurological disorder called... more
Check out Chris and Kevin as they talk Cal football, women’s basketball, and the cross country team. Get up to date as The Big Game approaches as Kevin and Chris talk Back & Forth!Check out Chris and Kevin as they talk Cal football, women’s basketball, and the... more
