Posted inCommunity

Berkeley homeless activist Frances Townes celebrates her 100th birthday and a day named in her honor

Frances Townes blows out the candles on her birthday cake. Sally Hindman, director of Youth Spirit Artworks, is at her left. Photo: Kathleen Costanza Frances Townes blows out the candles on her birthday cake. Sally Hindman, director of Youth Spirit Artworks, is at her left. Photo: Kathleen Costanza At age 70, most people are looking forward to […]

Posted inCrime & Safety, Schools

Community arts, education projects get boost from Cal

The school district’s cooking and gardening program, which has been struggling to raise money in the wake of shrinking federal support, is one recipient of this year’s Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund. Photo: Berkeley Unified School District The school district’s cooking and gardening program, which has been struggling to raise money in the wake of shrinking […]

Posted inSchools

UC Berkeley names Columbia dean as new chancellor

Nicholas B. Dirks says of his appointment: “This is an opportunity I embrace with both excitement and humility.” Photo: Eileen Barroso | Columbia University Nicholas B. Dirks, Columbia University’s executive vice president and dean of the faculty of Arts and Sciences, will succeed Robert J. Birgeneau as UC Berkeley’s 10th chancellor, the university announced Thursday. Dirks […]

Posted inSchools

Cal Chancellor Birgeneau to step down by year end

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau announced today that he will step down from the chancellorship at the end of this calendar year. Birgeneau has been chancellor since September, 2004. His term was dominated by both financial struggles, as state funding of the University of California system was steadily squeezed, and controversy over […]

Posted inCrime & Safety, Schools

Criminal charges filed against four Occupy Cal protesters

A November 9, 2011 Occupy Cal rally — before the confrontation with police. Photo: Tracey Taylor Three UC Berkeley students and one professor have been charged with resisting arrest and other charges in connection with their participation in a Nov. 9 Occupy Cal protest. Professor Celeste Langan, who became well-known after a video was posted […]

Posted inCrime & Safety, Schools

Chancellor apologizes for Occupy Cal police response

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau Chancellor Robert Birgeneau issued an apology today for police tactics during Occupy Cal protests on November 9 on campus. In a recording made while en route to spending Thanksgiving with his children and grandchildren on the East Coast, Birgeneau said he took full responsibility for the events that day and would do “his […]