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 […]
Robert Birgeneau
Posted inSchools
Interview: UC Berkeley’s new Chancellor, Nicholas Dirks
A casual chancellor Nicholas Dirks in his office. Photo: Lance Knobel The second floor of California Hall is bright and airy, with a hushed air of importance. As Berkeleyside ascended the staircase last week, Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley’s head of communications, alerted us to prepare for a shock: The new chancellor was wearing jeans. When […]
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 inBerkeleyside, Crime & Safety, Schools
The most important stories in Berkeley in 2012
Spring storms over Berkeley. Photo: Joe Parks Berkeley in 2012 was filled with drama — a contested election, a failed nomination for a new school superintendent, a few missteps by the Chief of Police, and major changes at the University of California, among other events. Here’s a recap of the issues that had the deepest […]
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 inCommunity, Schools
Cal Memorial Stadium unveiled after 21-month renovation
All but the outer wall and eastern seating bowl were rebuilt during the $321m renovation of Cal Memorial Stadium. Photo: Tracey Taylor On Friday, the great and the good of UC Berkeley unveiled the newly renovated Memorial Stadium, the result of more than 30 years of planning, $321 million in pledged funding, many feats of […]
Posted inSchools
‘Remarkable job’ helps Cal navigate through tough times
The 200,000 sq ft Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences is one of the major new buildings opened at UC Berkeley in the last year. Photo: The Real Michael Moore Chancellor Robert Birgeneau lauded UC Berkeley’s continued excellence at the annual state-of-the-university press conference yesterday, citing its top five position in a […]
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 inSchools
Berkeley students march to protest public education cuts
Protesters march down Telegraph Avenue this afternoon in Berkeley: Photo: Pete Rosos Hundreds of students in Berkeley took part in protests Thursday against cuts to public education. On campus, a Day of Action at UC Berkeley began with teach-outs and protesters wrapping California Hall in caution tape. Many Cal students marched to Oakland to join other […]
Posted inSchools
Lab choice may prove beneficial to Berkeley in long term
Officials ready for the press conference announcing Richmond as the new site for the second campus of LBNL. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel By Lance Knobel and Frances Dinkelspiel In late September and early October, Dr. Jeff Ritterman, a member of the Richmond City Council, went down to Berkeley West Biocenter on Potter Street, one of the […]
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 […]