Hi Listeners. Great show this week. Here’s what we talked about:

B.E.E.P. - UCI’s “Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program” took out a half-page ad in the New University this week, promoting their no-skateboarding initiative. As a partnership with UCIPD, this program is aiming at preventing students from skating on campus (i.e. preventing students from using basic green transportation methods). Adding insult to injury is this insightful map, detailing exactly which parts of campus (all of them) are off-limits. Take a look: http://bike.uci.edu/pdf/skatedevices.pdf

We also talked about the gaudy and wasteful changes to the Student Center that were unveiled this past week. The new “Global Viewpoint Lounge” seems like the administration’s pathetic attempt at asking: “Can’t we all just get along?? No more controversy please! We just don’t have the PR budget for it…!” But really, do try it out sometime and see just how helpful it is to have huge flatscreens broadcasting foreign news and decorations that look like they would be more appropriate at an elementary school around-the-world play line the walls to add to your studying. THANK YOU STUDENT CENTER. ANOTHER WIN. Read the NewU Article here: http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/10/news/grand-opening-inspires/

We also talked about the new $4.00/unit (max: $60.00/quarter) fee increase, which is scheduled to go into effect Winter Quarter 2011 to cover IT upgrades. This is a fee that everyone has to pay, and it is NOT covered by financial aid. So students, DIG DEEP into those pockets, because you’re about to be $180.00 a year poorer.

A representative from OIT (Office of Information Technology) as well as Meredith Michaels (Vice Chancellor for Planning and Budget) came in to talk to the ASUCI Legislative Council this week, to convince them to be happy about parting with their money, and try to show just how democratic they were being in trying to get student input. Things went awry for them, however, when it was discovered that all the decisions had been made without a single student being consulted. They were just there putting on a show, covering their asses.

On this topic of fee increases, I would like to encourage everyone to read an article by UCI History Professor Mark LeVine in this week’s NewU. It’s called “This Is How a Great University Dies,” and I think any UCI student should take it as a catalyst to change the status quo. It’s beautifully written, and hopefully I can get Mark LeVine to come on the show next week and talk to me in-person. You can find the article here: http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/10/opinion/this-is-how-a-great-university-dies/

Lastly, Sonya Cooke, a UCI MFA student in the Arts School was on the show this week, talking about her recent play, a modern adaptation of Antigone. It was put on as an outdoor play last week and received good reviews. Read more about it here: http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/10/entertainment/antigone-on-the-move/

http://www.uci.edu/features/2011/09/feature_antigone_110926.php

And check out the UCI Art’s calendar. It’s an amazing way to pass an evening: http://www.arts.uci.edu/calendar

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