The SOCIAList: A big reason why we go to college is to get ready for the real world. There is an academic foundation and expertise built here, but there is a far more important education that happens during your time in college: the education of life. What you learn here is supposed to be applied to the world outside.
The fight to combat global warming and energy dependence was a key domestic issue ingrained in the American psyche roughly a year ago as President Barack Obama and John McCain journeyed on the campaign trail, preaching the importance of sustainability and decreasing America's dependence on foreign oil. Just as the environmental political platform began to pick up popularity, the financial crisis and global economic woes blew the steam out of environmental issues, making them mere afterthoughts in comparison to the economy.
THE SWAGGER: Hats off to you Anteater faithful. You played a large role in the UC Irvine men's basketball team's 75-53 dismantling of Big West Conference leader Cal State Northridge in front of a national television audience.
I was intrigued by the proposal to make public students' evaluations of their UC Irvine instructors in the "Motion to Release Teacher Evaluations" article on Feb. 9. It would be a nice way to end the misguided dependence some have on RateMyProfessors.com (RMP), where anyone, student or not, can post an evaluation, and there is no control over sample sizes or bias of participants. A number of assertions made by interviewees in the New University article, however, need context and consideration before they serve as a basis for a new policy.
The regents' Committee on Educational Policy voted unanimously for a controversial change in freshman admission standards that would take effect for fall 2012. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the University of California regents gave preliminary approval to drop the requirement for two SAT subject exams, which would allow more students to be eligible for a review of their applications. Students would still need to take the main SAT or ACT entrance tests.
Retired DEA: Writer Misunderstands View of Police; Gunless Students are Legally Defenseless on Campus; Myths Persist About Concealed Weapons on Campuses.
THE SWAGGER: It seems like the LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant debate is all over the sports world today. Heck, I wrote my column about it just two weeks ago. But since Kobe's 61- point slashing of the Knicks and LeBron's almost triple-double performance in New York, the blogs have been going crazy. It is safe to call this relationship between the two players an official rivalry. And rivalries are one of the best things about sports...
THE FRESHNESS: I have witnessed two different ways to get blacked out at the Bren Events Center. One way will allow you to enjoy the benefits of being a student at a Division One sporting event. The other will get you kicked out of that same sporting event. You make the choice.
