Monday, May 4, 1998
Community Briefs
COMMUNITY BRIEFS:
CSU chancellor admits error about tech deal
In a Wednesday morning meeting with student leaders, CSU
Chancellor Charles Reed addressed the widely debated California
Education Technology Initiative, stating his original assumption
that the deal had been signed was "the biggest mistake I ever made
as chancellor."
Reed said, "I first heard about CETI in November when somebody
told me it was done. All of that work had not been done."
Reed did his best to explain the long-stalled, $365 million tech
deal that would upgrade the CSU system’s technological
infrastructure through a partnership with several major software
and communcations companies.
Reed admitted the details were complicated, but was clear on one
point.
"In this world you never get anything for free," Reed said.
Since it was first made public, CETI has been widely criticized
by faculty and students fearing corporate control of the classroom.
Several student governments and academic senates in the CSU system
have since drawn resolutions condemning the partnership.
Reed agreed with CSU officials who contend these fears are
unfounded. "Business could care less about our business," Reed
said. "They need to get a return on their capital."
Israeli party sparks dissent in Berkeley
On the 50th birthday of the country of Israel last week, Jewish
students celebrated near UC Berkeley’s Sather Gate while Muslim
students called on passers-by to take a stand against the country
for its cruelty to Palestinians.
Muslim students standing near the Israeli festivities wore
sandwich boards and passed out literature condemning the Israelis
for killing Palestinians. Meanwhile, beginning at noon, Jewish
students held signs reading, "Stop the Hatred at UC Berkeley. Come
to Sather Gate," as Muslim speakers on the Mario Savio Steps
denounced Jews for committing genocide.
The festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Israel’s
Declaration of Independence were organized by the Israel Action
Committee. About 100 people gathered near Sather Gate to hear
speeches by members of the Jewish community, including UC Berkeley
students and faculty. Accompanied by guitars, participants danced
in a circle and sang songs to celebrate the day.
Junior Noah Fiedel stood amid the audience watching the Muslim
speakers, saying that some Arab supporters have the misconception
that "Zionism is racism."
Texas affirmative action case not to face appeal
Texas Attorney General Dan Morales refused to appeal a case on
behalf of the University of Texas (UT) System reevaluating
affirmative action, stating that race-neutral policies are more
equitable than affirmative action.
According to Morales, his office had identified "no sufficient
grounds on which to base an appeal seeking to reimpose race-based
decision making."
Morales did however, consider allowing the UT System to seek
outside pro bono counsel. The refusal of the Attorney General
leaves open the possibility of legal intervention by organizations
such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
(MALDEF) and the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP). Both organizations and several UT student
groups are currently trying to intervene in the appeal.
Compiled from Daily Bruin staff and wire reports