Wednesday, May 27, 1998
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Professors honored at legislative assembly
The Gold Shield Alumni Prize was awarded to Robert Goldberg,
professor of molecular cell and developmental biology for
excellence in both research and teaching at the final meeting of
the legislative assembly this school year.
The award, a $30,000 grant to be used for research, is awarded
every two years to a deserving faculty member.
"I’ll use it for graduate students," said Goldberg. "I like to
help students."
The Fair and Open Academic Environment Award was awarded to Lisa
Smith, a student in public health, Leon Robertson, professor of
music, and Adolfo Bermeo, for his work as director of the Academic
Advancement Program.
This was the first year such awards were given. They will be
given every two years.
Additionally, the Academic Senate conferred Distinguished
Faculty Awards upon five faculty members. Veronica Cortinez, George
Bernard, Wayne Dolasse, Jayne Lewis, and Josh Muldavin were honored
for teaching excellence.
Jesse Jackson voices support for protests
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, of the Rainbow/Push coalition, has
expressed his support for the Affirmative Action Coalition and its
campaign to stop Proposition 209.
"Your solidarity stands as another sign of the commitment to
inclusion and equal opportunity, to leave no one behind as we seek
to expand democracy in America," Jackson said in a statement.
The Affirmative Action Coalition was formed in response to UC
Regents’ decisions SP-1 and SP-2 and Proposition 209, which barred
race and gender as criteria in admissions process at UC and other
public schools in the state.
Jackson commended the students who were arrested in last week’s
takeover of Royce Hall, where over 500 students stormed the
building, and 88 were arrested for failure to disperse.
"By remaining nonviolent, disciplined and persistent, your
efforts to build a coalition of conscience will prevail," Jackson
said.
Expert will discuss bilingual education
Tonight, a local education expert will explore the details of
language learning and the implications of imminent anti-bilingual
legislation.
Stephen Krashen, professor of education from USC, will give a
talk titled "Bilingual Education, Acquiring English and Proposition
227."
The lecture and book exhibit will be held in Moore Hall 100 at 7
p.m.
If passed, Proposition 227 will drastically deflate bilingual
education efforts in the state. The proposition would limit native
language instruction to one year, with an option to extend and
would fund English instruction for parents.
Supporters of bilingual education say that although bilingual
programs are not perfect, they are the best way to teach limited
English- proficient students and to help them succeed in the long
run.
Opponents, however, believe bilingual programs keep students
behind and that one year of native language instruction is enough.
Californians will vote on the initiative on June 2.
With a background in linguistics, Krashen specializes in
theories of language acquisition and development. Much of his
recent research is on non-English and bilingual language
acquisition.
Krashen has published extensively, including two books, "On
Course: Bilingual Education in California" and "Under Attack: The
Case Against Bilingual Education."
Compiled from Daily Bruin staff reports.