Author Archives: Brian Holbrook

In an effort to save countless hours that would be spent reading essays and grading papers for large undergraduate classes, a professor at the University of Missouri has developed a computer program to perform the work electronically. The cost-saving program, called Qualrus, was developed over six years by sociology Professor Edward Brent as a way […]

A controversial “Student Bill of Rights,” designed to promote differing viewpoints in academia, has been proposed in the California State Senate and is causing heated debate among educators and students about academic freedom. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bill Morrow, R-San Juan Capistrano, and instructs California’s public universities to include a wide range of […]

International students at UCLA who are from areas that were directly affected by the recent earthquake and resultant tsunami in South Asia may qualify for new financial aid resources, available thanks to a grant provided by two national organizations, the Institute of International Education and the Freeman Foundation. The $5,000 grant is available for up […]

Coming back from a near certain death, the Kyoto Protocol ““ an international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions ““ was officially ratified by Russia last week, paving the way for the treaty to take effect in February. The protocol calls on 55 industrialized nations to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 5.2 percent below […]

When most people are asked to think of trusted news anchors who deliver information on a nightly basis, likely responses might be Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw or Dan Rather. But a significant percentage of students are getting their news from another source: “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Whether disgusted with presidential politics or television […]

In an attempt to influence national politicians to support clean and renewable energy, UCLA students from ecologically-minded groups participated in a national day of action for a better energy policy. A national coalition of student groups, including UCLA’s California Student Sustainability Coalition, circulated petitions on which the signers were asked to declare “Independence from dirty […]

Every year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff, as well as their supporters across the country, celebrate October as National Coming Out Month, but many are unaware of its origins. Characterized by many activities on campus and designed to foster support for LGBT issues and create a sense of community, […]