Editorial: UC’s court settlements fail to address root grievances

As the University of California Board of Regents well knows, court settlements can be useful in dodging unfavorable legal outcomes and the bad press that accompanies them. But a recent $10 million settlement in a whistleblower-retaliation case involving UCLA doctors illustrates why settlements pose a challenge for a public university. Namely, they bury information and […]

Editorial: Bill would improve hospital security, response to violence

The unrelated stabbings of two nurses at separate UCLA hospitals Sunday morning left one nurse in critical condition and shook the feeling of comfort and safety in the medical centers. The injuries inflicted upon these on-duty nurses serve as a chilling reminder of a couple of stark realities: First, hospitals are some of the most […]

Editorial: Lick Observatory still vital to students, researchers

The University of California’s Lick Observatory will face some serious financial hardships in coming years if the University does not re-evaluate its priorities. Built near San Jose in 1888, the observatory is the only one entirely owned by the University. But as the University invests in new technology elsewhere, the Lick Observatory has seen its […]

Editorial: SAT changes need more emphasis on writing skills

When prospective University of California students open up their SAT booklets starting in spring 2016, they will dive into a test that could overlook writing, a skill vital to performance both at the university level and beyond. The College Board announced major changes to the structure of the exam in March, including a return to […]

Editorial: Appointment of USAC officer’s replacement lacked transparency

Barely a week has passed since Omar Arce, the then-Undergraduate Students Association Council Community Service commissioner, was arrested in connection with a series of alleged sexual batteries against another student. The campus learned of the arrest on April 2. Six days later, on Tuesday, the council appointed the assistant commissioner, Alex Lee, as Arce’s replacement. […]

Editorial: GSA elections, contested positions call for bigger turnout

In last year’s Graduate Students Association election, less than 10 percent of eligible graduate students turned out to vote. Only after the voting period was extended did turnout reach the 10 percent margin required to pass a ballot referendum. This startlingly low number is part of a larger trend of non-participation in the graduate student […]