Should SAT I scores be the sole criteria of the University of California admissions process? As evidenced by his recent report criticizing UC Berkeley’s admissions policy, John Moores, chair of the UC Board of Regents, seems to think so. Never mind the host of other factors that go into determining whether an applicant is admitted […]
Author Archives: Mike Bitondo
Prop. 13 undemocratic, in dire need of reform
Weeds and dirt covering the local soccer field? Elementary school classrooms filled with ancient, damaged textbooks? Peeling paint and torn linoleum in the school cafeteria? UCLA lectures with 450 students? You can thank Proposition 13. As Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger begins his transition into office, a momentous opportunity to reform an ancient and poorly written piece […]
Don’t give in to apathy, turn off your TV
I just got back to my room from voting in the recall election and UCLA students at my local polling place were nowhere to be seen. Granted, many students voted by absentee ballot, while others voted at different times during the day. Did I just happen to wander into the polls just before a large […]
Book prices needlessly burden students’ budgets
Last year, the publishing industry dealt a serious blow to college students across the United States with a copyright lawsuit against small companies that print course readers. Here at UCLA, prices for course readers skyrocketed from $15-$25 to $80-$100, as expensive royalties were required for each included piece. This, in addition to overpriced textbooks and […]
Agricultural subsidies hurt world, U.S.
At a time when massive tax cuts, a costly war in Iraq and a prolonged economic recession are pushing deficit spending in the coming federal budget to over $500 billion, action needs to be taken to help offset these staggering costs. Eliminating all U.S. agricultural subsidies would save the government hundreds of billions of taxpayer […]