Arkansas blast fatally burns 3 beyond recognition

Dmitry P.
U.S.
Post #4
Arkansas Blast fatally burns 3 beyond recognition
CNN May 21, 2012
256 words

A three man oil crew was killed in an explosion in El Dorado, Arkansas, while dismantling an abandoned containment vessel filled with residual oil vapors, the Arkansas Emergency Management. The crew was working for the Long Brothers Oil Co. The blast occurred at about 4 p.m. Arkansas. EMS spokesman Chad Stover says that: "During the dismantling, there was an ignition of vapors inside one of the tanks, All three were killed and they were burned beyond recognition. The El Dorado Fire Department initially responded to the explosion and had since controlled the fire. Flames from the blast however ignited a separate fire in a wooded area near the abandoned oil site.

I think this article is important so we know how dangerous some jobs in the world can be. That this can happen to everyone and anyone. We must always take precautionary steps before completing any work.

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. Teens facing diabetes

Dmitry P.
Post #3
Health
Nearly 1 in 4 teens facing diabetes
CNN May 21, 2012
567 words

The proportion of U.S. adolescents with diabetes has jumped dramatically since the 1990's. As of 2008 23 percent of all adolescents between the age of 12 and 19 have diabetes. Likewise, rates of other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure  (14%) and high LDL cholesterol (22%), also known as bad cholesterol, remained high but largely unchanged from the previous decade. This spike should be interpreted with caution because adolescent health is very important researchers claim.Heart attacks, strokes and other forms of full-blown cardiovascular disease are extremely rare in adolescents, but there is some evidence that diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels can cause lasting damage in this age group, says Elaine M. Urbina, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.


This article is very important because as an adolescent i am interested to know about the health level of other people my age. I think people my age should go out more for sports instead of sitting in front of a computer and eating lots of junk food. 

Next iPhone will have bigger screen, report says

AJ H
Post #2
Technology
Next iPhone will have bigger screen, report says
Jacqui Cheng
CNN May 16, 2012
160 words


Reports say that Apple is coming out with a new iPhone that has a bigger screen. The original screen size was 3.5 inches and making them 4 inches. The increase in size is being done because of the new Android Galaxy Note which is at 5.3 inches. Reports say that production is planned next month. The new iPhone will not be out till the fall.

FDA Panel Weighs Preventive Use of HIV Drug

AJ H
Post#1
Science
FDA Panel Weighs Preventive Use of HIV Drug
Denise Grady
NY Times May 10, 2012
1 page/1145 words 

As of Thursday of last week the FDA has considered of approving this new drug called Truvada. Truvada is a drug that prevent healthy people decrease their chances of getting HIV. The drug was created because 50,000 people get infected in a year. The panel suggest that it would be prescribed to people with high risks like gay men with multiple sex partners, prostitutes, and relationships with HIV+ people. This drug is not meant to replace condoms but to be used as added protection. This drug is used to treat HIV but can also prevent it.

Cynthia 04

Health

Nearly 1 in 3 have sleepwalking, study finds  by Elizabeth Landau

CNN May 14, 2012

742 words

Researchers published a study in the journal Neurology involving more than 19,000 American adults, and found that nearly 30% had sleepwalk at some point in their lives. Dr. Maurice Ohayon of Stanford University and lead author of the study says sleepwalking can be risky business; some people can harm themselves or others while wandering about. The study authors took into account the participants' usage of medications for sleep, anxiety, depression and other purposes. Those who took over-the-counter sleeping pills and tricyclic antidepressants were more likely to experience sleepwalking at least twice per month.

There have been some bizarre incidents recorded of people's behavior while sleeping. Sleepwalking has been used as a legal defense, sometimes successfully, for people who have allegedly committed crimes while sleeping. 

The precise causes are still mysterious. partly because sleepwalking is so hard to study. It is important to focus on safety measures for people prone to sleepwalking. 

While sleepwalking may seem as a rare thing to happen, it is more common than we think. About a third of American people reported to have sleepwalked some time in their lives, which can sound funny or irrelevant, however, it can be dangerous since people might hurt themselves while sleeping.

Studies have not being able to determine a specific cause or treatment for sleepwalking, however, some recommendations are done such as that of having a regular sleep schedule, reducing noise or light in the place where you sleep, and avoiding stress and fever. A legal question involving sleepwalking used as an excuse for committing crimes could be, was s/he really asleep?

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/14/nearly-1-in-3-have-sleepwalked-study-finds/?hpt=he_c2

Obama’s Switch on Same-Sex Marriage Stirs Skepticism

Ren G: 4th post
Topic: Politics
Title: Obama’s Switch on Same-Sex Marriage Stirs Skepticism
Author:  Peter Baker and Dalia Sussma
Publication: nytimes.com

A recent poll about Obama’s view of same sex marrige has shed new light. Most americans suspect that when the president declared his support for same-sex marrige he was motivated by politics and not by policy. 76% of the people surveyed believe that the president made his decision “mostly for political reasons, and only 24% said “mostly because he thinks it’s right.” Americans view that the president only made his decision because in 2010 vice president Joe Biden proclaimed his support first. Some believe that if Biden had not proclaimed his opinion, neither would the president. Most Americans believe that his point of view would not persuade their decision in voting. In my point of view it is a simple coincidence. People want to create chaos in things that do not have it to simply create it. It is human nature. Most americans here see things as he is a high power and not a human like us. They see him as a perfect person, who knows all and decides all. Not a human who can be indecisive at times. Most people put too much into believing.

A Generation Hobbled by the Soaring Cost of College

Jason Ang
Education
Posting #4
Article: A Generation Hobbled by the Soaring Cost of College

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/business/student-loans-weighing-down-a-generation-with-heavy-debt.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=studentloans&adxnnlx=1337055518-MZEh8SL/OmfxEPNKnGje4A

The Article talks of a young woman, Kelsey Griffith, a to be graduate at Ohio Northern University, that has to start paying off her 120,000 dollar loan.  She works two jobs and will be living with her parents.  Her mom even had to go off life insurance to help pay.  These college debts have become a huge problem for students around the country.

Even though Kelsey's parents earn modest incomes from being a paramedic and a school teacher, their combined wages are not nearly enough to support Kelsey and her four sisters.  Private school seemed like the right path for Kelsey because of the attitude given from the staff, but 4 years later, was it the right decision?

Ninety-four percent of students who earn a bachelor’s degree borrow to pay for higher education.  For all borrowers, the average debt in 2011 was $23,300, with 10 percent owing more than $54,000 and 3 percent more than $100,000, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports. Average debt for bachelor degree graduates who took out loans ranges from under $10,000 at elite schools like Princeton and Williams College, which have plenty of wealthy students and enormous endowments, to nearly $50,000 at some private colleges with less affluent students and less financial aid.



Much like the mortgage brokers who promised pain-free borrowing to homeowners just a few years back, many colleges don’t offer warnings about student debt in the glossy brochures and pitch letters mailed to prospective students. Instead, reading from the same handbook as for-profit colleges, they urge students not to worry about the costs. That’s because most students don’t pay full price.
Even discounted, the price is beyond the means of many.

Yet too often, students and their parents listen without question.

- New York Times

America's Toughest Sheriff faces off against the U.S

Kevin
Civil Rights
Posting #4
Article: DOJ plans to sue Ariz. Sheriff Arpaio                                   By: AP/ Walter Berry

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2114495,00.html


This article talks about Arizona's Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, and his imprisonment (based on racial profiling) of over 520 latinos as well as numerous reports of civil rights violations. The government ordered that a court-ordered monitor be placed over Arpaio to observe and monitor his actions. Arpaio countered that, "by having a monitor, monitor me, you are nullifying my authority. I refuse." The government told Arpaio's lawyer that if he did not accept the court-ordered monitor than it would result in a federal lawsuit and would result in his temporary loss of ll authority in Arizona. No new news has surfaced regarding the Arpaio incident, but it is a national spotlight as the "Toughest Sheriff in America" faces off against the United States Government.

Puerto Rico on path to becoming bilingual

Colin

Posting #4

Topic: education

Publication:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/puerto-rico-governor-fortuno-bilingual_n_1501225.html?ref=education&ir=Education

This article is about a push in Puerto Rico to become bilingual. This effort is a part of the governor’s wishes for Puerto Rico to become the USA’s 51^st state. The territory is hesitant to embrace English, as it has spoken primarily Spanish until now. They are quick to note, however, that they do not intend to leave Spanish in favor of English. Not all classes will be taught in English, though bilingual classes will be receiving more funding. Puerto Rico is currently behind Europe in secondary-language skills, according to a European study. There is some resistance to this though, as English is associated with political motives. It is also rather impractical, because English is hard to learn. Thus, it would require heavy teacher and parent involvement to be successful, which is unlikely. Puerto Rico lacks good English teachers as well, further hindering this. The project is expected to cost $15 million.

Tennessee law bolsters PTA

Colin

Late posting #3

Topic: education

Publication:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/parent-report-cards-are-n_0_n_1507386.html?ref=topbar

This article describes a new Tennessee law that enforces the PTA. It provides a voluntary contract with parents and a self-grading rubric for PTA participation. Some other states have similar laws, but Tennessee is the first to have “report cards” for performance. The hope is that the self-grading will increase awareness of the PTA, rather than necessarily serving as an accurate judgment of participation. The legislation is not likely to be enforced much, but it provides a pathway in writing for parents, which supporters say is the first step. A 2002 study showed that similar programs greatly increased PTA participation. It is intended to address the common complaint that schools don’t get enough support. The law has much support, and the governor has said that he would approve it. The law involves two schools in a four-year pilot program. PTA involvement has already risen since the announcement of the law.

Campaign by health advocates to improve school health

Colin

Late posting #2

Topic: Education

Publication:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/us-government-urged-to-fi_n_1504319.html?ref=education

This article is about a campaign by a coalition of health-advocacy groups to improve health in schools. They urged the US government on May 9^th to increase the number of resources devoted to school health. The coalition, including the National Education Association and the American Cancer Society numbered more than 70 groups. Some claims made included that healthy children perform better in school than unhealthy children. They also want more health-oriented schools to combat the rising child-obesity epidemic. In the proposal, they want reimbursement by Medicaid to be made more convenient for schools. It also wants at least one hour of physical activity to be mandatory every day. In addition, it seeks to ban sugary beverages in favor of water. A part of the difficulty in making school-health progress is efforts are normally fragmented across a number of different branches of government. This campaign is an effort to bypass that.

Gluten-sensitivity may increase risk for schizophrenia

Colin

Late posting #1

Topic: health

Publication:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/11/gluten-schizophrenia-sensitivity-celiac-antibodies_n_1509531.html?ref=health-news&ir=Health%20News

According to the article, pregnant women that are gluten-intolerant or gluten-sensitive may be putting their children at risk for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia. Though the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, scientists observed a correlation between fetal gluten-antibody levels and schizophrenia development. Since a mother’s antibodies cross the placenta into the fetus’s bloodstream, the fetus develops the same gluten sensitivity as the mother. This also may put the fetus at risk for schizophrenia, the study showed. The study included 764 prenatal blood samples, 211 of which came from people who later developed schizophrenia. When testing the samples, no correlation was found with levels of milk antibodies (lactose intolerance), but a strong correlation was found with gluten antibodies. This is corroborated by earlier studies suggesting a similar relationship, such as the grain shortage in WWII coinciding with a drop in admissions to hospitals for schizophrenia. This study also factored in other risk factors for schizophrenia, and found that the conclusion regarding gluten sensitivity still stood. The scientist responsible said in a statement that this “suggests one potential cheap and easy way to reduce risk if we were to find further proof that gluten sensitivity exacerbates or drives up schizophrenia risk”. This suggests that pregnant women ought to have some gluten in their diet to lower their sensitivity to it, thus reducing risk for their child to later develop schizophrenia.

Retinal implants could restore partial vision

Ameya
Posting #4
Topic: Science
Title: Retinal Implants Could Restore Partial Vision
Author: Rachel Ehrenberg
Publication: Science News
Publication date: May 13, 2012
442 words

Scientists have found that it might be possigble to restore partial vision to people who suffer from blindness. This study implanted solar cell-like chips into rat retinas in order to improve vision, and found that the surgery required was relatively simple and uninvasive. The surgery hasn't yet been tested on humans, but scientists are optimistic based on their findings in rats. Such disorders as retinitis pigmentosa, which leads to night blindness and tunnel vision, and macular degeneration, which causes the loss of peripheral vision, can potentially be reversed. These disorders involve damage to the rods and cones, the light detecting receptors in the eye, for which no known treatment has been discovered; this method may be the first to cure damage to photoreceptors in the eye. This new treatment involves wearing goggles, on which a tiny video camera sits. The images the camera captures stream to a smart-phone-sized computer. The computer then projects the images through near-infrared lasers on the inside of the goggles, into the eyes. Instead of hitting ordinary rods and cones (which are damaged), the laser hits slender photovoltaic chips, which are the chips planted beneath the retina. These artificial chips then create a nerve signal which is sent to the brain, allowing the person to see. This method produces the highest resolution image to the patient of all methods used before; current testing is taking place with rats.

Losing eyesight is a major handicap to all people. Humans rely much more on their sense of sight than on any other sense. Losing the most important sense takes a significant chunk of an indivual's world from him; his life is permanently altered, and he feels as if he is completely disconnected from the outside world. This new method of treatment -- implanting photovoltaic chips beneath the retina of eyes -- has never been tested before, but is showing great potential. Although the image it produces is not perfectly clear, it has been making progress, and in the near future, it is possible that we may be able to find a reliable cure for blindness. All the thousands of blind people on earth can have their precious world returned to them.

A new mission to Mars

Chris C                                                                                                                       Posting #4
Science and Technology
A bold new chance for Mars exploration!                                                         by: Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Huffington Post 5/11/12

       In recent years, several space programs have been launching missions to find life on Mars as well as find if the planet can be suitable for future human colonization. NASA being the leading space program has proposed a new operation dubbed BOLD. This stands for Biological Oxidant and Life Detection. The mission will consist of sending six probes to various locations on Mars. The cones, each weighing approximately 130 pounds, are shaped like inverted cones and will parachute down to the surface. On impact each probe will shoot a soil sampler a foot into the ground and run various tests on the soil, relaying data to a nearby orbiter. The sampler will test for inorganic ions, PH values, and the concentration of oxidants. Scientists have concluded that it may be possible for organisms to survive the harsh environment by having internal fluids consisting of water and oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide. Other instruments on the probes will look for terrestrial micro-fossils as well as strands of nucleic acid created by life. Even with the latest technology, each probe has only a 50% chance of a successful landing, but having six probes brings the probability that at least one will work to 98%. The entire project will likely land in the price range of several hundred million dollars and will be ready to go around the year 2018. The BOLD project comes at an optimum time with space exploration funding steadily decreasing and the possibility of cutting future Mars mission. This mission could bring vital information needed to rejuvenate NASA and future space exploration programs. I feel that it would be very plausible to have humans on Mars within the next 50 years. We have the technology, what is needed is the political will to continue to explore the solar system.

In North Carolina, Beliefs Clash on Marriage Law

Jonathan
Posting #4
Topic: Civil Rights
Title: In North Carolina, Beliefs Clash on Marriage Law
Author: Campbell Robertson
Publication: NY Times
Date of Publication: May 11, 2012
Length:912

On Tuesday, the voters elected to join the voters in 30 other states in enshrining a ban on same-sex marriages. President Obama announced his personal support for same-sex marriage nationally. Gay rights are not an all-or-nothing matter, but something more nuanced. It was a surprise to many on both sides that the vote was so decisive in North Caroline, where a poll in March by Elon University. Most cities and college towns voted against the marriage ban, with corporate leaders and some Republican politicians from urban areas speaking openly against it. Evangelical Protestant leaders declared the choice unambiguous. Days before the vote, the Rev. Billy Graham, a native and one of the most respected figures in the state. "At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage." Black religious leaders were also unequivocal, and remained so even after the president declared his personal approval of same-sex marriage.
I think people should not banned same-sex marriage.  Although people see marriage as between men and women, people should agree gay marriage. In Elon University, 2/3 of the residents agree on gay marriage.

Wyatt Eberspacher
Post #4
Subject: World Politics
Title: Opposition: Shelling, gunfire torment residents across Syria
Author: Kamal Ghattas, Saad Abedine and Salma Abdelaziz
Publication: CNN.com
Date Published: 5/13/12
Word Count: 737 words

 Major conflict continues in Syria as the dispute between the government and opposition forces continues to escalate out of control. The latest report is that at least eight people died in Hama, in western Syrian, as government forces stormed the city. The attack was to put down one of the independent terrorist parties who are further confusing the dispute between Al-Assad and the opposition Syrian National Council. These independent terrorist groups have claimed responsibility for a number of suicide bombings, such as one on Thursday in Damascus. However, the Syrian National Council has released a statement that they believe that these attacks are malicious attempts orchestrated by Al-Assad in order to discredit and deride his opponents at the cost of Syrian citizen's lives. They support this claim by stating that the bombings took place in location where Al-Assad's security should have inspected them first. Such bombings claim many lives, with over 1000 civilian casualties since the country agreed to an cease-fire. Outside of Syrian borders, this conflict has begun to raise historic tensions in Lebanon, where violence has begun to start claiming lives of its own. The conflict in Lebanon is by the majority between residents of Bab al-Tebbaneh, a Sunni stronghold strongly against the current Syrian government, and residents of Jabal Mohsen who support Bashar al-Assad, the highly controversial president of Syria. These reports are trustworthy yet unconfirmed by the news source itself, as the Syrian government is strongly restricting the flow of information to the international press.

This conflict remains an important reminder of the ongoing fight for independence and the influence of the people. The people of Syria are split between support for a government that has been revealed to be faulty, and support for opposition to Assad. It shows that across the world, civil conflicts still rage. People have begun to raise their own voices rather that live in a situation they find unfair. Also, the explosive domestic conflict is a reminder of how extreme situation can get when governments are not responsive to the needs of its people. The occupy movement is a very mild sibling to the large-scale riots and revolts that have lead to full blown rebellions. The Syrian conflict is a chilling look at the uneasy dynamic of a civil war.

Truvada Recommended for Approval as HIV Prevention Drug

Tony Y.
Posting #4
Topic: Health
Title of Article: Panel Recommends Approving Truvada to Prevent HIV Infection 
Author: Saundra Young
Publication Name: CNN
Date of Publication: May 10, 2012
Length of Article: 787 words

The U.S. FDA advisory committee recommended on Thursday to approve the HIV medicine Truvada in a 19-2 vote. Truvada, a pill made by Gilead Sciences, Inc, is used to prevent HIV from replicating within the body and is often given to patients with HIV. Now, scientists have noticed that the drug can also be used by people who are at high risk of getting infected by HIV to prevent possible illness. Scientists call this prevention method PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. Many studies have shown that Truvada can have great benefits in HIV prevention. Infection rates were reduced by 63% in a study done by the Center for Disease control and Prevention in Botswana. In a study done by the University of Washington, they saw a 62% reduction in infection rates with patients in Kenya using Truvada. When used with another HIV drug, Tenofovir, Truvada reduced infection rates by 73%. However, Truvada can also have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, liver and kidney toxicity, and loss of bone density. Still, the probability and severity of side effects were determined to be safe enough for Truvada to be used.

Many scientists are extremely pleased with the results of the studies done on Truvada. Still, some are skeptical about the possible consequences of approving Truvada as a PrEP medicine due the possible popular conception that Truvada will prevent all HIV infections, when in fact it only reduces infection percentage by a certain amount. Truvada is also an expensive drug, which costs $1200 a month. However, the possible effects of Truvada being used as a HIV prevention drug could be enormous. It provides people at risk of HIV infection with another good option to prevent contracting the deadly disease, and along with the usage of other HIV prevention techniques, could greatly reduce the amount of HIV infections worldwide.

Caitlyn C
Post #4
Subject: Education
Title: Trying to assess learning gives colleges their own test anxiety
Author: Daniel de Vise
Publication: The Washington Post
Date Published: March 14th 2012
Word Count: 516 words

Eight years ago, leaders of the University of Texas set out to measure something few in higher in education had thought to question - how much their students learn. An unsettling answer emerged from the study: not very much. The University of Texas administered a 90 minute essay test to seniors and freshmen to gauge the difference in critical thinking and communication skills. U Texas and a few other public universities have joined a growing movement in accountability in higher education - embracing this test and others that attempt to quantify collegiate learning on a large scale. A few students and staff are outraged to see four years of higher education reduced down to the score of a single test. The poor scores have also seeded fresh doubts about the quality of our country's system of higher education. Up until now, most upper level learning institutions have been exempt from the accountability movement that has swept through the elementary and secondary schools - the No Child Left Behind law and other similar programs. In a shocking study using data from public and private colleges, sociologists found that a whopping 36% of students made no significant learning gains from freshman to senior year. More and more schools are taking gains in order to rectify this problem; around 150 schools have posted the scores of the freshman/senior test. Although many of these schools are taking responsibility for this great injustice, many universities are still abstaining from administering or posting the results of this test. The biggest fear is that the test scores may be put to ill use by the collegiate ranking industry. 

Universities are where we assume we learn the most. That's why it costs so much, right? Wrong. According to this study, 36% of college students do not make significant learning gains from freshman to senior year. That's 4 years of tuition at a higher education level completely gone to waste. It's not just state colleges - this study also took data from private universities. A few schools are taking the initiative to "up their game" by taking the time and resources to ensure that their students are actually learning during their time at college. Others are hesitant to administer or post the scores of the test, fearing that their overall ranking will go down in the collegiate world. Overall, what we get out of any experience is what we put into it. One cannot passively learn, and ultimately it is up to the student to actively participate in his or her own education.

While Obama Trumpets Gay Marriage, Foes Seek New Topic

Dongmeng L.,

Posting #4

Subject: Politics

Title: While Obama Trumpets Gay Marriage, Foes Seek New Topic

Author:  MARK LANDLER& JEFF ZELENY

Publication: New York Times

Date: May 10, 2012

Length: 2 pages



 In Washington, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. apologized to President Obama for hasten him for supporting gay marriage. In an Oval Office meeting with President Obama in Wednesday, Joseph R. expressed regret for the statement that went considerably further than the president's views on the matter.
  As the president traveled to west coat, he said American should succeed "no matter who you love", but Mitt Romney, the Republican leader in congress, tried to move the focus of the presidential campaign back to the nation's sluggish economy. Many conservative advocacy groups see an opportunity to drive a wedge between Mr. Obama and religious voters.      
  The internal White House tension over Mr. Biden’s comments threatened to distract from the presidential endorsement that was seen as overdue in some circles of the gay and Democratic communities. Mr. Biden upended a plan by Mr. Obama’s political trust to follow up last Saturday’s campaign rallies with a $25-million advertising purchase to promote the administration’s accomplishments.
  Many people had decided to open their wallets after hearing president Obama's comment on gay marriage.  
  Some conservative groups said they were already making plans to use marriage as part of their outreach efforts. 

Name: Claire H
Post #4
Subject: Leaders
Title: Obama campaign to spend 25 $ million on ads in may alone
Author: Sam Stein
Publication: Huffington post
Date Published: 5/7/12
Number of Words: 400

The Obama campaign has allotted $25 million for ads to air in May alone. This figure underscores the extent to which the President's political team is confident that its fundraising success will be continuous. Romney spent 55$ million on television advertisements, 90% were negative in nature. The Obama campaign has not responded with negative ads of their own. The one released this Monday was strictly positive in nature, portraying the president as making progress in turning the tide on the economic problems he inherited. The nature of the beast is that if you don't spend a lot of money on your ad campaign then you will not win. It doesn’t matter if you are the most qualified person on the planet, if you don't get your name out to the voters then you have no chance of winning their votes. When politicians pay for advertisements they are really paying for voters to see their face and remember their name when they go to the voting polls.

California State Students Plan to Fast in Protest over Cuts

Yannie Yip Posting #4

Topic: Education

Title: California State Students Plan to Fast in Protest over Cuts

Author: Jennifer Medina

Publication: New York Times

Date: May 5 2012

Length: 970

          A dozen students at California State University declared a hunger strike in protest over tuition increases and cuts in courses and enrollment. The fasting protest has appeared recently at the 23 California State University campuses. The students have pledged to forgo solid food for at least a week, and perhaps longer if the administration does not move to meet some of their demands. They are demanding a five-year moratorium on student fee increases. They also are asking for a rollback of executive salaries to 1999 levels, because protesters believe that the administration has allocated too much money for their own salaries and perks, but not enough for faculty and facilities. For example, last year San Diego State University hired a new president with a salary of $400,000, about $100,000 more than his predecessor, while increasing tuition by 12 percent. Faculty members have been supportive of the student protests. The union representing faculty members had voted to authorize a rolling strike at campuses statewide after efforts to reach an agreement on a contract stalled after two years of negotiations. This rolling two-day strike would most likely happen in the fall, and would be the largest strike in state history that would affect more than 400,000 students. Beside salary issues, the faculty is equally concerned that the university relies too much on part-time lecturers, who teach a full load of courses but do not have tenure. These lecturers make roughly $50,000 year, about half of what a tenured professor make. University officials are trying to end a policy that automatically renews contracts for such lecturers, while the union is arguing that such a change would limit academic freedom.

          The CSU system has lost roughly $970 million in state financing since 2008, and administrators said that it was inevitable to increase tuition. Since the 2007-2008 school year, tuition has risen to $5472 from the previous $2772. If voters do not approve a tax measure on the November ballot pushed by Governor Jerry Brown, the system will face another $200 million cut. The administration said that if this occurred, they would be forced to further cut enrollment, eliminate roughly 3000 faculty and staff positions, and end some academic and athletic programs.