London: On Moats, Ducks and Spelling

LONDON - I’m interning — or, more accurately, completing a term of indentured servitude without pay — in London over the summer. It’s great, of course; my work actually interests me and, more importantly, London is the world’s best city. I’ll be telling you more about why over the next few weeks.

But first, there are some classic blunders going on right now across the pond. (more…)

Dear Grandma

Well, I’m all packed and ready to go. In a mere two days time, I will be in Berlin. Things sure go fast, don’t they? It seems like just yesterday I was accepting various prestigious awards for high school academics and athletics; and now here I am, living the dream I have cherished since childhood: studying abroad.

Life in Southern California has been growing a little stale, a little too familiar. Going to the beach everyday in December has gotten boring and I’m tired of going to the same old charity events with the same old people — I feel like I needed a change. I needed to “get out.” That’s why I’m leaving for my junior year. (more…)

The Latest in… the Continuing Saga of the UC’s Budget Woes!

Looks like things are about to go from bad to worse. Inside Higher Ed is reporting that the UC is looking at possibly implementing some drastic measures in light of the current budget crisis. According to a proposal by President Mark G. Yudof, furloughs and pay cuts are on the table for faculty and staff, to the tune of a $195 million reduction.

With a deficit of $800 million (yes, million), things aren’t going to be easy for the UC. As for how the crisis is going to impact UCSB, check out our continuing coverage throughout the summer – the Nexus‘ next issue hits newsstands June 24.

[Inside Higher Ed]

Bad Times Around the World

There’s an old saying, “May you live in interesting times”. It’s more of a threat, or curse, than a blessing, and it has sadly come true for our generation.

Like many people in America, I anxiously waited for the Iranian elections last week, hoping against hope that Moussavi would win. I knew that it was an unlikely that the “right person” would win and that Iran would morph into Turkey overnight, but I, like many, kept hoping for a miracle. The result, as I feared it would be, was a landslide victory for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Moussavi has charged the government with election fraud, and his supporters are protesting the election in the streets, defiant of the government’s ban on public demonstrations and attempts to limit internet and cell phone access. (more…)

Technical Matters

Hey folks,

Blogging is serious business. Deadly serious.

That’s why we’re revamping the Daily Nexog, including an entire visual overhaul. If you experience technical difficulties or errors over the next few weeks, don’t be surprised. It’s not you, it’s us.

Bear with us: We won’t take long. It’ll be worth it. We promise.

— The Daily Nexog Staff

Say Hi to Our New Blog: So Long, Santa Barbara

Every year, UCSB sends the most students of any UC around the world with EAP. Many others travel independently, find another program to study with or decide to work abroad.

It’s pretty clear – sometimes, you just have to get out of SB.

In that spirit, the Daily Nexus is bringing you the blogs of a bunch of students who have jetted out of I.V. to travel, study and work all around the globe.

So if you’re stuck in I.V. for the summer or just want to hear about some Gauchos abroad, check back here frequently for updates. We’ll be following students who are traveling this summer as well as those who are studying abroad in the fall or for the entire year.

And if you’re abroad and want to blog for the Nexus, contact me at eic@dailynexus.com or our opinion editor at opinion@dailynexus.com.

-Mackenzie Weinger, EIC

Pro-Marriage Crowd, Take Heart.

The California state Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8’s ban on gay marriage this week. Even before the decision was announced, both sides in the war over the definition of marriage were already preparing for the next battle. According to the New York and LA Times[i][ii], organizations for and against gay marriage had issued pleas for donations within an hour and a half of the ruling’s announcement. The legal battles are far from over, with a ballot initiative to undo Prop. 8 planned for 2010, and, just tonight, I heard on the radio that lawyers Theodore B. Olson and David Boies have taken the case before the Los Angeles United States District Court to be challenged under federal law, and that they have also sought an injunction suspending the California court’s ruling and Prop 8, allowing gay couples to be married once again until the case is finally decided. We are truly living in historic times and events are rapidly taking place that will be recorded in the history books!

(more…)

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