Valerie Woolard discusses the effects of high gas prices on students.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiwYhB1_wiU

See the full article here.

Jacqueline Johnston discusses the appeal in the lawsuit over construction at Memorial Stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG7Y-u9MlxM

See the full article here.

UC Berkeley Professor James O’Brien discusses Digital Molecular Matter, which was implemented for the upcoming video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tv_RyBBQ-w

See full article here.

A few hours after two protesters ascended a tree in the oak grove near Memorial Stadium on Wednesday with food supplies in tow, campus officials and ground supporters of the tree-sitters reached an agreement regarding food and safety issues at the grove.

Under the agreement, one ground supporter will be allowed to send up one bag of food to the sitters each day, after it is inspected by UCPD officers.

It’s been more than a month since the campus sent in arborists to take down the sitters’ supplies.

Since then, the campus has provided the sitters daily with water and energy bars. Ground supporters have attempted to resupply the sitters by a variety of means, oftentimes clashing with UCPD officers.

The agreement, which was reached by unofficial protest leader Ayr, UCPD Police Chief Victoria Harrison and Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya, would help eliminate potentially unsafe conditions at the grove that arise when ground supporters attempt to resupply the sitters, according to Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley executive director of public affairs.

Campus officials also agreed to give at least 72 hours of prior notice if they plan to end the agreement or remove the tree-sitters from the grove.

The agreement was made on the condition that the tree-sitters send down their human waste on a daily basis, including the waste they have stored, to avoid having it used as ammunition.

Additionally, protesters have agreed to cut down lines that span the grove.

Ruling to remove injunction after declaring UC Berkeley in compliance with safety laws.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA1DNCEYpy0

See full article here.

Five ground supporters of the tree-sitters in the oak grove near UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium were arrested July 20 after planting a tree in front of Chancellor Robert Birgeneau’s residence.

The protesters, part of a larger group of about 30 people, marched from the grove at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday to the chancellor’s residence on the northwest side of campus. Six of the protesters dug a hole in the chancellor’s front yard before five of them were arrested by UCPD for vandalizing the yard, said UCPD Assistant Chief Mitch Celaya.

The sixth person involved in the planting has not yet been apprehended by police, Celaya said.

According to unofficial tree-sit protest leader Zachary RunningWolf, the acorn sapling was meant to be an olive branch for the chancellor.

“We went down … and planted a tree on his lawn, basically giving him a gift of kindness and an offering from the grove,” RunningWolf said. “If I was a public servant … I would welcome that, and say thank you for giving us a new life, especially during global warming.”

The five individuals who were arrested were charged with trespassing with attempt to injure, vandalism and conspiracy, Celaya said. One was additionally charged with battery for hitting a UCPD officer in the head with a wooden pole, and another was additionally charged with resisting arrest, he said.

Apparently, Zachary RunningWolf, “Ayr” and the rest of the tree-sitting gang are more than just tree-loving hippies… err, impassioned environmentalists. They’re muses. Recording artist Depaver Jan has released a seemingly-polished, punk-rock anthem dedicated to the tree-sitters and their extensive battle with campus officials. “Protesting UCB” can be found here.

Who says that the noblest volunteers are under-appreciated? After slinging feces at police to protect inanimate living things, they’re about to be immortalized in what could be a future hit single … assuming the tree-sitters represent a large portion of the listening audience. After listening to lines like, “Don’t forget the poor in People’s Park. They can’t drink or sleep or smoke the pot,” who wouldn’t quickly go to the bathroom, save some brown and join the cause?

Here are the lyrics to the song:

“I’m a gonna save the old oak trees
With my friends protesting UCB
Sitting in more trees is what we need
If we want some atmosphere to breathe

Wake up you kids, put down your books
Bosses of society are violent crooks

I’m not done yet

After our protesting we drink beer
It’s a must we must be of good cheer
Don’t forget the poor in People’s Park
They can’t sleep or drink or smoke their pot

Come on you cops, give us a kiss
There is more to life than getting orders and kicks

Protect the Free Box!”

-Posted by Joseph “Chopsticks Not Trees” Bui

Today marks day two of Tele-BEARS phase two appointments and some UC Berkeley students are having trouble signing up for courses due to an as-of-yet unknown technical problem.

Associate Registrar Walter Wong said that for some unknown reason the system is picking up the wrong appointment time for some students, preventing them from signing up for courses.

The central course registration system has had glitches in the past that erased class waitlists and determined unfair advantages in the appointment times of students at the Boalt Hall School of Law.

In this case, Wong said in many of the instances students were able to sign up for classes after logging in and out a few times. However, that method was ineffective in some cases, and students are still having problems, he said.

According to Wong, the office is currently trouble-shooting to figure out the source of the problem.

The tree-sitter who ascended into the oak grove near UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium just over a week ago decided to end his tree-top stay this afternoon at about 12:30 p.m., campus officials said.

Jeff Musgrave, 30, came down after a lengthy discussion with UCPD officers, according to Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley’s executive director of public affairs.

Tree-sit supporters said Musgrave left the grove after learning of a death in his family.

“We support his wishes to come down,” said a tree-sit supporter known as “Citizyn.”

Musgrave is being charged with trespassing, violating the court order which prohibits the public from feeding or supplying the tree-sitters, vandalism and with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, Mogulof said in a statement.

According to Mogulof, Musgrave has been taken to Berkeley city jail and is expected to be cited and released.

Click here for previous coverage on the tree-sit.