UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy will a $5 million grant that officials say will “help protect the prestigious school’s national standing during the economic crisis.”

The grant is from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, which has now invested a total of $15 million into the public policy school.

“With this generous new gift, the Goldman School will increase its international outreach, incorporate more science and technology, especially information technology, into the curriculum, and expand its ability to train future policy leaders as well as policy analysts,” said Henry Brady, the school’s dean, in a statement.

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau announced Thursday that the campus, along with Bain & Company, will be part of a broad assessment effort to identify campus inefficiencies and eventually cut “tens of millions” of dollars in costs.

The effort, which will in the short-term cost at least $3 million, has been dubbed “Operational Excellence” and will be the most comprehensive effort of its kind on campus, according to Birgeneau.

Southeastern University, a private 130-year old college in Washington, D.C. founded by the YMCA, lost accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The university’s low enrollment and financial instability are among reasons cited for not continuing in this fall term. Southeastern University typically served low-income students from living in the District of Columbia, and Elaine Ryan, Southeastern’s interim president, has reported to news sources that she expects these students to transfer to other colleges in the area.

-Mojgan Rastegar

The effects, both physical and social, of the H1N1 swine flu are being felt at universities nationwide.

How to prevent its spread
-Wash your hands
-Cover your cough
-If you are sick and not taking fever-reducing medication, stay at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever
-Stay at least six feet away from anyone who is sick

Symptoms
-Fever
-Cough
-Fatigue
-Less frequently: runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting
or diarrhea

Other resources:
CDC
University Health Services
UHS Advice Nurse: (510) 643-7197, Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 p.m.

Source: UHS

Protesters with organization, World Can’t Wait, are holding another event against law Professor John Yoo today at 12 p.m. on Sproul Plaza.

World Can’t Wait has been one of the main organizers against Yoo. On the first day of class for UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law, World Can’t Wait also organized a protest outside of Yoo’s classroom, and before that held a number of protests in their attempt to get Yoo removed from Berkeley.

However, Boalt Hall Dean Christopher Edley has maintained that Yoo should be able to exercise his right to academic freedom.

The campus’ Department of Parking and Transportation is lowering the prices of parking permits for certain areas of the campus by about $10 per month.

According to a statement posted on UC Berkeley’s NewsCenter, “central-campus” parking permits will cost $124 per month, down from $134 per month, while “F” permit holders will see a $7 reduction from $97 per month.

The prices took effect Sept. 1 and will last through August 2010, according to the statement.

A column in The Boston Globe outlines partnerships between corporations and university libraries to digitize the latter’s book collections.

The University of California is currently engaged in a deal with Google Inc. According to the column, the university is also involved with Open Knowledge Commons, a charity that was launched by Yahoo!, Microsoft and the nonprofit Internet Archive to open access to digital collections.

Floodwaters Decrease in Venice, Italy

The New York Times covers the receding waters that since Monday have been flooding Venice, Italy. The floodwaters this week have not been seen in about 22 years, the times reports. On Monday, the waters reached 61 inches.

DHL To Cut 800 Jobs

The U.S. delivery system DHL will be cutting 800 jobs in the Bay Area after cutting its express delivery services, according to The Oakland Tribune. Officials from the union that represents DHL workers said it is a result of the economy.

Ford’s Business Plan Shows Declining Debt

The Washington Post reports that Ford Motor Co. has released its plan for getting out of debt by 2011 for Congress to consider. According to the Post, the company is seeking a $9 billion bridge loan, but agrees to invest $14 billion domestically to improve fuel efficiency and cut costs at the same time.

A local job assistance program that has served the low-income and unemployed in the Bay Area since 1974 will be shutting its doors by the end of the week, according to the Oakland Tribune.

Asians for Job Opportunities in the Bay Area recently announced that since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut nearly $90 million from CalWORKS, a welfare program that helped fund Asians for Job Opportunities, the program has had to cut its bilingual social services and job placement services.

Thailand’s International Airport Shut Down

Protesters seeking to oust Thailand’s Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat caused the shut down Thailand’s international airport on Wednesday, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and keeping travelers on the ground, The Associated Press reports.

Former First Lady Brought to Hospital

CNN reports that former first lady Barbara Bush, mother of President George W. Bush, was recently hospitalized for tests after complaining of stomah pain.