Though there are five contenders running for the office of vice president of academic affairs in the Graduate Student Association, they all share one goal ““ working to ensure academic rights for graduate students.  The candidates, Jefferson Eppler, Anita Garcia, Amanda Lipon, Kyle McJunkin and Michelle Sugi say they are determined to bring a positive, and much needed change to GSA.  The vice president of academic affairs is a fairly new position, created two years ago, and entails working with the Academic Senate and different departments on various graduate academic issues and concerns. Read more...

The common campus experience of not being offered the classes needed to graduate places an additional burden on international students ““ an obstacle that could send a few of them packing ahead of schedule. Read more...

I write a column. You read it. That’s a natural connection to make. San Francisco sells a list of the gay couples who got married there before the California Supreme Court halted the practice. Read more...

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Lawmakers in several states have set out to ensure the liberal arts do not get too liberal. A new GOP bill to be presented to the California Senate Education Committee on Wednesday has drawn fire from Democratic opponents who believe the proposal undermines academic authority in order to get more conservative college professors hired and assert more legislative influence in the academic world. Read more...

Bill could make textbooks available for rent A bill asking California colleges and universities to provide their students with textbook rental services passed the California State Assembly Committee on Higher Education on April 14. Read more...

The debate over acceptance of “soft money” in election campaigns will not be resolved as easily as many had hoped. In 2002, the McCain-Feingold Act was passed with the intent of cracking down on election contributions known as “soft money” ““ essentially open-ended donations to a particular candidate. Read more...