you get more bang for your buck at UCSD

UCSD is ranked the ‘best value’ college in California, according to the list of 100 best values in public colleges and universities in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

The magazine ranked UC San Diego 11th in the nation and the top-ranked public university in California, above UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Irvine.

In response to California’s current economic crisis, UC San Diego recently launched the $50 million ‘Invent the Future’ student support fundraising campaign that will help fund scholarships and fellowships for all who need them. Go to this link to learn more about the campaign.

you can learn a lot from one night on the streets

One UC San Diego student, Shanelle Sherlin, got a glimpse of what it is like to live life on the streets and the eye-opening experience helped her learn the power of giving. The Muir College sophmore spent 12 hours in the streets of downtown San Diego where she dug through trash cans, collected bottles, begged for money and interviewed other homeless people, all for an art project designed to help people

“I came up with the idea to pretend to be homeless so that I could learn to relate to them and humanize the indigent,” she said. “Before I thought most homeless people where alcoholics or drug addicts, but I learned that wasn’t the case for many of the people I met. One man I talked to lost everything after he was disabled from a car accident.”

Sherlin’s project was for a UC San Diego visual arts class. She donned old clothes and said she was surprised at how people ignored her or gave her dirty looks. “It was a very humbling experience,” she said. “Most people just walked by, and if I did try to approach someone, they would tell me they didn’t have time to talk.”

Sherlin lived on the streets and collected $27 worth of bottles Nov. 28 and the next day went back to the same neighborhood to feed and interview homeless people. “The homeless people I talked to were just so thankful that I talked to them and gave them attention,” she said. “I think, especially during the holidays, people should think about helping those who are less fortunate than us.”

To read more about Sherlin's story go here.

The Dog Days of Finals

The dog days of finals are here and students at UCSD de-stressed on Tuesday by petting some friendly pups at the Price Center. Studies show that petting a dog lowers stress levels, so students had the opportunity to play with golden retrievers, black and golden labs among the 30 plus certified therapy dogs on during Fall Quarter finals.

The annual event, proven to be very popular with students when it debuted last year, was arranged by the campus to remind students of the dangers of “stressing out.”

“Stress for students is the number one health impediment to academic success,” said Jerry Phelps, PhD., director of Wellness Initiatives for UC Student Wellness.

To learn more about the benefits of the Wellness Center go here.

campus recognizes world aids day with myriad of events

They danced and sang. They created films, sculptures and photography exhibits, all to show the impact of HIV/AIDS and how it has affected so many people and taken so many lives. Members of the UC San Diego community recognized World AIDS Day on Tuesday.

A highlight of the day at UCSD was a public viewing of three pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.Revelle College senior Minnie Low was one of the many students who stopped by view sections of the Quilt, which were created by San Diego organizations and individuals. “It is so moving to see it because the Quilt has impacted so many people in so many different ways,” Low said. “I love that people come together once a year to learn about this disease and how it affects millions of people.” To read more about the day's events, check out this SDNN article .

campus unveils a one-stop-sustainability-shop

Today UC San Diego is unveiling the Sustainability Resource Center, a one-stop-sustainability-shop where students can learn about green jobs and courses on sustainability-related topics, how to conserve energy and water or find eco-friendly products.

With the goal to earn the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the center features countertops made from recycled paper and glass and eco-friendly paint. Center flooring includes wood reclaimed from a demolished building, formaldehyde-free bamboo, and carpeting that is recyclable. The center also features an innovative energy-saving lighting system where 100 percent of the high-efficiency lighting is energized by solar panels located directly above the center. Click here to read this story about the center in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

IEW Kicks off with Color

A flag parade, student festival and performances Argentine Tango dancers are just a few of the events part of UCSD's celebration of International Education Week (IEW) Nov. 16-20. Among the more than 25 events planned is the Student Festival on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. which will bring together students from more than 50 countries to celebrate and showcase their culture and talents through artistic displays, music, ethnic clothing, dance and food. Groups such as the Chinese Music Ensemble, Tango Concepts and the UC San Diego Hawaii Club will give performances.

tnt triumphantly returns

After a six months hiatus TNT returned to the streets of downtown last night. The Loft at UCSD partnered with the Associated Students and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on this event which celebrated large scale installations by artist Tara Donovan. Also at TNT was an interactive balloon art-making activity led by Addi Somekh, an artist who makes music with his balloon art creations. “It was amazing to see Somekh’s huge 12-foot cyclops made entirely out of balloons and to hear him talk about how he’s made art in 34 countries across the globe,” said senior Katie Hall said.

The 21 an older event was designed for transfer and international students. “It was a good way to get transfers involved, especially now that the new transfer student are living on campus in the Village apartments,” Hall added. “Also TNT is a popular San Diego tradition, so it was really nice to get out and engage with people in the community.” To read more click here.