Jan 31 – Algeria: Crackdown On Al Qaeda-Linked Terrorists
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Algeria–Government-Stops-Al-Qaeda-Linked-Terror-A

Jan 31 – Venezuela: Chavez Threat to Nationalize Banks Part of Reelection Campaign
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Venezuela–Chavez-Threat-to-Nationalize-Banks-Part

Jan 31 – Pakistan/BUrma: Islamabad Seeks to Expand Economic Ties With Burma
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Pakistan-Burma-Islamabad-Seeks-to-Expand-Economic-

Jan 31 – Germany/France: Merkel To Support Sarkozy in French Elections
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Germany-France-Merkel-To-Support-Sarkozy-in-French

Jan 30 – Senegal: Protests Erupt After Court Allows President to Seek Third Term
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Senegal-Protests-Erupt-After-Court-Allows-Presiden

Jan 30 – Jordan: Hamas Chief Looks to Restore Relations With Jordan
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Jordan–Hamas-Chief-Looks-To-Restore-Relations-Wit

Jan 30 – Japan/Russia: Tokyo and Moscow to Improve Economic And Security Ties; Kuril Islands Dispute Lingers
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Japan-Russia–Tokyo-and-Moscow-to-Improve-Economic

Jan 30 – Sudan/China: Sudanese Rebels Kidnap Chinese Workers
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Sudan-China-Sudanese-Rebels-Kidnap-Chinese-Workers

Jan 27 – Burma: Democratic Awakening Stirs China’s Pot
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Democratic-Awakening-in-Burma-Stirs-China-s-Pot

Jan 27 – Mexico: NIssan To Invest $2 Billion in New Mexican Auto Plant
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Mexico-Nissan-To-Invest-$2-Billion-in-New-Mexican-

Jan 27 – Poland: Thousands Protest After Internet Censorship Treaty Passes
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Poland-Thousands-Protest-After-Internet-Censorship

Jan 27 – Greenland/Norway: Deal Struck for Oil Exploration Off Greenland
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Greenland-Norway-Deal-Struck-for-Oil-Exploration-O

Jan 26 – Afghanistan/France; Paris Decides Against Withdrawing Troops Early
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Afghanistan-France–Paris-Decides-Against-Withdraw

Jan 26 – El Salvador: President Replaces Police Chief As Threat of Gang Violence Grows
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/El-Salvador-President-Replaces-Police-Chief-As-Thr

Jan 26 – Turkey/Iraq: Ankara Threatens To Intervene In Iraq If Violence Continues
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Turkey-Iraq-Ankara-Threatens-To-Intervene-In-Iraq-

Jan 25 – Mali: Government Plans to Expand Its Stake In Mines And Reduce Taxes
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Mali–Government-Plans-To-Expand-Its-Stake-in-Mine

Jan 25 – Oman: Government Opens Talks to Buy Fighter Jets From BAE
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Oman–Government-Opens-Talks-to-Buy-Fighter-Jets-F

Jan 25 – India/Russia: New Delhi Adds New Nuclear Submarines to Navy
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/India-Russia–New-Delhi-Adds-New-Nuclear-Submarine

Jan 25 – Europe’s Last Oil Refiner Will File For Insolvency
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Europe-s-Last-Oil-Refiner-Will-File-For-Insolvency

Jan 24 – France/Turkey: Paris Closer To Passing Armenian Genocide Law
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Paris-Closer-To-Passing-Armenian-Genocide-Law

Jan 24 – Philippines/Qatar/Kuwait: Manila Hopes for $1.5 Billion Investment
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Philippines-Qatar-Kuwait—Manila-Hopes-For-one-Bi

Jan 24 – Croatia: Voters Overwhelmingly Support Joining European Union
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Croatia–Voters-Overwhelmingly-Support-Joining-Eur

Jan 23 – Israel/Africa: Jerusalem Turns to Africa For Strategic Allies
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Israel-Africa-Jerusalem-Turns-to-Africa-For-Strate

Jan 23 – India/Iran: Tehran Asks New Delhi To Pay For Oil In Yen
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Tehran-Asks-New-Delhi-To-Pay-For-Oil-In-Yen

Jan 23 – Gaza: Resignation of Head of Hamas Political Bureau a Setback to Palestinian Unity Plan
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Gaza–Resignation-of-Head-of-Hamas-Political-Burea

Jan 23 – Madagascar: Exiled President Prevented From Returning
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Madagascar-Exiled-President-Prevented-From-Returni

Jan 23 – Hong Kong/New Zealand: Mega Upload Founder Arrested As $39 Million in Assets Frozen
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Hong-Kong-New-Zealand–Mega-Upload-Founder-Arreste

Jan 20 – Bangladesh: Coup Attempt By Alleged Radical Islamists Fails
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Bangladesh–Coup-Attempt-By-Alleged-Radical-Islami

Jan 20 – Philippines/Thailand: Manila and Bangkok to Expand Economic Ties
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Philippines-Thailand-Manila-and-Bangkok-to-Expand-

Jan 19 – Iran/Latin America: Ahmadinejad Achieved Little From Latin Dictator Tour
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Iran–Ahmadinejad-Achieved-Little-From-Latin-Dicta

Jan 19 – Eritrea/Ethiopia: Tourists Killed By Allegedly Eritrean Gunmen in Northern Ethiopia
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Eritrea-Ethiopia–Tourists-Killed-By-Allegedly-Eri

Jan 19 – Nigeria: Boko Haram Christmas Day Church Bombing Suspect Escapes
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Nigeria–Boko-Haram-Christmas-Day-Church-Bombing-S

Jan 19 – Romania: Government Makes More Concessions To Stop Protests
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Romania-Government-Makes-More-Concessions-To-Stop-

Jan 19 – France: Last Ditch Proposal to Boost Sarkozy’s Re-election Bid
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/France-Last-Ditch-Proposal-to-Boost-Sarkozy-s-Reel

Jan 18 – Ethiopia: Leasing Land To Foreign Companies Prompts Forced Resettlements
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Ethiopia–Leasing-Land-To-Foreign-Companies-Prompt

Jan 18 – Azerbaijan/Israel/United Arab Emirates/Saudi Arabia/Iran: Cyber Attacks Escalate
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Azerbaijan-Israel-United-Arab-Emirates-Saudi-Arabi

Jan 18 – United Kingdom/Jordan: Radical Islamist Cleric Will Not Be Deported to Jordan
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/United-Kingdom-Jordan-Radical-Islamist-Cleric-Will

Jan 17 – Yemen: Saleh’s Continued Presence Is Helping al Qaeda
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-Saleh-Continued-Presence-Is-Helping-al-Qaeda

Jan 17 – Japan: Cabinet Reshuffle Fails to Boost Prime Minister’s Popularity
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Japanese-Cabinet-Reshuffle-Fails-to-Boost-Prime-Mi

Jan 17 – Kazakhstan: Ruling Party Remains Dominant After Election
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Kazakhstan-Ruling-Party-Remains-Dominant-After-Ele

Jan 17 – Sudan/South Sudan: Oil Spat Could Cause Pipeline Closure
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Sudan-South-Sudan-Oil-Spat-Could-Cause-Pipeline-Cl

Jan 16 – Switzerland: Vice Chairman of Swiss National Bank Takes Over After Chairman Resigns
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Switzerland-Vice-Chairman-of-Swiss-National-Bank-T

Jan 16 – South Sudan: Resumed Tribal Violence Threatens Stability
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/South-Sudan-Resumed-Tribal-Violence-Threatens-Stab

Jan 16 – Romania: Government Holds Emergency Meeting After Violent Protests
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Romanian-Government-Holds-Emergency-Meeting-After-

Jan 16 – Germany/China: Germany to Begin Mining Rare Earth Elements Following Beijing Cuts
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Germany-China-Germany-to-Begin-Mining-Rare-Earth-E

Jan 14 – Austria/France: New Downgrade by S&P Could Worsen EU Debt Crisis
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Austria-France–New-Downgrade-by-S-and-P-Could-Wor

Jan 13 – Bahrain: Tensions May Escalate As First Anniversary of Protests Nears
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Bahrain-Tensions-May-Escalate-As-First-Anniversary

Jan 13 – Rwanda/France: Relations Will Likely Improve In Aftermath of New Judicial Probe
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Rwanda-France-Relations-Will-Likely-Improve-In-Aft

Jan 13 – United Kingdom/Kenya: London Warns of Terrorist Threat in Kenya
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/United-Kingdom-Kenya–London-Warns-of-Terrorist-Th

Jan 12 – Canada: Ottawa Considering Oil Pipeline to Asia
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Canada-Ottawa-Considering-Oil-Pipeline-to-Asia

Jan 12 – India/Iran: New Delhi Looks to Buy Iranian Oil With Rupees
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/India-Iran–New-Delhi-Looks-to-Buy-Iranian-Oil-Wit

Jan 12 – Indonesia/Australia: Canberra Big Winner From Jakarta Joining ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Indonesia-Australia–Canberra-Big-Winner-From-Jaka

Jan 12 – Fiji/Australia: Canberra Unlikely to Lift Sanctions After Suva Expands Military Powers
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Fiji-Australia-Canberra-Unlikely-to-Lift-Sanctions

Jan 10 – India/Israel: New Delhi And Jerusalem To Expand Relations
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/India-Israel-To-Expand-Relations

Jan 6 – Burma/United Kingdom: More Reforms By Rangoon May Lead to Lifting Sanctions
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Burma-United-Kingdom-More-Reforms-By-Rangoon-May-L

Jan 6 – South Sudan/Israel: Alliance Could Help Israel in Dealing With Egypt
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/South-SudanIsrael-Alliance-Could-Help-Israel-In-De

Jan 3 – Jamaica: Dramatic Election Victory by Opposition Party
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Jamaica-Dramatic-Election-Victory-by-Opposition-Pa

Jan 3 – Turkey/Israel/France: Turkey Angry Over New Armenian Genocide Legislation
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Turkey-Angry-Over-New-Armenian-Genocide-Legislatio

Jan 3 – Algeria: Islamists Hope to Expand Power in Algeria
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Islamists-Hope-to-Expand-Power-in-Algeria

A total of $286,421 unused dining dollars have returned to the HDH since the 2006-2007 academic year. The largest inflow of unused dining dollars occurred in the 2008-2009 academic year, when the HDH received $68,722. This increase in unused dining dollars corresponds to a mandatory meal plan increase of $650 for all students living in the dorms. In the years since, the price of many goods in campus dining halls have been inflated dramatically, which has reduced the amount of unused dining dollars received by the school from the 2008-2009 peak by more than $20,000 and $15,000 in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years, respectively.

This is profit for the self-supporting department of Housing, Dining, and Hospitality Services, which operates without any state funding and relies on students who choose to live on-campus to be conveniently located close to their classes. Although HDH claims that its meal plan is intended to be flexible, plans are not refundable and do not carry over to the next academic year. Therefore HDH keeps all dining dollars that are not used by students. Only in “unique circumstances,” such as withdrawal and participation in a Study Abroad program, can students recover a portion of their unused dining dollars.

This profit from dining dollars has been used by HDH on projects that include a fully vegan restaurant called Roots in Muir College, Meatless Mondays (where the dining halls provide vegan-only grill options), Farm 2U (where local farmers sell their goods on-campus), and cage-free eggs. However, student opinion has been repeatedly ignored in the development of these programs, as shown by a 2009 study sponsored by The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

In this survey, students who responded ranked the most important features of their dining hall experience was flavor, safety, and variety, rating flavor a 4.62 out 5 on importance, variety a 4.48 out of 5, and safety a 4.47 out of 5. However, the projects pursued by the UCSD HDH, such as Farm2U (locally grown food) and Roots (vegan-friendly food), scored near the bottom of the survey, with locally grown food earning a 2.69 out of 5 and vegan-friendly food earning a 2.64 out of 5.

However, it is not just the dining division of HDH that makes living on campus so expensive. Examining real estate reports for the surrounding community (University City (UTC) and La Jolla) reveals a major price disparity when compared to the price of on-campus housing, which is also managed by HDH.

For comparison, one-bedroom one-bath apartments in UTC have an average of 677 square feet and an average monthly rent of $1,350.00. A two-bedroom two-bath apartment in La Jolla has an average of 1,061 and costs an average of $3,257.27, which would be $1,628.64 per roommate. A single apartment at UCSD in the 2011-2012 academic year with an average of 675 square feet and cost of $1,356.88 is competitive with a one bedroom-one bath in the nearby area, but this is where the comparison ends. Students living on campus looking to get the most space for the cost should pay for a single. However, all doubles (two students per bedroom) and triples (three students per bedroom) are over-priced compared to their value off-campus, due to the exorbitant price per square footage for on-campus housing.

A student living in an on-campus double apartment will have to share the average of 675 square feet with a roommate and both will pay $1,256.88. Yet if the same student lived off-campus in UTC, they would share 1061 square feet and pay only $850 per month, a savings of more than $400. The only double that comes close to the square footage of a two-bedroom two-bath in La Jolla is The Village at Torrey Pines. These doubles are 979 square feet and cost $1,117.22 per roommate, but these roommates still must share a bedroom.

For a student living in an on-campus triple apartment, they will have to share the same average square footage of a double and all three roommates will pay $1,132.00. Living off-campus in UTC in a three-plus bedroom, two-plus bath, the three would share 1807 square feet and would pay only about $750 each, saving them more than $375 dollars.

When considering that UCSD housing contracts are for 8-9 months, while off-campus contracts are typically flexible and can last anywhere from 10-12 months, the savings become even more dramatic. Students living in apartments that are two-bedroom two-bath or three-plus bedrooms two-plus baths for 12 months will on average pay the same as a student living on-campus for 8 months. Although students living in La Jolla will not see the same savings with a 12-month contract, the cost of their rent would be essentially equivalent to living on-campus if they had a similar 8-month contract. The only other difference is that these students living in La Jolla would enjoy two or three times the amount of square footage in their apartments compared to their on-campus peers.

An investigation in September 2011 revealed that non-tuition expenses for UCSD students had become more expensive for students who lived on-campus for the first time during the 2010-2011 academic year. This is due to the rising cost of on-campus housing at UCSD, which increased by more than $1,000 over the last five years. Students who live off-campus this year are expected to save $800 compared to their peers who live on-campus.

This trend is not unique to UCSD however. University of California students who lived on-campus during the 2010-2011 academic year lost an average of $2,238 when compared to peers who live off-campus, while students in the California State University system saved $842 per year by living on-campus.

This disparity raises questions about why the Department of Housing, Dining, and Hospitality has been engaging in such blatant inflationary and rent-seeking policies that make living on-campus so unaffordable. Unless the motive of the administrators running the UCSD HDH is to use the profit they make from students to promote their left-of-center beliefs, they should reevaluate their priorities to make on-campus housing and dining plans more affordable. Otherwise inexpensive off-campus housing will prove to be too big of an allure for students to resist and will leave UCSD even more under-occupied than it has found itself in the current academic year.

This article was also posted in the January 2012 edition of the California Review.

Housing Rates Excel Data Sheet

Dec 27 – Guinea-Bissau/Gambia: Banjul Likely Behind Failed Coup in Guinea-Bissau
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Guinea-Bissau-Gambia–Banjul-Likely-Behind-Failed-

Dec 27 – Philippines: Abu Sayyaf Attacks As Deaths From Flooding Hits 1,500
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Abu-Sayyaf-Attacks-in-Phillipines-as-Deaths-From-F

Dec 23 – Yemen: Growth of Criminal Gangs Threatens Stability
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Growth-of-Criminal-Gangs-in-Yemen-Threatens-Stabil

Dec 23 – Rwanda: Kigali to Crackdown on Drug Use and Cross Border Smuggling
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Rwanda-Kigali-to-Crackdown-on-Drug-Use-and-Cross-B.aspx

Dec 23 – Democratic Republic of Congo: Confrontation LIkely Following Competing Inaugurations
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Confrontation-Likely-

Dec 23 – Ethiopia/Sweden: Two Swedish Journalists Convicted of Aiding Terrorism Could Prompt Reduction of European Aid
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Ethipoia-Sweden-tension.aspx

Dec 21 – Philippines: Flash Floods Devastate Island With Large Terrorist Group Presence
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Philippines-Flash-Floods-Devastate-Island-With-Lar

Dec 19 – Turkey/France: Ankara Furious Over Armenian Genocide Bill
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Turkey-Furious-Over-French-Armenian-Genocide-Bill

Dec 19 – Russia/North Korea: Pyongyang Has Labor Camps in Siberia
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/North-Korrea-Has-Labor-Camps-in-Siberia

Dec 15 – Latvia: Twitter Causes False Banking Crisis
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Latvia-Twitter-Causes-False-Banking-Crisis

Dec 15 – Austria/Canada: Austria Refuses to Sell Tanks to Canadian Military
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Austria-Refuses-to-Sell-Tanks-to-Canadian-Military

Dec 14 – United Kingdom/Argentina: New Falkland Islands Offshore Oil Discovery Will Anger Buenos Aires
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/New-Falkland-Islands-Offshore-Oil-Discoveries-Will

Dec 14 – China/South Korea: Tensions Rise After South Korean Coast Guard KIlled By Chinese Fisherman
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-South-Korea-Tensions-Rise-After-South-Korean

Dec 14 – Italy: Rome Reevaluates New Austerity Measures Following Strike
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Italy-Reevaluates-New-Austerity-Measures-Following

Dec 14 – Tunisia: Tunis Swears in First New President Since Arab Spring
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Tunisia-Swears-in-First-New-President-Since-Arab-S

Dec 13 – Europe: Cyber Security is Woefully Inadequate
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Europeean-Cyber-Security-is-Woefully-Inadequate

Dec 13 – South Korea/North Korea: Christmas Tree Controversy Unlikely to Escalate into Conflict
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/South-Korea-North-Korea-Christmas-Tree-Controversy

Dec 13 – New Zealand/Indonesia: New Zealand Acquires Indonesia Oil Stake
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/New-Zealand-Acquires-Indonesian-Oil-Stake

Dec 13 – Haiti: Port-au-Prince Seeks Investment As Aid Begins to Falter
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Haiti-Seeks-Investment-As-Aid-Begins-to-Falter

Dec 13 – Estonia/Czech Republic: Tallinn & Prague Refuse to Contribute to IMF Euro Rescue
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Estonia-Czech-Republic–Refuse-to-Contribute-to-IM

Dec 12 – China/Australia: Beijing to Purchase More Australian Natural Gas
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-to-Purchase-More-Australian-Natural-Gas

Dec 9 – Laos: Faces Second Delay of Major Hydroelectric Dam
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Laos-Faces-Second-Delay-of-Major-Hydroelectric-Dam

Dec 9 – Canada: French Oil Company to Construct Oil Sands Mine
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Canada-Approves-French-Oil-Company-to-Construct-Oi

Dec 8 – Bahrain: Tensions Could Prompt Renewed Violence
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Bahrain-Tensions-Could-Prompt-Renewed-Violence

Dec 8 – Russia/Iran/EU: Moscow Rejects Proposed EU Ban on Iranian Oil
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Russia-Iran-EU–Moscow-Rejects-Proposed-EU-Ban-on-

Dec 8 – Greece: Athens Approves New Austerity Budget
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Greece-Athens-Approves-New-Austerity-Budget

Dec 8 – Eritria: UN Increases Sanctions for Support of Al-Shabaab
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Eritrea-UN-Increases-Sanctions-for-Support-of-Al-S

Dec 8 – Belgium: Brussels New Government Promises to Tackle Debt
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Belgium-Brussels-New-Government-Promises-to-Tackle

Dec 7 – Ireland: Passes Tough Austerity Budget
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Ireland–Passes-Tough-Austerity-Plan.aspx

Dec 7 – Peru: Lima Imposes State of Emergency to End Violent Protests, Protect Gold Mine
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Peru–Lima-Imposes-State-of-Emergency-to-End-Viole.aspx

Dec 6 – Slovenia: Election Reflects Frustration Against Incumbents, Weak Economy
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Slovenia–Election-Reflects-Frustration-Against-In.aspx

Dec 6 – Croatia: Election Reflects Economic Concerns, Anger over Scandals
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Croatia–Election-Reflects-Economic-Concerns,-Ange.aspx

Dec 6 – Ethiopia/China: Beijing Provides Addis Ababa With $700 Million in Loans
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/A-coalition-of-Croatian-opposition-parties-won-80-.aspx

Dec 5 – Ivory Coast/Ghana: Ivory Coast Claims Ghana’s Oil Fields
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Ivory-Coast-Ghana-Ivory-Coast-Trying-to-Claim-Ghan.aspx

Dec 5 – Latin America: 33 Nations Form New Regional Bloc, Could Challenge OAS
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Latin-America-33-Nations-Form-New-Regional-Bloc-Co.aspx

Dec 5 – China/Zimbabwe: Harare Reportedly WIll Adopt the Yuan as Its Currency
www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-Zimbabwe-Harare-Reportedly-Will-Adopt-the-Yu.aspx

Dec 2 – Burma/China; Rangoon’s Top General in Beijing to Discuss Military Cooperation
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Burma-China–Rangoon%E2%80%99s-Top-General-in-Beijing-to-D.aspx

Dec 1 – Germany’s Bitter Medicine to Solve the EU Debt Crisis (an interview I did of my boss)
http://www.newsmax.com/video/viewid/0761c176-73d5-4a99-bc5a-6e63892c8a28

Dec 1 – Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur Passes Law to Restrict Street Protests
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Malaysia-Kuala-Lumpur-Passes-Law-to-Restrict-Stree.aspx

Dec 1 – Philippines: Al Qaeda-Linked Terrorist Group Leader Captured After Hotel Bombing
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Philippines–Al-Qaeda-Linked-Terrorist-Group-Leade.aspx

Nov 30 – Cameroon: China Interested in Growing Oil Output, New Port
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Cameroon-China-Interested-in-Growing-Oil-Output-Ne.aspx

Nov 30 – India: Reforms of Retail Industry Likely to Boost Economy
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/India–Reforms-of-Retail-Industry-Likely-to-Boost-.aspx

Nov 30 – China/United Kingdom: Beijing Wants to Invest in UK to Diversify Assets
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-UK–Beijing-Wants-to-Invest-in-UK-to-Diversi.aspx

Nov 29 – Kosovo/Serbia: Violence Could Prompt EU to Oppose Membership for Belgrade
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Kosovo-Serbia–Violence-Could-Prompt-EU-to-Oppose-.aspx

Nov 29 – Kuwait: Business with Beijing Continues Despite Cabinet Resignation
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Kuwait–Business-with-Beijing-Continues-Despite-Ca.aspx

Nov 28 – Yemen: No Guarantees of Stability As Saleh Gives Up Power
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-No-Guarantees-of-Stability-As-Saleh-Gives-Up.aspx

Nov 28 – Gambia: Presidents Reelection May Bolster Royal Ambitions
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Gambia-Presidents-Reelection-May-Bolster-Royal-Amb.aspx

Nov 28 – Iran/United Kingdom: Tehran Furious With British Sanctions
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Iran-United-Kingdom–Tehran-Furious-With-British-S.aspx

Nov 28 – New Zealand: Elections Reflect Support for Current Leadership
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/New-Zealand–Elections-Reflect-Support-for-Current.aspx

Nov 23 – Brazil: Fine Over Oil Spill Could Delay Offshore Drilling
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Brazil-Chevron-Fine-Over-Oil-Spill-Could-Delay-Off.aspx

Nov 22 – China/Canada: Ties Likely to Center on Oil Development
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-Canada–Ties-Likely-to-Center-on-Oil-Develop.aspx

Nov 22 – South Korea/Philippines: Economic Agreements Prelude to Military Upgrade
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/South-Korea-Philippines–Economic-Agreements-Prelu.aspx

Nov 21 – Cuba: Property Reforms Must Go Further to Succeed
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Cuba-Property-Reforms-Promising-But-Must-Go-Furthe.aspx

Nov 21 – Burma/Australia: 2014 ASEAN Summit Could be Controversial
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Burma-Australia-2014-ASEAN-Summit-Could-be-Controv.aspx

Nov 18 – Liberia: Nobel Prize Winning President Calls for Reconciliation Despite Violence
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Liberia–Nobel-Prize-Winning-President-Calls-for-R.aspx

Nov 17 – Mali: Oil Discoveries Signal Prosperity Despite Terror Concerns
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Mali–Oil-Reseves-but-Threat-of-Terrorism.aspx

Nov 17 – China: Wireless Data Streaming Key to Rural Growth Strategy
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/China–Wireless-Telecom.aspx

Nov 15 – Yemen: Al Qaeda Returns As Rebellion Intensifies
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen–Al-Aqaeda-Gaining.aspx

Nov 15 – Zimbabwe/China: Weapons from Beijing Likely to be Used in 2012 Elections
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/China-Sells-Arms-to-Zimbabwe.aspx

Nov 11 – Algeria: New Finds of Oil and Gas Reserves Offset by Terrorism
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Algeria–New-Finds-of-Oil-and-Gas-Reserves-Offset-.aspx

Nov 10 – Canada: Ship Contracts to Help Economy; Keep Pace with Chinese and Russia Arctic Oil Ambitions
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Canada–Contracts-to-Help-Economy;-Keep-Pace-with-.aspx

Nov 10 – Thailand/Japan: Flooding in Bangkok Hurts Japanese Manufacturing
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Thailand-Japan–Flooding-in-Bangkok-Hurts-Japanese.aspx

Nov 9 – Russia/Brazil: Moscow Desires More Latin Oil
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Russia-Brazil-Moscow-Desires-More-Latin-Oil.aspx

Nov 8 – Guatemala: New President Promises to be Tough on Crime
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Guatemala–New-President-Promises-to-be-Tough-on-C.aspx#axzz1d3xLNrMb

Nov 2 – Japan/India: Trying to Get Around China On Rare Earths
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Japan-India–Trying-to-Get-Around-China-on-Rare-Ea.aspx

According to Samer Naji, the Vice President of External Affairs for the Associated Students at the University of California, San Diego, due to complaints and “various concerns raised about the Occupy Resolution, the External Affairs Office decided to draft a different resolution directed mainly towards our campus.”

Therefore, instead of passing a resolution to support the occupy movement, they decided to focus their efforts on passing a resolution in support of Reclaim UCSD.

However, the AS office of External Affairs does not stop there. Instead, their new resolution decides to overturn their former Resolution Upholding Commitment to the Principles of Community that was passed last April. The new resolution states: “LET IT BE RESOLVED, the ASUCSD shall rescind their decision to maintain neutrality in regards to world events and political issues and instead shall take a more proactive approach to allow the association to partake in relevant political affairs that deeply impact students and are significant to their student lives.”

UPDATE AS OF 8:15 PM: Language of the Clause Currently Reads: ” LET IT BE RESOLVED, the ASUCSD clarifies that the wording of the “Resolution Upholding Commitment to the Principles of Community,” does not require the ASUCSD or the external office to maintain neutrality in regards to world events and political issues that deeply impact UCSD students and are significant to their student lives.”

This clause effectively overturns AS decision to remain neutral regarding world events and national political issues. Sadly this clause in the current resolution is completely unnecessary. The Resolution Upholding Commitment to the Principles of Community only restrains AS from remaining neutral on “divisive external political issue[s].” Although divisive, Reclaim UCSD is an on campus issue and does not fall under the purview of the Resolution Upholding Commitment to the Principles of Community. Therefore, the AS Office of External Affairs is effectively trying to once more assert itself as a partisan organization by seeking to repeal the Resolution Upholding Commitment to the Principles of Community.

It was your actions and your emails that got the AS office of External Affairs to update its resolution. Keep up the hard work. To express your disapproval for the Associated Students at UCSD passing this resolution, email asvpexternal@ucsd.edu or contact the council members directly: http://as.ucsd.edu/council

Attached is the first resolution: Resolution in Support of Reclaim UCSD

Attached is the updated resolution: Resolution in Support of Reclaim UCSD Amended

Update 1/6/12: This article was reposted on Larry Elder‘s website on January 5, 2011 and Larry Elder interviewed me about this story on 1/6/12.

On April 13, 2011 the Associated Students at the University of California, San Diego voted to endorse a principle of neutrality on political and divisive issues and refrain from passing resolutions.

Yet this promise has faded quickly, with the announcement that the AS Vice-President External Affairs Samer Naji will be introducing a resolution on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 that will explicitly announce the Associated Students support for the Occupy movement.

Although I am generally sympathetic with some of the goals of the Occupy movement, such as their concern that big business is in collusion with government and that bailouts for banks are wrong, yet other claims, such as debt forgiveness for all and “magic” money for every pet project they could imagine are hollow demands and are stupid. In addition, the recent acts of violence in Washington DC, Oakland, and San Diego (among others) has slowly eroded their positive attributes.

In addition, the resolution conflates the recent protests that have been met in some cases with what could be characterized as “excessive force” in the UC System with the Occupy movement at large. The resolution opens with statements claiming: “reckless greed committed by Wall Street firms and Executives,” “corporations prey[ing] on the hopes and aspirations held by millions of people with the simple and selfish aim to maximize profit,” “these corporations are responsible for the eviction of millions of people from their homes due to predatory lending practices.”

Most concerning of all however, this resolution calls upon the “Associated Students [to] provide support for protests and or occupations, should students decide to set up an occupation on campus.” This means that the A.S. will be using your student fees to bring the Occupy movement to UCSD and then proceed to disrupt traffic and interrupt classes and speeches. If members of A.S. want to use their stipends to cover the “Occupy Movement,” then that is their prerogative. But it is a shame that the Associated Students at UCSD continue to try to misrepresent more than 23,000 undergraduates, display their biases in a official capacity, and for revealing their belief that they know whats best for you.

I hope that UCSD students will tell AS to keep itself out of political and controversial matters and let them get back to problems that they have direct influence over, such as improving the parking situation at UCSD, dining dollar inflation, and restoring SunGod.

To express your disapproval for the Associated Students at UCSD passing this resolution, email asvpexternal@ucsd.edu or contact the council members directly: http://as.ucsd.edu/council

Below is the Resolution in full.

***

Resolution to Support the Occupy Movement

Whereas, individuals in the United States and across the world have been severely impacted by the reckless greed committed by Wall Street firms and Executives;

Whereas, these corporations preyed on the hopes and aspirations held by millions of people with the simple and selfish aim to maximize profit1;

Whereas, the profits made by the major businesses and corporations are being used to influence the American political system and the choices it makes, regardless of the impacts to ordinary individuals2

Whereas, these corporations are responsible for the eviction of millions of people from their homes due to predatory lending practices3;

Whereas, University of California, San Diego students, faculty, staff, and workers have been deeply impacted by the 2008 Financial Crisis and following recession that was caused by reckless management of domestic and international financial systems;

Whereas, billions in taxpayer dollars were committed to bailing out selfish and predatory corporations at the cost of neglecting Main Street America and cutting public funding for vital public services4;

Whereas, funding cuts to institutions of higher education, including the University of California, have led to skyrocketing tuition and fees, service cuts, and faculty, staff, and worker layoffs;

Whereas, personal and student debt has and continues to skyrocket5;

Whereas, concerned individuals have committed to peaceful occupation of symbolic centers in protest of the symbiotic relationship between corporate and government institutions, in addition to protesting public service cuts and the continual reduction of their standards of living,

Whereas, the demands made by the various occupations are closely aligned with the demands made by the University of California Student Association, including but not limited to:
The demand for corporate accountability,
The demand for a separation between corporate money and the American political system,
The demand to reform Proposition 13 to raise corporate property tax rates,
The demand to return for public higher education to return to be fully publicly funded and affordable.

And whereas, local police departments, including the University of California Police Department, have resorted to forceful eviction and suppression of peaceful demonstrators, in violation of their First Amendment rights to peacefully assemble6;

Let it therefore be resolved that the Associated Students of the University of California, San Diego endorse the Occupy movement;

Be it further resolved that the Associated Students provide support for protests and or occupations, should students decide to set up an occupation on campus;

Be it further resolved that the University of California, San Diego Chancellor sign a pledge, ensuring students’ rights to free speech and assembly on campus;

And let it finally be resolved that the Associated Students strongly condemns and demands that the University of California, Davis, and the University of California, Berkeley Chancellors and Police Chiefs resign immediately for authorizing the use of force by the University of California Police Department on UC students, faculty, staff, and workers

1. http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/109/bradley.html
2. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/13/the-10-biggest-corporate-campaign-contributors-in-u-s-politics/
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12184365
4. http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/200904_CREDITCRISIS/recipients.html
5. http://www.npr.org/2011/05/16/136214779/college-student-debt-grows-is-it-worth-it
6. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/03/occupy-militarisation-policing-protest

Nov 1 – Angola: Oil Production Booming; Measures Against Price Shocks
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/ArticleAnalysis/Angola–Oil-Production-Booming;-Measures-Against-P.aspx

Nov 1 – Ireland: Political Fluidity Helps Labor Candidate Become President
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Ireland–Political-Fluidity-Helps-Labor-Candidate-.aspx

Oct 27 – Ireland: Presidential Election Reflects New Discontent
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Ireland-Presidential-Election-Reflects-Political-C.aspx

Oct 26 – Canada: Albert Oil Sands Leads to Growth; Heated Debate
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Canada–Alberta-Oil-Sands-Lead-to-Economic-Growth-.aspx

Oct 26 – Syria/China: Beijing Looks to Take Diplomatic Role in Syria
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Syria-China–Beijing-Looks-to-Take-Diplomatic-Role.aspx

Oct 25 – Vietnam/Philippines: Bilateral Summit Begins Wednesday
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Vietnam-Philippines–Bilateral-Summit-Begins-Wedne.aspx

Oct 24 – Philippines: War Looming With Muslim Separatists
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Philippines–Troops-Battle-Muslim-Separatists.aspx

Oct 24 – Turkey: Earthquake Strongest in Decade
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Turkey–Earthquake-Strongest-in-Decade.aspx

Oct 21 – Yemen: More Delays from Saleh as U.N. Plans Vote
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen–More-Delays-from-Saleh-as-U-N–Plans-Vote.aspx

Oct 21 – Russia/Lebanon: Moscow Expands Ties with Hezbollah
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Russia-Lebanon–Moscow-Expands-Ties-with-Hezbollah.aspx

Oct 20 – Philippines: Troops Battle Muslim Separatists
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Philippines–Troops-Battle-Muslim-Separatists.aspx

Oct 19 – Thailand: Economy Hurt by Rising Minimum Wage and Flooding
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Thailand–Economy-Hurt-by-Rising-Minimum-Wage-and-.aspx

In the future I will be uploading an archive of my LIGNET articles biweekly.

October 18 – Bosnia and Herzegovina: Crippled by Ethnic Politics
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Bosnia-and-Herzegovina–Crippled-by-Ethnic-Politic.aspx

October 18 – Oman: High Voter Turnout Reflects Sultan’s Popularity
http://www.lignet.com/InBriefs/Oman–High-Voter-Turnout-Reflects-Sultan’s-Popular.aspx

Oct 13 – China: Growing Arctic Energy Ambitions
http://www.lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/China–Growing-Arctic-Energy-Ambitions.aspx

Oct 11 – Chile: Investment in Copper Climbs Despite Market Slump
http://lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Chile–Investment-in-Copper-Climbs-Despite-Market-.aspx

Oct 11 – Sri Lanka: Violence Occurs After Ruling Party Dominates Local Elections
http://lignet.com/InBriefs/Sri-Lanka–Violence-Occurs-After-Ruling-Party-Domi.aspx

Oct 10 – Oman: Growing Economy and Island of Stability
http://lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Oman–Growing-Economy-and-Island-of-Stability.aspx

Oct 10 – Croatia/Syria: Croatian Company Cuts Oil Production in Syria
http://lignet.com/InBriefs/Croatia-Syria–Croatian-Company-Cuts-Oil-Productio.aspx

Oct 7 – Yemen: Saleh Doesn’t Want to Step Down Until Rivals Removed
http://lignet.com/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen–Saleh-Doesn’t-Want-to-Step-Down-Until-Rival.aspx

Oct 7 – Bahrain: Medics Sentence Overturned; Will be Retried in Civilian Court
http://lignet.com/InBriefs/Bahrain–Medics-Sentence-Overturned;-Will-be-Retri.aspx

Oct 5 – Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Pledges to Respond to Violence With “An Iron Fist”
http://lignet.com/InBriefs/Saudi-Arabia–Riyadh-Pledges-to-Respond-to-Violenc.aspx

Oct 4 – Algeria: As Threat of Al Qaeda Grows, Algiers Grants Reforms
http://lignet.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Algeria–As-Threat-of-Al-Qaeda-Grows,-Algiers-Gran.aspx

Oct 4 – China/Burma: Beijing Concerned by Rangoon’s Suspension of Dam
http://lignet.com/Manage/InBrief/China-Burma–Beijing-Concerned-by-Rangoon’s-Suspen.aspx

Oct 4 – Tuvalu/Tokelau: Water Crisis for Pacific Islands
http://lignet.com/Manage/InBrief/Tuvalu-Tokelau–Water-Crisis-for-Pacific-Islands.aspx

Oct 3 – Bahrain: Medics Sentenced to Prison for Treating Protestors
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/InBrief/Bahrain–Medics-Sentenced-to-Prison-for-Assisting-.aspx

Sept 30 – Kosovo/Serbia: Violence Erupts Against NATO Peacekeepers
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/InBrief/Kosovo-Serbia–Violence-Erupts-Against-NATO-Peacek.aspx

Sept 28 – Chile/Bolivia/China/Iran: Scrambling for Latin Lithium
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Chile-Bolivia-China-Iran–Tehran-and-Beijing-Seek-.aspx

Sept 28 – Iceland/China: Concerns that Chinese Investment is Ploy to Gain Access to Arctic Oil
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/InBrief/Iceland-China–Concerns-that-Chinese-Investment-is.aspx

Sept 27 – North Korea/China: North Korean Prime Minister Visiting China to Expand Trade
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/InBrief/North-Korea-China–North-Korean-Prime-Minister-Vis.aspx

Sept 26 – ALgeria/Libya: Algiers Issues De Facto Recognition to Libyan National Transition Council
http://lignet.com/Manage/InBrief/Algeria-Libya–Algiers-Issues-De-Facto-Recognition.aspx

Sept 26 – Yemen: Saleh Returns to Government Attacks on Protestors
http://lignet.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen–Saleh-Returns-to-Government-Attacks-on-Prot.aspx

Sept 22 – Iraq/Syria: Baghdad Begins to Oppose Assad
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/InBrief/Iraq-Syria-Baghdad-Begins-to-Oppose-Assad.aspx

Sept 21 – Zambia/China: Election in Lusaka Are Referendum on Beijing
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Zambia-China-Elections-in-Lusaka-Are-Referendum-on.aspx

Sept 20 – Yemen: Violence in Sanaa Takes Pressure off Al Qaeda
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-Violence-in-Sanaa-Takes-Pressure-off-Al-Qaed.aspx

Sept 20 – Lebanon/Iran: Beirut Looks to Sign More Agreements with Tehran
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Lebanon-Iran-Beirut-Looks-to-Sign-More-Agreements-.aspx

Sept 20 – Iraq/Syria: Iraqi Officials Divided Over Assad; al Qaeda Looks to Syria
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Iraq-Syria–Iraqi-Officials-Divided-Over-Assad;-al.aspx

Sept 19 – French Guiana: Large Oil Discovery Mirrors West African Finds
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/French-Guiana-Offshore-Oil-Find-Mirrors-West-Afric.aspx

Sept 18 – India/Vietnam/China: Tensions Over Oil Exploitation in South China Sea
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/India-Vietnam-China-Tensions-Over-Oil-Exploitation.aspx

Sept 15 – Ghana/China: Accra Reaps Oil Profits with Chinese Investment
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Ghana-China-Accra-Reaps-Oil-Profits-With-Chinese-I.aspx

Sept 15 – Venezuela/Iran: Ahmadinejad Strengthens Ties with Caracas
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Venezuela-Iran-Ahmadinejad-Strengthens-Ties-with-W.aspx

Sept 14 – Turkey/Israel/Cyprus: Ankara Opposes Offshore Israeli Gas Fields
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Turkey-Israel-Cyprus-Ankara-Opposes-Offshore-Israe.aspx

Sept 14 – Yemen: Protests Erupt After Saleh Continues to Delay Stepping Down
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-Protests-Erupt-After-Saleh-Continues-to-Dela.aspx

Also reposted on Newsmax World

Sept 13 – Congo: Dodd-Frank Act Drives Out American Businesses
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Congo-Dodd-Frank-Act-Harms-American-Businesses.aspx

Sept 9 – Yemen: Ruling Party Offers New Deal for Saleh; Yemeni Forces Attack Al Qaeda Strongholds
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-Ruling-Party-Offers-New-Deal-for-Saleh-Yemen.aspx

Sept 7 – Iran/Cuba/Ecuador: Iran Looks to Expand Influence in Latin America
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Iran-Cuba-Ecuador-Iran-Looks-to-Expand-Influence-i.aspx

Sept 6 – Russia/Syria: Moscow Continues to Stand by Damascus
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Russia-Syria-Moscow-Continues-to-Stand-by-Damascus.aspx

September 3 – Bahrain: Protests Escalate Following Death of 14 Year-Old Boy
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Bahrain-Protests-Escalate-Following-Death-of-14-Ye.aspx

September 2 – Iran/Egypt/Israel: Tensions High in Red Sea and Sinai
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Iran-Egypt-Israel-Tensions-High-in-Red-Sea-and-Sin.aspx

September 1 – Iran/North Korea/China/Russia: Kim Jong-Il Seeking Investments From Neighbors and Allies
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Iran-s-Ali-Larijani-Visting-North-Korea.aspx

August 31 – Russia/Syria: Moscow Condemns Violence, Demands Reforms
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Russia-Syria–Moscow-Condemns-Violence-Demands-Ref.aspx

August 31 – China: Reliance on U.S. Food Imports Grows
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/China-Reliance-On-U-S–Food-Imports-Grow.aspx

August 31 – Yemen/Somalia/Terrorism: Saleh Talks of Return and Elections, Al Qaeda and al-Shabaab Grow Closer
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-Somalia-Terrorism–Saleh-Talks-Of-Return-And.aspx

August 26 – Algeria/Libya: Algeria Delays Recognition of Libyan Rebel Government Due to Concerns about al Qaeda
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Algeria-Libya–Algeria-Delays-Recognition-of-Libya.aspx

August 24 – China/Russia/Libya/Syria: China and Russia Fear Loss of Energy Contracts in Post-Revolution Arab States
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/China-Russia-Libya-Syria-China-and-Russia-Fear-Los.aspx

August 21 – Israel: Gaza Militants Differ on Ceasefire, Violence to Continue
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Israel-Gaza-Militants-Differ-on-Ceasefire-Violence.aspx

August 21 – Yemen: The Return of President Saleh Would be Setback to Stability
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Yemen-The-Return-of-President-Saleh-Would-Be-Setba.aspx

August 19 – Turkey/Iraq/Iran: Turkey’s Cross Border Attack on PKK in Iraq Could be Exploited by Iran
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Turkey-Attacks-PKK-in-Iraq.aspx

August 18 – Israel/China: Visit of China Chief of Staff Has Economic Implications
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Israel-China-Visit-of-China-Chief-of-Staff-Has-Eco.aspx

August 10 – Israel: Protests Challenge Netanyahu Popularity
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Israel-Protests-Challenge-Netanyahu-Popularity.aspx

July 28 – Lebanon/Israel: Beirut Plans to Fight Israel Over Natural Gas Find
http://www.lignet.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Lebanon-Israel-Beirut-Plans-to-Fight-Israel-Over-N.aspx

July 23 – China: Countering Beijing’s Monopoly on Supply of Rare Earth Metals
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/China–Countering-Bejing-s-Monopoly-on-Supply-of-R.aspx

July 19 – Egypt: New Egyptian Cabinet Formed; Islamists Divided
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/ArticleAnalysis/Analysis–New-Egyptian-Cabinet-Formed;-Islamists-D.aspx

July 4 – Vietnam: Anti-China Protests Continue
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Vietnam–Anti-China-Protests-Continue.aspx

July 1 – Philippines: Seeking to Use Negotiations and U.S. Ties to Counter China
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Philippines–Seeking-to-Use-Negotiations-and-U-S-.aspx

June 20 – India/Vietnam: Mutual Assistance to Deter China
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/India-Vietnam–Mutual-Assistance-to-Deter-China.aspx

June 16 – China/Sudan: Ignoring International Concerns, Beijing Welcomes Sudanese President
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/China-Sudan–Ignoring-International-Concerns,-Beij.aspx

June 15 – Somalia/Indian Ocean: Piracy Expands in Range
http://www.langleyintelligencegroup.com/Manage/Snowflake/Somalia-Indian-Ocean-Piracy-Expands-in-Range.aspx

The frustration of the “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) movement in their call to end corporate corruption and societal inequality is valid. Sadly, several solutions to the problem that have been presented are disastrous because they ask the wrong question. Instead of asking if big businesses and the Federal Reserve have screwed the American people (the answer to which is undoubtably yes, as Glen Greenwald of Salon outlines), they should probe deeper.

A better question to ask would be:  How did big businesses, the Federal Reserve, and the federal government cause the financial crisis, and how can it be kept from happening again? Some in the OWS movement will place the blame on capitalism and free enterprise. Yet these activists will miss the mark.

The culprit of this crisis is big government regulations, which no longer act as an impartial referee and permit some big businesses to succeed while others fail. The culprit is a distorted tax code, which enables certain companies to evade taxes. The culprit is departments and agencies that are not transparent and accountable to the people.

These big government policies caused the financial crisis.  Tim Carney, the senior political columnist of the Washington Examiner, has written extensively on the mechanisms that big government employs to assist its favored corporations. Solving the mess requires a government restrained and unable to create loopholes. Only then can the government respect the individual, the world’s smallest minority, to ensure equal treatment under the law.

The estimated cost to live on campus has risen by more than $1,000 over the last five years. This more than thirteen percent increase is stark when compared to the cost of living off-campus. These lucky commuters will pay a mere $300 more than five years ago, a 3.2 percent increase that is below even the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 3.6 percent. In the 2011-2012 academic year, UCSD students who live off-campus are expected to save more than 800 dollars when compared to their on campus peers when considering all non-tuition expenses.

The 2010-2011 academic year was the first time that it was cheaper for a student to live off-campus after considering all expenses. For the 2011-2012 academic year room and board on the UCSD campus is expected to cost $11,571 on average, while commuters are expected to pay $9,669 for room and board.

Students at every college in the University of California (UC) system will find it is more expensive to live on campus. Yet as housing on the UC campuses grows more costly, students who live on campus in the California State University system and many California private universities will pay less. Students living on campus in the UC system paid on average $2,238 more than the surrounding community, whereas students saved on average $842 to live on campus in the CSU system. Several private universities saved students living on campus an average of $645 compared to students who commuted.

At the University of California, San Diego the price of room and board is determined by Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services (HDH), “a self-supporting department of UC San Diego that operates without any state funding.” The HDH sets the price of on-campus room and board as it manages all on campus housing units, meal plans, and housekeeping services. Yet the inflationary and rent-seeking policies of the HDH have contributed to making on campus housing less affordable.

For the fifth year in a row, UCSD students who live in the dorms will face another increase in the price of their mandatory minimum meal plan, as it increases to 2,908 dining dollars. These students will be receiving a meal plan that is 800 dining dollars greater than students had in 2007. Although students living in on campus apartments will only have a 100 point dining dollar increase to 2208 dining dollars, according to HDH these minimum dining plans are not meant to feed students 3 meals a day, 7 days a week.

These meal plans are “designed to be flexible for an array of lifestyles and appetites,” and therefore several options, including “buy up” exist for students who want the option of having 3,400 dining dollars. HDH also recommends that students living in the dorms should spend 87 dining dollars per week (~340 per month), students in campus apartments should spend 65 dining dollars per week (~260 per month), and students with the “buy up” option should spend 100 dining dollars per week (~400 per month). HDH promises that one dining dollar “yields one dollar of purchasing power.”

If dining dollars are the equivalent of a normal dollar then prices on-campus are heavily inflated. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the average person between the ages of 19-50 in the United States spent only $242 on food per month in peak months of the academic year (November, February, May). In 2010-2011, only the largest consumers were expected to spend close to the equivalent dining dollar value as students in the dorms ($340.33 for men, $300.60 for women), while thrifty consumers were expected to spend far less ($172.23 for men, $153.17 for women).

This $800 meal plan increase for students living in the dorms is drastically higher than average American food spending, which has only increased by $10-$20 dollars in the face of a world food price crisis that has been ongoing since 2007. HDH’s policy enables students to have both leftover dining dollars (which are kept by the school if they are unused) and inflated food prices on-campus due to their monopoly of the dining halls (that justify increasing the minimum rate for meal plans).

So how has HDH been spending the profit that they have made off of the students? Not very well, according to a 2009 study sponsored by The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), which is part of the University of California Santa Cruz. UCSD students were asked to rate their dining experience as well as if they would be willing to pay more for certain foods or foods with a reduced environmental impact. Only 30% of students surveyed said the UCSD dining experience reflected their food values.

Students surveyed responded that the most important features for dining hall food are flavor, safety, and variety, rating flavor a 4.62 out 5 on importance, variety a 4.48 out of 5, and safety a 4.47 out of 5. Students also heavily supported increasing nutritional options and reducing the price. In contrast, locally grown food and vegan-friendly food scored at the bottom of students priority list, with locally grown food earning a 2.69 out of 5 and vegan-friendly food earning a 2.64 out of 5.

Although HDH claims that “making the best use of natural resources, minimizing negative impact on our environment, and satisfying our customers are our main objectives,” HDH does not meet their students’ demands. In the last three years, the emphasis of the Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services has been to provide students with programs they do not particularly care about. These include Meatless Mondays, where the dining halls provide only vegan grill options, Farm 2U, where local farmers sell their goods on-campus, and cage-free eggs. The only major student concern that HDH has actually addressed came from their dietician, who has made nutrition a priority.

According to the Director of UCSD’s Housing, Dining and Hospitality Services, Mark Cunningham, “our intent in the design of our housing and dining program is not to burden students with unnecessary costs.” Although HDH does not keep records on hand about how many meal points are left over each year, Cunningham said, “I believe that students do an excellent job managing their dining dollars and the vast majority spend down to $0.00 or very close to it because they understand that this is their money and they manage those dollars well, albeit there’s no perfect meal plan so there are always variances.” However, this does not consider that the students who are forced to spend their leftover meal points on junk food would rather see their unused dining dollars refunded to their student accounts.

There can be no perfect meal plan because the minimum plan is mandatory. When students are forced to use all their dining dollars or to lose them, waste and inefficient spending is encouraged. With their priority on green and sustainable options, the UCSD HDH can continue to ignore student preferences, at the expense of both greater on-campus affordability and sustainability.

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Note: This article has been reposted in two parts on the Young America’s Foundation Blog: Part 1 and Part 2.

Attached is the excel spreadsheet of UC Costs with all data used in this report.