Diminishing state funds allotted to the University of California have encouraged a growing number of the UC’s professional schools to pursue increased autonomy.

Negative campaigning, also referred to as mudslinging, is custom in American politics. Rather than highlighting their own positive attributes, policy preferences and agenda, candidates seek to obtain votes by vilifying their opponents ““ not always accurately, I might add.

March Madness, college fantasy leagues and the ESPNU channel all indicate that college sports are a significant aspect of American culture. Men’s NCAA basketball and football, both considered revenue-generating sports, are particularly lucrative. And universities and corporations have been capitalizing on the business.

Shopping is usually affiliated with tangible goods ““ new clothes, new shoes. It epitomizes consumerism, promoting the search for the highest level of satisfaction possible. So as college students, consumers of higher education, why don’t we “shop” for classes?

The UC Board of Regents recently canceled its November meeting because of concerns for student protesters’ safety.

President Barack Obama recently announced a proposal to consolidate student loans and decrease monthly payments. In an effort to assist those suffocating from student loans to repay, the president provides hope for a debt-free life.

Last Tuesday, Bank of America wisely withdrew its plan to issue a $5 monthly fee for its debit card users.

Amidst continuing budget cuts from the state, a new UC policy has been proposed to increase salaries for select faculty members.

John McCain certainly has an irritating habit of plucking unqualified people from obscurity and turning them into political celebrities: First, it was Sarah Palin, and now, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. For most people, the name Wurzelbacher is nothing more than a mouthful to pronounce, but his household nickname ““ “Joe the Plumber” ““ should sound familiar.

The very exclusive 1 percent that Occupy Wall Street attacks became that 1 percent because it worked hard.