Marvin Leung

August 6, 2016

Tuition & diversity mark Berkeley’s evolution

BERKELEY, Calif. — How has Berkeley changed over the years?

What used to be a free education for California residents, was around $13,500 for in-state tuition, a number that jumped to more than $38,000 for out-of-state students, in the past academic year.

The University of California, Berkeley, the state’s first and now ranked No. 1 on U.S. News’ annual “best colleges” list, was created 48 years later, in 1868. Over the years, change throughout the university and the town is reflected in the grounds themselves — and continuing construction over the campus’ 1,200 acres — and the students.

Stan James, the manager of Bill’s Men’s Shop, which was founded in 1961, said, “The students were different; they were more preppy. They were pretty much all the same.”

In 1968, the registration fee for all students was $300 per year. The tuition for out-of-state students was $1,200 per year, and tuition was free for all in-state residents.

In 1975, 85 percent of students attending Berkeley were residents of California. According to a recent study done by the Berkeley News Office in 2015, 65 percent of students attending Berkeley are now residents of California.

Maureen Nam, owner of Steve’s Korean BBQ, and Stan James said they have seen a definite increase in diversity in their years working in the heart of the Berkeley campus.

Nam said that over the years, she has noticed that the economy and her business are tied. “State of economy low, my business goes low. State of economy high, my business goes high.”

Right now, Nam has noticed an increase in Asian students, especially Chinese. She said that they are big fans of what Steve’s Korean BBQ has to offer, and so her business is booming.

There have been many new developments within Berkeley, such as development of new residential halls, apartments and restaurants over the years. These changes have shifted both Berkeley’s cityscape and demographic, as the city and the people of Berkeley are connected in an unmistakable and fluid way.

James said that for the past four to five years there was a lot of construction, and the end-result did not turn out as was initially planned. A fire broke out on Telegraph Avenue, taking out two restaurants.

A side-view of the construction project. Nam said, "The general noise and construction makes everyone uncomfortable." Photo by Anamaya Shore — A side-view of the construction project. Nam said, “The general noise and construction makes everyone uncomfortable.” Photo by Anamaya Shore

There is currently a construction site,The Southgate Apartments, on Durant Avenue in hopes of creating new apartment space for students,and other Berkeley locals. There will be 44 apartments, eight two-bedroom units, 36 one-bedroom units and junior one-bedroom apartments. The project also includes two restaurants: Taco Bell Cantina and Garlic Mediterranean.

The average cost for an apartment will range from $2,000 to 4,000 a month; even at that high price tag, the apartments are still expected to draw students.

One thing has remained a constant: The importance of academics, students and a vision that Berkeley students will “contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.“

James says, “As far as the university, that’s been the constant thing. Students come and get their education.”

August 5, 2016

Politics at the Pier: Issues vary

Chris Conville, an Irish citizen, felt as though the United States needs to address the problems surrounding immigration for the 2016 presidential election. Photo courtesy Jack Null. — Chris Conville, an Irish citizen, said the United States needs to address the problems surrounding immigration for the 2016 presidential election. Photo by Jack Null

SAN FRANCISCO — In a presidential election where both the Republican and Democratic parties have radically different plans on how to address the massive problems surrounding immigration, it comes as no surprise that many people feel strongly about this prevalent issue.

On Monday,The Teen Observer staff interviewed people at the popular tourist destination Pier 39 in San Francisco to ask young people their opinions on the most important issues surrounding the 2016 presidential election.

Many respondents talked about immigration.

Others, including Ellen Ward, a British tourist, said the problems surrounding the United States’ prison system need to be addressed the most for the incoming president. As it currently stands, more than 2.3 million Americans are incarcerated in either local jails or federal and state prisons, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. These 2.3 million comprise 22 percent of the 10.2 million people incarcerated worldwide, according to The Washington Post.

Ward also brought up racial inequality as an additional issue, which many mentioned.

August 2, 2016

The voice: Kite maker and announcer back at Berkeley

BERKELEY, Calif. — A booming voice carried across the hills of the Berkeley Marina as the 32nd annual Berkeley Kite Festival was under way. That voice belonged to none other than the well-respected Ron Gibian.

Ron Gibian flies his kite at a kite festival. Photo credit Takaku Barresi. — Announcer Ron Gibian; photo by Takaku Barresi

Gibian was the main announcer for the competitive field, but he has fulfilled roles such as a judge or a side field announcer as well. And he said his usual role is as a featured guest for his ability to create stunning kites. “I’ve been a relentless kid all my life,” he said.

Since his early days in Chile, Gibian has been surrounded by artists; both parents, especially his father, a commercial artist, were involved in the artistic community. Gibian first became interested in kites as a child when he attended Chilean Independence Day kite festivals. He talked about how the sport of kite fighting is central to the culture of the Chilean people, and how that inspired him to take his artistic ideas to the realm of kite-making.

“I found kites to be are an interesting platform, and the sky to be my gallery,” he said.

He is also a graphic artist and a percussionist for the band Zzah but he’s passionate about kites.

“Kites have taken me around the world,” he said.

Gibian began attending the Berkeley Kite Festival in 1987, a year after its inception. He has been at this festival ever since, with the exception of a five-year hiatus; this was his first year back. He said the Berkeley Kite Festival is “second to none,” with nearly 35,000 people attending over the course of this past weekend. Gibian said the Washington State Kite Festival draws 100,000 visitors over a week but Berkeley’s large crowds are still impressive over the two-day period.

Gibian also said he has enjoyed seeing the festival grow every year; it started in just a single field with a few large kites and grown to the sprawling event it is today.

Attendees of the Berkeley Kite Festival observe the many varieties of kites in the sky. Photo credit Marvin Leung. — Thousands gathered to see kites of all shapes and sizes compete — and also just fly. Photo by Marvin Leung

In the future, Gibian doesn’t plan on slowing down or leaving the kite community. He usually goes to 12 or 15 kite shows and festivals a year and said he always enjoys the Berkeley festival’s mix of competitive fliers, food vendors and playgrounds. “It’s a 10-ring circus,” he said.