News Briefs

Charter the Berkeley Bus

The news from Parking and Transportation is that the recently purchased motor coach is ready for hire.

Any campus group needing transportation near or far should consider Berkeley's own charter service first. The rates are competitive and the coach is sleek. The 47-seat bus is equipped with reclining seats, individual reading lights, air conditioning, a bathroom and luggage racks. After purchasing the bus, Parking and Transportation installed a wheelchair elevator, so it's also fully accessible.

Currently, the coach is painted white and blue in the motif of the other campus vehicles. But the department's Brian Edgar says he's hoping to see "Golden Bears" added to the sides and "Go Bears!" on the front marquee--so that every time the bus is chartered, a bit of Cal spirit will go out over the roadways.

For charter information, call 642-4834.

Six Potential Sites For UC Headquarters

The Office of the President has chosen six sites in Oakland and Berkeley from which it expects to select its headquarters when its current lease on office space expires in April 1998.

The potential sites, which include the present location in Oakland and one on Center Street in Berkeley, were chosen from 31 proposals received from Bay Area owners and developers.

The sites range in size from 113,000 to 353,000 square feet and include options for the university to lease or purchase the property.

In addition to the current offices, four others on Broadway in Oakland and a six-story building at 2020 Center Street in Berkeley are being considered.

The owners and developers of the six sites have been asked to submit more detailed information about their proposals by early January.

If none of the locations is found to be suitable, UC has the option of rejecting all of the sites and launching a new search. The current schedule calls an agreement to be presented to the Board of Regents in March, with an agreement finalized in April.

Programs for Kids?

Again this year, Berkeleyan and the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Dependent Care are gathering information on on-campus summer programs for children--from arts to sports and math to dance.

In February Berkeleyan will print a list of all summer programs submitted.

Sponsors of programs should send information to the advisory committee at c/o Administrative Services, 3rd floor, Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way, by Dec. 8. The fax number is 643-5079 and the email is uhsadmin@violet.

Please include the following:

* One-sentence program description

* Dates and times

* Age range

* Prices and whether financial assistance is available

* Phone number for more informtion

* Any special requirements

Rental Housing Needed

The Department of Housing and Dining Services is seeking housing for scholars arriving in December or January for periods of a few weeks to a semester. Those taking a vacation or sabbatical or rental property owners within a five-mile range of campus are encouraged to advertise with the Community Living Office at 642-3644. Berkeley homes for under $1,500 per month and apartments under $1,000 are in particular demand. There is no cost to advertise for vacancies of three months or less; longer term vacancies are $5.

Adopt a Family

In collaboration with Children's Hospital-Oakland, the Cal Corps Public Service Center is looking for staff, student and faculty members to assist low-income and homeless families this holiday season. Last year over 20 families were adopted by student groups, campus department and other individuals. The campus donors provided gifts, food and other basic necessities.

Many donors have requested assistance in estimating the size of a particular family they should adopt given their financial capacity. Cal Corps estimates that a family of four to six will average $200. In some cases it is possible to meet the family and deliver the packages personally, by arrangement with the family's social worker.

For more information, call 642-3916.