Pelosi, Boxer Want
Capitol to be Green
By Edward Epstein

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Sen. Barbara Boxer are using their new power to turn Capitol Hill green. Their goal, which they say should set an example for others across the country, is to make Congress' vast complex of buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The effort grows out of the two leaders' concern over global warming, an issue they hope to address in legislation that the new Democratic Congress could pass this year. Their actions also reflect a nationwide boom in interest in green buildings that reduce their impact on the environment. Full story. Berkeley Lab was a primary consultant on the preliminary report, which can be read here.

Cal Helps Students
Fight Depression

Nitsche

The numbers are startling: Four of every 10 college students have been so depressed at some point in the past year that they were unable to function. In the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, UC Berkeley instructors are being trained to ask counselors for advice if a student seems depressed or violent. In some cases, helping a student is as easy as asking them how they're doing, says Heino Nitsche, chemistry professor, Berkeley Lab nuclear scientist and co-chairman of a university committee on student mental health. Full story.

UC, Faculty Reach Deal
On Biofuels Institute
By Rick DelVecchio

UC Berkeley faculty members patched over their differences on the $500 million BP biofuels deal yesterday, agreeing to a measure of added faculty scrutiny on this and future industry research partnerships but strongly opposing faculty interference on the basis of political or moral questions about corporate funders. Reflecting sharp differences among the 300 professors who attended, the debate included two split votes -- 157-94 on the first point and 186-86 on the second. The meeting followed more than two months of controversy over the terms of the biggest corporate research deal in academic history between UC Berkeley, Berkeley Lab, and the University of Illinois. Full story.

Erosion Benefits, Staff Volunteers, More in View

Engineering shop

The storage of C0₂ in soil erosion, taking action on the employee climate survey, staff who volunteer on behalf of the Lab, and the opening of a new regional engineering shop in Building 77 are among the stories featured in today's issue of The View. Copies are available in the cafeteria lobby, the Building 65 bus station, and in most departmental mailrooms.

Lab Scientist Lectures, Exhibits at Cal Day

UC Berkeley's open house will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several Lab scientists will be delivering lectures, and the Environmental Energy Technologies Division will have an exhibit displayed near the Campanile (Sather Tower). Go here for more details on Cal Day.