Letters To The Editor

Dear Editor,

 re: Could California face a “brain drain” of college students? (CW 12/03/09)

Times are tough for public colleges and universities, but no educator wants to see qualified students miss out on higher education (Capitol Weekly, Dec. 3, “Could California face a brain drain of college students?”).  CSU and UC leaders are doing the best they can to preserve access to students and California’s private universities are also working overtime to ensure that no student who wants an advanced degree is denied. 

University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has nearly 30 locations ranging from Chico to Sacramento, Concord to San Francisco, Fresno to Bakersfield, and Los Angeles to San Diego. It offers campus-based and online degree programs at the associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. The University serves working adults, students transferring from a community college, those graduating from high school, or those who may be currently enrolled but unable to get into classes at other institutions.

Higher education is not a zero sum game. Public and private universities are both important and have an important opportunity to work together to meet the needs of California’s diverse student population. Access to higher education is critical for students, businesses and – ultimately – the future of California.  University of Phoenix provides access, opportunity and quality for all students who want to learn.  

Bob Eoff
Vice President, Northern California and Oregon
University of Phoenix

Dear editor,

People breathe and think better without chemicals. Fragrances and chemicals are dangerous. Children and adults vulnerable with asthma and migraines, chronic fatigue , fibromyalgia ,depressions and even high blood pressure react to perfumes and other fragranced products.

Why are they allowed? Chemicals do not belong in a classroom or place of work. Don’t parents want good grades for their school kids? Why poison them with laundry softeners? Does the government want less expenditure on health care. So where is the logic of allowing toxic chemicals in detergents toiletries and fragrances? Chemical composition of fragrances is related to other hazardous wastes, neurotoxin chemicals and pesticides.

If you have vulnerable children and infants in your home, or seniors already going to doctors with allergy migraines and asthma complaints, how about going green? Consider that fragrance-free is healthier. Some cities like new Brunswick in Canada have banned fragrances in many public places. How about a fragrance and chemical-free California? See how high the grades go, how much healthier the population is and how much less money is spent on toxic garbage. Is there a place of work or school ready to test his out on their workers and kids? Give it three weeks to notice a difference in concentration and well being and time to get the junk out of clothing , hair and skin. Check Google for contraindications to toxic fragrances.

Daliya Robson

Walnut Creek