ADMISSIONS EDGE: Responding to concerns about possible racial disparities in admissions practices, the UC system recently released a new analysis that shows the university to be unbiased in its admissions and in compliance with federal and state law. The findings indicate that black and Latino/a high school students who applied to UC campuses in 2003 were accepted in numbers somewhat higher than appeared warranted based on their grades, test scores and other factors. At issue was whether the UC was complying with Proposition 209, which bans racial preferences in admissions and employment. …

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS: The UC regents last month voted to raise fees at professional schools, despite spirited opposition from students and even some members of the board. "These fee hikes are unfair," said Jennifer Lilla, a graduate student at UC San Francisco. Voting 12-6, regents approved raising fees by a maximum of about 7 percent starting early next year. That comes on top of a previously approved hike that takes effect this fall for a total of 10 percent. UC officials say the increases are necessary because of state budget cuts over the last four years that have seen the 10-campus system lose 15 percent of its state funding while experiencing a 19 percent increase in enrollment. …

WAITING PERIOD: The University of Missouri is considering a waiting period to hire public officials. The proposed policy comes after a state senator sought to impose an even longer wait before lawmakers and university governing board members could go to work at Missouri's higher education institutions. California does not have such a policy. …

PHON-'E' DEGREES: One "e" and 2,500 miles from UC Berkeley, Dennis Globosky churned out bogus university degrees from the phony University of Berkley at an office park in Erie, Pa., selling them on the internet for as much as $5,000, according to authorities. The former New Mexico state trooper, who referred to himself as "Dr. Dennis Globosky" despite having only a high school education, faces stiff civil penalties from a lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania Atty. Gen. Tom Corbett. …

RESEARCH FUNDING: Federal funds for academic research rose by 13.1 percent in 2003, the second straight year of double-digit increases, the National Science Foundation reported in late July. The growth, coupled with a continuing drop in funds from industry, fueled an increase in the federal share of academic research to nearly 62 percent, its highest level since 1985. UC Davis ranked 32nd, with $208 million. The federal total in 2003, $24.73 billion, reflects the final year of a Congressional drive to double spending at the National Institutes of Health over five years. Total federal appropriations for research since 2003 have continued to rise, but much more slowly. ...

SECURITY POLICY: The Defense Department has proposed new restrictions on foreign researchers with access to sensitive technology useful to national security. The proposal would require the researchers to wear badges and require labs to contain segregated work areas to control the scientists' access. The Pentagon rules, announced in the July 12 Federal Register, would complement rules proposed by the Commerce Department in March that could have similar effects. …

GAMING DEGREE: A California Indian tribe recently said it would fund the first U.S. university degree in tribal gaming to bring professional discipline to a multibillion-dollar industry often "run on intuition." Last year, casinos run by Indian tribes generated around $21 billion in total revenues, compared with $19.6 billion for Nevada casinos, says the National Indian Gaming Association. The Sycuan tribe has donated $5.5 million to start the degree program focused on tribal gaming at San Diego State University. …

'RISKY VENTURE': The women's studies department at the University of Washington has a new chair, and UW officials believe they've found the perfect man for the job, according to the Seattle Times. That's right, a man, Professor David Allen. The university is bucking a 35-year tradition of females holding that job at the UW, and will stand alone among the 10 major universities that offer doctoral programs in women studies. Even Allen, who has taught women-studies courses for 15 years at the university, calls the appointment a "risky venture." — By Clifton B. Parker