July 9, 2012 – "The cage" is a section of UCLA's Arts Library in the Public Affairs Building where many of the unique and valuable collections of books are held.

Located in what is nicknamed the "submarine library" because of its low ceilings and battleship-esque staircases, it's where books are held under extra protection because of the risk of theft and damage.

Among the books kept in the cage is a selection of so-called "artist books" which are intended to convey an artistic message or be visually appealing in a way that sometimes has nothing to do with reading.

Robert Gore, a UCLA visual arts librarian, gave Daily Bruin Radio a tour of the cage and highlighted some of his favorite books.

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Read more about the UCLA Library Conservation Center here and here.

This story is part of the Daily Bruin’s Orientation issue.

July 9, 2012 – In recent years, social media has been the force dominating our communication with one another.

From rekindling connections between long lost elementary school besties on Facebook, maintaining current friendships through memorable Instagrams and forging new ones through the discovery of like-minded people hashtagging interests and trends, social media has become an important presence in modern society.

At UCLA, professors, TAs and students alike are utilizing this tool beyond its purely social dimensions and are integrating it in the classroom as an educational strategy aimed at widening the scope of academic possibilities.

Pictured: History professor Tobias Higbie’s Twitter page.

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This story is part of the Daily Bruin’s Orientation Issue.

July 2, 2012 – Every year, scholars from around the world come to the United States through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichment Program to pursue graduate study, advanced research, doctoral degrees and university teaching.

Ann Kerr, the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichment Program coordinator at UCLA, talks about her efforts to engage visiting scholars in the community. Also, scholars Mykola Volkogon and Diego Ubfal discuss aspects of the Fulbright Program, including the Fiat Lux seminar “Perceptions of U.S. Abroad: Discussions with Visiting Fulbright Scholars.”

The Fulbright Program on campus is housed in the International Institute at UCLA. For more information, visit the graduate student fellowship office in Murphy 1252 or online here, or join Speaking International, a new club at UCLA associated with the Fulbright Program.

Pictured: Fulbright scholars and UCLA students at a seminar dinner

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June 11, 2012 – Much has changed for the students graduating in the Class of 2012 throughout their years at UCLA. In fact, around half of the students who will be graduating have changed their majors at least twice since they entered UCLA.

Bill Gordon, the Director of College Academic Mentoring and Peer Learning with the College of Letters and Sciences, discusses how counselors like himself aid students who are considering a change in major.

Fourth-year Anthropology student Joseph Racca and fourth-year Sociology student Priscilla Ramos, both graduating next weekend, talk about their personal experiences in trying to find the right major.

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This story is part of the Daily Bruin’s 2012 Graduation Issue.

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June 11, 2012 – The 2011 to 2012 Academic year has been a turbulent one for history professor Teofilo Ruiz.

Between meeting President Barack Obama, visiting his native Cuba (for the first time since fleeing during the chaos of the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961), publishing three books and severing his Achilles' heel, Teo has had a year filled with personal excitement and emotion.

But amid these personal ventures, a feature that stands out this past year among others he has spent at UCLA is the current budget crisis affecting the UC system and its devastating impact on the humanities.

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This story is part of the Daily Bruin’s 2012 Graduation Issue.

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June 11, 2012 – Ice skating and family tension, anyone?

Evan Johnson and Jennifer La met at a scholarship competition their senior year of high school and started dating their freshman year. They bonded over an ice skating trip during their first quarter at UCLA and now, almost four years later, they’re preparing to graduate.

Throughout the course of their time together at UCLA, they’ve fallen in love and learned about each other’s cultures and families.

Johnson is a fourth-year Geography/Environmental Studies student and La is a fourth-year Geography student and former Daily Bruin designer.

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This story is part of the Daily Bruin’s 2012 Graduation Issue.

Subscribe to our podcast here.