WHAT: A teach-in led by University of California, Berkeley, economists to explore questions about the decline of California's funding for public higher education, including:

• Why is the economy in the shape it's in?
• Why is the state budget in such dire straits?
• Why is public education important?
• Should people advocate for restored funding for public education?

The teach-in will be held during a special session of a course on macroeconomics led by Martha Olney, adjunct professor of economics. The public is welcome.

WHEN: 3:40–5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24.

WHERE: One Pimentel Hall, on the eastern edge of campus, on University Drive near its intersection with Gayley Road, due south of Stanley Hall. See campus map.

WHO: Professors participating in the event will include:

• Bradford J. DeLong, professor of economics and author of the widely-read blog, "Grasping Reality with Both Hands." He also is a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and served in the Clinton administration as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
• Aaron Edlin, professor of economics and of law, who served as a senior economist with the Council of Economic Advisers in the Clinton White House. He also is an authority on anti-trust economics and law, and has conducted research on college financial aid.
• Martha Olney, adjunct professor of economics, an authority on the Great Depression and an award-winning teacher of macroeconomics.
• John Quigley, professor of economics and of public policy, who is an authority on housing, labor policy, public finance, urban economics and policy.

DETAILS:

Olney says she is devoting the class to exploration of some of the critical issues underlying teach-ins and protests about California's current higher education budget that will be held at UC campuses this Thursday. There will be a brief media opportunity with the professors beginning at about 3:25 p.m. and following the class, which will feature questions from students.