Mar 14, UCB - COOL Idealist National Conference, the largest national meeting of college students involved in service, activism, politics and socially responsible work. Over 1,300 students from around the country are expected to attend.

WHERE: Various locations at the University of California, Berkeley.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 18-20

DETAILS: There are 12 day-long forums on Friday and 165 workshops on Saturday and Sunday, with details available at http://www.idealist.org/ioc/conference/program.html.

Among the highlights:

Opportunities Fair: Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. Pauley Ballroom West in the MLK Student Union. Local, national and international nonprofit sponsors offering job, internship, volunteer and graduate school opportunities.

Student-moderated plenary sessions: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Various locations. Seven panel discussions on topics such as climate change, alternative education, and social activism.

All Conference Celebration: Friday, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Berkeley Community Theatre. Includes the presentation of the COOL Idealist awards and keynote speakers.

Oxfam Hunger Banquet: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Pauley Ballroom West in the student union. Participants are assigned socio-economic identities when they enter, with Third World status resulting in a seat on the floor and a small cup of rice and of water, while those assigned to a prosperous nation are fed a three-course meal at a table.

All Conference Closing: Sunday, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wheeler Auditorium.