Last week’s post about the Free Speech Monument was very timely – since they established their right to protest at the university which others are now currently exercising.
This week’s post is more a ‘beginning of summer’ one. Not too serious. But if you are interested in quirky things about the Bay Area you might appreciate this post.
Another interesting thing you might see while looking down at UC Berkeley are the parking spots reserved for their Nobel Laureates. A sure nod to Berkeley’s overwhelming Nobel Prize winners. Currently the UC system counts 70 people who have been awarded 71 Nobel Prizes. UC Berkeley’s contribution is 27 faculty and staff members who were affiliated with the UC when they received their award; or joined UC after their recognition. Second in line is UC San Diego with 16 prize winners.
When Berkeley News posted their interview with Nobel winner Reinhard Genzel, they actually titled it: The biggest perk to being a Berkeley Nobelist? Free parking.
You can look for the parking spots while on campus – they are marked with blue signs ‘Reserved for Nobel Laureate, Nobel Laureate Reserved Space, Special Permit Required At All Times’. Atlas Obscura locates them as:
“Five of the parking spots can be found on University Drive, outside Campbell Hall (Physics). There are two more behind Latimer Hall (Chemistry), and one over at Evans Hall (Economics).”
Here you also learn about the history of the spots. Apparently Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz, who received a Nobel Prize in 1980, just asked for the spot. This started a common practice.
Where do you park when you visit UC Berkeley?
