In Claremont tonight

A couple of noteworthy events going on tonight in Claremont.

First is a scoping meeting for the Gold Line Extension through Claremont. Once completed, the Gold Line extension will run from Azusa to Montclair with stops in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair.

The meeting takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakmont Elementary School at 120 W. Green St. Attendees will learn more and provide input on the scope of the project and alternatives and issues to be studied in the EIS/EIR. A presentation and Q&A session will be followed by an open house with project staff.

Also Active Claremont will host a candidates forum for the 8 city council candidates. The event takes place at the Hughes center beginning at 7 p.m.

Chinese official in Claremont

left to right: Maria Klawe, President, Harvey Mudd College, David Oxtoby, President, Pomona College; Madam Wu; Sheldon Schuster, President, Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences; Deborah Freund, President, Claremont Graduate University; Robert Walton, CEO, CUC.

The Claremont Colleges got a visit yesterday from a high ranking Chinese official. Madam Qidi Wu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, was invited to Claremont to discuss topics of mutual interest. She met with Robert Walton, CEO of the Claremont University Consortium and several college presidents. Below are some further details about the visit, courtesy of CUC.

Madam Wu is a member of the National People’s Congress, a policy making body of high ranking officials in the PRC government. Madam Wu, former President of Tongji University, is presently a professor in the university Department of Electrical Engineering. Madam Wu has been a leader in shaping higher education in China, exploring the concepts of higher educational characteristics unique to China.

During her visit, Madam Wu and the presidents discussed topics of mutual interest, including the interest of the Chinese central government in the establishment of high quality US and other international institutions of higher education in China. Madam Wu explained that in China, a “research university” is considered higher quality than a “college” and a top rated college could be refused a presence in China. An outcome of her visit and study of US higher education is to better understanding US higher education and continue to guide educational policy in China. The concept of liberal arts is not well understood or valued in China where science and engineering continue to be emphasized. Madam Wu identified The Claremont Colleges as the level of quality of interest for further discussion of educational partnerships in China.

Madam Wu’s visit to Claremont was at the invitation of Robert Walton, CEO of CUC. A delegation of Claremont Colleges Presidents and senior leaders met with Madam Wu in 2008 during a tour of Chinese institutions of higher education. Most recently, Madam Wu hosted Mr. Walton and Mr. Yang during their September 2010 visit to China. The meeting concluded with an invitation to the Claremont Colleges presidents to visit Beijing and Shanghai to continue discussion of mutual interest.

Claremont Wilderness park temporarily closed

The Claremont Wilderness Park will be closed until further notice due to the recent storms. From the city website:

The recent storms caused some significant damage in the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The hazardous trail conditions left by the rains and wind have made it impassable for emergency equipment and made it unsafe for hikers and bikers. Due to these safety concerns, the Fire Department has recommended closing the park until trail clearance can be completed which may take several weeks. The Wilderness Park will remain closed until further notice.