For the 2011 school year, UC Berkeley created a project for incoming students designed to break the social ice and spark intellectual debate among students and professors alike. Last year’s project, the “Saliva Experiment” asked students to send in samples of their saliva for genetic testing – which quickly led to national controversy. The results were ultimately withheld. This year, however, the university decided on a less controversial, but similarly personal project. Instead of collecting spit, Cal is collecting voices. Because, like a thumbprint, every voice is unique. At UC Berkeley, the number of international and out-of-state students is a growing population, a phenomenon that this year’s student orientation project is exploring. In a story co-produced by Melody Sage, Alexandra Victoria examines this closely.

For the 2011 school year, UC Berkeley created a project for incoming students designed to break the social ice and spark intellectual debate among students and professors alike. Last year’s project, the “Saliva Experiment” asked students to send in samples of their saliva for genetic testing – which quickly led to national controversy. The results were ultimately withheld. This year, however, the university decided on a less controversial, but similarly personal project. Instead of collecting spit, Cal is collecting voices. Because, like a thumbprint, every voice is unique. At UC Berkeley, the number of international and out-of-state students is a growing population, a phenomenon that this year’s student orientation project is exploring. In a story co-produced by Melody Sage, Alexandra Victoria examines this closely.