Tipster Tadi Ciszak director our attention to sustainable development guru Jeffrey Sachs, professor to the stars, who made at cameo at today's House Financial Services Panel regarding a possible bailout for automakers.

That's Chrysler CEO Robert L. Nardelli in the front, who, along with other executives from G.M. and Ford testified on the Hill today.

Why is Jeffrey Sachs there? He's a well-respected economist for sure, and was most likely brought in to offer his opinion. In fact, in another MSNBC video (after the jump), Sachs warns against letting the auto makers fail. We've been watching him for minutes, and at about 28 seconds in, he tussles his hair with boyish nonchalance, which seems to be some sort of window in his psyche. What else is he trying to tell us?

The B-schoolers aren't the only ones effected by the recent economic downturn. It turns out undergrads are too! Instead of offering advice on how to save money, this week Bwog on a Budget returns with a special money-making feature.

The long and the short of it is simple: Bwog is broke. Given our economic state, there's little sense in discussing how to save money since there's no money to be saved. Yes, indeed the time has come for Bwog to make some money. But when the times are tough, finding work is hard. And finding work is especially hard for Columbia students, who not only prefer not to waste their talent doing remedial labor but also have their cumbersome class schedules to take into account. And while the minority of employed folks may receive a steady flow of cash each month, by October 18th, September's paycheck certainly must have diminished.

Bwog's done some research and discovered that Columbia's most lucrative resource is just where you'd expect to find lucrative things and people. Tucked away on the second floor of the business school library is Columbia's Behavioral Research Lab. If you are desperate enough, Bwog understands and suggests you sign up to receive the Behavioral Research Lab's bi-weekly announcements.

College Democrats and Republicans gather in same room, give each other silent treatment.

Wait, being an English major is worthless?!?

Camels roam streets, Spec reporters kissed by llamas, all just a few short blocks away!

Queer sex controversy at Barnard like you've never seen it before! As if you've ever seen it before!

Remember that subprime mortgage-induced liquidity crisis and the subsequent slight dip in the markets as a result of the bailout plan being rejected? Us too.

Prior to Monday's rejection of the $700 billion plan, a letter was sent by economists around the country urging Congress not to adopt the plan set forth by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. This petition included 13 signatures of Columbia professors, all of whom work in the Business School and range from those holding named professorships to non-tenure track positions on the faculty.

From a cursory look into their after-school jobs, it seems as if, like most b-school professors, those who signed on appear to generally back the Wall St. establishment: Christopher Mayer is a real estate expert who moonlights with a hedge fund while Wei Shang-Jin is a vocal supporter of outsourcing and globalization. In the letter, they stressed a long-term solution that was fair to taxpayers and investors. The full list of Columbia professors is after the jump.

Students in President Bollinger's Freedom of Speech and Press class were met with a surprise this afternoon when their esteemed preceptor eschewed his normal rapid-fire Socratic inquiry and instead launched into an hour-long elucidation of the ongoing financial and economic meltdown. After warning us that his cell phone might start ringing during the lecture, he first reminded us that he serves on the NY Federal Reserve Board, although he acknowledged that economics was by no means his area of expertise.

After ascertaining that not many students' professors had been discussing the banking collapse, Bollinger commenced a 45 minute-long history of the events leading up to the current crisis, touching on everything from petrodollars to the wisdom of Warren Buffett, whom PrezBo knows personally, he would have you know.

At this time of year, newness comes in all forms, from the obvious (your new dorm, your new classes, your new books, your new backpack) to the unanticipated (your replacement macBook charger, your subscription to Netflix to replace Kim's.) And while the novelty of these items is, well, novel, the polish of your purchases and the glow of your post-consumption satisfaction wears off as soon as your credit card bill comes at the end of the month.

In addition, New York City is notoriously pricey, your Morningside Heights being no exception. So when it comes to the question of making the most of their money, our heady first-years are pretty hard-pressed.

Bwog correspondent Jon Hill reports some awful Koronet-related news: prices have increased 25 cents, up from the $3/slice price, which lasted about a year. Hill researched some old data and used Microsoft Excel in order to illustrate for you, the concerned citizenry, the historical precedent for this price increase.

There are tipsters, and then, readers, there are tipsters: in a brazen and heretofore unequaled act of guerilla reporting (at least around here), a student in economics prof Xavier Sala-i-Martin's class found himself a seat in the front of the motley Catalan's lecture hall and let the cell phone camera roll. What he captured is almost too unspeakable to describe; an arcane ceremony consisting of endearingly misfired wisecracks (just what was the James Bond bit about?) and a rather unfortunate pink robe. We've been told that this has something to do with Sala-i-Martin's legendary M&M Peanut Minute competition, in which "brave" students are recognized for being able to answer his "M&M Peanut Minute" econ question of the day. It's as good a theory as any. Judge for yourselves.

-ARR

While you're paying for drinks at 1020, or The Heights, or wherever, some people are actually being paid to go on dates at local Columbia bars. Lonely hearts, look to psych experiments for your next love. Who knew economics held the key to matters of the heart?

Bonus points to anyone who can tell Bwog what bar Ray Fisman used.

Spectator reported yesterday that the Business School's Uris Deli has banished all forms of parental food finance: Flex, Dining Dollars, and First-Year Points are henceforth useless. It seems someone at the business school doesn't want undergraduates clogging their territory any longer; this would also explain why professional power-lunchables (think spoiled sushi and oniony sandwiches) are the only remaining offering at Uris.

With this development, Café 212 in Lerner is the last bastion of deli sandwiches--which, Bwog will note, remains open to graduate students. Likewise, those hankering for bubble tea and smoothies will have to trudge down to Lerner and get their daily fix at soon-to-open Cafe East.

Bwog correspondent Christopher Szabla adds that the B-School copy machines no longer accept Flex either, adding bite to that unfriendly facade. Bwog wonders at the economic inefficiency, and sulks.