College students who seek help for substance use after an overdose face disciplinary action by their campus. A new California law, written in part by students themselves, will require public universities to offer rehabilitation services to students rather than discipline.
A drinkable product called Feel Free was once marketed to USC students as a wellness tonic. It contains an addictive, opioid-like ingredient called kratom leaf, now banned for sale by the California Department of Public Health but still available in many stores. A new bill in the Legislature would make the ban permanent in California.
The popular College Corps program pays students up to $10,000 for community service work including tutoring incarcerated youth, assisting at food banks and more. The program is expanding from 45 to 52 campuses, adding hundreds of more students.
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network (CJN), a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. Our mission: to elevate student voices in California higher education coverage, provide high-quality training to student journalists, and help diversify the state’s news media.
APPLY NOW: Applications are now open for the 2026-27 cohort of our College Journalism Network fellowship. Learn more and apply here.
Join our newsletter: Are you a college journalist looking for training opportunities? Sign up for our monthly newsletter here to receive invitations for our monthly virtual seminars and updates on our college journalism programs.
The merger between Oakland’s Mills College and Northeastern University in Boston will bring many changes to the tight-knit school for women. While experts say college mergers will continue, students say the effect on campus life should be taken into consideration.
With Cal State students now required to take ethnic studies, San Francisco State has launched a program inside California's youth prisons. The educators behind it hope it will inspire incarcerated young people to pursue higher education.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed spending $50 million on youth opioids education in his latest budget, funding that comes as colleges are grappling with how to best protect students and train them in overdose prevention. The proposal, though subject to negotiation, is a sign of increased concern amid rising opioid overdoses nationwide.
A state audit says four California universities could have received millions more in federal pandemic money and helped more students. University of California and California State University officials could still recoup some of the cash.
A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names. Students and advocates say it's affirming and will prevent discrimination.
At least four UC campuses have resorted to hotels to house students this fall. The option provided temporary relief to hundreds of students. But the financial support campuses offered varied. And for many students, finding more permanent, affordable housing remains elusive, even as the end of fall quarter nears.