College Beat

People walk past an “End Overdose” outreach table with informational materials and QR codes set up in a public plaza.

This new California law will offer college students rehab before discipline for overdosing

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.

By Alina Ta

Small bottles of a product labeled “feel free,” advertised for mood lift, energy, and focus, are displayed for sale inside a convenience store. A sign indicates the product costs $8.99 and must be purchased by customers age 21 or older.

Once given out at USC, this banned, opioid-like product is still cropping up in California

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.

By Phoebe Huss

A person wearing a white sweater with blue stripes on the arm and a blue UCLA shirt underneath stands in a field near an apartment building, with tree branches poking into the background.

How college students can earn $10,000 for making a difference in CA communities

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.

By Brittany Oceguera

An illustration in green, red, blue and yellow tones that shows a desktop computer screen with an open window tab that resembles a Pokemon battle scene. At one end of the screen is a pixelated student and at the other is a wolf that represents a chatbot. The illustration includes a bubble text that reads "where can students get free food on campus?" alongside other bubbles of text with red exclamation points.

California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: ‘The chatbot is outdated’

Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.

By Martin Romero

Jay Boyer on Oct. 21, 2021. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran for CalMatters

College Beat

Is new support the key to success for formerly incarcerated community college students?

Lea este artículo en español. The first time Danny Muñoz went to jail, he was only 14. He was in and out of the justice system for the next few decades, starting with minor offenses like fighting before moving on to more serious charges as an adult. In 2016, he survived being shot five times. It […]

By Emily Forschen • November 4, 2021

Mills Hall at Mills College in Oakland on Oct. 19, 2021. Can Jozef Saul for CalMatters

College Beat

Pandemic rules add stress for campus RAs

Resident advisers on college campuses have a complicated job in a normal year, and the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to their workload this fall.

By Itzel Luna, Juhi Doshi, Omar Rashad and Steven Vargas • October 28, 2021

Flames on an entrance sign for Lake Almanor West as the Dixie Fire burned in Plumas County on Aug. 5, 2021. AP Photo/Noah Berger

College Beat

Inside the fossil fuel divestment movement at Cal State

After nine months of student advocacy, Cal State University officials announced they would pull $162 million in investments from the fossil fuel industry, joining a growing movement.

By Stephanie Zappelli • October 22, 2021

College Beat

New program allows incarcerated students to get bachelor’s degrees alongside peers on the outside

Lea este artículo en español. Fifteen years ago, Kenny Butler was at a low point. He had just been sentenced to life in prison. Now Butler, 47, is on track to earn his bachelor’s degree through a new program at Pitzer College, a small private liberal arts school in Southern California. The program, which began last […]

By Meghan Bobrowsky • October 1, 2021

Quinn O'Conner at the Janss Steps on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, 2021. O'Conner was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was 1 years old and is an advocate for disabled UCLA students. Photo by Benjamin Hanson for CalMatters College Journalism Network

College Beat

New generation of disabled UC students revives activism

A coalition is calling for the University of California to give disabled students more support and a say in pandemic-era learning plans.

By Janelle Marie Salanga • September 23, 2021

College Beat

That student in your community college class could be a bot

Bots are filling up community college classes in a likely attempt by scammers to fraudulently access COVID-19 relief grants and other financial aid. At least 10 districts or individual colleges told CalMatters they've been affected, and the community college system has announced new security measures to combat the scam.

By Charlotte West, Mikhail Zinshteyn, Matthew Reagan and Emma Hall • September 2, 2021

Sacramento State student Madeline Waters prepares a meal, in her Sacramento home with ingredients provided by CalFresh on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters College Journalism Network

College Beat

Colleges rush to sign students up for food stamps, as pandemic rules make more eligible

During the Covid emergency, the federal government has expanded food stamp eligibility for college students, who have typically had trouble accessing the aid even though many suffer from food insecurity. California colleges are stepping up their efforts to get students enrolled.

By Alejandra Salgado • August 18, 2021

Graduates on stage with speaker, Dr. T. Robert Przeklasa, Jr., during the first CINC commencement ceremony at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage on June 6, 2021. Photo by Eric Martinez courtesy of California Indian Nations College

College Beat

New tribal colleges offer ‘sense of belonging’ for Native students but hit roadblocks

Tribal colleges provide culturally relevant education for Native students. But in California, they face an uphill battle because of lack of funding and a lengthy accreditation process.

By Emma Hall and Charlotte West • August 5, 2021

Los Angeles Mission College offered cash incentives for students who agreed to be vaccinated on July 21, 2020.

College Beat

Community colleges offer cash, textbooks to students who get vaccinated

While both the University of California and California State University are requiring students to be vaccinated for the fall term, community college districts are opting for a mix of mandates, incentives and encouragement.

By Matthew Reagan and Emma Hall • August 2, 2021

CSU Student Trustees Juan F. Garcia and Maryana Khames visit Fresno State University for a Cal State Student Association meeting in November 2019. The three higher education governing boards in California are moving to expand voting power for student representatives. Photo courtesy of California State Student Association

College Beat

Lawmakers aim to boost student voting power on UC, community college boards

If a bill pending in the California Legislature passes, all three of the state's higher education governing boards will have two voting student members. Advocates say the student representatives provide an important firsthand perspective on issues like campus safety and basic needs.

By Matthew Reagan • July 29, 2021

College Beat

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