College Beat

College students with Hollywood dreams see industry strikes as key to livable careers

With the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild on strike, Hollywood has shut down. As workers demand fair compensation and regulation over the use of artificial intelligence, college students hoping to break into the entertainment industry are caught up in the historic moment.

By Ryan Loyola

Cyn Gomez (he/they) photographed outside of their home in Berkeley on April 30, 2023. Gomez is a student at UC Berkeley who waited three weeks to get their accommodations for a disability approved. Photos for Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

UC disability services understaffed, students say

The UC Student Association is calling for California to spend millions more on disability services at the university, as disabled students report long wait times to access the academic accommodations they say they need to succeed. On some campuses, students say they have waited months for accommodations — such as recorded lectures and extra time for assignments — to be approved by university disability specialists, who are responsible for as many as 600 students at a time.

By Megan Tagami

Fabiola Santiago, an undocumented UCLA student with a masters degree in Public Heath, attends a graduation ceremony for UCLA "Dreamers", or Dream Act students, at a church near the campus in Los Angeles in 2012. Photo by Jonathan Alcorn, Reuters

Undocumented students qualify for financial aid in California. Why aren’t more of them using it?

Tens of thousands of undocumented students in California are potentially eligible for financial aid from the state and public universities. But only 14% of undocumented students actually receive it, according to a recent report by the California Student Aid Commission. Students, counselors and the commission itself are calling for improvements in the application process and greater support for undocumented students trying to navigate it.

By Carmen González

Marisa Silvestri listens to her student Oscar de la Torre during her Ethnic Studies Class at Santa Monica High School in Los Angeles on March 28, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

California high schools are adding hundreds of ethnic studies classes. Are teachers prepared?

California high school students will be required to pass an ethnic studies class to graduate, starting with the class of 2030. That means the state needs lots of new ethnic studies teachers. But do educators need a special credential to teach ethnic studies? Some ethnic studies advocates say allowing any social science teacher to instruct the subject will lead to watered down and ineffective courses, while school districts argue that flexibility is important if they’re going to fill the roles.

By Megan Tagami

Elise Byun, student athlete and member of the Cal Womens Gymnastics, at the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley on June 30, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

College Beat

Should universities share athletics revenue with players? California bill sparks backlash.

A proposal to set up degree completion funds for California student athletes has met with stiff opposition from universities and the NCAA. College athletes could earn a share of the revenue they generate under the bill — as much as $25,000 for each year that they played their sport. But the bill’s author has delayed it until 2024 after opponents charged the fund would draw money away from less lucrative sports like gymnastics and swimming.

By Ryan Loyola • July 10, 2023

Illustration generated via artificial intelligence program Midjourney, and finalized with Adobe Photoshop (Beta)

College Beat

California professors test out AI in the classroom, even as cheating debate continues

While some California college professors remain concerned about students using generative AI such as ChatGPT to cheat in class, a growing number are choosing to encourage its limited use in classroom assignments. From analyzing films to writing research proposals, the assignments seek to convey the benefits of AI as a research tool while acknowledging its limitations and propensity for error.

By Rocky Walker • June 14, 2023

College Beat

Taking a pass on college? California apprenticeships offer another path

What should I do if college isn’t for me? We tackle that question in this installment of our ‘Ask CJN’ column, in which student journalists answer readers’ questions about California higher education. One option for those eschewing college: apprenticeships, which often offer a living wage and a guaranteed job upon completion.

By Andrea Madison • June 2, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

College Beat

California private colleges fear affirmative action ban as Supreme Court prepares to rule

With a conservative Supreme Court expected to rule this summer in favor of ending or restricting affirmative action in college admissions, California’s private universities are worried about the potential impact on campus diversity. College administrators are revamping admissions and doing more high school outreach, while student activists are campaigning against a potential ban.

By Itzel Luna • June 1, 2023

Kelda Quintana, an academic advisor at Cal Poly Humboldt, speaks with a student on campus on May 8, 2023. Photo by Briar Parkinson for CalMatters

College Beat

Is academic probation working at California’s colleges?

In the latest of our ‘Ask CJN’ series, Cal State Northridge student Isabella Warren asks what colleges are doing to support students on academic probation. That probation status is supposed to be a wake-up call for students, but campuses vary in their approach. Some, we found, are experimenting with new ways to reduce the stigma and retain students.

By Rocky Walker • May 12, 2023

Delilah Mays-Triplett, 19, works from her work station as a student assistant inside the Love Library Edition at San Diego State University in San Diego on April 12, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

College Beat

Cal State undergraduate workers seek union representation

Undergraduate student assistants at California State University are mounting a union organizing campaign, calling for more work hours, paid sick time and higher wages.

By Rocky Walker • April 14, 2023

A menstrual product dispenser on campus at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill on March 28, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

College Beat

Did California keep its promise to provide menstrual products on college campuses?

In the latest installment of our ‘Ask CJN’ series, student reporters with our College Journalism Network answer a reader’s question about menstrual equity. California’s public colleges are required to provide free menstrual products to students as of this school year. But across campuses, the availability of free pads and tampons still varies.

By Itzel Luna • April 4, 2023

College Beat

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