College Beat

Students walk through the Fresno State campus in Fresno, on Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Cal State student workers get the OK to hold a union vote

Student workers at the 23-campus system say their pay is low, their hours are restricted and they get no sick pay. They are hoping to join the employees union to fix that.

By Helena San Roque

East Bay Consortium Financial Aid Program Coordinator Ruby de Anda Enriquez, right, speaks with a parent about grant options during a financial aid workshop at College Information Day at UC Berkeley in Berkeley on Oct. 14, 2023. The California Student Aid Commission held sessions on financial aid to help inform students and families about their different options. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters

California wants every high school senior to apply for student financial aid. Will a federal delay slow efforts?

A new California law required all high school seniors to complete a financial aid application last year, leading to a record number. Now, everyone’s waiting for the federal government to overhaul the online FAFSA application, which won’t be ready until December.

By Haydee Barahona and Li Khan

Elisa Arquieta at California State University Long Beach on Oct. 12, 2023. Arquieta is both a student and a parent. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

California colleges miss the deadline to offer student parents priority registration

Signed by the governor in September 2022, AB 2881 aims to identify and address the needs of student parents in California by offering them priority registration. Coordinators and advocates are optimistic the law will formalize data collection, allowing them to better serve this student population that represents 1 in 5 students nationally.

By Atmika Iyer and Briana Mendez-Padilla

“La Memoria de la Tierra,” a mural created by Judith Baca, resides on the north side of Ackerman Union at UCLA in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, 2022. The mural is approximately 80 feet and made up of three 26-foot-long glass panels. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Are California’s Hispanic Serving Institutions living up to their name?

California has the most Hispanic Serving Institutions among its colleges of any state — 174, including 21 of 23 California State University campuses and five of the nine University of California campuses. But how well are HSIs — where almost 90% of the state’s Latino undergraduates are enrolled — actually serving Latino students? It’s a mixed bag, students and advocates say.

By Megan Tagami and Matthew Reagan

College Beat

Are electric bikes allowed at your college in California? Depends on where you go to school

As electric bikes and scooters gain popularity among college students, California campuses vary over their regulation. The devices pose safety risks yet are cheaper, more convenient and better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles.

By Christina Chkarboul and Jada Portillo • November 20, 2023

Education

Grief, fear, and hopes for peace: California college students describe campus climates during Israel-Palestine conflict

Students at university campuses throughout the state are coming together - many times at odds - in their demands for peace and justice between Israel and Palestine. Here is a look at how the divisions are impacting California college students.

By Haydee Barahona, Christopher Buchanan, Briana Mendez-Padilla, Jacqueline Munis, Hugo Rios and Amelia Wu • November 17, 2023

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 • August 7, 2023

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

College Beat

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