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.
A California university is cutting ties with the Border Patrol after student outcry
Following a CalMatters investigation, students and faculty at UC San Diego protested against campus police for collaborating with Border Patrol through a federal grant program. The university will stop participating in the program and aiding patrols, sources and internal documents confirm.
They once taught about a hero. Now faculty rethink César Chávez lessons after allegations
Some faculty have dedicated their careers to researching César Chávez’s life, legacy and labor movement leadership. Following the New York Times’ investigation that revealed a long pattern of Chávez sexually abusing women and girls, college faculty across California are evaluating their research and curriculum about California’s farmworker movements.
California colleges reveal their military weapons stockpile after CalMatters investigation
According to state law, campus police can own military weapons to uphold safety as long as they report it to the public. However, not every college follows every part of the law, according to an investigation by CalMatters into all 148 public colleges and universities in California.
How student journalists can report on the military weapons on your campus
The College Journalism Network at CalMatters investigated how public campuses throughout California were complying with a state law that requires transparency about military equipment. This guide is for student journalists to investigate their own campuses.
Jennifer Burger
Editor
Michael Lozano
Assistant Editor
Dylan Arreola
UC Berkeley
Sterling Davies
Stanford University
Noelle Doblado
Cal Poly Humboldt
Mariam Farag
UC Irvine
Aaron Friesen
Riverside City College
Max Guerra
UC Santa Cruz
Jackson Mills
USC
Natalia Mochernak
UCLA
Tom Nolan
Cal State Monterey Bay
Skylar Stock
Cal State Long Beach
Anahid Valencia
Fresno State
Nikki Yunker
El Camino College
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
College Beat
Latest ‘menstrual equity’ bill would require California’s public colleges to provide period products
A bill pending in the Legislature would require California’s public universities, community colleges and secondary schools to provide free menstrual products on campus. Students pushing for the bill say they are trying to break through taboos surrounding a matter of basic hygiene, and that many low-income students suffer from “period poverty,” in which they are unable to afford the pads and tampons they need.