College Beat

Tomás Morales wears academic regalia and stands on stage with his hands clasped, with a California State University, San Bernardino seal displayed in the background.

Cal State gives $340K job to ex-president who stepped down after discrimination lawsuit

The Cal State chancellor has announced a new consultant role for the outgoing president of Cal State San Bernardino, Tomás Morales, who stepped down after he was sued for discrimination and harassment. Cal State settled his case as part of a $12 million settlement. For the next year, he will consult on international education programs, earning $343,920.

By Phoebe Huss

A portrait of Tomás Morales wearing a dark suit, striped tie and lapel pin is displayed on a light textured background with graphic accents.

Cal State president at center of $12M discrimination suit is up for transition job

The California State University system agreed to pay $12 million settling a lawsuit in which two female employees at Cal State San Bernardino said they were harassed and discriminated against based on their gender by the university president and a former dean. The Cal State Board of Trustees will discuss the outgoing president’s transition plan at its meeting Wednesday.

By Phoebe Huss

A University of California campus police officer pushes a pro-Palestinian protester away from a moving San Diego Sheriff's bus with arrested protesters onboard at UC San Diego in San Diego on May 6, 2024. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

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.

By Phoebe Huss

A line of police officers wearing helmets and face shields stands together on a street, with one officer giving directions to the group.

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.

By Phoebe Huss

A person is seated in a wheelchair-accessible voting booth with a blue privacy screen, their legs and hands visible as they hold a pen. In the foreground, another individual, wearing a mask and blurred in motion, walks by, partially obscuring the booth. The setup includes a touchscreen ballot marking device for accessibility, and a storage room door is visible in the background.

Elections

We talked to California college students about today’s election. Here’s what’s on their minds

California’s college students represent a wide array of ages, ethnicities, lived experiences and political beliefs. Eight voters who attend a California college shared their perspectives with CalMatters on the issues that matter to them as some vote in local, state and national elections for the first time.

By Camelia Heins, Amy Elisabeth Moore, Delilah Brumer, Victoria Mejicanos, Khadeejah Khan, June Hsu and Lauren Bui • November 5, 2024

A student writing on a white board under a banner for the AI club in a classroom.

Education

California students want careers in AI. Here’s how colleges are meeting that demand

The governor’s recent deal with Nvidia will boost AI education at community colleges and open the door to similar deals for public four-year universities in California. Meanwhile, computer science programs are adding AI concentrations and majors to prepare students for a range of "blue collar" and technical AI jobs.

By Delilah Brumer and Jeremy Garza • October 29, 2024

A man with a brief case walking pass two young women sitting at a table talking at a college campus.

Education

Community college faculty often campus-hop. Newsom vetoed a plan to make their lives easier

A bill vetoed by the governor would have increased the number of classes part-time community college faculty can teach at a single campus. Part-timers often have to commute between multiple campuses to make ends meet. The governor cited potential costs for his veto.

By Delilah Brumer • September 30, 2024

The CSU Long Beach campus in Long Beach on April 24, 2024. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

Education

As Cal State touts sex discrimination reforms, some students and employees question progress

The California State University Board of Trustees heard positive reports on Title IX reforms at its meeting this week, including new campus audits and data collection. However, some faculty and students say they have yet to see improvements.

By Mercy Sosa • September 27, 2024

A man with a hat on top of an RV to check the roof while it's parked next to a street.

Education

Homeless students can sleep safely in their cars at this California college. Other campuses say no

Failed legislative bills have attempted to create safe parking programs for students to sleep in their cars on California campuses while awaiting housing. Meanwhile, Long Beach City College allows homeless students to park overnight.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • September 18, 2024

Illustration of a Latina college student trying to focus on her laptop; she's surrounded by a bunch of desktop notifications and various distracting screens and windows

College Beat

California college students want more online courses, but can they catch up to in-class peers?

The number of students taking college courses online has grown, particularly at the California Community Colleges. While campuses see the modality as increasing accessibility for students, the federal government is calling for greater oversight into the quality and effectiveness of online instruction.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla and Adam Echelman • September 11, 2024

Photo collage of a woman with her head in her hands, set against a distorted background of clocks; a male and female college student are walking on campus in the background

Education

Broken trust: Cal State is mending how it handles sexual discrimination cases

Changes are underway one year after scathing audits showed how the California State University system failed to handle reports of sexual discrimination, harassment and assault in its Title IX offices.

By Elizabeth Wilson • July 22, 2024