College Beat

Campus tours, help with college applications and academic counseling: These are just a few forms of college outreach and assistance lost to California students when the U.S. Department of Education canceled over $40 million in funding across the country for more than 100 TRIO programs. The cuts hit rural students the hardest.

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.

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.

A California bill would require community colleges with health centers to provide access to medication abortion if lawmakers provide funding. Health center directors say many campuses lack the staffing and infrastructure to offer the service.

The climate of STEM higher education programs can be unwelcoming for some minority populations. A state-funded program is trying to change that by providing mentors, relationship-building and financial assistance to California college students.

Students who commute to college by bus and train in the Los Angeles area often experience delays and public safety threats. But they also don’t have to deal with the high costs of driving, such as parking and gas.