University of California

Cal State campuses with have new admissions requirements soon. Here, students walk across campus at Fresno State on Feb. 8, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Higher Education

Without SAT, ACT, what’s next for Cal State admissions?

Cal State joined the University of California in ending its use of an admissions test for freshmen. Now the system is creating a new set of eligibility criteria, the first change since 1965. The plan is to focus on student high school grades and life experiences.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• March 31, 2022

Joshua Elizondo is a student at Pepperdine University. March 10, 2022. Photo by Lucian Himes for CalMatters

College Beat

Lawmakers consider boosting financial aid for private college students

A Senate bill would alter the Cal Grant program, opening up additional funds to students attending private colleges and changing transfer-student targets.

By

Carolyn Kuimelis

• March 25, 2022

Reader Reactions

UC Berkeley’s problem is poor planning, not CEQA

CEQA didn’t create the problems at UC Berkeley, the university’s poor planning did. Better planning, not gutting CEQA, is the answer.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 25, 2022

Students walk down Telegraph Avenue with the Den student apartments and Maximino Martinez Commons visible in the background on Feb. 3, 2022. Photo by Thalia Juarez for CalMatters

Housing

California housing crisis goes to college

Listen to the new episode of the California housing crisis podcast, featuring the debate at UC Berkeley over enrollment and environmental law.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 4, 2022

Jaqueline Ruvalcaba, a first-generation college student at American River College in Sacramento, has had to balance school and work for several years

College Beat

What people get wrong about first-generation college students

The CalMatters College Journalism Network spoke with first-generation college students across the state about the challenges they face on campus.

By

Itzel Luna

• March 4, 2022

Students walk past the Doe Memorial Library on the University of California, Berkeley campus on Feb. 3, 2022. Thalia Juarez for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Is California souring on CEQA?

Democrats may carve out another exemption to CEQA, the landmark California environmental law, after a ruling on UC Berkeley enrollment.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 4, 2022

Higher Education

If UC Berkeley must cut 3,000 students, should it spare Californians?

If UC Berkeley loses its fight to block a judge’s enrollment cap order, UC Berkeley said it’ll have to deny slots to a third of its incoming class. One key lawmaker thinks the university should give priority to Californians. It’s a coda to ongoing tension over how many nonresident students the UCs should enroll.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• February 18, 2022

Commentary

Budgeting racial justice for the University of California

Data suggest that budgets for the UC could be running counter to our diversity, equity and inclusion pronouncements.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 14, 2022

Newly-built student housing at UC Merced on August 2, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Education

Student housing is tight. A California plan wants $5 billion for affordable beds

Student housing in California is already tight and the state has big plans to expand enrollment at the University of California and the Cal States. A $5 billion proposal would give campuses loans at no interest to expand their housing stock.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• January 26, 2022

Matthew Yip, 8, waits in line to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in San Jose on Nov. 3, 2021. AP Photo/Noah Berger

WhatMatters

California’s bleak midwinter of COVID

The omicron variant is spreading across California as it outpaces COVID vaccinations, forcing some UC campuses to return to online classes.

By

Foon Rhee

• December 22, 2021

University Of California