University Of California

Environment

California’s ancient ‘asbestos’ forests no longer seem immune

The North Coast’s rainforests are hotter, drier and less foggy. That means more dangerous fires that can scar iconic redwoods.

By Julie Cart • September 28, 2020

College Beat

Welcome to Zoom University. That’ll be $500.

Some University of California campuses are charging new students hundreds of dollars for orientation sessions even though they take place entirely online.

By Janelle Marie Salanga • September 25, 2020

Inside the Newsroom

College Journalism Network expands, announces new partnerships

The CalMatters College Journalism Network will double in size this fall, offering paid fellowships to a diverse cohort of 14 student journalists from campuses across California.  We launched the network earlier this year with a two-part mission: improve CalMatters’ higher education coverage by focusing on student voices, and provide training and career opportunities for student […]

By Felicia Mello • September 25, 2020

WhatMatters

UC unfairly admitted well-connected students

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, September 23. State audit slams UC The debate surrounding admissions to California’s most prestigious university system just got a lot more heated. Four University of California campuses “unfairly admitted” 64 applicants, including 22 “falsely designated” athletes, between the 2013-14 and 2018-19 school years based on their connections to wealthy donors […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 23, 2020

Education

State auditor blasts UC for admitting unqualified students based on wealthy connections

The state auditor found a lot of holes in the way the University of California conducts its admissions process, from inappropriate donor influence to questionable student athlete decisions. The state audit also disagrees with the UC’s internal audit.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 22, 2020

Events

Robots, veterans, apprenticeships: What’s next for California’s job market

As unemployment drops, business leaders and educators pinpoint what’s gone wrong for workers and where to look for opportunity.

By Lauren Hepler • September 18, 2020

Education

Coronavirus-induced student housing levels could cost UC a billion dollars per year

At the September UC Regents meeting, top UC officials said things likely won’t return to normal until at least fall 2021, student housing revenue losses could be a billion dollars per year, but enrollment seems stable.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 18, 2020

Education

Coronavirus precautions at UC system likely until fall 2021

The pandemic situation at UC campuses, and its attendant precautions, is likely to persist until at least fall 2021, a UC health expert says.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 16, 2020

Education

How to make sense of affirmative action in UC admissions

Context is king in how foes and backers of affirmative action use statistics, and race would still not play as large a part in the admissions process as some fear.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 15, 2020

WhatMatters

Trump headed to California as wildfires rage

President Donald Trump will visit California today for a wildfire briefing with Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials, just a few days after Newsom declared “a climate damn emergency” and slammed the federal government for its rollback of certain environmental protections. The visit marks the latest iteration of Newsom and Trump’s back-and-forth on wildfires. Last […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 14, 2020