University Of California

Higher Education

The Cal Grant expansion for California college students is in jeopardy as the state deficit grows

The Cal Grant fully covers tuition at the University of California and California State University, and legislators planned to offer it to an additional 137,000 students.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • April 23, 2024

College Beat

Native American students get free tuition to attend the UC. Why it isn’t enough.

The UC Native American Opportunity Plan seeks to make the system a viable option for Native students in California by offering them free tuition. But Native students enrolled at UC campuses report that strains on their budgets along with insufficient resources and faculty representation have been obstacles to academic success.

By Christopher Buchanan • April 5, 2024

College Beat

California’s disabled students left behind during emergencies: ‘They just weren’t ready for someone like me’

After bringing his story all the way to the University of California Board of Regents, a disabled UC Berkeley student has prompted the UC to ensure emergency evacuation chairs are in every multi-storied building in the 10-university system.

By Amelia Wu • March 28, 2024

College Beat

California colleges have to slash emissions. Here’s why decarbonization is complex and costly.

California’s three public university systems are either setting or reworking their climate plans to fall in line with the state’s goal for carbon neutrality by 2045, all while striving to expand in size and scope. New plans do away with a large reliance on carbon offsets, making an already difficult and costly process of reducing emissions even harder.

By Christina Chkarboul • March 12, 2024

Education

California universities struggle to graduate Black students. Cultural centers aim to help

While graduation rates for Black students are the lowest in California universities, cultural centers can help address equity issues. Centers for Black students create a safe space to foster community while connecting with academic resources and Black faculty.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • March 8, 2024

Commentary

Private equity giants worsen California’s housing crisis. Why are we giving them public dollars?

University of California leaders invest billions of dollars in private equity giants that worsen housing affordability, directly impacting workers and students. If elected officials say they really want to confront the housing crisis, they should spend these public dollars on solutions instead.

By Liz Perlman • March 4, 2024

Commentary

How a proposal to keep opinions off UC websites could dangerously restrict speech

University of California regents are considering a policy to limit personal views on official platforms, but the overly broad proposal could backfire and suppress controversial speech from faculty members.

By Ty Alper • February 27, 2024

Higher Education

Narcan at California colleges: Are students getting overdose medication?

The Campus Opioid Safety Act required colleges and universities to put the power of reversing fentanyl overdoses directly into the hands of students. Some campuses are giving out the life-saving nasal spray Narcan, while others are not.

By Li Khan • February 22, 2024

Higher Education

Students panic after new financial aid application blocks them: ‘I don’t know who to call’

When parents without Social Security numbers try to fill out the aid application on behalf of their children, they are blocked from continuing. Federal officials are offering no information about when the problem will be fixed.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • February 12, 2024

Higher Education

UC rejects proposal to allow campuses to hire undocumented students

The proposal would have meant challenging a federal law that bars employers from hiring undocumented immigrants. Advocates requesting the change argue that the University of California, as a state agency, is exempt from that law.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • January 25, 2024