College Beat

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

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

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

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

Illustration of a young female basketball player hanging on a basketball hoop, surrounded by two crowds of people protesting; the left crowd is holding signs that have red unequal symbols and circles with a slash through it; the right crowd is holding signs with the trans and pride flags

How California keeps transgender student athletes on the court as bans unfold across the country

California is becoming increasingly tangled in the nationwide fight over whether transgender college athletes should be allowed to compete on teams of their gender identity. Just how much can state laws and policies protect its players?

By Desmond Meagley and Amy Elisabeth Moore

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.

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

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

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

Students discuss their work in class at the MESA center at American River College on April 25, 2024. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez for CalMatters

Education

California boosts spending to help students earn math and science degrees

A program for low-income, first-generation STEM students at community colleges is receiving millions of dollars to expand across the state.

By Li Khan • July 9, 2024

Graduating students during a commencement ceremony at Southwestern College in Chula Vista on May 24, 2024. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

Education

They conquered gloom and Zoom: 2024 college grads on what comes next

Five college graduates reflect on their unique college experience and look forward to their early career plans.

By Li Khan, Haydee Barahona, Briana Mendez-Padilla, Christina Chkarboul and Elizabeth Wilson • June 28, 2024

College Beat

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