Elizabeth has always wanted to be a doctor. While a high school senior, she was hoping to achieve her dream through attending the state’s main university campus, but she was put on a waiting list. A friend talked her into taking a path less traveled, by starting out at a...
Police: Teacher With Far-Right Ties Harassed Health Officer
SAN JOSE — Authorities say a California community college instructor with ties to the far-right, anti-government “boogaloo" movement is in custody following his arrest for allegedly sending more than two dozen threatening letters to a county health officer during the coronavirus pandemic. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office arrested Alan...
Walters: Community College Report Ignores Reality
The Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises state lawmakers on budgetary matters, prides itself on taking an independent, nonpartisan and even nonpolitical approach to important policy issues. That well-established tradition continues in a new LAO report on a pilot program that allows a few community college districts to offer four-year degrees in a...
Next Stop for Free College: Cal State University?
In yet another push to make higher education more accessible in California, a bill filed in the state Legislature last week would extend the state’s tuition-free college guarantee to four years — and beyond community college — for some students, making it one of the most generous programs in the...
Tateosian Challenges Embattled Payne for Trustee Seat
State Center Community College District Trustee Eric Payne will have competition for reelection. Payne, a two-term trustee, said he intends to run again on the November 2020 ballot. Sevag Tateosian, a longtime Fresno County employee, filed his intention to run for the District 2 seat, which covers much of Fresno...
March Ballot Will Include $15 Billion Schools Bond
SACRAMENTO — California's voters will vote next year whether the state should issue $15 billion in bonds for school construction and modernization projects. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday placing the bond on the March 2020 ballot. He says improving physical conditions in schools will improve students' educational experiences. Nine...
'Crush' Days Welcome New Students to Clovis College
New Clovis Community College students will get tips on student success and a chance to meet faculty, counselors, staff, and other students at orientation events this week. Students can attend "Crush" Days on Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m to...
UC System Accepts Record Number of California Applicants
SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California system accepted a record number of freshmen and transfer students that includes the most ever from California for the 2019-20 academic year, officials announced. The university system's nine undergraduate campuses accepted 71,655 California freshmen and 26,700 students who will transfer from California community...
Is Privatizing Bookstores the Smart Move for Community Colleges?
State Center Community College District officials say turning to a private company to run its bookstores will save students money, while adding to the district’s bottom line. District management wants to turn over operations to Follett Higher Education Group, a national firm based in Illinois. The board wasn't ready to...
Walters: School Accountability Good for Some, Not Others?
Last year, in his final budget as governor, Jerry Brown proudly proclaimed a new policy to encourage the state’s 114 community colleges to pay more attention to how their students are faring. “By funding colleges based primarily on enrollment, the current funding formula encourages districts to strictly prioritize student access...