In numerous lawsuits, conservative professors and students allege that California’s community colleges are hindering their right to free speech under the First Amendment.
Higher Ed
Posted inEducation
UCSC workers begin two-day strike over health care, wage issues
UC Santa Cruz dining, transit and patient care workers began a two-day strike Wednesday morning as part of a systemwide labor action. Workers have accused the University of California of negotiating in bad faith over pay increases and health care costs.
Posted inEducation
Judge denies injunction request in lawsuit over banning Gaza protesters from UCSC campus
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge denied a request by UC Santa Cruz protesters Tuesday morning to stop the university from banning people from campus without due process. A preliminary injunction would have paused the practice as the protesters’ lawsuit against the bans proceeded in the courts. In the meantime, UCSC updated its policy on the bans.
Posted inEducation
UCSC prepares for disruptions to transit, dining and health services during two-day strike this week
The union representing hundreds of transit, dining and health workers at University of California system campuses, including UC Santa Cruz, is holding a two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday, causing campus officials to warn of potential disruption to dining hall and bus services. AFSCME 3299 workers voted to strike earlier this month after filing unfair labor practice charges against the UC and accusing the university of illegal bad faith bargaining.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Hey, Santa Cruz County youth – it’s time to get involved in politics and make our agenda heard
In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection, Ayo Banjo, a former student body president at UC Santa Cruz, reflects on the Democratic Party’s shift toward the center, which he argues cost Kamala Harris the presidency by failing to ignite the progressive base. Drawing from his leadership experiences, Banjo urges a new generation to adopt a playbook of courage and action, harnessing progressive values for transformative change. He calls on young leaders to step up and create policies that will define their futures and foster equity.
Posted inEducation
UC faces half-billion-dollar budget shortfall and eyes tuition increase for new nonresident students
The University of California anticipates more than a $500 million budget gap next summer, so It’s considering a $3,402 jump in tuition for new nonresident students next fall. Meanwhile, the system is planning billions in construction projects.
Posted inEducation
Hearing on protesters’ lawsuit against UC Santa Cruz campus bans scheduled for next week
UC Santa Cruz says it followed the law when it implemented two-week bans from campus against protesters who were arrested May 31 at the Gaza solidarity encampment. Two students and one professor filed a lawsuit alleging that the university didn’t follow policies on due process for the bans. Next Tuesday, a judge could decide the outcome.
Posted inEducation
Joining statewide strike, hundreds of UC Santa Cruz staff will go on strike Nov. 20-21
More than 37,000 University of California system workers from two different unions, including hundreds of custodial and transportation workers at UC Santa Cruz, are preparing to strike Nov. 20-21 after filing unfair labor practice complaints. UC officials say the strike announcement is “disheartening.”
Posted inEducation
After election, Santa Cruz County school leaders affirm rights of immigrant, LGBTQ+ communities
Santa Cruz County education leaders say there’s a feeling of anxiety among many families in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidential victory. To immigrant and LGBTQ+ families, they say they’ll uphold and protect their rights.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Finding housing as a UCSC student: A series of frying pans, fires and flameouts
UC Santa Cruz students face one of the toughest rental markets in the county and the university is not doing enough to help protect students from irresponsible and negligent landlords, says recent graduate Tommy Balmat. Here, Balmat chronicles his own struggle with a negligent landlord and calls on UCSC to offer more resources so students know how to better navigate the market and defend themselves.