Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature reached a deal that will provide $500 million toward affordable student housing this year and possibly up to $2 billion in future years. Experts say it’s “a drop in the bucket” compared to what’s needed.
UC Santa Cruz
Posted inEducation
Some UCSC students struggle to return to campus as affordable, available housing remains elusive
With UCSC resuming classes for the 2021-2022 school year in a few weeks, many incoming and returning students are finding themselves at a loss for housing options. As one returning student shared, “I can’t focus on my job, I can’t sleep — this is completely awful.”
Posted inEducation
Colleges rush to sign students up for food stamps, as pandemic rules make more eligible
During the Covid emergency, the federal government has expanded food stamp eligibility for college students, who have typically had trouble accessing the aid even though many suffer from food insecurity. California colleges are stepping up their efforts to get students enrolled.
Posted inEducation
UC pledges ‘transformational change’ to bring more equity, transparency to campus policing
University of California President Michael V. Drake unveiled a plan to post more police data, create independent accountability boards and potentially reallocate some duties and budget dollars from police to community safety specialists.
Posted inCoast Life
What happens when your new affordability reporter isn’t finding anything affordable? Grace’s story
Lookout’s new affordability and equity reporter, Grace Stetson, has lived in Seattle, Chicago, Brooklyn and the Bay Area. She had never seen the Santa Cruz housing market firsthand until she had to deal with it herself — somehow she survived to tell. Even if just barely.
Posted inEducation
UC admits largest, most diverse class ever, but it was harder to get accepted
The University of California admitted its largest, most diverse undergraduate class ever for fall 2021 — but it was harder to get in as a record-shattering number of applicants vied for access to the renowned public research system, according to UC data released Monday.
Posted inEducation
A ‘forever hike’ on UC tuition: Regents will vote this week on a fees escalation shelved by the pandemic
Thursday’s vote could allow UC campuses to raise tuition every year, indefinitely — despite receiving extra state cash. Student groups are outraged and key lawmakers oppose the move, but UC says it needs more money and that financial aid will blunt the hit to students.
Posted inEducation
Tokyo, here she comes! UCSC student becomes first athlete from school to head to Olympics
UC Santa Cruz student Isabelle Connor will be representing Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, set to begin July 23, as part of the group rhythmic gymnastics team — a first in the school’s history.
Posted inEducation
California lawmakers tout big college spending, but key items get zero dollars this year
Lawmakers say their budget deal with Gov. Gavin Newson will expand enrollment at public universities and create a debt-free grant. But those items aren’t getting a dollar this coming year. Instead, bill language says the money will come next year. Other major investments are in this year’s budget, though.
Posted inEducation
UCSC digital artist channels fire, Chinese history in award-nominated VR project
A devastating 1938 blaze in his hometown of Changsha, China, was the jumping-off point for the latest project from MFA candidate Haoran Chang, whose virtual-reality work imagining a capitalist exploitation of traditional fire therapy is a finalist for a BAFTA award.