SSU turning to e-mail for missives to students, Press-Democrat
Sonoma State University is phasing in e-mail as the official way it will communicate with students, a more efficient and effective way than sending out thousands of cards and letters.

Poly plans a summer vacation, San Luis Obispo Tribune
Cal Poly officials have all but cancelled summer school, giving thousands of students time off but also deferring graduation plans for many.

Chico State's budget may hinge on Proposition 57, Chico Enterprise-Record
Voters this March may have the final say on the economic future of the California State University system, including Chico State University.

CSU class hears call for Arabic speakers, Hayward Review
Students vie with other schools in developing promotional campaign.

University exec to sit in for Eaves, San Bernardino Sun
The Board of Supervisors appointed Clifford O'Dell Young Sr. on Tuesday to the vacant 5th District seat to replace the disgraced Eaves and become the board's first black member. [Appointment story also in L.A. Times.]

More students are studying abroad, Tri-Valley Herald
San Francisco State University students studying overseas this year increased 16 percent.

Defense polls County residents on trial, Oakland Tribune
Over the past few days, residents have received calls from a team led by Paul Strand, dean of arts and letters at San Diego State University, who conducted a similar study for defense attorney Mark Geragos when he sought a change of venue from Stanislaus County.

UCB lab contract extended for year, Hayward Review
Department of Energy eventually will open five national laboratory contracts to competition.

In Brief: UC Davis Moves Ahead With Housing Program, Los Angeles Times
UC Davis officials are moving forward with a planned residential development west of Highway 113, despite a lawsuit.

Texas regents debate pursuing UC lab contract, San Francisco Chronicle
University of Texas regents meet today on whether to seek UC's long- held contract to manage the birthplace of the atomic bomb, the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

Degree plan aimed at easing college transfers, Modesto Bee
A proposed associate of arts degree program aims to make it easier for community college students in the Central Valley to transfer to four-year institutions.

LAUSD layoffs looming, Los Angeles Daily News
Criticized for failing to confront their looming financial crisis, Los Angeles Unified school officials warned Tuesday that they may have to lay off consultants, teachers and other staffers to make up a $550 million budget shortfall.

Today's college freshmen party less, volunteer more, Christian Science Monitor
Today's college freshmen appear to be a pretty wholesome bunch. By one survey's count, they get better grades, party less, volunteer in record numbers, and are more politically engaged than freshmen of years past.

Across Europe, an Outcry Over Paying for College, New York Times
In Europe, where higher education is seen as a public good with free or nominal tuition - usually accompanied by government stipends to cover living costs - the idea of asking students or their families to contribute to the costs of their studies has provoked a public outcry.

Oracle Raises Its Offer For PeopleSoft by 33%, Wall St. Journal/AP
Business software maker Oracle Corp. raised its hostile takeover bid for rival PeopleSoft Inc. by 33% to $26 a share, or $9.4 billion, setting the stage for more high-stakes drama in the high-tech soap opera.

In Era of Scores, Schools Fight Over Gifted Kids, Wall St. Journal
In a test-driven U.S. educational system, gifted students -- and their test scores -- are becoming a valuable and sometimes misused commodity. Spurred by performance standards set by the 2001 "No Child Left Behind" law, many schools are trying to keep their top students, rather than send them on to special programs designed to challenge them.

Some Collegians Make Grade With A-Plus, Los Angeles Times
The practice of issuing the super ranking to the highest-achieving students is growing, but some doubt its value. Practices vary widely.

Editorial: Left behind, San Bernardino Sun
Remediation rates evidence of failed teaching

Editorial: The right move: Settle school suit, San Jose Mercury News
The Davis administration spent nearly $17 million on lawyers and legal costs to defend the unacceptable: poorly managed and badly funded public schools.

Opinion: No More Tinkering: Remake the Schools, Los Angeles Times
California hit bottom on the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in 1994, and today, despite several years of serious reform efforts, California students test ninth from the bottom among the 50 states in math, reading and science.

Peter Schrag: Arnold's economic recovery flag is at half-staff, Sacramento Bee
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to say that if he could sell some of his movies, he can surely sell California. But even if he succeeds in getting the major workers' comp and regulatory reforms he wants, California's business climate and its overall job picture will need a lot more attention.

Dan Walters: GOP could see new gains in this year's Assembly races, Sacramento Bee
There are a half-dozen Assembly districts now held by Democrats that could go the other way this year, although the more realistic Republican hope is for a two-or three-seat gain in the house, now controlled by Democrats, 48-32.

Editorial: Pay your way at community colleges, Oakland Tribune
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a plan to guarantee college access to the approximately 28,000 students who will be blocked from attending California State University and University of California campuses this year.

Letters to the Editor, Los Angeles Times
College Textbook Case: a Captive Audience [CSUN student featured.]

Opinion: What Shape Are Our Schools In?, San Francisco Chronicle
'First to Worst' a call to fund quality education.

State's Rating May Plunge if Bond Fails, Los Angeles Times
Moody's warns of a 'liquidity crisis' if voters reject measures on borrowing $15 billion.

Tribes, Arnold closer to deal, Los Angeles Daily News
Negotiators for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and eight Indian tribes have moved forward rapidly on a long-term deal that would expand casino gambling operations while dramatically increasing payments to the state, sources said Tuesday.

NOTE: For additional political coverage, visit the Rough & Tumble website.

CSU Newsline
Here's the latest news from the CSU's 23 campuses.

CSU Leader
For breaking news and upcoming events, subscribe to CSU Leader, the weekly e-news publication of the CSU.