CSU, UC Graduation Rates Under Scrutiny, California Education News
California’s two major university systems, already facing belt-tightening funding and bruising student accessibility conditions, are examining the time it takes students to graduate.

Frosh enrollment up at CSU Hayward, Hayward Review
California State University, Hayward, has seen a double-digit increase in the number of first-time freshmen who plan to enroll in the fall, the result of a new push to attract more underclassmen to the campus.

In Fullerton, the Titans Are King, Los Angeles Times
Fans shout, wave banners and even cry as a city parade celebrates the College World Series winners. 'It's overwhelming,' says the coach.

UCSC looks at 21,000-student cap, Santa Cruz Sentinel
A faculty committee that recommended UC Santa Cruz plan to accommodate 21,000 students by 2020 has proposed a campus-community committee keep working on solutions to growth issues.

UCSC mechanics going eco-friendly, Santa Cruz Sentinel
UCSC’s fleet services garage was recognized Thursday by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control as a "model pollution prevention shop."

New UCSD center to study genes, disease, San Diego Union-Tribune
A new research center at the University of California San Diego will study the genetic origins of disease, the university announced yesterday.

UC panel expected to approve a higher GPA for admission, San Diego Union-Tribune
A University of California faculty group is expected today to approve a plan that would raise the minimum grade-point average required for freshman admission.

UC reaches Tien Center fund goal, Chico Enterprise-Record
New structure to be home for the campus's East Asian Library.

Acting UCSC chief admits campus causes problems, Santa Cruz Sentinel
More than 120 people showed up Tuesday night to hear Martin Chemers, acting chancellor at UC Santa Cruz, acknowledge that the 15,000-student campus has created problems for city residents — problems such as traffic, parking and off-campus party houses.

College trustees OK tentative new budget, Ventura County Star
District's reserves rebound from perilously low to a healthy 5.2 percent.

School Budget Gap Is Filled, Los Angeles Times
L.A. Unified board completes the tough job of making cuts in preparation for submitting a balanced spending plan today.

School lawsuit may be settled, Sacramento Bee
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday he is "very close" to resolving a massive lawsuit targeting the adequacy of state schools, a settlement that sources said could cost the state more than $188 million next year.

Strapped San Juan district asks workers to take unpaid days off, Sacramento Bee
All employees - from teachers to cafeteria workers - are being asked to take from one to five days off without pay in order to trim expenses. The days off would not shorten the school year for students.

Charter schools get $75 million gold star, Sacramento Bee
California charter schools got a $75 million boost Tuesday when U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige announced a three-year federal grant that aims to help create 250 charters by 2007.

High-caliber teaching, San Francisco Chronicle
Evidence suggests Ph.D.s are becoming more common at community colleges.

Whither the Liberal Arts?, Monterey Herald
Almost as soon as they fling their black caps in the air, college graduates are flooded with choices and, by the same token, fears of the unknown. [CSU Monterey Bay cited.]

Schools must use $2 billion or lose it, CNN/AP
States are getting a reminder from the federal government: Quickly make plans to spend more than $2 billion in education money, or be ready to lose it.

Jay Mathews: Getting Schooled on Homeschooling, Washington Post
I have pretty much ignored the homeschooling movement, one of the most interesting and dynamic developments in American education.

Teachers Rush to Beat Closing Loophole, New York Times/AP
Thousands of Texas teachers are rushing to retire before a lucrative loophole in Social Security law closes, but there is one catch: They must first spend a day washing windows or scrubbing floors.

Kerry's Plans to Control College Costs and to Increase Access Would Use Carrot, Not Stick, Chronicle of Higher Education
Sen. John F. Kerry unveiled several major higher-education proposals on Tuesday, including plans to provide federal aid to states that commit to keeping tuition at their public colleges in line with inflation and to institutions that increase the number of Pell Grant recipients they enroll and eventually graduate.

Don't Touch That Virtual Dial, Chronicle of Higher Education
Some students are ditching their TV's as colleges offer programs online.

Editorial: Classy success, San Diego Union-Tribune
The graduates' achievements are especially gratifying to the visionaries who were determined, against initial opposition from hundreds of UCSD faculty members, to create the school on the campus of one of the country's leading research universities.

Opinion: Student writers are casualties of the grammar gap, Sacramento Bee
As an English teacher, I think the focus on making high school students proficient in reading and writing should start before they enter high school. Perhaps there should even be an exit exam for eighth grade.

Editorial: A Gray Davis budget, Sacramento Bee
Schwarzenegger blinks in fiscal showdown.

Schwarzenegger rewards official staff with higher pay than predecessor, San Francisco Chronicle/AP
Even as he calls for shared sacrifice to solve the state's financial crisis, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is spending more than his predecessor on salaries for his official staff, an Associated Press investigation found.

Cut pensions? It's a touchy prospect, Sacramento Bee
State workers unions' clout has discouraged Capitol tinkering.

Gov. Goes Along to Get Along, Los Angeles Times
Schwarzenegger talked tough, but he has backed down when faced with strong opposition. Some see opportunities lost to his political caution.

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

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