Cal State University

A new year means new laws set to take effect in California. One measure will grant certain high school seniors automatic admission to many California State University campuses. Another will make it easier to build mid-rise apartments near public transportation.

Provost Andrew Lawson credits CSUMB's progress increasing graduation rates to a campus-wide devotion to hands-on classes and personalized academic experiences.

Student assistants work part-time jobs across the system’s 23 campuses, including CSU Monterey Bay. They’re currently capped at 20 hours a week and had no paid sick leave before a California law that took effect in 2024.

The union said over 76% of voting California Faculty Association members were in favor. Once approved by CSU trustees, the updated contract will apply across all campuses, including CSU Monterey Bay.

While salary was a sticking point in negotiations, the tentative agreement falls short of the union's consistent 12% ask for the 2023-24 school year.

After months of negotiations, university officials offer a 5% pay raise. The union is seeking 12% and plans to strike at the end of January.

Student workers at the 23-campus system say their pay is low, their hours are restricted and they get no sick pay. They are hoping to join the employees union to fix that.

The tuition increases were forecast earlier this year, when a Cal State task force concluded the system needs at least $1.5 billion annually in new revenue to afford student services and bolster its academic offerings.

After several high-profile sexual harassment cases, Cal State needs more training, staff and outreach to students and employees, an outside firm concludes.