The increasing rates of tuition and living expenses in California are making it difficult for CSUSB students to have financial control. The journey to financial freedom for most college students begins with a detour of student loan debt. According to Experian, forty-four million students today are in debt due to student loans, which is about 70% of all college graduates, averaging to about 1.7 trillion in student debt. Since 2017, 81% of students attending CSUSB are first-generation students and 58% of undergraduates are low-income students who receive financial aid, according to the CSUSB facts and statistics web page. Financial literacy is typically taught by parents, guardians, or … [Read more...] about Opinion: Students struggle with funding their education
Education
Freshmen adapt to college in the midst of a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the lives of people around the world and, aside from its negative impacts on our health, has also affected the way students receive higher education by having to adapt to the new virtual learning environment. A lot of people are not fond of change because it can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and overwhelming. However, for most college freshmen, the transition from high school to university is what they have been waiting for, for years. Although they’re still able to attend classes online, COVID-19 has been a roadblock in their ability to achieve a college experience. For Thomas Napolitano, a freshman marketing major and baseball player, the … [Read more...] about Freshmen adapt to college in the midst of a pandemic
Pfau Library extends its online services
With distant learning continuing in the Spring semester, Pfau Library finds ways to further meet the campus community's needs for resources in the virtual space. Cesar Caballero, Dean of Pfau Library, said, “As soon as the pandemic hit and the campus had to pivot to an online mode, the library acquired as much digitized library content (e-books, e-textbooks, etc.) as we could afford since print copies of books were not initially available. That’s the reason we started planning on the retrieval service, which was implemented this semester." Among several resources, Dean Caballero thought the most essential needs to students would be equipment rentals and research assistance. Dean … [Read more...] about Pfau Library extends its online services
Continuation of virtual learning amid the shift to the semester system
Students faced two challenges before the Fall 2020 semester began: virtual classes and conversion to semesters from quarters. Online classes were an option pre-COVID, but have now become mandatory for many classes. Students have missed the ability to physically socialize with past and new classmates. Brenda Salas Melgoza, a junior and transfer student, says, “I’ve had online classes before so I’m used to it but it is way different with the pandemic since I can’t socialize much.” Even though Melgoza previously took online classes, she feels as if this time around she can't have that much of a life outside of school. On the other hand, some don’t mind the conversion. Melissa Loera, who … [Read more...] about Continuation of virtual learning amid the shift to the semester system
Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
“I have to spend the day with my children first and then I have to get to work,” says CSUSB student, Miriam Barajas. “It's tiring and I know it is my responsibility as a mother, but that does not make the situation any less difficult.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will continue with the virtual semester in the fall, while the fate of K-12 school learning mode remains to be determined. Miriam Barajas is 1 in 5 college students, who according to the U.S Department of Education, are parents. She is one of the parent students who are facing the struggle of having to be active members in their classrooms and that of their children. It’s important in times like these to … [Read more...] about Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
Seniors turns to Career Center for post-graduation plans
By Irene Ramirez and Elisabeth Martinez Due to COVID-19, there are many questions seniors at CSUSB have as to what’s next after graduation. The Career Center has been hosting workshops to help students figure out the next step. The Career Center is a service provided for students and alumni that seeks to provide new opportunities, networking and lifelong skills for the ever changing job market. They have a variety of professional counselors—as well students, peers and assistants—that are always there to help. Career Counselors can help with: Major & career exploration Career & educational planning Resumes, cover letters, & CV's Job & internship search … [Read more...] about Seniors turns to Career Center for post-graduation plans
CSUSB makes resources more accessible during virtual learning
Student necessities can be expensive, and with the cost of academic resources increasing, CSUSB has found a way to allow its students to access free or discounted technological services. Information Technology Services (ITS) has collaborated with John M. Pfau Library Information Technology Team, and the local College IT Team to roll out resources and to help students be successful in this new learning environment says an email issued by Samuel Sudhakar to students and colleagues. Some of the resources the email expressed are: MATLAB, Mathematica Coyote Labs: Virtual Computer Labs Student Software - anti virus protection Laptop Lending program Internet access … [Read more...] about CSUSB makes resources more accessible during virtual learning
How CNUSD is providing support for distance learning in differing demographics
Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) is two weeks into distance learning and there are still many unknowns and questions from parents and school officials alike. Sam Buenrostro, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Support, has been with CNUSD for over 21 years and has yet to deal with the enormous task of providing the tools and support for distance learning for over 53,000 students, with about half being from underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The logistics of figuring out how to supply families with computers, homework packets, meals and technical support for both teachers and parents has been an overwhelming mission for any school … [Read more...] about How CNUSD is providing support for distance learning in differing demographics
Q & A with program facilitator on distance learning
San Bernardino Unified School District teachers have transitioned from in-person teaching into an online setting to practice social distancing, as many other school districts have. Program facilitator Krista Bjur of Bob Holcomb Elementary School shared her experiences so far during this pandemic. Bjur has been working for 30 years and this is one of the biggest challenges for her since starting her career. Q: What were the procedures that had to follow when the school closed due to COVID-19? A: The first day we did not know ahead of time about the decision of the board members to close the schools. We found out during their board meeting on March 19 and by the time the decision was … [Read more...] about Q & A with program facilitator on distance learning
Homeschool advice during quarantine
By Emma Curtis and Tanya Jansen Both veteran and rookie homeschooling parents are giving advice on how to adjust to monitoring their kids' education under quarantine. Ever since COVID-19 caused school districts to temporarily shut down and turn to online teaching, parents are finding it hard to acclimate to a new school environment in their own homes. For many parents who were already homeschooling their children, quarantine learning is no big change. Lanie Vasquez, a 34-year-old mother of two with one on the way, has been teaching her two sons, Carlos, 6, and Sebastian, 3, at home since they were of the age to attend school. Vasquez is no newbie to homeschooling and … [Read more...] about Homeschool advice during quarantine