How On Campus Protests Are Affecting Alumni, Donor Relations
For many private universities, donors are a huge financial resource. And particularly when it comes to alumni who have gone on to be successful in their fields, university presidents and administrators spend a lot of time courting them. And in return, these big donors often ask for a say in the school’s direction. So, what exactly is the relationship between major donors and universities, and what happens to those relationships when a school draws widespread criticism? USC, for example, has weathered a number of scandals in recent years, and most recently has been under public scrutiny for canceling its valedictorian’s commencement speech and its handling of on-campus protests against the war in Gaza that followed. But as LAist Higher Education Correspondent Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reports, while USC says recent events haven’t had an impact on donations, that doesn’t mean donors aren’t upset.
Today on AirTalk, Adolfo joins us to talk about his reporting on this. And we want to hear from you – if you’re a USC grad, have your feelings about donating to your alma mater changed in light of recent events surrounding the valedictorian’s speech and the protests against its cancellation and the war in Gaza that followed? If your alma mater has had on-campus protests in the last few months, has the way administration has handled it affected your willingness to financially support the institution? Join our live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722 or by emailing atcomments@laist.com.
Up In Smoked Salmon? State Assembly Reintroduces Law That Would Permit Cannabis Cafes
After positive momentum ending with a gubernatorial veto last October, the California State Assembly is again looking to allow for cannabis cafes in the state through a revised piece of legislation. Assembly Bill 1775, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, looks to bring the casual smoking and eating experience that is best encapsulated by the cannabis cafes of Amsterdam; the bill would also allow the legal cannabis industry a boost as many business owners are still trying to find their footing in the state’s economy long-term. So what gives the bill an improved chance of passing? And if it were to pass, would dispensaries look into expanding their menus to include food and drinks?
Today on AirTalk, we get into the potential future of cannabis cafes with Jerred Kiloh, Owner of the Higher Path Collective in Sherman Oaks, and Brian Robinson, owner of PleasureMed, a cannabis lounge in West Hollywood that sells food and alcohol. Do you own a dispensary or frequent one? Would you be interested in an expanded cafe-style environment selling food alongside cannabis? Join the conversation: call us at 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Should Kids Share A Room With Siblings Or Have Their Own Space?
Many kids, usually due to circumstance rather than choice, share a room with siblings growing up. This experience was likely either amicable with fond memories or a total nightmare, but no biggie, right? However, a lot of parents feel kids need their own bedroom. Maybe that stems from their own upbringing and having had a special space of solitude. Some parents are even stretching themselves thin to afford more rooms. A recent piece in The Atlantic titled Why Do So Many Parents Think Kids Need Their Own Bedroom? examines this tension and the history of sharing a room with a sibling. Joining to discuss is Annie Atherton, freelance journalist and author of the piece.
We really want to hear from you! What are your thoughts? Do you have special memories or a unique story from your time sharing a bedroom with a sibling? Do you find it important for kids to have their own bedroom? Why? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
An Age Verification Bill For Pornography Sites Advances To Senate
California has advanced legislation to require age verification for pornography sites. The bill is aimed not only at protecting children from the sites but also limiting exposure to what proponents of the bill say is increasing violent material online. If the bill passed, California would join a handful of conservative states who have already passed similar laws requiring users to provide a credit card or government issued I.D. Opponents of the bill argue that it stifles First Amendment rights. Joining us to discuss the legislation and the pros and cons is Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau reporter.
Why Are Fewer Men Enrolling In College, And What Can We Do About It?
Women outnumber men by a significant margin on college campuses. According to the Department of Education, men make up about 41% of postsecondary education student bodies. Additionally, men are less likely to complete college than women, and research from the American Institute for Boys and Men finds a racial gap as well–the difference between male and female enrollment is higher for Black and Hispanic men. The numbers have colleges scrambling to address the enrollment gap. What’s behind this trend? And what are colleges doing to attract more men? Joining us to discuss are Jon Marcus, senior higher education reporter at The Hechinger Report, which covers K12 and higher education and Shaun Harper, professor of education, business and public policy at USC and founder and executive director of USC Race and Equity Center.
The True Crime Saga That Upended Former Assemblymember Mike Gatto’s Life
On November 12, 2013, Joseph Gatto was found shot to death in his Silver Lake home, a victim of an apparent home invasion robbery. The home had been ransacked, and the L.A. Times reported at the time that first responders determined he’d been shot in the abdomen by a handgun. Police canvassed the neighborhood for days following the shooting, but they never identified an assailant. To this day, the murder remains unsolved. At the time, Joseph Gatto’s son, then-Assemblymember Mike Gatto, was an up-and-coming lawmaker who represented the area where his father was murdered in the California legislature. In his recent book Noir By Necessity: How My Father's Unsolved Murder Took Me to Dark Places, Gatto details how his father’s death drove him to start looking for an explanation himself, and the dark path down which it took him.
Today on AirTalk, Mike Gatto joins Larry Mantle to talk about his book.
