Lawmakers push to expand financial aid for California college students, warding off the perils of working from home, "Kong" becomes king at the box office.
California Democrats unveil new plan for debt-free college
Members of the California State Assembly unveiled a college aid proposal Monday that that aims to help California students graduate with less debt.
The plan supplements current aid plans, paying not only for tuition but also living expenses, with the goal of eliminating the need for student loans for nearly 400 -thousand students in the Cal State and UC Systems.
Take Two's A Martinez spoke with Lupita Cortez Alcalá, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission. "This plan intends to cover a student's unmet needs. For instance, after loans after health federal and cal grants, what else does a student need? This new grant program offers that additional coverage," she said, explaining how this plan would capture the intended goals of Assembly Democrats.
On what coverage this plan would cover
"For many many years, California has been very generous to providing tuition and fee assistance to many students. In addition, students also avail themselves to the cal grant which paid tuition and fees. but it's just not enough. The cost of attending a higher education institution is in the $20,000 and $30,000 range a year. And so even after a student avails themselves of the federal and state aid along with work study and some loans, there's still an unmet need a parent and a student needs to contribute. This is an opportunity to pay for a transportation, child care, the cost of rent and food and insurance."
On whether it's possible to get any closer to free college than this plan
I think this is as close as we can get just because the number and volume of students we have. i think there is an expectation that parents and students contribute to their education. There's going to be some level of loans. But the fact is that the cost of living in California doesn't compare to other states. this goes a long way towards trying to meet some of those needs for the students that really need it. Even for a family making 100,000 or 120,000 or 150,000, spending 30,000 on each child to go to college is cost prohibitive. I think that this supports that California dream of getting that additional, post-secondary education.
On what she'd like to see from any future proposals
I'd like it to be fair and very transparent and open. I'd like students to understand what they're financial potential is. Regardless of where they go, our agency would like to communicate with them, as early as possible, And let them know this is what you could afford to get at CSU, UC community college and private university so they know well in advance.
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Answers have been edited for clarity.
Why don't more girls study STEM in college?
If you look in one of the state's many high school STEM classes, you might notice there are a lot more girls than in years past.
STEM, of course, being Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Several non-profits in the state and around the country have done a lot to get more young girls interested in these topics. And data shows that girls make up half the science and math classes these days.
However, the number of women who go on to engineering, technology, or math in college hasn't kept pace.
So, why not?
Carol Tang has some thoughts. She's head of the California Girls in STEM Collaborative. Tang spoke Monday with Take Two's A Martinez.
Click on the blue bar above to listen to the entire interview.
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How to work from home when your family distracts you
If you haven't watched this viral video from the BBC just yet, do it now.
This comedy masterpiece is all because Professor Robert Kelly, from National University in South Korea, did an interview with the BBC via Skype from his home.
And at home, it was easy for his children to walk in while he was in the middle of a live, internationally broadcast interview.
Up to 25 percent of working people in America are just like Professor Kelly – they can work from home.
But that means distractions can add up. Children might want to play, pets might want to snuggle or the call of the couch and Netflix is too great.
Take Two finds out what that life is like from telecommuter Catherine Adell.
Lifehacker's Kristin Wong also offers some advice on how to stay productive and professional while at home.
Join a coworking space
Think of it like a gym.
You pay a membership to join, but instead of getting workout equipment, you get access to an office space. That includes desks, conference rooms, meeting spaces and more.
"If you have a really important meeting, it might be worth a little bit more to go do that," says Wong. "They sort of make sure that everything's going to be fine and running smoothly."
And you'll be away from all the distractions of home.
Lots of other places in Southern California are good alternatives
SoCal has a lot of amenities and facilities to help people who work from home get out of the house once in a while.
"I just think there are more remote workers now, right, especially in LA," says Wong. "I see a lot of remote workers at libraries sometimes. Coffeeshops, too, I've noticed, are set up as coworking spaces almost."
If you have to stay at home, set boundaries
This doesn't work so well on small children or pets, but create rules with adults who know how to follow directions. Or signs.
"Set some boundaries with your family and let them know the specific times you need a 'no interruption zone,'" Wong writes on Lifehacker. "I also used to put a 'meeting progress' sign on my front door."
If you're embarrassed on a work call, play it off
Sometimes life happens, and being a human about it and laughing it off can help you move on very quickly.
"Don’t be too hard on yourself—mistakes happen," writes Wong. "If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have this glorious video."
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On the Lot: Kong takes the box office and a look at SxSW film festival
The giant ape proves he isn't just the king of skull island, but the box office too and a reclusive director makes a rare public appearance at the South by Southwest film festival, to not-so-rave reviews.
Vanity Fair's Rebecca Keegan joined A Martinez to break it all down on Take Two's weekly segment that looks at the business of Hollywood: On the Lot.
The king himself hasn't made an appearance on the big screen since his 2005 iteration but now, he's back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP0-9FBs2Rs
The colossal Gorilla beat out another monster movie in its debut weekend, but its lead wasn't that spectacular. Then shooting over to Austin, Texas where the SxSW film festival is underway. We take a look at two very different movies making a buzz for contrasting reasons.
To listen to the full segment, click the blue play button above.