Category: UCLA

Former UCLA Linebacker Mentors Underserved Kids in Los Angeles K–12 Schools

After struggling to adjust to his own busy college and football practice schedule, a former UCLA linebacker-turned-grad student dedicates his spare time to mentoring young students in his childhood school district. Now pursuing his graduate degree in legal studies at UCLA Law, former linebacker Shea Pitts coordinates his fifth consecutive year of volunteering with K–12…


Leader of College Cheating Scandal Gets 3.5 Years in Federal Prison

LOS ANGELES—A former Newport Beach college admissions consultant who orchestrated a $25 million nationwide bribery scheme to get children of wealthy parents into USC, UCLA, and other top colleges was sentenced Wednesday to 3.5 years behind bars for his role as mastermind of the “Varsity Blues” scandal that ensnared coaches, business executives, and Hollywood celebrities….


University of California, Workers Reach Deal to End Strike

LOS ANGELES—The University of California (UC) reached an agreement Dec. 16 with some 36,000 graduate student teaching assistants and other academic workers for increased pay and benefits that could potentially end a monthlong strike—the largest of its kind in the nation—at the prestigious state system. The strike disrupted classes at all 10 of the university…


UC Workers Agree to Mediation in Hopes of Resolving Strike

LOS ANGELES—The union representing striking University of California graduate student workers agreed Dec. 9 to enter into a mediation process in hopes of resolving a stalemate in negotiations with the university system. “We feel that in order to make progress, it is time for somebody else to step in,” Tarini Hardikar, a member of the…


Former UCLA Decathlete Sentenced to 17 Years for Cannabis Vaping Business Scam

A former University of California–Los Angeles decathlete and Philippines national team member was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for scamming cannabis business investors out of $45 million. David Joseph Bunevacz, 53, of Calabasas, was sentenced Nov. 21 in U.S. District Court of Los Angeles and ordered to pay about $35.3 million…


UC Regents Delay Decision on Intervening in UCLA Move to Big Ten Conference

LOS ANGELES—The University of California Board of Regents Nov. 17 delayed a decision on whether it might try to halt UCLA’s planned jump to the Big Ten athletic conference, but the university’s chancellor defended the move, saying he believes it will benefit athletes and the school. Speaking to the regents at the board’s meeting in…


LA Council District 5: Katy Young Yaroslavsky Set to Win as Sam Yebri Concedes

LOS ANGELES—Katy Young Yaroslavsky, a former political aide, is set to represent the Los Angeles City Council’s 5th District after her opponent, Sam Yebri, conceded Nov. 15. Yaroslavsky will replace termed-out Councilman Paul Koretz. As of Tuesday morning, Yaroslavsky led Yebri by more than 10,000 votes, garnering over 58 percent of the ballots counted so…


UC Researchers and Student Employees Strike Across California Campuses

Thousands of researchers and student employees have gone on strike across the 10 University of California (UC) campuses on Nov. 14 citing unfair working conditions and pay. “After months at the bargaining table and 26 unfair labor practices filed, we have no choice but to move towards a strike,” Jade Moore, a bargaining team member,…


Researchers and Student Employees Strike at UC Campuses

Thousands of researchers and student employees have gone on strike across the 10 University of California (UC) campuses on Nov. 14 citing unfair working conditions and pay. “After months at the bargaining table and 26 unfair labor practices filed, we have no choice but to move towards a strike,” Jade Moore, a bargaining team member,…


Ex-UCLA Gynecologist Found Guilty of 5 Sex-Related Charges, Acquitted of 7 Others

A former University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) gynecologist was found guilty of sexually abusing patients during his tenure at the university Oct. 20. Dr. James Mason Heaps, 65, was indicted on 21 sex-related charges involving seven patients between 2009 and 2018 but was only found guilty of five counts—three counts of sexual battery by fraud and…