We continue catching up with the Regents meetings of September 14-16. Below is a summary of the meeting of the 15th.
The meeting began with public comments. Topics included a nurse payroll system problem, opposition to testing for admission, concern about the closing of a UCLA childcare program, a nurse AI scheduling problem, opposition to project labor agreements, support for SB 98 (emergency alerts to ICE on campus), aid to undocumented students, internships for international students, anti-Israel, dropping of Medi-Cal patients at UCLA, Philippine military investments, support for reinstating the SAT for admission, a nurse issue related to floating holidays, and disabled student funding.
After public comments, Chair Anguiano reviewed the upcoming agenda including A-G requirements. President Milliken discussed goals for students including the ability to evaluate evidence. He also referred to UC infrastructure needs. Faculty rep Susannah Scott spoke about admissions issues, shared governance, and political issues facing UC. She also referred to overcrowded classes as enrollments rose faster than faculty. And she took note of awards won by junior faculty.
There was then a presentation by two UC Pulitzer winners and discussion of the UC accountability report. Concerns were expressed about cutbacks by the federal government in research. Regent Makarechian asked why student debt load varied across the UC campuses. There was no clear answer. He also noted that student debt load at the various UCs compared favorably to other public universities.
At a joint meeting of Health Services and Finance and Capital Strategies, a major health facility development at UC-San Diego was approved. There was discussion - but general support - for planning of this development including adverse developments in federal health research funding. UCLA provided an update on the West Valley Medical Center that was acquired for $290 million in 2024 to reduce overcrowding at Reagan Hospital and UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. The plan is for it to service various UCLA clinics in the San Fernando Valley. The acquired facility needs seismic and other upgrading. UCLA has also acquired neighboring office buildings near the acquisition for doctors' offices.
The Health Services Committee reviewed the public payor situation (Medi-Cal, Medicare) in view of coming federal cutbacks. Spokesperson from the various health campuses made individual observations regarding the impacts. There was mention of a possible $1 billion/year cost. Some Medi-Cal participants will lose coverage due to work requirements and the paperwork needed to document work. UC is a major provider of Medi-Cal services in the state.
Finally, the Governance Committee, in a brief open session, approved an executive pay matter and changes in documentation of various UC rules. It was said that the Academic Senate approved the cleanup of the rules since no substantive changes were involved.
As always, we preserve Regents meetings since the Regents have no policy on duration of retention. You can find the September 15 meeting at:
