UC leaders, faculty and students urge lawmakers to fully fund the University

SACRAMENTO - Over 100 University of California leaders, faculty and students met with Sacramento lawmakers today to advocate for UC priorities that advance the state's economic edge and expand opportunities for more Californians.

This year, UC is urging state lawmakers to support full state budget funding, include student housing in the proposed statewide housing bond currently being considered by the Legislature and pass SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act.

The effort was part of UC Day in Sacramento, an annual advocacy push that brings UC community members from around the state to the capitol. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, UC Riverside Chancellor S. Jack Hu, UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis and UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons were among those in attendance. They highlighted UC's statewide economic impact, the value of a UC degree and the importance of state funding for continued California resident enrollment growth.

With 10 campuses, six academic health centers and administrative oversight of three national labs, UC employs more than 265,000 across the state and treats 2.5 million patients a year. For every $1 the State of California invests in UC, $21.04 in economic output is generated across the state. Additionally, recent data show UC graduates are more likely to find good-paying jobs at top companies across the technology, entertainment, biotechnology, finance and consulting sectors and increase their earnings over the course of their careers thanks to their UC degrees. In 2025, UC enrolled over 200,000 California undergrads - a new record - representing the tenth consecutive period of year-over-year growth for in-state student enrollment.

Securing full state funding

The University is seeking full state funding, including the budget compact, to support student success and expand opportunity for more Californians. Through the University's strong partnership with the state, UC provides financial support that enables 64% of California undergraduates to graduate debt-free, while enrolling a record number of California students last year.

Despite this progress, the University is facing financial challenges driven by deferred state funding, rising costs and federal funding uncertainty. These challenges have resulted in a systemwide hiring freeze and budget cuts across the University.

UC is grateful for the Governor's January budget proposal, which provides vital support for the University and its students, and it will continue to collaborate with state leaders to secure full funding so that students have what they need to succeed at UC and beyond.

Saving scientific research

As UC faces one of the most significant disruptions to its research enterprise in its 158-year history, the University is advocating for state legislators to support SB 895. Authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, this bipartisan legislation would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot. UC sponsored the bill to help protect and create jobs, bolster the state's global leadership in innovation through scientific discoveries and sustain lifesaving medical advancements.

If passed, SB 895 would help ensure that critical scientific research continues in California, strengthening the state's resilience through investments in biomedical and health research, climate and environmental science, behavioral health, wildfire resilience and emerging technologies.

On Monday, May 4, UC President James B. Milliken will join Senator Wiener and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain to rally in support of California science and urge state lawmakers to pass SB 895. UC Vice Chancellors for Research will also be available to speak on the importance of SB 895 and research funding after the press conference. UC's advocacy network has generated over 8,000 emails to state lawmakers asking them to support UC's advocacy network has generated over 8,000 emails to state lawmakers asking them to support the bill and fund scientific research in California.

Expanding student housing

Increasing affordable student housing and lowering costs for students are top priorities for UC. The University is urging lawmakers to include affordable student housing in the legislature's proposed statewide housing bond proposals. UC has a proven track record of building student housing with state funding: Thanks to recent state support, the University was able to add over 5,000 new beds, including 3,000 subsidized units. Since 2010, UC has added over 42,000 new student beds and now houses over 41% of students systemwide.

The statewide housing bond would help the University build on that progress and make student housing more affordable across all 10 campuses, helping alleviate demand in some of the most housing-constrained areas of the state.

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