News

UC President Michael V. Drake announced today that steps will be taken to reduce costs across the UC system. The steps include a systemwide hiring freeze and consideration of other general cost-containment strategies. At the moment, there is no requirement to make any operational changes or decisions.

Most faculty are aware at this point that the federal government issued new guidelines for indirect cost recovery (also known as “Facilities and Administration” costs, or F&A) for all grants, present and future, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. I write to keep you apprised of the University’s efforts to understand the impact of this directive and take any necessary steps to contest it. This is a serious matter for all of our campuses, especially the principal investigators whose research depends on the maintenance of facilities and the availability of services to keep their work running smoothly.

Susan Stone has been selected to serve as the new dean of the School of Social Welfare. Professor Stone currently serves as the interim dean of the school and will continue in this role until the permanent dean appointment becomes effective on July 1, 2025.

We are excited to announce the appointment of Leslie L. Schibsted, CFRE, as interim vice chancellor of University Development and Alumni Relations. Her appointment will begin on February 2, 2025.

Our campus places great importance on having inclusive classrooms that foster a sense of belonging for all our students. To aid you in that mission, we wish to remind you of some of the resources that the campus provides to help you ensure your classrooms provide equitable opportunities for student success, are inclusive, and foster belonging.

Dania Matos stepped down as vice chancellor of equity and inclusion earlier this month to assume the position of vice president for diversity, inclusion and belonging at DePaul University in Chicago.

We have both ethical and legal obligations to provide accommodations and other supportive measures to our students. We call your attention to important campus policies and guidelines concerning academic accommodations for religious observance, illness, disability, hardship, athletics, pregnancy, and other situations.

Happy Holidays & Warmest Wishes from the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost

We are pleased to announce that Mark Asta has agreed to serve as interim dean of the College of Engineering for the 2025–26 academic year. His appointment will be effective on July 1, 2025.

Julie Hooper will be stepping down as vice chancellor for university development and alumni relations at the beginning of February to assume the position of executive vice president and chief development officer at the Environmental Defense Fund

The University of California, Berkeley seeks a collaborative, creative, innovative, and accomplished finance leader to serve as the campus's next Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (VCF).

As election day approaches on November 5, this message is being sent to encourage members of the campus community to exercise your right to vote.

UC Provost Newman has asked the campus to submit academic calendars for the 2029-2030 to 2033-2034 academic years by Thursday, August 15, 2024.