News

As you are likely aware, UC Berkeley continues to face budget challenges. As a consequence, for the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26 (FY 26), we previously set division-specific caps on expense growth as part of our strategy to address our budget challenges. Those caps remain in force.

As you may be aware, four current and two former UC Berkeley students have had their visas revoked and non-immigrant status terminated by the federal government. We know this action is generating understandable concern and questions. While the campus is respecting the privacy of those affected by limiting the information that we release, we want to share with you what we are doing in support of our community members.

The University of California, Berkeley seeks its next vice chancellor (VC) for university development and alumni relations (UDAR), a visionary leader able to take Berkeley’s successful development and alumni relations efforts to new heights.

Fabrizio Mejia has been selected to serve as the interim vice chancellor for equity and inclusion for a two-year term commencing April 1, 2025, pending approval by the Office of the President.

We invite you to provide feedback on the systemwide draft report, “Should the University of California Return to a Common Calendar?”

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).