UCLA Samueli Listening Exercise

At the chancellor’s Listening Exercise at the Samueli School of Engineering on February 13, 2025, attendees expressed a variety of hopes and concerns for the future of the university. Many speakers focused on the need for increased support for staff, who they felt were overworked and under-resourced. They further emphasized the importance of empowering staff to excel in their roles and advocated for creative solutions to provide them with the necessary resources. Concerns were also raised about the high application rates and low acceptance rates for engineering programs at UCLA, highlighting the intense competition for admission. The need for additional faculty lines, staff, and fiscal resources was acknowledged to meet the demands of a growing and highly competitive student body. The discussions also addressed issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. One speaker inquired about the university’s plans to meet future diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Another recurring theme was the desire for greater collaboration between the university and industry partners. One speaker also emphasized the importance of engaging with local and global companies to advance education and research. Finally, several speakers raised questions about immigration and its potential impact on the campus community. One speaker specifically asked for guidance from the administration on how to handle potential interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The need for clear communication and support from the university in navigating these complex issues was emphasized.

Themes

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Investment: Given the rapid advancements in these fields, there was a call for increased investment in AI and computer science.
• Educational Innovation: Discussions have been taking place about how to adapt engineering education to meet the needs of a broader student population, including those from non-engineering backgrounds.
• Industry Partnerships: The importance of strong relationships with local and global companies for both education and research was emphasized.
• Immigration: There were worries about potential interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on campus and the need for clear guidance for faculty and students on how to handle such situations.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Attendees asked about the university’s stance on DEI and what steps are being taken to meet future goals in this area.
• Dining Halls: One speaker praised the high quality of food available in the dining halls and noted that it is primarily available to students living in dorms.
• Staff Support: Concerns were raised about the workload and support for staff members, who are described as overworked and in need of more resources.
• Faculty and Staff: Employees felt that the engineering school needed more faculty, staff, and financial resources to support the growing demand.
• Admissions: The highly competitive admissions process for engineering schools was acknowledged, as was the low acceptance rate for students with exceptional academic records.
• Vision: Attendees were eager to hear the new chancellor’s vision for the School of Engineering and how it aligns with the overall strategic goals of UCLA.
• Public University Challenges: The unique challenges faced by public universities were discussed, including funding constraints and the need to balance operational efficiency with staff support.
• Global Standing: UCLA’s position as a top public university and a highly sought-after institution.
• UCLA Research Park: The potential of UCLA Research Park to foster collaboration between academia and industry was mentioned.
• Students: A recurring theme was the focus on providing students with the resources and support they need to succeed.