Chancellor Julio Frenk shared this message with faculty and staff.
Dear Faculty and Staff:
As we reach the end of the year, I have been reflecting on the conversations I have had with many of you across campus in my first twelve months as chancellor. I have always known that UCLA is a great university, but coming here has shown me that UCLA is great because of its people. Its strength comes from you — your dedication to our students, your passion for our academic mission and your commitment to service.
When we launched the listening exercise in February, I said I would come to each conversation with open ears and an open heart. And I said I would take notes. More than 6,300 of you shared your voices during 38 sessions, and we received more than 2,300 comments and suggestions on a dedicated web page. It was your ideas and your aspirations that helped shape our collective vision for One UCLA.
It has been a privilege to listen and learn from all of you. On December 4, I sat down with the Academic Senate for an open conversation, and I heard directly from faculty who raised thoughtful questions. Financial uncertainty, budget concerns, shifts in federal policies, deferred maintenance and changes to our IT organization were all top of mind. The conversation was invaluable in helping me better understand how these issues are informing your work and touching your daily life at UCLA. To hear staff voices, I will attend campuswide meetings, such as the Meet the Leader breakfast with the Staff Assembly on February 12, and unit-level meetings, such as the DTS Quarterly Meeting tomorrow. I am also planning to attend an Academic Senate meeting in January to continue my conversations with faculty.
I carry your feedback with me. Throughout the year, you have shared your ideas and concerns with me through 15 one-on-one lunches and meetings with more than 100 faculty members. I have gained insight from conversations with the Academic Senate and Staff Assembly and many smaller discussions across campus. These conversations help create the feedback loop we need — one in which your concerns come straight to me, and I respond directly and transparently. I plan to double down on these conversations and speak with more of you in person during the coming months.
Your continued concerns about the university’s budget drove my decision to establish the Executive Budget Action Group in November and to serve as its chair. To ensure I hear from faculty, the chair of the Academic Senate, Megan McEvoy, serves as a member, and she also attends my weekly senior leadership meetings. As the action group’s work continues, we will post updates on my web page.
When we face difficult challenges and tough decisions, we find strength in staying connected. Thank you for everything you bring to UCLA each and every day. I hope you find time to recharge and reflect during the winter recess, and that the time away is restorative. I very much look forward to a New Year of renewed commitment to our vital mission.
We are One UCLA.
Julio Frenk
Chancellor