UCLA Graduate Student Association Listening Exercise

Attendees at the chancellor’s Listening Exercise with the Graduate Student Association (GSA) on March 6, 2025 expressed a range of hopes and concerns for UCLA’s future.

Speakers highlighted the need for increased funding for various programs and initiatives, particularly those related to inclusive excellence. They emphasized the impact of recent budget cuts in their comments, and one speaker discussed the freezing of the Ryan White program.

Discussions also centered around the challenges faced by graduate and professional students, including a lack of affordable housing, inadequate mental health support, and challenges to feeling a sense of belonging on campus. Speakers urged the administration to prioritize these issues and to find creative solutions; discussion focused on partnerships with industry and other parts of the UC system as part of the solution.

There was also a call for support of free speech and campus safety, particularly in light of recent protests and other activities.

Finally, attendees emphasized the importance of storytelling and amplifying the voices of graduate students to ensure that their needs and contributions are recognized and valued.

Themes

• Research: Discussion focused on the university’s status as an R1 university and potential risks to funding. One speaker expressed concern about reduced funding for research programs and initiatives, noting this could impact the graduate student experience substantially.
• Affordable Student Housing: One speaker commented on the high cost of living in Los Angeles, especially after the wildfires, and noted that it is increasingly difficult for graduate students to find affordable housing. 
• Mental Health Support: One speaker asked about increasing access to affordable and accessible mental health services, maintaining that Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) needs to be bolstered to support graduate students’ mental health needs.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): The loss of funding for research projects was raised as a major concern, especially for those whose projects focus on equity and social justice.
• Immigration: Discussion focused on supporting undocumented and international students.
• Campus Climate: Concerns were raised about the increasing number of protests and other activities on campus. Discussion focused on the need to protect free speech as well as student safety.
• Graduate Student Support: One speaker maintained that graduate students are often overlooked and their needs are not being adequately addressed.
• Belonging: A speaker noted that many graduate students feel a lack of belonging and are seeking ways to improve their sense of connection.
• State Funding: Discussion focused on the significant challenges raised by the reduction in state funding for higher education, and how this is leading to cuts in programs and services.
• Parking Fees: One speaker pointed out that patients struggle with the cost of parking on campus, and that this cost represents  a significant financial burden for low-income patients in particular.
• Ryan White Program: The freezing of the Ryan White program, which provides dental care for low-income individuals with HIV, was raised as a major concern for students in the dental school.
• Industry Partnerships: Discussion focused on increasing partnerships with industry to provide students with more opportunities for internships, research collaborations, and career development and to account for ongoing budgetary issues.