UCLA Undergraduate & Graduate Education Listening Exercise

Attendees at the chancellor’s Listening Exercise for Undergraduate Education and Graduate Education on February 24, 2025 discussed a range of topics. Some expressed worries about the impact of UCLA’s move to the Big 10 conference on student-athletes, particularly regarding increased travel demands. Discussions also centered around the restructuring of the Center for Community College Partnerships, now under the Division of Undergraduate Education, and its role in supporting transfer students. Representatives from the International Education Office sought clarification on goals related to expanding study-abroad opportunities and the diversity of programs offered. Faculty members, including those in English and Chicano Studies, emphasized the importance of continuing to prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives within both undergraduate and graduate education. A representative from UCLA’s startup community inquired about the chancellor’s plans for supporting student entrepreneurship. Concerns about budgetary constraints and their potential impact on essential student support programs were also prevalent.

Themes

• Student Support: Discussion focused on how to support UCLA students, particularly given increasing societal-driven pressures and challenges.
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Attendees expressed concerns about upholding UCLA’s commitment to EDI, especially given the national political climate.
• Political Climate: The impact of the current political climate on the university was a recurring theme, and concerns were raised about potential threats to diversity and inclusivity.
• Financial Issues: Budget constraints were a significant concern with a particular focus on how essential student support programs will continue to be funded.
• Academic Impact of Disruptions: The impact of recent disruptions to academics and campus life, such as strikes, protests, and the Los Angeles wildfires, was discussed.
• Study Abroad: Expanding UCLA’s global reach and providing more study abroad opportunities were priorities, and one attendee raised concerns about credit for study abroad classes.
• Student-Athletes: The move to the Big 10 conference and its potential academic impact on student-athletes were topics of discussion. An attendee expressed concern that student-athletes lack support from faculty to deal with travel-related academic challenges and might have difficulty satisfying academic commitments.
• Entrepreneurship: Supporting student entrepreneurship was seen as an important area for growth, as was the need to foster innovation.
• Community College Partnerships: Strengthening partnerships with local community colleges and supporting transfer programs were topics of discussion, with a focus on supporting transfer students, particularly underrepresented students.