Chancellor Frenk shared a message with the Bruin community.
Dear Bruin Community:
As we look to the start of a new academic year, we find ourselves at a consequential moment — not just for UCLA, but for higher education, science, arts and humanities across the country and the world.
Universities are facing challenges that none of us has seen in our lifetimes. At UCLA, the suspension of certain federal research funding threatens our ability to pursue life-saving and life-changing research, undermines our capacity to fulfill our academic mission, and disrupts the work and careers of our scholars and staff. Our response needs to be strategic, thoughtful and resolute in defending the principles of academic freedom.
And while we respond to this crisis, we must also rise above it. Our university’s mission — to educate the next generation, produce new knowledge and serve society — only becomes more urgent today. That mission has guided UCLA for 106 years — and has weathered tremendous disruption. Through world wars, financial upheavals, a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles history, we remained squarely focused on progress and purpose. That same determination will carry us through the current emergency.
Now more than ever, it is critical that we stand together and stay connected. The headwinds are persistent and pernicious, but we cannot stand still. We need to remain united in spirit and voice, staunchly defend UCLA and double down on advancing our mission through bold and powerful planning.
One UCLA
This summer, we prepared for the year ahead with an even keener focus on our long-term transformation and the implementation of the collective vision that emerged from the UCLA Connects: Listening Exercise. Throughout 38 sessions earlier this year, more than 6,300 faculty, staff, students and alumni shared their hopes and aspirations for our community, and their voices shaped a forward-looking and inclusive plan for UCLA’s future, which I outlined at my inauguration in June.
It is now time for us to enact that plan. This fall marks the beginning of a new chapter for UCLA, grounded in a unifying vision called One UCLA.
At its core, One UCLA is about unity — embracing our shared purpose and collective potential, even as we foster and celebrate pluralism in all dimensions. It means forging stronger connections across campus and with the world around us. It means pursuing meaningful impact: solving urgent problems and enriching our communities. And it means striving to be exemplary — standing as a model for our society.
These guiding principles — to be connective, impactful and exemplary — will shape our approach to education, research and service. They come to life through four flagship initiatives, rooted in our 2023–28 strategic plan goals, that span the campus and synthesize the ideas I heard throughout the listening exercise.
The first is UCLA Connects, which is focused on bridging divides — within and beyond our campus. We are fostering inclusive dialogue through campuswide conversations, strengthening our partnerships across Los Angeles and preparing to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games with cultural and artistic programming that reflects the values and spirit of the Olympic movement. We are also reinforcing our commitment to a healthy campus climate and mutual respect through the launch of a new Office of Inclusive Excellence and our Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, both of which will support a safer, more inclusive environment for all Bruins. We remain committed to creating a campus climate that is welcoming to everyone. This initiative aligns with the first two goals of our strategic plan.
The second initiative is the Research and Innovation Compact — a plan to create a more integrated and collaborative innovation ecosystem across Southern California. We are developing the UCLA Research Park, beginning with anchor tenants focused on quantum computing and immunology, and building philanthropic partnerships to further support fundamental research. The effort also deepens our engagement with industry to support the development of intellectual property, accelerate technology transfer and expand industry-sponsored research. Our work will strengthen UCLA’s ability to turn ideas into impact while diversifying streams of revenue. This initiative directly supports the third goal of our strategic plan.
The third initiative, UCLA for Life, expands and elevates our educational mission to meet the needs of the 21st century. One area of focus is continuing education, where we are building more open and flexible systems for professional development and lifelong learning. We will also launch the UCLA Downtown building as a hub for new programs. A second area is pedagogical innovation: enhancing the classroom experience, applying cutting-edge advances in teaching, supporting instructional design, improving infrastructure and exploring next-generation technology to elevate learning for all students. This initiative advances the fourth goal of our strategic plan.
The fourth initiative centers on institutional effectiveness. This effort aims to modernize and unify our administrative functions to better support UCLA’s mission. We have already accelerated the consolidation of certain shared administrative services that are currently spread across campus units — starting with One IT. Our North Star will be to ensure that the resources entrusted to us by society add maximum value back to society, while protecting our academic core. This initiative advances the fifth goal of our strategic plan.
Taken together, the flagship initiatives reflect both our shared values and our collective responsibility: to remain focused on our critically important work; to steward this institution wisely; and to meet challenges with creativity, courage and care.
A new academic year always brings with it a sense of renewal. Later this month, we will welcome more than 10,000 first-year undergraduates and transfers to UCLA — each of them arriving with their own hopes, talents and dreams. Their energy should inspire us, and I hope you will join me in warmly greeting them during True Bruin Welcome and participating alongside us during Volunteer Day on Sept. 27, where the Bruin commitment to service comes to life.
Thank you for all that you do for UCLA. Your dedication to our mission and values remains critical. Together, we will overcome all obstacles and shape a future for our university that is rooted in both purpose and promise.
We are One UCLA.
Julio Frenk
Chancellor