The University of California Board of Regents convened on November 13, 2024, to address a range of pressing issues affecting students and staff across the UC system. The meeting featured a series of public comments highlighting concerns about food security, healthcare costs, tuition hikes, and campus climate.

The session began with a focus on food security, as a speaker raised alarms about the reduced hours for meal swipes at ASUCLA restaurants, now limited to 11 AM to 3:50 PM. This change poses challenges for students, particularly those from marginalized communities, including undocumented and disabled students, who already face food insecurity. The speaker urged UC leadership to extend meal swipe hours to 8 PM and establish food closets on all campuses to better support students.

Next, Elizabeth Funchal, a representative from the California Nurses Association, expressed outrage over significant healthcare cost increases for UC employees, which could reach up to $800 a month. Funchal emphasized the burden these costs place on healthcare workers who provide essential services and voiced support for upcoming strikes by UC workers opposing these hikes.

Shahar Lee, a UC alum, addressed the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish students on campus, calling for the enforcement of policies to protect them from anti-Semitism. Lee urged the Regents to continue their commitment to creating a safe environment for all students.

Namrata Deepak, an undergraduate student at UCLA, strongly opposed a proposed 9.9 percent tuition increase for out-of-state students. Deepak highlighted the importance of diversity within the UC system and warned that such a hike could make the university inaccessible to many prospective students. She called for greater transparency regarding tuition allocation and student involvement in financial decisions.

Katie Ricci, a staff member at UC Santa Cruz, raised concerns about budget challenges leading to staff layoffs and stagnant wages in a high-cost living area. Ricci urged the Regents to consider salary increases for non-represented staff to ensure they can afford to live in the region.

The meeting also included comments from students advocating for stronger support from Title IX offices and addressing anti-Semitism on campuses. Michael Harris emphasized the need for the UC system to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and enforce policies that protect all students from discrimination.

Overall, the meeting underscored the urgent need for the UC Board of Regents to address the diverse challenges faced by students and staff, from food insecurity and healthcare costs to tuition accessibility and campus safety. The discussions highlighted a collective call for action to ensure that the UC system remains inclusive and supportive for all members of its community.