Several University of California employees and alumni used the Investment Committee public comment period on May 13 to press the regents for higher pay, staffing protections and stronger on‑site security at UC hospitals and regional operations.

Elena Suprun, a financial service analyst at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, described a recent promotion to analyst work that she said carries greater responsibility without commensurate pay. “My pay now is less than it would have been if I have stayed with the union position,” Suprun said; she and other analysts told the committee they are negotiating pay scales as newly represented Teamsters members and asked regents to direct negotiators to address so‑called “red‑circling” and below‑market starting salaries.

Marissa Balter, a 14‑year financial service analyst at UC Santa Barbara and new Teamsters member, said experienced analysts see new hires earning as much or more than long‑term staff, producing morale and retention issues in high‑cost regions such as Santa Barbara County. Colby, a UC Santa Cruz alumnus who spoke about student mental‑health services, urged the university to “invest in its frontline staff” to prevent service shortfalls that he said contributed to student dropouts.

Registered nurse Michelle Binkley, who works at UCSF’s Parnassus campus, raised security and staffing problems at UCSF hospitals. Binkley described limited weapons screening and sparse overnight security presence at some facilities and said recent staffing‑grid changes were implemented with little notice; she said emergency‑room staffing adjustments have left nurses being sent home amid uncertain ambulance demand and that “the hallways in our emergency room [are] becoming paralyzed.”

Speakers urged investment in worker pay and staffing as part of broader university budgeting and capital plans. Commenters asked the regents to prioritize bargaining commitments and stable funding for employee retention; several said they will continue to press for pay adjustments and operational protections at future meetings.