UC opens opportunities for more Californians

I've been thinking lately of the conversations that go on around the dinner tables in California among families with kids approaching college age. I like to think of those families talking about their children's futures as University of California students – and all the promise that would imply.

But I'm afraid that many look at the cost of college and come to the conclusion that they can't afford a UC education. Or they might be thinking there are so many hoops to jump through that they should not even bother applying. I cringe when I think of any parent saying to a child, "UC is out of our reach."

UC has a commitment to hold our doors open wide for every hard-working, qualified California student who dreams of attending one of our extraordinary campuses. To better fulfill that commitment, we have recently launched three major initiatives to broaden the admissions opportunities and to make sure low-income families are not shut out because of money.

The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan offers low-income undergraduates enough scholarship and grant money to fully cover their systemwide UC fees. The program will begin in fall 2009 for students who meet UC aid eligibility requirements and whose household income falls below the state median of $60,000. Initially, the program will cover 48,100 eligible California-resident students. UC will also continue to provide support for the financially needy students with household income between $60,000 and $100,000. About half the students in that group receive support now.

Initially the program will cost about $3.1 million. UC will find the money by boosting the amount we set aside for aid from fee increases. The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is open to undergraduates in their first four years of study and transfer students in their first tow years at UC.

For transfer students, we are taking steps to broaden the pathway to a UC campus. The decline in state support has forced UC to curtail freshman admissions next year; however, we have opened up an additional 500 slots for transfers. For many students, this is a financially and academically sound approach to gaining UC admittance. I have recently joined with the leaders of the California State University and California Community Colleges to create a task force charged with increasing transfers to the state’s four-year universities.

Perhaps the most important step we've taken to increase access and opportunity is the change in freshman eligibility requirements.

UC's new admissions policy allows more high-achieving students the chance to compete for admission. I believe the new policy, which goes into effect in fall 2012, will be fairer and, at the same time, will preserve the high academic standards UC lives by.

Some have characterized this change as a lowering of standards and a backdoor attempt to impose affirmative action principals on the admissions process. This simply is not the case.

Under the old policy, too many high-potential students were denied consideration due to technicalities. This new policy, which our faculty recommended, creates a process whereby more students, if they complete the appropriate college prep courses and entrance exams, are entitled to have their applications reviewed at each UC campus they've applied to. This will nearly double the number of applications eligible for review, increasing the pool of students from all ethnic groups and income levels.

This admissions policy reform, coupled with increased financial aid and transfer opportunities, sends a strong message to all California students: If you work hard, if you have a dream for your future, UC will help you realize that dream.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on ways UC can contribute further to California's economic resurgence. Contact me at president@ucop.edu.

Visit www.universityofcalifornia.edu/president/ for updates on our accessibility efforts.