The promise of the University of California system rests on the public nature of the university and the funding it receives from the state of California.

State funding hasn't budged since 1999, and UC president Janet Napolitano says state leaders still want to cut costs further.

UC and schools in Illinois and other states with large immigrant populations are offering in-house grants, scholarships from private donors, law clinics and additional support for such students.

UC Berkeley's Dan Kammen says Gov. Brown's goals are achievable, but it won't be easy.

The state's revenue has climbed as much as $8 billion in the last four months; public schools will receive the bulk of that windfall under Proposition 98.

Op-ed: Former UC President Richard Atkinson weighs in on the shortfalls of the revised SAT, which will debut in the spring of 2016.

Op-ed: Without funding for enrollment growth, students graduating from California high schools, including Latinos, will face more obstacles to attaining a college degree than past generations.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Dirks: There are signs on the higher-ed landscape that research remains a fundamental feature of the university, not one that can be dispensed with on the road to mass delivery of education.

California institutions have in many ways been in the vanguard of progressive policies to promote energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. Now, in the grip of a severe drought and facing mandatory water restrictions, the state's colleges are under intensified pressure to reduce consumption and ramp up other conservation measures.

Napolitano: State budget cuts are the culprit.

UC president emeritus and UC Irvine chancellor emeritus Jack Peltason's death came as some in California's higher education circles again are talking about ways to increase the capacity — and number — of public universities to enroll more students.

Students in California are letting nearly $400 million in aid go unclaimed. Nationwide, the total nears $3 billion. UC Riverside Chancellor Wilcox weighs in on the dilemma.