Building on this past year’s enrollment gains, the University of California again announces high-water mark numbers with notable increases across its campuses for fall 2024. According to data released today, Jan. 7, total California resident undergraduate enrollment grew by 3,910 students — a 2 percent rise over the previous year. Incoming California undergraduates, first-years and transfers, now stand at 60,644 students. 

University of California Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly and UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., welcomed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointment of Robert “Bob” Myers to UC’s governing board and released the following statement today (Nov. 21): 

We fundamentally disagree with AFSCME’s claims of bad faith bargaining and characterization of unacceptable bargaining proposals. From January to May, University of California and AFSCME bargaining teams met 22 times and worked collaboratively on proposals for the UC AFSCME-represented employees. UC offered AFSCME 26 proposals and 36 counterproposals, while AFSCME presented 42 proposals and only three counterproposals.

At the same time UPTE is stating that the University refuses to bargain in good faith, the parties are bargaining over key issues of importance for these valued employees. Bargaining is scheduled for today and tomorrow at UC San Diego, where dozens of members of both UPTE employees and UC will meet to continue contract negotiations. Additional sessions have been scheduled for next month. 

Health care costs are rising nationally, and the University of California is not immune. These increases are consistent with other public employers in California. For example, CalPERS announced an overall weighted premium increase of 10.79 percent for 2025.