At a time when the University of California is facing funding reductions at both the state and federal levels and preparing for significant financial challenges ahead, we are concerned about UPTE and AFSCME’s plans to strike again. These strikes put a significant financial strain on UC, costing the system millions of dollars.  

Today, the UC Board of Regents directed the University to eliminate any required diversity statements for new hires. While the University has no systemwide policies requiring the submission of diversity statements as part of employment applications, some programs and departments have used this practice in the past.

Our values and commitment to our mission have not changed. We will continue to embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view.

The University of California is disappointed that AFSCME and UPTE plan to strike. Both unions have chosen to focus their energy on strike preparation and amplifying misinformation rather than negotiating in good faith. We have offered each union meaningful, wage increases, health care premium reductions, and other offers to directly address the issues they've indicated are important to their members.  

Fact-finding reports released today concerning the contract dispute between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) favored UC proposals 2-to-1, an indication of the University's good-faith negotiations and sincere intent to resolve the contract dispute.