UCLA Advocates Urge Support for Student Parents and CDLS During Board Meeting

In a meeting that echoed the challenges faced by students across the University of California system, voices rose in unison to advocate for comprehensive support for student parents and to address pressing funding issues affecting academic programs. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as speakers highlighted the struggles of balancing education and parenting, emphasizing the need for priority registration, adequate financial aid, and affordable childcare options.

One passionate speaker, a student parent, shared their firsthand experience of juggling academic responsibilities with the demands of raising a child. "Student parents are doing twice the work with half the support," they lamented, calling for systems that recognize and assist them from the outset rather than waiting until they are already overwhelmed. The speaker expressed gratitude for the UC's compliance with the GAINS for Student Parents Act, which aims to enhance support for these families, but urged the UC Regents to take further action by reviewing and disseminating policies that would better identify and assist student parents.

The meeting also addressed the recent loss of federal funding for the Center for Developing Leadership in Science (CDLS) at UCLA, which faced a significant budget cut of $2.5 million due to unexpected changes in federal grant permissions. Haley Bricker, an assistant communications manager at CDLS, implored the Regents to provide immediate resources and advocate for the center, which supports a large number of fellows and staff. "Without this funding, we will have to stop supporting 75% of our fellows," she warned, highlighting the potential impact on scientific training and research.

As the meeting progressed, Aditi Haraheran, president of the University of California Student Association, took the floor to address broader concerns regarding tuition and funding. She urged the Regents not to renew the cohort tuition model, which she argued would lead to increased financial burdens on future students. "Each incoming class will face steeper tuition costs without receiving any added value," she cautioned, emphasizing that such changes could limit access to the UC for students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Haraheran also criticized a recent policy banning student governments from engaging in financial boycotts, describing it as an overreach that undermines student representation and expression. "This policy impedes the rights of students to express their views," she asserted, calling for a reevaluation of the decision made with limited student consultation.

As the meeting drew to a close, the Regents expressed their appreciation for the speakers' insights, acknowledging the importance of addressing these critical issues. The discussions underscored a pivotal moment for the University of California, as it navigates the complexities of supporting its diverse student body amidst ongoing financial challenges and policy changes. The path forward remains uncertain, but the commitment to advocate for student needs and rights is clear.