The Academic and Student Affairs Committee approved a delegation of authority allowing the University president to approve multi‑year professional degree supplemental tuition (PDST) plans that seek increases of 3% or less for California residents or 5% or less for nonresidents.

Provost Newman told the committee the change is intended to “streamline some of our administrative procedures across the UC system” while preserving the same intensive review of proposals. The delegation, if implemented, would apply to PDST proposals submitted to the Office of the President beginning in the fall of 2025. Programs proposing their first PDST assessment or asking for increases greater than those thresholds would continue to require regental review and approval.

Supporters described the change as a modest time‑saving measure that would not remove the Office of the President’s rigorous review standards. Opponents said the board would lose visibility into program demographics, growth and equity impacts and that the committee should retain oversight during a time of student financial stress. Regent Park said she was “not actually in favor and do not want to support any increases in PDST, given the situation that we know our students will be in.” Regent Hernandez said programs under the 3%/5% threshold “can be under the radar” and worried about checks and balances.

The motion passed in a roll call vote. Recorded votes announced during the meeting showed Anguiano, Bachelor, Lieb, Sarris and Wang voting yes; Brooks, Hernandez and Park voting no; the motion was declared approved.

The committee discussed implementation details the provost described: multiyear plans may be up to five years and must specify how increases are applied (for example, a 3% increase annually or a 3% increase in year one then flat years thereafter). The provost and administration said delegated proposals would continue to undergo the same iterative review at UCOP that is intended to safeguard access, inclusion and affordability.

Committee members asked for continued reporting and visibility. Provost Newman and staff proposed an annual report to the board containing demographic and program‑level information so regents retain systemwide oversight even where approval is delegated.

Next steps: The delegation will take effect for proposals submitted to UCOP in fall 2025 if the board’s action is finalized and administrative implementation follows the timeline discussed.