UC Santa Cruz leaders met last week with California lawmakers to highlight the University of California's critical role in educating the state's students, conducting cutting-edge research, and ensuring the state remains a worldwide economic powerhouse.
In support of the systemwide advocacy effort UC Day, Chancellor Cynthia Larive and other campus representatives met with California elected officials who represent the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley regions.
Larive called the Sacramento visit a “valuable opportunity to highlight the remarkable work we do on our campus and throughout the system — work that benefits our students, the state and the world. I believe it leaves a lasting impression with many legislators and shows the deep impact we have when we work in partnership.”
The UC Santa Cruz delegation shared its support for a 2023-24 state budget proposal that maintains the consistent funding investments under the five-year budget compact — increases that were also supported by the state Legislature in last year’s budget.
Reliable funding commitments from the state will allow the University of California to make critical investments including expanding undergraduate enrollment and hiring the next generation of faculty. In addition, the delegation spoke about the need for more state support for student housing and capital funding to support student success on our campuses.
The UC Santa Cruz delegation included Vice Chancellor for University Relations Mark Delos Reyes Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Equity Ebonée Williams, Special Assistant to the Chancellor Larry Samuels, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations Melissa Whatley, Foundation Board Trustee Loren Kinczel, and Alumni Council past President Meredith Turner.
Campus representatives met with state Senators John Laird (Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo counties), Dave Cortese (Santa Clara County), and Josh Becker (San Mateo County), as well as Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin (Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill), Robert Rivas (Watsonville, Salinas), Dawn Addis (Monterey, Marina, San Luis Obispo), Ash Kalra (San Jose), Evan Low (Cupertino, Santa Clara), and Marc Berman (Northern Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties).
