SAN FRANCISCO – The UC Board of Regents heard a statement from UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk and discussed new university initiatives, safety plans and updates on academic programs at its Jan. 22 meeting.

The board held its bimonthly meeting Jan. 22 to 23 at UC San Francisco. During the meeting, the Academic and Student Affairs as well as the Compliance and Audit Committees met to discuss and vote on potential improvements for the UC.

Newly appointed UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk reflected on the challenges of starting his tenure amid devastating wildfires.

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“I feel very proud to represent the resilient UCLA community,” he said. “My first full week as chancellor was not what I had expected, but along my career, I have learned to pivot quickly to an emergency mode of operation – and I was able to do that.”

Frenk said stepping into the role during a time when many in the Bruin community were experiencing fear, pain and anxiety was heartbreaking. However, he added that witnessing the community come together has given him hope.

He highlighted several efforts to support those affected, including the work of emergency personnel, the UCLA Volunteer Center assembling 500 care packages for Bruins in need, and the establishment of the Bruin Wildfire Relief Funds to assist students and employees facing hardship because of the fires.

[Related: Bruins volunteer, support Los Angeles community amid wildfires]

Frenk said recovery will be the next phase of the process, adding that a thorough evaluation will assess preparedness for this emergency and identify ways to improve for the future.

“I may be new, but I quickly learned that this is a community that sticks together and stands together,” he said.

Later in the day, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee discussed new initiatives, unanimously voting to recommend the establishment of a public-private partnership to advance fusion energy research and development. This collaboration aims to position California as a leader in clean, sustainable energy while creating jobs and supply chains, according to the item’s agenda listing.

“This is a great example of UC helping solve the world’s largest challenges,” Regent Maria Anguiano said during the meeting. “Having reliable, sustainable energy is … very core to the future of our existence.”

The committee also voted to approve implementing or continuing additional tuition fees – known as Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition – for 10 graduate programs. Students in three new programs – those for the doctor of nursing practice at UCLA; public health at UC Riverside; and geographic information systems, spatial technologies, applications and research at UC Santa Cruz – will pay this fee, said Caín Díaz, associate vice president of budget analysis and planning for the UC Office of the President.

Student Regent Josiah Beharry proposed an amendment requiring the immediate implementation of PDST waivers for Native students, aligning with the UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan. The amendment passed.

In another discussion, regents highlighted the role of humanities research in reshaping cultural understanding, focusing on Shakespeare studies and California history. Regent Elaine Batchlor said she hopes the UC can show students how much a background in humanities will prepare them for future employment.

“Science and technology gives us the knowledge and tools to act,” she said. “But the humanities allow us to reflect on whether and how we should act.”

The regents then addressed challenges faced by mixed-status families when navigating the revised FAFSA process.

Katherine Newman, the University’s provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, said families encountered delays and confusion during the last FAFSA application cycle, often requiring extensive support from financial aid staff.

Improvements for the 2025-2026 academic year will include earlier data access for UC campuses and extended FAFSA deadlines for students whose parents or spouses do not have Social Security numbers, said Shawn Brick, the UC associate vice provost of student financial support.

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting concluded with a discussion of the discipline and dismissal process for UC faculty.

Audrey Jacobs, the committee’s student observer, said the process for UC faculty lacks clear definitions, particularly regarding the basis for complaints and the handling of cases involving political expression. She added that she believes the open-ended nature of these policies allows room for subjective interpretation and potential bias.

Jacobs, a third-year student at UC Davis, added that the issue is exacerbated by disparities in disciplinary actions for Senate and non-Senate faculty, with the latter facing disproportionately higher charges – particularly following pro-Palestine protests.

Regents then discussed the need for reforms, proposing new measures such as a case tracking system to increase transparency and accountability.

“This was a first step in a conversation where we hope to see holistic reforms that lead to fair, transparent process,” Anguiano said while concluding the item.

Later that day, the Compliance and Audit Committee also discussed the University’s Community Safety Plan.

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The safety plan includes recent developments such as the establishment of police accountability boards and an initiative to increase women in law enforcement, said Jody Stiger, the systemwide director of community safety. He added that the plan incorporates ongoing reforms based on independent recommendations, such as those from 21st Century Policing Solutions.

“We believe that those selected for systemwide implementation will strengthen our community safety measures and align with our existing guidance across all campuses,” Stiger said.