Chancellor Block’s message to the Bruin community about the recent campus demonstrations

Chancellor Block on honor, dialogue and impact

Chancellor Block's spring update touches upon UCLA’s past, present and future. In his letter to the UCLA community and others, the chancellor addresses the US Postal Service’s recent unveiling of a postal stamp honoring legendary men’s basketball coach John Wooden; a new initiative that is helping foster critical dialogue skills on campus; and the university’s efforts to expand the boundaries of research and educational opportunity, a tribute to the generous support of donors whose support allows UCLA to extend its work.

L.A. County residents’ satisfaction plummets in ninth year of UCLA survey

Bruin pride amongst distinguished friends on Capitol Hill

On a recent trip to Washington D.C., Chancellor Block reconnected with UCLA’s congressman, Representative Ted Lieu, and several UCLA alumni who represent other California districts in Congress. During the visit, Chancellor Block presented members with a special jersey featuring their name and district number.

Supportive housing program demonstrates promise

Providing housing to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness is an essential first step, but once they have a place to live, many also require substantial assistance to ensure they remain housed. The Housing for a Healthy California program gave permanent housing to over 225 individuals experiencing homelessness between January 2021 and December 2022. The program ensured that almost all participants received supportive services tailored to their specific needs. And it worked.

An evaluation conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research revealed that participants' use of emergency rooms and hospitals decreased and their overall estimated costs to Medi-Cal decreased compared to similar beneficiaries who were not housed by the program. The program's success demonstrates that providing stable housing and tailored supportive services to those experiencing homelessness can make a significant difference in their lives. As Los Angeles searches for ways to address this chronic and urgent problem, the work of Housing for a Healthy California offers hope and a model of success.

UCLA Sustainability Plan registers successes

UCLA's Sustainability Plan, launched in 2022, is making significant progress in key areas such as energy efficiency, food systems, and water use. The university has reduced energy use by 30% to 50% in completed buildings, including the new all-electric Nimoy Theater. Additionally, UCLA is collaborating with regional transportation agencies to improve first- and last-mile transit solutions associated with the arrival of the L.A. Metro Purple (D) Line. The sustainability plan reaches across the university’s many facets, covering how the campus operates, leads, teaches, conducts research, and engages with the community.

UCLA transit-pass programs improved accessibility and reduced emissions in 2023

The annual State of the Commute report by UCLA Transportation has revealed record numbers of transit passes distributed in 2023, thanks to a successful Undergraduate Students Association Council referendum in the spring quarter. With the aid of subsidized passes and a public-transit pilot program for lower-income employees, UCLA has been able to create sustainable and affordable alternatives to vehicle commutes. As a result of fewer daily vehicle trips, the Westwood campus has seen a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, advancing UCLA's goal of reducing its carbon footprint. The report highlights the university's continued efforts to promote sustainable transportation options and to reduce the environmental impact of commuting.

From Shopping Mall to Research Park: An exclusive look inside UCLA's innovative new space

UCLA Pritzker Center research fuels new motion by L.A. County Board of Supervisors

The Los Angeles County Supervisors have proposed that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) consider and integrate recommendations made in a report by the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families. The report is titled "Beyond Blind Removal: Color Consciousness and Anti-Racism in Los Angeles County Child Welfare." The recommendations in the report are aimed at addressing the root cause of disproportionalities among Black families and children in the child welfare system.

Serving those who’ve served

Since 2019, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and UCLA Extension have partnered to create the Veterans Success Academy, a program that provides free transitional housing, vocational training, and health benefits to veterans seeking jobs. The Academy has graduated nearly 70 veterans since its launch, and most of them have found employment. The VA also offers other programs to help veterans, and UCLA provides one-on-one support to help them achieve their goals.

Watch: UCLA Forecast - The Market Power of Technology

One of the most important questions today is about increasing inequality within the economy and society at large. This episode of the Anderson Forecast features Mordecai Kurz, Joan Kenney Professor of Economics Emeritus at Stanford University, who will discuss his book The Market Power of Technology: Understanding the Second Gilded Age. Professor Kurz moves beyond the simple economic description of an economy comprised of labor and capital to a more complex one that includes technology and monopolization to uncover the important dynamics of inequality and the implications for an increasingly technological economy in the future.

Sylvester Stallone delivers moving message to dying patient

South L.A., Antelope Valley lead L.A. County in preventable hospitalizations

In Los Angeles County, residents insured by Medi-Cal are more likely to experience potentially preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits, particularly in areas like South Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley. This suggests that better outpatient care is needed in these areas to promote health equity. To address this issue, the authors of a new study recommend that policymakers and payers improve access to care and increase payments for Medi-Cal providers. These steps could help narrow health disparities and improve overall health outcomes in the county.

UCLA Health expert weighs in – navigating the future of AI with transparency and equity

The University of California recently held a briefing on the intersection of AI and healthcare, where experts discussed the promise and potential perils for patients as AI becomes incorporated into the U.S. healthcare system. Among the speakers was Medell Briggs-Malonson, M.D., who is the Chief of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UCLA Health, and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine. She is also a co-chair of the U.S. Health Information Technology Advisory Committee. During the briefing, UC Health's AI leaders expressed their willingness to work closely with policymakers in the coming months and years. They also held meetings with leaders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AI Task Force, as well as the White House staff responsible for implementing the President's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

Language that could be clues to suicide differ between men and women

A better transfer system | LAist

Will Downtown L.A. make a comeback? One resident is betting on it | LAist

Reframing perspectives on who’s helped, hurt by minimum wage hikes | Los Angeles Times

Pres. Biden’s plan to target pollutants in drinking water | Los Angeles Blade

Why are Black Californians leaving the state?  | Cal Matters

Sponge Cities: Communities learn how to use collect and reuse stormwater | CBS News

Rural counties far from universities struggle to recruit teachers  | Ed Source