UCLA released a report last week detailing the progress of the Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, which Chancellor Frenk established to address all forms of hatred and bigotry on campus. UCLA has implemented recommendations from the Initiative, and this report includes further recommendations for action.
On May 12, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk met with members of the Westwood community and discussed the many initiatives shaping the future of the campus. He highlighted the university's commitment to its community and emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue among differing viewpoints. Hosted by UCLA Government and Community Relations at Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood, the event addressed various topics, including public safety, research funding, and the UCLA for Life initiative, which focuses on expanding lifelong learning opportunities.
The Los Angeles City Council honored the UCLA Women’s Basketball team in the Council Chambers on May 15 for their historic achievements. The Bruins delivered a remarkable 37–1 season and won UCLA’s second women's basketball national championship. It was the program’s first championship in the NCAA era. City leaders praised the team’s excellence both on and off the court.
In her remarks, senior forward Timea Gardiner added, “It’s truly an honor and a privilege to represent not only UCLA but the city of Los Angeles. This season was truly one that we will never forget. The relationships that were built are going to last a lifetime and the main thing that carried us through this year was how close we were as a team and how much we genuinely supported and loved being with each other.” Head Coach Cori Close, now in her 15th year at UCLA and three decades into her coaching career, reflected on the moment noting, “I am so proud of all the things these young women have accomplished. The least impressive thing about this particular team is what they did on the court. It's really just putting an orange thing in an orange thing when we
really strip it all away. And what I love is that they really were committed to growing as people first, students second, and actually basketball third."
Close is one of five active head coaches in the women's game who have won a national championship.
Under the Bruin blue skies of Gulf Shores, Alabama, the team took home another championship, defeating Stanford on May 3 to secure the title. Stanford was the No. 1 seed, and the Bruins had to fight their way past No. 2 seed Texas to get to the final. In that contest, the fifth meeting between UCLA and Stanford this year, the Bruins won three of their five matches. The national title is the first under coach Jenny Johnson Jordan and UCLA’s 127th NCAA overall.
In April, the UC Student and Policy Center and CalMatters hosted a lunchtime conversation on California’s election systems. Moderated by Juliet Williams of CalMatters, the discussion brought together Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation; Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, chair of the Elections Committee; Matt Barreto, UCLA professor of Political Science and Chicana/o and Central American Studies; and Catharine Baker, director of the UC Student and Policy Center and former California state assemblymember. The conversation examined areas where the system is working while also highlighting where vulnerabilities remain, and identifying reforms that could secure future elections.
California is launching a new building decarbonization pilot program to wean entire neighborhoods off natural gas, guided by Senate Bill 1221 (SB 1221). This innovative approach seeks to reduce emissions and improve public health, but it also poses practical challenges regarding funding, community participation, and decision-making. To help navigate the law, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation developed an FAQ
that examines what is currently known and unknown about SB 1221. Building on existing guidance, the FAQ highlights key implementation questions and offers analysis to support policymakers, practitioners, and community members as the program takes shape.
The OurRelationship program provides couples and individuals in Los Angeles County with a free online resource to enhance romantic relationships, using techniques from the evidence-based Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy developed at UCLA. Available in English and Spanish, the program seeks to improve communication and satisfaction through an 8-10 hour online course completed in six weeks, including five complementary coaching calls. The initiative is accessible to all couples, including LGBTQ+ and military veterans, and began offering services on April 1.
Social Spotlight
UCLA senior Parissa Lor-Tim recently served as the emcee for the 2026 Scholarships Celebration, where she shared her experiences at UCLA and the life-changing impact of her scholarship on her and her family. She also discussed her work with UCLA Government and Community Relations.
On April 30, UCLA Anderson Forecast co-sponsored the Central Valley Ag Economic Outlook in Fresno, uniting business leaders to discuss key issues in the agricultural sector. The event featured insights on the economic landscape by Jerry Nickelsburg, faculty director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast, and included a panel addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Central Valley.
On June 2, California voters will choose candidates for governor, all 80 Assembly seats, 20 Senate seats, and 12 state executive offices. Los Angeles residents will vote on Measure ER, which proposes a temporary L.A. County sales tax increase, and for the mayor, with incumbent Karen Bass seeking reelection against 13 challengers. All U.S. House seats are up for election as well.
Vote Centersat UCLA:
Pauley Pavilion
Voting period: May 23 to June 2
Vote Center hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June 2 (Election Day) hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
UCLA De Neve Plaza
Voting period: May 30 to June 2
Vote Center hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June 2 (Election Day) hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hammer Museum
Voting period: May 30 to June 2
Vote Center hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June 2 (Election Day) hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ackerman Union - Bruin Reception Room (2nd Floor)
Voting period: May 30 to June 2
Vote Center hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June 2 (Election Day) hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
UC is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 895, a critical effort to sustain world-changing research that supports the quality of life for all Californians and fuels the state’s economy. Learn how you can help.
Research is a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience at UCLA, with more than 4,000 Bruins participating in research or creative inquiry each year.
A curated selection of stories from across the UCLA campus spotlighting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, histories and research.
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hosts its annual Festival of World Music, showcasing world-renowned ensembles supported by the Department of Ethnomusicology. The concerts are free and open to the public, with first-come, first-served seating.
Chancellor Julio Frenk will offer a State of the Campus address, reflecting on UCLA’s aspiration to be a connective, impactful, and exemplary university.
Livestream
Tuesday, May 26
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Partnering with local nonprofits and government entities for a sustainable move-out event, allowing students to donate items and responsibly discard waste.
Residence Halls & North Village
Thursday, June 11
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
UCLA's research shows that telemedicine has not significantly increased healthcare visits or spending since the pandemic. The study analyzed data from more than 3 million U.S. adults and found slight declines in telemedicine visits: The number of visits fell by 2.4% and spending dropped by 0.5%. Although these changes were not statistically significant, they rebut the assumption that telemedicine is expanding access to care. Additionally, the study showed no meaningful variations across demographic subgroups, indicating that telemedicine has largely acted as a substitute for in-person care.
At UCLA, Dr. David Nathanson is designing new therapies for glioblastoma, aiming to overcome long-standing treatment challenges. His work is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health.
UCLA Health is leading a $9-million research project funded by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s and The Michael J. Fox Foundation to investigate the connection between environmental pollutants, including certain pesticides and air pollution, and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This three-year study, which involves collaboration with Cedars-Sinai and the University of Münster, will analyze how these exposures interact with genetic factors to influence disease progression.
Supporting Communities: UCLA's Impact
Discover how UCLA's students, staff, and faculty are enhancing the well-being of Greater Los Angeles throughUCLA Community Partnerships.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
The UCLA National Board for Professional Teaching Standards(NBPTS) project aims to support educators pursuing the rigorous National Board Certification Process by creating an inclusive, collaborative community where teachers refine their practice through careful analysis and meaningful reflection.
