From President Milliken: Cultivating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all

The president sent the following message to the university community on Tuesday, Aug. 25:

To the UC Community:

As we approach the start of another academic year, I am writing to reiterate the University’s commitment to cultivating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

UC does not tolerate acts of discrimination, including harassment, based on any protected category. The University condemns bigotry, hate, and violence of any kind. The University will promptly and effectively address reports of discrimination and harassment in its programs and activities and appropriately and meaningfully address its effects, including any hostile environment. We also want to remind you of the resources available to you:

• During this past year, the Systemwide Office of Civil Rights | UCOP, which provides guidance and support to UC locations regarding civil rights protections on a variety of protected categories, including actual or perceived race, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, disability, sex, and gender identity, expanded to add a Systemwide Anti-Discrimination Director and Systemwide Disability Rights Director.
• In addition to the systemwide Anti-Discrimination Policy (A-D Policy) established in 2024, comprehensive adjudication frameworks for the A-D Policy were published in 2025, which further helps us protect the UC community from harassment, threats, or violence of any kind, to maintain access to classrooms or other University facilities, and to hold those who violate the A-D Policy accountable.
• If any UC student, employee, or third party believes that they have experienced discrimination or harassment based on any protected category on our campuses, we encourage them to report it to the appropriate campus civil rights office, including Local Implementation and Title VI Officers found at Location Resources | UCOP or Title IX Officers | UCOP, who can provide resolution options and support resources.

Thank you for joining me in cultivating a campus environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and can thrive.

Sincerely,
James B. Milliken
President, University of California