UCnetwork: November 2025

From President Milliken

Marking 100 days together

November 8th marked 100 days since I joined the University of California. Every day since then has been a mix of challenges, new experiences and inspiring moments with some of UC’s — and our nation’s — most impressive faculty, students and staff.

We have faced historic uncertainty and been involved in difficult conversations about the future of public higher education. Yet in every part of UC, I have seen people show up for one another and for California. The strength of UC is its people, and that has never been clearer.

Read my full message to our community

Open Enrollment ends this Friday

The deadline for enrolling in your 2026 health and welfare benefits is this Friday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. PT. There have been some big changes to this year’s medical plans, and the plan you have now may not be available — or your best choice. Make sure you’re prepared.

Tax season is just around the corner. Go paperless to access your W-2 electronically, and check out these other year-end reminders.

13 of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 are UC-connected

Lab-grown seafood, a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease and a kid-safe power saw are among the genius ideas from UC inventors honored by TIME magazine this year.

Into the jungle: Recent UC discoveries have uncovered the secrets of octopus camouflage, sperm whale communication, and even a new species of spider!

Building careers while advancing health care access

From high school graduates exploring health care professions to longtime employees growing into higher-paying careers, UC’s academic health centers are supporting professional goals while also bringing much-needed health care to underserved areas of our state. Learn how UC Health is opening doors to economic mobility and healthier communities.  

Also in UC Health news: UC academic health centers were recently nationally recognized for high-quality patient care, and UC’s Biomedical Research Acceleration, Integration and Development program hosted its first Community Engagement Retreat.

UC’s student veterans find their next mission

Across the University of California’s 10 campuses, military-connected students and alums — some of whom are UC staff —bring a sense of discipline, purpose and camaraderie that shapes how they learn and lead at UC. Explore veterans’ stories.

More inspiring students: Reporting by UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program alums helped bring two new California policing laws across the finish line.

Take our reader survey: You could win $25

We launched the UCnetwork newsletter in August of 2019, and last month marked our 75^th issue. Whether this is your first or 75^th time reading UCnetwork, we want to hear from you! Take our 2-minute reader survey to let us know what you love and what we could do better. You’ll have the option to enter a drawing for one of six $25 gift cards.

Missed a back issue of UCnetwork? Check out the archive.

The 1, 2 + 3 of applying to UC

College applications can make even higher-ed pros nervous! But if you’re completing a UC application or helping someone else apply, we can help make the process easier. Learn the most important parts of the UC application, get advice for building a personal narrative and check out more resources and tips.

Being a ‘night owl’ may be bad for your health

How much and how well you sleep can directly affect your health. But when you prefer to sleep is also critical. People who have evening chronotypes — a preference for staying up late — may be at higher risk for several chronic conditions. The good news? Simple lifestyle changes can help you go to sleep earlier.

Your wrinkles are a sign of success! If you’ve been afraid of aging, it’s time to stop. UC anthropologist Michael Gurven encourages us to reframe our thinking around longevity.

UC People

Maia Ferdman, radical optimist

Bruin alumna Maia is tackling the extraordinary divides of our time by teaching students to engage in honest and authentic conversation.

Meet Maia