UC Berkeley designated as Black-Serving Institution
UC Berkeley announced on Jan. 29 that it is a part of the inaugural group of California institutions to be designated as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI). California Senate Bill 1348, which was signed into law in 2024, established the designation.
“Becoming a Black Serving Institution marks a meaningful step forward for UC Berkeley. What energizes me most is the collective commitment to move beyond symbolism and toward sustained action,” Dr. Amber Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff for the Division of Equity and Inclusion, said in the press release.
The release continued by stating the BSI designation, “is not only a recognition, but a responsibility,” and that in the coming semesters, the university will “engage in deeper work” to put the designation into practice.
Union members and students disrupt forum for UC president, demand affordability
Around 70 people rallied outside a public forum on Jan. 29 for University of California (UC) President James B. Milliken, calling for a contract for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 3299 that offers livable wages and affordable housing. According to the Daily Californian, three union members and one UCB student were escorted out of the building after interrupting the event.
AFSCME 3299 represents more than 40,000 workers across the UC. The Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California, a public forum hosting organization, held an event where four protesters delivered statements on the cost of living in San Francisco compared to UC wages.
“I’m a San Francisco native, and I refuse to leave the city that raised me. Life is unaffordable, especially with the salaries that UC pays,” one of the protesters said at the event.
Contract negotiations between the UC and AFSCME 3299 will continue in the upcoming weeks. The day before the event, the UC issued a press release with updated contract proposals.
“UC believes the supposal now before AFSCME addresses key priorities while remaining fiscally responsible and sustainable for the University,” the press release read.
UC students across campuses rally against I.C.E., Iranian regime
Throughout the last two weeks, students have rallied against actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regime, according to various student newspapers across the UC.
UC Los Angeles students held two protests and one vigil in relation to I.C.E. actions between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30. Students also held a rally in solidarity with the people of Iran on Jan. 14 and a vigil on Jan. 22.
Students at UCB held a community gathering over the Iranian internet blackout on Jan. 27 and a rally against I.C.E. on Jan. 28.
On Jan. 23, students at UC Irvine held a protest in solidarity with a labor movement from Minneapolis that was striking against the killing of Renee Good by an I.C.E. agent.
DOJ aims to join lawsuit against UCLA medical school
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Jan. 28 that it seeks to intervene, meaning to join, a lawsuit against UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.
The organization Do No Harm, which focuses on “keeping identity politics out of medical education, research, and clinical practice,” first filed the lawsuit last May, according to the Daily Bruin. The lawsuit alleges that the medical school’s admission process is discriminatory as it considers race and ethnicity.
The lawsuit alleges that the school’s “Anti-racism Roadmap,” which is currently unavailable on its website, but included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, is discriminatory.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the federal district judge presiding over the case, John Halcomb, must approve the DOJ’s request.
A version of this article appeared on p. 2 of the Feb. 5, 2026 edition of the Daily Nexus.
