A summer in UC student news

UC Berkeley suspends international student work authorization program following I.C.E. threats

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent out a memo on Aug. 12 warning all Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified universities that officials who incorrectly authorize Curricular Practical Training could face personal liability. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also threatened to remove universities’ capacities to enroll international students if they do not comply. 

In response, the University of California (UC) Berkeley International Office (B.I.O.) announced that it is temporarily suspending all applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training (CPT) — a work authorization program that grants international students paid off-campus internship opportunities. 

The memo claims that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has seen a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements emphasizing that CPT must be “an integral part of an established curriculum,” and that it “cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) is threatening liability and possible legal consequences for the individuals and universities found to be in violation of federal regulations, and the memo is not enforceable by law. 

According to an email from B.I.O. Director Ivor Emmanuel sent to all international students, students with fully processed CPT applications will not be affected. The B.I.O. will continue to process “Degree-Requirement” CPT applications as normal.

In 2025, President Donald Trump issued presidential proclamations citing national security concerns, imposing full and partial travel bans on nearly 40 countries. Additionally, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued memorandums directing its personnel to “place a hold on pending benefit requests” for countries on the ban lists, among other things. This hold has paused adjudication of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to work in the U.S. for 12 months post-graduation in a field related to their studies. This directly impacted UCSB international students who were a part of the OPT program. 

‘Defending Education’ files lawsuit against the UC over alleged free speech violations

Conservative activist group Defending Education filed a lawsuit against the UC on June 18 alleging that the UC’s sexual harassment policies and anti-discrimination training violates free speech. The group alleged that the UC’s designation of deadnaming — the intentional use of a transgender person’s given name rather than their lived name — as potential sexual harassment is suppressive of students’ opinions. 

The national organization, Defending Education claims to be “working to restore schools at all levels from activists imposing harmful agendas,” in order to “fight indoctrination in classrooms and on campus.” Defending Education and similar organizations have filed dozens of lawsuits attacking Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives across the country. 

The lawsuit claims that the UC’s sexual violence and sexual harassment policy is too broad and vague, creating a “hostile environment.”

In a statement from the UC Office of the President to the Daily Bruin, the University developed the sexual violence and harrassment policy in accordance with state and federal law to protect community members. 

“The University of California is committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming to all while respecting freedom of speech and expression,” the statement said. 

Defending Education asked the judge to block the UC from enforcing deadnaming policies and declare it unconstitutional. 

The UC admits a record number of California students

The UC has offered 102,031 California first-year students admissions for the 2026-27 academic year, marking a new record. This is an increase of 1,458 admitted California students, bumping the overall UC acceptance rate for California first-year students to 78%. 

Over 205,000 students applied to the UC this application cycle, with 153,272 first-year students being accepted from the pool of California residents and nonresidents. This growth is in line with the UC 2030 capacity plan that aims to add 17,000 in-state undergraduates by 2030. The capacity plan adheres to the UC’s multi-year compact with the state which requires the UC to increase California undergraduate enrollment by at least 1% annually to receive state funding increases. 

“For generations, a University of California education has been one of the state’s most powerful engines of social mobility, opening doors for talented students from every background and region of the state,” UC President James B. Milliken said. “The record number of California students we’re welcoming this year reflects UC’s enduring commitment to expanding opportunity while preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, educators and public servants.”

Additionally, the UC increased California Community College (CCC) transfer admissions by 6% from the previous year. 29,372 CCC transfer students were accepted, 46% of which are first generation and 53% have low family incomes. 

UC Regents appoints Jordan Roiland as the 2027-28 student regent 

The UC Board of Regents appointed Jordan Roiland as the 2027-28 student regent on July 14. Roiland will serve as student regent-designate for about a year, after which he will gain voting privileges as his one-year term begins on July 1, 2027. 

Roiland is currently a medical student in the UC Berkeley – UC San Francisco Joint Medical Program. Roiland previously earned his bachelor’s degree double majoring in applied mathematics and statistics and biochemistry from New York’s Stony Brook University. He then earned a Master of Science in health and medical sciences from UC Berkeley. 

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Roiland worked for two years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Associate Program. Roiland’s work focused on Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancer prevention. When Roiland joined the UC Berkeley community, he served on the Student Advisory Committee to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, advocating for housing needs, technology services and student professional development programs. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 2 of the Aug. 27 print edition of the Daily Nexus.