Chancellor Gary S. May is joining his fellow UC chancellors and UC President Michael V. Drake in encouraging people to enlist in the UC Advocacy Network, or UCAN, in an effort to bring the total number of advocates to 50,000 by the start of 2022.

With the new year, university leaders said, comes “a fresh opportunity to push for the priorities that can help our UC community thrive,” including federal financial aid for students and state investments to help California rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as urgent action on climate change.

UCAN brings the collective voice of thousands to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., in support of the university and its students. UCAN welcomes all university supporters — students, faculty, staff, community members. “When we’re united, we bring real change on issues that matter,” the university states on its UCAN sign-up page.

This past year, UCAN helped secure the highest level of state funding ever and played a key role in getting Congress to introduce a bill to double the Pell Grant maximum award.

UCAN’s “Double the Pell” webpage provides background on the issue and asks advocates to sign their names in support and/or “tweet at lawmakers” asking for their support. If you agree to tweet, the UCAN website will automatically send messages to California’s two senators and your congressional representative.

On other issues, UCAN may ask you to send emails for which templates are provided (and you can edit the language for a more personalized approach).

Here are UCAN’s goals:

• Ensure that UC can offer an affordable, high-quality college education for all students.
• Secure funding for life-changing research on coronavirus, climate change and other important issues.
• Protect access to affordable, excellent health care at UC’s top-rated medical centers. 
• Stand up for UC’s most vulnerable students, including those from low-income, first-generation and immigrant backgrounds. 

Pledge to stand with UC

Those who sign up will receive advocacy alerts and email updates from the UC Advocacy Network. You can unsubscribe at any time.

“Our advocacy is only as strong as those who offer their voices to shape the state and federal policies that affect us,” the university states on its UCAN sign-up page.

“Whether it’s research, health care or education, join us in speaking out for equity, access and excellence, and be part of shaping a better future for everyone.”