The University of California’s highest-paid employees are sports coaches. That shows its priorities

By Jennifer Chacon-Duran, Berkeley | 11/8/2023

Regarding “These are the highest-paid University of California employees” (Data, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 6): As a UC Berkeley student, words cannot describe how outraged I am to see these numbers. 

It is infuriating that the three top-paid employees are sports coaches and the University of California would rather spend $14 million on them instead of putting that funding into our academics and other public services for our schools. 

Every day, I watch the university put profit over students. Thousands of students are forced to take out predatory loans, work two or more jobs, and have horrible mental and physical health to pursue a higher education. 

The UC system cannot continue its performative act of being a champion for its students when we are constantly reminded that it doesn’t care about our well-being. 

We need more financial aid, better-paid instructors and better-equipped resources. If that $14 million were allocated to students, it would actually serve the stated mission of the university. The UC system must do better.