We NEED Diversity in the UC

By: Jules Pizano

The University of California (UC) system, which prides itself on providing world-class education, is currently under fire for its efforts to increase diversity. A recent lawsuit is challenging the UC system’s initiatives, claiming that the system is secretly reinstating race-conscious admissions in violation of Proposition 209, a law passed in 1996 that bans the use of race in admissions decisions. The lawsuit argues that the UC system should be completely “color blind.” But the reality is, pretending race doesn’t matter doesn’t make the system fair–it just makes it easier to ignore the barriers that have kept so many students out for generations.

For me, this issue is personal. Without the UC system’s efforts to expand access beginning in the 1960s, my mom wouldn’t have been able to go to college, meaning that I wouldn’t be at Berkeley today. She grew up in a community where college felt out of reach, where schools were underfunded, and the idea of attending a top university seemed impossible. However, because the UC system made a conscious effort to open its doors to students like her, she got a shot at higher education. That one opportunity changed the trajectory of her life and, ultimately, mine. This is what’s at stake in this lawsuit: the ability for future generations to break free from cycles of exclusion.

Jules’ mother (left) during her first year of college, with Jules on the right.

The idea that the UC system should be “color-blind” in its admissions process, as the lawsuit suggests, ignores the very real barriers that students of color face. While wealthier students have the privilege of attending well-resourced schools and receiving extra help outside the classroom, students from underserved communities–often Black and Brown–don’t have those advantages. The UC system’s approach to diversity is not about giving one group an unfair advantage; it’s about leveling the playing field and giving everyone an equal shot at success. By targeting outreach efforts and eliminating standardized test requirements–which are inherently racist–the UC system is ensuring that students, who are qualified regardless of their background, can compete for a spot at one of the most prestigious university systems in the country.

Another crucial aspect that makes UCs stand out are their affordability compared to many other universities. UC Berkeley, for instance, gave me the most financial aid out of all the schools I applied to. This support made a dream that seemed almost out of reach possible. The UC system is committed to ensuring that college is accessible to students from diverse financial backgrounds, which is something private universities fail to do. 

At the end of the day, the issue isn’t whether the UC system should strive for diversity–it’s whether it should keep the doors open for everyone. If the UC’s efforts to increase diversity are deemed unfair, what does that say about the future of higher education? If it weren’t for the policies designed to level the playing field, I wouldn’t be here, and neither would many students from marginalized communities. When we talk about who should get into a UC, we need to ask, should we continue to fight for equal access, or should we close the doors to those who need it most?