Student Advocates to the Regents (StARs) are funded to travel to the Regents meetings to provide public comment on pressing student issues. StARs are allowed ‘backstage’ privileges to speak with the Regents informally and engage in student advocacy. StARs are allowed to sit in on all open sessions. There is a designated area you can sit in (with the other StAR and UCGPC President, and many others) that is different from where the public sits. You can take part in the complimentary breakfast and lunch at the Regents meeting.
There are 3 StARs at every Regents meeting, the President of UCGPC and two graduate and/or professional students who are chosen through an application process. StARs will be able to provide a 60-90 second statement to the Regents during one of the public comment periods. There are public comment periods on each day of the meeting. Usually, StARs are given a slot to speak on Wednesday.
Benefits of Being a StAR:
- All expenses covered to attend 2-3 days of the Regents meeting
- Time to speak directly to the regents (60-90 second statement)
- “Backstage pass” to the meeting
- Breakfast and lunch with the regents
- Breakfast with the Lieutenant Governor of California
- Great opportunity to increase graduate student representation in the system-wide space.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to be a StARS, a student must be an active student from one of the 10 UC campuses. First time applicants will be prioritized, and repeat attendance may be limited to ensure holistic representation of the graduate and professional student body.
When students apply by the deadline of the first of the month before each Regents meeting, the board members or external vice presidents of each campus GSAs will review the applications and vote on the two students who are best equipped to represent graduate and professional students and deliver public comment in addition to the president, which usually aligns with pressing issues for graduate and professional education.
Public Comment:
- Guidelines for Public Comment
- The two graduate/professional StARs don’t have to sign for public comment. Your name has been forwarded to UCOP to be added for public comment at the Wednesday meeting. Public comment should be 1 minute. Please note that these guidelines are in place to ensure a fair and efficient public comment session.
- If you are NOT a StAR, please sign up for your public comment here, list your campus, GSA, or other organization instead of UCGPC to increase your odds of being selected. You will also have a higher chance of being selected if you choose the first day.