:: UCLA TODAY Home

©2004
The Regents of the University of California
 

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

UCLA admitted 11,338 prospective freshmen for this fall from among 42,207 applicants, making the campus once again the most popular university in the country. Those admitted had an overall GPA of 4.25 and took an average of 19 honors and Advanced Placement courses. “We are delighted to have admitted this remarkable group of students with such outstanding academic qualifications,” Chancellor Albert Carnesale said. “We will now work very hard to encourage these young scholars to enroll at UCLA.” The campus expects to enroll 4,300 freshmen, up from 3,723 last year when the governor reduced funding for freshman enrollment. With that restraint removed and more UCLA students graduating at a faster rate, the university can accommodate more new students, campus officials explained. Among underrepresented students, there were significant gains for Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans. There was a slight dip in the percentage of African-American students admitted, although the number admitted was higher.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The NAFSA: Association of International Educators has awarded the second annual Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization to UCLA and four other colleges and universities. The association, which promotes the international exchange of scholars, gives the award to campuses “where international education has been broadly infused across the fabric of the institution.” The focus on international studies at UCLA has expanded greatly under the leadership of Vice Provost Geoff Garrett with the creation of the Global Studies Major, Global Fellows and several other initiatives within the International Institute. Other award winners are Colby College, Colgate University, Howard Community College and the University of Kansas.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a five-year contract to the UC to manage and operate the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The award was made after the first competition for the lab’s management and operating contract was held since its inception in 1931. The UC has managed the lab since 1943 for the DOE and its predecessors. The value of the contract is an estimated $2.3 billion. Berkeley Lab’s $469 million annual budget is funded by the DOE, other government agencies and private industry.