(Sacramento, CA) — On Thursday, April 16th, Assemblymembers Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles) and Patrick Ahrens (D-Silicon Valley) and student leaders from the University of California Students Association (UCSA), launched a statewide UC campus tour to mobilize support for ACA 18 as it goes through the legislative process in the hopes to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.
“I am thrilled to officially announce the ACA 18 Statewide UC Campus Tour. Next month, Assemblymember Ahrens and I will be traveling across California to meet students where they are: on their campuses—where they learn, build community, and live the everyday UC experience,” said Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, UCSD Alum. “This tour is about putting students first. Because when students are represented, our institutions are stronger. And when their rights are protected, representation becomes more than just a promise—it becomes real power.”
On Tuesday, April 28th, ACA 18 will be heard in the Assembly Higher Education Committee, and if passed, will continue to move through the legislative process.
“Those who learn within the walls of a great public university should have a meaningful say in shaping them,” stated Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas. “I commend Assemblymember Jessica Caloza and the UC Students Association for reminding us that equity in higher education begins with who has a seat at the table.”
Remarks were also delivered by UCSA President Aditi Hariharan and UC Regent Emerita Alexis Zaragoza, with Hariharan highlighting the urgency of elevating student voices and strengthening student leadership across the UC system, and Zaragoza shedding light on her experience as a former Student Regent.
“The UC Student Association is excited to facilitate Assemblymember Caloza and Assemblymember Ahrens meeting a diverse range of students and community members — all of whom are directly impacted by Regental policies — through their ACA 18 statewide UC campus tour," said Aditi Hariharan, UCSA President. “The university ecosystem cannot thrive without students, but we are often left on the sidelines without substantial power and consultation in the vital university decisions that impact our everyday life. Additionally, the UC is exempt from most state policies, leading the Regents to have an outsized role in UC governance. ACA 18 increases student power, non institutional pathways of feedback, and accountability within the lucrative UC system.”
“The Student Regent holds a unique power: we are the only position on the UC Board of Regents required to be a current member of the campus community. In a system this diverse, with no faculty or staff representation to match it, the Student Regent carries an extraordinary responsibility to represent undergraduates, transfer students, graduate instructors and researchers, union members, international and undocumented students, medical and other professional students, and 10 distinct campuses with vastly different needs,” said Alexis Zaragoza, UC Regent Emerita. “A second Student Regent seat changes everything. It means more voices, more backgrounds, more expertise at the table. ACA 18 gets us one step closer to a UC system that actually puts its campus community first.”
ACA 18 would directly impact the lives of over 300,000 UC students by doubling their voting power on the UC Board of Regents. The statewide tour, in partnership with UCSA, will allow the Assemblymembers to directly engage students across campuses, elevate their voices, and mobilize support for ACA 18: the Student Regent Empowerment Amendment.
“As the primary stakeholders in the University of California (UC), expanding student representation on the Board of Regents is about ensuring the UC is meeting the needs of its students,” said Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, UCLA Alum. “I am deeply proud to co-author ACA 18 with Assemblymember Caloza and work with her and UCSA to center student voices in the UC.”
This coalition of students and lawmakers are working to get ACA 18 passed by the Legislature by June 25, 2026 in order to qualify for the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved by the voters, for the first time ever, the voting membership of the UC Board of Regents would include representation from both an undergraduate and graduate Student Regent.
ACA 18 Statewide UC Campus Tour Schedule:
- Friday, May 1st at 12pm: UC Berkeley Mobilizing Rally
- Tuesday, May 5th at 10am: UCLA Mobilizing Rally
- Thursday, May 14th at 5pm: UC Santa Cruz Mobilizing Rally (Postponed Until Further Notice)
Access the photos from the press conference here.
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Assemblymember Jessica Caloza proudly represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes the Los Angeles County communities of Angelino Heights, Atwater Village, City Terrace, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Echo Park, El Sereno, Elysian Heights, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Garvanza, Highland Park, Hillside Village, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, Mount Washington, Silver Lake, South Glendale, University Hills, and Vista Hermosa.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens represents the Silicon Valley in the California State Assembly for District 26, which includes the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and part of San Jose.
