University of California

Mark Yudof, UC President

The University of California on Monday announced sweeping reforms that could radically change the way students are educated.

The broad plan charts a way forward for a university system that is grappling with growing enrollment and budget pressures with a range of proposals, including three-year college degrees, additional online courses and more out-of-state students.

The 54-page report is the culmination of more than a year of work by UC’s Commission on the Future, largely composed of top administrators and UC Regents.

“I think we’ve done some very constructive things in this report,” said UC President Mark Yudof, noting that the university system has suffered an “erosion” of support from the state.

Among the commission’s proposals: Admit more graduate students, offer summer sessions to help undergraduate students graduate in three years and cultivate more support from philanthropic organizations.

Lawrence Pitts, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UC, said soaring pension, salary and instructional programs among other expenses would cost an additional $5 billion over the next decade.

“There remain enormous financial challenges to the institution,” Pitts said.

Compounding UC’s financial strain, the university system’s share of the total state budget has declined over the last 50 years, officials said.

The report will be discussed by the university’s Board of Regents at their next meeting on Dec. 13 at the UC, San Francisco Mission Bay campus. The public may listen to a live webcast or view the meeting agenda here.