UC: Invest in Counselors, Protect Student Mental Health

UC students urge President James B. Milliken to bargain in good faith with UPTE and propose a fair contract that fixes the recruitment and retention crisis in campus Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). With over 65% of CAPS counselors having less than five years’ tenure, constant turnover undermines continuity of care. It worsens an already growing student mental health crisis—despite students paying thousands in tuition for these services. A fair contract that invests in counselors will stabilize staffing, improve access and quality, and demonstrate UC’s commitment to patients, clients, students, and staff. Every person on UC campuses deserves reliable, high-quality mental health care, and that starts with retaining and supporting the counselors who provide it.

Dear

  • UC Los Angeles Chancellor Julio Frenk;

  • UC Berkeley Chancellor Richard K. Lyons;

  • UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman;

  • UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla;

  • UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive;

  • UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz;

  • UC Riverside Chancellor S. Jack Hu;

  • UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis;

  • UC San Francisco Chancellor Sam Hawgood;

  • UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May,

The University of California’s refusal to address the recruitment and retention crisis at the campus Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) centers. More than 65 percent of CAPS counselors have worked at UC for less than five years. These problems exacerbate the already growing mental health crisis among students, who pay thousands in tuition to afford such services. 

As students at UC,  we are calling on UC President James B. Milliken to bargain with University Professional and Technical Employees CWA Local 9119 (UPTE CWA 9119) in good faith. We believe a great show of his leadership and UC’s commitment to patients, clients, students, and staff would be proposing a fair contract.

Every student, patient, client, and community member who steps on UC’s campuses should have access to the best care possible.

Sign your name!