In 2019, ANR offered more than 40,000 educational events across California on topics such as drought, climate change and invasive species. UCCE specialist Sam Sandoval, left, gave soil and water management training for field workers in Spanish in 2019. Photo by Evett Kilmartin

The University of California is an essential economic engine for the state, contributing roughly $82 billion annually to California's economic output. Over a half-million jobs in California — or one in every 45 — are supported by the University, and UC-related spending generates nearly $12 billion annually in federal, state and local tax revenues. These are just some of the highlights from a new detailed economic impact report released today.

The study by Beacon Economics revealed that every dollar invested in UC by the state of California generates over $21 in economic output, including nearly $10 in labor income. The University's total economic impact on labor income in the state is over $37 billion annually. These figures reflect University spending as well as its direct and indirect economic impacts.

“UC's economic ripple effect is so large that it touches every region in the state, including those without a campus or medical center,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. “Beyond economic impact, the University's contributions in health, innovation and social equity are even more important to the lives of Californians.”

The report, “The University of California Economic, Fiscal and Social Impact Analysis,” for the first time includes an analysis of UC's social impact on the state as well as its economic and fiscal contributions.

“The report underscores UC's remarkable power to fuel California's leadership in numerous economic sectors while stimulating equity and opportunity across social and ethnic groups,” said John A. Pérez, chair of the UC Board of Regents. “The University's impact is truly transformative and far-reaching.”

Research and innovation

The economic impact study reaffirmed that UC is a world leader in innovation, averaging five inventions every day. In fiscal year 2019 UC received over 500 patents, bringing the University's total to over 5,000 active U.S. patents and nearly 6,000 foreign patents. This reputation for excellence attracted nearly $6 billion in federal, state and private research awards to the University in fiscal year 2019 alone.

“UC researchers are tackling some of the state's most urgent problems with ingenuity and innovation, bringing to bear solutions in various fields from hydrology to artificial intelligence and energy sustainability to entertainment,” said Theresa Maldonado, Ph.D., UC's vice president of Research and Innovation.

Groundbreaking work conducted at UC institutions has been recognized around the world, recently in November 2020, when three UC faculty and one UC alumnus won Nobel Prizes. There are now 68 UC-affiliated Noble laureates. 

Health care

University of California Health (UCH) is an integral part of the state's health care delivery system, a driver of medical breakthroughs, the leading source of California health care professionals and an economic engine in its own right.

“The academic health centers and health professional schools of UCH are a pillar of California's health care system,” said Dr. Carrie L. Byington, executive vice president of University of California Health. “The pandemic has underscored the vital role that UCH plays in the health and well-being of all Californians, in addition to its substantial economic impact.”

At the onset of the pandemic, UCH hospitals quickly began in-house testing for SARS-CoV-2, implemented surge plans that increased capacity by nearly 40 percent and initiated hundreds of research projects and clinical trials focused on COVID-19. By the end of 2020, UCH had performed more than 400,000 tests for its patients and hundreds of thousands more for public health agencies, nursing homes, first responders and other hospitals. UCH participation in clinical trials led to emergency use authorization of two vaccines. 

UCH also operates the nation's largest health sciences instructional program. Nearly 15,000 students and trainees attend UC's 20 professional schools and more than 70 percent of graduates remain in California.

In 2018-19, UCH hospitals contributed approximately $1.7 billion in unreimbursed expenses to serve Medicare, Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, demonstrating our commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations. Additionally, UCH provided nearly a billion dollars in community benefits in the form of free health services and health professions education. As a major employer, UCH hospitals spend $5.4 billion annually on salaries and wages.

Social equity

A UC education contributes to closing the economic opportunity gap, according to the study. Roughly 40 percent of undergraduates are the first in their family to attend college, and 37 percent are from low-income families. Remarkably, within six years of graduation, most first-generation UC graduates earn more than their parents, and most low-income graduates earn more than their parents in just five years.

The study also put a dollar value on what a UC education means to individual Californians. University graduates earn $9,000 more annually compared to non-UC college graduates, and $45,000 more annually compared with Californians who do not have a college degree.

High student debt is a pronounced economic problem often hitting those who can least afford it. However, nearly half of California residents who enter UC as freshmen graduate without any student debt. Almost 60 percent of California residents enrolled at the University have all their tuition and fees covered by financial aid, according to the study.

Rural impact

Since its founding in 1868 as a land grant university, UC has contributed to the health and success of California's rural regions. Through its Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Division, which has offices in every county, the University provides research and education in agriculture, natural resources and nutrition. ANR also provides leadership and growth opportunities for the state's youth through programs like 4-H.

In fiscal year 2019, ANR generated 24 ideas that led to patents and offered more than 40,000 educational events across California on topics such as drought, climate change and invasive species. To date, ANR has certified over 5,900 UC Master Gardeners. These volunteers assist home gardeners and community organizations with up-to-date information and helping hands. In 2019, they volunteered nearly half a million hours, valued at roughly $15 million.

ANR partners with state and federal agriculture and social services agencies to manage two statewide nutrition education programs: California Expanded Food Nutrition Program in 24 counties and CalFresh Healthy Living Program in 31 counties. In 2019, these programs shared valuable information about healthy lifestyle choices with tens of thousands of Californians of all ages.

Honey bee colony. Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

A $900,000 grant from UC Office of the President will establish a four-campus network of bee researchers and engineers to strengthen honey bee health and crop pollination. 

The three-year grant, titled "Strengthening Honey Bee Health and Crop Pollination to Safeguard Food Availability and Affordability" and headed by principal investigator Boris Baer, a UC Riverside professor of entomology, also includes the San Diego and Merced campuses. “I'm very excited about so many different kinds of bee expertise joining forces through this project,” Baer said. 

"Most excitingly, this funding will not only support research that will help improve pollinator health so crucial for California's agriculture, but it will provide opportunities for training of students and postdoctoral scholars,” said co-principal investigator Elina Lastro Niño, UC  Cooperative Extension apiculturist of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. “Work focused on improving honey bee stocks via novel tools aligns well with ongoing work in the Niño lab and will further cement collaborations with beekeepers and growers.” 

See more at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=45587.

Richard Rominger at Ag Day at the Capitol. Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

Richard Rominger, former UC President's Advisory Commission member, passed away Dec. 20 in Winters. He was 93.

“In addition to his outstanding leadership at CDFA and USDA, Rich was always a great supporter and advisor to UC ANR. He exemplified the concept of servant leader and was a role model for myself and so many others,” said VP Glenda Humiston. “We are grateful to Rich for sharing his wisdom and kindness. He will be greatly missed.”

A fourth-generation farmer from Winters, Rominger applied his agricultural experience when he served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1993 to 2001, director of the California Department of Food Agriculture from 1977 to 1982 and UC alumni regent 2005 to 2006.

After he returned to California from Washington D.C., he joined the PAC in 2002. He advocated for UC ANR research as a California CARET representative and was an active PAC member until stepping down in 2019.

“Rich Rominger was a titan in the agricultural and conservation communities,” said Daniel M. Dooley, former UC vice president for External Relations and ANR, who served as chief deputy director of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (1977-80) with Rominger. 

“He served in too many roles to enumerate, but his service as California Secretary of Food and Agriculture, Deputy Secretary of USDA and as a long-time member of the Board of the American Farmland Trust illustrate the breadth of his engagements,” Dooley said. “He was respected in virtually every quarter he touched. I had the pleasure to work with him at CDFA and we stayed connected professionally and socially for five decades.”

Through gifts from family and friends, Rominger helped establish the Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award in 2008 to honor the memories of his son Charlie and UC Davis animal science professor Eric Bradford. Over the years, several UC ANR academics have been received the award for their contributions to agricultural sustainability.

“I was a dean in the Midwest when he served at USDA and learned firsthand that Rich was accessible to all,” said Reg Gomes, former UC ANR vice president. “Unlike too many bureaucrats, he listened closely, responded intelligently and left all of us feeling as though we had a fair hearing - even when he turned down our requests. When I moved to UC, I was impressed with the sheer number of ways in which he contributed to U.S. and California agriculture, UC Davis and UC as a whole.

In 2016, UC Davis awarded Rich and Evelyne UC Davis Medals, the highest honor the university presents to individuals.

“He was a titan in agriculture for sure, but what I liked and respected about Rich just as much as his leadership and vision was how he made you feel: respected, relevant, empowered, worthwhile, confident,” said Steve Nation, former director of ANR government and external relations.

Rominger is survived by his wife Evelyne, children and their spouses, Rick and Patty, Ruth and Lars, and Bruce and Robyn; daughter-in law Cairn; grandchildren Katherine, Justin, Sarah, Cienna, Aldo, John and Rachel; and great-grandson Alexander.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Yolo Land Trust located at 221 W. Court Street, Ste 5, Woodland, CA 95695, and to the Bradford-Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award Fund at the Agricultural Sustainability Institute of UC Davis, care of CAES Deans Office University of California, located at One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616. No services are planned at this time.

Read more at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailydemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=richard-e-rominger&pid=197355962.

A new partnership between UC ANR and the UC Davis Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP) was announced by John Fox, executive director of ANR Human Resources.  HDAPP supports the University's commitment to a harassment-free and discrimination-free work and learning environment. With our new agreement, HDAPP will serve members of the UC ANR community by:

• assisting individuals and ANR units to resolve conflicts and complaints related to harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and hate and bias; and
• serving as the central office for receiving reports and maintaining records of these types of complaints.

HDAPP is available to receive complaints of harassment or discrimination against anyone affiliated with UC ANR. If you believe you or someone you know may be experiencing any of the complaint types, or if you have questions and want to consult, contact HDAPP. Options are available to report by phone or online, as well as anonymous reporting.

They are happy to speak with you about their process, your concerns, and support resources. They strongly believe in helping people make informed decisions about reporting, including where and how to report situations of concern. 

To learn more, join a Zoom session on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m. During the Feb. 4 information session, members of the HDAPP team will describe how they handle common situations and answer questions.

You can also find more information about HDAPP at hdapp.ucdavis.edu/about-us.

HDAPP contact information and links to other reporting options are available at   ucanr.edu/sites/DiscriminationSexual_Violence. 

If you have any questions about the HDAPP partnership, contact Fox at jsafox@ucanr.edu.