Dear Colleagues,

I have appreciated your remarkable efforts over the past seven months to manage what has been an unprecedented period in the University of California's history: a global pandemic led us to shift to primarily remote learning and campus operations, and our medical centers have been at the forefront of California's pandemic response. Through it all, the UC community has shown courage, compassion, and a fervent commitment to public service.

COVID-19 also resulted in significant economic challenges for our state and nation, which have inevitably affected our institution. I write today to tell you about another measure we are contemplating to address our budget shortfall while preserving as many jobs as...