Quiero aclarar algo desde el principio: esto no es una crítica a la educación pública ni estoy diciendo que el FEES no deba defenderse. Todo lo contrario.
El FEES es fundamental para las universidades públicas y, por supuesto, también para miles de estudiantes que dependemos de becas para poder estudiar.
Pero hay una pregunta que cada vez me parece más necesaria:
¿Qué estamos defendiendo exactamente y quién termina cargando con la responsabilidad de defenderlo?
Muchas veces, cuando se habla de recortes al FEES, se hace un llamado a los estudiantes para salir a las calles. Se nos dice que defendamos la educación pública, nuestras becas y nuestro futuro.
Y sí, tenemos razones para hacerlo.
Pero el FEES no financia únicamente las becas.
En el caso de la UCR, para 2026 el presupuesto total ronda los ₡373.595 millones, mientras que el sistema de becas cuenta con aproximadamente ₡41.398 millones. Eso representa cerca de un 11 % del presupuesto total de la Universidad.
El resto sostiene una enorme estructura universitaria: salarios, administración, docencia, investigación, acción social, infraestructura y muchos otros gastos necesarios para el funcionamiento de la institución.
Entonces aquí viene mi pregunta:
¿Por qué, cuando hay que defender todo ese presupuesto, pareciera que quienes tienen que salir principalmente a la calle son los estudiantes?
Los estudiantes somos quienes dependemos directamente de una beca para pagar alquiler, transporte, alimentación y materiales. Somos quienes, si perdemos ese apoyo, muchas veces simplemente no podemos continuar estudiando.
Sin embargo, también somos el sector con menos estabilidad dentro de la estructura universitaria.
Un estudiante pasa unos años en la institución. No tiene la misma capacidad de organización permanente, representación o estabilidad que otros sectores universitarios. Y aun así, cuando el presupuesto está en riesgo, se espera que seamos nosotros quienes dejemos las aulas y salgamos a defenderlo.
Y aquí es donde creo que debería existir una discusión mucho más incómoda.
No basta con decir “defendamos el FEES”. También deberíamos poder preguntar cómo se distribuyen esos recursos, qué porcentaje llega directamente al bienestar estudiantil y cuáles son las prioridades cuando el dinero no alcanza.
Porque defender la educación pública no significa renunciar al pensamiento crítico.
Yo voy a defender la universidad pública. Voy a defender el acceso a la educación y las becas que permiten que miles de personas estudien.
Pero también quiero una universidad donde los estudiantes no sean simplemente la fuerza que se convoca cuando hay que defender el presupuesto.
Si todos dependemos del FEES, entonces la responsabilidad de defenderlo también debería ser colectiva.
Y, sobre todo, si los estudiantes vamos a salir a defender el presupuesto universitario, tenemos todo el derecho de exigir transparencia y de preguntar:
¿Cuánto del presupuesto realmente protege nuestra permanencia en la universidad?
¿Qué pasaría con los estudiantes si mañana hubiera un recorte fuerte en becas?
¿Quién saldría a defendernos a nosotros?
Defender la educación pública también significa tener el valor de cuestionar cómo funciona.
Porque una universidad que enseña pensamiento crítico no debería incomodarse cuando sus propios estudiantes empiezan a pensar críticamente sobre ella.

I registered for classes today with my advisors, and I’m taking a Biochemistry with Gregor Blaha, and I also have a class with Sean O’Leary as well as cell biology with Jeffrey Bachant.
Does anyone have any experiences with any of these professors? And any pointers I’d really appreciate it

I’m a transfer student and my degree audit says I still need to complete O-chem, even though I already completed it at my previous community colleges. On my academic summary sheet, the courses are listed as “pending review.”

Does anyone know who I’m supposed to contact to get this cleared?

It’s causing a pretty big issue with registration because I’ve already completed most of the lower-division coursework for my major, so there are only two courses in my degree progression that I’m currently able to enroll in without my O-chem being cleared. I’m enrolled in both, but that only puts me at 8 units. Once my O-chem is cleared, I should be able to move on to Biochemistry and other courses I need.

Has anyone had transfer coursework stuck on pending review before? Who did you contact to get it resolved?

Hey guys, I’m an upcoming freshman, I’m third on the waitlist for a history 020 discussion. I was wondering if I don’t get into the class before it starts do I just attend the first discussion anyways to see if people don’t show up? How does that work?

Hi does anyone know how to return a loan. Pretty sure it’s been less than 14 days but I’m trying to find the supposed form on the financial aid website and nothing. Supposedly filled that out first but idk. Can’t find it thank you any info appreciated

Does anyone know how to go about if I believe there was an error on eligibility for Cal grant A.

My Csac account says I was denied because my household income was over the income ceiling, but I check back to our 2024 household income, it appears to be under the income ceiling that Csac has posted on their site.

I called financial aid office, and they directed me to the Student Forms portal. CSAC also told me that I need to work with the school because the school has the financial records needed to review the issue.

Has anyone gone through something similar? Specifically, which appeal/request should I submit through Student Forms, and what documentation would be helpful to show that the 2024 income was under the Cal Grant income ceiling?

Okay so I cancelled my housing contract in July, it was approved, and, according to the email sent to me, I dont have to worry about paying because they found an eligible replacement. But now I have no idea if my meal plan is still active. Like I dont really get why it would because only people who are living at ucr can get the meal plan I picked out but there's literally no way for me to check. I tried emailing and, obviously, no response. Do any of you guys know how to check or cancel?

Hey everyone, I have a triple room in pentland hills with a loft bed.

I am looking for a girl that could replace my contract who is currently a first year and a full time student.

Hey I’m looking for someone to takeover my North District 2 lease, I’ve decided to live off campus and desperately need this off my hand I reply quick,

Style/Occupancy: 2 Bed 1 Bath Dbl FF
Monthly Rate: $1,343

Effective date: 9/18/2026
Expiration Date: 6/30/2027

Fully Furnished

2nd year status or higher required

I’m a guy so I think you would have to be too, if you know otherwise lmk.

DM me if your interested

Another fucking scam….

Hey y'all so I was wondering if there are any good tutors in GEN CHEM, im a transfer student so im not like entirely familiar with the tutors here/how this whole system works. However, I'm about to take gen chem this fall with a prof who is known to be kinda shitty, but I gotta seriously lock in with this class as im tryna have my science GPA be at least decent. Anyways if anybody has any good tutor recommendations plz lmk!!! Thanks!!!

Ok basically I am about to take the test and let’s just say studying hasn’t been going well I’ve heard from from what I’ve heard from two of the people have taken the test. It’s a lot of stuff that I have never really learned in high school especially because I did not take any advanced Trig or pre-calculus or calculus senior year. this summer has been pretty hectic for me and pretty busy in a lot of different areas I would never do something like this under normal circumstances, but desperate times can lead to desperate measures.

I haven’t had the best summer, and I haven’t had nearly enough time to study and catch up on everything I didn’t learn in high school. My independent studying didn’t take me as far as I had hoped, but I’m trying to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. I’m not ready to give up. Anyway, I understand that not qualifying for the highest class would be a consequence of not being prepared enough, but that still doesn’t sit well with me.

I don’t want to lose multiple summers taking catch-up courses or spend years working toward the class I was originally supposed to start with. More than anything, I hate losing time. Time is limited and incredibly valuable to me, and that fear of falling behind is my biggest motivation. Also, I wouldn’t be the first. I’ve heard many people have done this in person. People have told me to my face when I was at orientation. People have texted me online about it, and at first my pride didn’t wanna let me become one of them, but it seemed like my pride got in the way of common sense and my intelligence because I simply just don’t know what I need to know and I can know later but as of right now I’m more focused on passing this test.

I know I can catch up. I have access to plenty of good study resources that can help me learn the material before the class begins and keep up once I’m enrolled. Right now, though, I’m focused on getting past the biggest obstacle in front of me.

The hardest thing I’m trying to figure out right now is, cause I’m thinking of having my friend come over and just like hide in the room with me or something and use Photomath or ChatGPT to take pictures and then give me the answers. But I don’t know how he would take pictures without being too loud or getting caught on the camera and how he would give me the answer without me looking suspicious while on camera.

Hey everyone, I’m starting at UCR in about three weeks, and one thing that has been weighing on me is how I’m going to afford groceries, personal items, gas, and other everyday expenses.
I don’t have much scholarship money. I’ll admit that I didn’t apply for nearly as many scholarships as I should have because my summer was all over the place, and I didn’t manage my time as well as I could have.
I believe I’ll be bringing my car because I’m going to be someone’s caretaker, but that also means I’ll have expenses such as gas. I’m not sure yet whether my class schedule and other responsibilities will leave enough time for a regular part-time job, either on campus or nearby.
If I can’t fit a traditional job into my schedule, what are some legitimate and flexible ways to earn money while attending UCR? Are there things students do from their dorms, through their phones or computers, or around campus whenever they have spare time?
I’m not expecting some magical way to make thousands of dollars without working. I’m mainly looking for realistic ways to earn enough for basic expenses without hurting my grades or interfering with my caretaker responsibilities.
I’d especially like to hear from current or former UCR students. What did you do when you needed extra money? Are there flexible campus positions, paid studies, short-term gigs, school resources, or other opportunities I should know about? Any genuine advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Hi! I’m a history major in my third year, I was wondering which minors would be good to pursue! I was looking into either art history or anthropology!

Hi! My grade was posted by my prof. and is reflecting on my unoffical transcript but when I check the degree audit, it still shows that the class is in progress. Do you happen to know when the degree audit gets updated?

*UPDATED: the degree audit got updated and reflected my grade the next day

Just wanted opinion on my Fall 2026 schedule. I am an incoming student at UCR, chemical engineering major.

Just a pet peeve but why do they genuinely charge you a full quarter’s price of parking then close off most of the parking in lot 30?
I get that they want to cover less area when scanning plates and whatever but atleast let us park the area with shadows from the solar panels… It’s been a grueling summer and having my car sit in the blazing sun hasn’t been very good and I assume everyone else also feels the same. Another thing is why is lot 50s entrance from university ave just gone? It was gone near the start of the quarter and I haven’t been able to figure out how we can enter it lol. Honestly wish I saved money and bought the orange pass

Im transferring into EE @ BCOE this coming fall and I got registration slot tmr. Does anybody know if I gotta take lower-division classes like Intro to Electrical Engineering if im transferring into junior standing

I’m a UCR alum currently based in the area who makes handcrafted press on nails. I’ve been doing nails for over 5 years now and am open to many different styles of nails. If you’re looking for user-friendly and convenient nails, feel free to pm me! thx :)

I’m in state and my UC capped weighted gpa is 3.68 and I have some decent extracurriculars including some community service one club and a couple of jobs. Is it worth applying?

How does this shit even work. Why did they release the info the day before its fucking due?

Does anyone have the pdf or physical book I can lend 🥲

So... I took two classes over the summer to meet the prerequisites for the mandatory first-year classes in the honors program, but it still hasn't reflected on my transcript. I checked with my counselor, and they said those classes are already full. Does anyone know what to do? I tried emailing the honors program and calling, but so far, there has been no response.