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Record-Breaking UC Freshman Class Includes 6% Black Students

The UC system continues to see steady growth in racial and ethnic representation. Latinos made up the largest share of admitted students at 39%, followed by Asian Americans at 33%, White students at 18%, and Native American and Pacific Islander students at about 1% or less. The growth comes even as the total applicant pool dropped slightly to 249,824.

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The University of California has admitted a record number of California first-year students for fall 2025, with 100,947 in-state freshmen admitted, a 7% increase over last year.

Among them, 6% identify as Black.

The UC system continues to see steady growth in racial and ethnic representation. Latinos made up the largest share of admitted students at 39%, followed by Asian Americans at 33%, White students at 18%, and Native American and Pacific Islander students at about 1% or less. The growth comes even as the total applicant pool dropped slightly to 249,824.

Much of the admissions increase was driven by UC Merced and UC Riverside. Merced boosted admission offers by over 60%, and Riverside increased them by more than 38%. In contrast, UCLA and UC Berkeley admitted fewer California freshmen this year, despite high application numbers.

“This growth is a clear indication that Californians recognize the value of a UC degree,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, who stepped down from the post last month.

James B. Milliken, former University of Texas chancellor, has assumed the role.

The UC system continues to admit many students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. This year, 42% of California first-year admits come from low-income families, and 42% are the first in their families to attend college.

In total, UC admitted 180,382 first-year and transfer students, including international and out-of-state applicants. International admissions rose 17%, and out-of-state offers rose 9%, despite concerns about federal visa restrictions and tuition hikes. Nonresident tuition increased to $37,602 last fall.

UC officials say their admissions process follows all state and federal laws, even as the system faces federal investigations into alleged race-based practices. “We are proud to offer these exceptional young people a place at the University of California,” said Han Mi Yoon-Wu, associate vice provost for undergraduate admissions in a statement.

As students prepare to make enrollment decisions, UC leaders say expanding access remains a top priority. Final enrollment numbers are expected in the fall.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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