Our winter quarter has been tumultuous, beginning with the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles and continuing through the rapid-fire policy changes of the new administration. For all of us — young Bruins, graduate students, faculty and staff — it's been highly stressful to navigate the combined uncertainties of a climate catastrophe and significant changes to higher education policy.

Many people in our community have suffered major losses from the fires; many others are facing the potential loss of rights and funding due to federal policy changes. Simultaneously, we are heartened by daily acts of kindness and generosity in Los Angeles, proof that our community ties remain strong.

I believe we are fortunate to be part of a vibrant public university in these difficult times. Resilience and critical thinking are an integral, and invaluable, part of UCLA's educational mission. They are also crucial skills for guiding us in how to assess what is happening around us and take informed action. Combined with empirical evidence, scientific methodology and peer review, they produce research that addresses the world's greatest challenges. In these trying times, it is more important than ever that we reaffirm our mission and values as a public research university.