Our History
In July 1995, the University of California Board of Regents passed resolution SP-1, a policy eliminating considerations of race, ethnicity, and gender in admissions. This policy posed new challenges to the University’s efforts to create a diverse student body that reflected the state’s population.
In response to the potential impact of SP-1 on diversity in future student enrollment, the Regents established the Outreach Task Force to identify ways in which to outreach.
In response to its findings, the Task Force proposed a four-point outreach strategy that included
- School-centered strategies
- Academic development programs
- Informational outreach
- University research and evaluation
Recognizing the significant outreach by students taking place on each of the campuses, UC President Atkinson made a specific recommendation to the chancellors that they set aside a portion of the outreach budget for student-initiated projects.
(The Regents of the University of California, Committee on Educational Policy minutes, September 17. 1998, p.10)
Our Mission
The Student Initiated Outreach Program (SIOP) empowers Registered Campus Organizations (RCO) to engage in student-led outreach that inspires, motivates, and guides first-generation and income-eligible high school and transfer students on their path to higher education. These outreach efforts foster the holistic development of prospective college students while encouraging RCO members to serve as dynamic leaders, committed to building a society where all students—regardless of financial means or family educational background—have access to a high-quality, comprehensive education.
SIOP serves as the steward of State funding for student-led outreach projects. Through an annual grant writing competition, RCOs are invited to submit proposals for innovative outreach initiatives. The SIOP committee’s primary role is to advise RCOs on crafting successful grant proposals, support the development of impactful outreach projects, and report project outcomes to the University of California Office of the President.
Retention Objective
To provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to engage in the campus community as civil leaders through concentrated participation in a registered campus organization.
Outreach Objective
To promote and support academic preparation, leadership development, and enriching educational opportunities for first-generation and income-eligible pre-college youth and community college students (K-12 and community college).
Additional Information
Due to university policy, SIOP programs do not include overnight campus accommodations this academic year. The SIOP Committee will support and encourage those groups that would like to offer hybrid outreach programs to high schools.
We are looking forward to hearing your creative ideas.
The application process will open on October 6, 2025 and the application deadline will be December 5, 2025. In the meantime, contact us with your new ideas and questions about this new process and format.
SIOP Workshop A:
Student Leadership Retreat: October 4, 2025, 11:30 am & 12:30 pm, Santa Barbara Mission Room
SIOP Workshop B:
November 5, 2025, Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Multipurpose Room Student Resource Building
Please do not hesitate to reach out to:
SIOP Director: Viviana Marsano