The University of California on Wednesday announced a systemwide hiring freeze to stave off layoffs and downsizing as it confronts unprecedented threats by the Trump administration to slash medical and science research funding key to its mission as the nation's premier public university system.

UC President Michael V. Drake announced the decision to implement the freeze as an effort to manage costs and conserve funds as the school faces funding reductions at both the state and federal levels.

The University of California announced a systemwide hiring freeze as the Trump administration threatens to dramatically slash its funding. In a Wednesday statement, UC President Michael Drake said university leaders are preparing for “significant financial challenges ahead.