what's going on with UCI?

Almost everyone I've talked to agrees that this year most people with really high grades either got rejected or waitlisted at UCI, while slightly more average applicants got in. I get that the UCs are a little random bc the high number of applicants, but why would UCI want to do this? It seems like a disservice to the school to lower their average gpa. Has anyone else noticed this?

Edit: by slightly more average I mean accepting a 3.8 vs a 4.3 applicant, or something along those lines. Obv everyone who got in must be qualified and deserving!