FYI, the response from the "xiaomi" of UCI econ. concerning this issue:
"TOEFL test scores are used for two purposes here:
1) admission consideration; and 2) financial support
consideration.
A passing score on the internet-based TOEFL (minimum 80/120
overall; minimum 26/30 on the Speaking component) will qualify
you for consideration both for admission and financial support.
(Our typical financial support package includes five year--15
academic terms--of TA appointment, plus fees and tuition.) If
you fall short on either measure, you will not be a viable
candidate for admission since we cannot hire for TA service a
student who scores below 26/30 on the TOEFL0ibT Speaking section.
I'm sorry, we have absolutely no discretion at all this
matter.
"