The UC Board of Regents met at UCSF from May 14-16.
The following highlights from this meeting are:
*items marked with an asterisk are agenda items tracked during this meeting.
The PDST for the UC Berkeley Master of Business Administration (MBA) program* was increased after it had initially been tabled in March 2019 for concerns regarding lack of justification for the increase, a higher fee being assessed to residents than nonresidents, some classes being majority nonresident, and a missing plan for addressing diversity issues. The new plan eliminated the gap between the resident and nonresident PDST and extra funds were meant to be allocated to build a “more diverse and equitable business community”, according to Dean Harrison. Regent Graves asked how students in the focus groups that reviewed the proposed increase were recruited. Dean Harrison said they “opted in” without further clarification upon follow-up questions. There was great ambiguity around the student feedback solicitation process. Nonetheless, all Regents voted in support of the increase except for Student Regent Graves.
A presentation was made on the experience of Transfer and Nonbinary students* across the UC. Data from the most recent UC Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES) showed that trans and nonbinary students feel a low level of belongining on their campuses. Interim Vice President Gullatt stated that UC must work towards better inclusion and responsiveness to these issues. Faculty Representative May committed to discussing within Academic Senate the possibility of writing a students’ preferred name on their diploma, and exploring the revision of former diplomas that did not include this option.
Health sciences diversity* was also under discussion. The percentage of underrepresented health sciences students was around 20.5%, being significantly lower than the percentage of minorities of the state. Dr. Cathryn Nation stated that 4 of the 6 medical schools admit residents only, with UCSF and UCLA admitting some nonresidents. She explained that diversity in the health workforce improves healthcare deliversity and minimizes disparities in health status. Dr. Nation pointed out the UC Programs in Medical Education (PRIME) which increases medical student graduates at UC by 75 students per year, includes a socially conscious mission in its curriculum, and enrolls a higher percentage of underrepresented students. Regent Perez expressed concern regarding the racial diversity among UC Health Senate faculty by discipline and stated that intervention is necessary to reverse course.
SB 14* is the Higher Education Facilities Bond Act of 2020. Chief Financial Officer Nathan Bostron states that it has been 14 years since a general obligation bond was placed on the ballot, and funds from this bill are much needed for seismic upgrades and deferred maintenance. The university has had to take on some of these costs over the past years, which results in a lower amount of funding available for the UC operating budget that goes towards faculty hiring, financial aid, and staff support. Regent Kounalakis expressed her enthusiastic support of the bill. The finance committee recommended the endorsement of SB 14 to the board.
Vice President Mark Cianca presented on UC Path*, which was very successfully deployed at UC Berkeley in March and April. It has reached the 100,000 employee mark. UC Berkeley’s population now represents 25% of the total UCPath population, but only 19% of calls received by the UCPath Center. The deployment of UCPath at UC Davis and for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is scheduled for September 2019.
Faculty Representative May responded to Chair Kieffer’s letter request a response and action to the California State Auditor’s report* titled “The University of California: It Must Take Additional Steps to Address Long-Standing Issues With Its Response to Sexual Harassment Complaints”. The Academic Senate created a working group, which proposed changes to Academic Senate Bylaw 336 (Privilege and Tenure: Divisional Committees – Disciplinary Cases). The recommendations received final approval April 2019. A major amendment requires that a hearing occurs within 60 days from the date on which disciplinary charges are filed with the Committee on Privilege and Tenure. Additionally, within 30 days of the hearing’s conclusion, the recommendations will be forwarded to the Chancellor. These changes go into effect July 1, 2019.
A proposal to increase the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST)* by 2.6% ($762/year) was rediscussed after it was tabled at the March 2019 meeting due to concerns from Regents and the public. This tuition hike would raise $28.9 million. A 10% return-to-aid ($2.9million) component was added to address the board’s hesitation. Chancellors Block and Christ spoke in support of the increase for needed campus funding. Chair Perez spoke in favor of the increase while explaining that the UC should be advocating for the non-AB540 undocumented students to be eligible for financial aid. Regent Park spoke of her great discomfort that the UC is continuing to admit the wealthiest of the nonresident population, sharing statistics of the shifting socioeconomic background of the community since 2010. Nonetheless, a motion to approve the increase passed.
Voting record on NRST Increase:
Yes – Regents Estolano, Guber, Kieffer, Lansing, Leib, Makarechian, Morimoto, Napolitano, Pérez, Sherman, Sures, and Zettel
No – Regents Butler, Cohen, Graves, Kounalakis, Ortiz Oakley, and Park
Abstain – Regent Elliott
At the conclusion of the Board of Regents meeting, Regents’ Grades are:
Regent Anguiano: 65%
Regent Blum: 65%
Regent Elliot: 50%
Regent Guber: 57%
Regent Kieffer: 64%
Regent Lansing: 65%
Regent Makarechian: 68%
Regent Oakley: 70%
Regent Park: 71%
Regent Perez: 86%
Regent Sherman: 55%
Regent Zettel: 56%
Regent Cohen: 74%
Regent Butler: 63%
Regent Estolano: 61%
Regent Leib: 82%
Regent Sures: 29% (not enough information – only 3 meetings attended)
