Thursday, October 23, 1997
Gov. Wilson nominates three regents
APPOINTMENTS: Advisory committee to conduct public hearing
Friday
By Caroline M. Bontia
Daily Bruin Contributor
Gov. Pete Wilson nominated three candidates for the Board of
Regents, the governing body of the University of California, last
Friday.
If confirmed, Carol R. Chandler, John F. Hotchkis and Ralph M.
Ochoa could join the board as early as January.
They will replace ex-chair Tirso del Junco, and Regent Leo
Kolligian, who each served 12 years, and Claire Burgener, who
served a three-year term.
"The governor … is advisory by nature. He is required by the
state constitution to submit the names to the Regents’ Selection
Advisory Committee," said Matt Taggart, a spokesperson for Wilson.
"This is however, one of the most important appointments that the
governor makes."
Chandler, Hotchkis and Ochoa are not allowed to comment on their
nominations until the Advisory Committee begins hearings. Chandler,
a farmer, and Hotchkis, a businessman, are both Republicans. Ochoa,
a lawyer, is a Democrat. All three candidates bear impressive
public service records.
Chandler, 52, of Selma, earned her bachelor’s degree in physical
education from UC Davis, and a secondary teaching credential and
master’s degree in physical education from California State
University, Fresno.
Chandler was appointed by Gov. Wilson to the 21st District
Agricultural Association Board of Directors,where she served from
1991 to 1994.
As a former president of Central Valley Chapter of California
Women for Agriculture, she has also been the co-owner of Chandler
Farms since 1966.
Hotchkis, 65, of Pasadena, is the chairman of investment banking
firm Hotchkis and Wiley in Los Angeles.
Hotchkis earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UC
Berkeley in 1954 and a master’s degree in business administration
from UCLA in 1958.
He has been a member of the chancellor’s campaign cabinet on the
Berkeley campus, and is also a member of such organizations as the
Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Orchestra, and Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles.
Ochoa, 56, of Sacramento, has been a senior partner with the law
firm of Ochoa and Sillas since 1978.
Ochoa earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and later a juris
doctorate from UCLA in 1969.
He has served as a member of the California Lottery Commission
since he was appointed by Gov. Wilson in June 1997.
Ochoa also has a long history of involvement and leadership in
the higher education community. He is a member of UCLA Board of
Trustees and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Public Policy
Advisory Board, to name a few.
The university is governed by the Board of Regents, which under
Article IX, Section 9 of the California Constitution has "full
powers of organization and governance," subject only to very
specific areas of legislative control.
The Regents Selection Advisory Committee begins their public
hearings this Friday.
"What a lot of people don’t know about being a regent, is that
it is public service, an important leadership role," Taggart said.
"It involves technical expertise and it is a great honor to
serve."
The board consists of 26 unpaid members: 18 are appointed by the
governor of California for 12-year terms; one is a student
appointed by the regents for a one-year term; and seven are
ex-officio members.
The board meets nine times a year and delegates a broad range of
authority and responsibility to the president of the university as
well as the faculty in matters relating to academic programs.
After the Regent Select Advisory Committee (which consists of
one alumni representative, the student regent, and two appointed
regents) conducts a public hearing of the nominees beginning this
Friday, a Senate confirmation hearing will have the official
authority of admitting the candidates.
How long that process will take will vary.
"The schedule is usually unpredictable. The state Legislature is
not in session and will not reconvene until January," said James E.
Holst, General Counsel of the Regents.