This year’s election will have a direct effect on the
University of California. The winner of the gubernatorial race will
not only be a key player in higher education funding, but will
appoint members to the UC Board of Regents as well.
Appointments to the board and other positions is an issue in
this year’s campaign. Gov. Gray Davis has raised eyebrows
across the state by appointing several campaign donors as regents
or members of other state boards and commissions.
Davis’ leading opponent, Republican Bill Simon, has seized
the issue, questioning the governor’s ethics. His campaign
has described Davis’ appointments as political patronage.
“Gray Davis has turned (appointments) into who writes the
biggest check,” said Mark Minor, a press aide for Simon.
The governor said he chooses regents for their individual
skills, not the size of their wallet.
“Almost nobody quibbles with the quality of the people
I’ve appointed,” he said.
But if the question is how regents are appointed in the first
place, board members chosen by both former governor Pete Wilson and
Davis said donations are influential.
“If you’re someone who has been financially
supportive, they know who you are … it’s that
simple,” said Regent Norman Pattiz, who was appointed by
Davis in 2001.
Since Jan. 1, 2000, Pattiz has given $70,000 to Gray
Davis’ campaign, according to figures from the California
Secretary of State’s office.
“(Governors) rely heavily on donors, and I was appointed
because I was a donor and a close friend of (Wilson),” said
Regent Ward Connerly, who was appointed in 1993.
Not all of Davis’ regental appointees are donors, but
those who are have given greater sums to the governor’s
campaign than Wilson appointees. During his first term, Wilson
appointees donated a total of $138,700, while Davis appointees have
contributed some $1.3 million to his campaign chest.
Not just a political football tossed by competing candidates,
donations have raised concerns among members of the board
itself.
“There’s an impression the governor has relied too
much on donors,” said student regent-designate Matt
Murray.
Even if campaign finance was not an issue, the election would
still have a significant impact on the UC. Since regents serve for
12 years, appointments allow governors to influence the university
even after they leave office.
Five positions on the board will become open during the next
gubernatorial term, leaving some wondering who the next governor
will appoint and how they will change the board.
When asked what qualities they would look for when choosing
regents, both the Davis and the Simon campaign gave broad
answers.
Appointments would be made on a case by case basis, Minor said,
adding Simon would select regents from a diverse background who
have earned the respect of their professional peers.
Davis said he would continue to attract people who are committed
to education.
Board members have their own views on what the governor should
look for in a regent ““ qualities like independence and
concern for instruction.
The governor should appoint “someone who is going to
participate … someone who has the courage to speak their
mind,” Connerly said.
The student regent-designate prefers someone who has an interest
in academics.
“As a student I would want someone who has knowledge of
… education,” Murray said.
With reports from Christina Jenkins, Daily Bruin Senior Staff,
and the Associated Press.