SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California Board of Regents appointed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano as the next UC president today in a special session held after its regular meeting.
She will earn a base salary of $570,000 as the new head of the University, about $370,000 more than she currently earns.
Outgoing UC President Mark Yudof earns a base salary of about $591,000, not including other benefits.
Napolitano will also receive an annual $8,916 automobile allowance and a University-leased house.
Student Regent Cinthia Flores was the only one to vote against Napolitano’s appointment.
UC officials announced Napolitano’s nomination on Friday, after a months-long presidential search process to find a replacement for Yudof.
She will be the first female president to lead the University in its 145-year history. Napolitano will step down from her current position on Sept. 6.
Her lack of academic background and political record on immigration reform stirred controversy from the UC community in the days following her nomination.
A group of about 40 undocumented students and supporters from Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights through Education showed up outside the regents’ meeting to protest Napolitano’s appointment, which was expected to draw protests from members of the UC undocumented community.
Four chanting public commenters were arrested by University police after they refused to disperse when ordered to do so.
Compiled by Katherine Hafner, Bruin senior staff.
cinthia flores is the only intelligent regent….what a waste of money for a useless, incompetent future president. AND the regents already voted to increase nursing tuition & increase employees’ contribution to retirement, while UCOP votes themselves a 5% increase in slush funds – er, expenses. what a joke.