The recent resignation of UC Regent Haim Saban reduced the UC
Board of Regents from 26 members to 25, but the change would have
been hardly noticeable at its bimonthly meeting last week.
With a 74 percent attendance average by the regents, the board
is used to functioning without all of its members present.
The board is especially familiar with meeting without Saban, the
entertainment mogul appointed to the board in 2002. According to
university records, Saban missed all of the board meetings from
2002-2003.
Saban resigned on Sept. 8, citing unspecified personal reasons
for the decision. His resignation came after heavy criticism of his
attendance record from some congress members.
“It has been an honor to be appointed to this very
important, prestigious and influential position,” he said in
a statement. “My position on the board was an honor, and I
feel blessed to live in California and hope to be given the
opportunity to serve this great state again in any way.”
According to university records, Saban missed 84 percent of his
committee meetings and all of his board meetings in 2002-2003, a
record well below the board’s attendance average of 74
percent.
Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, one of the legislative
members who called on Saban to resign last month, said the numbers
reveal the attendance problem is not isolated to Saban.
“There is an obvious problem in the appointed
regents,” Romero said, after comparing the Board of
Regents’ records to the University of Michigan’s
average trustee attendance of 94 percent and the University of
Illinois’ average of 96 percent.
But attendance records at the meetings may not signal a lack of
participation by the regents. UC spokesman Trey Davis said
attendance during board meetings is only a small portion of the
overall involvement of the regents.
“There are visits to Washington, to Sacramento, meetings
with researches and business leaders, communications with
legislatures. Everyone takes their job very seriously,” Davis
said.
Student Regent Jodi Anderson said though there are many
behind-the-scene activities board members are involved in, the
general board meetings are important forums to inform the public
and other board members.
“Board meetings serve as the public face of the Board of
Regents. It’s very important that we’re having these
conversations and discussions in the public. The board also brings
people together on the same table to make sure that everyone is on
the same page,” Anderson said.
Of the 26 board-member positions, 18 are appointed by the
governor. One student regent and seven ex officio regents who are
regents by virtue of their office make up the rest of the
board.
Three of the ex officio regents, the governor, lieutenant
governor and speaker of the assembly, are generally not expected to
attend the board meetings. Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante was present
at the July meeting during discussions of the freshmen eligibility
increase. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to attend a
meeting.
Though unpaid, the board appointment is considered by many as
one of the most prestigious gubernatorial appointments. There are
no formal requirements in order to be appointed to the 12-year
term. Most appointments have been given to successful businessmen
and women.
Currently there is no procedure for the removal of regents once
they are appointed and resignations are rare. Romero, who was
involved in calling for Saban’s resignation, has suggested
reforms that would remove regents once they have too many unexcused
absences.
Romero also called on Schwarzenegger to appoint someone who
understands the commitment necessary to be part of the board when
replacing Saban.
“You are responsible for none of the past
appointments,” wrote Romero in a letter Schwarzenegger.
“You have the ability with your future appointments, however,
to thoroughly vet the individuals and determine their level of
commitment.”
With Saban’s resignation and two regent terms coming to an
end, Student Regent Anderson said she is eagerly waiting to see who
the next three appointments are.
“We need people that are not just interested and committed
to the university but who are going to be able to do all that is
expected of a board member and to be able to dedicate the time
that’s required to be a good trustee,” Anderson
said.