Attendance records for the University of California regents who oversee the state's most prestigious higher education system indicate that four of the 18 appointed policymakers have missed over one-third of meetings from 2000 until 2003. At Teachers College, trustees are expected to resign if they miss two meetings a year. "We've excused two trustees in the past few years," said TC president Arthur Levine. "This is more than an honor. Trustees have the responsibility to set policy for the institution. You can't do that if you're not there."

The UC regents are expected to attend board meetings six times per year to set policy for the 10-campus institution and its $14 billion annual budget. There is no procedure for removal of UC regents. They have significant autonomy because they are empowered by the state Constitution and cannot be removed even by the governor who appoints them.

The article, entitled "Some UC Regents Missing Majority of Board Meetings," appeared in the July 8 edition of the San Diego Tribune.

Published Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004