After a controversial audit, a new proposal suggests limiting UC autonomy

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 23: A student walks near Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA on April 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. According to reports, half of recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees are finding themselves underemployed or jobless. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

A new proposed amendment could change the way the University of California has operated for nearly 140 years.

In response to the UC’s audit, which exposed an undisclosed $175 million surplus, state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa) introduced a constitutional amendment proposal Tuesday, limiting the UC’s budgetary autonomy. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, that means the UC Office of the President would be directly funded by the Legislature.

Presently, the office receives funds from campus fees. The amendment would also give membership and voting rights to additional parties including the California Community Colleges chancellor, and cut UC Regents’ terms from 12 years to four. But is this the right move for students?

Guests:

Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), California Assemblyman representing the 53rd Assembly District, which includes the Boyle Heights and Downtown LA areas; he tweets

Tweets by SantiagoAD53

Monica Lozano, chair of the University of California Board of Regents