UCLA alumnus appointed to high UC system position

By Brooke Olson
Daily Bruin Staff

Concluding an extensive seven-month nationwide search, the UC
Board of Regents approved the nomination of UCLA alumnus Bruce B.
Darling to a high-ranking UC-wide office late last week.

Darling, current vice chancellor for development and university
relations at UC San Diego, will assume his post as Vice President
for University and External Relations for the UC system on Nov.
1.

As one of four university vice presidents, Darling, 44, will be
responsible for acquisition of UC’s operating and capital budgets
and will supervise the university’s governmental-relations programs
in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. He will report directly to
California Gov. Pete Wilson.

"(Darling) is responsible for securing legislative support for
the budget," said Rick Malaspina, spokesman for the university.

"He doesn’t develop the budget, but he is in charge of promoting
the budget and our funding needs to the government and state
legislature, as well as coordinating various fundraising
activities," Malaspina added.

While Darling’s appointment was uncontested, several
administrators questioned his annual salary of $190,000, calling it
"excessive" and reflective of the current trend of
"overcompensating administrators."

"I do not have any complaint against (Darling), however, I do
believe that the salary amount is way too large," said UC Student
Regent Jess Bravin.

"This sends two very direct messages to the people in California
– one is that the university system has plenty of money, and two,
that we can’t trust the regents and the administrators with the
public’s money," Bravin added.

But others noted that the salary is slightly less than Darling’s
predecessor who, after more than 33 years with the university,
earned $193,500.

University officials said that Darling’s salary is not only
determined by current market conditions but is also comparable to
similar positions within private universities.

"The University of California is seeking top-rated individuals
and we are in direct competition with private universities for
these individuals," Malaspina said.

Darling will succeed William B. Baker, who announced last April
his intention to retire from the vice presidency.

"This is a vital position for the university," said UC President
Richard Atkinson in a statement Friday.

"It enables us to maintain effective relations with the public,
the state and federal government and other important
constituencies. Bruce Darling’s demonstrated skill and success in
this field will be of great value to the university," Atkinson
added.

Darling graduated summa cum laude from UCLA, earning a
bachelor’s degree in political science.

Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he is the recipient of
numerous scholastic and professional honors, including two National
Science Foundation Outstanding Performance Awards.

He served as both assistant and associate vice chancellor for
University Relations at UCSD and was instrumental in developing the
university’s first unified external relations effort.

"It will be a privilege to work with the leadership of this
great university in serving California and the nation," Darling
said in a statement on Friday.

"At UCSD I have experienced the exhilaration of being part of a
campus that sets and achieves remarkable goals, and I am
enthusiastic about helping UC shape its future," he added.