UC Regents to discuss budget proposal, other topics

The University of California Board of Regents will discuss Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal for next year, among other topics at its bimonthly meeting this week at UC San Francisco’s Mission Bay campus.

The meeting comes two weeks after Brown announced his budget proposal. In his proposal, Brown allocated about $2.99 billion to the UC, a $142 million increase from the last year’s budget. However, the proposal came in about $121 million short of what the regents had asked for.

The increase in state funding is contingent on a tuition freeze by the UC. After the release of Brown’s proposal, the University said it will not raise the tuition for the next academic year although the University had not gotten what it asked for.

Patrick Lenz, UC vice president of budget and capital resources, will provide an update to the regents on Brown’s budget proposal and how it will affect the UC.

There will also be a discussion with UC President Janet Napolitano, California State University Chancellor Timothy White and California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris on how they can make the state’s Master Plan for Higher Education more relevant for California.

Regents will also discuss or decide on:

· An update on the impact of sequestration on the University and the UC’s efforts to end sequestration for the next fiscal year, in light of the recently approved federal budget.

· The formation of a nonprofit corporation that will handle the residential lending programs currently held by the Office of the President – such as programs that provide mortgage financing – for UC faculty and senior managers.

· An update on a partnership between the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and the University of Southern California’s Doheny Eye Institute.

·A joint venture between UCLA Health System and Centre Testing International, a Chinese company, to develop and operate a clinical laboratory in Shanghai, China.

· An internal audit report on financial management, construction, auxiliary services and IT security for the fiscal year 2013-2014. There will also be an external audit update on the state audit of UCLA and UCSF Medical Centers and the state audit of how UCLA and Berkeley handle sexual harassment.

· A report on ethics and compliance activities at the University, including details on the Violence Against Women Act and Systemwide Privacy and Information Security Initiative.

·Progress report on the UC’s online education.

·Discussion on various court cases, including Valentini v. Shinseki, the case regarding UCLA’s use of Jackie Robinson Stadium.

·An update on the status of the meningitis outbreak at UCSB.

Compiled by Jeong Park, Bruin contributor.