University of California Regents hit the press in a big way last Fall when they raised tuition; ordinarily, we barely know who they are. Here’s background from Wikipedia:

The vast majority of the Regents appointed by the Governor have historically been lawyers, politicians, and business men. Over the past two decades, it has been common that UC Regents appointees have donated relatively large sums of money either directly to the Governor's election campaigns pr indirectly to party election groups.

As with other public university systems nationwide, the board of regents is treated as the real party of interest for all purposes under California law All actions of the university are done in their name, al ldegrees are conferred in their name, all UC property is held in their name (and is marked by signs indicating "Property of the Regents of the University of California"), all bank accounts are held in their name (and all checks must be written as payable to "UC Regents"), and all lawsuits involving the University always refer specifically to the regents. This is notable because most corporations (especially private ones) are treated by the law as a legal entity separate from their boards and employees, and lawsuits against them are addressed to the corporation or university itself, not its board of directors or trustees.

Appointed by Gov. Davis:

• Sherry L. Lansing (appointed 1999; reappointed 2010; term expires March 1, 2022)
• Odessa P. Johnson (appointed 1999; reappointed 2000; term expires March 1, 2012)
• George M. Marcus (appointed 2000; term expires March 1, 2012)
• Monica Lozano (appointed 2001; term expires March 1, 2013)
• Richard C. Blum (appointed 2002; term expires March 1, 2014)
• Norman J. Pattiz (appointed 2001; reappointed 2003; term expires March 1, 2015)

Appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger::

• Frederick Ruiz (appointed 2004; term expires March 1, 2016)
• Paul Wachter (appointed 2004; term expires March 1, 2016)
• Russell. S. Gould (appointed 2005; term expires March 1, 2017)
• Leslie Tang Schilling (appointed 2005; term expires March 1, 2013)
• Eddie Island (appointed 2005; term expires March 1, 2017)
• William De La Pena (appointed 2006; term expires March 1, 2018)
• Bruce D. Varner (appointed 2006; term expires March 1, 2018)
• Bonnie Reiss (appointed 2008; term expires March 1, 2020)
• Hadi Makarechian (appointed 2008; term expires March 1, 2020)
• Charlene Zettel (appointed 2009; term expires March 1, 2021)
• George Kieffer (appointed 2009; term expires March 1, 2021)

Student Regent

• Jesse Bernal (term expires June 30, 2010)[4]

Ex-Officio Regents

• Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor)
• Abel Maldonado (Lieutenant Governor)
• John Pérez (Assembly Speaker)
• Jack O'Connell (Superintendent of Public Instruction)
• Mark Yudof (UC President)

The UC bylaws specifically state that although they may be compensated for travel and for expenses, members of the Board of Regents may be compensated for the work done at board meetings. What created all the press was primarily the amount of compensation that goes to senior officials of the ten campuses.

This year, the number of those earning more than $214,000 has been increased to 3,184 individuals (which means a budget allocation of more than 681 million dollars). 72% of the money comes from the General Fund. The majority of General Funds are provided by state funding as indicated in the California State budget. Additional sources of money directed to General Funds come from fees the University collects, such as application for admission fees, nonresident tuition and a portion of prior year indirect cost recovery from federally funded projects. General Funds are intended to be used for the general operating purposes of the University’s mission in teaching, research and public service as well as essential supporting activities. All this makes huge allocations for senior officials a slippery slope.

Here’s reporter Diana Lambert in the June 7 Sacramento Bee:

The budget-tightening under way at the University of California has not trickled up to salary and benefits packages for the system's top executives. Linda Katehi, the incoming chancellor at UC Davis, is getting a $100,000 relocation allowance, as well as reimbursement for the cost of moving. If she decides to step down to a faculty position later, Katehi will earn another relocation allowance. And, if she wants to buy a house to rent or live in later, she's eligible for a low-interest mortgage. The 10 UC chancellors earn between $295,000 and $450,000. Katehi will earn $400,000, 27 percent more than her predecessor. Chancellors also get free housing, a $9,000 annual car allowance, paid club dues, life and disability benefits, travel reimbursement and lifetime health benefits. They are offered tenured professorships when they step down. The salaries and perks continue despite cuts to freshman enrollment next year, fee increases at some professional schools of as much as 50 percent and student fee hikes of nearly 17 percent over two years.

If you’re interested in seeing what happens when the Board of Regents meets, try the official site: hot tip – don’t miss the minutes of the meetings. It’s your wallet!