With Student Fees Rising and Professors at California Universities Talking of Strike Because of Low Pay, Legislation Introduced to Require Openness in Executive Pay Process

“For too long the UC and CSU has been acting in secrecy when it comes to determining high-level salaries,” said Yee. “SB 190 will bring much needed sunshine to these discussions, provide members of the media the democratic access they deserve, and help restore the public’s trust.”

Yee himself is a graduate of both the UC and CSU. “As long as the top executives continue to receive exorbitant salaries, we will be unable to keep our universities affordability or attract the most qualified faculty. We should be investing in instruction, not creating a get-rich factory for executives.”

Unlike other public entities, UC and CSU have been holding closed committee meetings to discuss and act upon top executives' salaries, benefits and perks. SB 190 would clarify that both subcommittees and the full Board of Regents or Trustees must meet openly when considering and acting upon top executives' compensation. Specifically, requiring discussion and actions on compensation proposals involving the President/Chancellor; Chancellors/Campus Presidents; Vice Presidents/Chancellors of Academic Affairs, Administration, Agriculture, Budget, Business Affairs, Health, and Human Services; Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer; General Counsel; and Trustees and Regents Secretary to occur in public session.

As an Assemblymember, Yee introduced a similar bill last session focused solely on the UC. While the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate Education Committee, it stalled in Senate Appropriations. Yee expects a better outcome this year as he is now a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the new chair, Senator Tom Torlakson, has been a strong supporter of the bill.

There are elements of SB 190 that are basic good government and involve the public's right to know how decisions are made. Tom Newton, General Counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, said, “SB 190 will give the public an open window into the secret and scandal-ridden compensation practices of the UC Regents and CSU Trustees. This legislation will not only shine some light on executive compensation discussions, but will allow the public to decide for itself whether UC and CSU pay practices are fair and appropriate.”

There also are some basic public policy questions here about the nature of a public university and whether or to what degree, its pay structure should mimic that of private institutions and large corporations. Some will argue that in order to attract the best administrators, UC and CSU must compete with private business. Others will question this and point to the public nature of these institutions of higher learning and ask about whether the level of compensation here really reflects the ethos of public service and dedication to the mission of these bodies.

“Thousands of students turn to this university for the education they need to contribute to California,” said John Travis, President of the California Faculty Association. “Instead of helping students get an education, the administration caters to elite executives who get huge pay raises and golden parachutes.”

"Senator Yee’s legislation will make sure that the University lives up to its public purpose and is held accountable for their actions,” said LaTosha Gardner, Executive Board Member from UCSF, AFSCME Local 3299. “This legislation is an important first step in ensuring the accountability of the University to the people of California.”

For an interesting article in today's press reflecting the views of students, take a look at the UCSD Guardian. There also are reports of those who teach needing to hold down two jobs because of the pay. The Long Beach Press Telegram has a telling quote: "We have professors we call `freeway flyers' because they have to go campus to campus to make ends meet."

At least with SB 190 we will be able to have a public debate about these questions involving these important institutions and the direction as a state we want them to be going. UC has a national and international reputation. CSU is the largest university system in the United States.