A Government Branch of Its Own: Reining in the Power of the Regents of the University of California

Authors

Veronica Gray

Abstract

The University of California system is the crown jewel of American public universities. However, Californians have virtually no say over University of California policies. At the University of California’s inception, the drafters of the 1879 California Constitution envisioned a school system controlled by a Board of Regents who are largely insulated from politics. The autonomy from elected officials and the public allows the Regents to have nearly full control over a public good. The Regents’ autonomy and control over the University of California system has led to conflict between the Regents, the public, and state legislators regarding land use, labor, and tuition increases. The Regents benefit from a vague governmental status, placing them above a state agency but not exactly equal with the three branches of state government. The vague governmental status and outdated constitutional mandate of power allows the Regents to govern the University of California system largely without any checks. This note analyzes possible solutions to rein in the Regents’ power and increase accountability to the public while maintain enough independence to properly govern an ever growing University system.

Recommended Citation

Veronica Gray, A Government Branch of Its Own: Reining in the Power of the Regents of the University of California, 51 Hastings Const. L.Q. 503 (2024).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_constitutional_law_quaterly/vol51/iss4/4