Gov. Brown Appoints 2 New Members To UC Board Of Regents
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown appointed two new members to the University of California Board of Regents on the eve of what is expected to be a contentious vote over the system's plan to raise tuition.
Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Perez and Long Beach City College Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley were named to the posts on Monday.
Perez and Oakley would be able to vote on the upcoming tuition hike proposal, though they still await confirmation by the state Senate.
Brown said both men have shown a deep commitment to the students of California, have a wealth of experience, and "an extraordinary capacity to dig into the complexities of our great university system."
The appointments came as the regents are set to consider a tuition increase this week of as much as 5 percent in each of the next five years at the university system's 10 campuses.
UC President Janet Napolitano says the increase is needed, as state support for the university system has dwindled.
The plan has received a cool reception from some state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Brown has proposed state funds for UC go up by 4 percent each year over the next two years if tuition rates remain frozen through June of 2017.
In his announcement, Brown said Perez has been a longtime advocate for affordable higher education. He authored a bill signed in 2013 to reduce student fees for some middle-class students at the University of California and California State University, Brown said.
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