University of California Regents Talk Money, Gov. Schwarzenegger Talks to Students
SAN DIEGO
University of California leaders voted to keep a closer eye on the golden handshakes given to departing executives and vowed to work on canceling student fee hikes in a session that was enlivened by a visit from their most famous colleague, Regent Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger, who as governor is constitutionally president of UC’s Board of Regents, joined the board’s regular meeting last week to ask for help in persuading legislators to approve his budget, which would buy out previously approved fee hikes for the 10-campus UC system
“I want to take advantage of our economic recovery and help the students,” the governor said. “After four years of fee increases, this fall students won’t have to pay a penny more in order to get a higher education, a great education in this wonderful institution.”
Schwarzenegger drew smiles and applause — governors rarely attend meetings although aides keep them up to date on issues — and he later met privately with four students to talk more about the challenges of budgeting.
In a bipartisan moment, Republican Schwarzenegger and Democratic Assembly Leader Fabian Nunez, also a regent, embraced as they met.
