Regents Policy 1202: Policy on Appointment of Student Regent

Approved March 19, 1993
Amended September 22, 2005, March 16, 2017, November 15, 2018, and July 30, 2020

POLICY SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

The Board of Regents has chosen to appoint a student as a Regent in accordance with the Constitution of the state of California, which was amended in November 1974 to provide the Regents with the option of appointing a student to serve as a member on the Board. This Policy affirms that decision and broadly outlines the position.

POLICY TEXT

The student Regent must be a person enrolled as a student in good standing and not on academic probation at a campus of the University of California for each regular academic term during his or her service as a Regent-designate and Regent and must have demonstrated interest in the welfare of their fellow students and in the University. Political tests must not be applied to any candidate. A student body president, or equivalent, or a member of the board of directors of any student advocacy associations, is not eligible for appointment as a student Regent. While serving on the Board, a student Regent may not hold any appointive or elective student government position. However, a student Regent-designate may hold non-elected positions until their term as Regent begins. A student who is, or has served as, a student Regent is not eligible for reappointment as a student Regent.

The student Regent is a full voting member of the Board of Regents of the University of California, attending all meetings of the Board and its Committees and serving a one-year term commencing July 1. In their role as a Regent, the student Regent serves as a trustee on behalf of the people of the State of California. While the student Regent voices student perspectives to the Board, they do not solely represent students. The state Constitution provides that Regents shall be persons broadly reflective of the economic, cultural, and social diversity of the State.

From the time of appointment as a student Regent, but prior to the commencement of service as a member of the Board, the person so appointed is known as a Regent-designate, is invited to attend all meetings of the Board and its Committees and is seated at the meeting table with full participation in discussion and debate. The student Regent-designate will serve as a non-voting advisory member of committees of the Regents as assigned during their service as a Regent-designate. Non-voting members do not count toward the calculation of a quorum of a committee.

The student Regent and Regent-designate is entitled to reimbursement for expenses in accordance with Regents Policy and, if eligible in accordance with State and federal law, will receive a tuition and fee waiver equivalent to the student's total University fees and tuition or for any portion of tuition and fees that are not covered by financial aid during the academic years in which they serve as Regent-designate and Regent. In addition, the student Regent and Regent-designate shall receive a scholarship, if eligible in accordance with State and federal law. 

The student Regent is appointed by the Regents upon recommendation of a Special Committee that is appointed by the Chair of the Board for that purpose. The process for selecting the student Regent is described in the Student Regent Nomination Procedures.

The student Regent or Regent-designate may be removed for cause or sanctioned by majority vote of the Board (excluding the student Regent) if allegations of a violation of their fiduciary or ethical duties to the University or a violation or breach of the University Bylaws, policy, or applicable law are found to be substantiated through a process determined by the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Governance Committee, in consultation with the General Counsel.

COMPLIANCE/DELEGATION

The Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Regents is responsible for coordinating the student Regent selection process and ensuring compliance with the nomination procedures.

NO RIGHT OF ACTION

This policy is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the University of California or its Board of Regents, individual Regents, officers, employees, or agents.

PROCEDURES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

Student Regent Nomination Procedures

Related Resources

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