Regents Policy 1302: Policy on Public Access to Meetings and Public Comment

Approved January 20, 1995
Amended September 19, 1997, July 18, 2002, September 22, 2005, March 16, 2017, and September 30, 2021

The Board of Regents reaffirms its commitment to openness and transparency in the conduct of the University’s business. Meetings of the Board of Regents shall be conducted in compliance with California open meeting laws applicable to the University of California. Members of the public are invited to attend open sessions of Regents meetings and may address the Regents of the University of California whenever the Board or any of its Committees meets in open session in accordance with the guidelines below. In addition, written communications to the Regents are always welcome.

1. On any day that the Board or any of its Committees meets in open session, the first open meeting will include a thirty-minute period for the purpose of hearing public comment. Individual speakers will be invited to speak for up to three minutes, depending on the number of individuals who have signed up to speak.
2. In order to accommodate those individuals wishing to speak when more people have signed up to address the Board or Committee than can be heard, the Chair may adjust the procedures at their discretion.
3. Speakers at the public comment sessions may address any University-related matter. When signing up to speak, individuals will identify the matter they wish to address.
4. Anyone who wishes to speak must contact the Office of the Secretary and Chief of Staff by 5 pm the day before the public comment period. Speakers may choose to attend in person or address the Regents via telephone during the public comment session.
5. To hear from as many individuals as possible, speakers may not pool their time or yield their remaining time to another speaker.
6. Written comments and materials are welcome and will be available to the Regents.
7. Attendees have the right to record the meeting, consistent with open meeting laws, as long as that activity does not constitute a persistent disruption of the proceedings.

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See also: Guidelines for Public Comment Sessions.

If you have questions, please contact the Office of the Secretary and Chief of Staff to The Regents.