EDUCATION : Asian Americans Criticize Rejection of UC Regent
San Gabriel Valley’s Asian American community has been up in arms over the state Senate’s rejection of the first Chinese American to be nominated to the UC Board of Regents.
Representatives of 21 Asian American organizations gathered in Monterey Park last week to show support for Dr. Lester Lee, a Northern California businessman turned down for the post in a committee vote Feb. 24, and in a full Senate vote Thursday.
Marina Tse of the Chinese American Education Assn. said Asian American students, who make up 24% of the University of California enrollment, need a voice among the regents. Some Asian Americans have complained they were rejected from UC schools even though they were qualified, she said.
Lee, a Chinese immigrant, earned a doctorate in electrical engineering at Stanford and founded a company. He served on the board for 10 months before his confirmation vote. He was assailed by Democrats for supporting fee hikes and administrative pay raises.
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