Refocusing on Issues at UCI

* Re “Stand Down Time at UCI” (Oct. 3):

Your editorial missed its mark. It is the UC regents’ cover-up machine that needs to “stand down.” The Willed Body Program case shows the ongoing pattern of vilifying an individual to cover up the real issues.

So what are the real issues? In a county of full employment, first an individual is hired at less than 60% of the going rate. Second, record keeping is a mess. In this case, $30 worth of virus software and a floppy disk for backup would have solved the problem. Third, billing continues to be out of control. The core problems have nothing to do with what Christopher S. Brown may or may not have done.

Let us remind ourselves that UCI settled in September 1997 the $18.6-million malpractice case involving coma victim Denise DeSoto. The ruling concluded that UCI attorneys had obstructed justice. In a Sept. 27, 1997, Times article, then-Lt. Gov. Gray Davis expressed his outrage and went on to add that it was “hush money” paid to keep three UCI employees from speaking publicly about the fertility scandal.

Despite the regent’s PR machine, the fertility doctors have yet to be convicted of stealing any eggs or embryos. In fact, 90% of the cases have been settled without the involvement of the three doctors.

We need to retire the regents’ PR machine and fix the core probes so the university can continue to attract world-class researchers and teachers.

JAMES J. JONES

Costa Mesa

* I don’t understand what all the hoo-ha about UCI medical administration is about.

Remember, UCI is just a state government jerkwater office, staffed by the typical group of gray bureaucrats.

You expect competence? Perhaps bridge engineering or truck route approval by Caltrans is a model?

DAVE ENGLISH

Orange