Restore credibility

The University of California is a beloved institution, and one that, throughout its history, has been known for its credibility.

In recent years, however, the presumption of credibility from which UC has benefited has begun to erode. One factor that has contributed to this is the perception that UC is seeking to thwart the will of the people, who approved Proposition 209 in 1996 to ban preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex and ethnicity. Instead, UC has tried to get around that law in its often awkward and dogged pursuit of “diversity.”

UC also suffers from the perception that it provides bloated salaries to its administrators and is dishonest about public disclosure of its administrative salaries.

There is no greater challenge confronting the new president and the Board of Regents than the restoration of the institution’s credibility. If this does not happen, then in the fullness of time, the University of California will become just another university instead of a revered institution to so many Americans.