UC Names New President

The University of California Board of Regents announced today they had voted unanimously to appoint Mark Yudof as the 19th president of the UC system. Yudof, who comes from serving as the chancellor of the 15-school University of Texas system for the last six years, replaces Robert Dynes, who announced he would be stepping down after about five years to return to teaching at UC San Diego. Yudof will have a compensation package of $828,000. “I am deeply honored by this appointment,” Yudof, 63, said in a statement. “The University of California stands as a model for the world, creating tomorrow’s leaders and innovators and helping to solve many of society’s most pressing problems. I can think of no greater personal privilege than to have the opportunity to lead this remarkable institution.”

Yudof comes at a time of difficult decision-making, as the UC system is facing the challenge of cutting its budget by $332 million. His appointment will become effective this summer. The UC system is made up of 10 universities with more than 220,000 students, 170,000 faculty members and staff, and an $18 billion annual budget. “The Regents have made a terrific choice in selecting Mark Yudof to be the next president of the University of California,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a statement. “This is a world-class selection for a world-class university system. As one of the nation’s most important and respected university leaders, Mr. Yudof has a proven record of great achievements. I am confident that his broad range of executive and academic expertise will serve the university and the people of California well.”

UC faculty leader Michael Brown, a professor of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology in the graduate school of Education at UCSB, was supportive of the appointment in a statement. “Chancellor Yudof brings strong leadership, a commitment to academic excellence and diversity, and a deep appreciation of shared governance,” Brown said. “I believe the faculty will be pleased with his appointment.”