Background on Regents Meetings

The Regents meet on a regular basis, both as a whole and in issue-focused committees, such as grounds and buildings, investments, and oversight of Department of Energy Laboratories.  Most of the time, these meetings are held at the University of California, San Francisco – Laurel Heights. However, a southern California session is mandatory on an annual basis and UCLA usually plays host.  Wherever the session is held, there are times set-aside for stakeholders in the UC system, e.g., students, staff, faculty, and community members, to speak directly to the key decision-makers of the UC system.

Your opinion matters!  Here are a couple pointers to help you maximize your time on the mic: call-in advance to reserve your speaking slot (you can call the secretary of the Regents as soon as the meeting agenda is made public, which is usually 10 days before the meeting - 510.987.9220), you only have 2 minutes to speak (there’s no shame in practicing a couple times beforehand), provide a written copy of your comments if you want to be acknowledge on the public record and help whoever has to take the meeting notes (the time you have to speak is so brief that you can memorize your written piece or even speak from the heart), and lastly, speak about issues that the Regents will be discussing during that meeting (check the agenda). 

Similarly, there are a couple informalities which you should be aware of regarding Regents meetings: security personnel search you and your bags before you enter the room, do not expect all of the Regents to actually listen to you or even stay in the room during the public comment session, the timekeeper’s countdown can be a distraction, and lastly, bring friends and have them stand with you when you speak.  Contact us for more tips, talking points, and/or a ride.