Regents staff adviser applications sought

The UC Office of the President on Jan. 11 announced the opening of the application period for the next staff adviser-designate to the UC Board of Regents.

The position’s term runs July 2010 through June 2012. The staff adviser program, now in its fifth year, allows for two staff and/or non-Senate academic employees to participate in open sessions of designated committees of the board. The staff advisers bring the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to board deliberations.

The current staff advisers to the regents are Edward Abeyta of UC San Diego, whose two-year term will expire in June, and Juliann Martinez of UC Berkeley. Martinez joined the Board in July 2009.

Employees can learn more about the program at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/staffadvisors and through campus human resources offices.

Questions about the staff adviser position or the application process should be directed to Howard Pripas, (510) 987-0196, and howard.pripas@ucop.edu. Application forms will be available beginning today (Jan. 15), and applications will be accepted from Jan. 15 through March 1.

UC expands assistance to former foster kids

The UC has joined the California College Pathways Project, a partnership with the John Burton Foundation and the California State University system designed to increase the number of foster youth who succeed in higher education.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, approximately 300 students participated in UC programs that support former foster youth.

“This is an invisible population that needs our attention. Legislation and other efforts help the university to provide the guidance and support these students desperately need to develop into successful adults,” said Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, who as a member of the Board of Regents requested the November presentation on how UC supports former foster youth.

UC supported the passage of two recently enacted state laws designed to help former foster youths succeed in college. About 150 former foster youth enter UC each fall as new students and in recent years university support for them has increased.