A state audit has pinned the UC system to the wall in a scathing report on budgeting practices of the university's Office of the President, which included putting aside some $175m in a undisclosed fund.
California State Auditor ELAINE HOWLE in Capitol Weekly: "Our audit of the University of California Office of the President’s budget and staffing processes revealed the following."
"–The Office of the President did not disclose to the University of California Board of Regents, the Legislature, and the public $175 million in budget reserve funds."
"–It spent significantly less than it budgeted for and asked for increases based on its previous years’ over‑estimated budgets rather than its actual expenditures."
A conservative advocacy group is threatening UC Berkeley with legal action over alleged free speech suppression related to Ann Coulter's improperly arranged appearance at the campus.
LA Times' PAIGE ST. JOHN: "A Conservative group on Friday threatened to take legal action against UC Berkeley if student sponsors are not allowed to pick the date and location for an appearance by commentator Ann Coulter."
"Coulter had been scheduled to speak on the demonstration-weary campus on April 27, but Berkeley officials refused permission, citing safety concerns. Amid public criticism, the administration on Thursday agreed to set the event for May 2, at midday, in a science hall away from the central campus."
"The university’s actions violate fundamental principles of free speech, equal protection and due process guaranteed by the United States Constitution,” a letter from lawyers representing the conservative outreach group Young America’s Foundation warned."
Many major insurers plan to sell insurance in next year's Covered California exchange.
The Chronicle's CATHERiNE HO: "Despite a cloud of uncertainty hanging over federal health care policy, several of the nation’s largest insurers are moving forward with plans to sell insurance on the Covered California exchange in 2018."
"Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California and Health Net, which collectively cover two-thirds of the 1.3 million Covered California enrollees, intend to continue selling plans on the California exchange, or marketplace, in 2018. The move is an incremental but important signal of confidence from insurers that they expect the exchange to continue operating next year, at least in California, whose exchange has been one of the most stable in the nation."