Chancellor Drake Welcomes Staff Advisors to the Regents

The staff advisors to the regents visited UC Irvine April 28 to gather opinions and insights for use in their efforts to increase communication between the regents and UC staff and promote a positive work environment.

Staff Advisor Bill Johansen of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Staff Advisor-Designate Edward Abeyta of UCSD Extension met with more than 150 Irvine staff during a daylong series of events that included attending the chancellor’s cabinet meeting and an open staff forum.

“As much as the campuses consider themselves different from one another, we’re very much alike in our concerns,” Johansen said. “People are focused on three fundamental areas – communications, recognition, and career paths and stability in these challenging budget times.”

Abeyta elaborated: “These are tough times, but we’ve been here before; we need to learn from the past.“ He added that a key effort of the staff advisors was ensuring state contributions to the UC retirement program.

The UC Regents made the staff advisor positions permanent in 2007 after a successful pilot program. Advisors are selected from among all staff and non-senate academic employees and are appointed by the UC president and regents chair. While they do not have voting privileges on regents’ committees, they do have direct input to the board’s deliberations and decisions.

Lynda Brewer, assistant director of capital planning at UCI, served as a staff advisor from 2006 to 2008. She was first UC employee selected in an open search to serve in this position.

“The staff advisors have become a vital part of the regental process, providing a strong linkage between regents and staff,” Brewer said. “This relationship, which is based on mutual respect, provides the opportunity to openly exchange ideas and opinions and thereby influence decisions made at the highest level. Having the chance to put a voice and face to a talented and committed workforce was a highlight of my UC career.”

Chancellor Drake visits with staff advisors to the regents, from left, Edward Abeyta and Bill Johansen.

UC Staff Advisors to the Regents
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