From SFGate.com:

In a rare move, faculty representatives from the University of California openly criticized UC regents in a scathing letter Wednesday accusing the governing board of inaction during the worst budget crisis ever faced by the 10-campus system.

The UC Faculty Association all but declared the 26-member board AWOL, noting a two-month gap between meetings as the university faces cuts of more than $800 million this year and next as part of the state's effort to close a $24.3 billion budget gap.

"We urge that emergency and open meetings of the board be convened to explore the implications of the budget crisis for the future of the UC system," faculty leaders wrote in a two-page letter signed by Dwight Read, Warren Gold and Ian Kennedy, chairmen of the Faculty Associations at UCLA, UCSF and UC Davis, respectively.

The Faculty Association is an independent, dues-paying organization that represents some, but not all, faculty.

The regents last met on May 7 in a meeting that "included no serious discussion" of the expected failure of the budget-related ballot measures in the May 19 special election, the letter said.

"Clearly major policy guidance is needed, and you as regents are designated as the ultimate makers of such policy," the letter said.

The letter was addressed to all board members, most of whom are appointed by the governor to 12-year terms. They meet next on July 14.

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