Initially introduced in January 2005 under a Presidential pilot program, the positions of Staff Advisor were made permanent by the Board of Regents on January 18, 2007. The Staff Advisors are selected from all staff and non-Senate academic employees, and are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chairman of the Board. Serving as non-voting advisors to designated Regents' committees, the Staff Advisors have direct input into the Board's deliberations and decisions.
Each year's newly appointed Staff Advisor is called the Staff Advisor Designate. The Staff Advisor and Staff Advisor Designate jointly participate on both assigned committees to allow cross-coverage and mentorship by the more experienced Staff Advisor.
The Staff Advisor and Staff Advisor Designate jointly serve as non-voting advisors to three Regents' Committees: the Committee on Educational Policy, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Long Range Planning. The Staff Advisors will participate in all meetings of the three Regental committees (with the exception of Closed or Regents Only sessions) and will be invited to stay and observe all open sessions of The Regents' meetings and certain other Regents' events.
To ensure continuity of experience, the current advisors are serving two-year staggered terms. Staff Advisor Lynda Brewer's term will end on July 1, 2008. Staff Advisor Designate Bill Johansen's term will end on July 1, 2009. A new Staff Advisor Designate will be selected each year to serve a two-year term.
Applications for the 2008-2010 Staff Advisor Designate position will be available on this web site and at local central HR offices beginning in January 2008. The application period will then run for at least 30 days.
The Staff Advisor positions were approved with strong support from UC President Robert Dynes. The key contact for the Staff Advisors at the Office of the President is Judy Boyette, Associate Vice President—Human Resources and Benefits. Questions about the program should be directed to Lynn Boland, Deputy to the Executive Vice President—Business Operations, at (510) 987-9996.