Regents Approve Response to Compensation Audit Findings

SAN FRANCISCO—A report approved by the UC Board of Regents at its meeting today detailed its response to last year’s audit findings on compensation scandals, saying only that "corrective action" has or is being taken against involved officials.

The report states that UC President Robert Dynes did not violate spending policy "for reasons of personal gain, whether financial or otherwise," and that he acted on the advice of officials who were responsible for knowing university policies.

Dynes was found to have committed 22 policy violations during his time as president, according to the report. Most notable were 17 instances of failing to obtain regental approval for elements of compensation packages.

"We have undertaken a huge, huge overhaul of procedures and our policies and we have held individuals accountable, especially the president," said UC Regent Judith Hopkinson, who is chair of the regents’ compensation committee.

While she said she could not discuss specific disciplinary actions taken against individuals, Hopkinson said Dynes was not offered a pay raise for which he was eligible in 2006-07.

However, The San Francisco Chronicle reported in November that Dynes did not get the four percent pay raise at his own request.

The report cites the Senior Vice President for Business and Finance, the Senior Management Group unit, the Office of the General Counsel and Human Resources/Benefits, as the offices from which Dynes took advice.

Hopkinson, chair of the compensation committee, said only that a "significant number" of employees have faced penalties as a result of the audit findings.

"People have left but no one was fired," she said. "But people who had major roles in some of these issues have left the university."

Officials involved in the violations faced penalties ranging from having a letter placed in their personnel files to being denied pay increases for which they were eligible, Hopkinson said.

The passing of the report marks the end of the university’s investigation into individual violations of compensation policy, Hopkinson told reporters after the meeting. She said the regents plan to continue reviewing and revising their compensation policies.

"We have now underway a major revamping of every policy and procedure regarding this," Hopkinson.

Dynes said he maintains accountability for actions he took as president.

"I’ve said already, as president of the university, I have accepted responsibility," he said.

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