Daily Cal Staff Writer

UC Regent Haim Saban, who has come under heavy fire for his poor attendance record, stepped down from the UC Board of Regents yesterday.

Saban, 59, announced his resignation effective immediately for unspecified personal reasons.

"It has been an honor to be appointed to this very important, prestigious and influential position," he said in a statement. "My position on the board was an honor and I feel blessed to live in California and hope to be given the opportunity to serve this great state again in any way."

Saban's announcement came less than a month after state Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, called for his resignation in light of an article published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, which revealed Saban's attendance record.

According to UC records, Saban has not attended a full board meeting in more than a year-his last meeting was in March 2003.

"This is shameful," Romero said in mid-August. "It's an abuse of the position. I call upon him to resign."

Saban had a strong start to his 12-year term, attending all six of the board's investment committee's meetings in 2001-02. But the following year, he attended fewer than half of the committee's meetings.

The UC Board of Regents has no procedures for removing regents before the end of their terms, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger does not have the authority to remove any regents.

Since the board consists of a total of 26 members-18 of whom are appointed by the governor-UC spokesperson Trey Davis said one empty seat should not affect the operations of the board.

Schwarzenegger will now have to fill the empty seat, adding to his two summer appointments, Paul Wachter and Frederick Ruiz.

Saban has served on the board since his appointment by former Gov. Gray Davis in 2002. He leaves his post nearly 10 years before the expiration of his term.

Saban, a wealthy Los Angeles businessman, is the founder of Saban Entertainment and Fox Family Worldwide, both multibillion-dollar corporations.

