UC regents appoint Napolitano amid protest

Protester Alex Aldana is removed by UC police officers from the Board of Regents meeting before the approval of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as UC president. Protester Alex Aldana is removed by UC police officers from the Board of Regents meeting before the approval of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as UC president. Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close UC regents appoint Napolitano amid protest 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano became the first woman appointed to lead the University of California on Thursday during a sometimes raucous meeting of the UC regents in San Francisco where police arrested six immigrant rights protesters.

They were among dozens of demonstrators who contended that Napolitano was the wrong person to lead an institution with so many students from around the world.

The immigration issue cost her unanimous approval when student Regent Cinthia Flores refused to support her, echoing protesters' concerns that the record number of immigrants deported under her leadership "produced insurmountable barriers to higher education."

As Homeland Security secretary since 2009, Napolitano presided over the deportation of some 1.4 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. About 40 immigration activists and students staged a noon protest outside the regents meeting at UCSF Mission Bay, then urged the regents to reject the appointment.

Instead, the regents embraced Napolitano.

"We have in front of us a remarkable person of character who will exceed expectations," said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, an ex-officio regent, who cited Napolitano's record of leadership and praised her endorsement of the federal policies that allow students brought illegally to this country as children to remain and study.

Regent Bonnie Reese, who served on the committee that recommended Napolitano, said several private university presidents had refused to consider the UC job because of the system's uncertain funding and the "challenges" of dealing with the public process.

"But this candidate was eager," she said of Napolitano. "She said this was a lifelong dream to come here."

$570,000 salary

Napolitano will become the 20th UC president when she takes office in late September. She'll earn an annual base salary of $570,000 that, apparently at her request, will be less than the $591,084 of outgoing President Mark Yudof. As homeland security secretary, Napolitano earns less than $200,000. She will also receive an $8,916 auto allowance and a lump sum of $142,500 for relocating to California, which must be paid back if she leaves within four years.

As Napolitano's pay package was read out - but before the regents took their vote - two protesters jumped over a rope and rushed the regents. They were quickly apprehended by UC police.

Other activists shouted, "Shame! Shame!" as the regents recessed the meeting and police declared an unlawful assembly. Dozens in the audience walked out, but four protesters remained, shouting, "Undocumented is not a crime - Napolitano, it's not your time!"

Six protesters were arrested, cited and released before the regents resumed their meeting.

Praise for candidate

Last week's announcement of Napolitano as the nominee brought praise from diverse groups of UC observers, including faculty members; university watchdogs like Robert Shireman, former undersecretary of education under President Obama; Gov. Jerry Brown; and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

In Arizona, Napolitano, a Democrat, was twice elected governor. She was the first female attorney general in that state, and was appointed U.S. attorney in Arizona by President Bill Clinton. Napolitano graduated in 1979 from Santa Clara University and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. In 1991, she represented Anita Hill, who testified against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, alleging sexual harassment. Thomas was confirmed.

Supporters have called her an intellectual giant who has a talent for managing large and complex institutions.

UC has a budget of $24 billion - about 11 percent of it coming from the state - supporting 10 campuses, five medical centers and three federal laboratories.

Opponents say no

But on Thursday, opponents lined up to urge the regents to reject Napolitano.

As TV cameras rolled and cameras clicked, a UC Berkeley student told the regents she was an Indonesian immigrant living in the United States without documentation. She said her parents had been deported under Napolitano's watch and that she was spared because of federal policies implemented by Obama that mimic the Dream Act. But she said the secretary's support of that program was too little, too late.

"With the selection of Ms. Napolitano, I am afraid school is no longer a safe place for me," she said.

Over and over, protesters told similar stories.

A student named Bruno said he and his father were in the United States without documentation and were working to pay for Bruno's education when police arrested and deported his father.

"I didn't know that was the last time I was ever going to see my father again," he said. "This happened under the Napolitano regime."

UC Student Association President Raquel Morales presented a letter signed by nine former student association presidents expressing concerns about Napolitano.

Student Regent Flores refused to support her, and student Regent Designate Sadia Saifuddin, who won't have voting privileges for another year, said she would have opposed the appointment.

Protesters vowed that opposition would continue even if Napolitano were confirmed. Protester Alex Aldana, 26, who wore a sign around his neck that said "Undocumented," called her a terrorist before leaping over the barrier and being arrested.

After the vote

Napolitano did not enter the room until the regents had voted. Once confirmed, Napolitano told the regents her appointment was "a privilege and an honor."

"Let me acknowledge that I am not a traditional candidate for this position," she said. "I have not spent a career in academia. That said, I have spent 20 years in public service advocating for it."

Reporters later asked for her response to the protesters.

"I'd say to those students - documented or undocumented - that we welcome all students," Napolitano said. "We're in the business of education."