OPEN GOVERNMENT --The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported yesterday that the Sonoma State University Academic Foundation used donated funds to provide huge personal loans to cronies of foundation board members, some of which may never be recovered. That's a good example of why such foundations need to be transparent, says the office of a lawmaker who's got a bill on the issue.
The Assembly Higher Education Committee is set to vote on a bill Tuesday to ensure greater access to public records at such foundations and auxiliaries operating at California State University and the University of California campuses.
Specifically, SB 218, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) will allow for greater accountability by updating the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to include auxiliary organizations that receive public funds or perform government functions on state campuses.
“With 87 foundations and auxiliaries operating on 23 CSU campuses, the SSU scandal may be just the tip of the iceberg,” said Yee. “It is imperative that we pass SB 218 to ensure that these organizations comply with the state’s public records act and are held accountable.”
“It creates a noxious brew when we combine large sums of money with little or no public openness. And, it’s an obvious invitation to corruption,” said Lillian Taiz, president of the California Faculty Association, who is a history professor at Cal State Los Angeles.
According to the CSU Chancellor’s Office, 20 percent of its $6.7 billion budget, or $1.34 billion, is held in auxiliaries and foundations, which is out of public view.
“Taxpayers and students deserve to know how their public universities are run,” said Yee. “SB 218 will ensure that our public higher education systems operate in the light of day and are held accountable.”
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