In Scathing Audit Of UC President's Office, It's "She Said, She Said"

As the University of California raises student tuition and limits in-state enrollment, a new audit says President Janet Napolitano’s office has all the while held onto an “undisclosed” budget reserve. The UC is blasting some of the audit’s findings.

State Auditor Elaine Howle says Napolitano’s office hung onto unspent money several years in a row.

“$175 million in reserve funds – they have not disclosed this information to the regents or the Legislature or the public for that matter,” says Howle. 

She also says the Legislature should start funding the UC president’s office separately from the rest of the university to improve transparency and accountability.

Napolitano’s office says most of the money is earmarked for specific programs – with the Board of Regents’ knowledge and consent. 

“These recommendations certainly threaten our standing as a constitutionally autonomous entity," says spokeswoman Claire Doan. "They also undermine the regents’ oversight and fiduciary responsibility.” 

Lawmakers of both parties immediately slammed the UC and said the tuition increase should be reversed.

Auditor's report on the office of the UC president by BayAreaNewsGroup on Scribd