91¿´Æ¬

91¿´Æ¬ issues green report

91¿´Æ¬ officials delivered their annual report on 91¿´Æ¬'s progress in implementing its green building, clean energy and sustainable transportation policy to the 91¿´Æ¬ regents on Jan. 16. The report highlights a number of 91¿´Æ¬ accomplishments in 2006, including:

• Seven of 91¿´Æ¬'s 10 campuses, including Davis, received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Best Workplaces for Commuters designation.
• 91¿´Æ¬ saved nearly $5 million in annual operating costs as a result of its energy efficiency projects.
• Green building targets were included in 75 building projects.
• The Santa Barbara and Merced campuses were chosen by the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in a pilot program for leading green building organizations in the country.
• 91¿´Æ¬ Santa Cruz now purchases 100 percent renewable energy.

For the report, see www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/jan07/113.pdf.

Staff advisers permanent

The 91¿´Æ¬ Board of Regents Jan. 18 approved permanent staff advisers in an effort to include employees' views in board decisions.

The regents also announced a call for nominations to serve as the next staff adviser designate from July 2007 to June 2009. The deadline is Feb. 28.

Under the program, two 91¿´Æ¬ employees will be added as advisers to the board. The action comes in the wake of a two-year pilot program aimed at improving communications between 91¿´Æ¬ employees — including non-Senate academic employees — and regents. The advisers are allowed to participate in open sessions held by certain committees.

Information on the program is available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/staffadvisors.

New 91¿´Æ¬ Merced chancellor

The 91¿´Æ¬ Board of Regents Jan. 17 appointed 91¿´Æ¬ Santa Cruz engineering dean Sung-Mo (Steve) Kang as chancellor of 91¿´Æ¬ Merced. Kang replaces Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, who stepped down last August after seven years as 91¿´Æ¬ Merced chancellor to return to teaching and scholarship.

Kang is expected to take office on or about March 1.

Recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in his field, Kang, 61, was selected following a nationwide search that produced about 65 candidates. During the search, 91¿´Æ¬ president Dynes was advised by a committee comprising regents, faculty, students and alumni.

Since 2001, Kang has served as dean of the Baskin School of Engineering and professor of electrical engineering at 91¿´Æ¬ Santa Cruz. As 91¿´Æ¬ Merced chancellor, Kang will receive an annual salary of $295,000.