Rhiannon Leleiona Bailard

The meeting involved a roll call to establish quorum and a period for public comment, during which no comments were offered. The Committee subsequently entered a closed session before reconvening in open session. Upon returning, the appointment of Professor Ben Depoorter as Vice Chair of the Search Committee was announced. The meeting concluded with an adjournment of the open session.

The agenda for this meeting includes the Roll Call, a Public Comment Period, reports from the UCLAS President and Board Chair. The Board Chair's report covers the Advancement and Communications Committee and the Educational Policy Committee, with topics such as Academic Program Strategic Priorities, Faculty Hiring, Student Outcomes, and Artificial Intelligence. The Finance Committee Consent Calendar includes the State Budget Report, Auxiliary Enterprises Budget Report, Academe at 198 McAllister Budget Report, Nonstate Contracts and Grants over $100,000 (including office space buildout and legal services), Academic Village Implementation updates, and Endowment Management spending rate for 2026-27. Additional items include reports from the Chief Financial Officer concerning contracts and budget models, and Finance Committee informational reports on investments and bond financing. The meeting structure also indicates a closed session to discuss litigation updates (Facilities, AFSCME, Other) and updates on the Chancellor & Dean Search, followed by officer compensation review before returning to open session.

The Educational Policy Committee meeting focused heavily on reports from the Provost and Academic Dean Morris Ratner. Key discussions included the legal education landscape, faculty hiring, and significant updates on the Bar Exam. Regarding the Bar Exam, the committee reviewed preliminary strong first-time pass rates for the July 2025 exam, detailed statistical analyses of success determinants across student quartiles, and discussed the anticipated changes for the 2028 exam, noting the uncertainty between adopting the NextGen UBE or a California-specific exam. Student Health Services were also discussed, detailing navigation challenges within the UC SHIP system and plans for future contract evaluation. Furthermore, the committee received a report on employment trends, specifically addressing accelerated 'Big Law' hiring timelines, heightened student anxiety, and efforts by the Career Development Office to support students through these rapid changes. Reports also touched upon the First Generation Program and Artificial Intelligence updates.

The Advancement & Communications Committee meeting included several key reports and discussions. The Communications Office reported on ongoing efforts, including coordinated storytelling around the Center for Constitutional Democracy launch, Constitution Day, and alumni chapter launches in Japan and Sacramento. Communications efforts also focused on amplifying an op-ed, covering campus traditions, and aligning news categories with campaign priorities. The Advancement Officer provided an update on the comprehensive campaign, noting it entered its public phase with strong momentum and had surpassed $70 million toward its $100 million goal. Staffing updates announced new hires in the Advancement Office. Plans for Spring Week 2026, with a special focus on the 50th reunion for the Class of 1976, were also discussed. The committee also addressed fundraising trends for centers and the college overall.

The Executive Committee meeting agenda included an action item for the approval of Federal Historic Tax Credit Financing for the 100 McAllister Street Project with the National Trust Community Investment Corporation ("NTCIC"), which included approval of a Bridge Loan up to $30,000,000. Another action item involved the approval of a Letter of Intent with the California Community Colleges regarding Academic Village Housing. The committee also received an update concerning the Plan of Finance for the McAllister Tower Project, specifically regarding the Series 2026 Bonds.