The Three Boards of UC Hastings

University of California Hastings College of the Law benefits from the involvement of three separate bodies of elected or appointed board members. Almost all of the members of these boards are our own alumni, and they are among the most engaged of our graduates.

Allow me to introduce the three boards at UC Hastings with which I am honored to work:

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing authority of the institution. It has fiduciary responsibility for UC Hastings and sets policy. It selects and evaluates the Chancellor & Dean, delegating to him or her the tasks of day-to-day management. All institutions of higher education have a board of this nature. The UC system as a whole has the Board of Regents. Our Board is the equivalent of the UC Board, operating independently of the Regents. The Governor of California appoints members to the Board of Directors, the Senate confirms them, and they serve as volunteers for a twelve-year term. In addition to the Chancellor & Dean, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel also report to the Board; the General Counsel serves as Secretary to it. Note, the General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer have a dual reporting line: to the Board of Directors and the Chancellor. The Board acts as a body, and, as is true of the best practice of governing boards in general, individual Directors are not typically regarded as autonomous. One Director is always a direct, lineal descendant of our founder, Serranus Clinton Hastings, the first Chief Justice of California. The Board of Directors meets quarterly. Its standing committees hold additional meetings.

• By-Laws, Standing Orders and Board Policies
• Complete list of the Board of Directors

Board of Trustees

The UC Hastings Foundation (formerly the 1066 Foundation) is a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit entity created to lead fundraising for the school. This body has its own Board of Trustees, half of whom are selected by the Board of Directors. The current Chancellor & Dean serves as a Trustee as well. Individual Trustees are expected to donate a minimum of $1000 per year to the school. The Assistant Dean for Institutional Advancement serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation. The Board of Trustees meets three times per year, including one meeting in Southern California.

Board of Governors

The UC Hastings Alumni Association has a Board of Governors with 50 members. The Board meets three times per year, including one meeting in Southern California, and spearheads outreach efforts for the school to alumni and students. The mission of the Alumni Association is to strengthen and nurture bonds between UC Hastings colleagues and the law school by providing outstanding opportunities for personal and professional growth. The Governors have an active partnership with ASUCH leadership to bring alumni mentors to student organizations and get together with students in small group outings. One example of this activity is “Six@Six,” wherein an alumnus hosts six students at six p.m. for dinner.

As Chancellor and Dean, I benefit from the advice and counsel of our board members, and the institution benefits from their support. Together, UC Hastings continues moving forward toward a great future.

Sincerely,
Frank H. Wu
Chancellor & Dean