University of California President Janet Napolitano received an official admonishment from the school's regents Thursday after she green-lighted a plan to allow her aides to review responses to a confidential survey among campus staff members.
Napolitano, who served as secretary of Homeland Security from 2009-2013, will keep her job as the top administrator of the university, the Los Angeles Times reported. But the Board of Regents spent five hours discussing her role in approving a plan regarding the survey responses, which led to delays in a state audit of her office.
George Kieffer, who chairs the Board of Regents, said in a statement, "The president's decision to approve a plan to coordinate the survey responses reflected poor judgment and set in motion a course of conduct that the Board of Regents finds unacceptable. Her decision and the then follow-on actions of her direct reports reflect negatively on the University of California community, which is committed to the highest ethical standards in furthering the University's mission of teaching, research and public service.
"The board has therefore made clear to President Napolitano that her decision in connection with the audit did not meet the high standards and good judgment expected of her. The Board has also directed the President to further examine the culture within UCOP that may have contributed to the failure of others to meet their respective responsibilities."
Kieffer was quick to note, however, that the board "fully supports" Napolitano remaining in her post.
A Democrat, Napolitano served as Arizona governor from 2003-2009 before joining the Obama administration as the third secretary of Homeland Security. She has remained active politically, voicing her opinion on President Donald Trump's policies in recent months.
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