Senate rules committee advances Regent Bob Myers’ confirmation to full Senate after questions on campus safety and protests

The California State Senate Rules Committee voted 3-0 to advance the nomination of Regent Bob Myers to the full Senate for confirmation after a hearing that focused on campus safety, recent student protests and labor unrest at University of California campuses.

Myers, a UCLA alumnus and nominee to the Board of Regents, made brief opening remarks and said he would “not take three minutes” of committee time before answering questions. “I grew up in California. I love this state,” Myers said during his brief remarks, and described his desire to support public higher education and learn from committee members as he assumes the role.

Committee members pressed Myers on several recent controversies on UC campuses. The committee’s vice chair asked how the UC system is ensuring compliance with executive orders related to antisemitic harassment and referenced a recent settlement, saying, “you just recently — the UC system… settled a lawsuit… I think that was $6,000,000,” and asked where any payout would come from and what steps would prevent similar incidents. The vice chair’s question reflected concerns raised by lawmakers about campus incidents in which students were blocked from classrooms and about the institution’s plans to prevent recurrence.

Myers responded that campus safety and student access should be “paramount” and said the regents and campus leadership are working to clarify policies and dedicate more resources. He added that some discussions about strategy occurred in closed sessions and that he could not disclose specifics, but said, “it's a serious thing and it's something that requires a lot of good thought and fair-minded thinking.”

Senators also asked Myers about labor unrest and recent protests. Senator Laird asked about short strikes and arrests of demonstrators at campus meetings, and what role regents should play in ensuring harmonious labor relations. Myers said he had observed vocal protests and emphasized listening to workers and stakeholders. He declined to judge whether particular law-enforcement actions were appropriate, saying he did not know the specifics of arrests but that the regents take worker concerns seriously.

Committee members raised the larger challenge of balancing free speech and safety on campus — including enforcement of long‑standing rules on encampments — and asked whether regents should revisit policies to better protect all students. Myers said laws and policies sometimes need revisiting and that leadership and enforcement are key to making rules work in practice.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the committee’s public-comment period on the Myers nomination. After discussion, a motion to send the nomination to the Senate floor for a full vote carried on a 3-0 roll call.

The committee record shows the vote to advance Myers’ nomination was 3 to 0. The nomination will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

The hearing combined personal testimony from the nominee with substantive questioning from committee members about matters of campus safety, civil rights and labor relations. Committee members said they will monitor the regents’ oversight role and expect follow-up as the nominee learns the specifics of ongoing compliance efforts and campus policy changes.