UC Students, Faculty Concerned Over Napolitano's Nomination

Napolitano’s record as Homeland Security Secretary is drawing the brunt of the concern.

UC Santa Cruz Professer Bob Meister, who serves as president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations, wonders if Napolitano’s nomination signals Regents’ intention to get UC’s valuable research resources into the national security industry.  “It’s a question of whether it’s just an accident that she’s the cabinet secretary who dealt with this industry, or whether that was a major part of her appeal,” he says.

UC Student Association President Raquel Morales says she’s concerned about Napolitano’s immigration record.  Under the secretary’s watch, the federal government has increased deportations of undocumented immigrants.  “As someone who used to be undocumented and as someone who has lived through a lot of the things that are currently happening in our country, I think it’s a real and valid concern for the student body,” Morales says.

Some students and immigrant advocates plan to protest Napolitano’s nomination as the Regents meet in San Francisco.