<p>Maybe the astro-physicist is a man of many talents. Besides, I doubt he’s allowed to double-dip - ie get salary as a faculty member AND as a vice-chancellor. I think that’s the point Birgeneau is trying to make.</p>
<p>I’m sure other private peer schools have such positions so why is George focusing on UC? California is a lot more liberal in its politics than most of nation so that may be a reason for both the ‘need’ for such a position and George’s criticism of UC. </p>
<p>Although UC’s are mostly minority, from a purely political point, its not. Majority of UC students are Asians and whites. Hispanics come in a distant third and blacks barely register. Asians are not considered minorities in a classical sense. So it would be easy for UC to make an argument that the need for such position does exist. Regardless, I do wish they’d be more fiscally conservative in how the public funds are spent.</p>