The way the UC system is run is absolutely criminal. The way they cut things is politically stupid - allowing the UCs to structure them as tuition hikes and services cutback rather than cutting regents’ salaries (or the regents all-together), and the layers of middle management that riddle the system.
Part of this is that the state would rather give the UCs money without oversight, but I think part of it is that the regents and management are the best politically connected part of the UC system and thus able to resist cuts to their own pocketbooks.
Yes, and I don't think we even want to get into discussions about the tax-paid curriculum being fostered on young skulls of mush; important career enhancing programs like UC Davis' Program in African American & African Studies.