Yudof begins UC presidency

Mark G. Yudof, former chancellor of the University of Texas System, began his first day as president of the University of California today.

Yudof, the 19th president to head the 10-campus university system, was appointed by the University of California Board of Regents in March. He will succeed former UC president Robert C. Dynes, who served almost five years.

His appointment was welcomed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who in a press release in April, praised the Regents' selection.

"This is a world-class selection for a world-class university system. As one of the nation's most important and respected university leaders, Mr. Yudof has a proven record of great achievements," Schwarzenegger said.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and UC Regents Chairman Richard C. Blum were also among those that praised Yudof's selection as the new UC president. In a statement released on the UC news website, Garamendi stated that he believed Yudof would address the issues of affordability and access for students.

One of Yudof's first acts as the new president was accepting the resignation of Wyatt Rory Hume, UC provost and chief operating officer of the university during the presidential transition.

In an e-mail to colleagues earlier today, Hume said he plans on stepping down in September and continuing "to work to advance higher education and health care both in the U.S. and internationally."